So, here we are Saturday 12th June, 2010 and another World Cup has just kicked off!
Who are you supporting, anyone? For me, it has to be 'England, my England!'
Yes, I've been living in the US now for 10 years, and my wonderful American wife Rhonda has my heart, but when it comes down to footy and the USA versus England, aha, it's showdown time!
Seriously, I just hope that everyone out there in South Africa has a great time and a safe time.
There's been a lot of fear of what may or may not happen while the event takes place and I pray that people are civilized and everyone keeps their heads - Literally! - out there and everyone simply enjoys themselves.
'Come on you England,' says I and good luck to everyone else. May the best team win! - Hope it's England! ;-)
Jimmy Page 'gets his Mojo Award' and is inducted into the Mojo Hall Of Fame
(Picture courtesy of http://www.mojo4music.com/blog/)
It's nice to see some seriously talented old classic rockers, still making their mark in todays ever changing music scene and lets face, there's not that many bands that come as legendary as Led Zeppelin.
Good for Jimmy Page then for getting inducted into the 'Mojo Hall of Fame,' winning his last Mojo award back in 2007 when Led Zeppelin reunited, albeit very briefly!
He also revealed he was working on new material, with a number of different projects.
He has also been taken on by Robbie Williams' management company IE.
"I'm just looking forward to making some music and surprising people with it," he said.
"It won't be just teaming up with lots of people who are [big] names. I've got an idea of something which I've had for a long time and now's the time to do it."
Read more on other details from the awards here:
Rush to be on Hollywood 'Walk of Fame'
RUSH TO BE HONORED WITH STAR ON THE HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME
Hollywood Honor Coincides With Tour, Documentary and New Single
WHO: RUSH- Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart
Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, President/CEO Leron Gubler
Guest speakers: Donna Halper , former radio personality at WMMS in Cleveland
where Rush received their first airplay with 'Working Man'
WHAT: 2,412th Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
WHERE: 6752 Hollywood Boulevard in front of Musician’s Institute
WHEN: Friday, June 25, at 11:30 a.m.
Rush – is without question one of the most inventive and compelling groups in rock history, equally famed for both its virtuoso musicianship and provocative songwriting.
The honor comes as the progressive-rock trio comprised of bassist-frontman Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson and drummer Neil Peart gear up for their North American Time Machine tour and pre-releasing 2 new songs “Caravan” & “BU2B” from their forthcoming 20th studio album Clockwork Angels (due spring 2011)
Just last year, a career-chronicling Rolling Stone feature praised the band for its continuing artistic vitality, noting that “It’s true that Rush doesn’t mean today what it did in ’76 or even ’96. It may mean more.”
Rush's enduring pop culture relevance is perhaps best evidenced by a pair of high- profile appearances - a rare national television performance and interview on Comedy Central's "The Colbert Report" in 2008 (the band's first TV appearance since 1975), and a pivotal role in the storyline of the 2009 hit comedy, I Love You, Man, starring Paul Rudd and Jason Segal, where the band also made a memorable cameo in the film.
Beginning with their self-titled debut album in 1974, their extraordinary body of work – which includes such formidable works as 1976’s 2112, 1981’s Moving Pictures, 1996’s Test for Echo and the latest studio album “Snakes & Arrows”- made a triumphant debut on the Billboard 200 upon its initial release in 2007, entering the chart in the #3 spot. The album’s success marked Rush’s highest chart debut since 1993, as well as the group’s eleventh Top Ten album in the U.S.
Rush has sold more than 40 million records worldwide and garnered untold legions of devoted and admiring fans. According to the RIAA, Rush's sales statistics place RUSH third behind The Beatles and The Rolling Stones for the most consecutive gold or platinum studio albums by a rock band. Some of their most popular songs include: The Spirit of Radio, Tom Sawyer, Limelight, Closer To The Heart, YYZ, Working Man and Subdivisons.
Rush has also won a number of Juno Awards, been nominated for multiple Grammy awards, was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1994, bestowed the Order of Canada in 1997, inducted into Canada’s Walk of Stars in 1999 and Canada’s Songwriting Hall of Fame in March of 2010.
Consistently celebrated and respected worldwide, Rush is the most successful Canadian rock band of all time, and they remain one of the biggest grossing arena rock bands ever.
Rush has become known for the instrumental skills of its members, complex compositions, and eclectic lyrical motifs drawing heavily on science fiction, fantasy, and libertarian philosophy, as well as addressing humanitarian, social, emotional, and environmental concerns.
Also happening this month is a special limited engagement big screen release of the documentary "Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage," which opens worldwide on June 10. Directors Sam Dunn with Scot McFadyen's rock doc, which follows the band's 40-plus-years career, premiered this past April at the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival where it won the coveted Audience Award. The documentary includes interviews with some of today’s most respected rock artists such as Billy Corgan, Taylor Hawkins, Trent Reznor, Sebastian Bach, Kirk Hammett and Gene Simmons speaking about the influence of Rush.
The doc is slated for release on DVD and Blu-Ray in the U.S. on June 29.
Four days after receiving the Hollywood Walk of Fame star at 6752 Hollywood Blvd., Rush will kick off its "Time Machine Tour" on June 29, in Albuquerque, New Mexico and finish October 2, in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Stryper's covers album, coming along ...
Brief one, but thought I'd share this anyway ...
You can keep up with the progress of the new covers album they've done / are doing, of many of their musical influences.
Michael in the last couple of days has posted these brief updates:
"Inagaddadavida" turned out absolutely incredible - we're on to "Fire" by Arthur Brown now....
about 10 hours ago via txt.
Mixes are sounding great! 7 down and 6 to go... Mastering on the 21st-yes! It's good hanging with Oz...
about 11 hours ago via txt.
Well, it's reality now-mixing is here and it sounds excellent! Oz gets in tomorrow and Tim and Rob next week... Samples soon :-)
4:54 PM Jun 8th via txt.
Last week of vocals and into mixing next week! Also, the haircut was a joke-it was pulled back-just me clowning around again :-)
7:19 AM Jun 1st via txt
Also keeping checking here for any other possible updates:
www.michaelsweet.com/
www.michaelsweet.com/
How about a little charity and maybe you'll win a signed Eddie guitar?!
This from the Van Halen newsdesk:
Walk on Role for Curb Your Enthusiasm, Meet Lady Antebellum or Sean Hannity, win David Lee Roth’s Guitar, Plus Numerous Auctions for Good
Celebrities & charities come together to raise vital funds via unique online auctions on Auction Cause
Los Angeles, Calif (Vocus) — Auction Cause, the leading online cause marketing agency for unique and memorable celebrity driven auctions has seldom had a lineup like this. “In a time where nonprofits are challenged to find creative revenue sources, we have seen a tremendous outpouring of generosity from celebrities across the spectrum of the entertainment industry.”, commented Eric Gazin, President of Auction Cause. “We have many bidders who want to take part in a once in a lifetime experience, buy a piece of rare memorabilia, or just give to a cause they believe in. TV shows, brands, and celebrities realize they now have a safe way to fundraise, drive viewership, and showcase the good they are doing through cause marketing with us”, he added.
Those visiting http://www.auctioncause.com/ will be able to some very special Father’s Day shopping as well as treat themselves to the kinds of auction items rarely offered to the public at any price. Highlights include:
David Lee Roth’s customized Tacoma acoustic guitar, complete with his drawing on it, is now available. Money raised will support The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Auction ends June 17th. Bid on the DLR guitar here.
