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Kip Winger Symphony Of The Returning Light Album Review
The second classical album written by Kip Winger (Winger, solo artist), Symphony Of The Returning Light Violin Concerto “In The Language Of Flowers” was released on April 10th of 2026.
The follow up to his 2016 classical album Conversations With Nijinsky, Kip continues to show his talents as a classical music composer.
If you are a fan of classical music, there is no reason why you should not love this album.
One of the pieces, “Ambrosia”, brought me to tears. Very beautiful piece of music.
Great stuff!!!
Seek it out.
And thanks Kip for answering my question on a Facebook Live you did recently. I included that video here too.
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Mariah And I Visited The Toledo Zoo
Mariah and I visited her favorite place, The Toledo Zoo, in Toledo, OH on Saturday, April 25th.
I personally had not been to a zoo since the late 80s when my family went to a zoo in Cincinnati, OH.
We had a good time. Saw lots of different types of animals. I took lots of pictures. I would have taken more pictures, but my phone battery was running out of power.
Regardless, it was a good day and it was great seeing all the different animals.
Favorites of mine include The Bald Eagle, Snowy Owl, Tiger (although it was asleep), Flamingos, Giraffes, Hippos. All were great, though.
I’ll let the pictures do most of the talking.
Enjoy and I recommend checking out The Toledo Zoo if you are ever in that area.
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I Finally Met Peter Criss of KISS!!
A few months ago, it was announced that Peter Criss (original drummer/co-singer of my favorite band KISS, as well as a solo artist) was going to do a few signings/photo op appearances to promote his latest solo album “Peter Criss”.
One of the appearances was going to be in the Detroit, MI area. Livonia, MI to be exact.
Originally, I was going to pass on it because I didn’t think I could afford it, but after Mariah mentioned it to me again, I then decided to do it, and it wasn’t extremely expensive. Thank you babe for mentioning it to me again.
Anyway, I went to the first day of it (Peter did two days of this appearance) at The Rock City Music Company, a very nice music/musical instrument store.
While waiting in line, I was able to speak to some fellow KISS fans and hear and tell some stories, which are always fun. Two of them first saw KISS on the Destroyer tour in 1976. One of which told me he and his friends went to their hotel, asked for Peter’s room number, got on the phone with Peter, and Peter invited them up to his room. One fan had come from Australia for this event and for the KISS Indy Expo in Indiana. Another fan caught Eric Carr (KISS drummer from 1980-1991, RIP) drum sticks once on a tour. I love all of these stories.
Peter did the appearances in a series of roughly hour increments (5 PM signing, 6 PM signing, 7 PM photo ops, 8 PM signing).
I met Peter in the 5 PM signing. His wife Gigi was with him. Both were very nice.
I had Peter sign my copy of his latest CD. When I told him I thought it is my favorite of his solo albums, he told me he thought so too and laughed.
I showed Peter my original KISS concert tickets from 1998 and 2000. He asked me how much the tickets cost and when I told him, he told me he wished that tickets were not so expensive now (they were cheaper then) and that bands should be grateful that their fans are still showing up to see them.
Peter said he was grateful for his fans and was grateful I was there.
I told him I loved him and thanked him for everything, that KISS is my favorite band, and he said “I love you too”, said God Bless You, and wished me good health.
Later on, when I was waiting in line to get my picture taken with him, I could hear him playing his drum kit (he sits behind a drum kit while the fans stand in front of it for the picture), and as I already knew, he still plays great.
Very cool experience for me. As I said, KISS is my favorite band (all albums, all lineups) and Peter was the last original member I had not met.
I had met Ace Frehley (lead guitar/vocals, RIP) in 2016, Gene Simmons (bass/vocals) and Paul Stanley (guitar/vocals) in 2019, and now Peter Criss (drums/vocals) on April 24th of 2026.
Thank you Peter and Gigi. Thank you to The Rock City Music Company. Thank you to the cool fans who I spoke with. Thank you KISS!!!! And thank you Mariah once again for mentioning this event to me again. If you would not have mentioned it to me, I would not have gone. I love you babe.
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Black Label Society Engines Of Demolition Album Review
Black Label Society’s new album, Engines Of Demolition, was released on March 27 of 2026.
Singer/songwriter/guitarist/leader Zakk Wylde and co. have made another great album.
I think all BLS albums are quite good or great, but This is definitely one of my favorite BLS albums.
Lots of variety on it. Tons of heavy rockers, but also some really ballads and mellower songs too.
Wow what an album.
Get it!!!
And thanks guys for signing it too!!!
Rock on!!
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Ringmaster: Vince McMahon And The Unmaking Of America By Abraham Josephine Riesman Book Review
Ringmaster: Vince McMahon And The Unmaking Of America was first released in 2023 (revised in 2024, I have the 2023 version) by Abraham (now Josephine) Riesman.
Ringmaster is a unauthorized biography of wrestling promoter Vince McMahon.
I personally think this may be as close as we will get to an official biography about Mr. McMahon, but who knows.
Either way, it is a very well done book, talking about Mr. McMahon’s early history, which many do not know about. Talks about how he ultimately bought his Dad’s company and made it into the biggest wrestling/sports entertainment company we will ever see. Talks about various wrestlers that worked for and with Mr. McMahon, his relationship with his family, various wrestling story line angles, and his relationship with President Donald Trump and many comparisons there.
This book is quite detailed, and I really need to check out the updated version too.
The author Abraham (now Josephine) Riesman did a great job with it.
If you are a wrestling fan, then this is a must read. Some stuff is already quite known by fans, and a lot is not.
Either way, I recommend reading this book.
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Lay It On The Line: A Backstage Pass To Rock Star Adventure, Conflict And Triumph By Rik Emmett Book Review
Singer/songwriter/guitarist Rik Emmett (Triumph/solo artist) released his autobiography Lay It On The Line: A Backstage Pass To Rock Star Adventure, Conflict And Triumph on October 10th of 2023.
Rik has a lot to say in this book.
He talks about growing up, early bands he was in, some Triumph talk, a lot of talk about his solo career and solo albums, family life, family tragedy, philosophies, you name it.
I wish he would have spoken more about Triumph, and clearly, he was in a different place in his life when he wrote this book.
I say that because when he wrote this book, he was retired from touring, and as I type this in April of 2026, he is back on tour with Triumph for their first tour in over 30 years, which is great.
It is a good book, but again, I wish there was more Triumph talk, even though he did cover a lot about them, and I wish the book was being released now or next year in 2027 because he would have even more to say.
Maybe there will be a revised version or follow-up. Who knows.
Either way, it’s worth reading if you are a fan of this tremendously talented guy.
Rock on Rik!! See you May 30th.
