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Bob Daisley For Facts Sake Book Review
Bassist Bob Daisley has done it all.
For many music fans, they know him as the bassist on many of Ozzy Osbourne’s biggest albums, but many may not know that Bob wrote many of Ozzy’s lyrics and he played in other bands before and after working with Ozzy.
If you are a music fan, this is a MUST READ book.
Bob tells it all. Not necessarily dishing dirt, but just tells the truth.
He played in the bands/artists Kahvas Jute, Widowmaker, Chicken Shack, Rainbow, The Blizzard Of Ozz (what Ozzy’s group was supposed to be called), Uriah Heep, Gary Moore, Black Sabbath, and more.
But as I said, many know of his work with Ozzy.
He wrote the lyrics on all of the albums he worked on with Ozzy and was the bassist.
There have been efforts to try to discredit him for some of his work, but you cannot argue with the truth, and that is: Bob Daisley is an extremely important person in the career of Ozzy Osbourne (who I am a fan of too).
I don’t want to say too much because I’ll be giving it away, but I’ll just say read the book because Bob tells all.
He talks about working with Lee Kerslake (another hugely important person in Ozzy’s career), Randy Rhoads, Jake E. Lee, Zakk Wylde, and many others he has worked with including Ritchie Blackmore, Ronnie James Dio (I did not know he briefly played in the Dio band for a short run of tour dates), Cozy Powell, Gary Moore, Jon Lord, and so many more.
He has tons of pictures throughout the book too. My gosh it’s worth getting just for the pictures.
As a music fan, reading the story of him being around the Led Zeppelin guys and ultimately getting all of their autographs on their Led Zeppelin IV album to give to his sister for Christmas is phenomenal to me.
Bob has so many stories (this book is set up like a big coffee table book but is so easy and great to read) so I cannot say enough: GET THIS BOOK! You will not regret it.
Rock on Bob.
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Captain America: Brave New World Movie Review
I went to see the latest Marvel movie, Captain America: Brave New World, at my local theater on Saturday morning of February 15.
Anthony Mackie plays Captain America in this very good action movie/political thriller.
After going on a mission to recover a package, Captain America is being asked by The President Of The United States (played once again by one of my favorite actors ever Harrison Ford) to restart The Avengers.
However, an assassination attempt on The President thwarts this idea because the person who seemingly attempted to kill The President is one of Captain America’s closest friends.
However, more is going on here than appears.
Spoiler alert: mind control is involved and even The President is not exactly how he appears to be (Red Hulk).
As I said, this is a very good action movie but also a political thriller within a Marvel Comics superhero movie, which I find quite entertaining and refreshing.
Anthony Mackie is great. Harrison is awesome as always, and even though he’s not a completely likeable guy, he’s not totally bad either.
Giancarlo Esposito also has a small, but good part as a villain.
I’m not up on all my superhero stories, but I really enjoyed this movie.
I cannot recommend it enough.
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Eric Roberts Runaway Train Or The Story Of My Life So Far Book Review
Eric Roberts may bet the busiest actor on Earth.
He is constantly working and I mean that.
Movies (Runaway Train, King Of The Gypsies, Star 80, Best Of The Best 1 and 2, The Specialist The Dark Knight, The Expendables and soooo much more), TV (In Cold Blood, Less Than Perfect. Heroes, Suits, Grey’s Anatomy, and soooo much more), music videos (appearing in videos by The Killers, Mariah Carey, Rhianna, and more) reality shows (Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew, Dancing With The Stars), everything.
He’s even an author now.
Eric released his autobiography, “Runaway Train Or The Story Of My Life So Far”, written w/Sam Kashner, on September 27 of 2024.
In the book, Eric talks about many things.
His childhood, his relationships with his family (particularly his father and sisters, including his other famous younger sister Julia), starting acting as a kid and moving to NY to continue acting, many projects he’s done and his thoughts on them, his battles with substances, marriages (And how cats caused the end of one marriage. Read the book and you’ll understand.), stories about people he has worked with and learned from, an example of a week schedule in his life, and so much more.
Sorry that was a lot, but there is a lot in this book.
I really like Eric Roberts. He, like everyone is not perfect and he admits that, but I like him. I think he’s cool.
If you are a fan or just want to read a quick, but detailed book about a great talent and cool person, then read this book.
I hope I can meet Eric someday at a personal appearance because he does those too.
If you ever read this sir, just know I have all the respect in the world for you and I wish you well always.
Oh and when bought this book at a book store, it was already signed by Eric!! Thank you sir!!
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Becoming Led Zeppelin Movie Review
One of my best friends, Kevin Montavon, and I went to see a documentary/movie about one of the biggest and greatest bands ever: Led Zeppelin.
The film, called Becoming Led Zeppelin, chronicles the members of the band, singer Robert Plant, guitarist/producer/leader Jimmy Page, bassist/organist/multi-instrumentalist/arranger John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham, before they became the band.
The members themselves tell the story. Plant, Page, and Jones were interviewed in 2018 and the Bonham interview was archived somewhere for decades and was not heard until this film was about to get put together.
The guys really tell their story. About their upbringings, how they got into music, early bands they were in and early recordings they made, the formation of the band Led Zeppelin, the recording and writing of the first two albums and their concert tours.
This is a great film not to be missed by any Zeppelin or rock music fan all around the world.
My only complaint, like everyone else I’m sure, is that I wish it chronicled the rest of the band’s career.
But the title, Becoming Led Zeppelin, says it all.
Hopefully there will be another film chronicling the rest (I know the guys were interviewed plenty so hopefully there will be more.), but either way, this is a great piece of film, and up to this point, the only true authorized documentary/film involving the band.
And when you watch this film, you can tell how proud the guys are of their work and of their time being together when they were. And they should be proud.
I love this band and I wish I could time travel back to see them at any and every tour they did.
I’ve seen Robert Plant twice in concert, John Paul Jones in concert 3 times, and the son of John Bonham, Jason in concert, 6 times. I’ve sadly never seen Jimmy Page in concert or in person period, and I doubt I’ll ever be able to, but hey, I’ll keep hoping. I do have his autograph, though, as well as John Paul Jones’ and Jason Bonham’s autographs.
They are arguably the greatest band ever, and I would not disagree with that.
See this film!!!!!
Every member of Led Zeppelin is phenomenal.
All of their albums are phenomenal.
Led Zeppelin is phenomenal.
Great documentary/film, but I hope there will be more.
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Enter Night: A Biography of Metallica Book Review
Metallica ultimately became probably the biggest heavy metal band ever, but like all bands, they started small.
This book Enter Night: A Biography of Metallica, written by music journalist Mick Wall, came out in 2011 and it chronicles pre-band days of members growing up, how the band got started, and a lot of other times from then on up to 2010.
Metallica are still growing strong in 2025, and to quote music journalist Lonn Friend “they are the Led Zeppelin of this generation”. Lonn said this in the 90s, but I believe he is correct.
Who knew that a band that heavy would ultimately become the biggest band out of the music scene they came out of, and really became a U2 level size band.
But they did it and they did it by working very hard and with a lot of luck and great timing.
Sadly, not everyone made it through the whole thing. Bassist Cliff Burton tragically passed away in a band bus accident in 1987. Original lead guitarist Dave Mustaine, who later formed the great metal band Megadeth, was fired in 1983, and bassist Jason Newsted quit after 14 years of being in the band in 2001.
But three out of the four core members, singer/songwriter/rhythm guitarist/occasional lead guitarist James Hetfield, drummer Lars Ulrich, and lead guitarist Kirk Hammett are still there, and bassist Robert Trujillo has been in the band for almost 22 years as of this writing.
And through all the ups and downs (going through therapy and rehab) and controversies among fans (the band cutting their hair and eventually making different sounding albums, especially in the 90s, fighting against Napster and ultimately fans who used Napster), Metallica have ultimately stayed strong, still make what I think are very good albums, and still are playing stadiums and frankly don’t need an opening act to sell that many tickets, but they still have openers and usually are great ones.
Not many bands can play stadiums, but Metallica can.
And they do it very well.
They’ve earned their success and this book chronicles all of this.
It’s not an official autobiography, but Mick Wall, the author, has interviewed most of the band members over the years and has used quotes from said interviews, along with quotes from other people who knew/know them and he put together what I consider to be an almost official autobiography.
My only complaint is that he puts his opinion in the book sometimes too much, but otherwise, it’s a great book and I highly recommend it.
I’ve been a Metallica fan for over 25 years and I always will be.
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Anvil The Story Of Anvil Movie Review
Anvil The Story Of Anvil is a documentary/movie that was made in the mid-2000s.
It chronicles the band Anvil, who have been around since the late 1970s and have made several albums.
Unfortunately, they never got to be huge.
They’ve always had their fan base and never stopped, but never quite got over the hump and became a household name and huge band.
As it turns out, a fan of theirs from the 80s who became a friend also, Sacha Gervasi, later went on to become a screenwriter for movies (including The Terminal) and he got back in touch with the singer/guitarist from Anvil, Steve “Lips” Kudlow.
Gervasi came up with the idea of filming the band, which also includes drummer Robb Reiner (no not the actor/director) and then bassist Glenn Five and guitarist Ivan Hurd and making a documentary movie about them.
This movie shows the band playing many places, sometimes with decent crowds, other times not so much, and getting screwed out of getting paid many times, and sometimes not even having proper transportation between shows.
It also shows the band, Lips and Robb in particular who formed the band and made a pact at 14 that they would rock together forever, getting back in touch with an old colleague, music producer Chris Tsangarides (rest in peace) and they agree they will make another album together. Although Lips and Robb have to come up with the money to make it too so they can own it, which is also chronicled in this movie.
It shows the internal struggles in the band while making this album, struggling to shop it around to different record labels, and ultimately, the album got shopped around enough to where Anvil got an opening slot on a huge Japanese festival called Loud Park, showing the band in all their glory rocking out to a big crowd.
There is a lot in this movie that has to be seen to be believed.
And I know some or many who have seen Anvil The Story Of Anvil believe it to be like the movie This Is Spinal Tap, and that it’s not real.
Believe me: It is real!!
And it must be seen.
It’s been out for many years now, and luckily, the movie was a big success and ultimately catapulted Anvil up enough to where they have been able to make a living finally with their music and have not had to work day jobs ever again.
No they didn’t make it to Led Zeppelin’s level of success, but they have done well.
And I’m glad they have been able to get to the level that they have.
Because they have worked hard and they are a good, solid band.
Check out their albums.
And please check out this movie.
Again, it’s called Anvil The Story Of Anvil.
I have two DVD releases of it.
The original and a re-release with even more bonus features.
And I’m sure it’s able to stream too.
Rock on Lips and Robb!!!
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Flight Risk Movie Review
I went to see the movie Flight Risk, which was released a week ago.
It stars Mark Wahlberg as a hitman posing as just a pilot out to get this government witness (played by Topher Grace) from testifying against someone.
Grace is being taken from Alaska to New York by a U.S. Marshal (played by Michelle Dockery) and let’s just say it’s a wild ride.
I really enjoyed this movie.
Wahlberg initally plays a pilot but his character goes from being very friendly and maybe even annoyingly friendly to being very dark and menacing.
Very well directed by Mel Gibson (regardless of his controversy, he’s a great filmmaker), Flight Risk is a very good thriller, keeping you guessing and on the edge of your seat throughout.
Go see it.
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A Rare Treat: Seeing Rickey Medlocke Sing and Play Blackfoot Songs, as well as some Lynyrd Skynyrd Rarities!!
- Date of Concert: Friday, January 24, 2025
- Location of Concert: Plaza Theatre in Glasgow, KY
- Opener: Peacemaker
Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist Rickey Medlocke (Blackfoot, Lynyrd Skynyrd) has been making music and touring the world for more than 50 years.
His work with Blackfoot is forever classic rock in my opinion!!
He is also a classic member of Lynyrd Skynyrd (he was their drummer for awhile before going back to Blackfoot) and later rejoined Skynyrd as one of their guitarists and has been there ever since, still making great new music with them and touring everywhere.
Lynyrd Skynyrd takes up a lot of Rickey’s time, but in the last few years, Rickey put together his own band, appropriately named The Rickey Medlocke Band, so that he could occasionally do shows outside of Skynyrd and showcase more of his music, namely Blackfoot.
He also has recorded two new songs, both released in 2024, that are very good.
They are called “Never Run Out Of Road” and “Rise Again”. Check them out they’re great.
Anyway, I got to see one of these rare shows by The Rickey Medlocke Band and I have to say it blew me away!!
Rickey owns the Blackfoot name and several years ago, started forming groups using the Blackfoot name to let them go out and play the music for people.
I got to see one of those shows a few years ago too, and as great and fun as that was, nothing beats the originals.
I’ve read of bad blood between other members of Blackfoot towards Rickey and I’m sorry about that, but as a fan of everyone, I’m glad that Rickey is sort of taking the mantle up once again and giving these great songs a proper live experience.
His band, which also includes guitarists Mark Woerpel and Mark Westlund, bassist Johnny Keyte, drummer Steve Soderstrom, and Rickey’s wife Stacy Michelle on backing vocals and occasional lead vocals, is super loud and tight.
Rickey is as great as he’s ever been on vocals and guitar.
He also plays some Skynyrd songs (a couple he played acoustically for the first time ever at this show), other covers, and has played the new songs too but it’s mostly Blackfoot songs, which is fine with me.
I don’t intend to see very many shows in 2025, but this one was a big deal to me because as a Blackfoot fan, seeing Rickey sing/play these songs the way they should be sung and played is the best.
Thank you so much sir for all the great music you have made and continue to make.
Rock on always.
Oh and the opening band, Peacemaker, out of Spartanburg, South Carolina, were very good and rocking too.
They very much sound like a 1970s “Southern Rock Band” in the vein of Skynyrd, Blackfoot, Molly Hatchet, which is a great thing.
Seek them out also.
The Rickey Medlocke Band Set List:
- Sittin’ On Top Of The World
- Rollin’ And Tumblin’
- Fly Away
- Every Man Should Know
- Road Fever
- Railroad Man
- Guitar Slinger’s Song And Dance
- Fox Chase
- Left Turn On A Red Light
- Southern Native
- 30 Days In The Hole (sung by Stacy Michelle)
- Wishing Well
- Needle And The Spoon
- Simple Man (Acoustic)
- White Dove (Acoustic-First time ever played live!!)
- The Seasons (Acoustic-First time ever played live!!)
- Highway Song/Train Train/Highway Song continued
- Encore: Whiskey Train
Peacemaker Set List:
- One Step Behind
- Hittin’ The Road
- Jodie
- Cajun Woman
- On The Hunt (Lynyrd Skynyrd cover)
- Battleground
- Straight Out Tha Bottle
- Down By The Riverside
- Comin’ Home
- Ballad Of The Peacemaker
- Let You Go
Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)
Video Gallery (click on thumbnail to play video)
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Keaton’s Cop Movie Review
Keaton’s Cop is a movie I have been wanting to see for many years.
I’m sorry it took me so long to get to it, but it was worth the wait.
I’ve been a Lee Majors fan since I was in middle school, and a fan of Abe Vigoda and Don Rickles for many years also.
And I’ve been a fan of the distribution company of this movie, Cannon (MGM now owns their catalog.), since I was in the 3rd grade.
It delivers everything I wanted and more. Action, comedy, over the top in most ways, and I loved every second of it.
The story centers around Abe Vigoda having to be protected by Lee and Don’s characters (Spoiler alert: Don gets killed.) from getting killed my mobster hit men.
Very basic story, but I think the movie is so much fun.
Lee’s character loves to shoot and hit people out of windows.
There is a fun/funny car chase.
Some good shoot outs and explosions.
Lee and Abe work really work together. Abe especially is funny as always.
Don actually plays against type and is a little more straight laced and not cracking jokes.
It’s kind of a buddy cop type movie that has action and is serious at times, but even then, it’s quite funny I think.
I was very entertained.
It may not be for everyone, but if you like a fun action/comedy that’s soooooo not meant to be taken seriously, then Keaton’s Cop is a movie for you.
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Michael Schenker My Years With UFO Album Review
Michael Schenker has been one of my favorite guitar players since I was a teenager.
I first heard him on the Scorpions debut album “Lonesome Crow”.
I was completely blown away by his playing.
I then got into the band UFO, in which he played guitar for a few times over the decades, recording some of the best hard rock music you could possibly hear.
He also has his own band MSG (Michael Schenker Group), in which there have been many lineups of, and he’s recorded A LOT of albums over the decades with MSG, UFO, and other off shoots, and even solo instrumental albums (Acoustic and electric ones. I highly recommend his instrumental album “Adventures Of The Imagination”. My girlfriend Mariah loves it too.).
50 years after the first UFO album Michael played on (called “Phenomenal”), he has released a newly recorded album of UFO classics featuring many singers and musicians.
It is called “My Years With UFO”.
Guests include Dee Snider (Twisted Sister), Axl Rose (Guns N Roses), Slash (Guns N Roses, Slash’s Snakepit, Velvet Revolver, Slash featuring Myles Kennedy And The Conspirators), Biff Byford (Saxon), Erik Gronwall (Skid Row), Joey Tempest (Europe), Jeff Scott Soto (Sons Of Apollo, Journey), John Norum (Europe, Dokken), Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow, Deep Purple, Yngwie Malmsteen’s Rising Force), Adrian Vandenberg (Vandenberg, Whitesnake), Carmine Appice (Vanilla Fudge, Cactus, Rod Steward, Blue Murder, King Kobra), Stephen Pearcy (RATT), Roger Glover (Deep Purple), Joel Hoekstra (Trans Siberian Orchestra, Whitesnake, Night Ranger), and others.
Star studded lineup of singers and musicians, but ultimately, it still comes down to the songs and Michael’s phenomenal guitar playing. And he is still PHENOMENAL!!
So, if you are a UFO or Michael fan or a fan of any of the guests, then this album is for you.
Crank it up!!
