-
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.
-
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!!!
-
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.
-
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)
-
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.
-
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!!
-
My Favorite Albums Released in 2024
It’s now January 3 of 2025 as I type this (Happy Birthday John Paul Jones and Stephen Stills!!), so it’s time for me to give a listing of my favorite albums released in 2024.
Many great ones were released and there’s still many I have not bought and listened to (hopefully someday I will), but until then, here it goes:
1. Riley’s L.A. Guns “The Dark Horse”-This album was initially released digitally early in 2024 but eventually was released physically later in the year. I bought it on digital and preordered the CD. Let me tell you: I love what Phil Lewis and Tracii Guns of L.A. Guns have been doing since they started working together again. They’ve released 4 awesome albums since 2017 and have another coming this April. Having said that, I also like Riley’s L.A. Guns. Their album Renegades is amazing, as is The Dark Horse. Just a great, raw, rock and roll album. I cannot recommend this album enough. Sadly, drummer Steven Riley passed away so I’m guessing this particular version of the band is no more, but either way, they made two awesome rock and roll albums. The Dark Horse is by far my favorite album of 2024.
2. Ace Frehley “10,000 Volts”-I’ve been an Ace fan since I was 15 years old (I’m 42 as I type this.). I love his work in KISS and his solo work. This is another solid album by the one and only Space Ace. I think it’s his most catchiest album, too. Every song is quite good, and if you are a fan of Ace or of good hard but catchy rock and roll, this album is for you. Rock on Ace!!
3. Sebastian Bach “Child Within The Man”-Wow what an album!! Baz is still making awesome rock albums. This is one of his best ever. I love every single song and loved hearing a lot of these songs when I last saw Baz in concert (review here). Do yourself a favor and check out Child Within The Man. Incredible rock album.
4. Burton Cummings “A Few Good Moments”-The singer of The Guess Who put out a phenomenal solo album in 2024. Called A Few Good Moments, it contains 17 awesome songs. Burton is still a great singer/songwriter and I love these songs so much. Thank you sir for this great album.
5. Deep Purple “=1”-Deep Purple are still making phenomenal albums. =1, to me, is one of their best albums ever. I wish that more bands/artists that have been around for decades would still make albums. Especially albums as great as this one. Get this album. You won’t regret it.
6. Judas Priest “Invincible Shield”-The second “Heavy Metal” band is still making phenomenal albums also. Invincible Shield is another awesome album in a long and awesome discography. Priest rules!!
7. Saxon “Hell, Fire And Damnation”-Saxon is another band that’s been around for decades and keeps making arguably their best work. This album is another one of their best.
8. Mark Farner “Closer To My Home”-I had looking forward to this album for a long time. The singer/songwriter/guitarist for Grand Funk Railroad has still got it!! Such a great new album. Thank you sir for making this album.
9. Russell/Guns “Medusa”-Great White singer Jack Russell and L.A. Guns guitarist Tracii Guns recorded a very good album in 2023 and released it in early 2024. If you are a fan of Jack and Tracii, this is the album for you. Sadly, Jack passed away later in 2024, but he was still singing great all the way to the end. Godspeed Jack!! Thank you for your music, and your kindness!! And I’ll always miss you.
10. Bon Jovi “Forever”-This album is kind of a miracle because singer/songwriter Jon Bon Jovi has had vocal issues for the past few years. I’m a fan of all of their albums, some more than others, but I like/love all of them, and this is no different. Lots of very good songs on here, great lyrics, and Jon is singing good. I’m glad that Jon and the band were able to make this album. Bon Jovi Forever indeed!!
That is my top 10 albums of 2024. Here are some honorable mentions:
Mr. Big “Ten”-Solid album from this great band.
Black Country Communion “V”-Another very good album from Glenn Hughes, Joe Bonamassa, Jason Bonham, and Derek Sherinian.
Motley Crue “Cancelled”-Not an album, but a 3 song EP. I wish it was a full album because Motley is one of my favorite bands ever, but I’ll take what I can get. I’ve played these songs a bunch and I’m glad that the band is still making new music. I wish guitarist Mick Mars was still there (He put out a solid solo album in 2024 too, listed below.) but nevertheless, Motley still rock and I still love the band no matter what.
Mick Mars “The Other Side Of Mars”-I’m glad Mick was FINALLY able to release his debut solo album. It’s very heavy. Thank you Mick for this!!
The Black Crowes “Happiness Bastards”-Welcome return to Chris and Rich Robinson. Rocking album!!
Punky Meadows “Wrap Me Up”-Not an album, but a phenomenal Christmas original. It should be a future classic.
Like I said earlier in this post, there is so many more albums that were released in 2024 I have not yet bought and heard, but having said that, this is my definitive 2024 list of albums.
Hopefully 2025 will be another great year for new music!!
-
Punky Meadows’ Wrap Me Up Single Should Be the Next Christmas Classic!
Angel guitarist Punky Meadows has written and released a new Christmas single called Wrap Me Up.
This is a song that should be the next Christmas classic.
It’s new, but it sounds as if it was written and recorded back when the Christmas classics were made.
Punky assembled a great group of people on this song, most notably singer Gabriel Levine. Wow what a voice.
All the vocals and instrumentation on this song is phenomenal and should make you feel good listening to.
I cannot say it enough that this song should be a HUGE hit and be played at Christmas every year.
Thank you Punky for writing, playing on, and producing this song.
Seek out this song. Trust me you will love it.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone!!
-
I Finally Met Michael Jai White! Thank You Sir and Thank You Galaxycon Columbus!
For the first time, I went to Galaxycon Columbus.
I had been to the one in Louisville in 2019.
It’s a HUGE event, with several stars and vendors.
I wanted to meet so many people at this event because it was really stacked with stars.
Stars such as Hayden Christensen, Weird Al Yankovic, Keifer Sutherland, Ernie Hudson, Kurt Fuller, John Cleese, William Katt, and people I had met before like Danny Trejo, Nick Castle, George Takei, and also several wrestlers I had seen or met before like Rick and Scott Steiner, Sting, Lex Luger, Jerry “The King” Lawler, Jake “The Snake” Roberts, Arn and Brock Anderson, Mick Foley, and others.
I did see most of them, but having said all of that, I only went to meet one person who I had never met before: Michael Jai White.
He is an actor/director/writer/producer/martial artist/teacher/great and humble person.
I have been a fan of his work for some time now, particularly his movies Blood And Bone, Never Back Down 2 and 3, Black Dynamite (the movie and animated series), Outlaw Johnny Black, Welcome To Sudden Death, Undisputed II, Falcon Rising, the first two Universal Soldier movies, Skin Trade, Triple Threat, The Vigilante Diaries, Accident Man, The Dark Knight, Spawn, Tyson, just to name a few.
When I went to get his autograph, I brought with me my Outlaw Johnny Black DVD.
As soon as he saw that, he lit up, saying “now that is my favorite”. And I said “well I’m really glad I brought it”.
I also asked him about whether he will do anything more with Black Dynamite, and he said he is trying to work on a sequel. I hope it happens because I love that movie and it’s 2 season animated series so much.
I later got my picture taken with him and he remembered me saying “good to see you again”.
And when I went to his Q&A later on, I asked him about Outlaw Johnny Black, and he gave me a very good answer (last video listed below).
I cannot say enough about this man. He’s very talented, but more than that, he is a very good person who does not see himself as a big deal, but he sees himself doing what he needs to do in life. And I applaud him for it.
Thank you so much sir for meeting me and being so kind. I cannot wait to see your upcoming movies (one of which he said at his Q&A) he is making right now as of this writing in Louisville, Kentucky, which I find very exciting. And he said he finished another movie recently too. Busy man.
Oh and before Michael’s Q&A, there was a “Celebrity Match Game” game that I watched live.
Based on the famous game show, this iteration of Match Game consisted of emcee Elgin David and celebrity panelists Dave Willis, Leva Bates, Roger Craig Smith, Stephen Kramer Glickman, Dana Snyder, and Guy Hutchinson playing the main part of the game with two contestants chosen out of the studio audience.
I’ve loved Match Game for many years so this was fun to see as well.
Well, that pretty much covers my day.
I wanted to meet so many others, but frankly, I could not afford to meet anyone else.
But meeting Michael was the main reason I cared to go to this event, which as I said above was HUGE, located at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio.
When I found out Michael was going to be there, I had to go.
And if he would not have been there, I would not have gone.
So thank you Michael for coming to Galaxycon Columbus and for Galaxycon Columbus for booking him.
Thank you so much.
Video Gallery (click on thumbnail to play video)
-
Van Zant Always Look Up Album Review
Brothers Johnny (Lynyrd Skynyrd/solo artist) and Donnie Van Zant (38 Special) have released their first album as a duo since 2007.
Called Always Look Up, it is a Christian album featuring Johnny and Donnie’s great vocals and songwriting in a phenomenal way.
This album is extremely positive, powerful, and inspiring.
You don’t have to be a Christian to enjoy this album, although it would help.
Either way, I find this album to be a feel good album and we as a world need words and songs like this more than ever.
Johnny and Donnie have provided a great service with this album and I thank them both very much.
All of these songs would sound great in churches or anywhere for that matter.
Give it a listen and I dare you to not feel good afterwards.
And thanks guys for signing it too (courtesy of Talk Shop Live)!!
