COMING SOON
Happy to announce that this week I have finalized interviews with actor/director Keith Gordon and actor/writer Robert Wuhl. Look for them soon.
NICE CAPE
There is at least one reason to buy the special edition "Star Wars" trilogy DVD set when it's released on Sept 21. One of the many extras will be entitled "The Return of Darth Vader," and will feature Hayden Christensen in the Darth Vader costume from the still untitled "Episode 3." No word on who will voice Vader. (I heard a fan rumor that it would be James Earl Jones' voice, but only near the very end of the film.--Nolan)
A SALUTE
After 9/11, it was thought of as bad taste to refer to an athlete as a hero. However, that word is more then appropriate when speaking of former Arizona Cardinal Pat Tillman, who died this week after a firefight in Afghanistan. After the attacks on America on 9/11, Tillman and his brother, a professional baseball player, informed their respective teams that they were enlisting in the US Army Ranger Corps. At the time of his enlistment, Tillman turned down a contract for $3.6 million to serve his country for a mere $18,000 a year. It was something he felt strongly about and he made the ultimate sacrifice for the country he loved. Pat Tillman was indeed a true American hero.
WHAT ABOUT "THE NIGHT CHICAGO DIED"?
This month, Blender magazine published its list of the 50 worst songs ever. To qualify, the songs must have been a hit. Number 1 was "We Built This City," by Starship. The rest of the top 10: "Achy Breaky Heart," "Everybody Have Fun Tonight," "Rollin'," "Ice Ice Baby," "The Heart of Rock and Roll," "Don't Worry, Be Happy," "Party All the Time," "American Life" and "Ebony and Ivory." I wonder if this could be the next PCR challenge. My list would include such '70s staples as "Blind Man in the Bleachers, " "Feelings" and "Loving You." And does anyone remember "D O A" by Bloodrock? (Sure do! I didn't see the magazine, but a PCR Top Ten list maybe in order. --Nolan)
COOL VENUES
Kudos to Rick Sousa for reading my mind. I, too, was curious as to what happened to the Buffalo Roadhouse. And what was the name of the bar/club that used to be in the corner of the Britton Shopping Center, on the Dale Mabry side? (The only bar that has ever existed at Britton Plaza is Tapper Pub which is still there. I don't believe any bands ever played there. If you mean the corner of Twin Bays Mall, the shopping center next door, you might be thinking of that barbeque/bar place Matt played at for a while and I can never remember the name of. Matt? --Nolan)
MEET THE BEATLES - Part 14
April 26, 1964 - Making their first live appearance in Britain in 15 weeks, the group appears at the New Musical Express Annual Poll-Winners' All Star Concert. They play "She Loves You," "You Can't Do That," "Twist and Shout," "Long Tall Sally" and "Can't Buy Me Love" before an enthusiastic 10,000 fans.
Well, that's it for now. Have a great week. I want everybody to Wang Chung tonight. See ya!
"Mike's Rant" is ©2004 by Michael A. Smith. Webpage design and all graphics herein are creations of Nolan B. Canova. All contents of Nolan's Pop Culture Review are ©2004 by Nolan B. Canova.