I wrote recently about the fantastic new statue of Æthelflæd in Tamworth recently, and it seems that statues are en vogue in the midlands at the minute. This week saw the unveiling of the new John Bonham statue in Redditch, honouring one of the Worcestershire town’s most famous sons, with a piece of work by Mark Richards. …
Formula One has announced a new theme tune. Given that the sport is a global brand, having a global theme tune makes sense in keeping with corporate branding. However, for me and many of my age, there will only ever been one theme tune for Formula One, The Chain by Fleetwood Mac. And it’s not…
We’ve had a few musical themed posts in the past, and this week’s series of puns and one liners follow that trend with the topic being guitar jokes. As normal, they come with no guarantee of hilarity or originality… U2’s first few albums have been remastered without the guitars on them. It…
When you ask most people to name some of the pioneers of Rock ‘n’ Roll, there are a series of names that you will commonly hear; Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, Bill Haley, Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis are all likely to make an appearance. Less well known is Sister Rosetta Tharpe, who predates many of…
For most popular songs, the original version is the big hit, and any cover versions that come afterwards are compared to the one that everyone knows. However, there are some songs where the original version is not the most famous, and on that theme, here are ten songs you probably did not know were covers……
I made it back from Scandinavia for the Masters Festival 2016 at Donington Park, which was held this weekend. The Masters Festival forms part of the Masters Historic Racing series for the year, with across Europe and North America. The Masters Festival at Donington is one of three UK rounds, the others being the Masters…
Last weekend saw a different type of entertainment at Donington Park as motor racing made way for the Download Festival 2016. Donington has been home to heavy rock festivals since August 1980 when seven bands made up the first Monsters of Rock festival. The annual event has been known as Download since 2003, and this…
A rather good video that needed to be shared. A mashup of Kenny Loggins 1980s classic Dangerzone – think Top Gun – with a series of dog fights from the Star Wars films. One to let your inner geek, whether for 1980s music or film, Star Wars or sci fi, loose. Enjoy! Star Wars –…
I was in New York recently and was introduced to Ellen’s Stardust Diner, an institution located at 1650 Broadway since 1987. The staff at the diner – which serves traditional diner food – are all in New York looking for parts in Broadway shows, and all audition to work at the diner by showing off…
Last weekend saw the Download Festival 2015, the rock music event in the Leicestershire village of Castle Donington, held at Donington Park. Donington has hosted such festivals for many years now, being home to the Monsters of Rock festival, which was the reason I first visited the village, for Monsters of Rock 1996. 19 years…
I had the joy last weekend of spending a couple of hours in a karaoke room with a group of friends, and whilst the best policy was “what happens in the karaoke room stays in the karaoke room” applies – my lack in singing talent was made up for with enthusiasm – it seems that…
This weekend saw the Download Festival 2014, at Donington Park in Leicestershire. I’ve mentioned before that the link between Donington and rock music – as well as aviation and motor racing – made it an attractive place for me to work for several years, and to live nearby, and so Download means that I can…