Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top is 60 today...and still rockin' it. I don't know if you know this, but that's Billy there on the right from waaaay back when.
Ronnie James Dio just underwent his first round of chemotherapy for the early stages of stomach cancer...so I thought the latest from RJD would do just fine for a Zack's Track today.
Nikki Sixx is 51 today. He's been layin' down the thump for the Crue since day one, so I thought I dig back in the day for some old school Crue. Happy B-Day Nikki!
What with the weather being as completely awesome as it is, how could I have picked any other song for today? Besides, for some reason, this song gets stuck in my head out of the blue and I had to get it out. Enjoy.
It was a year ago today that Axl finally released Chinese Democracy. Sure it took around 14 years to get here, but it's here. And I gotta admit, it feels like it's been around longer than a year....
Ace Frehely is at the Canopy Club tonight. It's gonna be awesome. So I thought we'd do a little Ace action from his KISS days. From the KISS Alive II album...Rocket Ride.
Jeff Watson is 53 today! Happy Birfday Jeff! Jeff of course was 1/2 of the awesome guitar duo of Night Ranger...and Dawn Patrol still one of my favorite albums out there.
I found out today that I get to talk with one of my all time favorite rockers...Ace Frehley. So of course I had to uncork one of my fovorite songs Ace wrote in his KISS days...Cold Gin.
In keeping with my spooky theme this week, a little KISS. I think the weird, kid voice throughout the song makes it completely creepy. Add in the odd guitar noises and bingo, you're there.
I probably should have waited to play this til Friday, but man...I dig this song. One of my favorite movies of all time...that Danny Elfman is a warped little song writer....and I love it.
In keeping with the spooky theme this week...another one from Iron Maiden. This is from their Killers album with Paul DiAno on vocals...and it's awesome.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: Don't Come Around Here No More
This song is in keeping with my kinda creepy song theme I started yesterday...not that this song is all that creepy, but the video was pretty odd and disturbing. Plus, it's Tom's birthday today...he's 59.
I went to see that movie, Paranormal Activity over the weekend. I liked it. But if you have any belief in what you see could actually happen, then this song says it all...
I'm pretty sure this has been a Zack's Track once or twice before, but I do dig it. Besides, we were talkin' about UFOs and aliens and whatnot...one day we could be fighting for the earth. Just sayin'...
So today is the last day of September and we're creepin' into October, the scary month, and that got me thinking. There was a movie back in the 80's that was out around halloween, and featured some metal dude. All I remembered was that Gene Simmons played a radio DJ in the movie and Fastway did the soundtrack. A caller reminded me that the movie was Trick or Treat....so today's Zack's Track was a little Fastway.
Yes...it's Ace Freheley covering Fox On the Run by Sweet. I can't help myself. It's a cover tune...it's Ace Frehley...that's like two of my three basic triggers. Don't ask what the thrid one is...it's embarassing.
George Lynch, from Dokken and of course Lynch Mob fame is 55 today...just one more excuse to play this one. Oh, and you might recognize Robert Mason singing lead on this one...he was fronting Warrant in February for the Extra 99.1 show. Nice...
The main man himself, Jesse James Dupree turns 46 today. Happy b-day Jesse. To the right is a pic of Jesse rockin' out at the Palmer Arena in Danville during our first ever Everything That Rocks concert we put on. Awesome.
Well, yesterday we looked at what Lita is up to now with a cut from her upcoming CD, Wicked Wonderland...and since today is Lita's Birthday, I thought we'd look back at what she's done...old school Lita pic included. Woot!
Kelly Keagy always did double duty for Night Ranger...he smacked the kit and he sang about half their songs. This is one of 'em. So happy Birthday Kelly!
Every once in a while, I get something in my head...an idea, a concept, a song, whatever. The point is, it gets in there and I start to obsess about it. I can't help it. And today, I don't know why, but I'm obsessed with Roller Derby. And yes, that's why Roller is today's Zack's Track.
You know, I could tell you this is today's Zack's Track because it's Jeremy Popoff's Birfday, and that would be accurate, but not really true. The song seems to fit how my day has gone so far, because as of right now, I have been my own worst enemy today.
From their soon to be released new album, Sonic Boom, it's the latest from KISS. I gotta tell ya...I kinda dig it. It's got a new but throw back feel. Hell, even the album cover is reminicent of Rock n Roll Over.
Today's Zack's Track is brought to you by Rachel Bolan, bass player for Skid Row. He's 41 today. So happy day bro, we're remembering your rockin' ways with some Monkey Bidness.
So today would have been Yvonne DeCarlo's birthday. She played Lilli Munster on The Munsters. She passed away in January 2007...so to remember her, we have a little Type O...(it actually mentions Lilli by name so there you go.)
So today is Barabara Bach's birthday. She's 62. She was a bond girl and was in that Caveman movie...oh, and she's married to Ringo Starr. But she doesn't sing that I know of...so here's another Bach...enjoy.
Today is Vivian Campbell's birfday...for real. (I was wrong yesterday...today is also Gene Simmons' birfday...I can't read a calendar) Anywho, here's some Viv playin' with Dio...enjoy.
I thought this would be good for today since it's the first day of the Carson and Barnes Circus out at Blaine's Farm and Fleet in Urbana, thanks to Tatman's Towing and us. So that's what we did. And by we, I mean me.
So Lynyrd Skynyrd have a new disc coming out on September 29th. So to give you a little taste of things to come, they've uncorked this little gem, Still Unbroken. I gotta say, I like it.
It was 30 years ago that a little band from Australia really hit the big time with their 6th studio album, Highway to Hell. Still sounds great after 30 years.
It's Slash's birthday today (he's 44 if you're wondering) so of course we needed to hear some of his work. I picked this one. Because I like it. It makes me happy. Also it was the song playing in that Guitar Hero commercial when Slash busted out of the dude's mouth.
Chris Cornell, formerly of Audioslave and Soundgarden fame, turns 45 today. I'm a Cornell fan and always loved this song. Plus it's fun to say "Cochise" (pronounced Co-Cheese). Say it. It's fun.
Kind of a bummer as to why. It was today in 1996 that the Pumpkins (read: Billy Corgan) fired drummer Jimmy Chamberlin for the first time. I met both Jimmy and Billy once. Jimmy was cool, Billy...well let's just say I wanted to hit him with something heavy. Regardless, this is probably my favorite song by them, so at least I had an excuse to play it, even if it was a somewhat depressing reason.
It's Joe Satriani's birthday and since Zack apparently stole my idea and played Joe yesterday, I picked Joe's guitar student Kirk Hammett's band because that's how I roll.
I don't know why Zack played this. Probably because it's Joe's birthday tomorrow, but then again, I quit trying to figure out why Zack does anything he does a LOOOOONG time ago. - JPT
It's Carlos Cavazo's birthday today...he's 52 and still rockin'. Carlos' guitar playing was showcased first with Quiet Riot...so here they are covering Slade. Enjoy...
AIC has a new album on the way, Black Gives Way To Blue, on September 29th. It's their first one with new singer William DuVall. They've got a new tune that you can download at their website, aliceinchains.com. And let me say it's rocks.
Black Crowes have a new cd on the way on September 1st. You can pick this track up for free on their website, blackcrowes.com. We took some calls for your opinion on the song. Most of you say you'd pass on this one. I think I will too....
So today is Pam Anderson's birthday. She's 42. What does that have to do with today's Zack's Track? Well...she's sportin' big guns, so I just thought...you know.
Like him or not, Michael Jackson had a huge impact on music that spanned almost every style of music. I always liked this song, and I really dug this version...so there you go.
Since the whole point of Zack's Track is to hear whatever I feel like, that's what happened today. The Used. Besides, it's a smokin' little song for a Monday.
So we're 4 days out from Slang Metal Fest 3, and I thought I'd give you another taste of one of the bands playing out there on Saturday. These boys are heavy hitters from Texas. Dig it.
It's Brad Gillis' Birthday today...he's 52. I think Brad is an underrated guitar slinger. He's tore it up with Ozzy and laid down some nice licks with Night Ranger. So here's some love...and a happy B-day!
It was on this day back in 2004 that Van Halen launched their reunion tour. But I thought we'd hear a little someting from one of their reunions that came close but didn't quite make it.
Slang Metal Fest is coming up in just 10 days, so I thought I give some love to the opening band, Allyria. Seriously, show up early, watch all the bands. They rock...this one proves my point.
The band Z02 is not only a rockin' little 3-piece, but they've got their own tv show on IFC Channel, called Z-Rock. They're a rock band at night and a kids band by day. Pretty funny. The 2nd season deabuted last night.
So David Carradine died yesterday. He was found in his Bangcock hotel room, naked with a rope around his neck and his junk. So of course this is the first song that popped into my head.
It was on this day back in '98 that Gilligan (Bob Denver) was busted for pot...that he got in the mail. The first song that popped into my head when I read that, was Flyin' High Again...so enjoy.
Today is International Whore's Day. It doesn't really have anything to do with todays song, but I thought I'd share that little bit of info with you...
My son were listening to KISS the other day, and he said his favorite KISS song was Heaven's On Fire...which is fine and dandy. But I thought I'd turn him on to one of my favorite KISS tunes.
The Presidents of the United States of America: Kitty
So it's another birfday celebration for Zack's Track. Today, it's Chris Ballews 44th birthday...he's the singer guitar-bassist for the band. Enjoy Kitty...I wanna touch it.
In keeping with my now two day run on old school tunes from some of the biggest bands around, I bring you one of my favorites from the early days of Def Lep...Wasted from their On Through the Night album.
For some reason, I had a hankerin' for some old school Motley Crue. Their first album, Too Fast For Love, was, in my humble opinion, awesome. It was raw, and loud, and crude, and I loved it.
Today is Phil Rudd's Birthday...AC/DC drummist. He's 55. AC/DC just has that solid, back beat, thumpin' steady rhythm that you know as soon as you hear it, and you can thank this guy for some of the best.
Dusty Hill from ZZ Top is 60 today. And he's still thumpin' bass like there's no tomorrow. Good for him.
EDIT: So, it turns out I was wrong, Dusty Hills Birthday is actually Tuesday 5/20...Sorry 'bout that.
Ok...I have my reasons for playing this today. They really aren't very logical, and make sense to basically me and me alone, but then again, that's what Zack's Track is all about.
Zack's Track for Thursday 5/14.09
Chickenfoot: Oh Yeah
I know, I played this song a few weeks ago. And no, I'm not just being lazy and repeating stuff for kicks. Chickenfoot kicks off a little 9 date tour tonight so I thought I'd like to hear some Oh Yeah.
This morning we were talking about Maxim Magazine's Hot 100 list...their list of the 100 hottest women (according to them any way...) so I thought why not a little hot tuneage.
Today is guiatrist Billy Duffy's birthday...he's 48. So I pulled one of my favorite songs off The Cult's last CD, Born Into This. The Cult needs some love today.
Old school Queensryche just makes me feel good. I dig it. I always liked the Empire album, so I thought why not score us the title track on a fine Monday.
I had the pleasure of speaking with Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler from Heaven and Hell/Black Sabbath fame today. So of course I pulled a track off the new Heaven and Hell album, The Devil You Know.
So today is Ace Frehley's birthday...he's 58. I think we're all glad he's made it this far. Anyway, I thought we'd check out Ace not only on guitar, but on the mike as well.
Steve Clark was Def Leppards main writer for year. Unfortunately, he passed away back in '91. But since today would have been Steve's 49th birthday, I thought we'd revisit some old school Def Lep with Steve wailing on guitar.
I've been waiting for something from these guys since I heard about them getting together. Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony, Chad Smith and Joe Satriani. The album is due out Tuesday June 9th. I can't wait.
Man, today was a tough choice. Being as it's 4/20 and all there were so many songs that would have fit. In the end, I pulled out an old chestnut that doesn't get enough love.
So it was on this day back in '93 that David Lee Roth got busted for buying $10 worth of pot in NY Washington Square Park...giving us today's Zack's Track. Thanks Dave!
So today it's not only Hugh Hefner celebrating his birthday (he's 83) but so is Jenna Jameson (she's 35). So to celebrate their mutual love of nakedness, I give you todays Zack's Track.
Today is Izzy Stradlin's birfday. He's 47. Izzy wrote a bunch of GnR's tunes back in the day, so I thought we'd hear one of them. From Use Your Illusion II, Pretty Tied Up.
Well, Udo Dirckschneider is 57 today. Of course, Udo, is the lead singer for Accept and U.D.O. So we say "Happy Birthday Udo" with some Balls to the Walls action.
Not only is it Steve Tyler's birfday today (he's 61), this is also the day that Aerosmith's album, Nine Lives debuted at number one on the Billboard charts back in '97. So, a little Pink today for your Zacks Track. You're welcome.
I know...who would ever have thought someone would cover George Michael's Careless Whisper? And who would ever have thought that if someone did cover George Michael's Careless Whisper that it wouldn't suck. Well, Seether did it, and it doesn't.
I've been a huge Queensryche fan since day one, and yesterday was guitarist Michael Winton's Birthday. At least I think it was. Wikipedia says it was Feb 23rd...another source I found said it was 3/23. Either way, I love this song.
Some website over in the UK conducted a survey of the Most Controversial Rock Stars of All Time. Our boy, the Prince of Darkness, came in second. So, to celebrate, a little Crazy Babies was in order.
So you know how sometimes a song gets in your head? And you can't quite get it out? And then for like ever that song just keeps rolling around in there, spinning endlessly in your bean? And the only way to get it out is to actually hear it? Me to.
One half of the Heart sisters, Nancy Wilson, turns 55 today. So I thought a little celebration was in order. In case you're curious, Nancy is the younger...blonder...thinner and better looking sister. If you need a point of reference. Of course, I could have just said she was the guitar player. Yeah, let's go with that.
I know, I don't play a ton of Maiden in the morning, but I'm a huge fan. They were a big part of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, and a big part in my formative rock n roll years. Anyway, Steve Harris, bass player extrodanaire is 52 today...so I celebrated. Happy Birthday Steve.
Yesterday was Robin Trower's birthday....he turned 64. And I thought Robin Trower could use a little rock n' roll love...so it's the first track off his Bridge of Sighs album. Enjoy.
Velvet Revolver is still looking for a front man to replace Scott Weiland. As a matter of fact, today, it was reported that a demo was leaked online of the boys playin' with Gord Prior of the Canadian band Blu Bones. Is he the new singer? We don't know. So, I thought we should hear some original VR action.
I started the week out with KISS, to cellebrate their return to the recording studio this week. Paul Stanley says the new stuff has that early 70's KISS feel. So I thought, how 'bout some early 70's KISS. And there you go.
It was on this day back in 2002 that the Osbourne's reality show debuted on MTV. Needless to say it was a pretty big deal. So, to remember that moment, I thought a little Ozzy would be nice.
Former Mighty Met bassist, Jason Newsted, turns 46 today. Really, that's just an excuse to play some Whiskey in the morning. Love that song. Happy B-Day Jason!
It was on this day back in 1994 that Kurt Cobain was found in a coma on the floor of his hotel in Rome. It was only a month later, on April 8th, that Cobain was found dead in his home.
Since KISS is heading back in the studio this week for the first time since 1998, I thought it would be good to look back at some KISS, do today it's one of my favorite live KISS tunes, Rock Bottom.
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