The list of finalists for induction to the NFL Hall of Fame was cut from 27 to 15. We won’t know who is getting in until the night before the Super Bow, but former Bear, Brian Urlacher is still in the hunt. Obviously, he’s in some pretty select company. Edgerrin James, Isaac Bruce, Steve Hutchinson, Joe Jacoby, Everson Walls, Tony Boselli, Ty Law, Alan Faneca, Ray Lewis, John Lynch, Kevin Mawae, Randy Moss, Terrell Owens and Brian Dawkins all made it as well. A few senior finalists are in the mix, too. Jerry Kramer, Bobby Beathard and Robert Brazile.
Out of all those names they’ll only pick up to 8. That happens on Feb, 3rd.
The Coachella Music and Arts Festival announced their 2017 lineup today with rap icon Eminem, Byeonce, and the Weekend as headliners with alt rock stand outs A Perfect Circle, Alt-J, St. Vincent, Portugal the Man, Bleachers, and many other kick-butt bands. Alt music fans should also appreciate seeing the Neighborhood, Vance Joy, FIDLAR, and Marian Hill featured on this mega-fest lineup.
The fest goes down for its 19th edition on April 13th-15th and April 20th-22nd at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California.
Now how much does this wet your appetite for PIQNIQ and Lollapalooza?
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Heather Mosher who was battling an aggressive form of breast cancer at St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center in Hartford, where she was married to David Mosher on December 22nd. She passed away the next day.
Her doctors asked David to move up their original wedding date of December 30th 2017, fearing Heather’s condition would worsen. The couple surrounded by their friends and family were married in the hospital’s chapel with the lovely bride dressed in a beautiful gown as they celebrated their vows.. The couple already endured so much, getting engaged the same day that Heather received her initial cancer diagnosis. Her funeral was held on December 30th.
Let it be a reminder that love conquerors all. Even in these tragic situations, you can see how much these people love each other and what that love means when challenged by sickness.
Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong rang in the New Year with an all-star show in the intimate setting of New York City’s Berlin club. Armstrong was joined by members of the Replacements, the E. Street Band, the Hold Stready, and Blondie all joined through out the night for classic punk covers. And man, I am jealous looking at these Instagram posts from the people lucky enough to see this in person.
Maybe we shouldn’t be too jealous of NYC, as Green Day gave us an intimate ‘press conference’ in the LOUNGE this past fall. Relive that fun conversation that touches on the band’s huge success, their early days playing odd rooms with male strippers joining them on stage when they didn’t expect it, and how drummer Tre Cool will eat almost anything.
Bastille suck out a documentary of the making of the album “Wild World” on New Years Eve. Here’s the bands Facebook announcement.
“Hello you lot.
Before everyone gets stuck into their NYE nights, we just wanted to say to everybody who’s come to our gigs, listened to our tunes, seen us at a festival, or supported us in any way in 2017 – thank you all so, so much. We feel like a bunch of incredibly lucky morons.
There’s loads of new stuff to come from us in 2018, but for now – while we’re finishing up our 3rd album and our 4th mixtape – we’re excited to present “Help Me Chase Those Seconds”, a film about the making of “Wild World” that was shot & directed by our friend Tom Middleton. It’ll be up to stream on our VEVO page today at 3pm BST.
We hope you like it (if you get some time to check it out), and we hope you all have fucking brilliant nights tonight.
The “Today Show” named Hoda Kotb the newest co-anchor. She is filling the spot left by Matt Laure. NBC dumped him back in November after allegations of sexual misconduct. Here’s Savannah Guthrie making the announcement on NBC this morning.
Hollywood Forever, the cemetery where Soundgarden singer Chris Cornell is buried, sent a letter to Cornell’s widow asking that fans stop taking videos at the gravesite. Cornell’s management team tweeted, “We understand that some of Chris’s fans wish to video their visits at Hollywood Forever, but we’ve had confirmation that it’s against their policy. We’d like to thank everyone for their understanding.”
The cemetery says their primary concern is to protect the privacy of other families with loved ones buried in the cemetery, and says in its letter that Cornell’s fans are “always respectful of his space.”
John Williams will have a hand in the upcoming “Solo: A Star Wars Movie.” While he won’t be scoring the whole film, he will be writing the theme for the movie. John Powell is still the main composer for the flick. Williams did not score “Rogue One” either. According to Variety. this is the process for his “Solo” work. “What I will do is offer this to John [Powell], and to [director] Ron Howard, and if all parties are happy with it, then I will be happy,” he said. “John will complete the score. He will write all the rest of the themes and all of the other material, which I’m going to be very anxious to hear.”
For the first time in 11 years, the New Years Day tradition of costumed hordes of charity raisers running into the Lake Michigan at North Avenue Beach has been called off due you gueessed it, THE FREEZING TEMPS!
“We thought about going in and maybe not going under water,” said Jeff Coggins, who organizes the annual “Freezin’ for a Reason in a report from the Sun Times.” “The way the waves have been breaking on shore and freezing, it created these big domes of ice and it appeared to be too dangerous.” Coggins specified the ‘Polar Plunge’ has been postponed, not exactly cancelled and has raised $17,600 for American Greyhound, which finds homes for “retired racing greyhounds, as well as other sight hounds in need.”
That did not stop the 9th Annual Waukegan Polar Bear Plunge hosted by the Waukegan Park District and the city of Waukegan, which as you can see below went down this morning. I bet they will not reget it, right?
Yup, that’s tickets to see televangelist Joel Osteen instead of the singer from New Zealand. Probably not exactly what Jorji had in mind.
The note attached read:
“Jorji, Dad and I are so proud and happy that you want to grow your faith and spend time with the Lord. Enjoy Pastor Joel Osteen at the Spirit centre,”
Her parents couldn’t keep a secret for very long though. The Osteen tickets were fake. A second identical package contained the Lorde tickets she originally requested. And there was much rejoicing. Probably. — [eric]
John Fox is out as Bears head coach. He closed out his run in Chicago with a loss in Minnesota yesterday. In all Fox finished with a record of 14-34 over three seasons with the Bears. Checkout CBS Sports for more.
The search is on for GM Ryan Pace. The Bears aren’t the only team looking for a new head coach. The Raiders dumped Jack Del Rio . Jon Gruden is supposedly leaving MNF to take that job. The Lions, Colts, and more will also be looking. NFL.com is saying Eagles QB coach, John DeFilippo could be high on Ryan Paces list.
Mash-ups can be hit or miss, or just something that’s intriguing to hear with two well-known artists blended together by a third party. Enter this simple yet compatible mash of Twenty One Pilot’s ‘Heathens’ with My Chemical Romance’s ‘Welcome to the Black Parade’ which lays Tyler Joseph’s dark lyrics over MCR’s rousing epic musical ride. The mix was done by Youtuber Dr. Brix who has gone full Frankenstein with other MCR songs for an entire album of mash-ups of their songs with tested alt favorites like 30 Seconds to Mars, Green Day, and Blink 182. Blix continues his maniacal mix with MCR combined with music from pop artists like Taylor Swift, One Direction, Soulja Boy, and more. The album is fittingly called ‘the Black Charade’, listen to the whole thing for free here on the Tubes.
Here is that sweet chocalate vanilla swirl of Blink’s ‘Bored to Death’ with Gerard Way’s eagle-flying voice on top.
New Year’s Eve is one of the biggest drinking nights of the year, so the threat of drinking and driving rises naturally. The CTA is offering a safer option tonight, as WLS-AM reports today, all bus and train rides will be free between 10 PM tonight until 4 AM tomorrow morning. The free rides this year are sponsored by MillerCoors.
Still there is some bummer news coming for public transit commuters in Chicago and beyond.
Pace regular and paratransit rides are going to be a quarter more per trip, starting on Monday. CTA riders will have to pay an extra quarter a ride starting Thursday, Jan. 7. Metra’s increases start on Monday Feb. 5, with monthly passes rising $9 to $12.50 and 10-ride passes will go up anywhere from$4.25 to $7.75, depending on the length of the trip. Metra also planning to cut some service. So getting around without a car is going to be a bit pricier.
This is the first time since 2009 that CTA, Pace, and Metra have all risen their fares at the same time.
Don’t worry car drivers some new hassles with new construction projects on local roadways are coming your way as well. The Chicago Tribune’s Mary Wisnewski has the full story here.
Mikey certainly isn’t the only one who dabbles in rock music. Gaten Matarazzo, who plays Dustin on Stranger Things, made an appearance at the famed Stone Pony in New Jersey. His band, Work In Progress, covered a few songs you just might be familiar with.
And on a weekend where Black Mirror should be hogging the headlines — Netflix’s other show still makes the news. — [eric]
It’s the last day of 2017, a year that had several blockbuster bangers and busts at the movie theater. We go to the top Youtube movie critics to cull together a solid overview of the best movies of the year. Don’t worry because you all love to see someone fall down, we will will also cover the worst as well.
Here my 10 best movies of 2017 in no ranked order. PS: Don’t be mad at me for seeing a lot of superhero movies.
Star Wars: the Last Jedi: The haters can sip their haterrade out of their Chewbacca collector cups, this was not the top Star Wars movie, it was the great one out now. Outside of some pacing issues and that one scene with Princess Leia, it delivered the fan-boy thrills and general audience chills. ‘thrills and chills” yeah, I wen there.
The Big Sick: Playing in comedy scene of Chicago with a comic who came up from that scene, Kumail Nanjiani.delivers a romantic comedy that refuses to play into lame dull rom-com tropes while deliver on the organic laughs of Judd Apatow produced movies. You go from chuckling to riding with this couple through a medical scare that we can all relate into in some way.
Thor: Ragnarok: The God of Thunder brings action and unfiltered out-of-this-world fun. Far away the best solo flick with Chris Hemsworth and it has a very memorable chemistry between Thor and the Incredible Hulk.
Get Out: The scariest movie of the year was the debut from Jordan Peele of ‘Key and Peele’ fame plays on racial tension with an ending that literally had movie-goers cheering in the theater when I saw it. Shout out to Chicago’s own Lil’ Rel who has a hilarious supporting role here.
Wonder Woman: DC Comics fans finally got a universally well-received adeventure with Gal Gadot bringing people to tears by simply being an Amazon that kicks ass and loves at the same time.
LOGAN : Speaking of tears, Hugh Jackman’s farewell performance as Wolverine was an emotional ride for Marval fans who saw him end his tragic journey of pain in the X-Men series.
Baby Driver: One of the most brilliant car-oriented movies. Director Edgar Wright brings more fast and furious fun in this heist story that effectively mixes action, compelling performances, and the best soundtrack of the year.
Blade-Runner 2049: It may have been long, too long for some but it is a ride to another place. It has to be one of the most accurate sequels in terms of just bringing the vibe of the original energy while also expanding on it and giving you investment in the new characters.
The LEGO Batman Movie: ‘HOW MANY SUPERHERO MOVIES IS HE GOING TO PUT HERE?’ Just looking at movies I saw, but this stunningly animated big laugh-per-minute flick was worth every penny.
IT: Stephen King’s beloved horror books have been taken to the big screen and TV with mixed results, but this delivered kids vs evil tale on all fronts.
Now here are some educated cinematic minds with their take of the best of ’17.
Tommy Allsup, 85. A guitarist best known for losing a coin toss that kept him off a plane that later crashed and killed rock ‘n’ roll stars Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. “Big Bopper” Richardson. Jan. 11. Complications from a hernia operation.
Dick Gautier, 85. The actor who gained fame playing an Elvis-like singer in the Broadway musical “Bye Bye Birdie” and went on to play Hymie the Robot on TV’s “Get Smart.” Jan. 13.
Butch Trucks, 69. A drummer who was one of the founding members of the Southern rock legend The Allman Brothers Band. Jan. 24. Suicide.
Al Jarreau, 76. A Grammy-winning jazz singer who transcended genres over a 50-year career. Feb. 12.
Chuck Berry, 90. He was rock ‘n’ roll’s founding guitar hero and storyteller who defined the music’s joy and rebellion in such classics as “Johnny B. Goode,” ”Sweet Little Sixteen” and “Roll Over Beethoven.” March 18.
Paul O’Neill, 61. He founded the progressive metal band Trans-Siberian Orchestra that was known for its spectacular holiday concerts filled with theatrics, lasers and pyrotechnics. April 5.
J. Geils, 71. He was founder of The J. Geils Band known for such peppy early 80s pop hits as “Love Stinks,” ”Freeze Frame” and “Centerfold.” April 11.
Chris Cornell, 52. A rocker who gained fame as the lead singer of the bands Soundgarden and Audioslave and was one of the leading voices of the 1990s grunge movement. May 17. Suspected suicide.
Gregg Allman, 69. A music legend whose bluesy vocals and soulful touch on the Hammond B-3 organ helped propel The Allman Brothers Band to superstardom and spawn Southern rock. May 27. Cancer.
Chester Bennington, 41. The Linkin Park lead singer whose screeching vocals helped the rock-rap band become one of the most commercially successful acts in the 2000s. July 20. Apparent suicide.
Glen Campbell, 81. The affable superstar singer of “Rhinestone Cowboy” and “Wichita Lineman” whose appeal spanned country, pop, television and movies. Aug. 8.
Barbara Cook, 89. Her shimmering soprano made her one of Broadway’s leading ingenues and later a major cabaret and concert interpreter of popular American song. Aug. 8.
Walter Becker, 67. The guitarist, bassist and co-founder of the 1970s rock group, Steely Dan, which sold more than 40 million albums and produced such hit singles as “Reelin’ In the Years,” ”Rikki Don’t Lose that Number” and “Deacon Blues.” Sept. 3.
Don Williams, 78. An award-winning country singer with love ballads like “I Believe in You.” Sept. 8.
Anne Jeffreys, 94. The actress and opera singer who likely had her greatest impact on TV audiences as Marion Kerby “the ghostess with the mostess” in the 1950s TV series “Topper.” Sept. 27.
Tom Petty, 66. An old-fashioned rock superstar and everyman who drew upon the Byrds, the Beatles and other bands he worshipped as a boy. Oct. 2.
Jimmy Beaumont, 76. The lead singer of the doo-wop group the Skyliners and a co-writer of the iconic ballad “Since I Don’t Have You.” Oct. 7.
Malcolm Young, 64. The rhythm guitarist and guiding force behind the bawdy hard rock band AC/DC who helped create such head-banging anthems as “Highway to Hell,” ”Hells Bells” and “Back in Black.” Nov. 18.
Mel Tillis, 85. The affable longtime country music star who wrote hits for Kenny Rogers, Ricky Skaggs and many others, and overcame a stutter to sing on dozens of his own singles. Nov. 19.
Della Reese, 86. The actress and gospel-influenced singer who in middle age found her greatest fame as Tess, the wise angel in the long-running television drama “Touched by an Angel.” Nov. 19.
David Cassidy, 67. The teen and pre-teen idol who starred in the 1970s sitcom “The Partridge Family” and sold millions of records as the musical group’s lead singer. Nov. 21.
Dmitri Hvorostovsky, 55. The Russian baritone known for his velvety voice, dashing looks and shock of flowing white hair. Nov. 22.
Jon Hendricks, 96. The pioneering jazz singer and lyricist who with the trio Lambert, Hendricks & Ross popularized the “vocalese” singing style in which words were added to instrumental songs. Nov. 22.
Shadia, 86. An Egyptian actress and singer who captivated millions for decades with memorable singles and iconic film roles. Nov. 28.
Johnny Hallyday, 74. France’s biggest rock star for more than half a century and an icon who packed sports stadiums and all but lit up the Eiffel Tower with his pumping pelvis and high-voltage tunes. Dec. 6.
My New Year’s Resolution of learning Spanish just got a little easier with Pantaya!
“We’re proud to launch a Spanish-language streaming movie service distinguished by its breadth, quality and diversity,” said Lionsgate Chief Executive Officer Jon Feltheimer in a statement. “This platform is the next logical step in Lionsgate’s track record of serving the Hispanic consumer with high-end premium content through our Pantelion Films venture with Televisa. By drawing upon the blockbuster films, vast libraries and world-class programming resources of its partners, PANTAYA is positioned to become a compelling value proposition for Spanish-language and bilingual audiences across the country.”
And if you’re looking for a way to practice your Spanish In Real Life, check out Generation LatinX at the iO Chicago. An all-ages music and improv show with Hispanic performers in English and Spanish (aka Spanglish). Tickets to the 1st Spanglish show of the year on Tuesday, January 9th here: http://ticketf.ly/2jlyoGa
