Last week, 2 events happened on the same evening.  A screening of Jesus Christ Superstar, featuring a Q&A before the film with 3 of the main cast members- Ted Neeley, Barry Dennen and Bob Bingham, and an autograph signing afterwards.  Barry Manilow- the guy who writes the songs, was also playing in Cleveland.  My wife is a big Barry fan and she actually…

Two Hall of Famers and an 80's pop rocker played in Cleveland over the past weekend and those shows kept me quite busy.  First, Gregg Allman started his new tour on Friday at the Hard Rock.  Since it was the first day of the new tour, I figured Gregg might be in the mood to sign.  My wife decided to go to the casino on Thursday and I heard that Gregg…

It's hard to believe that fifty-one years ago several bands/musicians from England stormed the shores of the United States and ruled the music charts for the next 2 decades.  Some of these acts decided to celebrate this turning point in music history and bound together to tour the States again.  Peter Asher served as master of ceremonies as he introduced each act and told stories about each performer.  The underlying theme for each act was the Beatles.  Either they worked with, wrote with or…

Fleetwood Mac brought their On With the Show tour to Cleveland on a below 0 degree night.  I have always liked the Mac and my wife and I saw them on their last tour, minus Christine McVie.  I debated on going to this show to see the classic lineup, but decided not to.  A friend of mine and I decided to head up to the hotel before the show to see if we could snag an autograph or two.  There were 3 people total waiting out in the cold.  A little after 4, out walks Mick Fleetwood and we…

I have the pleasure of living close to Cleveland and Canton.  Two major Hall's of Fame are about a one hour drive from each other and both institutions put on special events from time to time.  This February, the Rock and Roll HOF had two Hall of Famers come in and tell their stories to fans as well as answer questions from them.

 On Monday, the…

Rock N Roll tried to heat up a cold January in Cleveland, and it did!  My first show of the year was Rusted Root.  I didn't plan on going to this show, but my friend is a photographer and he got an extra ticket to the show and asked me if I wanted to go.  Can't pass up a free show!  They were great and the entire crowd was dancing in their seats.  Especially when they played their biggest hit "Send me on my way".  The band still has 3 original members and Liz Berlin and the new drummer met…

To go along with my new obsession of meeting Rock Stars, I also continued my football autograph collection.  My year started in out in January when a friend and I traveled down to Columbus to the Midwest Sports Spectacular show.  I added a few Buckeyes to my All-American helmet: John Hicks, Ryan Shazier and Tom Skladney.  Maurice Clarett who almost won the '02 Championship game by himself, was also there so I couldn't pass us an opportunity to get him on a SI and ESPN cover.…

My autograph adventure of 2014 began in February when I decided to see Peter Buck and Alejandro Escavado at the last minute. I have been a fan of REM for a long time and I got to see them a couple of times over the years. My chance to see a hall of famer up close in a small venue for $20 was an opportunity I couldn't pass up.  I wasn't really prepared for autographs, as I didn't get any vinyl and only brought 1 REM cd cover and my RnR HOF poster.  I had no idea if they would sign or not and…

The Runaways, the first all girl rock band that played their own instruments featured two members that also had break-out solo careers.  Joan Jett was the first to gain recognition with her 2nd solo album "I love Rock N Roll" as well as various other hits and cover songs through out her career.  I always liked Joan and her big eyes and punk attitude.  I got the opportunity to see her open up for the Kinks back in 1987 and she put on a great show.  I never got to meet her, but I hope to this…

Another good week for music and autographs in the Cleveland Area.  Last Saturday, two original

members of Jefferson Airplane- Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady, also known as Hot Tuna hit the Music Box for an acoustic set of blues based rock.  Although I didn't have a ticket to the show, I decided to go up and see if I could get a couple of autographs from these legendary Hall of Famers.  The Music Box is a great venue that has two levels and two stages.  The first floor seats…

Four different classic rock acts came through NE Ohio last week and I decided to go to 3 of the shows.  First, Todd Rundgren came to Kent for "An Unpredictable Evening".  I'm not a huge Todd fan, but I do like his music so I decided to take a chance to see if anyone had an extra ticket to this sold out show.  Luckily,  got a $40 for $30 ( I love not paying full price).  Todd and his band sounded very good and played a variety of 

cover songs including 96 Tears, Muskrat Love, and Fire.…

The concerts keep happening in Northeast Ohio and luckily for me they have taken place at smaller venues.  The first show was last Friday as Eddie Money took the stage for 2 shows at Tangiers in Akron- a small dinner theater place that has brought in some pretty big names over the years.  Between the 2 shows, Eddie was signing items at the merchandise table.  I had brought 2 lp's with me to get signed.  I didn't really want to buy a t-shirt but some of the proceeds went to the Fallen Hero's…

Poison front man and reality TV star, Bret Michaels hit the Hard Rock Casino a few weeks ago.  I have seen Poison a few times in the past- Opening up for David Lee Roth and then headlining with Cinderella and Dokken years later.  Yes, I am a fan of hair metal- grew up with it in the 80's.  If you are looking for a good time and a fun show, Poison is the band for you.  Not the best musicians, but it is fun music.  …

I have been collecting sports autographs since about 1996, when the Indians were making their incredible run but not winning the World Series.  I met Omar Visquel and Carlos Baerga after a game and I was hooked.  I then started going to the Football HOF in '99 and have been going ever since.  I have met almost every living football hof'er, most Heisman winners and have gotten their autographs, some free and some I've paid for at shows and the old tent sessions.  (What a deal that was- 10-14…

I saw Slash last night at the Hard Rock Rockcino.  It was a great show and Miles Kennedy has a great voice.  He played a lot of Guns N Roses classics like: Night train, Rocket Queen w/extended solo, Sweet Child O Mine and Paradise City.  He also played Slither by Velvet Revolver and a bunch of solo stuff.  Of course I brought a few items in case he signed after the show.

When the show was over I went to where the buses park.  There were a couple of other guys there but this time there…

I've been a fan of Cheap Trick since about 1982.  I remember hearing some of their popular songs on the radio before that, but I believe that is when I bought Live at Budodan on cassette.  After that, I was hooked.  Then we finally got MTV and watching their live performances and some of their crazy video's made it even better.  I continued to buy their albums:  Dream Police, Next Position Please and One on One.  Finally I got to see them live in 1985.  They opened up for Heart and the next…

I was first made aware of Kenny Wayne Shepherd in the early 90's when people were talking about this young guitar phenom.  I bought his first CD a few years later and was pleasantly surprised.  In 1998, he opened up for my favorite band Van Halen (yeah it was the tour w/Gary Cherone on vocals).  I was in the 7th row on the floor and was blown away at his musical ability and guitar tone.  I actually caught one of his guitar pics too!  I bought a couple of other CD's over the years but always…