Story Update: Rings

Rings has been updated. I wrote this installment pretty much myself (as it's backstory of my character), so if there are things you don't like; don't blame T!

~ Hath

Ok... Who's YOUR Favorite Rock God?

And don't just pick Richie or Jon because they're hot and this is a Jovi-based blog. I think we all agree that they're gods in their own rights. But the ULTIMATE Rock-God? Hate to say it, but I don't think so. I agree, they're up there on the list, but at the very tippy-top? Hmmm, I'm not convinced.

A rock god is loosely defined as an artist that is so talented and amazing that he is worshiped as a god by his fans. That defines basically every artist out there. For every artist, there is a fan base that worships him or her.

I believe it has to be a little more than that. I humbly submit some basic criteria:

• An artist who any average person on the street has heard of, and can sing part of at least one major song

• An artist who is iconic of his/her time

• An artist who other artists try to emulate

• An artist whose music is [still] timeless and relevant, and has a damn good melody
  

• And okay, if you insist, an artist who is HOT and you worship for one reason or another

I agree with JBJBounce's comment on the original thread that Freddy Mercury wouldn't be at the top of my list. He'd be on the list, but not at #1. In my opinion, Elvis was the quintessential Rock God. He had charisma, style, music that couldn't (and still can't) be beat, and a voice that could be hard (think Hound Dog) or moving (Love Me Tender), with lyrics that most people can't help but sing along to. He did everything from Rock to Gospel to Blues to Holdiay Favorites, and was just everywhere.

So, who are your choices? Leave a comment or send me an email, and I'll pull together the list, and we can have our own little vote on it.

~ Hath

Ultimate Rock God (well, 3rd ultimate)

Queen legend Freddie Mercury has been voted the Ultimate Rock God in a survey of 4,000 rock fans by internet market research website www.onepoll.com.

Flamboyant front man Mercury, who sold 300 million records before he died in November 1991 of bronchopneumonia induced by HIV, beat Elvis Presley into second place.

The tragic star formed Queen in 1970 with guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor who were later joined by bass player John Deacon.

During his 21 years with the band Mercury, who was born Farrokh Bulsara in Zanzibar in 1946, was renowned for his charismatic stage presence.

American rock icon Jon Bon Jovi came third.



The complete article, along with the top 20, can be found here.

~ Hath

NBC Chime In (Revisited)

I got a couple messages, asking me to put the file here to watch; the download didn't quite work or they couldn't get it to work on their computers.

Under the heading "I'm A Benevolent Goddess", here ya go; hopefully it works for ya.

~ Hath

Richie and Heather at Ava's Soccer Game

They say it takes a village and no one knows that better than Richie Sambora and Heather Locklear.

The former spouses joined forces yesterday to watch their daughter Ava Elizabeth play a soccer game at View Point School in Calabasas, CA.

Click on the thumbnails below to enlarge the photos.

~ Hath


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JB To Headline Split Arena Hall Opening?

I read this article and didn't quite believe it. I mean Hillary's thing on the 15th and CROATIA on the 16th? Seems a LITTLE bit much for someone who was hell-bent on dragging the guys back to the studio.... Guess we'll find out for sure in about a week...

~ Hath

Article:

Once a dream fantasy of many teenage girls, today a 46-year-old world-famous American singer Jon Bon Jovi has already booked two tickets for January 16, which is when the World Handball Championship will officially be opened in Split, Croatia, according to unofficial information which well-informed Split Arena circles are buzzing with.

The heads of this spectacular event did not confirm or deny this news, they just shrugged their shoulders. However, we found out that there is reason for the visit. One of the leading people of the Global spectrum Europe, owned by Comcast-Spectator, created by combining American Global Spectrum and the British NEC Group, is a good friend of the popular singer.

The popular sweet metal singer is supposed to arrive in Split on January 16 in the morning. He should spend the day sightseeing and is to leave Dalmatia a day after the opening, because he is a guest in a popular Italian national TV network show on January 18.

It is not yet sure for whom the second ticket is for, but the Arena is constructed, the World Handball Championship is just about to begin and the world-famous guests are slowly arriving in the Dalmatian city. If only Croats took the champions title, then all investments would soon start paying back, perhaps even with a Bon Jovi concert at the Spaladium Arena.

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Hard Rock Cafe Signature Series: Bon Jovi

Thanks, Rike, for the heads up!

One Soul At A Time

Hard Rock's Signature Series T-shirt line started in 1990 as a means for musicians and artists to help charities of their choosing. Since its inception, the series has raised millions of dollars for numerous organizations around the world. Now, with the SIGNATURE SERIES 26, Jon Bon Jovi lends his hand and his heart to help raise money for the Philadelphia Soul Charitable Foundation. 15% of proceeds from the sale of the men's tee, ladies' tee, and limited-edition pin (coming soon) will be donated to the Philadelphia Soul Charitable Foundation.

Your purchase supports the Philadelphia Soul Foundation’s commitment to innovative and long-lasting solutions to rebuilding pride in one’s self and one’s community.

The Philadelphia Soul Charitable Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing about positive change and helping the lives of those in need one soul at a time. Through the creation of programs and partnerships targeted at breaking the cycle of poverty and homelessness, the Foundation exists to combat issues that force families and individuals into economic despair. Current funding priorities have been directed toward affordable housing in cities across the country.

~ Hath

JBJ in Dolphin Orange and Teal?

I've read a couple of different articles speculating about Jon's presence at the Miami/Baltimore game this past weekend. One reporter, from Page2Live asked Jon if he was looking to buy in.

“Me buying into this? I don’t think so,” was the response.

I wouldn't be totally surprised if he bought in; remember that piece he wrote for the NFL Internet Network (I had to search hard for the reference to make sure I could find the quotes.... wound up on the Chargers' site...)? He came right out and said that he's always had a spot in his heart for the Dolphins:

As a spectator, I can't remember not being involved in football. My earliest memory is of the Miami Dolphins. Bob Griese and the Miami Dolphins -- first losing the Super Bowl -- then going back and winning the Super Bowl. I remember writing on my football in chalk -- "Griese's Gang."

I just loved the Dolphins. Griese, Paul Warfield, Mercury Morris, Jim Kiick, Larry Csonka, Nick Buoniconti and the head coach was still Don Shula then. I remember it to this day. I could probably still rattle off exactly where each one of them went to college, what positions they played, their stats -- they were my team when I was very young.

As a kid, the appeal of the Miami Dolphins hit home with me -- they were larger than life. Football was always my family's sport and my family's love of the New York Giants started long before I was around. The New York Giants were the home team and our family favorite. As soon as I was able to appreciate what that really meant -- even enduring all the losing seasons -- the Giants became my team and remain my team to this very day.

On the flip side, he's also close friends with Coach Bill Parcells.

I have been fortunate to get to know Bill Parcells and Bill Belichick and have remained close with them over the years. I was lucky enough to be on the team bench and in the team locker room when the Giants won Super Bowl XXV in Tampa in 1990. How many people can say that Bill Parcells and Phil Simms have had dinner at their house?

So, which would win out? Loyalty to a team that is among his earliest football memories? Or loyalty to a close personal friend?

See, the soon-to-be new owner, Stephen Ross is lukewarm about committing to keeping the Tuna afloat after the off-season.

From what I gather, Ross is all about turning the NFL into an NBA-type event where celebs come to see and be seen. He thinks the 'phins should be as much about entertainment as winning football games. He understands the show is on the field but believes that still leaves room for sideshows elsewhere.

Uh, hello? They're the DOLPHINS for cryin' out loud.

With a NY team sure (she says grudgingly, with the bile rising in her throat) where there are rivalries and familial ties (coughManningscough) but Miami? Uh, no.

Ross likes the NBA approach where the game is an event and the celebrities come out to see it and be seen. That is the reason Ross invited friend Jon Bon Jovi, the 80's rock star, to attend Sunday's game.

Parcells likes the "hey, it's football, how 'bout we win some games" approach. If they can't find common ground, then Tuna is toast.

~ Hath

Dunhill Clubhouse - one of the best views in golf

From Executive Golf Magazine

Each year, The Dunhill Clubhouse, overlooking the Road hole at St Andrews, is where money, power and A-list celebrity mingle. Now the company has a new home in London’s Mayfair. Executive Golf takes it’s place at the top table and finds a luxury men’s brand exporting the best of British style. Story by Richard Gillis

Inside however, is another story. Few people are allowed in to what is the most exclusive hospitality suite in European golf, a place where Hollywood royalty mix with their equivalents from the worlds of international sport, business and politics. Put another way, if you’re not famous, you’d better be very rich.

Samuel L Jackson stands at the bar talking to Johan Cruyff and Sean Fitzpatrick, the former All Black captain. Alongside them Hugh Grant, stands with both hands in his jacket pocket like a minor royal, swapping anecdotes with Mission: Impossible star Dougray Scott and his beautiful American actress wife Claire Forlani. Across the dining room, at a large round table, a collection of sporting legends has gathered: Ian Botham pours Darren Clarke a glass of red, while Michael Vaughan and Shane Warne are deep in conversation, discussing who knows what; whether Warne is going to come back to haunt England one more time perhaps, or how much money he made from winning the Indian Premier League.

Former American vice president Dan Quayle takes the microphone and gives a speech of thanks to the Dunhill supremo. Johann Rupert is the reclusive South African chairman and chief executive of Richemont, the company that owns Dunhill and is the man who greenlights this tournament.

Behind Quayle, Huey Lewis, Bon Jovi drummer Tico Torres and a member of The Eagles who isn’t Don Henley or Glenn Frey, tune up for what has become a Dunhill tradition: the Saturday night jamming session. The first few bars of Some Kinda Wonderful, the old Drifters hit, is the cue for a dancefloor invasion as Ernie Els vies for room with JP McManus the Irish billionaire and golfing partner of Padraig Harrington. Meanwhile, Ted Forstmann, one of the pioneers of the private equity industry retires to the balcony to smoke a cigar the size of a canoe.....


Sounds like a good time for the Rich and Famous.... lol

~ Hath

JB Risks Rep to Help Hillary

There must be something in the Garden State's murky water that produces music superstars who sometimes seem as likely to show up on the campaign trail as the concert stage.

Frank Sinatra started it all in 1960 by publicly supporting John Kennedy (and reputedly helping him privately with certain, um, connections in Chicago). Bruce Springsteen strapped on his guitar for John Kerry in 2004, and more recently -- and successfully -- for Barack Obama.

Now Jon Bon Jovi is set to play for Hillary Clinton this month as she strives to pay down millions in presidential campaign debt to clear the way for her confirmation as Obama's secretary of state.

It's no ordinary gig: Bon Jovi runs the risk of losing some of his hard-earned blue-collar cred by helping bring the wealthy pol into the black at a time when corporations are begging taxpayers for billions and ordinary folks are pinching pennies.

Or to put it in bluntly Bon Jovian terms, what would struggling lovers Tommy and Gina of "Livin' on a Prayer" say?

To his credit, 46-year-old Bon Jovi is no Jon-come-lately to political and social activism. He performed for former Presidents George Bush and Bill Clinton when they were awarded the Liberty Medal in 2006, and he's on speaking terms with pols ranging from former Republican New Jersey Governors Christie Whitman and Thomas Kean, to Dems like Obama and former Vice President Al Gore.

His outspokenness in the fights against poverty and global warming, and his work with Habitat for Humanity have spurred talk he might one day run for office (he denies any interest), or at least threaten to saddle him with the nickname "Bono" Jovi.

He's been friendly with Hillary Clinton since she was first lady (he reportedly calls her "Mrs. C"), and has donated to her campaign coffers.

So maybe there's another way to look at the motivation behind Bon Jovi's scheduled Jan. 15 Clinton performance, and it's a concept familiar to the Tommy's and Gina's out there: Loyalty. It's a trait, not incidentally, Bon Jovi shares with fellow Jersey boys Sinatra and Springsteen.

If nothing else, the performance will be an opportunity for fans to see Bon Jovi up close -- if they're willing to shell out anywhere from $75 to $1,500. There's not a bad seat in Manhattan's relatively cozy Town Hall, so the $75 ticket could very well put fans in good company with the folks Bon Jovi's been singing to -- and about -- for more than two decades.



So, anyone in the NYC area going to give it a shot? BigAppleJovi? Anyone?

~ Hath

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