Eye of the Storm

A huge hunk of America is in the path of Hurricane Sandy, a potentially deadly storm. I have a lot of friends in the storm's path -- so I hope you are all okay. The New York Times has disabled the paywall requirement for this weather event, and you can track Sandy and related news on their site and through the NYT mobile apps.

President Barack Obama has already signed emergency declarations in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the states of Maryland and New York.

What does all this mean? It means I can't help but post the Scorpions classic "Rock You Like a Hurricane." Please forgive me, but I have to do it. And please be safe, my east coast friends. Here's a twist though: watch as the Scorpions rock out with the Berlin Philharmonic, perhaps the finest orchestral organization in the world. I love this!

Update on Monday, October 29, 2012 at 09:29PM by Allyson B. Crawford

Because of immature children, comments are closed on this post and for the next several future posts. Apparently it is okay for me to fit in to your tiny bubble of "Allyson-like-glam-music-good" and nothing more. Someone (and yes, I know who it is, I track every IP) followed me here from Facebook, too childish to address me human to human. People think the Internet makes them invincible. Fine. I am free with my opinions on my Facebook and my Twitter. If you don't like my opinions, it is quite simple: don't follow me. I post my thoughts under my name because I am not spineless. Why did I close comments? Simple. Because I received a threat (no, not on this site). This will upset my mother and my husband. Personally, I could care less. In fact, I've received threats before. If you know me... you know this hasn't stopped me from voicing my opinions, loud and proud! No, the comments are shut off so you don't upset my mother. She reads everything on this site. She will get upset and then email me. Because immature children upsetting my mother ticks me off, I have to punish the larger group for awhile. It is what it is. But no one will ever silence me. Remember that.

Sammy Hagar's Birthday Bash Videos Are Online

Someday I'll get to Cabo in October and attend one of Sammy Hagar's annual Birthday Bash extravaganzas! Fans could watch the bash for free online, live while it was happening. Now the video links are up for us all to enjoy whenever we want. It's pretty cool. Watch:

Aerosmith Will Take to the Streets of Boston November 5

My favorite band Aerosmith is doing something VERY cool to drum up excitement for their new album, Music From Another Dimension. The album will be out Tuesday, Nov. 6. That also happens to be election day in America... so it makes sense that Aerosmith will host their big surprise concert the day before in their hometown of Boston. The band isn't releasing the exact location yet. Here's the press release.

AEROSMITH--those Bad Boys from Boston--are known for throwing a helluva party, and they’ve got a special one planned for their beloved hometown on the day before Election Day, Monday, November 5.  

They’re planning to show up somewhere in the city, around noon, and play on the streets. That’s all STEVEN TYLER (vocals), JOE PERRY (guitar), BRAD WHITFORD (guitar), TOM HAMILTON (bass) and JOEY KRAMER (drums) are telling us for now. Well, they would LIKE to tell us more, but they’re cooperating with authorities who will let them reveal the location the morning of November 5.  

They’ve got a good reason to celebrate: their new album MUSIC FROM ANOTHER DIMENSION! (Columbia Records) is out November 6.  And they got a message, too: people, get out and vote!  For whomever you like.  Just do it. Be a “Freedom Fighter,” to quote a song title from the new album. “Anyone who votes is a Freedom Fighter,” says JOE PERRY.  

America’s greatest rock band will then take the party on the road as they’re set to return for the second leg of The Global Warming Tour launching November 8. The month-long, 14-city arena tour will bring them and support act Cheap Trick to New York City (Madison Square Garden), Los Angeles (Staples Center) and Las Vegas (MGM Grand Garden Arena), among other cities.  Expect nothing less than killer sets and prisoners will most certainly be taken. See all the tour dates at the links below.

MUSIC FROM ANOTHER DIMENSION!--recently chosen by PEOPLE magazine (9-17-12) as one of “5 Must Have Albums For Fall”--marks AEROSMITH’s 15th studio album.  It was recorded in Los Angeles and at the band’s studio in Massachusetts; it was produced by Jack Douglas, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, with the exception of three tracks produced by Tyler and Marti Frederiksen. The album abounds with one highlight after another, including “Out Go The Lights,” “Oh Yeah,” “Luv XXX,” “We All Fall Down,” “Street Jesus” and “Can’t Stop Loving You,” on which Tyler duets with Carrie Underwood.  The album also includes “Freedom Fighter” which features Johnny Depp on backing vocals. The album’s first two singles have been released simultaneously to radio and are now lighting up the airwaves: “What Could Have Been Love” at Hot AC and “Lover A Lot” at Rock, Active Rock, and Classic Rock.

Is Bret Michaels Sick Again?

Is Bret Michaels in the middle of another health crisis? I was on Facebook last night and noticed that Bret had updated his page... with a weird, rambling message. Here it is:

After experiencing some life awakening medical events earlier today, it has once again put life into perspective in both my personal and professional life. Though the last few weeks have thrown me a curveball and have been rough to say the least, I refuse to become jaded. For all the loyalty that I have shown to people throughout my life and specifically over the last few weeks, to not have the same respect given back to me, it's times like these when the people who matter the most become most clear. I am grateful once again to my family, friends and fans. Let's rock this upcoming tour! (I also thank God for these RockBands, kickboxing and my motorcycle track for helping with my physical release...as for my mental release, I'm still a WORK IN PROGRESS, LOL.) Thank you to my awesome, family, friends & fans, you rock! Stay tuned, more to come...

It is well known that Bret suffers from Type 1 diabetes, but this isn't his only health issue. During 2010, Bret suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage (brain bleed) as well as a patent foramen ovale (hole in the heart) which caused caused a transient ischemic attack (warning stroke). Bret also underwent an appendectomy.

I guess we'll have to wait and see what comes of this most recent, bizarre message. Bret isn't one to air dirty laundry, so the comment about not receiving respect is odd. At any rate, I wish Bret well.

Pop Evil, 'Purple' -- New Video (And Totally Glam)

Pop Evil has a new video for their song "Purple" off the album War of Angels. "Purple" is very Glam - you know by the first guitar intro! Pop Evil has always had a throw-back sound... but this song really does sound like it is straight from 1989. I love it.

Pop Evil will perform on ShipRocked next month.

Bret Michaels To Host Television Show

Bret Michaels is headed back to television. No, he's not reprising Rock of Love... and yes, he will be on the Apprentice again, but the big news now is that Bret is hosting a show for the Travel Channel. The show will be called Rock My RV (seriously).

Basically, custom RV designers and fabricators will turn regular recreational vehicles into fancy, road mansions. The eight episode series debuts in 2013.

Bret says he's the perfect host for the RV show. “Between touring and traveling, I spend a lot of time on the road and my tricked-out, custom coach is my home away from home. I crisscross the country and live in my tour bus, and I know how to take an RV from ordinary to extraordinary. I can’t wait to put my expertise to use and show people how to make their RVs rock.”

The bolding there is mine. There's just no way Bret said anything near "tricked-out, custom coach" and that's fine: I do PR! I know how this works. But good night, this whole thing seems so... mediocre. Wouldn't it just be easier (and make more sense) to make a new Poison record? I get that hosting an RV show is better for "brand Bret" but man... this just seems sad to me. Thoughts?

In Which Tom Keifer Releases New Music

Holy Glam! Out of the blue, Tom Keifer just released new music! Tom released two songs, "Solid Ground" and "The Flower Song" via his website and also his new Facebook page.

There weren't any YouTube clips of the song yet, so you'll have to go to Tom's website to listen. basically both songs sound like Heartbreak Station-era Cinderella. There's also a bit of a country twang as well (just a little, not too much).

It's interesting that Tom decided to release a couple solo songs instead of working on something with Cinderella, but I'm just happy for the new music. Maybe a solo album will actually see the light of day. It's been promised to us for years now. A couple months ago, Tom officially announced his solo record would be released (but I remain skeptical). Here's that press release from back in August:

August 20, 2012 -- Singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Tom Keifer is finally releasing his long-awaited and highly anticipated solo album in the Spring of 2013 after entering into a partnership with Merovee Records (a joint venture with Worldwide Pants, Inc.). The as-yet-untitled collection of 14 new songs ranges from intimate, organic, acoustic tracks to driving hard rock. It embraces the blues, rock and country roots that have always been present in his unique sound that has generated the sale of over 15 million records worldwide.

The upcoming release is a raw, introspective look at the roller coaster ride that has been Keifer's life for the past 15 years. From being told that he would never sing again as a result of a partially paralyzed left vocal cord, to the emotional and personal battles that followed, his solo debut is a story of perseverance, a testament to the power of passion and will, when combined with a true love of music.

Cinderella will play the Monsters of Rock Cruise March 2013.