Thinking Of Maui And How To Help

I am thinking of all the folks on Maui right now, dealing with the horrible wildfires there. Hawaii is my happy place and Maui is just one of the best places on earth. So many people have lost so much.

Should you be so inclined, there is info below on how to help the residents of Maui in the aftermath of the fire destruction.

Also, note the Blabbermouth post about Mick Fleetwood's restaurant being destroyed. I've talked about eating at Fleetwood's on Front Street before. Mick is a multi-millionaire and will be fine and can rebuild if he wants to and I hope he does. I share the bit about Fleetwood's to emphasize that much of Lahaina has been destroyed - and that includes a major hunk of tourist attractions. The historic and famous banyan tree is also gone now. I have fond memories of sitting under that that tree at night while vacationing on Maui in the past.

HOW CAN YOU HELP the people of Maui?

Donations: Hawai‘i Community Foundation, this fund is currently being used to support communities affected by the wildfires on Maui: https://t.co/Q45yb3p88t

To locate missing loved ones:1-800-RED-CROSS pic.twitter.com/oXAHMHd5EP

— Office of the Governor, State of Hawai`i (@GovHawaii) August 10, 2023

Hawaii fires have been declared a "major disaster" by US President Joe Biden

This declaration makes federal funds available to aid in recovery efforts on the island

Follow live ⬇

— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) August 10, 2023

Wildfires have killed at least 36 people on Maui and devastated Lahaina Town, one of Hawaii's most historic cities. Here's what to know. https://t.co/kKbrHjzO6b

— The Associated Press (@AP) August 10, 2023

MICK FLEETWOOD's Restaurant Destroyed In Maui Fire https://t.co/C2UNB8Zwmx pic.twitter.com/WCp55BmoV0

— BLABBERMOUTH.NET (@BLABBERMOUTHNET) August 10, 2023

'Fugitive' -- New Dokken Song and Video

Dokken has new music! The band just released a video for the track "Fugitive." The song is on the upcoming album Heaven Comes Down due at the end of October. I have to say, "Fugitive" is pretty catchy and I love the guitar parts. Color me pleasantly surprised.

TIL: 'Alone' Is A Cover

I cannot be the only person to just learn that Heart's blockbuster "Alone" is a cover!

How did I find this out in the year of our lord 2023, you ask? By looking up Carrie Underwood's setlist for her recent opening gig for Guns n' Roses. (Really, it's more a double bill, but whatever).

Edit this setlist | More Carrie Underwood setlists

I've shared the video many times of her performing "Alone" back in her American Idol days. I'm convinced that performance really helped propel her to a win and eventual career superstardom. So I wasn't surprised to see lots of rock covers in her set - she's always been a vocal 80s metal fan. Anyway, I notice "Alone" on her setlist and it says "I-Ten cover" next to he song.

So off to YouTube I go... and lo and behold "Alone" really is a cover! It was originally recorded by I-Ten, a duo of Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly. They released the song back in 1983. It is on the album Taking A Cold Look. "Alone" was overlooked - and did not chart. Don't feel bad for Steinberg and Kelly. They were a hitmaking duo, writing huge tracks for artists like Madonna and Whitney Houston.

"Alone" was also apparently used in an 80s sitcom and released as a single. Again, the track did not chart.

Then Heart comes along, Ann Wilson destroys that bad boy and we've got a number 1 hit on our hands.

Since then, the song has been covered by all sorts of superstars including Underwood and Celine Dion. I wonder how much Steinberg and Kelly made off this one song? Hopefully millions and millions.

Here's Carrie Underwood live the other night before Guns n' Roses. She really should make a rock album.

TIL: ‘Hot Child In The City’ Is Performed By A Man

Ok, here’s one for your random pile: I’m driving along and clicking through Sirius stations. “Hot Child In The City” (1978) comes on and I stop and listen for awhile. I hadn’t heard the song in some time, so it was nice to hear a different tune for once. I look at the display screen in my car and notice the singer is… Nick Gilder.

“Surely this must be a mistake!” I thought – that voice cannot possibly belong to a man. When I get to my desk, I hop onto Google and lo and behold, the song really is sung by a man. Gilder once even fronted a 70s Glam act (that was later fronted by Bryan Adams after Gilder went solo). I always thought “Hot Child” was performed by a woman. Seriously.

The more you know.

Nick Gilder - Hot Child In The City • TopPop from ROCKWINDOW TELEVISION NETWORK on Vimeo.

That One Time Cinderella Made A Chili Dog Commercial

Reddit reminded me of this gem!

Evidently Pat's Chili Dogs was a sort of Philadelphia institution in the 80s (sadly, no more). Always open and catering to teens and young adults who partied late at night. So how do you sell a chili dog in 1983? By asking Cinderella to perform in your commercial of course. Snappy jingle included!

The YouTube of the commercial is below and it is cool as hell to see Cinderella like this in 1983. Think of it: Pat's was open 24/7 and the members of Cinderella just showed up to rock out and eat junk food. Do air guitar while you wait for your dog!

The commercial ran locally around Philadelphia on MTV and helped Cinderella get on the music channel because they couldn't get played any other way. Plus they got free chili dogs whenever they wanted, too! Win-win for a broke band trying to make it in the Glam heyday.

TRIVIA: Cinderella singer Tom Keifer was a vegetarian at the time of the shoot (maybe he still is, no idea) - so when it was hit turn to bite into a hot dog, he just ate a plain bun.

Scorpions Will Headline Wacken Open Air 2024

Wacken Open Air for 2023 just ended - and it was a mud pit. The festival has announced some bands for next year and Scorpions have a headline slot. Here's the lineup poster so far:

What you missed at this year's mecca of Metal: 😲

Doro and Rob Halford Release Duet

"Living After Midnight" is a Judas Priest classic. Now Doro has recorded the track with Priest legend himself Rob Halford. The cover is on Doro's upcoming album Conqueress - Forever Strong and Proud.

I actually really love this cover. It doesn't stray too far from the original but has even more energy. There's a lot of fun in the track and I understand why Doro wanted to record it.