Mike Tyler

Van Halen were arguably the post popular American rock band of the late ’70s and early 80s.  The combination of guitarist Eddie Van Halen and singer David lee Roth was a force to be reckoned with while the group redefined “the party band”.  Constant core 0f the band, Eddie rewrote the book on what an electric guitar was capable of, with his lightning fast technique and a mix of self-taught moves like two-handed tapping, hammer-ons, pull-offs, and effects that mimicked the sounds of machines and animals and Diamond Dave was a near perfect frontman, whose bravado and showmanship was derived as much from a lounge singer as it was Robert Plant.

For 100 free Jack Nation points, answer the following inquisition correctly:

How old was Eddie Van Halen when he and his family moved from the Netherlands to Pasedena, California?

A - 8

B - 10

C - 12

Leave your answer under “comments” and I’ll leave you a bonus code in your stocking worth a 100 points.

I should really start shopping.

Mike

The Scorpions formed in Germany back in 1969 and the band was the brainchild of Rudolph Schenker.  Two of the Scorps’ best known tunes are “Wind of Change” and “Rock You Like A Hurricane”.  Despite many line-up changes over the years, the Scorpions’ brand of heavy rock made them one of the most successful rock groups ever to come out of Continental Europe.  The numbers don’t lie as these guys have sold over 22 million albums worldwide.

For 100 free Jack Nation points, answer the following question correctly:

Which German city did the Scorpions form in?

Leave your answer under “comments” and I’ll shoot you a bonus code if you’re right.

Talk to you soon,

 Mike

AC/DC were formed by guitarist, Malcolm Young in Australia in 1973 and Malcolm got his little brother, Angus to play lead guitar as the band gigged around Sydney.  The band had moved to Melbourne before hiring their chauffeur, Bon Scott to be the lead singer.  Throw in Phil Rudd on drums and Mark Evans on bass and the thunder from down under was complete.  One of my all-time favourite bands.

For 100 free Jack Nation points, answer the following rock trivia question correctly:

Who suggested that Angus wear his schoolboy uniform on stage?

Leave your anser under “comments” and I’ll e-mail you a bonus code for some snowy Jack Nation points - if you get it right, that is.

Did you handle the wicked weather all right this past weekend?

Talk to ya soon.

 Mike

Pink Floyd have got to be the biggest of the space rock bands.  Massive scale grandiose concepts, studio tinkering, lyrical themes and special effects are just some of the attributes that helped give Floyd its “astral” image.  Filling stadiums, topping the charts, producing mind blowing psychedelia and selling millions of albums for decades are also well known activities of this British, superstar group.

For 100 free Jack Nation points, answer the following rock trivia question correctly:

Who is the only band member to have been involved in the making of every Pink Floyd album?

Leave your answer under “comments” on my blog and if you get it right, I’ll e-mail you a bonus code over the weekend.

We’re supposed to get a big storm.  Remember, today is be nice to your friend with a snowblower day.

Shine on.

Mike

Green Day are punk rock rivitalists in the truest sense.  With loads of brash energy, defiance and fun, their speedy and catchy songs are a reminder of the late 70s punk scene and an introduction of that sound to a new generation.  The California trio and childhood friends have certainly come along way since forming their first band, “Sweet Children” (yeah, I’m sure they were!) in Rodeo, Cali when they were just 14 years old.

For 100 free Jack Nation points, for your dining and dancing pleasure, answer this rock trivia question correctly:

What instrument does Green Day’s Tre Cool play?

Leave your answer under “comments” and if you’re right, I’ll e-mail you a a bonus code good for 100 free Jack Nation points.

Got your shopping done yet?  I’m thinking of starting mine soon.

BTW, this blog has been tested and is steroid free.

Cheers,

Mike 

Lynyrd Skynyrd was the definitive Southern rock band, fusing the overdriven power of blues-rock with a rebellious Southern image and a hard rock swagger. Skynyrd never relied on the jazzy improvisations of the Allman Brothers. Instead, they were a hard-living, hard-driving rock & roll band. They may have jammed endlessly on-stage, but their music remained firmly entrenched in blues, rock, and country. For many, Lynyrd Skynyrd’s redneck image tended to obscure the songwriting skills of their leader, Ronnie Van Zant.

 For 100 free Jack Nation points, please answer the following rock trivia question correctly. 

What city in Florida is Lynyrd Skynyrd from?

A) Miami

B) Daytona

C) Jacksonville

Leave your answer under “comments” and I’ll e-mail you a bonus code if you get it right.

Ah, sweet home…

Mike

Aerosmith was one of the most popular hard rock bands of the ’70s, setting the style and sound of hard rock and heavy metal for the next two decades with their raunchy, bluesy swagger. The Boston-based quintet found the middle ground between the menace of the Rolling Stones and the campy, sleazy flamboyance of the New York Dolls, developing a lean, dirty riff-oriented boogie that was loose and swinging and as hard as a diamond.

For 100 free Jack Nation points, answer the folllowing the rock trivia question correctly:

Lead singer Steven Tyler uses a stage name.  What’s his real last name?

A) Vineteri

B) Tallarico

C) Bennetti

Leave your answer under “comments” and I’ll e-mail you a bonus code if your’re right.

Walk This Way,

Mike

The Tragically Hip started in Kingston, Ontario, 1983, when childhood friends Bobby Baker, Gordon Downie, Paul Langlois, Gord Sinclair (nothing more Candian than a band with 2 Gords!) and Johnny Fay got together and formed a rock group.

The guys focused on making a name for themselves  in the local mid-80s scene and while performing at Toronto’s Horsehoe Tavern, MCA Records president Bruce Dickinson was impressed with the Hip’s infectious live presence and signed them to a deal.  The rest is history.

For 100 free Jack Nation points, answer the following rock trivia question correctly:

The Tragically Hip took their name from a Michael Nesmith video called what?

A) Elephant Parts

B) Doll Parts

C) Auto Parts

Leave your answer under “comments” and if you’re correct, I’ll e-mail you a bonus code worth 100 Jack Nation points.

And a big welcome to Kathryn Humphreys to the Rogers Media family.  Besides being one of Canada’s most popular sports on air personalities, and a great asset to the company, Kathryn is married to The Tragically Hip’s drummer, Johnny Fay.

Talk to you Wenesday night we’ll crank up some Hip!

Cheers,

Mike 

After the Police, Van Halen and Genesis all reunited in 2007, this reunion blows them all out of the water! 

27 years to the week after disbanding, Led Zeppelin reunites for the first time as headliners at a public concert on Monday night.  After 25 to 30 million people tried to buy tickets, 18,000 lucky fans will get to see the three surviving members along with John Bonham’s son, Jason play at London England’s O2 Arena. 

Opening acts include Pete Townsend, Foreigner and Bill Wyman and The Rhythm Kings.  Led Zeppelin is expected to take the stage at about 9pm (4pm Toronto time) and play for around 90 minutes.

For 100 free Jack Nation Points, answer the following rock trivia question correctly:

What was John Bonham’s nickname?

Leave your answer under “comments” and if you’re correct, I’ll e-mail you a bonus code worth 100 free Jack Nation Points.

Whole Lotta Love,

 Mike

John Lennon was killed on December 8th, 1980, a Monday night, at about 10:50pm, in New York City.  He was 40 years old. 

Earlier that day, Annie Leibovitz had conducted a photo shoot for Rolling Stone magazine at John and Yoko’s home.  It was supposed to be a photo of just John, but he insisted that Yoko be included.  The photo, of a naked John clinging to Yoko in their bed, did appear on the cover of Rolling Stone on January 22, 1981.  It was the third last photograph ever taken of John.

This Saturday marks the 27th anniversary of John’s death.  For some free Jack Nation Points, answer the following rock trivia question:

What is the name of the apartment building that John & Yoko lived in and where John’s murder took place?

Leave your answer under comments and I’ll e-mail you over the weekend with a bonus code worth 100 free Jack Nation points. 

Have a great weekend and hey, give peace a chance.

Mike