By Roger Anderson
The Whiskey Jct. Mpls., Aug 6 – direct from Los Angeles, on tour Mason Proffit performing hit “Two Hangmen.” Hoodlum Johnny featuring axeman, John Domagall to open. Aug 7 – Knight Crawler yours truly in my for REAL retirement gig and out with a bang, expect a couple jammers, some classic Deep Purple, and ALL KC merchandise ON SALE! Very special surprise guest, Impact featuring original Knight Crawler bassist, Bret Deising in his Twin City debut. See Cover Story! . . and if that isn’t enough Purple Pride, it’s the real Deep Purple with Joe Satriani and Thin Lizzy at Xcel Energy Center on the 24th, “Smoke on the Water.” . . . Chicago with Earth, Wind and Fire at Target Center on the 4th, tickets $25-65 . . . Lonesome, George Thorogood & The Destroyers are “Bad to the Bone” with the Georgia Satellites at Grand Casino Hinckley Amphitheater on Friday, Aug. 6th, 1 800-472-6321 . . . Jesse Lang in her St. Paul Minnesota Music Café debut on the 6th . . . And Attica (yes - the one around back in the Dare Force days) CD release party Live at the Main Event on the 7th of August, pick up a copy of their disc – it rocks . . . Rock ‘n Roll’s Supreme Parody Master! “Weird Al” Yankovic on his Poodle Hat Tour Thurs., Aug. 12 at the State Theatre, Mpls. . . . Roadtrip of the Month: Leeann Rimes at Jackpot Junction Casino in Morton, MN on the 13th, 651-989-5151 . . . Heart with Anne McCue on the 14th at the Historic State Theatre in Mpls., tickets $33.50 &38.50 . . . The Minnesota Renaissance Festival opens August 14th and runs thru Sept. 26th – turkey legs anyone? . . . Metallica at the Xcel Entergy Center on the 16th -heavy man . . . Or if that is heavy enough for you, W.A.S.P. with Belladonna feat. Joey Belladonna of Anthrax at the Quest, Tuesday, August 24th. . . or better yet – The Road Rage Tour with Machine Head and Chimaira and more at the Quest on the 25th . . . Collective Soul for a 18+ show at the Quest on the 29th . . . 46-year old, Gloria Estefan in her Live and Re-Wrapped Tour with her Miami sound at Target Center on the 27th - promoted as her last live tour ever, expect some major percussion and awesome vocals . . . July 28- Aug 1, it’s Rockin’ Ribfest downtown Minneapolis with lesser of a lineup than last year, but its yes folks, the PRICE IS RIGHT, IT’S FREE . . . My picks this year at The Minnesota State Fair features the Allman Brothers on the 31st and Cyndi Lauper on the 1st of September – “Oh girls they want to have fun.” . . Up Next: 90’s rockers, Firehouse at Star Central, their performance at Rockin’ the Hills Festival in Bottineau, ND kicked ass, for some good pics go to www.rockinthehills.com . . . For some sophistication, check out the infamous YES with Dream Theater, Sept 7th at Target Center . . . Hall and Oats at the Xcel Energy Center on the 8th and Norah Jones on the 11th - phone 651 989-5151 . . .The St. Croix Valley Riders presents The Chilifeed at the Gaslight Bar in Ellsworth, WI on 9/11 featuring a great lineup this year – Dawgwild, Jesse Lang, Corey Stevens and Pork Chop . . . Buy your tickets now for October 15th – Little River Band - Back by Popular Demand at the Medina Ballroom with special guest Kurt Jorgensen, great show . . . The theaters are hot seats this month with Catwoman starring Halle Berry and Sharon Stone, King Arthur, and Spider-Man 2. Also, at game stores everywhere, check out Spider-Man 2 Activision for PS2, Xbox or GameCube, a mere $49.99 – Rating: Teen Violence . . . My sympathy goes out to Chuck Worden’s family and good friends in Chain Lightning, Chuck will be missed. I saw the entire music and Harley Davidson community at his wake. He joins Ronnie in the heavens. Rock on forever Chuck, you exited with style at one of your best gigs ever - Salute!