By Roger Anderson
June 2004
In my last report, I was bragging to you all that I (with my wife) was flying to Aruba for vacation. Well basically, I had one of the best vacations in my life, even though I am currently peeling. However don’t fret, I am sure it will turn into a Coppertone tan augmenting my white-ass. You dodgie-rogie stalkers, beware. Seriously though, if you ever get the chance, do not hesitate for one moment to go to Aruba, it is truly an island paradise, even though bikinis are a dreadful sight, right honey? . . . Now on a more serious note - Ticket Alert (Second Notice!) - O Productions presents July 1-4, 2004, the Midwest’s LARGEST rockfest – Rockin’ the Hills, located in the hills of North Dakota featuring Nickelback, 3 Doors Down, Styx, Peter Frampton, Great White, Santana’s Gregg Rolie, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Corey Stevens, Live, Puddle of Mudd, Firehouse, Warrant, Tesla, Seven Mary Three, LA Guns, Blessed Union of Souls, etc. - not to mention camping, barrels of booze, skinny dipping, and good ole fashion Woodstock-like rockfest fun. For more info go, to www.rockinthehills.com or to www.armentertainment.com. . . Shania Twain at Xcel Energy Center on the 4th, need I say more? . . . With a bit more English attraction from the land afar, Dido at Northrop Auditorium on the 4th . . . Monte’s in Spring Lake Park sets the stage for their annual outdoor bash featuring Austin Healy w/ special guest Chain Lightning on the 4th and Kurt Jorgensen on Saturday the 5th with a post-indoor appearance with Lucky Town til 2am . . . Don’t forget about Grand Old Days on Grand Ave. between Fairview Ave and Dale St. on the 6th – FREE ENTERTAINMENT, unless you live on the opposite side of the Cities, considering gas prices, that sucks . . . Float Rite Park in Somerset, WI will host the Pea Soup Days celebration featuring Austin Healy on Thursday, the 10th, Lamont Cranston and Apple Recording Artists, Badfinger featuring original guitarist Joey Molland on Friday, the 11th performing hits, “Day After Day,” “Baby Blue,” “No Matter What,” and more. Plus a grand finale with local favorites the Dweebs will also feature special guest Jesse Lang on Saturday the 12th. . . Attention all Bikers: Star Spangled LLC CTF presents The 24th Annual Claim to Fame Motorcycle Rally, June 11-13 at Harmony Park (the Narrows), Geneva, MN, 3 miles south of Geneva on Co. Rd 45 featuring Free Camping & Concessions, a CTF t-shirt plus Wet Tee shirt and Tattoo contests, a Biker Rodeo, a Ride-In Bike show and best of all – no minors, no children, no pets and no exceptions all for a single affordable ticket price. For more info, go to www.freeborncounty.com/claimtofame. . . Journey on the 17th, good enough without Steve Perry to merit my attendance with a little gambling on the side at Mystic Lake Casino. Did you ever notice in Roulette, once it starts hitting red or black, it stays with it? Being a mathematics whiz-kid if I do say so myself, I like those 50/50 odds, at least you have an equal chance of getting out alive with your pants on . . . Back to the 50’s Weekend at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds on the 18-20th - 10,000 street rods and custom cars as well as entertainment, phone 612 641-1992 for more info . . . Jesse Lang will make her debut performance at Famous Daves in Uptown on the 24th. Great Ribs! No, I mean on the menu . . .Corey Stevens with the full band is back from LA for a 1-night performance June 25th at Kamposia Days in South St. Paul at Wells Lanes on Concord. Expect 2,000 plus in attendance under the stars. . . “I Just Wanna Rock n Roll All Night and Party Every Day, ” – that’s right KISS and Poison (w/Bretty-boy) at Float Rite Amphitheater in Somerset, WI on the 26th . . . VH1 Stars, Nickelback (the Pride of Canada,)and 3 Doors Down at Excel Energy Center on the 29th, phone Ticketmaster for info at 651 989-5151 Next: Christina Aguilera at Target Center July 1st, she is f- - -ing HOT – stripped or not! OK – well maybe a close 5th behind Brittney, Shania, Pamela Anderson – my kissin’ cousin, Michelle as in Branch, but whose paying attention anyway, yea right you losers . . . CS&N without Neil Young raise a little cash for their personal accounts on July 1 at Mystic Lake Casino, that’s all right, Neil can’t play or sing anyway. So what that he rejects corporate sponsorships. In my opinion, it’s all a publicity stunt anyway for the “Southern Man.” What’s he want a medal? . . . 10,000 Lakes Festival at Soo Pass Ranch in Detroit Lakes, MN on July 1-4 featuring 40 Bands, 4 stages and 4 nights of camping – 10000lakesfestival.com. . . “HAIR” The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical, July 8 – August 1 at the Pantages Theatre - last time I saw Hair, I was at the Shubert Theatre in Chicago when it first came out. Stupendous!!!! – “shoulder length or longer…” and a naked scene to boot. But if that’s not cool enough for you skinheads - how about “The Phantom of the Opera” July 14 – Aug. 8th at the Orpheum Theatre in the Hennepin Theatre District? Call ticketmaster at 612 673-0404. . . Black Sabbath will reunite for the first time since 2001 this summer for the Ozzfest tour – I’M THERE! “Evil Minds that plot destruction . . .” “Satin laughing spreads his wings …” “Rogie off to Aruba, once again…” DE, GF#FE . . . By the way, I am retiring from my playing career, coming soon! Last chance to hear Knight Crawler with the Hammond organ on 10 in the shadows of Jon Lord (Deep Purple). Yes folks, it has been a good run, stay tuned for the announced farewell. Don’t worry it will be OK . . . .