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Wicked: For Good Movie Review
Wicked: For Good, which is the sequel to 2024’s Wicked, was released on November 21 of 2025 (earlier for some theaters though).
My girlfriend really got me into these movies.
I really enjoyed Wicked last year (review here) so I was looking forward to seeing Wicked: For Good.
At first, I must say I was enjoying it, but later on, the movie really went into a new gear and I was really loving it then.
The first movie did a great job establishing all the characters and the songs are fantastic.
But this movie is darker and the story has more teeth to it, if you will.
Wicked: For Good is really a ride and again, the songs are fantastic.
All the cast is great, as it is in the first movie.
Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, Ethan Slater, Marissa Bode, and everyone else play their characters to the hilt and all do a splendid job.
If you are a fan of Wicked and The Wizard Of Oz, I don’t know how you could not enjoy Wicked: For Good.
Like anything, it’s not for everyone, but I love it, and so does my girlfriend (she’s already seen it 4 times and will go see it again).
Yeah I can attest it’s that great.
Go see it!!!!
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Aerosmith/Yungblud One More Time EP Review
Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, as well as singer Yungblud, released an EP called One More Time on November 21 of 2025.
It says Aerosmith, but aside from one remix of an Aerosmith classic (which features all of the band), the EP is really Steven, Joe, Yungblud, and some other players (including Matt Sorum of The Cult, Guns N Roses, and Velvet Revolver).
Yungblud I had not heard of until more recently when I saw a video of him singing a KISS song (I Was Made For Loving You) and then he did a great version of Black Sabbath’s Changes at the Back To The Beginning concert in July of 2025.
I think Yungblud has a great future in music and it’s cool that he was able to work with Steven and Joe.
And it’s really great hearing Steven sing again.
Aerosmith canceled their last tour because Steven was having vocal issues.
So, to hear him sing at all, and also as great as he still is, is a promising sign.
And of course Steven and Joe being together is always great.
I’m not saying this is a masterpiece, but it’s really great hearing Steven sing again.
The lead single, My Only Angel, sounds like an Aerosmith song and should be a huge single.
Check it out. And welcome back Steven Tyler!!
Oh and the version I bought through Aerosmith’s website has spray paint on the logos that were spray painted by Steven himself!!! Pretty cool.
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Cheap Trick All Washed Up Album Review
Cheap Trick released their 21st studio album, All Washed Up, on November 14 of 2025.
Cheap Trick (featuring classic members Robin Zander, Rick Nielsen, and Tom Petersson, as well as Rick’s son Dax) have really been on a roll since releasing their Bang Zoom Crazy Hello album in 2016.
Every album they’ve released since has been great and this one is no exception.
If you are a Cheap Trick fan, or just a fan of rock and roll music with crunch but also melody, then this album is for you.
Check it out and keep on rocking Cheap Trick!!!
And thanks for signing it for me (through Talk Shop Live)!!
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Judas Priest Featuring Ozzy Osbourne War Pigs (Charity Single)
In July of 2025, one of my favorite bands, Judas Priest, released a cover single of the Black Sabbath (another favorite of mine) classic War Pigs.
Well, a few months later, they rereleased it also featuring Black Sabbath singer Ozzy Osbourne (RIP) singing some of it with Priest singer Rob Halford.
The single was for charity (The Glenn Tipton Parkinson’s Foundation & Cure Parkinson’s).
Ozzy’s vocals were older (Ozzy was not able to sing it with Priest), but Ozzy and his wife/manager Sharon gave Priest their blessing to use Ozzy’s vocal track for their cover.
Either way, it sounds amazing.
Rest In Peace Ozzy and keep on defending the Heavy Metal faith Judas Priest!!
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Hits Galore!! Bryan Adams/Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo Concert Review
- Date of Concert: Saturday, November 1, 2025
- Location of Concert: Rocket Arena in Cleveland, OH
I finally got to see Bryan Adams!!
I was supposed to see him in 2023, but I was ill at the time and could not attend.
Well, I made up for it this time.
What a show!!
As I said in the heading of this post, hits galore.
Opener Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo really brought the punch with their song selections from throughout their 4 decades long discography.
I had seen them a few months prior to this as a headliner (review here) so I knew what to expect.
Pat’s voice is still as powerful as ever and Neil (her husband) is a great guitarist and pianist too.
And their band is solid as a rock.
It was cool seeing them again.
But now to the main event.
Bryan Adams has been a very successful singer/songwriter/musician also for 4 decades and is still going strong.
This tour is in support of his latest album Roll With The Punches.
He played some from that album, plus lots of songs from throughout his career.
If you’re a fan, you had to be satisfied.
He even takes a few requests, via online choices.
And even though he has a big stage to perform on, he did the first two songs and the last song on a smaller platform in the back of the arena. Really cool!!
And his band (Bryan plays guitar and bass) which includes long time guitarist Keith Scott, long time drummer Pat Steward, and keyboardist Gary Breit, are rock solid too.
Again, another great show for the books.
What’s next? Who knows.
Rock on everyone.
Bryan Adams Set List:
- Can’t Stop This Thing We Started (B-Stage)
- Straight From The Heart (B-Stage)
- Kick Ass
- Run To You
- Somebody
- Roll With The Punches
- 18 Til I Die
- Please Forgive Me
- Take Me Back
- It’s Only Love
- Shine A Light
- Heaven
- Never Ever Let You Go
- This Time
- Make Up Your Mind
- You Belong To Me
- One Night Love Affair
- Lonely Nights (Audience Request)
- Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman? (Audience Request)
- Here I Am
- When You’re Gone
- The Only Thing That Looks Good On Me Is You
- (Everything I Do) I Do It For You
- Back To You
- So Happy It Hurts
- Summer Of ’69
- Cuts Like A Knife
- All For Love (B-Stage)
Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo Set List:
- All Fired Up
- Invincible
- Ties That Bind
- Promises In The Dark
- Shadows Of The Night
- Together (New Song)
- We Belong
- Hell Is For Children
- You Better Run
- Love Is A Battlefield
- Heartbreaker (also features some of Ring Of Fire)
Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)
Video Gallery (click on thumbnail to play video)
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Ace Frehley Solo Album Rankings
Ace Frehley (1951-2025) is my favorite guitarist ever.
One of the founding members of my favorite band KISS, Ace has inspired literally millions of people with his playing and inspired tons of musicians to pick up an instrument, namely a guitar.
Some have said he is the most influential guitarist ever.
I’m not going to disagree with that.
Is he the best singer ever? No, but he was great singing the songs that he wrote. I learned a long time ago that singers don’t all have to be Pavarotti or Freddie Mercury as a vocalist. So Ace was more than good enough on the mic.
Outside of his landmark work with KISS, Ace also made many solo albums and definitely was the most prolific original KISS member outside of the band.
He was making an album at the time of his passing, which who knows if it was done enough to be released.
But regardless, Ace truly left his mark on the world and I cannot emphasize that enough.
Here, I am going to rank Ace’s solo albums.
Now I before I do this, I want to preface by saying I love all of them so this is hard to do.
But here it goes:
- Ace Frehley (1978)-Most will say this is his best album outside of KISS and I definitely agree. It is a perfect album, in my opinion.
- Space Invader-Released in 2014, I find this album to be amazing and has some of Ace’s best playing ever on it.
- Anomaly-This was Ace’s first solo album in 20 years. Released in 2009, it showcases everything you would expect if you’re an Ace fan. Very good songs and great musicianship. A welcome return to Space Ace.
- Frehley’s Comet-Ace’s first album after leaving KISS. Released in 1987, this album features several rocking tunes and once again, a welcome return to the one and only Space Ace.
- Trouble Walkin’-Released in 1989, Ace consistently put out solid rocking albums outside of KISS. This one is no exception. This is my girlfriend’s favorite Ace studio album.
- Second Sighting-I don’t know how loved this album is (I know Ace’s friend Eddie Trunk hates it and fair enough.) but I actually love it. Great songs and it just rocks.
- 10,000 Volts-I want to rank this one higher (I’m actually already ranking it higher than I thought I would.) but I just love the ones above this more. But it is a very rocking and catchy album. Maybe Ace’s most catchy album he ever made. I’ve played it a bunch and really like every song on it, especially a song that he made a demo of when I believe he was still in KISS called “Back In My Arms Again”. Excellent ballad. If this is Ace’s last album, it’s a great one to go out on. I love you forever Ace!!!!
- Spaceman-Another solid, rocking album from Ace. Actually features fellow KISS member Gene Simmons on bass for one song and he co-wrote another song with Ace. AWESOME!!
- Origins Volume 2-I like both covers albums/KISS re-records Ace made, but I just like this one more.
- Origins Volume 1-Features another fellow KISS member Paul Stanley singing a Free song. Phenomenal version. Lots of great covers on this, and Ace played a KISS song he was not originally on, which is Rock And Roll Hell. Love his interpretation of it.
- Greatest Hits Live-My girlfriend’s favorite Ace solo album, this was released long after it was recorded. Great live album featuring two unreleased studio tracks.
- Live + 1-Great live EP featuring one studio track.
Again, this is tough to rank. Like I said, I love all of them, but hey, I have to rank them somehow. Ask me another time and I may think differently and rank them another way, but this is how I’m feeling as I type this.
Rest In Peace Ace. Thanks for all the amazing music and the happiness you brought us all.
And I included one of KISS drummer Peter Criss’ solo albums in the solo album picture because Ace plays on three songs. And the KISS live album just happens to be in the picture. My KISS album rankings is here if you want to check them out also.
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Thank You Scarefest For Another Great Time!!
I went to Scarefest for the 5th time on Sunday, October 19, 2025 in Lexington, Kentucky.
This was the last day of the three day event.
I decided to just go on the Sunday this time.
I think that was a good call on my part.
I say that because this event always starts later in the day on a Friday and Saturday is always insanely busy. Sunday is busy, but not as bad.
As always with these events, I wasn’t able to meet everyone I wanted to meet, but I saw mostly everyone I wanted to see. And I actually met more than I expected to be able to meet.
Scarefest has to be the biggest, or certainly of the biggest, horror conventions in the world.
They always book sooooooooo many celebrities.
This year included Robert Englund (Freddy Krueger. He had his own room this year, so I didn’t see him, but I’ve had my picture taken with him and got his autograph through his website.), Bill Moseley (Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2, House Of 1,000 Corpses, The Devil’s Rejects, Death House, and so much more), Kane Hodder (Jason in Friday the 13th Parts 7-10, Hatchet franchise, Death House, and so much more. He always comes to this event.), Michael Berryman (The Hills Have Eyes 1 and 2, The Devil’s Rejects, One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest, Death House, Motley Crue videos, and so much more) Doug Bradley (Pinhead in most of the Hellraiser franchise), Ken Foree (Dawn Of The Dead, The Devil’s Rejects, Leatherface Texas Chainsaw Massacre III, Rob Zombie’s Halloween, and so much more), Re-Animator actors/actresses Barbara Crampton/Jeffrey Combs/Bruce Abbott/Richard Band, Tommy Lee Wallace (Halloween III director, and also directed It, was Michael Myers for some of the original Halloween and it’s editor/production designer, as well as The Fog, and more), Tom Atkins (Halloween III, The Fog, Escape From New York, Creepshow, Lethal Weapon, and so much more), Stacy Nelkin (Halloween III), Tom Savini, David Arquette, Nightmare On Elm Street franchise actors/actresses Heather Langencamp/Lisa Wilcox/Tuesday Knight/Amanda Wyss/Beatrice Boepple/Bradley Gregg/Brooke Bundy/Kim Myers/Robert Rusler/Danny Hassell/Ira Heiden/Jennifer Rubin/Jensen Daggett/Ken Sagoes/Lisa Zane/Ronee Blakley/Toy Newkirk, wrestler Chris Jericho, musician Dr. Chud (Misfits), Danielle Harris (Halloween 4 and 5, Rob Zombie’s Halloween and Halloween II), Scout Taylor Compton (Rob Zombie’s Halloween and Halloween II), Scott Reiniger and Gaylen Ross (Dawn Of The Dead), Felissa Rose (Sleepaway Camp), Juliette Lewis, Linnea Quigley, Melanie Kinnaman, Michael Bailey Smith, R.A. Mihailoff (Leatherface Texas Chainsaw Massacre III, Death House, Hatchet II), Scott Reeves, Sean Chapman (Hellraiser and Hellraiser II), Ashley Laurence (Hellraiser, Hellraiser II, Hellraiser III: Hell On Earth, Hellraiser: Hellseeker), Robert Mukes (House of 1,000 Corpses), V.C. Dupree (Friday The 13th Part 8: Jason Takes Manhattan), Zach Galligan, and more.
Like I said, they book a lot of people.
This was the 17th Scarefest and I swear each year gets bigger.
Although I will say the organizing of lines and getting people into the building was the best I’ve ever seen at this event. Please keep it up!!
As you saw, the guest list (that’s not even all of it), was HUGE!!
I only met a couple of them, but again, I met more than I expected to be able to.
In order, I met Michael Berryman, Bill Moseley, Doug Bradley, Beatrice Boepple, Barbara Crampton, Ken Foree, and Lisa Wilcox.
All were very nice people. Bill and Lisa liked my horror character shirt, which was nice of them to say. Lisa said she had never seen a shirt like that before, so thank you Lisa!!
All actually talked to me too, which was nice. Especially Barbara and Lisa.
I had Michael and Bill sign an autograph card of the movie Death House, which came with the Death House DVD.
Death House was a low budget movie that has many horror movie stars in it, which is one reason why I really like it.
Michael told me he loved coming to this convention and had been coming here for many years. And when I told him this was my 5th time, he said I was onto something. Thank you sir!!
I’d been wanting to meet Bill for some time. I had seen them at this event a few years (same with Michael), but just wasn’t able to meet either of them until now. Again, Bill was very nice and mentioned his part in Death House. He and Michael are part of what is called the Five Evils.
I had Barbara sign the same Death House card, but unlike me, she told me she is not a fan of the movie. She told me she didn’t think it was very good and could’ve been better. She asked me my opinion, but I kept telling her I liked it. She accepted my opinion, but definitely did not agree with me, and that’s OK. She apologized for being, in her words, “a curmudgeon” about the movie and wasn’t mad at me, but she just was telling me she doesn’t like that movie. Is it the greatest movie ever? No, but I like it and I’m not apologizing for it. Again, she was nice and I’m not complaining at all. Thank you Barbara truly!! Next time I meet you, I promise I’ll get you to sign something of Re-Animator, which may be her most well known movie. Although she did ask me if I had any questions for her, and I asked her what her favorite Re-Animator scene is. And she said it was when her character (Megan Halsey) and Bruce Abbott’s character (Daniel Cain) escape from the corpses and they think they have made it and are safe, but ultimately, they are not safe. I’m sorry I’m not quoting her exactly, but you get the drift. Again, thank you Barbara for your kindness. And I like you in Death House. No apologies.
I spoke with Lisa Wilcox about the two Nightmare on Elm Street movies she is the star of. Parts 4 and 5. I told her that I really love Part 4, which she appreciated, and I think Part 5 is underrated. And she told me that when Part 5 was made, the subject matter in it was not around as much as it is today. And because of that, it wasn’t as accepted then, but she feels people have warmed up to it in more recent times.
Doug Bradley ultimately signed his book for me for free because I had already bought it outside of the event and he didn’t want to take my money. And he was just really happy that I enjoyed the book, which I did thoroughly (review here actually). Thank you again sir. You did not have to do that. And you will always be awesome as Pinhead!!
I met Beatrice Boepple because she said before the event that she may be going to visit Nightmare on Elm Street 2 star Mark Patton (who was supposed to be at this event but unfortunately could not due to health reasons) fairly soon and was taking him anything that fans gave her to give to him and maybe get him to sign some stuff for fans where he lives. I gave her a get well card to give to Mark. He has had a lot of health problems, and could really use all the encouragement and prayers he can get. I don’t know if you’ll ever see this Mark, but as I said in my card, I love and many love you and we want you to get better!!! And no matter what happens, thank you Beatrice for your time and your kindness.
Ken Foree was actually the main reason why I came to this event this year. He thanked me for saying that. I really love him in Dawn Of The Dead, as well as Leatherface Texas Chainsaw Massacre III and The Devil’s Rejects. Thank you for your kindness also and for all your awesome work.
Also, Scarefest always had a great selection of vendors and good food too.
I was able to buy a toy of one of my favorite characters ever, The Terminator, at one of the vendors. I’d been looking for this toy for some time and got a great bargain for it. The tag said $10 but it was ultimately $5!!
I could say more, but I’ll end by saying thank you to everyone I met at Scarefest and for everyone involved in putting this event together year after year. Keep up the great work and I intend to be back next year.
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My Favorite Guitarist Is Gone: Ace Frehley (1951-2025)
I’m tired of typing posts like this, but sadly, my heroes keep dying.
My favorite guitarist ever is now gone.
Ace Frehley (April 27, 1951-October 16, 2025).
I became a fan of his and his band KISS when I was 15 going on 16.
I actually saw KISS that year.
The original lineup!!
December 8, 1998 (review here).
What a night it was.
I could have died happy that night.
I’ve always said that KISS is my favorite band ever. All lineups. All albums. All eras.
And that’s true.
However, the original lineup of Ace (lead guitar and sometimes vocals and songwriting), Gene Simmons (vocals/bass/songwriting), Paul Stanley (vocals/guitar/songwriting) and Peter Criss (drums/vocals/songwriting) are the most important lineup and my favorite band ever.
I’m glad I got to see them twice (other review here).
I also got to see Ace solo twice, once in 2016 (review here) and once in 2021 (review here).
The 2016 show I also got to meet Ace afterwards.
I’m so glad I got that chance.
I haven’t cried yet, but I’m sure I will.
I’ll be playing the music (KISS and Ace solo. He made a lot of great solo albums too.), watching the concerts and interviews, and reading stories about he and KISS for awhile after I type this. I’m actually listening as I type this and before I started.
I could say so much, but I’ll just say no other band will have the same impact on me as KISS has.
And they/he have inspired sooooooooooooooooooooo many people all over the world.
And Ace was/is/always will be a HUGE part of KISSTORY.
I love you sooooooooooo much Ace and will miss you forever.
Rock on in Heaven and/or in Jendell!!
The one and only Space Ace/Spaceman has left us, but the music/videos/memories live forever.
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Ozzy Osbourne Last Rites Book Review
Ozzy Osbourne (1948-2025) released his final book, Last Rites, posthumously on October 7th.
I received it on October 10th and read it all by October 11th.
Last Rites chronicles Ozzy’s last 7 years on the planet. Starting off being on what ended up being his last tour.
Everything was going well, until one night at home, he fell, breaking his neck.
From that point on, his health was never the same.
It was one thing after another. Multiple surgeries (some of which made him worse, others to try to undo the bad ones), blood clots, sepsis, pneumonia, constant pain, heart valve blockage (which I think ultimately killed him) and more.
It really is a miracle he lived to be 76.
But as he said a few times, he had a great run up to 70. And he did.
The book is not all doom and gloom.
He talks about getting back together with Black Sabbath again, his final solo tour, and many other stories from throughout his life.
Some of the stories he reiterated from his first book I Am Ozzy (2009), but they were worth mentioning again.
Ozzy completed this book reportedly days before his passing.
He leaves no stone unturned.
Like many, I will always love and miss you Ozzy.
Thank you for all the great music and joy you brought us.
All the best to his family, friends, and fans all over the world.
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Tron: Ares Movie Review
Tron: Ares was released on Friday, October 10, 2025 and is the third movie in the Tron series.
I love the first two, so I knew I would love this one.
And I do.
This one is about a program named Ares (Jared Leto) who ultimately disobeys orders from his creator (Evan Peters) by not killing Peters’ rival (Greta Lee) and classic Tron style action ensues.
Jeff Bridges, the star of the first two, returns in this very good follow up to Tron: Legacy.
The music for this movie was done by Nine Inch Nails. Very good stuff.
If you are a fan of the Tron movies (like I am) then you should enjoy this one.
Go see it.
