A Rock & Roll Christmas Tale: A Winner’s Wrap-Up!
KICT/Wichita, Kansas, listener Seth Bate recently won our killer prize package to catch the Broadway-bound metal musical, Dee Snider’s Rock & Roll Christmas Tale in Chicago. Seth wrote us to share his (and wife Jenny’s) experience…check it out:
We can’t say enough about what a great time we had as the winners of the “Dee Snider’s Rock & Roll Christmas Tale” contest. At first, we were afraid we wouldn’t be going at all. The Wichita airport was fogged in, and we were told our flight was cancelled. As it turned out, we were barely delayed. You can’t stop rock & roll!
Friday night, we had an amazing four-course meal at RPM Italian from the housemade ricotta starter to the cannoli for dessert.
Saturday we visited the National Hellenic Museum, which we have wanted to see for a long time, and ate and shopped in Greek Town. Then we went to be in the throngs of shoppers at the BMO Harris Bank Magnificent Mile Lights Festival. Everywhere we looked there were taxis advertising “Dee Snider’s Rock & Roll Christmas Tale,” and you can tell the whole town is excited for it.
The show itself is everything you could want in a Christmas story – equal parts Jean Shepherd and Gene Simmons. We were in the front row looking directly up at Dee in his distinguished narrator’s chair. The stage graffiti even says “I heart Jenny,” which we decided was a good sign. Producer John Yanover checked on us many times before and after the show, and everyone we talked to knew our contest entry story. It was like we were the celebrities.
As soon as the show was over, [Dee’s wife] Suzette Guilot-Snider ran over to greet us. Believe us, you know when you have been hugged and kissed by Suzette! Dee spent a generous amount of time with us, signed everything we brought – including my 1983 12” single of “The Kids Are Back” – and we were on our way.
If you can possibly make it to Chicago this holiday season, go see “Dee Snider’s Rock & Roll Christmas Tale”! And remember that metal miracles do happen!
Horns up,
— Seth Bate and Jenny Muret Bate
AC/DC guitarist/co-founder Angus Young says his relationship with his brother and former bandmate Malcolm has become closer following his brother’s dementia diagnosis. “His symptoms started around the Black Ice tour [during 2008-2010], but he said he wanted to continue,” said Angus to Bang Showbiz.
“I kept asking him if he wanted to go on and he did. Then, when he’d seen a few different people and was diagnosed, he said he would go on with the band for as long as he could play. Did it make us closer? Yes, for sure. Even when he was ill. When touring, he didn’t have great days. So I’d sit with him and we’d talk. He’d surprise me, by talking about things such as how we should do some open-air shows. But then he’s always been our leader and it was just good to have that feedback.” Angus also told a radio station this week that his brother’s health issues go far beyond the dementia diagnosis – Malcolm has also recently had unspecified operations on his lungs and heart. Angus says his brother is recovering, is well-looked after and “happy.”
Megadeth suffered a couple of sudden exits recently: both drummer Shawn Drover and guitarist Chris Broderick have left the band. The move prompted rumors to fly that Megadeth was disbanding…but they’re not true.
Said bassist David Ellefson in an online post, “As you can probably tell by me being here today, we are not disbanding. As of right now, we are looking at all the options, of which there are many. We’ll certainly continue working on the new songs for the next record, Hopefully that brings everyone up to speed on things as of today. Thank you for all of your kind words, concerns and support to us.”
Our sincerest condolences to Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine on the loss of his mother-in-law, 75-year-old Sally Estabrook. Sally, mother of Dave’s wife Pam, suffered from advanced Alzheimer’s disease, and had wandered away from a San Diego-area campsite on October 4 when her husband left briefly to shower. Despite extensive searching for weeks, she remained a missing person. Sally’s body was found just last week less than a half a mile away from the campsite. No foul play is suspected.
Looks like someone was less than pleased by the coverage of his band’s performance during last week’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Have a look at Kiss performing during the famous Turkey Day tradition right here.
Aerosmith drummer Joey Kramer is opening his own coffeehouse early next year. Joey Kramer’s Rockin’ & Roastin’ Café will be located in North Attleborough, Massachusetts, and will feature rock memorabilia and screens with music videos and legendary concerts playing nonstop. Gourmet coffee and fresh baked goods are on the menu.
And while we’re on the subject of Aerosmith…singer Steven Tyler finally admitted to reading snippets of longtime bandmate Joe Perry’s autobiography, Rocks: My Life In And Out Of Aerosmith.
In a recent interview, Steven said, “Well, somebody asked me that [if he’d read it] and I said, ‘Why would I wanna read it? I’ve lived it.’ But, of course, I cracked the book open. I read some of it. And it’s very interesting. He brings up his childhood and his mom and dad and family, and I know every one of them. You know, we grew up four miles from each other up in New England, so… it’s well written. It’s well written; it’s a beautiful book. Plus, he narrated it. So I’m happy for him that he got this off his chest and he got it out.” He added, “I’m glad there’s no references to my penis, because he would have lost.”
Enuff Z’Nuff’s camps it up hairband style for a cover of Billy Squier’s “The Stroke” in this new video. The song is featured on the band’s just-released album, Covered In Gold, which also features covers of tunes from David Bowie, Nirvana, Prince, Smokey Robinson and more.
HOH Mailbag
“I just wanted to share the Halloween pics of my daughter Savanah (“Paul”) and her best friend Madison (“Gene”). They decided that they were going to be Kiss this year for Halloween. They are 10 years old and this was their own idea (I guess we are doing something right). Savanah practiced to get her Paul Stanley pout to get it down and BTW that is Madi’s real tongue!
They were the rock stars of the elementary school Halloween parade down Main Street in our small town; shining among the sea of angels, Elsas and other various Disney characters. People actually stopped us to get pictures with them while we were trick or treating!! It was the best Halloween ever!!!”
— Shannon
Thanks for the pics, Shannon!
