I'm far from a huge Queen fan myself but if ever something comes on the radio or television that I don't care to see or hear I always have the option of changing the channel.

That documentary was very well done, proof positive that even the likes of VH1 can still provide high quality music programming when they want to.

I've seen 'em two or three times over the years. The first time they were the opening act on a three way bill with Nantucket and AC/DC (who were headlining). I always wondered why they were the opening band at that show. Years later I found out that Nantucket (who quickly went down the tubes) were a priority at Epic Records at the time (same label Cheap Trick were on). Plus, Nantucket were currently riding high on the initial success of their debut album and first single, "Heartbreaker". I'll never forget that night as they had a built a ramp on one side of the stage just for Rick Nielsen. He was always tossing picks but once he got up to the top of the ramp he'd shower the audience with them. Funny that even all these years later Cheap Trick are still opening for other bands, especially when one of those other bands is Poison. They've never gotten the respect they deserve which sorta makes them the Rodney Dangerfield of rock. That ACL performance proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that they can still bring the rock, even more so than bands half their age.

So do we have Cubbie's to thank for Plant's "Freedom Fries"? Restaurant Changes Name Of French Fries To Freedom Fries BEAUFORT, NC - FEBRUARY 20: Restaurant owner Neal Rowland holds a plate of his Freedom Fries February 20, 2003 in Beaufort, North Carolina. Rowland changed the name of the french fries he serves to Freedom Fries at his Cubbies resturant to show his disgust with the French government's delay tactics regarding Iraq.

Funny that way back when Jimmy Buffett's song "Come Monday" was first released that the song was banned in England because of the line "I've got my Hush Puppies on." Since the BBC considered it to be advertising Buffett changed that particular lyric to "I've got my hiking shoes on."

I still listen to Van Halen, especially the first three albums but I never looked to them for any sort of deep meaning. Same for AC/DC and the Nuge.

I would imagine the content of the article is the same but here in the U.S. the cover goes to Jimmy Fallon:

Any "hang ups" are solely on your part. Perhaps if you'd put the rose-colored tint of your fanboy-dom aside long enough you'd be willing to admit that if Page actually was more prolific than Plant or Jones we wouldn't even be having this discussion.

There was tons of great music in the 80s. What was shown on MTV and who played at Live Aid aren't at all indicative of the music released during that decade. That was only in relation to the DVD, their performance was indeed broadcast that day, the VHS does not lie. Queen were the only ones that turned in a stellar performance at Live Aid, U2 gained many new fans that day as well.

I don't recall making up any facts, I merely asked you what the 7th Page album was and wondered why you weren't including Plant's post-Zep work. As for Whatever Happened To Jugula?, unless I missed something in the songwriting credits Page didn't contribute any original compositions to that record. Everything but one song is attributed to Roy Harper, the other is Harper/David Gilmour.

Apparently your "perceptions" don't include anything from Robert Plant. Last time I checked, he was also a member of Led Zeppelin. As for Page, I count 6 albums of new original material he's released since the demise of Led Zeppelin: Death Wish II Original Motion Picture Soundtrack The Firm Mean Business Coverdale/Page Outrider Walking Into Clarksdale What is the 7th?

Again, that's not at all what I'm talking about. I'm referring to the amount of new, original material he has released since Zeppelin called it quits.

I think you're barking up the wrong tree here. I'm referring to his recorded output of new material. And, for the record, he's one of my favorite guitarists so there's really no need to try to sell me on his craftsmanship, you'll just find yourself preaching to the choir there.

To watch the full episode of their recent appearance on Austin City Limits click on the image above. Be sure to stick around until the very end for Robin Zander and Rick Nielsen's explanation of "Classic Rock" and why they've never fit some people's idea of what that is. This band is still just as vital (if not more so) than when they first arrived on the scene back in the 70s. Bun E. is MIA on drums but Rick Nielsen's son Dax does an admirable job filling in for him. Apparently Bun E. was sick and was unable to attend the taping. Others have speculated that he's been MIA from Cheap Trick lately because he was dictating the setlists, which remained the same from one night to the next. This performance is definitely not one that's loyal to a "greatest hits" setlist which gives more than a little validity to that latter claim. A sample from the show: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbeJ1KmUtf4

From last night on Letterman with Jason Isbell (formerly of the Drive-By Truckers) on guitar.

Did you get the new songs she sent out recently? I believe they were some outtakes from See You On the Moon.

Heavy Metal Parking Lot is a must-see.

From Spinner.com: Rolling Stones Cover Bob Dylan for 'Sixth Stone' Ian Stewart Tribute Album WireImage | Getty Images Although fans debate whether they're hitting the road again later this year, the Rolling Stones will appear on an upcoming album by British piano player Ben Waters that pays tribute to the late Ian Stewart, often referred to as the 'sixth Stone.' Waters' management confirmed to Spinner that 'Boogie for Stu' will be released Mar. 9, with all of its proceeds going to the British Heart Foundation. Management neither confirmed nor denied the Stones' involvement, but according to the band's fan site, It's Only Rock 'N Roll, the whole gang -- including former Stones bassist Bill Wyman -- will appear with Waters on the disc for a cover of the Bob Dylan song 'Watching the River Flow.' Waters, whose family was friends with Stewart, says he began recording the album last year. In a message last February, Waters announced that drummer Charlie Watts, guitarist Ronnie Wood, Jools Holland and PJ Harvey were contributing to the project, with "a few more special guests" to be announced later. In a Nov. 8 message on his site -- reposted on It's Only Rock 'N Roll's message board -- Waters added he had just returned from New York where he was recording the album with Keith Richards, who played on three tracks and added vocals on another while Mick Jagger "played harmonica and sung fantastically on one track." The album will be produced by Glyn Johns, a close friend of the late musician. An original member of the Stones before being dismissed from the stage lineup in 1963 by then manager Andrew Loog Oldham, Stewart continued performing in the studio with the group playing piano and became the band's road manager. He also appeared on every Stones album between 1964-1986, with the exception of 'Beggars Banquet.' Stewart passed away on Dec. 12, 1985 from a heart attack. He was 47. On their 1986 album, 'Dirty Work,' the Stones included a snippet of Stewart's playing as its coda. Listen to Ian Stewart on Keys as Heard on 'Dirty Work' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LozvbMYdUjM

Who hates chocolate and who's conforming? Besides, nothing in my post even mentions anything about Plant's solo work surpassing Zeppelin, it was about Page being the least prolific of the three surviving members of Zeppelin.

This isn't out yet but is due on January 18th:

Never really cared for "Baker Street" but I haven't listened to "Stuck In the Middle With You" in the same way since seeing Reservoir Dogs.

I was avid reader of Circus back in the day but compared to the writing in publications such as Creem and Rolling Stone they always struck me as one step above the likes of Tiger Beat. For the record, I also read Hit Parader and Rock Scene back in those days. About the only thing Hit Parader was good for was song lyrics. As for the number of photographs then vs. now in Circus, maybe it has a lot to do with the advent of the digital camera where the the capacity for photos is nearly endless. In the days of film it was a whole different beast.