The manic roar of the crowd begins as soon as he comes into view. To be a great lead singer you’ve got to have charisma and attitude and confidence. These qualities pour from Joe in buckets making you undeniably excitable in his presence.

Phil Collen

With the first scorching chords of Phil’s Jackson PC1, you’re unable to look away. He’s completely mesmerizing. His rock star posing and physique unquestionably adds to his animal magnetism.

Chris Robinson

A stellar frontman, an amazing singer, a man who gives so much soul to his lyrics. Watching him perform pulls you into that other world with him and you’re gone.

Rich Robinson

The smoldering sensuality of my other favorite brother. Whether he’s playing hard-driving riffs, solos or slide, Rich is brilliant and beautiful.

Chris and Rich

Joe and Phil

Saw the new Sherlock Holmes movie today and loved it. Guy Ritchie’s vision is a little different than the Holmes and Watson I remember reading about, but that’s fine. This new Holmes has athletic skill and even a six-pack. Watson is no bumbling fool. Parts are shot in Ritchie style using scenes with slow motion—this time using Holmes’ thought process in pre-enactment.

I loved Robert Downey Jr. as Holmes and Jude Law as Watson. Let the bantering begin! The intelligent, funny best friends use their wits to uncover a conspiracy with an ancient secret society plotting to take over England. The movie had plenty of fast-paced action and adventure in a dark and sooty Victorian London.

I’m already looking forward to the sequel.

NO. You will never see the same show twice with the Crowes–Chris, Rich, Steve, Sven, Luther and Adam. What a freakin’ great band! Any song from any album is fair game. They don’t just play the hits–the fourteen songs or so that a lot of bands play these days at a gig. The Crowes play everything. You heard me. Everything. The hardcore fans like me can only try to guess what they’re going to play next and thrill to whatever it is. And believe me, we are thrilled. These two shows only had two repeat songs out of the sixteen played at each. See what I mean?

The Black Crowes have been hailed as “The Most Rock ‘n’ Roll Rock ‘n’ Roll Band in the World”. Yes, they are. They boogie and jam with blues, rock, funk, country, and even a little gospel thrown in. I have to say I love every album they’ve ever made. Chris grabs the audience as soon as he walks onstage like a fiery preacher at the pulpit. What a front man he is!

As they sing “Walk Believer Walk”, there’s no problem with me. I am one of the believers. I’d follow them anywhere.…and probably will.

How about my personal trifecta of the most handsome, talented, charismatic male actors that put me in a flutter with every word they utter? Ha Ha.  I didn’t mean for that to rhyme.  Let’s start over. Who are the men that make me smile whenever they’re on the big screen? The men whose movies I have to see at the theater as soon as they open? The men who I stare at in awe while they fill the screen, and my heart, with their presence?

1. Gerard Butler

Who can resist the star of 300? I had no idea I’d like this movie so much until I stared at Gerry’s abs and heard his forceful rhetoric. He’s sex-on-a-stick. The Scottish accent. The roguish charm. Any character he plays–whether the rough guy or the funny guy–Gerry can do it all. I can’t get enough of him. Gaze into those eyes—drowning pools of blue. Gawk at those rippling muscles–and dream they’re wrapped around you. Be still my heart…and take a deep breath now. Oh Gerry.

2. Viggo Mortensen

The introspective, private man. The artist—painter, writer, photographer, musician. The “I don’t want to be an actor” actor. The trivia on Viggo is amazing—he speaks six languages, has lived all over the world. He can portray a wide variety of characters and make it look so effortless. Viggo IS Aragorn in Lord of the Rings—the most handsome, magnificent king ever. And don’t forget to look at that bum…it’s just about the hottest one you’ll ever see!

3. Christian Bale

The BEST Batman. Ever. The man who picks his roles based on how much of a physical challenge they are. There seems to be no limit as to what he’ll do to his body to get into the character. No comedies for this guy. He’ll beat your ass and you’re going to like it. Mmm…okay. I’ll take my chances and I’m sure I’ll like it if Christian is doing it.

You’ll feel like you’re in paradise.

Again.

I read an article today that I feel is worth passing on. “Why the Beatles Broke Up” by Mikal Gilmore is in the September issue of Rolling Stone magazine. This is a well-written piece dealing with the volatile and complex relationship of John Lennon and Paul McCartney. The stress of Yoko Ono’s presence to the rest of the members and the in-fighting over representation all played a part in the dissolution of the greatest band of all time.

I knew very little about their problems when I started this article. My heart was broken by the time I finished it.

And in the end, they were only human.

Long live the Beatles.