Okay, I have finally given in and decided to do this as a series.

I might as well get this out of the way, becuase it's big - Rod Stewart.

Stewart, is of course, probably rock's biggest waste. Oh sure, Clapton and Stevie Wonder have moved pretty solidly into Adult Contemporary territory, but there is still the feeling that they may still have one last great album in the twillight of their career.

Stewart has, at this point, moved solidly into Vegas territory, and when you bring up Rod in conversation, that is the Rod that comes to mind. Either that, or the Disco Rod of "D'ya think I'm sexy?" and "Hot Legs" fame.

I don't care, of course, even as I have all but given up on the man. He occasionally does grace us with a single that I don't mind, but that's about it.

It is inucmbent of me as a music fan to remind everyone that for a half dozen albums (with the Faces and solo), Rod was as good as anyone in rock. You couldn't count all the bands out there that owe a debt to Rod and the Faces (and we could start that list with the Black Crowes).

If you haven't considered Rod Stewart as a Rock icon, here's a good place to start. 

As an aside, here's the latest on that Benoit wikipedia entry, if you missed it.

And now on with the countdown

Last week (and next week and the week after that, and...) we were being invaded by presidential candidates. This week, though, it is hair metallers, as Des Moines has its annual hair metal festival. A novel enough concept, good only if it wasn't for the usual knack of picking the hottest weekend of the year, and the incredulously expensive tickets (55 bucks- are you friggin' kidding me).

So, let's hit the line-up (For full disclosure: I survived the hair metal years, and my love for the Pixies and the Stone Roses during that time has now been vindicated.)

Seven Mary Three- One of these things are not like the others. Never mind, though, welcome to the has-been pile! I hated this band and all the awful grunge clones that appeared at that time. Also, poo on them for ruining the word "cumbersome"

Brent Muscat- This has being advertised as Faster Pussycat, but I am guessing from the website that it's just him and Taime Downe will be nowhere to be found. In full disclosure mode, FP was one of the few glam bands I thought were good. I haven't went back to see how they hold up, but at the time, I gave Wake Me When Its Over quite a bit of airplay.

Warrant & Winger- Do I need to make a joke here? Let's move on.

White Lion - or more specifically White Lion 2, which probably means it is just Mike Tramp or just Vito Bratta (and yes, I can still name two members of White Lion. My pop culture knowledge is impeccable). After looking at wikipedia- it's Tramp, and Bratta has left the industry. I had punk friends who loved them, but ever got too much into them .

Vince Neil- You know Motley Crue certainly became a bloated rock machine (and it's fun to annoy their fans by suggesting the John Corabi album was the band's best work), but the early stuff was pretty good. A music critic once suggested if Shout At The Devil came out today on say, SubPop, the indie kids would go crazy, and I don't doubt it.

Vince though is responsible for the death of the drummer of the band (and ended the band, really) that I consider the best of 80's glam. I thought Hanoi Rocks were great when I was in high school, and I still stand behind them. If you think Appetite for Destruction came out of nowhere, then you have some research to do. You can give me grief in the comment section below.

<