Retro Rockme…
(Left to right) Ronny Crawford, Tom Larson, Larry Schanker, Rush Pearson, Peter Van Wagner, Casey Fox, Tom Kalicky, the author, Brad Hall. ROCKME PHOTO FUN (Circa ’82-’83) On a sunny day in 1982 (or...
View ArticleThe Wrecking Crew
Is this the Greatest Rock & Roll Band in history? Based on the number of hit records they played on over a quarter of a century, these four fabulous musicians just might be the best rock band ever...
View ArticleA Mid-Year Celebration!
If nothing else worth celebrating happened today, June 30th would still mark the mid-point of 2011 — reason alone to pop a cork. But there are some very good reasons to mark this day with fanfare and...
View ArticleRockme for the Holidays!
The Practical Theatre Company’s hard rocking house band — Riffmaster & The Rockme Foundation — are coming to Chicago to play two fabulous, frenzied dance parties this holiday season. Riffmaster...
View ArticleBlog 2011: The Second Year’s Voyage In Review…
My 2011 concluded on a fabulously positive note as “The Vic & Paul Show” enjoyed a successful two-week run at Mayne Stage in Chicago. It was a holiday homecoming that warmed the winter chill with a...
View ArticleDick Clark: Rock & Roll Icon
If you were born after 1970, you may not remember the Dick Clark that I remember. You might remember the Dick Clark of “TV’s Bloopers and Practical Jokes” or “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve”. And if you were...
View ArticleMs. Maura Plays The Viper Room & Other Musical Highlights!
My daughter, Maura Murphy-Barrosse (aka Ms. Maura) and her musical partner, guitarist Lynz Floren have just released their first single, “I Can’t Complain” – and it’s now available on iTunes and other...
View ArticleVic & Paul & Obama & Mother Mary — Blog 2012: The Third Year In Review.
Days after the year 2012 ended, I was delighted to join with my wife, daughters and Cleveland relations to celebrate the 80th birthday of my wonderful mother, Mary Barrosse. I knew I was tardy in...
View ArticleSinging Sisters: My Best Holiday Gift
The Sistas are Emilia, Maura, Nick (Producer & Son-in-Law) & Eva. The Way You Dance Christmas 2012 blessed me with a lot of great gifts from friends and family – but none more wonderful than...
View ArticleIt Was 49 Years Ago Today…
I was just a young, working class Cleveland boy — two months shy of my 6th birthday — and what happened on this day, 49 years ago, at 8:00 pm ET on Sunday February 9, 1964 became an unforgettable...
View ArticleMr. Olsen’s New Year’s Rockin’ Neighborhood!
There will be no better place to be this New Year’s Eve than in Evanston, Illinois – that little college town just north of Chicago. But why party in Evanston? Why not Paris, or Rome, or the Greek...
View ArticleMr. Olsen’s New Year’s Rockin’ Neighborhood!
There will be no better place to be this New Year’s Eve than in Evanston, Illinois – that little college town just north of Chicago. But why party in Evanston? Why not Paris, or Rome, or the Greek...
View ArticleJust Two Weeks Until The Funniest, Most Rocking New Year’s Party Ever!
A splendid time is guaranteed for all this New Year’s Eve in Evanston, Illinois. (Which is, of course, just 5 minutes from anywhere by rocket car!) But why party in Evanston? Why not join the throngs...
View ArticleObamaCare & Italy & Everything Else — Blog 2013: The Fourth Year In Review.
For my family and me, 2013 ended on an upbeat note with “Mr. Olsen’s New Year’s Rockin’ Neighborhood” — a raucous, sold-out celebration of comedy and rock & roll at 27 Live in Evanston, Illinois....
View ArticleRock & Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2015
I know there’s a lot going on right now in Iraq and Syria and the Ukraine and Gaza and Ferguson, Missouri – but there’s not much I can do about those intractable geopolitical situations. I’ll let...
View ArticleA “Lazy Saturday” with Ms. Maura!
Here’s a bit of delightful musical merriment from Ms. Maura — my sweet, talented daughter!
View ArticleA Musical Tribute to Memphis.
Memphis, Tennessee is the birthplace of rock and roll. It’s where the King of Rock & Roll lived and died. It’s where the Delta blues stopped for a drink on Beale Street before heading up to...
View ArticleBlog 2014: The Fifth Year In Review.
2014 was the fifth year for this blog — and though I have to admit I was a relatively infrequent blogger this year — there were a handful of events I could not let pass without trying to say...
View ArticleStuff Riffmaster Knows: The Beatles & Their Gear
I’ve been playing in a rock and roll band with Riffmaster Peter Van Wagner since the very early 1980’s. Not only is Pete a gifted shredder of the Fender Stratocaster, he knows more about rock and roll...
View ArticleMeet Ms. Maura & The Misters
Save the date, folks: December 10, 2016! Those of you who have heard my daughter Maura sing know that she’s got a soulful, bluesy, powerhouse instrument. And now, she’s put together a talented band...
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