Blog battle: Patriotic movies of the '80s

Are you ready for a red, white and bruisin'? Fantastic, because St. Petersburg Times film critic Steve Persall and I squaring off over the best patriotic movies of the 1980s.

First, a confession: I proudly let Persall's reviews guide almost all my movie-ticket buying decisions, with only a couple notable differences. I'll see any John Cusack, Cameron Crowe or Star Trek movie -- no matter how bad a review he gives them. In fact, I'll be spending July 4 in front of the TV, watching my "Elizabethtown" and "Say Anything" DVDs back to back all day, sobbing onto a big plate of mini corndogs.

But today, all bets are off. We've agreed ahead of time to pick different movies, but no matter how much he intellectualizes the themes of his weepy choices, I think my Commie-bashing, red-blooded approach will win you over.

STUCK IN THE 80's TOP 5 PATRIOTIC MOVIES OF THE 80s:

5. First Blood (1982): Mopey Vietnam vet ... moody townies ... blood-gushing violence ... Stallone almost intelligible. A classic, right? "Company leader to Raven! Rambo! Acknowledge!"

4. Platoon (1986): The acting opus for not only Charlie Sheen, but also Willem Dafoe (though you gotta love him in "Streets of Fire") and Tom Berenger. Plus "Johnny Drama" from "Entourage"? That's the real right stuff. "Feelin' good's good enough."

  3. Top Gun (1986): Remember when Tom Cruise made movies you wanted to watch? Nothing like a bunch of ego-swelled Navy pilots, sweating their asses off, "communicating" with MiG pilots ("Yes, I know 'the bird,' Goose...") to get your pride on. Through in a little Kelly McGillis, some Kenny Loggins and Berlin and it's blast-off time.  "That's right! Ice... man. I am dangerous."

2. Iron Eagle (1986): Hear me out on this one. Louis Gossett Jr. as "Chappy Sinclair" -- classic -- leading a teenager in a jet to the Middle East to rescue his father? But some campy dialog and a monster soundtrack, featuring Queen's "One Vision" and Twister Sister's "We're Not Gonna Take It," and you have Masterpiece Theater for the 80s.

1. Red Dawn (1984): I love this one because it truly happened. Yeah, I pretty much figure the Russians and Cubans invaded America back in '84 during those couple weeks when I couldn't tear myself away from my Atari 2600. (I had to get my Asteriods on.) But think about it: Patrick Swayze, C. Thomas Howell, Jennifer Grey, Lea Thompson, Charlie Sheen and Harry Dean Stanton? Don't tell me you're not sobbing at the end during the closing narration ... "In the early days of World War 3, guerillas - mostly children - placed the names of their lost upon this rock. They fought here alone and gave up their lives, so that this nation should not perish from the earth."

Now, my take on Persall's picks:

• Born on the Fourth of July: Essentially just a dramatic version of Forrest Gump. Seriously. Think about it.
• Glory: Matthew Broderick's stiffest acting performance -- ever. (Yeah, including "Project X.")
• The Right Stuff: Great soundtrack surrounding two-plus hours of urination and enema jokes.
• Good Morning Vietnam: Your basic Robin Williams stand-up performance in fatigues. (I'd have picked "Moscow on the Hudson" instead, but I guess Persall's a closet commie.)
  
• Rocky 4: It's got communists, boxing, steroids, Stallone. Oh my, he may have me on this pick.

So there you go. Remember to read Persall's blog and then leave us comments and let us know how we did. And remember, when it comes to patriotism, Persall's ego is writing checks his body can't cash!

The perfect toy ... for those about to rock

Yes, it's AC/DC action figures of Brian Johnson and Angus Young. And how did I find out about it? Ummm, Brian Johnson told me. Seriously. Times pop critic Sean Daly and I spent a half hour on the phone with AC/DC's lead singer Thursday afternoon and, simply put, we were in rock n' roll heaven.

Inducted into Rock and Roll's Hall of Fame in 2003, Johnson is the first hall-of-famer to appear on Stuck in the 80s, so this week's show is devoted to our interview with him. It's been five years since AC/DC's last tour, but Brian is about to go out on the road again to promote Classic Rock Cares, a series of benefit concerts to support the John Entwhisle Foundation.

Johnson, AC/DC bassist Cliff Williams, Cheap Trick's Robin Zander, Eddie Money and a cast of other talented hard-rockers will play Clearwater's Ruth Eckerd Hall on July 3. Fans can expect a bunch of AC/DC hits, along with some new songs newly penned by the artists.

Click here to hear this week's show. Or click here to get the podcast series for free on iTunes.

Brian was a quote-machine. Here are some of the printable highlights:

On the long layoff from touring: "I'll get up and sing with a band, maybe do a song. That's nothing compared to belting it out, full-tilt boogie. With AC/DC, [shows lasted] two hours, 25 minutes and it was a killer because we didn't have drum solos. ... When I look back on it now, how the hell did I do that?"

On the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame experience: "We really enjoyed it, apart from The Edge of U2 making a complete 'todd' of himself. ... He was inducting The Clash, who we all love. .... We're standing there, and he talked for 25 minutes. At the end, we're coming up behind him going 'Hey, bugger off!' ... It's just impossible to talk to [U2]: They just can't hear you -- their heads are right up among the intestinal parts of their bodies."

On writing songs for the Back in Black album: "I was desperately trying to write the words as fast as I could. For Hell's Bells, I was sitting in a room on the beach and this big thunderstorm came, and I thought 'I'm rolling thunder, pouring rain.' And then the wind picked up and I just went 'I'm coming on like a hurricane.' And that was the end of it. It was dead easy after that.

Amazing stuff. The best interview we've done in two years of podcasting. Let us know what you thought of the show. And if you're at next week's Classic Rock Cares show, say hello to Sean and me. We'll be the ones trying to sneak backstage to hang with the band.

Hey, Hollywood ... Try these next!

It's nearly the middle of summer -- Fourth of July weekend is upon us -- and so our minds turn to the multiplexes across America, wondering: Where are the sequels that we REALLY want to see?

Bruce Willis has his latest version of Die Hard out, and Times film critic Steve Persall says it's a throwback classic in his review. But isn't that really a Christmas season movie? What we need are some good ole fashioned sequels to '80s classics. I'm one step ahead of you.

TOP 10 MOVIES FROM THE '80s THAT NEED A SEQUEL:

10. Fast Times at Ridgemont High: I know 1984's "The Wild Life" was sequel of sorts, but don't you want to know what became of Jeff Spicoli after 25 years? I'm guessing he's the shop teacher and runs the David Lee Roth page on MySpace. "People on 'ludes should not drive."

9. Beverly Hills Cop: It's had two sorry sequels. But the original is the single source of power for the once-proud Eddie Murphy. And after "Norbit" and "Pluto Nash," I think it's time for Eddie to return to his roots. "Is this the gentleman who ruined the buffet at the Harrow club this morning?"

8. Caddyshack: Please, somebody do something to remove the taste in our mouths after "Caddyshack 2." Bring back Kenny Loggins for the title song. And let's find out what happened to "Danny" (Michael O'Keefe). But please keep Bill Murray's brother (Brian Doyle-Murray) running the caddyshack. "Pick up that blood!"

7. Valley Girl: A Nic Cage film that doesn't involve explosions? Yeah, think waaay back to the 80s. My guess is that even Deborah Foreman ("Julie") would come out of hiding to reprise her greatest role."Yeah, but Tommy can be such a dork, ya know? Like he's got the bod, but his brains are bad news."

6. The Breakfast Club: Answer the question once and for all -- what happens to the kids when they return to school on Monday? I'm hoping that writing a sequel is the real reason that director John Hughes has been laying low for so long. "We're all pretty bizarre. Some of us are just better at hiding it, that's all."

5. Sixteen Candles: From all reports, a sequel to this classic almost did happen. But to truly find out what happened to Samantha (Molly Ringwald) and her dreamy boyfriend, you'll have to rescue Michael Schoeffling ("Jake") from his job making furniture in Pennsylvania. (Sadly, I'm not joking.) "Would you stop feeling sorry for yourself? It's bad for your complexion."

4. Victory: The ultimate soccer/war/escape movie of the '80s. The only one in fact. I figure Sylvester Stallone can return -- Rambo style -- to free to rest of his fellow POW's (and maybe organize a camp softball team to play against the Soviet national team for when the war is over). "This frigging game is ruining my life."

3. War Games: I figure "David Lightman" (Matthew Broderick) could be running a huge software company these days, fighting the Justice Department over its business practices, hanging about rock stars and being named Time Magazine's man of the year. Nah, too unrealistic. " Is it a game... or is it real?"

2. Better Off Dead: One of the most underrated movies of the 80s can become the most overhyped sequel of our times, thanks to the star power of John Cusack. But unless they bring back Diane Franklin ("Monique"), Dan Schneider ("Ricky") and Curtis Armstrong ("Charles"), we're all better off dead. "Go that way, really fast. If something gets in your way, turn."

1. Blade Runner: I was screaming for a sequel before the credits even rolled on the original flick. Do Deckard and Rachael live happily ever after? Plus, Rutger Hauer and Sean Young could use the work. "I need ya, Deck. This is a bad one, the worst yet. I need the old blade runner, I need your magic."

Hey, special thanks to IMDB.com for linking to this post. Here are some other similar lists:

• Best kissing scenes from 80s movies
• Best patriotic movies of the 80s
• Top 20 guys movies
• Top 10 mob movies from the 80s

'Wanna go, pretty boy?'

TODAY's RETRO-REVIEW: The 1986 hockey flick "Youngblood," starring Rob Lowe and Patrick Swayze.

THE PLOT: A promising, young hockey player (Lowe) is pressured by his teammates, opponents and family to show that he can fight as well as he skates -- if he wants to make it to the big time. In the process, he befriends the team captain (Swayze) and falls in love with the daughter (Cynthia Gibb) of the team's surly head coach (Ed Lauter).

SOUNDS FAMILIAR: It should sound familiar -- it's the same plot of just about any teen sports movie. Think "Karate Kid" meets "Rocky" meets "Slap Shot."

MAYBE YOU REMEMBER: Former NHL player Eric Nesterenko (Toronto Maple Leafs, Chicago Blackhawks) played the part of Lowe's father. Steve Thomas and Peter Zezel are other NHLers appearing in the film. Cynthia Gibb, who played Lowe's girlfriend, would do several other movies in the 80s, including "Salvador," "Modern Girls" and "Stardust Memories."

SURELY YOU CAN'T FORGET: Keanu Reeves as the goalie with a dubious Quebec accent. (Is there any accent Reeves can master other the SoCal surfer dialect?) Still, rumor has it that Reeves was a very good goalie as a youth. He and Swayze would team up again in "Point Break."

ONE NASTY REVIEW: "If Rob Lowe had to learn to play hockey, was it too much to ask Peter Markle, the writer-director, to write an original screenplay?" -- Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times.

WHY WE LOVE IT ANYWAY: Famed critic Roger Ebert actually gave the movie a decent review, but detested the two scenes for which which the movie is probably best remembered by 80s fans: Lowe being seduced by his mature, female landlord ("Ahhh, tea with Miss McGill"), and Lowe wandering the hallways of the sports arena wearing nothing by a jockstrap. Throw in some great fight scenes with Thunderbay player "Carl Racki" and some gratuitous nudity and there's your classic '80s flick.

TOP 5 LINES FROM YOUNGBLOOD:

5.  "Hey, go hump your Saint Bernard, scum-nuts."
4. "Fast legs, slow fists."
3. "Where else could I get beaten up every day, treated like shit by prima donna Canadians, get my nuts shaved? "
2. "You can learn to punch in the barn, but you gotta learn to survive on the ice."
1. "Thank God there is a sport for middle-sized white boys."

Memorable wedding lines from the '80s

Wedding movies of the '80s aren't exactly epic. (No, you can't count "General Hospital's" Luke and Laura for today's topic.) All told, there are more than 30 movies during the decade that involve a wedding ceremony as a significant part of the plot, but try to pick great quotes from these movies and you'll end up with dialog drier than the bridal cake.

For the truly great quotes, you have to leave the '80s altogether. The Graduate in 1967 ("Are we getting married tomorrow?") and 1994's Four Weddings and a Funeral ("Marriage is just a way of getting out of an embarrassing pause in conversation.") come to mind. And the greatest 80s wedding movie of all -- The Wedding Singer -- wasn't filmed until 1998!

But since June is running out, and the brides are getting antsy, it's time to pick the best wedding moments from our favorite decade.

TOP 5 WEDDING LINES FROM '80s MOVIES:

5. Sixteen Candles (1984): Molly Ringwald, Anthony Michael Hall. "I can't believe it. You make someone a bridesmaid and they s--t all over you."

4. Haunted Honeymoon (1986): Gilda Radner, Gene Wilder. "This is gonna be some wedding. A loony for a husband, and Peter Pan for his wife."

3. Diner (1982): Steve Guttenberg, Daniel Stern. "We all know most marriages depend on a firm grasp of football trivia."

2. When Harry Met Sally (1989): Billy Crystal, Meg Ryan. "All I'm saying is that somewhere out there is the man you are supposed to marry. And if you don't get him first, somebody else will, and you'll have to spend the rest of your life knowing that somebody else is married to your husband "

1. Flash Gordon (1980): Sam Jones, Max von Sydow.

Priest: "Do you, Ming the Merciless, Ruler of the Universe, take this Earthling Dale Arden, to be your Empress of the Hour?"
Ming: "Of the hour, yes."
Priest: "Do you promise to use her as you will?"
Ming: "Certainly!"
Priest: "Not to blast her into space? ... Uh, until such time as you grow weary of her."
The Emperor Ming: "I do."

More of a Departure than an Escape

About a week after Journey bid their latest lead singer goodbye, we finally get a response from the dearly departed. Jeff Scott Soto posted this response on his website today:

"I was looking forward to a long, prosperous future with these guys but it seems they wanted something different than I brought to the table. No love lost though, they know what's best for the preservation of their legacy. I wish them all the best but now it's time to continue working on my own path again."

Reading between the lines, it's obvious his departure wasn't a mutual decision. Soto served as the lead singer for a little less than a year, replacing Steve Augeri. But Soto says he's moving on. Soto says he'll restart work on a solo album he was recording before Journey called.

For a present, maybe a good bail bondsman?

Our favorite police report celebrity, George Michael, turns 44 years old today. Here's hoping this year brings more news from on stage than off it.

Michael has been arrested so often over the last two years, TV executives are considering naming a new show after him: "Law and Order: The Whammer Behind the Slammer."

Michael could even rework some of his song titles for use as possible theme songs. I'm thinking maybe  "Careless Whisper" can instead be "Careless Misdemeanor."

I'm never gonna drink again
Guilty plea, no more driving
Though it's easy to make bail
I know that I'm a fool.

See the Cure? For sure

The Cure has announced a tour of the U.S. and Canada beginning Sept. 13 in --- ta-dah! -- Tampa, Florida.

Pollstar.com reports that they'll be playing mainly in the large venues (the St. Pete Times Forum will host them here.) Other stops include Charlotte, New York, Toronto, Dallas and Vancouver.

Check out the band's website for complete tour and ticket information. (But turn down the volume on your computer first unless you want their music intro to give you a heart attack.)

'Sequels ... I hate sequels...'

Here's the latest photo that's all over the web. It's circling the blogs like Paris without panties or Lindsay skipping out on rehab. It's even better: Harrison Ford as "Indiana Jones" on the set of the new movie.

For a movie that's already shooting, very little is known about Indiana Jones 4. By now, most of us know Sean Connery opted out of returning as Indy's father. (Is he saving himself for another Highlander sequel?)

According to the usual Hollywood sources, the flick is set for release in May 2008.

I like the look on Ford's face. There's a certain sense of smugness as if he's saying, "No matter how bad the script is or how old I look, Spielberg is directing this, and I'll pocket a pretty penny when it's all said and done."

Five roles we pray Harrison Ford won't reprise:
5. "Dr. Walker" (Frantic): "No corpse stinks that much after only 12 hours. Take my word for it. Yes, I am a doctor."
4. "Henry Turner" (Regarding Henry): "Well, I had enough. So I said 'when'."
3. "President Marshall" (Air Force One): "I'm counting on you, red, white and blue."
2. "Han Solo" (Star Wars): "Look, Your Worshipfulness, let's get one thing straight. I take orders from just one person: me."
1. "Indiana Jones": Whoops, too late.

Top 20 guys movies from the 80s

Tonight is one of those rare nights when the stars align, the heavens open and for just a few precious hours, you get a peak at the universe's grand plan.

In other words, it's a guys-only party at the Stuck in the 80s woodland retreat. No wives (and no cell phones turned on so wives can't call), no rules, no napkins. Just cigars, Milwaukee's Best beer (for sentimental reasons), greasy food topped with cheese and cheese-flavored products and the best movies from the 80s we can find.

Here are some movies to consider if you are afforded the similar freedom anytime soon.

TOP 20 GUYS-ONLY MOVIES FROM THE 80s:

For the sports:

• Major League (1989): Tom Berenger, Charlie Sheen. "Remember, fans, Tuesday is Die Hard Night. Free admission for anyone who was actually alive the last time the Indians won the pennant."
• Bull Durham (1988): Kevin Costner, Tim Robbins. "The rose goes in the front, big guy."
• Hoosiers (1986): Gene Hackman, Dennis Hopper. "Strap, God wants you on the floor."

For the blood:

• Die Hard (1988): Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman. "Now I have a machine gun. Ho ho ho."
• Scarface (1983): Al Pacino, Robert Loggia. "Every day above ground is a good day."
• Highlander (1986): Christopher Lambert, Sean Connery. "I apologize for calling your wife a bloated warthog, and I bid you good day."
• The Road Warrior (1981): Mel Gibson, Steve J. Spears (seriously, some guy the same name as me played "The Mechanic" in this flick): "I am gravely disappointed. Again you have made me unleash my dogs of war."

For the music:

• The Blues Brothers (1980): John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd. "Your women. I want to buy your women. The little girl, your daughters... sell them to me. Sell me your children."
• Spinal Tap (1984): Michael McKean, Christopher Guest: "Certainly, in the topsy-turvy world of heavy rock, having a good solid piece of wood in your hand is often useful."

For the sex:

• Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982): Sean Penn, Judge Reinhold. "So what Jefferson was saying was "Hey! You know, we left this England place because it was bogus. So if we don't get some cool rules ourselves, pronto, we'll just be bogus too." Yeah?"
• Porky's (1982): Dan Monahan, Wyatt Knight. "What do you use for a jockstrap, kid? A peanut shell and a rubber band?"
• Risky Business (1983): Tom Cruise, Bronson Pinchot. "My daddy used to spank my bare bottom. Now he's gone. Will you take his place?"

For the laughs:

• Night Shift (1982): Henry Winkler, Michael Keaton. "Corndog!"
• Back to School (1986): Rodney Dangerfield, Keith Gordon: "Maybe you can help me straighten out my Longfellow."
• Fletch (1985): Chevy Chase, Joe Don Baker. "Do you have the Beatles' White Album? Never mind, just get me a glass of hot fat. And bring me the head of Alfredo Garcia while you're out there."
• Stripes (1983): Bill Murray, Harold Ramis. "We're all very different people. We're not Watusi, we're not Spartans, we're Americans. With a capital "A", huh? And you know what that means? Do you? That means that our forefathers were kicked out of every decent country in the world."

For the bonding:

• Fandango (1985): Kevin Costner, Judd Nelson. "Here's to us and the privileges of youth!"
• 48 Hours (1982): Eddie Murphy, Nick Nolte. "I want the rest of you cowboys to know something, there's a new sheriff in town. And his name is Reggie Hammond. So y’all be cool. Right on."

For the drinking:

• Bachelor Party (1984): Tom Hanks, Adrian Zmed. "Hi, come on in! Drugs to the right, hookers to the left."
• The Adventures of Bob and Doug McKenzie: Strange Brew (1983): Rick Moranis, Dave Thomas. "If I didn't have puke breath, I'd kiss you."

Oh, Canada ... we need your help

The Stuck in the 80s podcast is preparing to do our epic "Canadian music in the 80s" show and we want your feedback: Who are your favorite Canadian acts from the 1980s? Which bands are the most under-appreciated?

We've got the usual candidates lined up: Glass Tiger, Bryan Adams, Loverboy, Triumph, April Wine, Rush. But we know there's a ton out there that we Americans simply missed out on. So now it's your turn to help us.

Drop us a comment with band names and your favorite songs. We'll work them into the show.

Just to get you in the mood, here's Rush's Geddy Lee singing "Oh Canada."

These champs are anything but squares

There's no football, basketball or hockey playoffs to look forward to for a while, but the ultimate sport for 80s fans -- Speed Cubing -- is right in the home-stretch of its own world championships. That's right: Solving the Rubik Cube is a big deal to fans around the world.

The 2007 U.S. Open was last weekend in Chicago (yeah, the same weekend as the U.S. Open in golf -- cool, eh?). Ryan Patricio won, solving his cube in an average of 14.92 seconds during the final round. Patricio now advances to the World Rubik's Cube Championships in Budapest, Hungary, in October.

Former cubing champion Tyson Mao, who offered puzzle-solving tips to Stuck in the 80s a few months ago, didn't place. As an organizer of the Open, Mao was busy making sure the even ran smoothly. But his 18-year-old brother Toby Mao placed second. That's keeping it in the family.

The Rubik Cube has enjoyed a real renewal of popularity over the last couple weeks. Hasbro, which has U.S. rights to the puzzle nowadays, says sales were up 32 percent in 2006 over the same period in 2005. Hasbro has created a great website -- www.rubiks.com -- for cubing fans. The site includes a seven-step tutorial from Tyson Mao on solving the puzzle.

Just prior to the U.S. championships, I asked Tyson a couple questions about what it's like to compete in a large event against fellow cubers.

80s: Hey Tyson. Now that you're such a high profile competitor, is there any added pressure on you?

Mao: "Not really. In the end, the only thing that matters is your time, and neither your name, or your status will change the abilities that you have."

80s: Good attitude! So then what sort of special training do you do for competitions?

Mao: "I mostly spend my time preparing to run the competition smoothly, so I don't actually practice too much. My times suffer a little as a result, but that's the price of being an organizer."

80s: A pretty big sacrifice on your part! So which cube do you choose to compete with? The standard one or one of the newer customized puzzled?

Mao: "I use a standard cube, but I've sprayed the pieces with silicon spray."

80s: Slick idea, Tyson. What other strategies do you use for competitions vs. exhibitions?

Mao: "In competitions, you need to really keep your head on straight. It's too easy to get emotional after a poor solve, and bad emotions will only hinder your solving."

Does Bon Jovi give rock a bad name?

Do you remember when Jon Bon Jovi was a bad-ass rock n' roll rebel? Think way, WAY back. (Still a little hazy, I know. It's all the hairspray he used -- it fogs up the brain cells.)

Nowadays, Bon Jovi juggles his time as the co-owner of Arena Football's Philadelphia Soul and pimping his vocal-coaching talents on American Idol. (At least he stopped making movies.) But that's OK, it's his own personal journey and we respect that. (On the web, no one can tell you're being sarcastic.)

Seriously though, Bon Jovi's new album -- Lost Highway -- hit the record stores this week and Times pop music critic Sean Daly sounds off on it in his latest review. Click here to read his words of wisdom.

In the meantime, I have my own favorites ... and then some beefs to pick.

TOP FIVE BON JOVI SONGS:

5. Lay Your Hands On Me: "Right now the rules we made are meant for breaking."

4. You Give Love a Bad Name: "Your very first kiss was your first kiss goodbye" 

3. Bad Medicine: "Gonna take more than a shot to get this poison out of me"

2. It's My Life: "This is for the ones who stood their ground"

1. Livin' On a Prayer: "We've got each other and that's a lot"

FIVE BON JOVI SONGS I NEVER WANT TO HEAR AGAIN:

5. Never Say Goodbye: This song doesn't make me want to say goodbye; it makes me want to flip him the bird.

4. I'll Be There For You: You know a song sucks when one verse ("These five words I swear to you") basically tells you the number of words in the song's title.

3. This Ain't a Love Song: Oh, but it really is a love song. Thanks for the clarification, Dr. Obvious.

2. Runaway: My first garage band played this song (usually right after "Louie Louie" but before "Hungry Like The Wolf.") To this day, I get the cold sweats and acid reflux when I hear the staccato keyboard beginning.

1. Wanted Dead or Alive: It's right up there with "Roxanne" by the Police as most-abused karaoke songs in history. You can't sing it aloud without someone (me, I guess) wanting to punch you in the nose. And why is a guy from Jersey singing a song that sounds like it belongs in a Clint Eastwood movie? (That's a rhetorical question, boys...)

Highway to Hell ... in Clearwater?

Hall of Fame hard-rockers AC/DC will probably never play an intimate venue like Clearwater's Ruth Eckerd Hall, but next month, you can get the next-closest thing.

Lead singer Brian Johnson and bassist Cliff Williams are headlining a charity show on July 3 called "Classic Rock Cares." The concert will benefit the John Entwhistle Foundation, which provides free music education and instruments to underprivileged children. Johnson and Williams are expected to play several of the band's hits along with some solo material.

Other featured performers include Robin Zander of Cheap Trick, Joe Lynn Turner of Rainbow and Steve Luongo of The John Entwhistle Band. An all-star band -- including Johnson and Williams -- will will jump on stage for one of AC/DC's signature hits, "Highway to Hell," the finale to the night's concert.

Tickets are $39.75 and $75 and more information is available at Ruth Eckerd Hall's website. In addition to the concert, signed artist memorabilia will be sold via a silent auction.

If I could only hear five AC/DC songs, I'd choose these:

• Highway to Hell: "I'm on my way to the promise land"
• Thunderstruck: "The thunder of guns tore me apart"
• Whole Lotta Rosie: "Ain't no fairy story. Ain't no skin-and-bones"
• You Shook Me All Night Long: "Walking double time on the seduction line"
• It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock n Roll): "If you think it's easy doin' one night stands, try playin' in a rock roll band"

Give my regards to Paul McCartney

I've often wondered if Sir Paul McCartney looks back at his work during the 1980s with glee or horror. The former Beatle and Wings frontman -- who turns 65 years old today -- was a solo act by the time the 80s hit but he cranked out a slew of memorable singles, including a trio of dubious duos.

Surely his 1984 movie "Give My Regards to Broad Street" isn't a career highlight. Critic Roger Ebert wrote in his review, "I think you can safely skip the movie and proceed directly to the sound track."

Good advice. And there is plenty of music from the 80s to cherish.

Top 5 Paul McCartney songs from the 80s:
5. Pipes of Peace: "In love our problems disappear."
4. Waterfalls: "Please keep to the lake."
3. No More Lonely Nights: "May I never miss the thrill of being near you."
2. My Brave Face: "Ive been hitting the town and it didn't hit back."
1. Coming Up: "I want to help you with your problem. Stick around, I say."

Four guilty pleasures (really, REALLY guilty) from the 80s:
4. The Girl Is Mine: "I love you more than he."
3. Say Say Say:  "You know I'm crying, ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh."
2. Ebony and Ivory: "We all know that people are the same where ever we go."
1. Spies Like Us: "There ain't nobody got spies like us."

'Ever get the feeling you've been cheated?'

Is there anyone out there who truly couldn't appreciate the 1986 flick Sid & Nancy? It's a Gary Oldman masterpiece (aren't they all?). And if you didn't idolize Johnny Rotten and the Sex Pistols before seeing it, you surely did afterward. (Though perhaps for all the wrong reasons.)

Everything I Need To Know In Life, I Learned from Sid & Nancy:

• "Never trust a junkie."
• "Barbie doesn't have bruises."
• "Sidney's more than a mere bass player. He's a fabulous disaster. He's a symbol, a metaphor, he embodies the dementia of a nihilistic generation."
• "You're in the studio, these places cost like fifty grand a minute."
• "Sex is boring ... American hippie love s--t."

This week's Stuck in the 80s podcast showcases "Sid & Nancy." Click here to listen or click here to subscribe to the series for free on iTunes.

What can you expect to learn from this week's show?

• Find out what happens if you stick to a strict diet of fish and melon.
• Learn about the real Sid Vicious (the late Simon John Ritchie) and Nancy Spungen.
• Appreciate one of the top 10 movie soundtracks from the 80s.

It's all there, plus a new edition of "Name That 80s Tune" and "Reader Mailbag."

Rush -- live from Tampa

TAMPA -- It's 6:25 p.m. and Times pop music Sean Daly and I are here now in Tampa at the Ford Amphitheatre to cover tonight's Rush show.

We're sitting in the media VIP center in air-conditioned comfort while approximately 15,000 people roast outside in temperatures approaching 90 degrees.

We just got word that Rush will take the stage -- "promptly" -- at 7:30 and will have a 30-minute intermission between sets. That's a long night of prog-rock, fans.

6:40 P.M:
Sean's trying to figure out what Rush album has the tune "Digital Man." We've settled on "Signals," that little gem of an album that followed Moving Pictures and Exit Stage Left. We're working under the impression that the set list tonight will be similar to that of the Atlanta show, and that scares the crap out of me, because I only recognize about eight songs on the list.

7:05 P.M.:
Sean's itchy to get outside for some reason, so we're heading to our seats. If all goes according to plan, we'll be back at intermission to let you know how it's going. By the way, the opening song -- it's supposed to be Limelight. Good choice, I think. Catch you soon, Rush fans.

7:15 P.M.:
The crowd is thick around the t-shirt stand, because -- let's be honest -- you can't go to a Rush show without buying a shirt. (It's written in very small type on the back of your ticket). Sean and I decide that buying our Asia shirts earlier this week has busted our budget, so we pass on it tonight.

7:44 P.M.:
About 15 minutes late, but 15 minutes before many fans were seated, a video montage hits the screen. Rush hits the stage minutes later with -- yes -- "Limelight." They'll play "Digital Man" second. (The photo at the top of the blog is from Times staff photographer Daniel Wallace.)

8:05 P.M.
Geddy speaks! He thanks the audience for coming out again (Rush is a frequent visitor to Tampa Bay) and tells us it's only the third stop in the Snakes and Arrows tour.

8:20 P.M.
A few minutes after sneaking back to the press center to blog, I hear "Free Will" coming from the stage. Oh man, I missed a song I knew!

8:35 P.M.
I really don't want to listen to "Secret Touch" or "Circumstances" so I'm going to sit here a while long and upload more photos for you from Times photographer Daniel Wallace. Geddy looks like he's in great shape and having a fun time out there. Neil Peart, on the other hand, looks sorta like I will at 4:45 a.m. when my alarm goes off for work on Sunday.

8:50 P.M.
Back at my seat in time to enjoy "Dreamline" with Sean, who is suddenly becoming a big Rush fan. He's rocking in his seat.  He's getting ready to clap his hands. By god, he might actually stand up and cheer. And then ... intermission ... wait ... intermission? What rock bands beyond the point of bar bands have breaks between sets? Well, Rush does. And since they're probably going to play for 3-plus hours tonight, I guess I'd be a jerk to complain.

9:01 P.M.
Back in the media center, sweating like Meatloaf. Trying to decipher my notes, written on the back of ticket stubs. Sean's trying to get a jump on his review for the paper tomorrow. First-half highlight that I missed: Bob and Doug McKenzie doing a video intro for "The Larger Bowl."

Does anyone know why Alex Lifeson is playing in front of an audience of Barbie dolls?

9:20 P.M.
After about a half hour break, Rush hits the stage with "Far Cry" -- their first single from the new CD. Great song live. I'm sitting there, just drinking it in when suddenly some stage pyrotechnics nearly require Sean to call the doctor.

9:55 P.M.
I'm falling asleep when suddenly I hear the magical beginning notes of "Subdivision."  Hard to believe the last time I heard this song live, it hadn't even been released yet. The crowd leaps to their feet and grown men hug each other and slap high-fives. It's like being in the stands of a Buccaneers game -- only with the home team actually winning.

10:05 P.M.
Taking a break to blog, I hear "Natural Science" playing from the stage. (Good timing on my part.) But the staff here in the media center says Neil's drum solo is coming up, so I'm heading back to my seat. Stay tuned.

10:10 P.M.
Few things in life as beautiful as a Neil Peart drum solo. Kissing a supermodel. Diving the North Wall in Grand Cayman. Watching Sean Daly make a deadline.

10:29 P.M.
Let me add one thing to that previous list: Seeing "Spirit of The Radio" performed live. As soon as Lifeson struck the first keys, the audience exploded. Easily one of rock music's most signature pieces. I stand up immediately and do my funky "I'm 39 and can't dance" jig. I'm not at all embarrassed. (But I'm glad no one here knows me just the same.) But I feel better when I see "South Park" introduce "Tom Sawyer". I embrace my dorkiness.

10:45 P.M.
We hear the punching notes of "Passage to Bangkok" playing as an encore while Sean types away at his review for Sunday's paper.

We wrestle over the best song of the night: Sean says it's "Dreamline."... I'm leaning toward "Subdivisions." We don't debate the most sublime moment of the evening: Watching a forty-something hottie dance away to a drum solo. TO A DRUM SOLO!

Only at a Rush concert, my friends. Only at a Rush concert.

Check out our live Rush concert blog

Rush plays Tampa's Ford Amphitheatre tonight, and Times pop music critic Sean Daly and I are going to be there to cover it. We're hoping to update this blog during the actual show and post some photos from the scene, so check back often after about 6pm for the first posts.

I haven't seen Rush live since their Exit Stage Left tour in 1982 at St. Petersburg's now-demolished Bayfront Center Arena. (A sad, sad day when I covered that the implosion. I'd seen Rush, Styx and Billy Joel there during the '80s.)

Of course, catching a band that's touring to promote a live album is always a great thing -- it's all the greatest hits with maybe one or two songs from an upcoming studio album. (That night, Rush introduced "New World Man" and "Subdivisions" from their yet-unreleased "Signals" album.)

I don't expect to be as lucky tonight. I found a copy of the setlist online today, and I'm not happy about what I'm seeing.

Check back later for our live impressions.

Hanging out with Carl Palmer

Because I just can't shut up about seeing Asia live in concert last night here in Clearwater, here's a little more for the hardcore 80s fans out there.

Between the opening act of The Alan Parsons Project and before Asia hit the stage, I was invited backstage to meet Asia drummer Carl Palmer, whom I interviewed a few weeks ago for a Stuck in the 80s podcast.

Each band-member had his own dressing room, so the photo of Carl and me you see attached so prominently here is in Carl's room.

The five-minute encounter is a little blurry in my memory -- I'm pretty sure sweat was pouring off me like a rain-forest deluge. But here's how the conversation went, as best as I can remember:

Band's manager: "Hey Carl, Mr. Spears from the St. Pete Times is here."

Carl Palmer: "Hey Steve, glad you could make it!"

Me: (Inaudible sound as I try to open my mouth and form English words while shaking his hand ferociously).

Carl: "Thanks for the write-up in the paper today. I had a great time chatting with you on the phone."

Me: "Yeah, uh, I wrote that. Didn't I? Ummm, thank you, Carl Palmer .. Carl ... yeah, thanks."

Carl: "Sounds like an enthusiastic crowd out there. I hear you grew up nearby?"

Me: "You heard that? Yeah, right down the road. Thanks ... Carl Palmer ... of Asia."

Carl: "Hey, let's get a photo together." (The manager snaps a photo then asks me to check it to make sure it came out OK. At this point, I'm clearly not capable of operating machinery, so I'm unable to even turn the camera back on. The manager assures me it was probably fine.)

Me: (Regaining composure) ... "Carl, what are you opening with tonight?"

Carl: "Ummm, there's the set list right there." (He points at a piece of paper next to a pair of drumsticks. I pick it up like it's a historical document and briefly consider pocketing it along with a drumstick. Instead I fire off some questions about rumors of Asia hitting the studio soon for a new album and we chat for a few more minutes before the crew comes to escort him to the stage.)

Me: "Have a great show, Carl. And thanks for finally coming to Florida. I've waited 25 years for this. There's about 2,000 people out there who'd like to thank you too."

Carl: "You bet, Steve!"

And then I'm pretty sure he sprouted wings and flew off. But then again, that's just the Asia fan in me.

Blog battle: Asia vs. Traveling Wilburys

Days like these I feel like I can change the world: I have the tools and the arena to humiliate Times pop music critic Sean Daly in front of the entire world. This question in today's blog battle: Who's the better 80s supergroup -- Asia or the Traveling Wilburys?

Longtime readers of this blog no doubt know which side I'm taking -- ASIA! (Click here to read Sean's grammatically challenged excuse for a counter-argument. He spends more time with the hair gel than with a dictionary.)

Here are just five good reasons Asia comes out on top:

The artists: Who's the drummer for the Wilburys? No idea, but ELP legend Carl Palmer handles those duties for Asia. Former Yes guitarist Steve Howe, at 60 years of age, has more guitar licks in either hand than all five Wilburys stacked on top of each other. And come to think of it, that's really all the Wilburys are:  five lead singers ... each playing guitar. That's not a supergroup -- it's a barbershop quintet on decaf.

The names: Each Wilbury has his own nickname? God sake's why? Is this an episode of the Mickey Mouse Club or a rock band? (Asia bassist John Wetton has a nickname too. It's "John Wetton.") And the "Traveling Wilburys"? Are you kidding me, Daly? I know "Asia" isn't going to win any originality contests, but at least they won't be confused as the sequel to "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?"

The music: The Wilbury's tunes sound like outtakes from the mockumentary flick "A Mighty Wind." I'd rather have the lyrics of "Heat of the Moment" tattooed on the inside of my eyelids than listen to "End of the Line" more than once. I can't even name more than two Wilbury songs, whereas even Daly knows the words to every song from Asia's debut album.

Longevity: The Wilburys lasted for two years, and -- with all due respect -- nearly half their members are dead now. Asia has survived in one form or another for 25 years. When half their members bolted in 1985, it was in big-time style -- ego and greed colliding with evil record company executives. That's Rock N Roll, my friends. But here they are, together again. Next to alligators and cockroaches, they're competing for the title of "Biological Form Most Likely to Survive an Atomic Winter."

Playing tonight: "Ladies and gentlemen ... the Traveling Wilburys!" (cricket, cricket). Not going to happen. But last night in Clearwater, "Please welcome ... ASIA!" Yeah, baby. All four original members were playing Ruth Eckerd Hall. I was there, and I wasn't yelling for "Handle With Care."

Let's face it: The Wilburys is a band packaged for the critics. Asia is just for the fans. And that's what music is supposed to be all about.

So read Daly's limp-noodled argument and sound off: Who wins today's blog battle?

Still enjoying the heat of the moment

Asia is officially back on tour -- and for their fans, it's not a moment too soon.

The four original members are playing Florida for the first time this week, including a stop last night at Clearwater's Ruth Eckerd Hall. Strolling onstage to the weighty notes of Holst's classical composition "Jupiter," the bandmates took a minute to drink in the standing ovation. Clearly, this tour is going to feel more like a "thank you" from the fans more than an actual rock concert at times.

The two-hour set included was weighted heavily in songs from the band's first two albums (the only two they produced together) along with pieces from their individual solo careers. A couple surprises included the underrated "Open Your Eyes" and stripped-down, acoustic versions of their hits "The Smile Has Left Your Eyes" and "Don't Cry."

Bassist John Wetton's voice was in top form throughout the two-hour set: He belted out song after song as if no time had passed since the debut of the band's debut album 25 years ago. Steve Howe sent Yes fans into a nostalgia-induced seizure by strumming the opening notes of "Roundabout."

Drummer Carl Palmer, looking 20 years old with a fresh buzz haircut, proved just as energetic guiding the band through ELP's "Fanfare for the Common Man" before launching into a jaw-dropping drum solo during "The Heat Goes On." If he doesn't wake up until noon today, all the 2,000 in attendance will knowingly understand.

Keyboardist Geoff Downes broke out the silver jacket and campy shades for The Buggle's "Video Killed The Radio Star," a challenging fit for a prog-rock band that was nonetheless executed well while maintaining its sense of humor. Meanwhile, his opening notes to "Only Time Will Tell" still send shivers up the spine.