Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Michael Jackson's Greatest Hits


I'm not posting any songs to download. This is only a list. I'm sure you can find MJ's songs almost anywhere. Feel free to use this list to make your own greatest hits compilation :)

I have a book called Billboard Top 1000 Singles 1955-1996. It lists the 1000 biggest hits of the Rock era. Here are the songs by Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5 that are on this list and where they rank in the top 1000.

Michael Jackson

47 - Billie Jean
50 - Black Or White
64 - Say Say Say (Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson)
162 - Rock With You
226 - Beat It
477 - Man In The Mirror
550 - Bad
588 - You Are Not Alone
754 - Ben
807 - The Way You Make Me Feel
818 - Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough
835 - I Just Can't Stop Loving You
860 - Dirty Diana
946 - The Girl Is Mine (Michael Jackson/Paul McCartney)

Jackson 5

94 - I'll Be There
404 - ABC
405 - The Love You Save
611 - I Want You Back
976 - Never Can Say Goodbye



Monday, June 29, 2009

Fred Travalena, RIP

From the Los Angeles Times --

Fred Travalena, the master impressionist and singer whose broad repertoire of voices ranged from Jack Nicholson to Sammy Davis Jr. to Bugs Bunny, has died. He was 66.

Travalena, who began being treated for an aggressive form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2002 and saw the disease return last July after going into remission in 2003, died Sunday at his home in Encino, according to his publicist, Roger Neal. Travalena also was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2003 but had been in complete remission since then.

Dubbed "The Man of a Thousand Faces" and "Mr. Everybody," Travalena emerged on the national stage as an impressionist in the early 1970s.

Over the next three decades, he was a headliner in Las Vegas, Reno and Atlantic City, performed in concerts around the country, appeared on "The Tonight Show" and other talk shows and starred in his own specials, such as "The Many Faces of Fred Travalena" and "Comedy in the Oval Office."

The boyish-faced entertainer is said to have had a repertoire of more than 360 celebrity, political and cartoon-character voices, including Clint Eastwood, Dr. Ruth Westheimer, Joe Pesci, Robert De Niro, Henry Kissinger, Donald Rumsfeld, Johnny Mathis, Bruce Springsteen and Luciano Pavarotti.

Read the full story here.

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Billy Mays, RIP

From FoxNews.com --

Television pitchman Billy Mays — who built his fame by appearing on commercials and infomercials promoting household products and gadgets — died Sunday.

Mays, 50, was found unresponsive by his wife inside his Tampa, Fla., home at 7:45 a.m. on Sunday, according to the Tampa Police Department.

Police said there were no signs of forced entry to Mays' residence and foul play is not suspected. Authorities said an autopsy should be complete by Monday afternoon.

Read the full story here.

Gale Storm, RIP

From The Washington Post --

Gale Storm, whose wholesome appearance and perky personality made her one of early television's biggest stars on "My Little Margie" and "The Gale Storm Show," has died at age 87.

Storm, who had been in failing health in recent years, died Saturday at a convalescent hospital in Danville, said her son, Peter Bonnell.

Before landing the starring role in "My Little Margie" in 1952, Storm appeared in numerous B movies opposite such stars as Roy Rogers, Eddie Albert and Jackie Cooper. After her last TV series, "The Gale Storm Show," ended in 1960 she went on to a successful singing career while continuing to make occasional TV appearances.

Read the full story here.

Farrah and MJ Videos

Here's some YouTube videos of Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson -


Farrah In Logan's Run


The Wiz Movie Trailer


Michael Jackson in Men In Black II

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson, RIP

It's a sad day in the pop culture world.

Farrah Fawcett passed away this morning at the age of 62.

Farrah Fawcett Dies


I had that iconic poster of her haning in my bedroom when I was young.



TMZ is reporting that Michael Jackson has died at age 50.

Michael Jackson Dies

I was a fan of his Thriller album in the 80s.

Merry Christmas-and-a-Half


June 25. Six months since last Christmas and six months until next Christmas. Head on over to FaLaLaLaLa.com for the celebration.

EDIT: It appears that FaLaLaLaLa.com didn't post anything for Christmas-and-a-half. But, Ernie (Not Bert) did. Check it out.

You can also click here to see my posts of Christmas past. You'll find lots of Christmasie goodness including all of the music I've posted for download.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Ed McMahon, RIP

From CNN.com --

Ed McMahon, the longtime pitchman and Johnny Carson sidekick whose "Heeeeeeerre's Johnny!" became a part of the vernacular, has died.

Ed McMahon had suffered several health problems in recent years.

McMahon passed away peacefully shortly after midnight at the Ronald Reagan/UCLA Medical Center, his publicist, Howard Bragman, said Tuesday

McMahon, 86, was hospitalized in February with pneumonia and other medical problems.

He had suffered a number of health problems in recent years, including a neck injury caused by a 2007 fall. In 2002, he sued various insurance companies and contractors over mold in his house and later collected a $7 million settlement.

Though he later hosted a variety of shows -- including "Star Search" and "TV's Bloopers and Practical Jokes," McMahon's biggest fame came alongside Carson on "The Tonight Show," which Carson hosted from 1962 to 1992. The two met not long after Carson began hosting the game show "Who Do You Trust?" in 1957.

Read the full story here.

Monday, June 22, 2009

Akron-Canton Comic Con!


SUNDAY, JUNE 28th, 2009

AKRON-CANTON COMIC CON!
STILL NORTHEAST OHIO'S BIGGEST AND BEST ALL COMIC CONVENTION!
Chapparell's Community Center
2418 Arlington Rd., Akron, OH 44319
1 mile North of I-77 and Exit 120


Hours: 10am to 4pm.
Admission: $3.00, Age six and under FREE!
Free Parking!

Comics, Toys, Non-Sport Cards, Sci-Fi, & Books.

GUEST ARTISTS and WRITERS:
Brandon Johnson, Adam Besenyodi, Tommy Flick, John Booth, Don Pedicini Jr., Molly Durst

A few Dealer Booths and tables still AVAILABLE.

Information : 330-499-6056, email: jeff@harpercomics.com or visit: www.harpercomics.com.

COME JOIN IN THE FUN OF THIS GREAT SHOW!

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Monster Bash 2009!


The Monster Bash is coming this weekend, June 26-28 at the Days Inn Conference Center in Butler, PA. This year's Conference is dedicated to the memory of Mary Shelley's man-made-monster - Frankenstein's creature! Unfortunately I can't go. But as in previous years I've made a music compilation based on this year's guests.

Track Listing

1. Universal Fanfare (1939)
2. The Brides of Dracula
3. Chiller Theatre
4. The Creature From the Black Lagoon
5. The Creature Walks Among Us
6. Ed Wood
7. First Man Into Space
8. Ghost of Frankenstein
9. The Haunted Strangler (Radio Ad)
10. I Was a Teenage Frankenstein/Blood of Dracula (Radio Ad)
11. Incredible Hulk
12. The Little Shop of Horrors
13. The Munsters
14. Night of the Living Dead
15. Not of This Earth!
16. Plan 9 From Outer Space
17. Revenge of the Creature
18. Son of Frankenstein
19. The Terror
20. Whatever Happened to Eddie? by Eddie and the Monsters

Click the link below to download --

--> Monster Bash 2009! <--

Previous compilations --
2008
2007

This year's guest list --

Donnie Dunagan - The Little boy from SON OF FRANKENSTEIN (1939), TOWER OF LONDON (1939), and the voice of Disney's BAMBI.
Janet Ann Gallow - The Little girl from THE GHOST OF FRANKENSTEIN (1942) with Lon Chaney Jr., and IT AIN'T HAY (1943) with Bud Abbott and Lou Costello.
Gary Conway - The Teenage Frankenstein monster from I WAS A TEENAGE FRANKENSTEIN and HOW TO MAKE A MONSTER.
Ron Chaney - Lon Chaney Jr.'s grandson who was very close to his "gramps." Ron also starred in a self produced project call CURSE OF THE WOLF MAN.
Butch Patrick - The son of Herman Munster - Eddie in THE MUNSTERS. He also appeared in HAND OF DEATH, THE PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH, and much more!
Yvonne Monlaur - Hammer Horror at Monster Bash with Yvonne Monlaur, star of THE BRIDES OF DRACULA, CIRCUS OF HORRORS, and THE TERROR OF THE TONGS.
Chris Costello - Lou Costello's daughter will do live commentary on Lou's outrageously fun home movies!
Ricou Browning - The underwater creature in CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON, REVENGE OF THE CREATURE, and THE CREATURE WALKS AMONG US.







Lou Ferrigno - Classic TV's THE INCREDIBLE HULK....also, he appears in the latest HULK movie as a security guard and as the voice of The Hulk.
"Chilly Billy" Cardille - The host of Pittsburgh's Chiller Theatre from the 1950s through the 1980s on Channel 11, Pittsburgh, PA. This is the man who brought you spooky movies and made pizza parties a way of life on Saturday nights for the city of Pittsburgh for three decades. Bill will only be at the Bash for a limited time. Make sure to get an autograph from this Pittsburgh icon. Appearing Saturday only.
Kyra Schon - Rising again from the basement.....it's NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD's cutest zombie - Kyra Schon! Veteran Monster Basher, Kyra, will be signing autographs on photos and prop trowels too! Get one for your collection at this year's Monster Bash!
Tom Savini - Local monster, done good! Tom Savini, horror renaissance man. He's dome it all - breakthrough special effects master, actor, director, artist, sculptor and teacher. See Tom back at BASH!
Bill Hinzman - King of the Zombies - it's Bill Hinzman from the original NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD (1968). Get his autograph at Monster Bash, or he'll eat your brain.
John Russo - Co-writer of the original NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD (1968) and actor (he's one of the zombies!).
Russell Streiner - Johnny from the movie....he's the one that says "They're coming to get you Barbara!" After being killed early on, he re-appears as a zombie.
George Kosana - "They're dead...they're all messed up!" The sheriff from the original NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD (1968).
Conrad Brooks - Ed Wood's buddy and featured actor in PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE, BRIDE OF THE MONSTER, NIGHT OF THE GHOULS (Though he doesn't remember this one...he's in it!), THE MAD MAGICIAN, THE BEAST OF YUCCA FLATS, GLEN OR GLENDA and Tim Burton's ED WOOD (as the bartender).
The Abbott & Costello Show Live - Bill Riley and Joe Ziegler return to Monster Bash - The Ultimate Abbott & Costello impersonators....they'll be on stage and roaming through the show with Sid Fields "nephew" - Jason Crutchley! Get ready for some serious (HA!) Monster Bash fun with the team! They'll also be roaming Monster Bash all three days.
Kevin Slick - Keyboardist and life-long silent film fan, Kevin Slick! Kevin will perform at this year's MONSTER BASH! Don't miss out on this live event.
Don Reese - Monster Bash stand-up comedy Saturday Night with Don Reese. Catch the man from Iowa at Bash and around the country through the year....check out his schedule on his web site....he might be near your area soon!RUN!
Jonathan Haze - Jonathan Haze returns to MONSTER BASH! Jonathan appeared with Bash Guest Gary Conway in THE VIKING WOMEN VS. THE SEA SERPENT. Jonathan is also known for his roles in THE LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, NOT OF THIS EARTH and THE TERROR wit Boris Karloff. Jonathan's in much more too! He's one great guy....make sure to speak with him at this year's Bash! Jonathan's appearance at Monster Bash is made possible by writer Larry Fultz Jr.
Richard Gordon - Movie producer Richard Gordon is back at Monster Bash! Richard produced THE HAUNTED STRANGLER, CORRIDORS OF BLOOD, FIRST MAN INTO SPACE, FIEND WITHOUT A FACE and more! He assisted Bela Lugosi on the set of VAMPIRE OVER LONDON (pictured above), the British stage production of Dracula and worked with Boris Karloff, Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing!
Ron Chamberlain - Monster Bash Master Make-Up Man, Ron Chamberlain is back in the horror halls of Bash. You'll see strange creatures roaming the Bash that looked like they walked right out of your favorite classic monster movie thanks to this modern day wizard! Ron will also have original art for sale at Bash.
Daniel Horne - Pittsburgh native artist with some of the coolest sculptures and illustrations to be seen anywhere in the Monster World.
Ghoul A Go-Go - See you're favorite TV show personalities at Monster Bash! It's Vlad and Creighton from the Ghoul A Go-Go show. A twisted twisting monster-craze for kids of all ages. A retro kid's show that is a combination of Dick Clark's American Bandstand and The Addams Family.
Cortlandt Hull - Cortlandt Hull is the nephew of Henry Hull (the WEREWOLF OF LONDON) and Josephine Hull (ARSENIC AND OLD LACE). Cortlandt, in his own right, is a sculptor and artist, heading The Witch's Dungeon in Connecticut. On display you'll see some of Cortlandt's life-size wax classic monsters!
Ygor - Michael Thomas - Old grumpy blacksmith who will introduce many films at Monster Bash! Michael is a make-up artist from New York City with a long line of movie credits...and he's one of the funniest, wittiest guys on Planet Bash!
Son of Ghoul - The horror host that rocks Cleveland through to its bones! Son of Ghoul will be back to put the scare on you. Make sure to visit him at Bash and if you're in Ohio, check your local listings for that SOG listing! Son of Ghoul will host Saturday Stooge Matinee at Bash.
Frank Dello Stritto - Author of BELA LUGOSI: VAMPIRE OVER LONDON and numerous other magazine articles and books on classic horror films, Frank Dello Stritto returns to Monster Bash. He'll be speaking on extensive research he's done on passport and travel information on our classic horror stars like Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi, and others! As usual, expect this to be more than just a talk....Frank has plans to make this quite an entertaining feature at Bash!
Leonard Kohl - The author of the book Sinister Serials and all around great mad doctor, Leonard Kohl, will introduce and give history on our Creepy Cliffhanger features Friday and Saturday. Len is one of the most knowledgeable people on the planet when it comes to serials (and vintage cartoons!). Don't miss his presentations at Bash!
Penny Dreadful's Shilling Shockers - Back at Bash, it's Penny and the crew, including Garou. This Boston area TV creepy crew will be bringing their unique brand of horror and humor to Monster Bash. Plus, check out all the cool goodies they'll have at their table, including DVDs of their TV shows and scary movies! Kids, don't worry, Garou the werewolf doesn't bite, but he slobbers a whole lot.
Midnight Monster Hop - Join the Pittsburgh area's TV horror show and attraction Castle Blood. Stop by and get chilled with Ricky and the gang!
Tom Weaver - Noted author of many, many books on the genre. Host of the Bash Braintwister Quiz live at Bash.
Richard Scrivani - Noted author of the book "Good Night, Whatever You Are!" An expert on the Universal horror films. He's also the host of the Forgotten Film Series at Monster Bash.
Lorraine Bush - Classic Monster portrait artist! Cover artist for Monster Bash Magazine.
The Patient Creatures - Spooky personalities, the Patient Creatures will be roaming the Monster Bash halls in search of a home....perhaps, yours! Our friends from the Netherworld will treat the kiddies to spooky stories too!
....and David "The Rock" Nelson - The indescribable David "The Rock" Nelson. But, we'll try! No budget film-maker from the Chicago area. An inspiration to some, a nuisance to others. But, undeniably a unique personality that can't be duplicated or cloned. Fueled on coffee and monster movies, and video taping everything for stock footage in his movies. If you see people running down the hallway and a guy wearing a suit and a rubber creature mask and dripping wet from going in the swimming pool, you've found The Rock!

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Random Ramblings...

As you may have noticed, I haven't been posting that much lately. I don't have any excuses, just laziness. To kind of make up for that, here are some little tidbits of things I've been thinking about lately --

June 6th was my 11th wedding anniversary. My wife and I decided to go to a restaurant we've never tried before, Romano's Macaroni Grill. I have to say, this place was really great. The food, the waiter, the atmosphere, it was all wonderful. I ordered the Mushroom Ravioli and my wife had the Mama's Trio. Delish! When the manager stopped by our table, I mentioned that it was our anniversary. He gave us complementary desserts. I had the Tiramisu and my wife had the Amaretto Apple Crispetti. If you're looking for a great place to eat, I highly recommend Romano's Macaroni Grill.

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A couple of weeks ago I posted about the Mego Meet that is sponsored by The Mego Museum. The Museum is one of my favorite places on the net. I especially like to hang out at the forums. Anyhoo, I wasn't able to go to the meet, but I bought a couple of raffle tickets. Well guess what? I won these -- Mint on unpunched cards, Kirk, Spock and Klingon! WOOT! Not bad for $10.

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I saw the movie Teeth last week. I liked it! Here's the Amazon.com editorial review --

A coming-of-age tale with a twist, Teeth takes a novel approach towards teen sexual angst. Sunny blonde Dawn (Jess Weixler, a Meryl Streep in the making) promotes abstinence at her high school. Her mother (Vivienne Benesch) is terminally ill, her half-brother (Nip/Tuck's John Hensley) is a tattooed sociopath, and her stepfather (Lenny von Dohlen) does what he can to keep the household together. When Dawn meets doe-eyed transfer student Tobey (Hale Appleman), her celibacy vow is put to the test. Simultaneously, she starts to realize her anatomy differs from other girls. Though Dawn's Austin environs recall the serene suburbs of Donnie Darko--except for the ominous smokestacks behind the family's ranch house--her secret power brings her closer in line with Carrie. It's a particularly feminine capability. When Carrie felt threatened, she used her mind as a weapon. In Dawn's case, a certain physical anomaly comes into play: the vagina dentata of ancient mythology (Camille Paglia, author of Sexual Personae, served as a consultant on the film). At first, Dawn has no control over the situation and, like De Palma's anti-heroine, she's horrified. But actor-turned-director Mitchell Lichtenstein (Ang Lee’s The Wedding Banquet), son of artist Roy Lichtenstein, ends his debut on a very different note. Along the way, there's satiric humor, squirm-inducing gore, and a star-making turn from Weixler, recipient of a special prize at Sundance for her "jaw-dropping performance." Teeth is neither anti-male nor anti-female--as some detractors have claimed--but it's definitely not for the squeamish or irony-impaired. --Kathleen C. Fennessy



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I've been getting back into collecting trading cards. Spending a lot of time at The Non-Sport Update's Card Talk. Trading cards with people there is a blast. Some of the recent sets I'm working on --

KISS Ikons
Star Wars Galaxy Series 4
Wacky Pack Flashback 2
Fantastic Four Archives
Mego Museum
Plaid Stallions

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I need cash! Please support my collecting habits. :) Here's a few ways you can help --

1. Check out my eBay Auctions. Buy my stuff.
2. If your going to buy anything from Amazon.com, please click on any of the ads on my blog.
3. If your feeling really generous, you can click on the PayPal Donate button in the sidebar.

Of course you don't have to do any of that to enjoy my blog. I appreciate everyone that stops by and hope you see something that you like. If you do, please leave a comment.

Well, that's it for now. I hope to be back soon with some more quality posts. Namaste.

Tuesday, June 09, 2009

KISS Mr. Potato Heads


From KISSOnline.com --

Spuds all dressed up with somewhere to go – KISS fans rejoice! Promotional Partners company will release a series of KISS Mr. Potato Head toys, complete with interchangeable parts. This collectors set includes all 4 members of KISS; The Demon, The Spaceman, The Catman and Paul Stanley The Starchild. A variety of KISS costumes, instruments, hairstyles, footwear and faces are included to mix and match.

The KISS Potato Heads are scheduled for a mid - July release.