Kings of Leon were, without a doubt, the band of 2009. With three Grammys, a massive nationwide sold-out tour, and a headlining spot on the Lollapalooza stage – these four boys from Nashville have certainly made it.

But these days have you really “made it” if you don’t have an iPhone application with your name emblazoned on it? Of course not.

Tapulous, the iPhone/iPod game maker responsible for Tap Tap Revenge has enlisted the band for a new game called “Kings of Leon Revenge”. The game is much like Guitar Hero, where players tap corresponding dots as they fly past the screen to play along with the music.

The new version features 10 of the band’s hit songs and retails for $4.99 in the App Store. Unfortunately, if you aren’t heading to Bonnaroo to see the band headline another major outdoor festival in June, this might be as close as you get to seeing them live this year as no other 2010 dates have been scheduled.

Because NBC won’t let him go on the air until September, Conan O’Brien is taking his show on the road. The late-night host and comedian will be hitting theaters nationwide on a 30-show comedy tour kicking off on April 12th in Eugene, OR.

For those “with Coco” here in Chicago, you can see that crazy red hair light up the Chicago Theater on May 19th. Tickets range in price from $39.50 – $79.50 and will most likely sell out quick. Available now at Ticketmaster.com and TeamCoco.com.

Some of you may have caught him on the Chicago Theater stage back in 2006 when O’Brien took his Late Show on tour. While none of us know what to expect, the event is billed as a “music and comedy show” and Conan has already told America via Twitter that it will be “half-assed”.

A friend pushed this video on us until we watched it and we’ve been happy ever since. The parody song by improv comedian Daniel Bissell is one of those few gems on YouTube mixed in with videos of cats jumping off of things. Done to the melody of Billy Joel’s “She’s Always a Woman”, we guarantee you’ll never watch Ferris in quite the same way.

(The Associated Press)

Sick of pushing buttons while trying to play a guitar game? Well a new video game made by Seven45 Studios may be solving that problem. They are rumored to be introducing a six string guitar controller for a game called “Power Gig: Rise of the SixString”.

The makers of this new realistic guitar controller like to emphasize that “Guitar Hero” and “Rock Band” offer a fake experience with a fake instrument. Even though their stringed controller plugs into a real standard amp and plays real music, they also clarify that it is a GAME.

Advanced gamers looking for a challenge or guitar players wanting a more authentic gaming experience can expect to be rocking out on the Power Gig this fall.

(Getty Images)

While Haim had struggled with drug addiction all his life, recent events seemed to show a turn around for the embattled actor.  He recently starred opposite Jason Statham in Crank: High Voltage and was currently signed or working on many different projects.  “Decisions ” producer Zenon Kesik said he gladly hired Haim becuase he showed no signs of drug abuse and was completely focused on his acting. 

 TMZ.com has reported that Corey was recently approached by Hollywood vultures, Dr. Drew and his celebrity rehab crew, and they wanted to sign him up for the next season.  Haim reportedly denied a drug problem and said that Dr. Drew’s parasitic VH1 show was “the last show I’d ever do. 

Corey Haim: 1971-2010 

When it comes to Wisconsin-Illinois, the rivalry runs strong. From Big Ten matchups to the annual Packer-Bear bloodbath, there is a lot of hostility between the two states. So when introducing this new segment on the JACK FM blog, we expect to get some calls. But here we go anyway… welcome to our first installment of “Dear Wisconsin: You’re Ridiculous”.

For our first trip up North, we find ourselves in the town of Manitowoc. 80 miles north of Milwaukee, this lakeside town is known for it’s Wisconsin Maritime Museum and industrial ice machine company, and is also home to the Lincoln Park Zoo. A name which is obviously stolen from a much cooler zoo in a much cooler town south of here.

A 47-year old woman who was checking out the local zoo with her granddaughter lost her fingers to a bear while attempting to feed it between the bars. The woman’s boyfriend was also injured as he attempted to pry the bear’s jaws off of her hand. The woman’s 3-year old granddaughter was not hurt. Probably because the woman’s 3-year old granddaughter is not a complete idiot. Alcohol has most certainly been regarded as a factor.

This of course is not the first time a Bear has completely destroyed someone from Wisconsin, but that’s another story entirely.

While his two-night stand at Wrigley Field won’t be happening again this year, Chicagoans can still catch Sir Elton this April at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates. The “Rocket Man – the Greatest Hits Live” tour will feature number one chart hits and classic album tracks from throughout Elton’s five year career.

Joining Elton on stage will be a full band of musicians ready to bring his classic tunes to life. It is the first time Elton John has played the Sears Centre and it will certainly be one of the largest shows the Chicagoland arena has seen since it opened.

The show is Thursday, April 15th, 2010 at 8:00PM. Tickets go on sale this Saturday, March 13th, 2010 at Ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations, and the Sears Centre Arena Box Office.

Tickets are $169.00, $89.00, or $39.50 – depending on just how close you want to be to those sparkle sunglasses. There is a limit of 6 tickets per costumer, so if you need more we suggest bringing a friend. And if you really want to see this show, we suggest getting on it early this Saturday as it is sure to sell out.

If you have any questions, call the Sears Centre Arena Box Office at 800-745-3000.

When it comes to summer in Chicago, you can always count on a few things: (1) The beach will be closed from July – October for e Coli; (2) sudden rise in “extended lunches” around the office when there is a 1:20 game at Wrigley; and (3) outdoor concerts.

All of us here at JACK love music… especially when it’s outside. We looked over the calendar for this summer and pulled out some very special outdoor shows going down this summer around the city by some very awesome JACK artists.

Sytx, Foreigner, and Kansas

June 5th, Charter One Pavilion

A tri-fecta of classic rock along the lake front will kick off the outdoor concert season in Chicago. Styx, Foreigner, and special guests Kansas, will rock out at the Charter One Pavilion. If you’ve never seen a show here, we highly recommend it. One of the newer venues in the city, it sits just across the harbor from Soldier Field and hosts some of the best summer night shows in the city. You can even score FREE TICKETS to this one on JACK if you act quick.

Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Festival

June 26th, Toyota Park

If you didn’t get tickets to this one, you’re not alone. They went on sale two weeks ago and were nearly sold-out during the Internet Pre-Sale for members of the Eric Clapton Fan Club. The show, returning to Toyota Park after a successful evening back in 2007, is host to some of the best guitarists on the face of the earth. All brought together, for one day, to flat out shred. Including Eric Clapton, Robert Randolph, BB King, John Mayer, Steve Winwood, Buddy Guy, Jimmie Vaughn, Vince Gill, ZZ Top, and a whole bunch more… it should be no surprise this ticket was a hot item. If you got tickets, we’re jealous.

U2

July 6th, Soldier Field

Because two sold-out nights isn’t enough for Bono, U2 will be bringing the 360 tour back to Soldier Field again this summer for a much warmer evening. We’ve heard that the show is worth checking out for the stage alone. We also heard that JACK might be giving out some tickets closer to July, so be sure to keep checking back for a chance to attend the show for free.

Mystery Rocker

July 7th, Wrigley Field

Is it Phish? Is it Paul McCartney? After Elton John and Billy Joel pulled out, the date is open. Both of those bands are said to be rumored guests to play Wrigley Field in July. The papers have been filed, the ordinances granted. Now it’s just a question of who will take the stage. While Phish would be entertaining, we’re praying for Sir Paul to grace the stage. A Beatle… at Wrigley… that’s what dreams are made of.

Chicago & The Doobie Brothers

July 16th, Charter One Pavilion

If you live in the city by the lake, you sort of have to love Chicago. The band. “Saturday in the Park” is basically your summertime theme song here. Like we said before, Charter One Pavilion is #1 when it comes to summertime shows, so this one has all the elements to be a great night out.

Iron Maiden

July 17th, First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre

It’s a good thing this show is already outside, because we’re pretty sure the amount of “rock” coming off the stage would blow the walls right off of any venue that tried to contain it. If you’re looking for a concert this summer where everyone will be wearing black t-shirts and maybe 1% female, Iron Maiden will probably be for you. The show will be incredible.. just don’t expect to meet any chicks here.

Bon Jovi

July 30th, Soldier Field

Bon Jovi is one of the highest grossing touring bands in the history of music. An echelon only attained by a handful of musicians including The Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, U2, and Jimmy Buffet. If you want to rock out with JBJ at Soldier Field, we suggest getting your tickets now as 99% of his shows sell out ahead of time. Keep checking back with JACK this summer, as we might have other tickets for this one.

Lollapalooza

August 6-8th, Grant Park

The lineup so far is just rumors. But if Green Day, Soundgarden, and the Strokes end up being on the bill – none of us here at JACK will be disappointed. The 3-day music festival has found a concrete home along Chicago’s lakefront and manages to book some of the biggest acts in rock and alternative year-in year-out. Official lineup will begin to hit the internet in April. We can’t promise any tickets from JACK, but best believe we will be in attendance.

Jimmy Buffet

September 14th, Toyota Park

Jimmy Buffet is the king of outdoor concerts. Every show is a party. Every song is an anthem. The man knows how to do a show and his Parrothead-followers know how to tailgate beforehand. The show will hit Toyota Park for a Saturday in September, but if you just can’t wait that long he’ll be at Alpine Valley on June 26th.  Either way, if you really want to get into the “spirit” of things, we suggest finding someone else to drive you home at the end of the night. Things tend to get pretty crazy.

Dave Matthews Band

September 17th or 18th, Wrigley Field

Like Buffet, the Dave Matthews Band has become a staple to summer concert lineups. They have made a habit of owning Alpine Valley every summer for multiple nights in a row. And while nothing is confirmed, chances are pretty good we’ll be seeing DMB on the marquee at Wrigley in September. They have yet to book a Chicago date which has some people speculating they will share a stage at Lollapalooza. But more likely than not, they will take one of the open spots in Center Field under the “Old Score Board”.

As for the other date – rumors lean towards a country act. But I have also heard rumblings of Pearl Jam which isn’t entirely out of the question. Eddie Vedder grew up in Evanston, is a huge Cubs fan, and the band has no scheduled dates after July 10th this summer. Just saying…

Of course these aren’t the only summer concerts going on around Chicago this year. Throw in all the street fests, Blues & Jazz fests, and Taste of Chicago and you have a whole other batch of great artists filling the streets with music. We will add to our list as things are announced. All we know is we’re tired of looking at snow.

Q: What has nine arms and rocks our faces off?

A: Def Leppard.

We had originally told you about how VH1 Classic is running all new remastered versions of their popular Behind the Music series on some of JACK’s favorite bands. Genesis and Metallica have already gotten the treatment and this weekend you can tune in to see the boys from Sheffield bring it again.

The show will pick up where the first Behind the Music: Def Leppard left off, featuring archival footage spliced in with newer video and interviews of the band from their more recent tours over the past ten years. It is sure to be worth checking out. Tune into VH1 Classic this Saturday, March 6th, at 10:00PM E.S.T. for all the Leppard you can handle.

What else were you going to do this weekend? Go outside? Yeah right – it might be in the 40s today, but you can’t trick us Chicago. We know you’ll still give us frostbite.

“People buying and signing their names on Shamrocks literally transforms thousands of supermarkets, convenience stores, restaurants and other retail businesses into festive green and gold settings in honor of St. Patrick’s Day,” says Gerald C. Weinberg, President and CEO of the Muscular Dystrophy Association. “They know the $1 and $5 donations they make at their favorite retailers will add up quickly – especially since the prominent display of personalized Shamrocks challenges other shoppers to help MDA, too.”

The new Text IRISH to 20222 giving option is fun and quick, explains Weinberg. “It takes just seconds to Text IRISH to 20222 on your cell phone to make a $5 donation to MDA that will help speed treatments and cures for muscle diseases. Plus, cell phone donors will receive a link for Shamrocks wallpaper to download for their cell phones. The Shamrocks wallpaper will make friends green with envy, as everyone celebrates St. Patrick’s Day.”
The world’s first text giving effort to automatically thank donors with custom wallpaper for their cell phones, Text IRISH to 20222; and the in-store Shamrocks Against Dystrophy mobile program, are being promoted as a public service by media outlets across the country using special broadcast, print and electronic PSAs. These PSAs remind people that everybody’s Irish on St. Patrick’s Day; and that one of the best ways to celebrate is to share the luck of the Irish by buying a Shamrock to help MDA fight muscle diseases.

Phone carriers already participating in the Text IRISH to 20222 campaign for MDA include Alltel, AT&T Wireless, Bell Mobility, Cellular South, Cincinnati Bell, Cricket, Fido Microcel, MTS, Nextel, Rogers Canada, Sasktel, T-Mobile, Telus, US Cellular, Verizon Wireless and Virgin Mobile Canada. Sprint is expected to enable its subscribers to participate soon. The texting initiative is being facilitated by the Mobile Giving Foundation and by Give By Cell.
The first nonprofit organization recognized by the American Medical Association with a Lifetime Achievement Award “for significant and lasting contributions to the health and welfare of humanity,” MDA continues to transform the generous public support it receives into worldwide research seeking treatments and cures for muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other neuromuscular diseases affecting more than 1 million Americans. The Association also provides unparalleled health care and support services through its network of more than 200 hospital-affiliated clinics; tirelessly advocates for the families it serves; and educates both medical and general audiences about neuromuscular diseases. Extensive information and a myriad of useful resources are available at www.mda.org or by calling 800-572-1717.