Some 58 years after Pete Townsend swore “I Hope I die before I get old,” the Who is still rocking with the release of yet another live album, The Who with Orchestra Live at Wembley - a stunning 2-CD set recorded at that world famous stadium venue back in 2019, released in March, 2023.

The orchestra in question is the 57-piece Isobel Griffiths Ltd. Orchestra and they add a majestic depth to what had always been a solid wall of sound from the Who’s core members. But what is equally amazing is that surviving founders Roger Daltrey & Townsend also perform some of the group’s most bombastic standards in acoustic versions, no orchestra & no electric instruments. The result is a total delight for fans of the band or just rock & rollers in general.

Yes, the set includes plenty of Who classics, “Pinball Wizard,” “Baba O’Reilly,” “Substitute,” “Won’t’ Get Fooled Again,” etc. But they also fold in some lesser-known tracks from their more recent outings, like “Hero Ground Zero,” “Ball and Chain” and “Tea & Theatre.”

The highlight of this offering is a condensed version of what many consider Townsend’s masterpiece, Quadrophenia, performed with the full force of all 57 members of the orchestra.

And what’s truly amazing is simply that Townsend and Daltrey are still performing (especially considering the always tumultuous history of the band), but that they continue to perform with such force and vitality. Time has taken only a little from Daltrey’s voice, but he still sings with a great range and power much younger singers can’t muster. Ditto for Townsend. He may not be capable of the astounding athletic leaps of his youth, but his guitar playing is faultless.

In the absence of departed founding members Keith Moon and John Entwistle, the core of the Who has been strengthened by long-time drummer Zak Starkey (Yes, Ringo’s kid) as well as Pete’s brother Simon Townsend on guitar and Jon Button on bass.

Devotees of the group have always maintained their real strength was their live performances, so it’s great to see that pushing 80, the Who is still among the top live acts in the rock world. We urge you to check out The Who with Orchestra Live at Wembley.

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There is a common myth that you need to drink 8 glasses of water. We’re sure you’ve heard it, but is it true?

It may surprise you to know that there is absolutely no science to back up that assertion. If you’re a bit squeamish, you may want to stop reading now. Experts actually say, you should judge your level of hydration by checking the color of your urine. Not kidding. You need to aim for a light yellow color.

One of the older scams is something called check washing. It involves thieves taking letters, often outgoing mail left unattended in mailboxes, but some can even snatch letters from Post Office collection boxes.

Then, use something as common as the acetone in nail polish remover they are able to remove the name on the “Pay To” line as well as the amount of the check, leaving the original signature untouched. Then, they’re free to write in whatever amount to whatever payee they want.

How can you protect yourself from this scam?

1.) Use online payments – The best and simplest solution is to pay for what you need online. Most banks offer this service for those who have check accounts with them. Also, many utilities, insurance companies and other vendors offer amount online paying services. This way, there are no paper check to steal.

2.) Deposit your mail directly at your local post office – Go inside the building and make your deposit there. Use the drop boxes outside the post office may not give you the security you imagine. We have seen those boxes so stuffed right before collection time, that anyone could grab a handful of mail without any special effort or equipment.

3.) Use non-erasable ink.

4.) Monitor your bank account and report any irregularities quickly.

Inflation is not just happening in the U.S. It’s a worldwide problem. In fact, inflation has been lower in America than in many other countries around the globe. Experts say there are ways to make the best of a bad situation

The first is to postpone major purchases wherever possible. In particular, cars (as well as trucks and SUVs) are more expensive now due to COVID-related shortages that are only now easing. Put off buying that new vehicle until the shortage is over and dealer begin to really compete to win your business again.

Ditto for home improvement. Prices for lumber and other building materials have gone up faster than the general rate of inflation.

As we age we become more prone to develop age-related macular degeneration, which can cause loss or impairment of vision. Some 20 million adults in the United States suffer from some form of the condition.

There is encouraging hope in a new “eye implant device” now in clinical trials. The implant, small as a grain of rice, is implanted in the sufferer’s eye underneath the eyelid, so it’s not visible. It releases regulated doses of an eye-saving drug. Early results are encouraging. Make sure you’re receiving regular eye examinations from your optometrist and discuss the full range of treatment options should you develop this condition.

Here are the songs we consider the 15 top love songs of the rock era. As love is the #1 topic of most rock (with cars maybe a distant second), there’s a lot to choose from. How many of our songs would make on you own personal list?

1. You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling – Righteous Brothers

If you have to ask why, you’ve never heard this song. Although it’s ultimately a sad song, no other recording has ever crammed so much romantic anxiety into 4 minutes.

2. “Something” – The Beatles

Widely considered George Harrison’s best composition and having been covered by artists across many musical genres – including Frank Sinatra, who also said it was his favorite love song, this is one of 3 songs to make our list all inspired by the same muse – Ms. Pattie Boyd.

3. “Can’t Help Falling in Love” – Elvis Presley

How could any rock & roll list not include the King? Blessed with a tremendous voice, Elvis crooned his share of beautiful ballads during his career, but this is the one that never seems to be out of date.

4. “God Only Knows” – Beach Boys

From the legendary Pet Sounds album, this Brian Wilson composition is a particular favorite with our British cousins across the pond. No less a talent than Paul McCartney has named it his favorite pop tune.Hard to believe that in the U.S, it was the B-side of the single "Wouldn't It Be Nice."

5. “My Girl” – The Temptations

With so much songwriting talent in the Motown stable, it fell to the great Smokey Robinson to pen this simple, but heartfelt tribute to his woman.

6. “Wonderful Tonight” – Eric Clapton

Another song inspired by Pattie Boyd – this one written by her second husband, Eric Clapton. Inspired by the way she looked as they were just about to step out for a night on the town, any woman would love to hear these words from her significant other.

7. “Time in a Bottle” – Jim Croce

A love song tinged with more than a bit of sadness as it was released shortly after Croce’s untimely death.

8. “Have I Told You Lately That I Love You” – Van Morrison

A simple, beautiful song that’s been covered by a number of artists. Listen closely to the lyrics. There are those who claim the song is not about a woman, but about Morrison’s relationship to God.

9. “Maybe I’m Amazed” – Paul McCartney

This is the song that launched Paul McCartney on what was to become, far and away, the most successful of all the Beatles’ solo careers. Inspired by his relationship to his first wife Linda.

10. “Layla” – Derek & the Dominoes

Our final song in the Pattie-Boyd-inspired category (she really was an exceptional beauty), this Clapton tune came as he was wracked with guilt because the object of his ardor was still married to his best friend. Rarely has unfulfilled passion been better expressed.

11. “Walk Away Renee” – Left Banke

Unless, of course, it’s the unrequited passion of this tune. Written by Michael Brown, who was totally infatuated with another band member’s girlfriend (yes, she was really named Renee), this song has gone on to become a classic, while Brown, sadly, never did get the girl

12. “Wild Horses” – Rolling Stones

The story goes that this song was inspired by Marianne Faithful’s unsuccessful suicide attempt while she was Mick Jagger’s girlfriend. Apparently, when she regained consciousness in the hospital, Jagger was at her side. When he expressed his fear of losing her, she replied that wild horses couldn’t drag her away. And the rest is rock history

13. “Waiting for a Girl Like You” – Foreigner

Haunting with just a touch of melancholy, this was one of several “power ballads” that briefly became all the rage in the early days of MTV with many of the “heavier” bands scoring hits with softer sounds. None surpassed this one.

14. “Time After Time” – Cyndi Lauper

When Lauper burst on the scene with her infectious “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” she wisely chose this as her follow-up. Co-written by Lauper and Hooters’ band member Robb Hyman, the song sprang from romantic difficulties both were having at the time they sat down to compose it.

15. “Wichita Lineman” – Glen Campbell

Not a conventional love song, in that composer Jimmy Webb fills many of the lyrics with references to the singer’s job as an employee of the telephone company. Yet, every line relates to the pain the singer feels being separated from the object of his affection. It possibly contains the greatest line in any love song: “I need you more than want you and I want you for all time.”

 A founding member of two supergroups of the 60s, David Crosby has passed away at the age of 81 following a long illness.

David broke onto the national music scene as a member of the Byrds, appearing on their first 5 studio albums. Crosby departed the band in 1967 following a disagreement with the rest of the band members. He achieved an even greater degree of fame when he hooked up with Steven Stills of Buffalo Springfield and Graham Nash of the Hollies, releasing the now-classic LP Crosby, Still and Nash in 1968. The enormous success of that album was followed by adding Neil Young, also late of Buffalo Springfield to form one of rock’s great groups: Crosby, Still, Nash & Young. Drug use and volatile personalities kept that aggregation breaking up and reforming in various combinations for decades thereafter.

As a composer, Crosby wrote or co-wrote such songs as “Eight Miles High,” “Wooden Ships,” Déjà Vu,” “Almost Cut My Hair” and "Guinevere." He released 6 solo albums, 5 of which charted. He has also been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice – once as a member of the Byrds and again as a member of CSNY.

He remained active in music throughout his entire life, releasing his final solo album, Sky Trails, in the summer of 2021.

As summer vacation season gets underway, we got the family together for an updated family portrait!