03.14.10
It’s just nothing but soda bread and Jameson’s on the road.
It’s starting to feel a little leprechauny in here. It’s kind of making us want to fiddle and scream about beer and what gits the English are. With only 3 days to go until St. Patrick’s Day, Wasted Space is starting with the Celtic rockers. The Young Dubliners hit the stage with Reckless in Vegas tonight. Continuing their run-up to St. Pat’s, meanwhile, McFadden’s at the Rio is running Bloody Sunday with assorted green beer, car bomb and Irish breakfast specials. Click for more words and pictures »
By Jason Scavone
03.9.10
Andrew Kwasnieski, right, at the Ago opening in 2008. (Photos by Erik Kabik | Retna)
President and COO of the Hard Rock Hotel Andrew Kwasniewski was found dead today of an apparent suicide, according to TMZ. He was apparently found by his wife this morning.
“I’ve known and worked with Randy since 1995. He was not just one of my colleagues and a leader of our company he was my friend. I know few hotel and casino executives who have the knowledge, focus and work ethic that Randy possessed. I will miss him,” Fred Kleisner, CEO of Morgans Hotel Group, said in a statement. “All of us at Morgans are deeply saddened by the passing of Randy. I know I speak for everyone when I say we all mourn his loss. Randy was a dedicated husband and father, a friend to many of us, and a valued colleague. Our hearts and prayers go out to his family.”
By Jason Scavone
03.7.10
We love that Oscar carries a sword, in case he has to leave Hollywood for a life of piracy.
Tonight may be the Oscars, but another kind of awards is doing its thing tonight, when Vanity at the Hard Rock Hotel hosts the Nightclub & Bar Awards kickoff party. If you remember, Vegas clubs cleaned up in the magazines awards, which means they did better than poor Inglourious Basterds will do against the inevitable Avatar onslaught. Plus, they don’t have to deal with the potential embarrassment of losing anything to Sandra Bullock. Click for more words and pictures »
By Jason Scavone
03.5.10
Tragically, this is not taking place in the month of Rocktober.
Once every two years, some of the country’s greatest guitar players crawl out of the recording studios, woodsheds, bars, Fender factories, or, in the case of Ace Ferehly, deep space (presumably in the vicinity of a comet) to do Experience Hendrix.
Tomorrow night at The Joint inside the Hard Rock Hotel marks the fourth iteration of the tribute show. Coming out to purple their haze are alien-surfing Joe Satriani, Jonny Lang, Eric Johnson, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Brad Whitford of Aerosmith, Doyle Bramhall II, Ernie Isley, Living Colour’s Vernon Reid, Double Trouble’s Chris Layton, bassist Billy Cox and David Hidalgo and Cesar Rosas of Los Lobos.
Cox played in a later incarnation of the Experience and with Hendrix’s Band of Gypsies. Special guests are also expected to sit in with the musicians along the way. In the past, Paul Rodgers, Buddy Guy and Carlos Santana have all contributed. Wait, Paul Rodgers? Didn’t he do the vocals when Queen wanted to tour again? Is there any dead musician he won’t sub for? There is totally going to be a Bad Company/Nirvana crossover tour, isn’t there? Tickets start at $45.
By Jason Scavone
03.2.10
You’ll pry that leather jacket from his cold, dead hands. Shoulders. Whatever. (Photo by Cassi Thomas)
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club took to Wasted Space inside the Hard Rock Hotel Sunday night. They’re touring a new album, Beat the Devil’s Tattoo, the eponymous single for which sounds like a poor man’s White Stripes with more slide guitar, or a dirge(ier) remake of “Oh, Death.” But that’s neither here nor there, as the Internet is mostly concerned with OK Go’s creating the Rube Goldbergiest video of all time. This goes with the first version of the same video involving a marching band and Ghillie suits. We’re not sure what any of this has to do with Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, but we appreciate any music video that has something in common with Call of Duty.
By Jason Scavone
02.25.10
What? Johnny Cash would’ve loved KFC’s new grilled chicken. Try a bucket today.
It does seem like the kind of night that just makes you want to flip off a camera, doesn’t it? Johnny Cash tribute act Cash’d Out is at Wasted Space inside The Hard Rock Hotel for the Delia’s Gone-iest entertainment option of the evening. Jaxy and the Three 57s and Cadillac 9 open. It’s just in time for tomorrow’s release of Cash’s American VI: Ain’t No Grave on what would’ve been Cash’s 78th birthday. It’ll be the third Cash record released since his death in 2003. Your move, Tupac. Click for more words and pictures »
By Jason Scavone
02.22.10
“Please Clinton, anything but ‘The Sickness’ again.” (Photos by Cody Boor)
Haylie Duff, who’s doomed to a lifetime of being dragged to hockey games now that her sister Hillary is marrying Oilers forward Mike Comrie, celebrated her 25th birthday Saturday at Vanity inside the Hard Rock Hotel. She jumped on the turntables with Cinton Sparks, probably in a bid to hear something other than Disturbed and Rush, about the only two bands played between face-offs at 95 percent of NHL games, one last time.
Also at Vanity was Tito Ortiz with a few buddies, taking a couple nights off from the twins. And his children, too.
By Jason Scavone
02.18.10
So … Best New Major Concert Venue-y.
Pollstar Magazine, a music industry trade publication, named The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel its Best New Major Concert Venue at the Pollstar Awards last night in Los Angeles. If they had a hard time coming up with Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin to co-host the Oscars, how far down the line did they have to go to get someone for the Pollstar Awards? Without looking it up, we’re going to say it was … oh … Deelishis from Flavor of Love. Click for more words and pictures »
By Jason Scavone
02.15.10
Oh man, Giambi. You have 400 homers. You don’t need this. (Photo by Scott Berry)
After his autograph session at Sugar Factory and a late lunch at Cabo Wabo, The Situation partied at Vanity inside the Hard Rock Hotel last night for a night of … sigh … Bromance with Brody Jenner. Bow Wow, Javon Walker and co-owner Jason Giambi were all on hand for the Valentine’s Day party. Hey fellas, here’s a question. Have you ever been to a Valentine’s Day party organized by other dudes? No? Us neither. We’re pretty sure if we ever got that invite we’d be busy that night. Have to wash the cat. What do you mean we don’t even own a cat?
By Jason Scavone
02.12.10
