Ginn and Topics

My friend Sam Boghosian, the Lord of the Rings

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Sam Boghosian posing with one of the two Super Bowl rings he won with the Raiders as the offensive line coach.

I’m always surprised at Sam Boghosian’s patience with me, because I had always been obsessed with his rings.

When we would meet for lunch or early morning coffee, I would eventually ask about the rings, and inquire if he would bring them over. I hope he didn’t think I was more interested in the rings than him.

Sam was that really cool sports figure that I loved to hang around with. People might not know as much about Sam as other sports figures here in the Palm Springs area. But few sports figures are more accomplished as Sam.

In college, Sam played for UCLA and helped the Bruins win their only national championship in football. When you consider how rich their sports history is, I think that makes the football title especially unique.

Sam had also interviewed for the head coaching job at Oklahoma at one point, but then he got a job as the offensive coordinator coach for the expansion Seattle Seahawks in 1976.

After his stint in Seattle, Sam went on to join his friend Tom Flores with the Raiders where he was the offensive line coach. There, Sam won two more rings.

So I think I got Sam to bring his rings a few times, sitting in Ruby’s or Mimi’s Cafe. If only the people next to us knew what he was carrying.

Sam Boghosian with his two Super Bowl rings while coaching the offensive line for the Raiders in both Oakland and Los Angeles.

I got to know Sam when I worked at the Desert Sun. I can’t remember the story where we met. I’m pretty sure he was promoting a charity event, because he was always giving in that way.

But Sam was great about helping these events as a volunteer. As a journalist, you deal with a lot of PR professionals, and they stink at dealing with the media. They should have hired a guy like Sam.

I’ve made the transition from writer to handling media relations and marketing. My success with it is really based on how Sam did it. He was friendly, informative and knew how to sell it.

In fact, Sam did it better than people who made a career of it.

And Sam would introduce me to people, some who would become interesting stories. I met Bob Newton, who was on the offensive line during Sam’s time with the Seahawks.

Bob is a man who had battled addiction, overcome it and has been a successful counselor for several clinics in town, including the Betty Ford Clinic in Rancho Mirage.

Sam Boghosian, myself and Bob Newton after one of our lunches.

And of course, I got to know Tom Flores, the former Raiders coach, through Sam.

It was Sam, who alerted me to the fact that Flores is not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, despite the fact he won two Super Bowls as a head coach, one as an assistant coach and another as a backup quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs.

He had pushed for Flores to be inducted, and now I try to do what I can to help Flores. I mean, the Raiders have never won a Super Bowl without Tom Flores. The Raiders are the only Southern California team to win a Super Bowl. And Flores is also the first minority coach in the NFL, let along the first to win a title.

Sadly, Sam won’t be around to see Flores inducted into the Hall of Fame.

On Sunday, Sam has passed away. He had Alzheimer’s and his health had been declining.

It took me a while to pick up that Sam had Alzheimer’s. He would always ask me many times how I was doing. But even before he had the disease, he would ask me multiple times how I was doing because he sincerely cared about me.

I’m not the only one who Sam really cared about. Flores would tell me how Sam would have so many friends around the area. He was a lovable guy.

Sam also seemed like a larger-than-life kind of guy. Although he was only 5-foot-9, he just seemed like he would be tough as nails if you pushed him.

I’m not really how Sam would react in a adverse situation, because I never saw Sam angry. Well, that’s if you don’t count the times when he expressed his frustrations over Flores not being in the Hall of Fame.

I had gone through some tough times. Each time I spoke with Sam, he would want to figure out a way to help me. During those times, I wasn’t sure how I could help myself, so I didn’t know what to ask for.

The last time I spoke with Sam was during the holidays. I wanted to wish him a Merry Christmas. He was repeating himself a few times, but it was always wanting to know how I was doing.

To me, that was the same old Sam.

I’m really going to miss him.

Same and me after coffee.

Below is what Sam’s daughter Jody Boghosian Schiltz posted on Facebook.

My daddy, the man that taught me how to love, live and respect has passed away. It’s all fresh and raw. I am grateful for the unconditional love and comfort that he gave me and taught me how to give in return.
My daddy was my hero. ❤️

Sam Boghosian was born in Fresno, CA on December 22, 1931 and passed away in his Indian Wells home on February 23, 2020. With his wife Judy, and daughter Jody by his side.

Sam Boghosian was a man of many talents.
He graduated from UCLA as an Academic All American and asset to the 1954 National Championship Football team. His success at UCLA set the groundwork for the man he would become. His passion for people and football lead him into coaching with jobs at UCLA, Oregon State University, the Houston Oilers, the Seattle Seahawks, and lastly the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders. Sam helped coach the Raiders to two Super Bowl Championships.

Dedicated to cultivating lasting and meaningful connections, Sam lived his life in commitment to excellence and to all those around him that he loved so dearly. It was in his blood to help others and leave an impact on every person he met on his journey. As a member of the Triple X Fraternity and the NFL Alumni Association, he utilized his platform to do just that. He raised money and awareness for countless charities, helped facilitate and organize fundraisers, and was always up for a round of golf in honor of a good cause.
Sam Boghosian was a man of integrity, passion, and dedication.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Judy, and their daughter, Jody Schiltz, son-in-law, Brian, and grandson Braden. He now joins his son, John James Boghosian, who preceded him in death. Sam was a beloved son and brother leaving behind his sister, Joyce, brothers, Marty and Joe, their families, and the families of his siblings that passed before him.

We all love Sam dearly.

On behalf of my father, and in lieu of flowers; please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association as they continue to search for a cure for this debilitating disease. Or please send a monetary donation, in my name, Jody Schiltz, for my mother, Judy Boghosian, who also has Alzheimer’s Disease and needs to be placed in a memory care home. I will be moving Judy to a care facility near my home in Georgia so she can be near my family and receive the care she needs to live the rest of her life with as much dignity as is possible. Thank you for any help you can give, as my parents were not financially prepared for the expenses that are needed for this level of extensive care.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/judy-boghosian-memory-care-fund?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-7a — with Brian Schiltz.  

Sam with all three of his championship rings, the two Super Bowl rings with the Raiders and the national championship ring with the UCLA Bruins.

Who will replace Beyoncé as a headliner at Coachella, and will it be a woman?

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By Leighton Ginn

Of all the people to withdraw from Coachella, Beyoncé was the toughest one to take for 2017.

Beyoncé is outside of Coachella’s comfort zone of indie acts, and its such a huge attraction that a large part of the tickets were purchased just for her appearance. She was also the first woman in a decade to headline, which promoters were probably hoping would end the “Brochella” nickname.

Due to doctor’s orders, Beyoncé cancelled, but promised to headline Coachella the next year.

So who can fill the large hole created by Beyoncé?  When it comes to her stature and body of work, it’s an irreplaceable talent and it won’t satisfy her fans, who have seen the price plummet on the secondary market (the scalpers).

There are numerous great acts, but it’s apples and oranges.

And should it be a woman?

I think at this point, Coachella will have to take whoever it can get. A few woman can headline with the large appeal of Beyoncé, but are not necessarily a Coachella act. At this point, that might not be important.

For acts who don’t mind replacing Beyoncé, the other factor is putting on a headlining-worthy show on short notice. It makes it tough for acts who are not touring or rehearsing to pull the trigger.

Because let’s face it, expectations will be high, and people watching will be incredibly judgmental.

Here’s a look at possible replacements.

LADY GAGA

Her stock has always been high, and after her Super Bowl and Grammy performances, it’s skyrocketing.

Gaga would be the best option. She has a new CD and her world tour doesn’t begin until August. This would be a great jump start.

But Gaga will hit the West Coast in August and December, including shows at the Forum during both of those months. Will that be too much Gaga? And I’m not sure if the promoters of her tour would go for that.

Then again, the publicity could create an even bigger frenzy.

RIHANNA

Another terrific possibility. Rihanna was at the Indio Polo Grounds in October performing with Paul McCartney and has been at Coachella as a fan and guest star with 2016 headliner Calvin Harris.

Currently, she has no tour dates. It could be asking a lot of her to put together a headlining act with rehearsals in what could be a one-off (or actually two-off) performance.

BRUNO MARS

His tour doesn’t begin until July, and he would go over big with Coachella fans.

He’s never played.

But there could be an ego thing, in that he might want to play Coachella with a huge buildup that traditionally begins in January.

Not sure if he’s had regular talks with Goldenvoice, so who knows if it would be a good fit.

ADELE

I think she would be a great headliner, but maybe being a replacement would be a bad move.

Although gracious at the Grammys,  not sure Adele fans are also Beyoncé fans and vice versa. While Adele has a huge following, it might not satisfy the ticket buyers. Generally, Adele’s shows are more stripped down, compare to the large productions you get from Beyoncé.

She would be great at Coachella, but the cards might be too stacked in replacing Beyoncé. .

KANYE WEST

He’s been a last minute addition for promoters Goldenvoice, and he’s been a great headliner at Coachella. Plus, Kanye wouldn’t have to travel far.

But of course he had personal issues that prematurely ended his tour and saw him in the hospital following his breakdown.

You hope that he will be healthy before considering taking on Coachella.

JAY Z

Considering what Lemonade is about, maybe it’s not a good idea for Jay Z to be away from his pregnant wife to perform at Coachella over two weekends.

MISCELLANEOUS

I’ve said U2 and Green Day in a former blog. And it would make sense since their schedules could accommodate it. But again, short notice and their music might not satisfy the Beyoncé ticket buyers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aspen Mills a favorite among locals in Palm Springs

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By Leighton Ginn

Since moving to Palm Springs in 1999, Aspen Mills stands out for its high quality and consistently tasty treats.

On the corner of Ramon and Sunrise, Aspen Mills (555 S. Sunrise) offers great sandwiches and tasty salads. It’s been a great option for lunch, especially if you want fresh and creative breads.

It was a favorite of my coworkers. The only issues is they close at 6:30 p.m. and they are not open on Sundays. it’s difficult for a night owl like me, but when I make it out there, it’s well worth it.

Pictured above is the Prime Cut, a roast beef sandwich with horseradish, tomatoes, zucchini slices, red onions and mayo on dark Squaw bread. Delicious and it never disappoints.

The other sandwiches are also good, so much so that it’s difficult to make a decision. I had to also consider the Aspen and Newporter.

The Aspen is a turkey sandwich with cucumbers, red onion, lettuce, mayo, horseradish and guacamole on cranberry spice bread. The Newporter is a chunky white albacore tuna salad sandwich with lettuce, tomatoes and celery on jalapeno cheddar bread.

For the vegetarians, Aspen also offers the Coachella, which includes pepper jack cheese, sprouts, guacamole, lettuce, red onions, homemade salsa, olive oil and cilantro on nine grain bread.

 

What makes Aspen Mills special is that it bakes its own breads daily, with so much variety. I was always a fan of the banana and nine-grain bred. The Squaw was unique and delicious.

 

And we can’t forget the treats. The brownies are rich and delicious. The carrot raisin bran muffins are so good.

In addition to the main bakery, Aspen Mills can be found inside the Rancho Mirage library (71-100 HWY 111) and Clark’s Nutrition (34175 Monterey) also in Rancho Mirage. All locations ae closed on Sundays.

For more information, you can go to http://www.aspenmillsps.com/index.html

 

 

 

 

 

Why do some people think Serena Williams career is over after the year she’s had?

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Watching the ESPN talk shows and many were ready to declare Serena Williams’ career over, or she might not win another major, etc.

It always seems to happen to all the great players when they suffer an upset loss and they are over 30-something.

Williams lost her semifinal match to Karolina Pliskova, who is No. 11 in the world and might have the biggest weapons on the WTA Tour, outside the Williams sisters.

But the overanalyzing of Williams began soon after the match.

So here’s my take on a few of the issues.

  1. HER DAYS OF DOMINATION ARE OVER: When the new rankings come out Monday, Williams will be No. 2 behind Angelique Kerber. This year, Williams reached the finals of the Australian, French and Wimbledon and the semifinals of the US Open. She won Wimbledon. And ask yourself, is there a player on the WTA Tour you would make a favorite over Williams? Kerber will be No. 1, but I still don’t think I would favor her over Williams just yet.
  2. WILLIAMS’ BEST DAYS ARE BEHIND HER: I felt this last year, when she completed the Serena Slam for the second time. Williams is not the same player she has been, but to her credit, she has evolved her game. She’s gone from intimidating power player to more of a cerebral assassin. What hasn’t changed is Williams’ fierce competitive nature. On the WTA Tour, no player really has elevated to Williams level, and the ones who have haven’t maintained it until Kerber. But it remains to see how long Kerber can keep up this level, and if some other players can rise.
  3. AGE HAS TO CATCH UP WITH HER: Williams turns 35 later this month, which is old for tennis players. Her shoulder hurt was an issue in the Rio Olympics and now her knee was giving her problems. This could be the most legitimate threat to her career. But for right now, we don’t know the extent of these injuries. But Williams says she plays for the majors, so we could easily see her take the rest of the year and relinquish the year-end No. 1 ranking to Kerber, rather than chase her. Williams has proven she doesn’t need a good seed to win a tournament, so she could lighten her schedule and still contend for majors.

In tennis, there is this desire to declare someone’s career over prematurely. When Pete Sampras went on a two-year slump, they thought he was done until he won the US Open. People thought Roger Federer was through last year because he hadn’t won a major since the 2012 Wimbledon, but he was No. 2 in the world and reached the finals of the US Open and Wimbledon.

We don’t always know when it’s over for a great player. But there should be real evidence. Although there will be a change at the top, Williams is still at the top of the tour.

Unless there’s something more, I anticipate Williams will be back next year contending for major titles and the No. 1 ranking.

 

 

 

Could Novak Djokovic lose out on Player of the Year honors in a year he completes the Grand Slam?

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Novak Djokovic speaks during a press conference at the BNP Paribas Open in March, 2015.

 

In a year where Novak Djokovic became the first player to win all four Grand Slam titles, there is a possibility that he could lose out on Player of the Year honors.

It’s unlikely, but plausible.

What makes is plausible is the way Andy Murray is playing of late. If Murray captures the US Open, then he will have a stronger case.

Currently Murray has a Wimbledon title and reached the finals of the Australian and French Opens, both of which Djokovic won. Then you throw in the Olympic gold medal, that’s an incredibly strong year.

What might give Murray an edge is how Djokovic had done at Wimbledon and the Olympics.

Djokovic lost in the third round at the All England Club to No. 41 Sam Querrey and the first round in Rio, although he did lose to the eventual silver medalist in Juan Martin Del Potro, who is currently No. 141 in the rankings.

It’s been a draining year for Djokovic, who has played at a superior level for an incredibly long time. But since the award is for accomplishments since January, he could be leaving the door open for Murray.

It won’t be easy for Murray. He would have to win the US Open, and he has never won two majors in the same season (depending on how you rank an Olympic gold medal). And the US Open is the most grueling Slam.

Now if Murray does win the US Open, that might still not be enough to surpass Djokovic.

In Masters 1000 events, Djokovic has won four of six events. Murray has won just one, but did reach two finals.

How much the Masters 1000 events count into Player of the Year honors, I’m not sure, but these are significant tournaments.

And there is also the ATP finals in November. If Murray can win that, then people will have to look closely.

So US Open and ATP Finals titles, and with Djokovic still playing high-level tennis, is a huge mountain for Murray to climb.

But it is also possible.

 

Andy Roddick will have his New York moment in World Team Tennis

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By Leighton Ginn

 

When Andy Roddick makes his return to World Team Tennis for the 2016 season, it will be in a place he never played but in a state where he had his biggest moments.

Roddick will play for the New York Empire at Forrest Hills, the longtime home of the US Open, on Aug. 9. The next day, the Empire will travel to take on the Philadelphia Freedom which will complete the season for Roddick, who is also part of the WTT ownership group.

Playing in New York is the highlight for Roddick, given his history in the Empire State.

“I feel like I’ve grown up in front of New York,” Roddick said. “I played doubles there for the first time in a pro tournament when I was 15 to retiring there and playing my last match in 2012. I had the highest of highs, and lowest of lows.

“But I just love New York. The fans are so fair all the time. If you give them everything you have, they’re going to give you everything they have. Conversely, if you play like a schmuck, they’re going to let you know about it. I’ve always kind of appreciated the honesty of the New York sports fan.”

Roddick said he has always been a fan of the unique style of WTT, and is always happy to participate. He believes the pacing is what makes it so exciting for the fans.

“Everything is quicker, faster, more in-your-face,” Roddick said. “The one-set matches keep your attention, or demand your attention during the 2-3 hours. I always liked it. It feels like the players are more interactive based on the format. It’s something I enjoyed when playing.”

Roddick also attributes World Team Tennis to his progression as a professional, while the format also provides something exciting for the fans. So when he was approached about investing in the league, Roddick said it was a no brainer.

“Anytime you’re approached by someone on the iconic level of Billie Jean King, especially in the role she’s played and how important she’s been in the game of tennis, you always want to listen,” Roddick said. “We’ve had a great relationship for a long time. Her presence in this league and my memory of this league and the opportunity it gave me.

“I was 17 and had no ranking, kind of just trying to break through in the pro ranks when they let me play for the team in Boise, Idaho at the time. That experience of playing professionals day in and day out in a three-week sequence during the summer was a huge part of my development. It felt like something that was good to be apart of.”

 

If Novak Djokovic wins Wimbledon, there’s no good reason for him to play the Olympics

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By Leighton Ginn

There’s no question that Novak Djokovic is a very patriotic person and cherishes representing his beloved Serbia whenever he can.

So the Olympics will be a huge goal for him.

But if I was advising him, I’d tell him to ditch Rio, especially if he wins Wimbledon.

More history on hand for Novak Djokovic as he heads into Wimbledon

The obvious reason is Djokovic will be one victory away from achieving the calendar-year Grand Slam, which has only been accomplished by two male players. He would be the first since Rod Laver in 1969.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime accomplishment.

There’s no question that Djokovic’s heart is to compete in Rio and represent his country. In Djokovic’s previous two Olympics, he’s won a bronze in Beijing and didn’t medal in England, having lost to Juan Martin del Potro in the bronze medal match.

I’m sure he’s driven to win the gold, and he will be the overwhelming favorite. If Djokovic doesn’t play this year, he’ll be 33 by the time the next Olympics roll around, so the consequence could very well be never winning a gold medal.

It’s time to talk about Novak Djokovic as one of the greatest ever in tennis

At the French Open, Djokovic said it would be “unthinkable” to cancel the Olympics. But Djokovic was answering the question about the Zika virus, which is a good reason to avoid Rio.

This was before Djokovic won the French, to put him halfway to the Grand Slam. If Djokovic wins Wimbledon, then he should pull out of Rio immediately. I’m sure when he made his “unthinkable” comments, he wasn’t taking into consideration he would have a shot at the Grand Slam.

Naturally, Djokovic is a competitor. As well as he’s playing, he could do something only Steffi Graf has done, which is complete the Golden Slam if he could win the gold medal.

Keep this in mind with Graf. The Olympics came after the US Open, so there were no scheduling conflicts. And the Olympics was more an afterthought anyways.

Djokovic would have two weeks following the end of the Olympics and the start of the US Open.

It’s doable.

But you also have to consider that Djokovic will have the physical mileage of reaching the finals in just about every tournament he plays. Then you throw in the mental toll from the pressure he will face at each tournament.

The US Open is the toughest Grand Slam on the calendar and it comes at the end of a season, and the whole season is a grind already.

I’d have Djokovic look at the Golden State Warriors. They went after the regular-season record and set it at 73-9. A great accomplishment and a feather in their caps.

But they didn’t achieve their ultimate goal of winning the NBA title.

Kind of makes that 73-9 record an afterthought. And assistant coach Luke Walton admitted that going after the record took a toll on the players as they ran out of gas. And many of the pundits were speculating about it anyways.

Only time will tell if Garbine Muguruza will be the next great thing or next flameout

Now let’s get back to the Zika issue.

This is a major health risk. Djokovic has a chance to become the greatest ever.

You heard me, the greatest ever.

Zika is no joke and many athletes are struggling about going.

These are athletes who have spent their whole life training for the Olympics, which is the defining moment of various sports.

For tennis, it’s really just another tournament.

So Nole, just say no to the Olympics if you win Wimbledon.

 

 

 

 

More history on hand for Novak Djokovic as he heads into Wimbledon

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By Leighton Ginn

As Novak Djokovic returns to the All England Lawn Tennis club, the world’s No. 1 men’s tennis player will have another historic opportunity.

By winning the French Open, Djokovic became the first player to win four consecutive majors since Rod Laver completed the Grand Slam in 1969.

If Djokovic wins a third-consecutive Wimbledon title, he will have won five consecutive major titles. That’s something that has never been done by a man in the open era.

The only man to win five consecutive major titles was Don Budge from 1937-38 when he won six consecutive titles, including becoming the first man to complete the Grand Slam.

If Novak Djokovic wins Wimbledon, there’s no good reason for him to play the Olympics

However, Wimbledon won’t be easy.

You can never count out Roger Federer, who has won seven titles at Wimbledon, tying him with Pete Sampras and William Renshaw for most titles.

And Andy Murray will be tough to beat. When it comes to tennis, Murray is the United Kingdom’s favorite son and would have a huge home-court advantage.

Murray’s only two major titles have come against Djokovic, and both were historic. Murray’s 2012 US Open title was the first by a British man since Fred Perry in 1936. Murray then won the Wimbledon title in 2013, the first win by a male Brit in the country’s greatest tournament since Perry in ’36.

Murray comes into Wimbledon reunited with Ivan Lendl, the man who led him to the US Open and Wimbledon titles.

It’s time to talk about Novak Djokovic as one of the greatest ever in tennis

While Djokovic is the greatest returner in the game, all the big servers have a puncher’s chance on the grass of Wimbledon.

And Djokovic will also have to deal with the mounting pressure that comes with his historic achievement of winning four consecutive majors.

Only time will tell if Garbine Muguruza will be the next great thing or next flameout

How someone deals with mounting pressure can be hard to gauge. Serena Williams will likely go down as the grestest women’s player of all time, yet despite her dominating play this year, she’s struggled in the final of the Australian and French opens.

And she’s admitted it’s been nerves.

Could that happen with Djokovic? Hasn’t bothered him yet.

And if Djokovic has shown us anything, it’s that he’s up for any challenge.

 

After 10 Coachella’s, my Top 10 show

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By Leighton Ginn

Living in the Palm Springs area, going to Coachella is fairly easy since I don’t have to make travel arrangements. And thank God I don’t have to camp.

So going to Coachella has become an annual event. This is my look back at 10 of my favorite shows from my first 10 times at Coachella, which runs from 2003, and 2007-15. I did not include any from the 2016 show, but you can find my recap from those shows on the links below.

Coachella 2016, Day 1 recap

Coachella Day 2 recap: from great to legendary

Coachella Day 3 recap: Crazy fun

PRINCE (2008)

I grew up loving Prince’s music, so I was geeked when he was a late addition to the 2008 lineup, bumping Portishead as the main headliner.

And he did not disappoint.

The show opened with Morris Day and Jerome doing a quick medley of “Jungle Love” and “The Bird.”

Prince was decked out in white and had a funny pronunciation of Coachella that me and my friends still joke about today.

And he just killed it.

What is still talked about today is Prince’s amazing cover of Radiohead’s “Creep.”

There was also an amazing cover of Sarah McLachlan’s “Angel” by Prince’s backup singer Ledisi that blew my mind.

Sheila E was there was well pounding on the drums and also performed her hit “The Glamorous Life.”

It truly was legendary.

Dearly Beloved, We Are Gathered Today to Talk About Prince

THE HIVES (2003)

The first show I ever saw at Coachella and they had me hooked. They have the punk rock spirit I love and it’s just great Rock N Roll.

Their logo was “Your new favorite band,” which has been true since I’ve seen them play.

Lead singer Howlin’ Pelle Almqvist at one point yelled to one of the other stages to quiet down or he would kick their asses.

Guitarist Nichoulas Arson might be the most intense guitarist I’ve ever seen and he can really shred. He also brings a lot of charisma to match Almqvist.

They would also play again in 2012, and that was a great show, where they came out in full tuxedos and their roadies were dressed as ninjas. But I got caught in a mosh pit, which I’m too old for. But I’ve seen them several times, and dragged many of my friends to catch them. They never put on a bad show.

But there’s nothing quite like the first time.

Coachella acts that were worth the heat stroke

PAUL MCCARTNEY (2009)

A chance to watch a Beatle, and McCartney put on an amazing show that exceeded my expectations.

How McCartney continues to kick ass at his age is really amazing. I wasn’t blown away because he was able to perform so well at an AARP age. I was blown away by the showmanship.

He was on another level.

There were three moments during the show were McCartney dedicated songs to important people in his life: John Lennon, George Harrison and his wife Linda.

The day of the concert marked the 11th anniversary of the passing of Linda.

Later that year, there was the release of the Beatles’ Rock Band video game, and several of the graphics were used during McCartney’s show.

As the years go on, I gain even more appreciation for Paul. He was my favorite Beatle, and someone said he’s the keeper of the band’s music by performing live. I never thought about it that way before, but it’s very true.

Happy birthday Pete Townshend, here are some of my favorites

 

AMY WINEHOUSE (2007)

I was captivated by Winehouse the moment I saw her sing “Rehab” on David Letterman. She was a lot of fun and had a classic sound.

This was right before Winehouse blew up, so she played in a tent, and she rocked the joint. My friend was tripping out at the male backup singers, who were a lot of fun.

I remember on Letterman, Winehouse was in this little black dress and looked elegant with her beehive. At Coachella, it was cutoff jean shorts and a wife beater, but still the beehive. Kinda awesome.

She was a lot of fun and such a great voice.

Wow, it was just special. I’ve been to Coachella 10 consecutive years, and Winehouse was the first in this run.

Bands I’d like to see at Coachella 2017 who haven’t been there before

PHOENIX (2010)

On 2010, there was a volcano that forced several European bands to cancel because they couldn’t get a flight.

Luckily, the French band was already in America, but their lighting people didn’t make it.

So before the show, they apologized, but said they will do their best.

Well, we didn’t miss the lights because they put on a fantastic show.

They performed on the Outdoor Stage, so this was before their 2013 headlining set.

I have always said I love energy bands, and they generate it. But it’s not overt. They intrigue me with their certain je ne sais quoi.

 

VINTAGE TROUBLE (2013)

A rhythm and blues band that shreds so hard, you would think they’re on a mission from God.

Not a lot of people know them, but their music is fun, fast and furious.

They’re a great live band led by Ty Taylor, a force as a front man.

It’s old school and their kind of music is the roots of everything we love.

 

MARK RONSON (2008)

No one had any idea what this show was going to be line. Mark Ronson was just known as the producer of Amy Winehouse’s breakout CD “Back to Black,” and wasn’t a singer.

What he put together was a stirring show of jazzy, bluesy and soulful numbers

Joining him on stage were a bunch of great singers. One that stuck with me is Sam Sparro, as it was the first time I heard his hit “Black and Gold.”

FLORENCE + THE MACHINE (2015)

I saw Florence two times at Coachella, but picked her most recent performance because of her surprising effectiveness.

I had tickets to Weekend 2, and the week before she had broken her foot jumping off the stage.

So Florence did her whole show from a chair, and was a captivating show. It’s also a testament to her voice and songwriting.

One of the surprises was her having Father John Misty as they sang, of course, “Love Hurts.”

A performance from Florence + The Machine that will bring you to tears

 

FITZ AND THE TANTRUMS (2012)

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One of my favorite bands, this was their debut at Coachella. Playing on the main stage, Fitz and the Tantrums captivated in support of their debut album.

I had caught them several times, and each time, they gave a great performance. I really admired the professionalism of the whole band to insure the put on a great show each time because they toured a lot. But the energy was always high.

This was at the tail end of their touring to support “Pickin’ Up The Pieces,” their debut CD. It was during this show where they gave a sneak peak performance of “Out Of My League,” which would be the first hit from their next CD, “More Than Just A Dream.”

 

CAPITAL CITIES (2014)

The energy was crazy for this set.

Capital Cities came out in colorful blazers, belted out numerous danceable hits and had a trumpet player that was fantastic.

They were so fun.

 

Honorable mentions: CAGE THE ELEPHANT (2009), SHE AND HIM (2010), WOLF GANG (2012), TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB (2013), NEW ORDER (2013), GROUPLOVE (2012), MADNESS (2012), HOCKEY (2010), FOSTER THE PEOPLE (2014), AC/DC (2015), JACK WHITE (2015), HAERTS (2015)

It’s time to talk about Novak Djokovic as one of the greatest ever in tennis

Posted on by ginnandtopics

By Leighton Ginn

After winning the French Open, it’s time to put Novak Djokovic into the conversation of the greatest players ever in tennis whether you want to or not.

His resume at this point in his career is just stellar.

  • Third man to hold all four Grand Slam singles titles in one year, joining Rod Laver, who did it twice in 1962 and ’69, and Don Budge in ’38
  • One of eight men to have the career Grand Slam, which was also accomplished by Andre Agassi, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Roy Emerson and Fred Perry.
  • Djokovic’s 12 major titles ties him with Roy Emerson. He only trails Federer (17), Nadal (14) and Pete Sampras (14).

There are some other intangibles to consider with Djokovic.

Only Djokovic and Laver won their Grand Slams in the open era, which began in 1968.

Am I the only one surprised at the lack of hype over Novak Djokovic’s possible Nole Slam?

Djokovic came of age during the Golden Age of tennis with Federer and Nadal, the two winningest players in tennis when it comes to major titles. And they’re still playing … well, when healthy.

It’s funny how underplayed Djokovic is. He isn’t embraced as Federer and Nadal. It seems like Djokovic’s four straight majors snuck up on people, where there was a lot of hoopla with Serena Williams with the same accomplishment last year.

But his results are hard to overlook.

Many of his major titles have come by having to beat Federer, Nadal and Andy Murray — all certain Hall of Famers.

It has become a much deeper debate on who is the greatest of all time.

But if Djokovic continues to play at this high level, he could put an end to the debate.

French Open men’s preview: History will be made, but by who?

Achieving the Nole Slam gives Djokovic an argument point over Federer and Nadal since they never won four in a row. And neither has all-time greats like Bjorn Borg, Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe, Boris Becker, Stefan Edberg, etc.

If Djokovic completes the classic Grand Slam, it would be an epic achievement. He would only be No. 2 in terms of total major wins, but a Grand Slam in the Open era would give him a huge edge.

Right now, Djokovic has won five of the past six major titles. If Djokovic wins the next two, he would tie Don Budge for most consecutive Grand Slam titles with six. Remember, Budge’s came in the amateur era of 1937-38.

Djokovic would have to be the favorite to win Wimbledon and the US Open as of now. And there’s also the Olympics, which could give him a Golden Slam.

That’s not to say Djokovic doesn’t have some tough oppositions. Andy Murray has been challenging Djokovic in several finals and is one of the best on clay. Stan Wawrinka can be dangerous at the US Open, and Federer and Nadal will always be dangerous even if they are both coming off injuries.

But accept it. Djokovic is an all-time great who has a chance to become the greatest in a short amount of time.