8/5/08: Wow, where to begin? Last night really was one of the most special nights of my professional life. After a couple months of anticipation, the 25th Anniversary event is in the books, and what a night it was. Never in a million years could I ever have imagined a day would come that Judas Priest would be playing a private show for me, and that's exactly what has happened. The day started for me with a limo ride into NYC. With me in the car were my Mom and Dad and my good friend Mike Piazza. As we came through Times Square I saw the marquee of the Hard Rock with my name and a congratulations message and it really hit that this was actually happening. Amazing feeling. We entered the back of the Hard Rock where I had a quick look at Priest's stage set up before doors open. Johnny then took me to the red carpet reception area where there was a huge banner with my logo on it. Once the doors opened it was all a blur. Fans, friends and artists came streaming in and I had a chance to greet many of them. It was a scene I could have never imagined as about 20 photographers snapped away at me and my guests that walked the red carpet. Jim Florentine and Don Jamieson handled video interviews with many of the artists as well. Everything, including Priest's set, was filmed professionally with a 4 camera shoot. After about an hour reception out front I was taken to the backstage area where the surprise of the night took place. Many of my close friends in the world of comedy were standing there, as was Piazza, so I knew something was up! When Don, Jim, Craig Gass, Jim Breuer, Billy Mira and Jim Norton are in a group you know things are about to get stupid! I was standing backstage so I really could not hear or see what they all did, but I'm sure it was funny. Then Piazza came out and introed me to the crowd after saying a few words. Then the surprise; a huge video screen comes down and what was essentially an Eddie Trunk roast took place! An entire video tribute was put together by my good friend Erik Luftglass over the last few months and I had no idea! This video will be posted on this site soon, so you can all see it. It featured Chris Jericho, Don & Jim, UFO, Tesla, Ratt, Sabbath, Dio, Kip Winger, Trixter, David Ellefson, Judas Priest, Triumph, Anthrax, Twisted Sister, Bret Michaels, Queensryche, Dream Theater and many others first taking shots at me in a roast style, then all saying some really amazing things about how they feel about me and congratulating me on the 25 years. Just awesome and I will keep this video as a great memory for life. I can not thank Erik enough for spending hours getting these interviews and putting it all together. It was an awesome surprise and there were also some Happy Birthday wishes thrown in (mine is 8/8). JJ and Eddie from Twisted Sister gave me a gift of a guitar signed by the entire band, and the Hard Rock gave me a guitar and amp signed by everyone at the event. After the video I took some time to say a few words to the crowd and thank some of the people who have supported me over the last 25 years. Then the main event, Judas Priest on stage in a club in front of 600 people! The stage was cleared and Priest took over and crushed! AMAZING seeing this band in this setting. Even more interesting was to see the guys perform out of stage clothes, in jeans and T shirts, really cool to see them loose and having fun. The guys would tell me later they had a great time being that close to a crowd and there was great energy on stage and in the audience. Priest played for about 45 minutes and did a set with an equal balance of album cuts and hits. I had no idea what they were going to play and didn't want to know in advance. They opened with "Electric Eye" into "Metal Gods". How can you top that!?!? Then "Devils Child", INSANE! From there it was "Breaking The Law", "Hell Patrol", "Green Manalishi" and "Another Thing Coming". The band was called back out for an encore and slammed into "Hell Bent For Leather". Halford thanked me several times during the set and called me up to the stage just before the last song of the regular set "Another Thing Coming". There I was standing on stage with Priest, unreal. Halford gave me the mic and had me trade off his signature audience call and response before the song. Then Glen Tipton came over and offered me his guitar in a gesture to play with them! I had to decline since I don't know how to play a note, but damn I wish I did!!! Between the guitars as gifts and the chance to jam with Priest, it might be time to take lessons. The band just killed. They played great and Rob sang unreal hitting every high note. If you were lucky enough to be there you saw something really special. Legends in a club setting at a private show. After the show I once again thanked the band and fans and did my best to make the rounds and see some friends. The whole thing almost felt like a wedding for me in that there is all this build up, and then it went by in a flash and there were so many people you wanted to talk to but missed. After the show I hung out with Priest and many guests backstage. The band could not have been cooler and the vibes were great all around. One funny moment nobody knows about is that my good friend Ace Frehley was there, but missed everything! I had called Ace several times warning him not to be late. He walked in around 10PM and saw me on stage and walked right backstage thinking I was bringing Priest on. As I walked off from thanking everyone Ace was standing at the bottom of the stage stairs, said hi, and asked when Priest was starting. He thought I was bringing them on and he was bummed when I explained the night had ended and he missed them. He did hang for a bit backstage then split. Classic Ace! I thank him still for showing up and lending his support, but he missed everything. Off the top of my head here are a few of the artists that joined me in my celebration. I'm sure I'm forgetting some and much more will come to me, but in the house from what I can remember were; Mike Piazza, Ace Frehley, Don Jamieson, Craig Gass, Jim Norton, Jim Breuer, Jim Florentine, Richard Christy, Bumblefoot, Mike Portnoy, Scott Rockenfield, Geoff Tate, Glenn Hughes, Tony Iommi, Ronnie James Dio, Geezer Butler, Vinnie Appice, Carmine Appice, David Ellefson, Gilby Clarke, Frank Bello, Dan Nelson, Russell Allen, Vito Bratta, Jesse Malin, Danny Sage, Johnny Kelly, Bobby Blitz Ellsworth, Kenny Dubman, Scott Metaxes, Russell Arcara and I'm sure others I am forgetting that will come to me. I didn't even get to see everyone, but most I had a quick hello with, it was pretty crazy. It was so great to have so many of my close friends there. A TON of photos, video and more are all coming exclusively to this site. Keep checking back as stuff will start being added daily. My SINCERE thanks to John Pasquale, Dave Miller and everyone at the Hard Rock Cafe NYC. Great people, great venue and I can't thank them enough for providing me a perfect place to do great events in the heart of the greatest city in the world! Thanks to Erik Luftglass, so much support and the video was incredible. Erik and I have worked together on various levels over the years and he always is in my corner. He now works for my website and is a big reason for the upgrades among other things. Speaking of the site, thanks to Rich and Keith and all at PAID. Thank you JUDAS PRIEST! I will forever be in their debt for what they have done for me. To have a band of this stature offer to do this for free, with no ego or bullshit, and to acknowledge what I have done like they did is amazing. Thank you Glen, KK, Rob, Scott and Ian. Also thanks to Jayne Andrews and Priest management for making this a reality. Thanks to our sponsor Legends Harley in Ledgewood NJ. None of this could have happened without the people I just mentioned. Also thank to Punctual Pickups for providing first class transportation. If your looking for great car service at a great price, and a company that gets the rock and roll lifestyle, call them at 201-569-6376. I also want to thank all the PR firms that helped including Coyne PR, Kayos Productiosn, Adrenaline PR, and Chipster PR. A sincere thanks to all the program directors who believed in what I do and have kept me on air for 25 years. Special thanks to Bob Buchmann at my current NYC home Q104.3. Bob rescued my show in NYC back in 2002 and put it on Q where it still lives. Bob is leaving the station and I wish him well and thank him for truly getting what I'm about and letting me be me. Thanks to all the amazing artists over the years, many who have become great friends. Its a two way street, they support me, I support them, and when it works like that its awesome and I appreciate it. Also thanks to VH1, VH1 Classic and MSG Network. I appreciate all that have given me opportunities in TV. Great to be a part of MSG Network and great to be coming back to VH1 Classic. Also thanks to my family. My wife who deals with all the crazy stuff in my schedule and life with no drama, and my parents who took me to my first Priest show and were both at the event Monday. Kind of sureal to see my Mom and Dad rocking to Priest, and then to see them in the bands dressing room after the show before I even got there talking to the guys! Also thanks to Chris, Michelle and Cathy at The Aquarian for the awesome cover story which you can link to from my home page. My current assistants on the radio shows Andrew Ramsingh and Holly Lucian, and all that were there before them. Also thanks to Dana Rosen and all that contribute to make this site what it is. Most of all thanks to YOU! I would be NOTHING without the amazing support of my audience. I thank you all greatly. So much more to talk abouit, so much video and photos coming. We will also cover everything on air this weekend on the radio. I'll also see you at PNC and Jones Beach this weekend for the full Metal Masters Tour. After the little taste of Priest last night, can not wait for the full assault! Thanks to all for an amazing night. Everyone that was there has been raving about how special it was. I hope I can do it another 25!