Today's Rock Stars

A slow stretch

2007-04-11T21:26:00.000-07:00

Hmm, two straight days and no non-rock star rock stars to be found. Perhaps I've done my job too well.

Monday, April 9, 2007

2007-04-09T20:20:00.000-07:00

Today's rock star is:

Albert Einstein, Theoretical Physicist
"'Einstein's personality, for no clear reasons, triggers outbursts of a kind of mass hysteria,' the German consul reported to Berlin as the great man made one of his rock-star visits to New York."
New York Times

In an article in the New York Newsday, some guy named Todd Shapiro says "I feel like a rock star - people are stopping me in the street and thanking me for opening a shoe store." I'm sorry, Todd, you just can't claim yourself a rock star. That's like trying to give yourself your own nickname. As far as this blog is concerned you are not a rock star.

Sunday, April 8, 2007

2007-04-08T20:28:00.000-07:00

Today's rock star is:

Jimmy "Moose" Wallace, High school football coach, South Carolina
"Moose Wallace was Lewisville's head football coach and athletics director. He was like a rock star to the fine folks in the Richburg area."
The Herald (Rock Hill, South Carolina)

For the first time, I could not find an image for a rock star. I guess this Moose Wallace is a bit of a recluse, a Sly Stone sort.

Saturday, April 7, 2007

2007-04-08T20:26:00.000-07:00

Today's rock stars are:

Clinton Kelly, Television personality
"Practical advice delivered with snark has given Kelly rock star status among fans of the U.S. version of What Not to Wear, a fashion makeover show that began in Britain"
St. Petersburg Times

Rahul Gandhi, Parliament of India
"With state elections to start Saturday, his part rock star, part royalty road show raced through the heart of Uttar Pradesh this week in an effort to raise party morale."
New York Times

Friday, April 8, 2007

2007-04-08T20:22:00.000-07:00

Today's rock stars are:

Daisuke Matsuzaka, Pitcher, Boston Red Sox
"He was a rock star in spikes -- and spiked hair -- all spring in Florida, but Thursday was the first real test of whether all the hype was justified."
Hartford Courant

Mei Lan, Panda Bear
"Alas, that's been our experience over the past few months with Mei Lan, Zoo Atlanta's baby panda rock star, who somehow prefers sleep to media attention."
Atlanta Journal Constitution

Since when have rock stars been so irresistibly cute and cuddly?

Thursday, April 5, 2007

2007-04-05T21:46:00.000-07:00

Today's rock stars are:

None.

All my searches turn up negative today. The only rock stars mentioned today are actual rock stars--Keith Richards is getting a lot of press this week--and that's it. As usual, I take Friday and Saturday off and come back with a triple update on Sunday. There's bound to be a relief pitcher or a city councilman somewhere rocking out by then.

Wednesday, April 4, 2007

2007-04-04T21:13:00.000-07:00

Today's rock stars are:

Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, Professional Golfers
"They are the rock stars, and everyone else is just playing in the band."
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Rudy Giuliani, Former Mayor, New York City/U.S. Presidential Candidate
"'We'll see whether they're really interested in courting this constituency or whether they think this rock-star treatment' Giuliani receives on the campaign-trail will carry over, Scheffler said recently."
Newsday

Chefs
"In an age where chefs are celebrities and a regular TV gig turns the classically trained and mere personalities alike into culinary rock stars, the shortage of chefs of African descent is noteworthy if only by their striking absence. "
Chicago Sun-Times

Rudy Giuliani remains the only Republican rock star presidential candidate. I don't know what this means, but it may be significant.

Tuesday, April 3, 2007

2007-04-03T18:46:00.000-07:00

Today's rock stars are:

Grant Hill, Christian Laettner and Bobby Hurley, former Duke basketball players, 1991-1992.
"Grant Hill, Christian Laettner and Bobby Hurley were rock stars in Durham just like these Gators are."
Hartford Courant

One last college basketball rock star here and then we can put it to bed for another year. It's time to move on to Major League Baseball rock stars.

And speaking of rock stars in sports, I found this little nugget during my daily search for the phrase "rock star." Registration for the Uganda soccer tournament, the Kakungulu Cup, ended this week. This tournament is open to all soccer clubs from professional to amateur, and, according to AllAfrica news, the lower-division teams registered this year include "Biharwe, Malaba Strikers, Kalububu Kobs, and Rock Stars." There's no doubt in my mind who I'm rooting for in the 2007 Kakungulu cup.

Monday, April 2, 2007

2007-04-02T18:09:00.000-07:00

Today's rock stars are:

Bill Gates, Chairman, Microsoft
"Bill Gates first visited Vietnam a year ago, when thousands of young Vietnamese greeted him like a rock star at a university where he spoke."
Associated Press

Theo Epstein, General Manager, Boston Red Sox
"They have a general manager, Theo Epstein, who is the closest thing you'll find to a front-office rock star."
Boston Globe

Arnold Schwarzenegger & Fabian Nunez, Governor and Speaker of the Assembly, California
"Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez received rock star-like affection worldwide for their work on landmark greenhouse gas legislation last year."
San Francisco Chronicle

There are more rock stars in business, sports, and politics than there are in pop music.

Sunday, April 1, 2007

2007-04-01T19:12:00.000-07:00

Today's rock star is:

Peter Dundas, Creative Director, Emanuel Ungaro
"Last week, Dundas was treated like a rock star in Los Angeles."
San Francisco Chronicle

BUT NOT
Christopher Dodd, U.S. Senator, Connecticut/Presidential Candidate
"He isn't married to a former president, never won the vice presidential nomination and is no rock star."
Los Angeles Times

We have yet to find out what these sort of not-rock star mentions do to one's career. What is interesting is that only politicians seem to be singled as not rock stars.You never see a human interest story about a popular chemistry teach or local canoe builder go out of its way to say its subject is not a rock star.

Saturday, March 31, 2007

2007-04-01T19:05:00.000-07:00

Today's rock star is:

Henry VIII, Former King, England
"It seems almost a no-brainer to turn the early days of Henry VIII's 16th century court into a sleek, well-produced soap opera. After all, it's a story with intrigue, philandering, death - and a virile, young rock star of a monarch."
St. Petersburg Times

If you ask me, Hans Holbein painted a terrible likeness of Jonathan Rhys-Meyers.

Friday, March 30. 2007

2007-04-01T18:49:00.000-07:00

Henry VIII, Former King, England
"Bergin says, 'Henry was the rock star of his time ... with garments cut close to the body to accentuate his physique. He was the Mick Jagger of his day.'"
San Francisco Chronicle

David Carr, unemployed quarterback
"He arrived in Houston a rock star. Carr, the No. 1 pick in the 2002 draft, had the total package: good looks, a beautiful wife, a nice-guy personality and talent."
Houston Chronicle

A guy who couldn't even keep a job with the Houston Texans gets the same metaphorical treatment as the man who created the Church of England.

2007-03-29T20:58:00.000-07:00

Today's rock star is:

Douglas Wilder, former Governor, Virginia
"Presidential hopeful Barack Obama has his throngs of groupies, but during an appearance Tuesday at a political fundraiser in Roanoke, Doug Wilder showed that he is the original "rock star" politician."
Roanoke Times (Virginia)

So there we have it, this whole comparing politicians to rock stars is all Doug Wilder's doing. Evidently.

Wednesday, March 28. 2007

2007-03-28T23:02:00.000-07:00

Today's rock stars are:

Danica Patrick, IndyCar driver
"Patrick's near rock-star status derives not only from her driving ability but her Hollywood looks, which promoters don't hesitate to play up"
St. Petersburg Times (Florida)

Joakim Noah, University of Florida Basketball
"But Noah's six-game performance in the NCAA tournament afforded him rock-star status in Gainesville"
Washington Post

Teletubbies, television personalities.
"The Teletubbies - Tinky-Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po - arrived like rock stars Monday in New York."
Houston Chronicle

Yes, the Teletubbies are rock stars. And, yes, they are better on acid.

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

2007-03-27T22:24:00.000-07:00

Today's rock stars are:

Barack Obama, U.S. Senator, Illinois/U.S. Presidential Candidate
"'The "rock star" thing is definitely real,' state Sen. Curt Thompson (D-Tucker) said as Obama worked the room, referring to the excitement the first-term senator from Illinois has generated as he tours the country."
Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Rev. Dennis Meredith, Tabernacle Baptist Church, Atlanta
"A compelling orator with the voice and showmanship of a stadium-rock star, Mr. Meredith quickly began to draw more new members. "
New York Times

Barack Obama is slowing gaining on first place in the rock star race. Al Gore's speech to Congress last week will be the mark of his rock star pinnacle. Don't be surprised if we don't see another Al Gore mention here for a while.

Monday, March 26, 2007

2007-03-26T19:40:00.000-07:00

Today's rock stars are:

Marshall Goldsmith, Executive Coach
"And his celebrity status as a coach -- Forbes called him a "rock star" -- allows him to charge $250,000 per engagement to teach some of the world's most successful executives how to become better bosses."
Chicago Tribune

Peter Max, Psychedelic graphic artist.
"Max was in town to launch an exhibit of his works when we caught up with the rock star of graphic arts"
Houston Chronicle

A nice pair of smiles from today's rock stars.

Sunday, March 25, 2007

2007-03-25T17:43:00.000-07:00

Today's rock stars are:

Kobe Bryant, Guard/Cheap shot thrower, Los Angeles Lakers
"A 29-year-old rock star had become only the second player in the history of the NBA to score at least 50 points in four consecutive games."
New Orleans Times Picayune

Judge Rana Bhagwandas, Acting chief justice, Supreme Court of Pakistan.
"He has been treated as something of a rock star since his return a few days ago from a visit to India. Cameras and reporters surround him wherever he goes."
Los Angeles Times

That's two days in a row for Kobe Bryant, both from the New Orleans Times Picayune. Evidently, ball hogging makes one a rock star.

Saturday, March 24, 2007

2007-03-25T17:38:00.000-07:00

Today's rock stars are:

Kobe Bryant, Guard/Dirty cheat, Los Angeles Lakers
"Kobe Bryant walked into the New Orleans Arena before Friday night's game like a rock star, with cameramen following behind him and security guards hustling in front to clear his path to the locker room."
New Orleans Times-Picayune

Aliya Deri, Spelling-beeist/Middle school student
"Aliya, from Pleasanton, was featured in "American Bee," and her success, and TV face time, have turned her into a bit of a spelling rock star along the Interstate 680 corridor."
San Francisco Chronicle

Thursday, March 22, 2007

2007-03-22T18:20:00.000-07:00

Today's rock stars are:

Barack Obama, U.S. Senator, Illinois/U.S. Presidential Candidate
"He's received a rock star's welcome on the campaign trail, drawing throngs of supporters."
Associated Press

Al Gore, Former Vice President, United States
"'Gore's a rock star now. He's got an Oscar,' said Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-Queens)."
New York Post
"Nevertheless, lawmakers treated him like a rock star on Capitol Hill yesterday."
Washington Times

That's two more rock star citings for Al Gore. The man can not stop the rock. Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-Queens) seems to have gotten his metaphor confused. Rock stars don't win Oscars.

Believe it or not, it's been over two weeks since Barack Obama has been seen here. His last citing was on March 7 and he was losing ground fast to Hillary Clinton. The winner of the Democratic nomination will be the one at the top of the rock star rankings in 2008. Right now, Clinton and Obama would both lose to Joakim Noah.

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

2007-03-21T18:45:00.000-07:00

Today's rock stars are:

Tony Stewart, NASCAR driver
"'It's so much fun racing with the best in the business, and Tony Stewart is certainly that. He's a rock star,' (Jimmie Johnson) said."
Associated Press

Joakim Noah, Forward, University of Florida basketball
"'Joakim Noah has a better chance of reaching his fullest potential because of what he had to deal with this year, going from a complete unknown to a guy who is like a rock star,' (Billy) Donovan said."
International Herald Tribune

Ira Glass, Radio personality, National Public Radio
" 'Ira Glass is a master of this genre,' said Bob Greenblatt, Showtime's president of entertainment. 'He's sort of an institution, a kind of rock star of the intelligent set.'"
Los Angeles Times

Al Gore, Former Vice President, United States
"Gore's sudden rock-star appeal is testimony to the buzz-making power of the Oscar awarded last month to the documentary An Inconvenient Truth."
USA Today

Joakim Noah and Al Gore are big enough rock stars now that they could get together and form their own supergroup. Crosby, Stills & Nash, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Gore & Noah. It could work.

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

2007-03-20T20:27:00.000-07:00

Today's rock stars are:

Anand Jon, Fashion designer
"He was born in India (where he continues to have something of a rock-star following) and was a fixture on the Miami social scene in the 1990s, where according to Newsweek he met designer Gianni Versace."
Los Angeles Times

Newt Gingrich, Former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives
"At CPAC, he was treated like a rock star, drawing a long standing ovation from more than 1,200 people packed into a ballroom."
Washington Times

This Anand Jon guy, with his flowing locks and piercing stare, definitely looks the part. But only the Washington Times could possibly try to claim Newt Gingrich as a rock star. I mean, real rock stars are often very happy to get what Newt Gingrich wanted to impeach Bill Clinton for.

Monday, March 19. 2007

2007-03-19T19:11:00.000-07:00

Today's rock stars are:

Joel Zumaya, pitcher, Detroit Tigers
"Right-handed reliever Joel Zumaya is approaching rock star status with the Detroit Tigers."
Associated Press

And

Glenn Brackett, Fishing rod builder,
"The Boo Boys (boo is short for bamboo) have worked with him for years, and they treat him like a rock star."
Associated Press

But Not

Bill Richardson, Governor, New Mexico/U.S. Presidential Candidate

As reported by the Associated Press, Bill Richardson officially declares himself not a rock star. "I'm not a rock star, but I'm a solid candidate with the best credentials, and I'm going to outwork everybody," he says. Good luck with that, Bill.

Sunday, March 18, 2007

2007-03-18T20:55:00.000-07:00

Today's rock star is:

Joakim Noah, University of Florida basketball
"In Gainesville, he is treated like a rock star. "
St. Petersburg Times (Fla.)

Joakim Noah has just roared to the top of the rock star standings. Can anybody stop this guy? Butler?

Still noticeably absent--John Edwards. Come on, he's good looking, fairly charismatic--doesn't anybody think he is a rock star? I'm fairly certain that this time next year, the Democratic candidate sitting at the top of the rock star rankings will be coasting to the nomination.

Saturday, March 17, 2007

2007-03-18T20:51:00.000-07:00

Today's rock star is:

Al Gore, former Vice President, United States
"Mr Gore continues to enjoy a rock-star-like reception in the US and beyond."
The Courier Mail (Australia)

Al Gore's rock star status just doesn't fade away.

Friday, March 16, 2007

2007-03-18T20:35:00.000-07:00

Today's rock stars are:

The University of Florida basketball team
"They're rock stars on this campus now, as they should be," athletic director Jeremy Foley said, sitting in his office in Gainesville on a mid-February afternoon.
Baltimore Sun

NASCAR's top drivers
"And there's also the chance to associate with the sport's top drivers, who have reached a rock-star status of sorts in the 2000s. "
Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Atlanta Journal-Constitutions tempers the rock star metaphor with the qualifier "of sorts." From the looks of current NASCAR leaders Mark Martin and Jeff Burton, the only athletes older than actual vintage rock stars are NASCAR drivers.