Orlando, Fla. – Hard Rock International – owner of one of the world’s most recognized and iconic brands – announces today it has entered into a long-term agreement with New Meadowlands Racetrack LLC. As part of this agreement, Hard Rock will make an equity investment in New Meadowlands Racetrack LLC, which extends to any projected future developments at the racetrack. “Hard Rock International has a long standing relationship and strong fan base in the state of New Jersey and we will continue to strengthen our presence through this collaboration with New Meadowlands Racetrack LLC,” said Jim Allen, chairman of Hard Rock International. “Our company welcomes this opportunity and looks forward to leveraging our brand to potentially expand the region’s gaming offerings and sports betting through this alliance. We also believe this investment would sit comfortably alongside potential projects in the future, such as Atlantic City, in the event we establish a viable long-term entry plan for the market.”
West Springfield, Mass. – Hard Rock International – one of the world’s most-recognizable and iconic brands – is excited to announce Tim Maland, a seasoned executive in the resort and casino industry, as president of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino New England. In his new role, Maland will lead the pre-development efforts for the proposed resort casino, located on the Eastern States Exposition campus and if Hard Rock is successful in its bid, the operations of this new location. Maland will officially assume his role as president on Monday, April 22 and will be present at the West Springfield community meeting on Wednesday, April 24. “I am thrilled to lead Hard Rock Hotel & Casino New England in its mission to deliver an iconic entertainment destination in Western Massachusetts,” states Tim Maland, president of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino New England. “I look forward to immersing myself into the community, getting to know the people and businesses of West Springfield and its surrounding region, and ensuring the success of the Hard Rock brand in New England.”
04.24: On this day in 1992 David Bowie married fashion model Iman in Switzerland. And they are still married! This shatters our theory about the unspoken rocker/supermodel marriage rule of "use 'em and lose 'em" (see Billy Joel/Christie Brinkley, Axl Rose/Erin Everly, Rod Stewart/Rachel Hunter, et al). But, in this instance, at least, it's okay because this coupleis probably one of the most stunning creatures ever to wander Earth. They'll probably rule us all one day soon, and we're okay with that. We'll forgive them their transgressions against the unspoken rule.
04.26: On this day in 1982 Rod Stewart was mugged and robbed at gun point in broad daylight on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles. The object of the gunman’s affection? Stewart’s $50,000 Porsche.
The word is a fine place and worth fighting for, sometimes the most simplest of gestures can make a big difference. Happy Earth Day 2013 - SAVE THE PLANET.
04.17: On this day in 1964, Maynard James Keenan was born. If you're not a fan, then you probably can't place the name, but Maynard is the lead singer for two of the most popular rock bands of the past 20 years, from the tribal art metal of Tool to the tight rock production of A Perfect Circle. With Tool, Maynard melded arty prog rock with a vibrant and intense metal soul. We first took notice when MTV started playing the disturbingly awesome video (remember when they played videos?) for Tool's masterpiece "Sober," a stop-motion animated romp through a landscape of tortured souls and nightmares. With A Perfect Circle, Maynard found a group with whom he could loosen up a little bit, with a little bit being the operative words. While A Perfect Circle isn't exactly light listening, it's darkness doesn't run quite as dark as Tool, and the melodies are a bit more prevalent, a little more at the front. Just compare Tool's "Sober" with A Perfect Circle's "Judith" and you get a hint of what we're babbling about. We love Maynard because he's been known to show up on stage in his birthday suit, singing his little heart out, and he also owns a winery in Arizona. The guy's just awesome. Happy birthday, Maynard! 04.17: On this day in 1970, Johnny Cash performed at the White House at the request of President Nixon. Apparently, having just given a name to the "War On Drugs," Nixon wasn't aware of Cash's heavy drug use or the deep contrasts between Cash's left-leaning politics and Nixon's right wing stances. Nixon requested that Cash play Merle Haggard's "Okie From Muskogee" (a satire, though Nixon didn't know this, of small town mores and one of the most misunderstood songs out there) and "Welfare Cadillac" (a deeply derisive song about welfare recipients), but Cash declined, citing his unfamiliarity with the songs. Instead, Cash sang a couple of his own tunes and a cover song about a mistreated Native-American WWII veteran. We bet Nixon loved that one.
04.09: On this day in 1997, hard rock group Soundgarden announced their breakup. Born out of the rock scene in Seattle, Washington, the band is best known for radio hits “Spoonman” and “Black Hole Sun”. 2010, however, saw the announcement that the band would be getting back together for a reunion. They played a handful of shows, including a headlining spot at Lollapalooza in Chicago. In early 2011, the band announced the release of their first ever live album, plus a new studio album, which saw the light of day in 2012 and also saw the headling Hard Rock Calling in London's Hyde Park. We were stoked to bask in live Soundgarden again. Even though they've been lumped in with the Seattle grunge bands, Soundgarden is really a hard rock/metal band. They were doing their thing long before Pearl Jam or Nirvana formed, and they had their sound solidified by the time the scene exploded in late '91. Soundgarden rocks every which way and loose.
Now in it's 38th year, WhyHunger continues to build the movement to end hunger and poverty in this country and around the world. This annual dinner will be a music-filled celebration of the work of partners and friends and will recognize Yoko Ono Lennon, Patrick Sullivan and RightsFlow, and this year’s Harry Chapin Self Reliance Award Winners. The lineup of musical guests will be announced in the coming weeks. For more info click here. TAKE TIME TO BE KIND.
Hard Rock Cafe Honolulu "Local Ambassadors" went to Shriner’s hospital to spread the aloha with the patients. For to support Shriner's Hospital in Honolulu click here. Mahalo - ALL IS ONE.
04.03: On this day in 1969 Jim Morrison turned himself over to the FBI on six charges of lewd behavior and public exposure at The Doors March 1st Miami show from that same year. Though nobody is really sure what happened the night of the concert, the authorities in attendance didn't seem to find anything wrong with the show, other than Jim's general lack of enthusiasm for being there. Many police even hung out backstage after the show, yukkin' it up and having a good time. It wasn't until a review of the show appeared in the Miami Herald two days later, stating that Morrison had exposed himself (nobody really saw anything, but Jim said he exposed himself, asking the crowd, "Did you see it?") and hurled indecent epithets about the auditorium, that the good ol' decency patrol really got their motors revving. With the cops having to explain why they just sat around and let Morrison expose himself and attempt to incite a riot, the city of Miami hastily issued an arrest warrant for The Lizard King. He'd eventually be put on trial and found guilty of profanity and indecent exposure. This incident would prove to be the beginning of a very tumultuous time for The Doors, leading to the cancellation of many shows, to long breaks from recording (they'd still put out, however, Morrison Hotel and L.A. Woman), to Jim's ramping up of his spoken word recordings, and to Jim eventually moving to Paris in March of '71, to escape everything that'd been going. He died in Paris four months later, of a drug overdose.