5 Reasons for Rockers to Be Thankful This Year

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, here's a few things that rockers can be grateful for this year.

1.  Classic artists are still going strong.  Many legendary rockers released comeback albums this year.  Among the best:  David Bowie's "The Next Day", Black Sabbath's "13", Paul McCartney's "New", Sting's "The Last Ship" and John Fogerty's "Wrote a Song for Everyone"

2.  2014 is gonna be even better.  Next year, we're looking forward to new albums and tours from U2, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Seeger and AC/DC.  Plus, rumor has it the Rolling Stones will hit the road again for a massive 50th Anniversary Tour.

3.  Rush and Heart finally get inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  Just two of the many deserving artists got enshrined at long last.  As corrupt at the Hall of Fame is, they are slowly coming around.  KISS, Yes, Deep Purple and Peter Gabriel are among the nominees for next year's class.  Of course, they all should have been inducted a long time ago.

4.  Rock icons beat cancer.  When legendary Black Sabbath axeman Toni Iommi was diagnosed last year, most thought the highly anticipated Sabbath reunion album would be doomed.  Somehow, Iommi managed to record the critically acclaimed "13" while undergoing chemotherapy and went on to perform the entire tour without missing a date.  Def Leppard guitarist Vivian Campbell was also able to remain on the road while battling cancer and was recently given a clean bill of health by his doctors.  We're hoping that Fleetwood Mac bassist Jon McVie has similar results after his recent diagnosis.

5.  Rock meets Hollywood.  The recent trend of awesome rock documentaries continued this year with films such as "Journey:  Don't Stop Believing", "The History of the Eagles", Dave Grohl's "Sound City Studios", and the story of the infamous "Muscle Shoals" studios.   There was also many great concert films, including Metallica's "Through the Never", Def Leppard's "Viva Hysteria" and Rush's "Clockwork Angels Tour".  Several big budget theatrical releases are also in the works, including big budget movie productions based on Kurt Cobain, Freddie Mercury and Jimi Hendrix.

Of course, here at the Hawk we are thankful for all of the great listeners who have helped make us the #1 rock station in Billings.  Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours from us and ours.