Ozzy Osbourne, "The Prince of Darkness", passes away at the age of 76

"The Prince of Darkness", a psychotic madman on stage, Ozzy Osbourne. Whatever you choose to call him, you knew him by name and by reputation. He was the iconic vocalist for legendary British metal band Black Sabbath, a successful solo artist and a loving family man. He passed away yesterday morning at the age of 76, just weeks after his, now literally, final show

His family issued a statement that reads "It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning. He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time." In 2020, it was revealed that he was suffering from Parkinson's Disease after having a fall. He was almost always wearing all black or he was bare chested on stage. He was often the primary target of concerned parents groups for the imagery in his music and on stage. He was most famous for the incident where he bit the head off of a bat. Later on, he would reveal another side to him. A loving family man with a comical side

Black Sabbath's 1969 debut album has been credited, by some, as the Big Bang of heavy metal. This also led to the band's other nickname, The Godfathers of British Heavy Metal. It was made during the height of the Vietnam War and added a bit of doom to the hippie culture. The music was doom-laden, ominous and signaled a change in the music industry

Sam Moore, the man behind "Soul Man" is gone at 89

This iconic jazz singer, behind such monstrously massive hits like "Hold On, I'm Coming" and "Soul Man", is gone at 89

He was one part of the soul duo Sam & Dave. The news was broken by a reporter named Roger Friedman. He stated that the cause of death was complications while recovering from surgery. Moore was born in 1935 in Miami, Florida. He started out his music career singing gospel music. An encounter with Dave Prater was like destiny. This chance encounter would prove beneficial for both of them. They formed Sam & Dave in 1961.

Four years later, they hit massive success with "You Don't Know Like I Do." After that, it was one successful song after another, including the hugely successful 1966 song "Hold On! I'm Comin'", the 1966 song "You Got Me Hummin'", 1967's "When Something is Wrong with My Baby", 1967's "Soul Man" (featured in The Blues Brothers films), 1968's "I Thank You".

Despite their popularity in the music world, both Moore and Prater had a bad relationship. They broke up in 1970 and each went their own way. Moore was due to release an album in 1971 produced by King Curtis, but unfortunately Curtis was murdered and the album was never released. Moore struggled with addiction to heroin, once admitting he would be "in my apartment putting a needle into my arm" when it came time to make music. The material of Sam & Dave got recognition later on thanks to The Blues Brothers, who used the song "Soul Man". Legendary Texas rockers ZZ Top even covered "I Thank You" on their 1979 Deguello album. These two instances helped reignite interest in Sam & Dave.

After the renewed interest in their music, the duo reunited, lasting until Dec. 31, 1981, their final performance. Their last and final split was not pleasant. In a 2002 interview with SFGate, Moore stated "When I left him 1981, I told him I wanted to get off [drugs] and then we could play some specials or something like that. But he was so hurt he went and got an impostor and called it Sam & Dave. Word got out that I was dead or had throat cancer or that I had retired. All kinds of stuff. So from that time until Dave died in 1988, I hadn't spoken to him. That's how the whole thing played out."

Moore was able to get himself clean and sober and enjoy a new lease on life. Sam & Dave were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1992, the same year he put his creative work on Bruce Springsteen's Human Touch album. 2002 saw the release of Plenty Good Lovin', the album he'd made with King Curtis years ago. It did incredibly well. Four years later, he released another album called Overnight Sensational, featuring collaborations with Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, Mariah Carey, Eric Clapton, Paul Rodgers, Steve Winwood and Billy Gibbons.

What TSA first notices about you

Ah, the glorious TSA. They are the first line of defense for both leaving the airport on your destination and coming back. Only with coming back, you have to pass through the gauntlet known as Homeland Security or whatever that type of security is known as in other countries. They are there to ensure you are bringing nothing suspicious back. When going through the airport to find your terminal, you enter the first line of defense-TSA! Simply put, make sure you do what you are supposed to, be upcoming and honest, cooperate and everyone wins. Just understand they have a job to do and as a responsible traveler, it's your job to ensure you follow their rules. According to Reader's Digest, here is what TSA notices about you.

Some of the people providing advice are experts. They include Mike Delgado, a TSO (transportation security officer) with 17 years experience under him, Jeffrey Price, a trainer for the American Association of Airport Executives, Richard Rozins, a former TSO officer and Sahara Rose De Vore, a coach in travel

Not listening

-No matter what time it is that you're going through the airport, whether it be your first trip or 100th trip, you need to obey and listen to what the TSO's are saying. If you're not listening, they have to repeat it, which wastes time. Follow the instructions to ensure a smooth transition. Mike Delgado says "People not paying attention is my top pet peeve and we definitely notice if you're not listening-because you mess up and we have to explain it again, which wastes everyone's time.  Throughout the TSA area, there are signs posted in multiple languages. Simply put, it pays to listen. It makes TSA's job 100% easier

Offering gifts

-This is a no no

-Since you can't take the Red Bull or bottle of liquor you got from the hotel through security, why not give it to TSA? This is a bad idea. TSA or TSO, depending on how you want to refer to them since they both mean the same thing, cannot accept gifts. Delgado says "We actually aren't allowed to accept anything free from anyone in the airport, including vendors, because it can look like a bribe. And don't ever tell me, 'just take it quick, no one will see' because there are cameras covering every square inch and I will get in trouble. Accepting a gift is one of the fastest ways to get fired." Don't keep insisting that they take a gift, because that can trigger a call for the supervisor to be present

Thinking you're special

-"If everyone else in front of you is emptying their pockets and taking off their shoes, then just by common sense, you should know you have to do it too." says Delgado. "Yet there are so many people who want us to give them special treatment. You're not special." There are some exceptions, such as breast milk being exempt from the "no liquids" rule, being inconvenienced for anything is not a good reason. Adding "Jeez, do I look like a terrorist to you?" will not help you as well. "We don't profile people, so you need to let go of this idea of what a terrorist looks like, not to mention a terrorist can look like anyone." You can ask the TSOs for clarification and they will gladly help you understand what is allowed and what is not allowed. Don't argue with them; with that, it will only make the situation worse. The TSA Precheck does not always exempt you from from the rules. It might save time, but it will not always clear you of following the rules. It only helps you get through security faster with shorter lines and more efficient processing. But you still have to go through the same rules of emptying pockets, taking off shoes, etc. just like everyone else. This is not made to annoy, this is made for security. Not just for your security, but the security of everyone, from TSA to the other passengers. Arguing with TSOs or TSA brings extra attention to you and they will pull you aside to do a thorough check on you

Fighting a pat down

-For some people, getting patted down might be awkward because they have something to hide or they don't like a stranger's hands on their body. For other people, it's part of traveling and they let the TSA people do their job. Simply put, don't fight it. Understand getting patted down is part of being a responsible traveler. "One of the biggest myths is that we do 'strip searches.' That's not a thing! People have seen too many movies, Hollywood always gets it wrong." says Mike Delgado. He is right; Hollywood does get it wrong. When a body search is done, it's because of the person is suspected of being a smuggler of something and the search will reveal if they have the item internally, inside the crevices of their body. These misconceptions just make people angry or nervous, forcing them to try and buck the pat down.

-Contrary to widely held belief, extra searches are not triggered by an item showing on the body scan are chosen, at random, by a computer. When you get selected, you are not a bad person or are you in trouble. So if you do get selected for a more thorough pat down or security, it's just the job of TSA to protect you, them and everyone else. The TSA officers do same-gender pat downs, so it's not a man patting down a woman or a woman patting down a man. As they do the pat down, they explain everything. If you prefer, you can also do a private pat down, where you will be taken to a private room and talk to a TSO in private. This often is a good way to let some form of authority know that you or someone you know is the victim of human trafficking or some form of sexual trafficking

Getting aggressive

-This is, in no way shape or form, the way to be at the airport. This is the last thing you want to do. Drawing attention to yourself at the airport by acting belligerent, angry or plain nasty throws up red flags. "It sends up a red flag, and TSA agents begin to wonder what the issue is." says Jeffrey Price, a former assistant director of security for the Denver Airport, and now a security trainer for the American Association of Airport Executives and a professor of airport management at Metropolitan State University of Denver. "If your flight has been delayed or canceled, don't let that put you in a tailspin." Mike Delgado adds that he's seen plenty of people go from cool and collected to losing their cool in every way and he doesn't take it personally. "We see a lot of crabby passengers, sometimes they'll call us names or whatever, and that doesn't bother me. I understand they're frustrated." When those same passengers start getting physical, such as pushing, throwing things, trying to get around the security measures or acting in any way that can lead to scary and unpredictable behavior, that's when tension goes up

-Price explains that TSA screeners look for behaviors that are inconsistent with typical passengers. So do your best to look cool, calm and collected. It's perfectly fine to be excited that you're going to a new destination. Even when airport issues pop up, don't let that get you down

Being overly talkative

-With TSA, this could be a red flag that something is going on. Resist the urge to make small talk. Jeffrey Price says "Many criminals try to avert the attention of security agents by using this approach. So being overly talkative may be a red flag." Avoid making small talk at all costs. Mike Delgado also adds "We appreciate it. Especially when the lines are short and we're not busy. Just be sure to keep the line moving, so don't stop to talk to us." It's important to find the right balance of communicating without making the TSA suspicious. Be courteous, polite, tell them thank you and overall having the right positive attitude does make a world of difference

Acting nervous

-Another red flag. Acting nervous and showing obvious nerves throws up another red flag to TSA. If your eyes are darting around, you're visibly sweaty, clearing your throat constantly, being fidgety, stammering / stuttering or breathing heavy / fast are signs of anxiety. You could be displaying these signs because you are flying and have a fear of flying. Or you may be nervous for another reason, a darker, more criminal-related reason. It's up to TSOs to determine that reason. TSA agents are trained to look for suspicious behavior and act as detective to get to the bottom of it. Anything they determine as suspicious they are trained to act upon. Delgado says "We won't pull you aside just for being nervous, but we may start to pay more attention to you. If things don't feel right, I'll call my supervisor and ask them to keep an eye on you, looking for additional red flags."

-This nervous behavior might also benefit you. Especially if there is a private concern you need to express with someone, especially someone with some form of authority. Delgado adds "There was a time a kid came through my line who was clearly very agitated, very nervous, so I went over to him and asked if he's okay. He whispered that he had a vape in his pocket but his parents didn't know he smokes and he didn't want to take it out for security. I offered him a private screening which he took me up on." People with fears of flying find ways to calm themselves, which includes meditation, visualizing a calm area prior to hitting the security area

Avoiding eye contact

-Another potential red flag. When you make eye contact with someone, this can often tell them they have your full attention. Avoiding eye contact could be suspicious or just mean that you're an introverted person. TSA agents are trained to read body language like a book. If they notice that you're avoiding eye contact, suddenly their suspicions go sky high. Richard Rozins, a former TSA officer, says "The eyes are the first place a TSA agent looks." "If you're unable to make eye contact with the TSA or TSO when being asked a question, it could mean you're avoiding or hiding something." says Price. Delgado adds "I may ask them a few more questions, about where they are traveling to or what they are doing, to get a feel." He also adds that this type of behavior also alerts him to potentially dangerous situations, such as kidnapping or human trafficking.

-He mentions an experience where a family came through his line and none of the kids would speak or make eye contact. "We all noticed them that day but didn't have enough reason to stop them so we let them go, a decision that still haunts me." The why to that question turned out to be that the "family" ended up on the news for trafficking and abusing children

Wearing baggy clothing

-This might not seem like a big deal elsewhere, but when traveling and going through the TSA area, this can be a problem. Baggy clothes can hide all sorts of items. They can prompt TSA to check you extra thoroughly. Mike Delgado says "This is why we ask people to remove jackets, suit coats, shirts tied around their waist, things like that. But with the new body scanners, this is less of a problem. Believe me when I tell you they can see everything regardless of how much clothing you got on. Which, again, is why it is so important to take everything out of your pockets. Like we told you ten times."

Wearing clothing unsuitable for the current season

-Any behavior that is not normal, such as wearing clothing not suitable for the current season, is a red flag. Why is that person wearing a heavy winter parka in 90 degree July heat? Are you hiding something? These are the questions TSOs or TSA will ask themselves. This might prompt them to give you a more thorough examination. Of course, you will have to remove said parka, but because you are acting in a suspicious manner by wearing clothing not suitable for the current season, you've already pinged the TSA's suspicions by that point. They may request to do a bag search or a pat down after going through the body scanner

Drinking prior to flying

-The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is the governing body of all airports. They are the bosses to the bosses of the airports. They have 0% tolerance for any passenger who gets unruly, including drunkenness on board their planes. Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic, travel has never been the same. Incidents of passengers abusing airport staff have been on the rise. The FAA have compiled reports on the types of incidents caused and according to their reports, there have been more than 7,000 reports of unruly passenger behavior since 2021. It has even gotten to the point where the House of Representatives in Congress passed a bill called the Unruly Passenger Restraint Review Act to ban passengers who become unruly on flights.

-If a TSA agent or TSO sees that you're visibly under the influence of alcohol, you could be deemed a person of interest and it will be up to them to possibly stop you from continuing on. Delgado says "Oh, I've totally had to tell people that they were too drunk to fly. I call my supervisor who will escort them out. The thing is even if I let you through, the gate agent probably won't let you board."

Carrying a lot of money

-This is suspicious, according to TSA agents. Why would you be carrying a lot of cash? There had better be a good reason. In the US, if you are travelling with more than $10,000 on you, you have to declare it to avoid paying taxes on it. The same goes with high end items. If you have a lot of high end items on you, you have to declare them before moving on to avoid paying taxes. With cash, if you're carrying a lot of money, you can get stopped by TSA. It doesn't matter what kind of currency it is. Money is money no matter the country of origin. According to Sahara Rose De Vore, a wellness travel coach and consultant, she has visited more than 80 countries. "I've been asked at many airport security checkpoints to explain why I have multiple currencies. They are worried about sex trafficking, and this is something they often want to ask you about." TSA agents will ask you about where you went, if you are employed and by whom. It would be wise to convert the money back to the currency of your native country at the end of the trip

Traveling with coffee

-Ah, coffee. The drink that gives everyone the get up and go to do what they need to everyday. You might think bringing back a bag of the local coffee from your trip is a great souvenir, but be forewarned. Coffee beans or ground coffee is the oldest trick in the book for drug smugglers. They use ground coffee to mask the scent of drugs from the drug dogs. It's an automatic red flag for TSA. If TSA sees bags of coffee beans in your luggage, they will be prompted to question you or search your bag by hand for anything suspicious.

-While they don't prohibit coffee beans or ground coffee from carry-ons or checked in luggage, but to be safe, it would be wise to buy it at the duty free shop at that airport before you come home. Be forewarned that if the TSA dogs are around, resist the urge to pet them, talk to or distract them. Just like the human TSA agents, the TSA dogs are also on shift, working. They sniff for drugs, money, explosives in the main areas of the airport. It's more common for dogs to work flights coming in from international destinations that are considered especially high risk for drugs, explosives or large amounts of currency. If you are bringing back coffee, separate it from your other items when going through security to avoid any obscure images on the X-Ray. Even put it in the gray bin you put your stuff in so the TSA sees it right away and saves you and them time

Traveling with electronics / electrical equipment

-TSA requires that any electronics bigger than a cell phone be put into its own bin and sent through the X-ray. Most travelers know that. Most travelers who also watch programs such as To Catch a Smuggler will also know that people can use said electronics to smuggle items in to the country. De Vore says "I always get flagged for my curling iron." Mike Delgado says "It's a common misconception that our scanners are metal detectors. They're not. So we're not just looking for electronics with a lot of metal but all electronics need to be taken out of your bag, even charging cords." It's wise to follow the rules of TSA and review the rules prior to packing

Wearing intricate hairstyles

-TSA will not tell you that it's best to wear your hair down or in a simple ponytail. Wearing an elaborate hairdo, such as corn rows, Zulu knots or some other intricate hairstyle could prompt a more thorough examination. Bobby pins, clips, wigs, extensions, most types of hair accessories and hairstyles like braids, updos, hairpieces, Zulu knots, corn rows could set off the metal detector. And if you think it's impossible to hide stuff in your hair, then you're wrong. People have used intricate hairstyles in the past to conceal items. A simple pat down of your hair eliminates all worries. And to avoid even this, simply wear your hair down

Packing batteries / battery chargers

-Most people can't go one day without their electronics. And, as such, we need charging cords to keep those devices going. There are strong guidelines regarding batteries and battery chargers. As per the guidelines established by TSA, lithium-ion rechargeable batteries and portable batteries containing lithium-ion can only be put in carry on bags. Batteries can have a maximum wattage of 100 watts per hour. You must obtain approval from the airport to bring larger batteries, the maximum being 160 watts per hour

Carrying liquids

-TSA has rules about liquids. It must be 3.4 oz or less and placed in a single quart sized bag. One bag per passenger. There are exceptions for hand sanitizer, which is a 12oz limit because of the COVID-19 pandemic. If you try and skirt the rules, forget it. TSA will know. It's better to follow the rules than flaunt them or go around them. One massive mistake is bringing a large bottle of sunscreen to the checkpoint. It's better to put that in your checked in luggage rather than your carry on, because TSA will confiscate it

Talking about bad stuff

-When "bad stuff" is referenced, it's not referring to breakups or things. It's referring to international terrorism references, bad things that happen on airlines and in airports. Bombs and firearms. Weapons of mass destruction. Even remotely mentioning these will get you sidelined by TSA. Even asking the TSA about weapons will get you questioned. And it's become so serious that you can even be arrested by police for joking about bombs in line. Follow the old phrase "silence is golden." And if you do have to travel with a gun, take the proper precautions of getting a locked safety case, ensuring the firearm is unloaded and let the airlines and airports you'll be traveling through know far in advance that you'll be taking a weapon with you. Get it registered with them so they know in advance why you have a firearm on you

Questions and Answers for Those Contemplating Their First Trip to Hawaii Pt. II

Hawaii is one of those destinations that seems to be most people's travel bucket list. Unlike the "all inclusive" resorts commonly found in the tropics, where the only money you bring is for tips and souvenirs, Hawaii is somewhere that you pay for everything. According to Hawaii Travel for Kids, here are 36 questions asked to them when traveling to the Aloha state where palm trees sway

19. Will I need to rent a car?

-Unless Waikiki is one of the destinations you're staying in, renting a car would be advisable just so you can get from place to place. Rideshare programs such as Uber and Lyft are not common here, mostly on the mainland. The public transportation, usually buses, are reliable but not incredibly time-efficient. The recommended place would be Discount Hawaii Car Rental. They get deep discounts from places like Alamo, Dollar, Thrifty, Avis, Enterprise, Budget, Payless

20. Are things expensive in Hawaii?

-YES! Because everything has to be shipped in from the mainland or elsewhere, such as food, gas and everyday essentials, the cost of items here is significantly higher. Instead of paying $3 to $4 for a gallon of milk, here you'll be paying closer to $6 to $8. Another reason for the high cost is that people often book pricey excursions while here. If you choose to do an excursion, such as a helicopter ride, snorkeling or boat tour, swim with dolphins or a luau, it's going to cost you. The most recommended way to cut costs is to shop at the local farmer's markets and roadside fruit stands. Not only will you save money, but you'll also be supporting local businesses

21. Is tipping in Hawaii necessary?

-The answer is yes! It's customary to tip in Hawaii. This shows that you appreciate the hard work of people. You can tip hotel staff, restaurant staff, tour guides, photographers, etc

22. Are there restrictions to buying alcohol?

-In Hawaii, you must be at least 21 years of age to buy alcoholic drinks. You also must be this age to consume alcoholic drinks legally. There are some "dry" towns, towns that don't sell liquor at all, such as Laie. And in other cases, some retail liquor stores stop selling at 11:00 pm. And locations that serve liquor stop serving at 2 am

23. Is there a currency for Hawaii?

-No. Since Hawaii is part of the United States, the US Dollar is also the currency in Hawaii. There are currency exchanges located throughout the islands if you are from another country and need to exchange your currency for US dollars. You can also head to the Bank of Hawaii to exchange out your currency for US dollars

24. What is the average temperature in Hawaii?

-Year-round, Hawaii is in the 70s-80s. During the winter months, the temperatures can go to about 60s, especially during the evening hours. During the summer, it can shoot up to the high 80s during the day. The summer months see a lot of dry weather while the winter months it gets a bit rainy. There are also tropical storm or hurricane watches as well

25. How long is the flight to Hawaii?

-It all comes down to where you are coming from. Most flights from the West Coast are only about 5-6 hours long. But, if you are coming from Chicago, it's 11 hours and if you're coming from the East Coast, it's 14-15 hours

26. Are there sharks in Hawaii?

-Yes. You can bet there are sharks in Hawaii. There is said to be at least 40 different species of sharks living in Hawaii. These can include whitetip reef sharks, great white sharks, sandbar sharks, scalloped hammerhead sharks, and sometimes even tiger sharks. If you're feeling particularly brave, you can book an excursion on Oahu to go swimming with sharks! You can get an up close nose to nose dive with sharks!

27. Are shark attacks common in Hawaii?

-While it might be common to be fearful of shark attacks in Hawaii, there are not as many shark attacks in Hawaii as people think. The Division of Aquatic Resources states that in the years of 1980-2020, there have only been an estimated 164 shark attacks, with only 10 of those resulting in fatalities. Some useful tips for avoiding encounters with these watery predators include: don't swim at night (night time is their hunting time. They can see well in low light), don't swim in murky water (again, their vision far outstrips human vision), don't urinate in the water (strangely, just like blood, urine attracts sharks. That tells them prey is nearby)

28. Are there snakes in Hawaii?

-The answer is technically yes. Although there are no snakes native to Hawaii. It's completely illegal to own them as pets. Hawaii does have 4 brown tree snakes that can assist in training dogs to detect snakes that enter Hawaii. The reason it's illegal to bring snakes into Hawaii is because they have no natural predators and they can cause a lot of issues for the environment. In 2013, two species of snakes were found in Hawaii: the Island Blind Snake and Yellow-Bellied Sea Snake. The Island Blind Snake is a harmless species the size of an earthworm. The Yellow-Bellied Sea Snake is rare, but highly poisonous

29. What language is spoken in Hawaii?

-There are two official languages spoken here: English and Hawaiian. There are language immersion schools where people can learn the language of Hawaiian. Many locals also speak "pidgin", which is Hawaiian Creole language. It originated on the pineapple plantations and uses words from the languages of Korean, Portugese, Japanese, Cantonese and Hawaiian. There are also other foreign languages spoken here. They include: Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, Tagalog. Japanese is especially common here since Hawaii is so close to Japan

30. Where is Pearl Harbor?

-This is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Hawaii. The Pearl Harbor Monument is located on the island of Oahu, just a few miles from the Honolulu International Airport. Here, you can find the USS Arizona, the USS Battleship Missouri, the USS Bowfin Submarine and the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum. When people go to Pearl Harbor, it's to not only see the monument, but also pay their respects. If you want to see everything Pearl Harbor has to offer, you'll need at least a full day to do that

31. Am I allowed to take fruit home?

-To an extent. You are only allowed to bring back packaged fruit that has gone through an inspection by agriculture and is approved for transport. That means boxed pineapple. You can find this at the grocery stores or airport. And, as long as they have been agriculturally inspected and approved, you can bring home coconuts. But don't think about bringing home fresh Hawaiian fruits, such as mango, lychee, papaya, lilikoi or guava. These might contain disease and pests that can do damage to the delicate agriculture of the mainland. TSA will tell you when you arrive that damage can be done to the agriculture because of the possible pests or disease

32. Can I bring pets to Hawaii?

-It's legal to bring cats and dogs to Hawaii, but there's a catch. They must do an extensive quarantine of 30 days minimum. It's also costly. The only logical conclusion would be that if you are moving to Hawaii, then you can bring your pets or visiting there for some time. If you are craving some time with a furry friend and you just so happen to be visiting Kauai, head to the local Humane Society and borrow a shelter dog for the day. Not only will you get some time with a cuddly dog, this helps the community and helps bring sunshine into a dog's day

33. Can you still get leis at the airport?

-The answer is no. It's been years since people danced the hula and offered leis at the airport for arriving tourists. You can pre-arrange a lei greeting party ahead of time for you. It'll need to be paid for ahead of time

34. Does Hawaii have all-inclusive resorts?

-To an extent. The Hana-Maui Resort offers dining packages to make vacations all inclusive. Unfortunately, other than that, there are no all-inclusive resorts here in Hawaii. The resorts in Hawaii are just as stunning as the all-inclusive places, with plenty of activities to keep everyone occupied and happy. You'll just need to pay separately

35. Is it legal to take a lava rock home?

-The answer is NO! NO! NO! NO! It cannot be emphasized more strongly enough that it's completely illegal to take lava rock home. It's not only disrespectful to the Hawaiian culture, but it would make you an irresponsible tourist. If everyone who visited the Hawaiian Islands took home lava rock, there would be none left. This "do not take home" rule also applies to coral, sea glass, shells and sand and all other natural elements in Hawaii. Simply leave them there so other people can enjoy them

36. Is there a royal palace in Hawaii?

-Absolutely!!! The famous and iconic Iolani Palace in Honolulu is where King Kalakua once resided. He built the famous palace in 1882 and lived there until 1893. It once used to throw fancy parties and even had electricity before the White House! In 1959, when Hawaii became a US state, Iolani Palace was used as a capitol building. It was 1978 when the palace became a museum highlighting Hawaiian culture and history. During a trip to Oahu, make it a point to visit Iolani Palace. They offer guided tours and it's a perfect way to learn about Hawaiian culture in such a way that school never did. Not only that, but those familiar with the newly remade television show Hawaii Five-O will recognize the building as being the headquarters for the Five-O task force

Questions and Answers for Those Contemplating Their First Trip to Hawaii Pt. I

Hawaii is one of those destinations that seems to be most people's travel bucket list. Unlike the "all inclusive" resorts commonly found in the tropics, where the only money you bring is for tips and souvenirs, Hawaii is somewhere that you pay for everything. According to Hawaii Travel for Kids, here are 36 questions asked to them when traveling to the Aloha state where palm trees sway

1. How far in advance should you buy airfare to Hawaii?

-Sign up for Google Flight Alerts to get specific information on this. Sign up for their email list and it will provide useful information. Unfortunately, since 2021, the price can go up and down like the stock market. So, unfortunately, there is no specific time frame to buy airfare

2. What is the difference between the time zone on the Mainland and the time zone in Hawaii?

-There is the unique Hawaiian Standard Time. It does not do daylight savings time. Hawaii is 2-3 hours behind the West Coast of the Mainland, 3-4 hours behind Mountain Time, 4-5 hours behind Central Time, and 5-6 hours behind the East Coast of the Mainland

3. Is a passport required to visit Hawaii?

-Since Hawaii is part of the United States, you won't need a passport. However, if you are planning on going outside the US, you will need a passport. That goes for everyone in your family, including babies if you are taking them

4. What should / can you wear in Hawaii?

-It can vary from one person to the next. Hawaii is a casual place where the ever popular "Hawaiian Shirt" is frequently seen. It's warm here, so warm weather clothing, such as t-shirts, tank tops, flip flops and shorts can be worn anywhere. If you plan on going to do any excursions, like ATV riding or horseback riding, bring the appropriate clothing, such as long pants and closed-toe shoes. And if you are planning on hiking, bring good walking shoes and light, breathable clothing. Since the sun is strong, bring good sunscreen. Make sure that if you go in to the ocean, your sunscreen is mineral-based rather than chemical-based because the chemical-based stuff can damage the reef and delicate ecosystem

5. Is there a main airport in Hawaii?

-Each island has its own airport. Most flights will bring tourists into Honolulu International Airport on the island of Oahu. Depending on traffic, it's about 20 minutes from Waikiki. Honolulu International Airport is also the airport that handles international flights as well

6. What island is Honolulu on?

-It's located on the island of Oahu. Waikiki is a neighborhood of Honolulu. This is one of the most populated islands out of all of the Hawaiian islands

7. How long should I stay in Hawaii?

-You can stay as long as you want. It usually depends on what all you want to see.7-10 business days are a good range for a start. This will give you time to get over jet lag, do some tours or excursions, find some nice beaches, eat great food and still have time to take in the breathtaking beauty. If you plan on visiting all of the islands, 5-7 days per island would be recommended

8. What is the best method of transportation between the islands?

-Inter-island flights are the answer. Hawaiian Airlines and Southwest Airlines are the two that do these. Like any airport, you'll need to go through security after arriving at the airport early. There's also a ferry that takes people from Maui to Lanai, but its run schedule is limited

9. What shouldn't I do in Hawaii?

-Don't be that tourist who thinks they are entitled to something. Be a good tourist. Say Aloha to people, treat them with respect. Obey the local laws and customs. Because if you break the law, the local Honolulu Police Department will want to talk to you. And it won't be like the older office Duke and the other police officers from the new television show Hawaii Five-O. Be patient. Not everyone is on vacation. You'll be interacting with people from various industries. Remember to tip. This shows gratitude for their hard work

10. What is the biggest problem in Hawaii?

-It might be shocking to those who have never been here, but there are homeless people in Hawaii. Homelessness here is such a problem because the cost of living is so high. Nearly everything has to be imported into the islands and the housing costs are so high

11. Where can I see an active volcano?

-The Big Island is the only place to see active volcanoes. Make Hawaii Volcanoes National Park your destination to see these living, breathing works of nature. Here you can see Kilauea

12. Can I take a ferry between islands?

-The answer is no. You cannot take a ferry between the islands. If you want to go to different islands, you must take an inter-island flight from either Southwest Airlines or Hawaiian Airlines

13. Can I drive between the islands?

-It's not even realistic. The answer is no. This is not the Florida Keys. To move between islands, once again you must take an inter-island flight from either Southwest Airlines or Hawaiian Airlines

14. What's the best island for a honeymoon?

-It all comes down to what you are hoping to do with your time here. If relaxation is your goal along with some fun excursions, Maui would be recommended. Snorkeling at Molokini Crater and road trips such as the Road to Hana are fun things to do. If this is your first trip to Hawaii, head to Oahu. This is where many of the iconic tourist places are. There, you'll find the Pearl Harbor Monument, Diamond Head, Kualoa Ranch and the iconic North Shore, where you can see surfers. For a slower pace of life, head to Kauai. Their food scene is top quality, with beautiful beaches and hidden resorts. To completely disconnect from city life, go to the Big Island. They have options fitting all price ranges for honeymoons. They also have volcanoes and waterfalls for nature lovers

15. If you have kids, what is the best island to start with?

-The answer can vary from family to family. Any of the islands will provide a breathtaking trip for kids. 

Oahu with kids

-This is the most popular option. It's home to the Disney Aulani Resort. You can see Pearl Harbor, the Dole Pineapple Plantation, the Waikiki Submarine and the Polynesian Culture Center

Maui with kids

-There are kid-friendly resorts with plenty of activities to keep the kids busy. There's the I'ao Needle, the Surfing Goat Dairy, the Maui Ocean Center, boat tours and more to do

Kauai with kids

-Laid-back is the rule of thumb here. Here, you can partake in snorkeling, ziplining, watching a fire dance show and even explore Waimea Canyon

Big Island with kids

-This provides families with kids an "authentic" Hawaiian experience. The Big Island is perfect for the outdoorsy types who love nature-related activities, such as snorkeling with manta rays, exploring active volcanoes, such as Kilauea at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park or checking out a Hawaii Chocolate farm

16. Where are the big waves in Hawaii?

-You'll need to head to the North Shore on Oahu. Go during the winter months of November-February. This is where you can see surfers of every skill level tackling the so-called "Hawaiian Roller Coaster."

17. What is the best time to visit Hawaii?

-There's no really bad time to visit Hawaii. In terms of weather, the winter months prove to be a bit rainy, but it never lasts long. During the summer months, from July-August, it can get hot and humid

18. When is the high season in Hawaii?

-It's mostly during school breaks when you'll see a lot more people in Hawaii than normal. It can be incredibly busy (and expensive) during the summer, with so many people going on vacation due to school breaks. Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays also prove to be a busy season. Spring break is also a popular time to go to Hawaii. The best times to go would be mid-April-June and September to mid-November. These tend to be the calmer times, when people are back in school and it's not as hectic

12 Etiquette Rules from Britain That Americans Should Learn or Know

This was an interesting article that caught my eye on the internet

When it comes to those who are from Britain, proper manners and sophistication are two things people think of first. Good manners, good etiquette are the orders of the day in Britain. According to MSN.com writer Astrid Hofer, a resident of Austria who moved to London, here are 12 etiquette rules from Britain that Americans should learn or know. The person behind the article also talked to Laura Windsor, who is the author of Modern British Manners and a top expert in royal etiquette

Arrive on time

-Being on time and punctual is considered incredibly respectful in a lot of countries, including Japan and Britain. Whether it be work, a dinner party or something else, be on time! According to Laura Windsor, the idea of being "fashionably late is fashionably rude". "Coming 10 to 15 minutes late is acceptable, but it should never be more. The hosts have gone to great lengths to make a pleasurable evening for you, so don't leave them waiting." Sometimes, things happen, that are out of your control. Do the right thing by calling to alert the hosts to your delay. Be honest about how late you may be. "That way, the host can decide if they want to wait with serving the food or not. And don't pretend it's just five minutes when you're probably going to be half an hour."

-Also, don't arrive too early. You don't want to disturb your hosts while they are putting any last minute prep work on or preparing themselves to warmly receive guests

Use terms like "please", "thank you", "sorry"

-These are the proper terms to use when showing good manners. In Britain, it's not uncommon to hear these terms being uttered quite frequently. A good thing to remember is when asking for something, show proper etiquette by asking "May I have", not "can I have". It might seem like such a minor difference, but little things make big impacts. "You "can" do anything in the world, but using "may" means you are asking for permission," says Laura Windsor.

-When in Britain, apologizing frequently is something else you'll notice. According to Laura Windsor, "If someone bumps into me, I will say "sorry" and he or she will say it too. It's not that I'm really sorry-it's just the response that we learned from when we were little." The same concept can be applied everywhere. For example, if you're going to the theatre and find someone sitting in your seat. Don't just tell them to get up. Use polite manners. "A person in England would say something to the effect of "I'm so sorry, but I think you are in my seat." The "sorry" softens things a bit and makes it sound less harsh."

Keep conversations light and avoid getting personal

-Windsor sums it up when it comes to mastering small talk. "Keep the conversation light and general. Don't ask questions that are too personal, such as if somebody is married or has kids. If you're talking to someone who's been secretly waiting for a proposal from their boyfriend for years or just had a miscarriage, this won't go down well. If you notice someone has an accent, never ask "Where are you from?" Instead, you could say "Where is home for you?" In that case, it's up to the person how much they want to reveal."

-Not sure what to talk about? Windsor jokingly says "The weather always works as an icebreaker in the UK. You could also talk about the event you're at or ask how the person you're talking to knows the host." Topics to avoid at all costs include asking too many personal questions, politics and anything controversial. When in doubt, think like a British royal. Keep the talk light hearted and small

When dining, keep the fork in the same hand

-There's a vast difference between American table manners and British table manners. When using a knife, Americans will put the knife down and pick up a fork with their dominant hand to eat. People in Britain, however, keep the fork in the same hand when taking a bite. When eating in Britain, you keep the knife and fork in your hands and don't put them down unless getting something to drink or picking up a napkin to blot your mouth

-According to Laura Windsor, "When we are at the table in the UK, we want to give the least distraction. And we want to not make noises, which includes clattering the cutlery on the plate. When using a fork, the tines are always down. You never turn the fork to scoop food on."

Only cut and eat one bite at a time

-It's been said that Americans will often cut up their meat and veggies prior to eating. Cutting up the food into several bites goes against proper etiquette used in the UK. According to Laura Windsor, "It's all about looking elegant when dining in Britain, which is why you don't cut only one bite at a time, you also eat one bite at a time. We don't come to the table to stuff our faces. We come to eat and have conversations with people. We like our small bites. Apart from the fact that they're easy to swallow and give us time to talk in between, they also prevent choking, especially for kids. And it's good for digestion too."

Lay down the cutlery nicely

-It might sound strange, but clattering the cutlery down when you're not using them could be seen as poor manners. In the US, it's customary to put the cutlery down at the 10:20 position while in Britain, it's customary to put cutlery down in the 6:30 position. With the fork on the left and the knife on the right. In restaurants, put your cutlery down in a spot that looks "finished" or "done". This will tell your server and fellow diners that you have completed your meal

When hosting, offer a beverage right away

-When in the UK, you'll never enter a home without being offered something to drink. Offering a drink is polite in the US as well. If you're hosting, don't let it be up to your thirsty guests to ask for drinks. Offer them as soon as possible. According to Windsor, "Traditionally, it's the gentlemen pouring the ladies a glass of water, and it's a way of signaling that the meal is about to begin."

Don't bring flowers to a dinner party

-It's always considered good etiquette to bring a small gift to a dinner party. Chocolates are good. And so is champagne or wine, Laura Windsor says "as long as you don't expect it to be opened, as your hosts have probably already selected and paired the drinks with the food." Personalized gifts are always good too. These include books by the host's favorite author, jam for those with a sweet tooth, flower seeds for those with a passion for gardening. The one gift to avoid at a dinner party? Bouquets of fresh flowers. "They are a headache for the host if they're busy preparing things and are then left to look after them. If you want to gift flowers, send them before or after dinner, or bring a potted plant they can just place somewhere."

Don't say "like" all the time

-Nothing says lack of confidence more than using "like" frequently. Windsor says "If you say "like" every two or three words, you'll lose value and credibility, so try to avoid it."

Respect personal space

-Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic, it's been said to stay six feet apart from people. People respect their personal space. Greeting someone with a hug for the first time won't do well in the UK. Laura Windsor states "We're a bit more stiff upper lip than Americans, and we like to keep our distance." When people in the UK shake hands, "we leave about a meter (approximately 40 inches) distance, the length of our own elbow and the other person's elbow."

-It could seem standoffish or even cold at first, but it's not what it seems. "It takes a little time to get to know us, but once you do, we could be friends for life."

Respect the line

-In England, when you are waiting in line for something, it's called queueing. And, no matter what country you're in, you need to wait your turn and don't jump ahead of people in a line. Nothing says poor manners better than cutting in front of someone. Windsor mentions "If there's a bus shelter and it's raining, you don't want to stick yourself out in the open, so you'll huddle together to not get wet. But when it comes to getting on board, you'll hopefully get back in line and wait until it's your turn." Simply put, be patient. Wait your turn, whether it be to board a bus, waiting in line at a coffee or tea shop or a grocery store

PJs in public are to be avoided at all costs

-For example, it's 10pm and you have a sudden hankering for cereal only to find you've let yourself run low on milk. While the temptation is overwhelming to run to the nearest store to get milk in your pajamas, it's not something to do. You definitely don't do this in the UK. Nothing says "I'm American" more than running around in your sleeping clothes

-"Don't ever wear pajamas in public. You can never be sure who you might meet outside. It could be the CEO of a company you've wanted to reach out to for years and you can just walk up to that person and introduce yourself looking like you just got out of bed." says Windsor

Put your phone away when you are out with other people

-This is common sense. When you are with other people, why be on your phone? You should be enjoying the time with others, socializing, enjoying their time as they are with you. It seems many Americans are glued to their phones, or mobiles as they might be referred to in the UK. Many people in Britain, however, avoid doing this, as it's considered impolite in the book of British etiquette and manners. Windsor says "It's the height of bad manners. When you are with other people, they are the most important things around you [paying attention to] anything else is disrespectful. Turn off your phone, and put it away." If you are expecting an important call, it's best to let someone know that you may have to excuse yourself from the table at some point. In those cases, put your phone on vibrate to avoid disturbing those around you. And if a call does come in, keep it short, sweet and to the point. NEVER answer calls at the table

Keep things formal

-In the US, emails at work are short, sweet and to the point. In the UK, however, people like build relationships. Even if you think it's a bit long winded to read a long email, don't think of it as a waste of time. When emailing those in the UK, keep it formal. Keep it professional. Start off an email with a greeting like "Good morning", "Good afternoon"

-Windsor recommends using a person's title and last name instead of using first names if you've never met them. "When in doubt, always be formal because you can never go wrong. You might go wrong if you're too informal and someone feels offended." And it's also incredibly important to sign off the email using formality. Instead of using "cheers", which is a typical greeting heard in England when leaving somewhere, using a more proper send off, such as "goodbye", "thanks", "kind regards", "yours truly".

Faye Harris and Tyrone Wood Just Got Married

Faye Harris, daughter of Iron Maiden bassist Steve Harris and Tyrone Wood, son of Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood, just got married.

https://www.facebook.com/FansOfMaiden/

-This above link is where the photo originated. The comment on the photo was "Congratulations to Steve and his lovely family as daughter Faye Harris and Tyrone Wood (son of Ronnie Wood) on their marriage with their children following their ceremony."

-According to Loudwire.com, Faye Harris and Tyrone Wood got married on Friday in the London neighborhood of Marylebone. Their fathers were both present at the wedding. Tyrone runs an art gallery while Faye runs a highly successful perfume company called Eauso Vert. They started seeing each other in 2022 after meeting each other on a dating app and announced their engagement in December 2023. It was a good time for both of the fathers. Steve Harris and Ronnie Wood were between tours with their bands, Iron Maiden and The Rolling Stones. Because of that, they were both able to attend the ceremony.

Chicago PD

This is a very popular television show depicting the life and times of a police precinct in Chicago. Very frequently, you'll see characters from the television show Chicago Fire on here. This show and Chicago Fire have very frequent crossovers, which means that the characters from one show will appear on the other and vice versa.

Summary

-The life and times of two different groups of people in the District 21 of the Chicago Police Department: the Intelligence Unit and the uniform police

Cast

-Jason Beghe: Hank Voight

-Patrick John Flueger: Adam Ruzek

-Marina Squerciati: Kim Burgess

-LaRoyce Hawkins: Kevin Atwater

-Amy Morton: Trudy Platt

-Jesse Lee Soffer: Jay Halstead

-Jon Seda: Antonio Dawson

-Tracy Spiridakos: Hailey Upton

-Elias Koteas: Alvin Olinsky

-Sophia Bush: Erin Lindsay

Did You Know?

-Prior to filming the show, the actors and actresses trained with real Chicago police officers and retired SWAT personnel

-The characters on this show will often appear on other shows by creator Dick Wolf, such as Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, Chicago Justice and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit because their story continues on those programs

-Each episode's title is taken from dialogue spoken in that episode

-Out of the entire cast, there are only two cast members who were actually born and raised in the Chicago area: LaRoyce Hawkins, who plays Kevin Atwater, and Amy Morton, who plays Trudy Platt

-Brian Tee, who plays Dr. Ethan Choi on Chicago Med, first appeared as a gang leader on an episode of Chicago PD called "The Three Gs"

-In the squad room, there is an alphanumeric cryptic code next to each suspect's photo, for example M/1/19. This refers to the gender of the suspect (male/female). The third part is the suspect's age. The second part refers to, according to a Chicago Police Directive, racial identification being given a code number. 1-Black, 2-White, 3-Black/Hispanic, 4-white/Hispanic, 5-Native American/Alaskan Native, 6-Asian/Pacific Islander

-The Investigative Response Team or IRT is the department within the Chicago Police Department's Detective's Bureau who investigates officer-involved shootings

-While on TV shows such as In the Heat of the Night (1988), violence was exaggerated, murders being committed every week. This show is different; there is a lot more crime in Chicago than what is depicted

-There is a lot of police acronyms and terminology used on the show and the actors and actresses had to learn to correctly use the police terminology

The Fifth Avenue Story Society by Rachel Hack

This is a good book. I checked it out from the library a few years ago and loved it. I recently bought it from Amazon and am reading it again

Summary

Five strangers from all walks of life one day receive a mysterious invitation. It's inviting them to the Fifth Avenue Story Society. No one has heard of this mysterious literary society. Thinking it's some sort of practical joke, they all go, just to satisfy their curiosity. They talk and get to know each other and before they know it, they're coming back, week after week, to find out more about each other. Curiosity and loneliness keeps them coming back each Monday night to find out more about each other. In the process, they are able to rewrite their own lives and even write new stories into their lives

Blaze Bayley looks back fondly at his time in Iron Maiden

Most would think that being let go from one of metal's biggest acts just to make room for a reunion of the old lead singer would make anyone bitter. Not Blaze Bayley. He thoroughly enjoyed his time in Iron Maiden and actually it helped him launch what would prove to be a highly successful solo career that is still going strong today

This interview was part of Rolling Stone's mini project King for a Day. Where senior writer Andy Green would interview singers who had to step into the difficult shoes of fronting major rock or metal groups after their iconic vocalists had left. Some stayed in the band for years, others lasted only a short time. Even replacement singers can be replaced. This edition centers on 1990s-era Iron Maiden vocalist Blaze Bayley

It would be easy to understand if Blaze Bayley was a little bitter about being let go from one of the biggest names in metal just so the second vocalist could return after a solo career. Now Blaze Bayley has his own backing band, touring Europe to play out of the way places, such as Blast from the Past Festival in Kuurne, Belgium

But during an online Zoom meeting at his home in England between tour breaks, he was radiant and positive. "I'm not a wealthy man. I have an ordinary motorcycle and an ordinary car and I live in an ordinary house, but I spend my time on tour and I perform in wonderful places. In so many ways, I'm living the dream."

He continues on. "I'm not trying to be huge. I've been huge. I've been in the biggest band in the world. I don't need to go back there."

He was born Bayley Alexander Cooke in Birmingham, England. He was raised in a mobile home. His parents divorced when he was three and for a while he lived with his mother. "We had next to nothing. We had an outside toilet. We had no running water. You had to go and get your water in a bucket and bring it back in. But we never felt deprived. That was just the way we lived."

Blaze states the first music he can remember hearing is "Be My Love" by 50s crooner Mario Lanza. It was a favorite of his grandmother, but he states his life changed completely when, in the late 70s, he heard Motorhead, The Sex Pistols, Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath and Judas Priest. At the time, Birmingham was the center of the metal world, and Bayley surrounded himself in this music during his teens. Blaze said "It's an industrial town. It's a lot of working-class people doing minimum-wage jobs in dirty, horrible circumstances." To support himself financially, he got a job working the night shift at a hotel and started to consider a future as a hotel manager. That all went away when he saw an ad in a local newspaper for a group called Wolfsbane. The ad read "Heavy metal singer wanted. No experience necessary."

Blaze's first thought was "I thought I could sing like Ronnie James Dio. Actually, I was just screaming in a nonsensical way. But they couldn't get anybody else, so I got the job."

What were Wolfsbane trying to accomplish when you guys started?

Our ambition was to be the biggest band in Tamworth. And we did that by sheer determination and being the most outrageous band in Tamworth. Then we wanted to be the biggest heavy metal band in Birmingham. And we managed to do it with the same attitude. We were so competitive. If we had been in a football team, we'd have done well.

You guys signed to Def American with Rick Rubin. That must have been incredibly exciting. He was a kingmaker and he'd just worked with Slayer and Danzig.

Yeah, that's how it seemed. It was very odd to receive that phone call. "Hello, It's Rick Rubin." "Who?" "Rick Rubin, from America. From Slayer." We went "What? Why are you phoning us?"

How did he even hear of you?

We opened up for King Diamond at the Hammersmith Odeon. There weren't many people there, but we got a little insert review in Kerrang! Magazine. It was next to a review of Slayer with a big photo. Rick Rubin opened up the magazine since he was interested in Slayer. He sees the little insert review of Wolfsbane. He asked his friend George Drakoulias, "Have you heard of Wolfsbane? No? Can you see if you can find a demo?"

They tracked our demo down in New York, and on every demo we did, we had our phone number. He called the number on the demo and got us at home. That's how we started.

What was it like going to Los Angeles to make the album?

It was total culture shock. Their expectations and the way we lived was totally alien to us as four working-class guys from England. In New York, we would have been fine. In Los Angeles, it was a bit of an adjustment to make.

Why do you think the band didn't break in the States?

Timing is everything. When we were coming through, just around the time of our video for "I Like It Hot", grunge exploded. And remember, the U.K. was much more fashion-conscious than the U.S. In the U.S., people were revered for being around a long time. In the U.K., it was like "That must be boring. What's new?" In the U.K., they were like "Grunge is the new thing. Iron Maiden is a dinosaur." And we were one of these bands. Everybody wanted to be depressed, look at their shoes, and think about suicide. In Wolfsbane, we were the antithesis of being self-obsessed and wanting to commit suicide. [screaming] We were the antithesis! We were like "Here is life, enjoy it! We're on tour! We don't know if we will be again. Enjoy it! Let's sing and be in love with performing. Let's go onstage and be like 'Yes! We're here!' There was no chance for Wolfsbane, really. We had the joyous abandonment of living and loving playing, but the people wanted to be miserable. That wasn't our fault.

Were you a big Iron Maiden fan back in the Eighties?

Yeah. I loved it. And this is difficult to believe, because I'm so old, but this was before arenas. This is why I'm so lucky to have experienced it. It's a thing that so many fans now won't be able to experience for some bands. Bands played theaters back then. The theater in Birmingham was the Birmingham Odeon. It was 1,500 seats. It seemed huge to me. It was the world to me. I saw Iron Maiden twice there. They played there four nights. I saw Ozzy there. I saw Metallica with Anthrax on the Master of Puppets tour. I saw Jon Bon Jovi there, twice. I saw Ronnie James Dio on the Holy Diver tour. You cannot imagine. This was incredible. There were no arenas for heavy metal. It was here in the theaters. It's close. You can hear it. You can feel it. It was an amazing time.

At that time, what separated Iron Maiden from other bands?

I think it's the energy. And it's Bruce [Dickinson]. There were some magical things. It was like two suns joining together in the galaxy to become this huge new thing. To hear Bruce singing after the [Paul] Di'Anno years...I wasn't a big fan of Paul. He's a wonderful performer, wonderful voice, but not completely my cup of tea. To hear Bruce bring that kind of vocal to that music, it's another level. There was something spiritual about it, for me as a young man. On the night shift at the hotel, listening to those big songs...They were completely unapologetic it was like 'Here's the riff. And we're going to play it.' That was it for me.

How did you hear that they were looking for a new singer?

I'm so lucky in my life. My life is some kind of crazy roulette wheel where it actually comes up with your number as you're walking away from the table and you think everything is gone. We'd done pretty well with Def American. It was us and the Almighty. We were the two bands that were selected to support Iron Maiden on their last theater tour. "We'll only be doing arenas and big festival headlines. This is our last. It's a thank you to the fans for coming to see us." We got selected to be the support band for that tour. And, of course, we're so arrogant, and so full of ourselves, that every night we tried to outdo them. I mean, these are giants that have nothing to prove, but they still go for every night. And we're like "All right, let's have a go and see how many fans we can steal. Let's make it really tough for them."

That's what we did every night. I'd start climbing all over the PA like Bruce used to. They never said a word. I thought they were gonna say something. I pushed it more every night. And then [Iron Maiden bassist] Steve Harris came to me one night and said "Well, it's nice to have a band that pushes us." I thought, "What a fantastic attitude." And then I made friends with Steve and was invited to be part of the Iron Maiden football team and everything. It was fantastic. That's one of my best tours in my life. It stands out to me as one of the shining moments, when Wolfsbane supported Iron Maiden. There was something magical about it. A few years later, when Bruce had left, and I was very, very lucky. I asked for an audition and they already knew me. I was able to get an audition, but I was still one of 1,500 people that applied for it. And then it came down to 12 people, the golden 12 that were lucky enough to have an audition and be in the room with them. You had to go do 10 songs that were the backbone of the setlist and go and rehearse them with the band. I did that and they asked me back. 

What was happening with Wolfsbane at this time?

Tragically, things had gone very bad for Wolfsbane. Grunge was at its height. We couldn't get a record deal. We couldn't get anything. And the manager at the time said "If there's a chance for you to audition with Iron Maiden, you've got to take it. Nothing is going to happen with Wolfsbane." It was bittersweet - there I was leaving the guys in Wolfsbane, but there I was with guys that had been heroes to me. They had some of the most legendary songs, legendary albums. And I would be able to work with those people? I was very, very lucky.

How did they tell you that you had the job?

I got a phone call on Christmas Eve of 1994. I had two auditions. One was with the band, and the other was in the studio and I had to sing backing tracks. They wanted to know if I could record. I had that experience by then. I then had a meeting with management. I was still drinking at the time, so I bought myself a case of Guinness and a wireless phone. [laughs]

How did it feel to put the phone down and realize you were now the frontman for one of the biggest metal bands on the planet?

It was unreal. It did not compute. It didn't go in at all. I think it only really made sense when I started writing with the band.

The first thing you did with was the record The X Factor. Tell me about that.

Steve Harris said to me "Nothing is written for the next album. I don't care who writes the songs as long as they are great songs." I went down to [Iron Maiden guitarist] Janick Gers's house with a couple of ideas. I think we came up with "Man on the Edge" on the first day. That felt pretty good, and we came up with a couple of other things. Then we'd go over and have a writing session at Steve's house. "Got this, got that, what do you got?" Some of my ideas weren't very good, but others were good enough to be considered as an album track. That's when it started to feel very, very real. Forget about big shows. Forget about all of that. But writing and knowing your ideas are good enough to be on an Iron Maiden album, that was when it really started. That was a fantastic time.

And I think that is what made it possible for me to continue and do all of the albums I have done after Maiden. It's that confidence that I got from Steve Harris and the guys when he's trying ideas and goes "Try it like this. This is how it should go. Don't put that there. Put that here! Have that here. You can't have that at all. It's your favorite bit? No. It doesn't fit. You can't have it!" I found other parts of my voice. [sings a bit of "Fortunes of War"]. These were things I'd never done before. I found these extra parts of my voice. I also found that songwriting is not luck. No. This is experience, skill and work. That's how you get it from your mind to the CD. That was a revelation! Those years to me, a short time, just five years later, were golden. I was able to put those lessons into my music afterwards.

They credit you on "Blood on the World's Hands." That's a great song.

It is. There's a lot of great music there, a lot of stuff I'm proud of. I do a set now when people ask me to these festivals, and I sing songs from those two albums. It's like getting together with old friends. I don't do them the same as they are recorded. I do the Blaze Bayley version of those songs. It's like seeing old friends, but giving them new clothes.

The tour started in Jerusalem on September 28, 1995. What was it like to walk onstage that first time and sing that first song?

Scary as h---. And not because I'm scared of the size of the crowd. I'd played gigs that big in Wolfsbane. But the fear was just making a mistake or doing something really bad and letting the fans down. The most important thing to me was doing well for the fans of Iron Maiden. I wanted to take a lot of the older songs and take them a little closer to the recorded version. So with the greatest respect to Bruce, I love him to bits, he's been a huge supporter over the years, but I think for any musician, you're in a band for a long time, unless you really check in with yourself, sometimes things wander off a little bit. And what I thought I could bring to Maiden was "I can tighten these things up a little bit." So that's what I did. The biggest fear for me was just letting the fans down if I did not do well or if I made a big fluff of something. But I was so lucky. People really welcomed me. Nobody said "We don't want you." People said "OK, let's see what you can do."

That was a long tour. Was it hard on your body and your voice to play that many consecutive nights, especially in a high-pressure situation?

When we were in Wolfsbane, we just wanted to live on a tour bus. That was it. That was the dream life for us, living on a tour bus and doing gigs. So when they said "Oh, it's a big long tour," I was like "Yeah. OK! That's what I've always wanted." The downside of it is the same for any professional touring singer. The lifestyle of touring and having the best voice every day, they just don't go together. They're opposites. When you've got a Vegas residency, or you're working on a cruise liner, you can keep your voice at the top, right near 100 percent of the time.

When you're sleeping on a bus, traveling for upwards of 19 hours between gigs, just getting up and eating cold food because the catering closed by the time we got there, it's really hard. And in the end, however tough that was, the thing that made it wonderful for me was these songs. I'd go onstage and sing "Number of the Beast", "The Trooper", "Hallowed Be Thy Name" and "Seventh Son of a Seventh Son". And to see the reaction from the fans... as s--- and negative as that 20-hour journey was, to be there and sing these incredible songs that are legendary in the heavy-metal business, that was the thing that sustained me.

As you said, this was a weird time for heavy metal. You guys were largely playing clubs in the States. How did the band feel about that after all those years in arenas and stadiums?

I think it was very tough for the guys. It was a joy for me, because, of course, I've been doing all those kinds of venues with Wolfsbane, so I was in my element. I never said this to the guys at the time, but I was thinking "I'm in this unique situation - it's like I'm in the rebirth of Iron Maiden. We'll get through this. Things will start changing because people will see that this music, this tough, hard, melodic music, is so much deeper, and has so much more to give you than other things around at this time."

The toughest part was when Ronnie James Dio was supporting Iron Maiden. I'm the lead singer of Iron Maiden, and Ronnie James Dio is literally God of heavy-metal singing. I've loved him. He's my inspiration to be a heavy-metal singer. I've got everything he's done on vinyl. I've seen him in concert four or five times, and he's supporting me? God is supporting me? Ah!!!

I watched him every night on the tour. I would be in the back with fans watching Ronnie with the fans, and then I'd run back and get ready for our set. It was fantastic. I remember one gig in Phoenix [at the Celebrity theatre on July 14, 1998]. It was tiny for Iron Maiden, absolutely tiny. It was the hottest day. You could not walk for more than 20 yards without needing oxygen and a paramedic. Very, very tough day. I was feeling quite low.

I get to the gig and it was in the round. So many of the promoters lost faith in us. Grunge was at its height. Everything seemed against us. There was no room for the backdrops or anything. The stand-up Eddie [Iron Maiden's mascot] was there, but it was just tied up over the drum kit. The fans were around everywhere. It was incredible. And I think that was my greatest Iron Maiden gig.

I've played to 75,000 people. I've played all over Brazil. I'm very popular there now. But for me, one of my smallest Iron Maiden concerts was my greatest moment because I could actually jump into the crowd from the stage. I could grab someone by the head and force them to sing "The Trooper". I even wrote a song about it [on my solo album] Silicon Messiah. That was the joy of it, to be able to sing these incredible songs.

A lot of singers join established bands and they don't really feel like part of the team. They feel like hired hands. You didn't feel that way, it seems. You felt like an equal part of it.

I think for Steve Harris, it very much is a band. And he wanted it to stay a band, and have the energy of a band and the camaraderie of a band. He was a mentor to me, but we also became very good friends as well. That was it. It was about doing your best, your absolute best. Everybody doing the best they can every single night. It's a very high expectation. But for me, I'd always been ambitious. That's what champions do. That's what the real heroes do. They're not on the booze and not taking drugs. The real heroes, my heroes, it's the music that's the most important thing. I think that's why Steve and I got along so well. We had that same mentality of "It's the music first. It's the fans first."

Steve was very supportive. Everybody was very supportive. And we did our best, but the pressure was this: You are playing soccer for England. It is the World Cup final. And you must win. That's the pressure of being the singer of Iron Maiden. And so when Bruce and I see each other, we don't really have to speak. We look at each other and go "I know, I know." We know what it takes, but it's the best job. It's the best job in the world that somebody like me could have. It's tough, but it has joy.

Tell me about making Virtual XI

That was different. We're still at Barnyard Studios. I've written a couple of things. I've got something called "Como Estais Amigos", which was from a visit to Argentina. There was a war over the Falkland Islands, and it's a song of reconciliation, and to remember the fallen. That was one where I'd started with Janick, and then we took it to rehearsals. They were like "It's good, but it doesn't go like that. It goes like this." Of course, I was resistant to that at the start. But afterwards, it is my biggest song with Iron Maiden. Of all the ones I'm famous for, like "Man on the Edge", Top 10 around the world on the rock charts, and in some countries, Number One on the regular charts. I'd written it. It was incredible. 

But the biggest song is "Como Estais Amigos". When we did that in rehearsal, Steve Harris goes "It goes like this." Then I start hearing Dave Murray on that guitar and that snap of the snare of Nick McBrain...wow! The song just came to life. It's been in and out of my set over the years. It's an incredibly special thing for me.

What do you remember about making "The Clansman"?

-That was another magical moment. It came when Steve was using an acoustic bass to write and he'd be messing about with it. He came and went "I've got this idea." He's got a piece of paper with a pencil. And he's whistling the melody and everything. He goes "What do you think, Blaze?" I go "Steve, it's fantastic." That song is in their live set right now. It's in my anniversary setlist as well. People would think that's my biggest song, and it is a huge song for me, but that was an incredible moment to be there at the embryonic stage of, "What do you think of this?" That's a moment. Those are the moments that make me feel so privileged to have had my time with Iron Maiden.

How was the Virtual XI tour? I know you had some vocal problems at times.

-That's just unavoidable when you're touring. It's a gradual series of events that take place where eventually you've got nothing. A week earlier, you were singing with full voice. And that's it. So it's very tough. And I went to Dr. [Joseph] Sugerman in Los Angeles. He put me on vocal rest and all sorts of different things.

We managed to get it back and we didn't have to cancel so many shows. We did Los Angeles with a full voice. That was a really lovely gig. But it's just difficult. So many people refuse to understand that you can't go and buy a new set of vocal cords. No. It's the equivalent of saying to the guitarist "Here's your strings. They have to last the whole tour." At every show, you've got to try and give everything you can with just enough left to get you until tomorrow, when you give everything you have again.

It's a big learning thing. You've got to be some kind of Shaolin priest monk to have vocal dexterity to be able to not speak for hours and hours on end, to just drink water and tea, and no alcohol. But that's the only time in three years that I lost my voice.

Your last gig with Iron Maiden was in Argentina. Do you have fond memories of that night?

-No. It was raining and it was dark. We had Slayer supporting. Okay, God [Dio] had supported Maiden in the U.S. All right, I managed to get through that. And I loved him. I love Ronnie James. But Slayer, who I also love...I used to listen to Reign in Blood end-to-end when I was in Wolfsbane. Slayer, at that time, were the most intense band in the world, of any genre! In the world! [Mock anger] I don't care what you say, don't argue! Slayer, at that time, were the most intense band in! The! World! And they were supporting Iron Maiden! What chance did I have?

I met Tom Araya in Los Angeles at the Def American offices. He's a wonderful guy. I said "Tom, how do you keep your voice on tour?" I always collect these tips from different singers. He said "Normally, I'm drinking a few beers at the start of a tour." I said "Do you ever lose your voice?" He goes "If I ever do, I just keep drinking." He's invincible! He's a machine!

It was a tough gig, but the fans were wonderful. But it was some kind of hideous, raining-blood movie moment. It was a rainy night with a dark sky in a stadium that wasn't very well lit. We were onstage and something felt very weird. I don't know what it was. But I had felt very uncomfortable that night, not just because of trying to follow an exploding sun, but something just felt weird at that last gig. And I didn't know that was my last show.

During your time in Maiden, were you always thinking in the back of your head at some point they'd bring back Bruce and that would be the end for you?

-Never. I never had that fear because I thought there were eras of that band. Clive [Burr] and Paul [Di

Anno] were one era. Then there's Bruce and Nicko. That was another era. And I really thought that the third record with Maiden with me would be the charm. I thought "We've done these two records. And now with the ideas I've got, the writing experience and everything. I have things on my dictaphone and lyric ideas..." I thought "When this third album comes out, that is going to change the hardcore fans and put them back with us. We're going to get going, and this is going to be rolling, and we're going to be getting somewhere." I absolutely believed in my heart that would happen. Here's what was happening on the outside. When I joined Iron Maiden, EMI, one of the biggest record companies in the world, they sold every factory they owned. So what's happening? And then, at the end, it was the commercial pressure from EMI.

That's because Judas Priest had a full reunion with their original singer. Black Sabbath had a full reunion with their original singer. Deep Purple had a full reunion with their original singer. These were all big successes that bumped their numbers up. The slave masters of music were saying "We need to get something. Maiden, what can we do?" That was it for me. It was a commercial thing. And there I was. But I was very well treated by the guys, absolutely. And I can't blame them for anything that happened to me afterwards.

How did they tell you that you were out? Who broke the news?

-They did the proper thing. We had a meeting with everyone around the table. "With the greatest respect, everyone is doing this. It's a huge deal. We're sorry. We can't carry on." I said "Is Bruce coming back?" There was a silence for a moment. That decision had been made quite a while ago. I was totally unaware of it. They said "Yes, he is." I said "OK. We don't have anything else to talk about. I thank you for everything. And I will never say a bad word about this band because I've been treated very well." I was disappointed, obviously, gutted, because I loved it. As difficult as it was to keep your voice at that level, and all of that, I still loved it.

What's interesting is that bands like Judas Priest pretend that their replacement singer never existed. They often don't have their albums on Spotify, and they never, ever play the songs in concert. That's not the case with Maiden.

-It's been a real band. Your real credibility is your legacy. You have those albums. If you see The X Factor in the whole scene of things, you see the direction going to where things are now. You can directly see the connection between the new Iron Maiden album and The X Factor. They are connected. I'm part of this journey of Iron Maiden. And did people not try as hard when I was there? Did they not mean it when I was in the band? I can tell you the opposite is true. Steve Harris and the rest of those guys are warriors. They tried harder. It was like, "Bruce isn't here. We've got a guy who loves this band and is full of enthusiasm. Let's have a go. Come on!" And that's how we did it. Those albums are important.

It's great that Bruce is willing to sing the songs from your era. You almost never see that.

He's a hero. And a complete professional. I met Bruce many, many years before Maiden. We're doing an event in New York. And at the time, n the magazines, they were saying we looked very alike. It was a lot of fun. And he is a lovely, lovely guy. When I joined Iron Maiden, he was very kind to me, very, very supportive. After Iron Maiden, when I had my own solo albums, he invited me to be a special guest on his radio show. When I wanted to make a video with an airplane, he let me use his own plane to do it. He's an incredible, wonderful supportive person. He knows I know, and I know he knows!

Do you ever go to see their shows?

I'd been a couple of times. Often now, I'm doing my own thing. I've got my own tours going. I'm tiny. I'm microscopic compared to Iron Maiden, but what I am is free. And I'm independent. I am the record company. I own the label! It's called Blaze Bayley Recordings. I'm a priority artist since I'm the only one. You must have spoken to so many people that said "We weren't a priority on the label. The A&R didn't do this..." I am the A&R! I tell me what to do! I set the deadline.

I'm a working-class man from Birmingham. The deadline is set, the job starts and it is finished on time. That's it. You don't rest when you're tired. You rest when you're done! That's what you do. That's anyone that comes onto my team. They are a victim of that mentality. I'm very lucky to work with guys who are competitive, who are hardworking, who have this work ethic. And we get the job done.

We're not too arty-farty about it. It's heavy metal. It is not rocket science. It is not a Disney movie. It's a heavy metal album, and it does this and it does that. And within that, we have to make the machine work. That's it.

You did a few tours with Paul Di'Anno. How were those?

Fantastic. It was joyful to do that. I know it's a dirty word now, the R word, but we did a lot of dates in Russia together when it was still OK to do that. It was fantastic. And we played Ukraine. We played in Kiev and had just a fantastic time with the fans there. This music just lives in people's hearts and they're so happy to hear it.

It must have been a dream for Maiden fans to see a show with two of the actual singers where you hear the songs you usually don't get to hear at the band's regular shows.

-It's fantastic. This would never happen, but the dream, the ultimate dream, is to have Paul Di'Anno, Blaze Bayley, and Bruce Dickinson together on one night! It would be insane! There would be fights. "Blaze is the best!" "Paul is the best!" "Bruce is the best!" It would be fantastic. It would be so good for the fans. I don't think it would happen, but it would be so much fun.

The band is obviously way, way overdue to get into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Are you hoping to get inducted along with the rest of them?

-I'm already in the Heavy Metal Hall of Fame with Ronnie James Dio and Lemmy. That's really all I'm interested in. I'm there with Lemmy and Ronnie James Dio. I'm shoulder-to-shoulder with those guys. I'm afraid I don't really worry too much about anything else.

At the very least, it would be so great for the fans to see you come onstage with the band and sing something like "Sign of the Cross" with them one more time.

-It'd be a lot of fun. I don't think that will happen yet. And with my own stuff, I've been so lucky. I've done so many albums post-Maiden and now I have a wonderful management, wonderful team. I get to do all these exciting things. I'm living my dream. I started off, I wanted to be a professional heavy-metal singer touring the world, and that's what I do. I'm so lucky.

Tell me about your new solo record, War Within Me.

-I wanted to make something positive. I wanted every texture, every vowel sound, every lyric, every melody, to reach into your heart and make you feel better about yourself, and being a Blaze Bayley fan. In the end, my fans said "This is as good as Silicon Messiah," my first album after Maiden. And that's a long time ago.

You played some shows a few years ago with Tim "Ripper" Owens.

-What a crazy guy! Crazy guy!

You guys have had very similar life experiences that not many other people on Earth can relate to.

It's very interesting when Tim and I are together. The first couple of times we met, we swapped stories about what happened and things like that. Certain parts of the experience, what happened to him was better. In other parts, what happened to me was better. The overall thing in the end is that I'm still in contact with Maiden. I can phone Steve. We message each other and all that. I'm always very respectful. I get in touch with the manager. "I'd like to do this artwork based on this. Can I do this?"

Tim wanted to do something and the guys from Priest didn't even respond to him, so it's a very different experience. Judas Priest is a very different thing from Iron Maiden. It's hard. Iron Maiden feels in its heart that it is a band, living and breathing and fighting to be a band.

He told me recently he only hears from Priest if their lawyer are upset about a concert poster in Australia or somewhere that uses some of the album artwork from his time in the band.

-That happened to me. The Iron Maiden management got in touch with me and said "You've got to stop using the artwork." I said "I haven't used it." I never have. I've always had my own artwork. I'm a very proud man.

My past is my past. I'm respectful of my past and the wonderful opportunities that I've had, but I don't want to use Iron Maiden artwork. I don't need to. I've said "I've done 10 albums on my own. I don't need to play Iron Maiden songs at my shows. And I don't need to use Iron Maiden art. Tell me where you see the Iron Maiden artwork." I then got a message back, "Sorry, it was a promoter in Canada that stole the artwork and used it on a poster." Well, I'm not responsible for that! Everything I send out says "Do not use the Iron Maiden logo."

But that was great that that happened. Because it actually broke a little bit of ice that had built up, and management and I get along really well now. Everybody knows that I'm making my own music my own way. I love the fact that I've been in Iron Maiden. But it's five years and two albums of out 20-something. It's not the biggest...It's the loudest, probably. It's a big, important part of my career, but it's not my whole career. What's really fun to me is that new Maiden fans will get The X Factor or they'll get Virtual XI. They'll say "Bruce sounds different on this." Then they'll go down the rabbit hole and explore the great Blaze Bayley underneath.

I speak to a lot of people in your position that are at least somewhat bitter. They sort of feel on some level that they got screwed. That's really not your attitude at all.

The only thing I think, and I'm not bitter about it, but I do think about the monitor system. I should have experimented with the [monitor] wedges. That's all I can say about it. I tried in-ears. It worked out great for me when I used it. But that's the only thing really. It's just the equipment. Maybe the wedges didn't suit my voice as much as they suited Bruce, but that's the only thing I could say. And it's my own fault for not moaning about it. I was just so happy to be in Iron Maiden singing these great songs.

You're playing to between 10,000 and 70,000 people a night. We were playing in Europe to 10,000 people a gig when the English magazines were saying that Iron Maiden was dead. Well, we were playing to 10,000 people a night! That's not dead at all. And Maiden is still going. I'm still going. Those people were completely wrong, those idiots.

You truly seem happy.

I am. I'm very lucky, man. I'm very grateful to all my fans that make it possible. I'm independent. I travel in a van like I used to do in Wolfsbane. We have the t-shirts that we make and take with us, just like then. But unlike the Wolfsbane days, we have this wonderful streaming thing. We have the Internet and an online shop. And I still play to between 300 and 1,000 people a night. Sometimes less, sometimes more. Nothing is pre-taped at our shows. We are 100 percent live. Anything can happen. And at the end of the gig, you can bring your phone for a photo and you can bring your Iron Maiden and Wolfsbane CDs and get them signed. That's how I like to live. I'm not interested in being huge. I've already been huge. This is big enough for me.