1) As far as the NAMM show went , did this years differ from others?

Yes , last year , it only took an hour to find parking. This year it took 90 minutes! Ok , seriously(NOT), NAMM was magnificent , a true gathering of the tribes for love of music. Sure , it's about commerce , too , but what isn't these days? Gone are the altruists who create art for art's sake. That being said , NAMM breathes and pulses and grinds to the immense power of SOUND. Judy(Applegate) and I spent quite a while in the drum section. She digs the tribal stuff. I ran into Myron Grombacher and Mike Clink in the sushi bar. We shared a GnR story , smiled sweetly at the ongoing drama of William Bailey and hoisted a sake to the glory of rock. Finest single moment was running into Eric Singer. Started riffing on Gene Simmons. "Know what I got for x-mas?" he asked."Uh , 100k bous for being a great , loyal KISS drummer?" He almost choked. " A George Foreman grill. But top-o-the line G-4!"

2) I saw that you and Rudy Sarzo were comparing books this year. How was that?

Rudy is one of my favorite rockers. Always has been. His talent is only superceded by his humility. We've been sharing notes on the 'author's journey' . I gave him my memoir at NAMM. I'm supposedly getting a copy of "Off the Rails" very soon. He just got back from Bulgaria with Ronnie James Dio , whom I also love. The "Mick Jagger" of metal , Ronnie keeps on crooning , laying waste to the lot of those 80's front men whose pipes are on life support. If you can't hit the notes anymore , take a seat. Preserve your dignity. How do you spell artistic dignity? STEVE PERRY. I know it's hard to turn down the big check. But the way I see it , fans deserve (I shall now break into my Dave Grohl) , the best , the best , the best , the best of you!

3)What's your opinion on the Van Halen re-union?

What was I saying about "pipes"? Jury's out on that one until I see Wolfgang pound the 4 string like Micheal A. and Edward clean and sharp enough to perform the 6 string miracles like he did back in the day. Every hero is due his final campaign. I saw Van Halen at the Whiskey back in '76. There was nothing like them , not on planet rock. They were incendiary.(Why does Lonn throw in these big words I don't know?) We all crave the Diamond Dave of 3 decades past. Can he pull off a "Mick Jagger"? I don't know. If this tour turns out to be a banking exersise with fans having to lay down Benjamins for decent tickets , they better get the heart , soul , and fire of authentic Van Halen. The songs from the early E.P.s are immortal. Are the band members? Therein lies the cosmic question.

3) If you could choose a band to re-unite , who would it be?

The human ego will forever prevent the two most significant re-unions in the rock universe from ever happening. Pink Floyd and Guns and Roses. Roger and Dave , Axl and Slash, leading their respective original units (sans Syd Barrett , rest in peace , crazy diamond) to the promised land of riff , word , and wonder. Yes , I am the eternal dreamer.

5) What recent bands do you think can carry the "torch"?

Opeth is awesome , though I prefer the prog style vocals over the cookie monster growls. The dark , demonic , bowel dissection indecipherable stuff was never my cup-o-metal tea. I respect what the movement -- from Cannibal Corpse to Lamb of God -- has accomplished. It's laudable. Dragonforce can shred to almost spinal tap absurdity. They're fun. I've been watching (and occasionally counseling) an un-signed band out of Havasu , Arizona called Soul Existence for about three years. They have an axe prodigy guitarist cut in true Dave Mustaine cloth. Kid is brilliant. Masterplan out of Germany has chops and old skool , fairy tale , Iron Maiden style appeal. But from the songs I've heard , their message is light , not darkness. I dig that.

6) What did you have for lunch today?

I had a bowl of mushroom barely soup at the Newsroom on Robertson blvd. with Dan from Myspace Records , my pal , Rob Hill (whose editing an erotic coffee table volume with me) , and the Manhattan goddess of modern music , Michelle Caputo. She made a documentary called "Bastards of Youth". You should check it out.

7) What movies are you diggin' now?

I've been lax in the "oscar parade" , with the exception of "Little Miss Sunshine". I hope it wins best picture because it's brave and honest and simple and it stars the little girl from signs , one of the top 10 films of all-time. DeNiro's "The Good Sheperd' , was breathtaking. I have to see "The Departed". I love Scorsese. And everyone that says George Miller's animated penguin picture is incredible. I wanted to see Apocalypto. My fascination with end times  , and all. Hey , Armegeddon is not sci-fi anymore ,  boys and girls. It's CURRENT EVENTS! Sorry , didn't mean to get preachy and political.

7) Who do ya wanna give a shout out to?

All the Myspace friends whose messages and comments keep me moving through the mist.

 Well , there ya go , childrens. This dude was in the middle of MY favorite musical meat market. All ya gotta do is check his Myspace pics.  http://www.myspace.com/lonnsworld  I STRONGLY urge anyone that's a fan of 80's metal....GET THIS BOOK!  

                    "LIFE ON PLANET ROCK"

                                       Peace n ChiKKin Grease,

                                     Ron "RoosterpuDDin" Isbell