Jennifer Batten.  My wife is about 6000 words into writing her fictional novel about a lead singer of a heavy metal band who decided to pull a JD Salinger at the top of his career.  Last week, Torrie and I were talking about this lead singer’s band and Torrie mentioned that she imagined a female guitarist.  Of course, I mentioned Jennifer Batten.  If you’re into metal or guitars, she’s the most famous female guitarist.  Jennifer wrote for Guitar magazine for years.   She was the guitarist for the Bad, Dangerous and History World Tours, but I remember her from the Dirty Diana video.

Slash.  Speaking of guitarists.  My wife is reading various heavy metal biographies for her book.  She’s currently reading Slash’s book.  He played guitar for “Black or White” on the Dangerous album.   Slash has also done a few special appearances on several award shows and concerts playing guitar for “Beat It“, “Billy Jean” and of course, “Black or White”.

Wade Robson.  On Wednesdays, I watch So You Think You Can Dance.  I love, love, love that show.  Each week, I’m hoping that this will be one of the weeks that Wade Robson choreographs a piece.  Sorry Mia Michaels, but Wade Robson is my favorite choreographer on that show.

Wade’s dance career started at 4 when he did a dance routine to “Smooth Criminal” with the full outfit for an Australian TV talent show.  Subsequently, he got invited to perform at the Brisbane leg of the Bad Tour.  Several years later, at age 8, he appeared on America’s Star Search dancing to “The Way You Make Me Feel“.

Wade career kicked into high gear as a teenager, dancing and choreographing for pretty much every pop princess and boy band with a dance routine.  Amazing dancer as he is, Wade’s is godlike as a choreographer and still heavily influenced by his early career.

Al Yankovic.  Yesterday on Twitter, Amanda Palmer and Neil Gaiman mentioned that Al Yankovic showed up at Amanda’s concert that they met Al for the first time.  Whenever I hear Al’s name, I’m reminded of all the times I heard Al’s Eat It and Fat parodies on the Dr. Demento show when I was growing up.

The moonwalk.  So I was rewatching Hamlet 2 last Saturday.  Hilarious.  The movie climaxes with the Rock Me Sexy Jesus number.  I’m not linking to it because you have to watch the entire movie which builds up to that scene.   In the middle of  that number, Steve Coogan, who’s playing Jesus, does the moonwalk on water.

You’ll be missed Michael.