Super Bowl Sunday is not an American holiday. Well, not an official one, anyway. But if it was, it’d be the best one, by far.

Even if you don’t like sports, the Super Bowl is something you know about and make plans for in advance. It’s a great day for humanity.

This year, we’ll be treated to Super Bowl 47. In honor of this most American of festivities, we give you 47 reasons why this most American of events is so darned amazing:

Source: 47 Reasons Why the Super Bowl Is Awesome

Well, our New Years Resolution lasted a whole four days, which may actually be a personal best. If there is one thing that can break a resolution, it is definitely a donut from Paula’s Donuts, but a dozen is like Kryptonite for will power. Check out some of the happy listeners that no longer have to worry about their resolutions.

What a difference a week makes — at least for the Buffalo Bills.

C.J. Spiller ran all over the Chiefs in the first half, averaging over 10 yards a carry, on the way to a 35-17 victory  at Ralph Wilson Stadium. The hyped-up defensive line looked dominant at times, with Marcel Dareus sacking Matt Cassel and Mario Williams recovering a fumble caused by Alex Carrin and shutting down Kansas City’s running game.

Granted, the Chiefs are not the Jets, but we’ll take it. With the Patriots surprising loss and the Jets falling to the Steelers, the Bills are now tied for the AFC East lead…with everybody else in the division. It was a heck of a home opener and a picture-perfect day for football. Check out the gallery for some fantastic images from the game.

In 1986, I told my mom that I was sleeping over my friend Jay’s house so I could wait out all night to buy tickets to Van Halen’s show at the Niagara Falls Convention Center. It was the first tour with new lead singer Sammy Hagar, and we were all jammin’ “Why Can’t This Be Love” in our boom boxes on a daily basis. I made $80 a week working at Burger King, so shelling out $25 to see Van Halen was kind of a big deal. I ended up getting 17th row. That same ticket today would have cost me about $250.

After seeing that The Who was honoring tickets from their canceled 1979 show in Rhode Island, I noted that highest price for a ticket to that concert was just $14 back then; today, the same ticket would cost $127. Are you really willing to dole out all that cabbage to see your favorite artists? Christ!

And what if you have kids? Tickets to tonight’s Disney-fest at Darien Lake to see Big Time Rush are over $50! Sorry, but I’d rather see ‘actual’ Rush — and you won’t believe what I paid for that concert in 1985.

Now we all know that concert ticket prices are out of control and have been since people started downloading music for free, and that concert promoters have dwindled to just a few majors, but take a look at what we paid for tickets back in the day. I asked some of my friends to send me pictures of some classic concerts they attended, and some pictures even have prices.

What shows did you attend at Rich Stadium and Memorial Auditorium, and how much did it cost? What’s the most you would pay to see your favorite artist now? Would love to see your comments below in the Facebook section.

It could be agrued that “Eddie,” the monster that graces the cover of every Iron Maiden album, is as big a part of the iconic metal band as its members. Eddie and the artwork of Iron Maiden have made the band legendary in metal circles and angered lots of moms and advocacy groups along the way. The Maiden England tour stops by Darien Lake tonight, and the show is getting rave reviews. Eddie is a big part of the stage show, as his imagery is constantly dropped behind the band during the show. Last night, the band tore it up in  Toronto, and based on the set list, tonight’s Darien Lake show should be one for the ages for metal fans. I can’t wait to see what surprises Iron Maiden has concocted for us with Eddie.

During the ’80s, I would draw each of these album covers on my school folders or book covers and try to recreate the Iron Maiden logo any place I could put it. I think my highly religous mother wanted me ex-communicated from the Catholic Church because the Parents Music Resource Center told her that listening to this music would make me want to kill myself, or somebody else. Luckily, I turned out OK and learned a little about killer branding along the way. Above are some of my favorite covers.

Walls are built and walls are torn down. Walls are built to give shelter and to give people a place to work. Walls have been built to keep people out and keep people in, while some are built as memorials. Last Thursday, inside the walls of First Niagara Center, Roger Waters built and tore down a wall of his own.

Thanks to Gus Griesinger of BackstageAxxess.com for the great photos, be sure to check out his website for a full review and setlist of the show.

*Floor

Here’s a few we can show you, but if you want the much funnier (and dirtier) auto correct’s head over to the website.

We’re looking at record temperatures for Jack FM’s Birthday Beach Bash at Mickey Rats and Captain Kidds, and don’t you worry about that rain, we’ve been celebrating our birthday every Memorial Day for the last seven years and never had rain. Thunderstorms are isolated, plus it’s always sunny at Mickey Rats and Captain Kidds. Here’ s some pictures from yesterday’s fun in the sun.

Mom finally let us drop the crazy clown act, but she is keeping the drinking!! So get on your sexy suits (men that doesn’t mean your tightest most flattering Spedo, because they just aren’t)… and get your little bottoms to the beach.

You know we are always good for something, and this year we will be giving away prizes from Fitness 19, some movie passes, and what everyone will be waiting on bated breath for… Concert tickets!! DO NOT MISS OUT, you could win tickets to Dave Mathews, Nickelback, or maybe Def Leppard is more up your alley.

Be there, Mickey Rats and Captain Kidds, any time after 11 a.m. this Memorial Day or plan on being left out!! Because, you know everyone that matters will be partying hard with Jack!!! See you there in your beach wear… Check out our beach fun below to get a little taste of how we like to party!! Oh yeah, and if you’re not sure what to wear check out our Swimwear post, Kate Upton does a fine job modeling the perfect bikini ideas!!!

We have spent some considerable time there over the past few years, more than some of the employees in fact and it has become a second home to a few of us here at the station (you know who you are).  We invite you to join us tomorrow to celebrate the official unofficial beginning of summer.

Check out some pictures from past years and reminisce the great times we’ve had.

Well, it’s a new era for the Bills with the signing of Mario Williams, so it’s fitting that the Bills get new fitted jerseys. Not much has changed except for that signature Nike swoosh and a sleeker, lighter weight material that the players say is more “breathable”, and Nike says is stronger. Biggest difference is the abscense of Red, White and Blue on the neckline because the wire-like threading that strengthens the jersey can only be manufactured in one color. Nike says the new jerseys will amplify speed. Bottom line: this is a marketing decision to amplify merchandise sales and extend the Nike Brand. But you know damn well, we’re going to buy them anyway.

Earlier this week Western New York’s New Era Cap Company became the official cap provider for the NFL, now the new jerseys. Looks like football fanatics in Buffalo will have lots of new merchandise to choose from. You can check out all the other NFL jerseys on Nike’s Facebook page. The new Bills merchandise goes on web presale April 15 and will be available in the Bills Store on April 26 (so now you know what to waste your tax return money on).

What do you think of the Bills new look?

As you look through these pictures, you will notice that all of them have something to do with a first/last name, most likely of the owner — Griffin’s, Daly’s, Gene McCarthy’s, etc. — or the location of the bar itself — The Avenue Pub (on S. Park Ave.) — or a combination of both — Mr. A’s Village Corner Pub.

An Irish pub is so much more than just a “corner bar” — it is often the hub of a community, where neighbors, friends and families get together.  An Irish bar should have great beer and whiskey (nothing too pricey though) and great food (again, nothing fancy). In many, you will not even find a kitchen, just a crock pot or a grill behind the bar where the bartender can whip something up for you.

Irish bars will blend into the neighborhood — no loud music or flashy lights, just dim lighting and dark hardwood paneling that make you feel right at home. Many bars are a group of tight-knit regulars that all know each other by name. But if you have never been to one of these bars before and are feeling like an outsider, don’t worry — you will be welcomed with open arms. Everyone may turn and look at you when you walk in, but they’re just looking to see if it’s a friend stopping in for a pint.  Do yourself a favor and head down to South Buffalo for some of the classics in the old steel and rail neighborhoods, and stop in during the day to a get a real history lesson from one of the old-timers.

Remember, in an Irish pub, there are no strangers, only friends that haven’t met yet.

6. Right Said Fred

Not only did Right Said Fred make bald sexy, they made it “Too Sexy”. Although still very androgynous, Right Said Fred was not only too sexy for this shirt, they were too sexy for this website. Put these two bald head together and it would be a doppelganger for the Twins on the Kardashians. Watch this video and tell us if you can tell who is Richard and who is Fred? What? They were a trio? Who cares about that guy he wasn’t bald, nor was he too sexy.

5. Midnight Oil

It’s not surprising that Midnight Oil drew comparisons to R.E.M in the late 80′s when they burst on to the MTV scene with their socially conscious song ”Beds are Burning”. Sadly, Midnight Oil never matched that songs success, although they had another minor hit with “Blue Sky Mine” in 1990. But who could forget thier video from the hot Austrailan outback with bald lead singer Peter Garrett doing his best Michael Stipe impression, while pondering how we could sleep while our beds are burning. Even though Garrett looked like a reject from Mad Max, he took his bald head into activism , was named Austraila’s Minister of the Environment and even served in thier House of Representitives. Not bad for a guy who was follically challenged.

4. Ed Kowalchuck

Soon after the arrival of Nirvana and Pearl Jam, Live burst onto the scene. But Lead singer Ed Kowalchuck wasn’t naturally bald. Their debut album “Mental Jewlry” showcased a longer-haired Kowalchuck head-banging to “Operation Spirit“. But Kowalchuk apparently busted out the shaving cream and blades to give him a new iconic look that he still carries today. And with the new look, Live vaulted to superstar status with thier album “Throwing Copper” which had 5 smash hits, including the bands biggest hit, “Lightning Crashes.”

3. Sinead O’ Connor

Best Known for  ripping up a picture of the pope on Saturday Night Live, Sinead O’Connor is one wacky Irish woman. Proving that bald women usually are a whole lot of crazy. Isn’t that right Britney Spears? O’Connor briefly grew her hair back, but shaved again when people started asking her if she was  Enya.

“I don’t feel like me unless I have my hair shaved. So even when I’m an old lady, I’m going to have it,” O’Connor told People Magazine. She managed to get back in the news recently, filing for divorce from her husband, who she had only been married to for 16 days. Take that Kim Kardashian. Baldies Rule!!

2. Billy Corgan

When you think bald lead-singers is there any cooler than Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins. This guy is a walking, talking, singing Lex Luthor. He looks downright scary, but has proved to be a pretty normal guy. In fact, he’s known for his sprituality which he must have used to get with Jessica Simpson for a while. But who hasn’t, really? Even though the Pumpkins haven’t been able to return to thier hit making status of the 90′s, two albums, “Siamese Dream” and the 2 hour epic “Melancholy and the Infinate Sadness” still resonate in music and on the Jack FM airwaves.

1. Michael Stipe

Not only are R.E.M. the godfathers of alternative music, but Michael Stipe is the godfather of bodacious baldness . Like Kowalchuk, Stipe didn’t always have the bald head. But right around the time the band started gaining national recognition with songs like “It’s the End of the World” and “The One I Love” Stipe was sans hair. The band went on to release thier two most successful mastepieces after that, culminating with an international smash on the song “Losing My Religion” which Stipe grew back his hair for. But could have R.E.M. been one of the biggest bands in the world if it wasn’t for Stipe’s occasional bald head and eyeliner? Probably not. This look got him into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.

Now all you have to do is pick up some chocolates, flowers maybe a chick flick from Redbox or a Marvin Gaye CD and you are good to go. But please, do yourself a favor and print out at least one of these cards, don’t email it to her. Nothing says ‘I Love You’ less than “hey, I really care about you, so I took three seconds out of my day to send you this photo”.