RALPHIE REPORT: Flavor Flav, Vegas, DJ AM, Hinder

Flavor Flav celebrated his 50th birthday last week. No, that is not a typo.

The “Flavor Of Love” star kicked off the celebration on the East Coast – with a star-studded bash at BB King’s in New York City. The party brought a pleasant surprise to ongoers, as Ice-T and Chuck D joined Flav on stage to perform a number of hits from Public Enemy’s catalog.

Last Friday, Flav flew the festivities to Las Vegas, with a party inside Jet Nightclub at The Mirage. The highlight? The rapper held his trademark, “Yeah Boyee!” catchphrase for an uncanny 35 seconds.

SPEAKING OF LAST FRIDAY…

So I spent part of last week in Las Vegas, betting on March Madness (How ‘bout Syracuse?!), partaking in bottle/limo service, and enjoying the amenities of The Strip (as in the stretch of attractions, not a prefix for a club).

You would’ve thought that these activities, especially with Spring Break, would’ve yielded a many stories for this column, between celebrity sightings and encounters.

Well, you would’ve thought incorrectly. I saw DJ AM spin at LAX inside Luxor, and didn’t bother with Flav’s aforementioned party on Friday night. All in all, I did not meet, let alone knowingly encounter any type of celebrity.

And as far as stories? I accumulated quite a few for a 72 hour period, however what happens in Vegas…

BUT AGAIN, BACK TO LAST FRIDAY…

Big thanks to everyone who joined 97 BHT for the return of Funhouse Friday’s inside The Woodlands. While I was actin’-a-foo inside Prive at Planet Hollywood, A.J. In The Afternoon was throwing a big bash inside Evolution at The Woodlands. I can only imagine what Week 2 will be like inside The Woods, with Shontelle, Adam Barta, and DJ Woogie slated to perform on Friday.

There was also a group of celebrities in the house last week. However the band Hinder was “less than friendly” according to one patron. Another person at the event noted that the band would only sign five CDs for 97 BHT to give to listeners (Most artists usually will agree to how many CDs asked of them).
But then again, I suppose it shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise – we are talking about a “rock” group from Oklahoma that is notorious for playing by their own rules, whether that be shots of “Jager” prior to radio interviews or all-night benders on the tour bus before concerts.

It’s really quite a shame though. I remember hearing so many stories about an easy going Hinder – drinking at Tinks with fans, sleeping in their caravan outside of studios just to snag radio time and the attention of Program Directors.

I suppose it’s just an example of the affect that groupies, alcohol, cross-country tours, and a couple of Billboard “rock” hits can have on one’s ego.

BTW, if you weren’t one of the 5 to snag one of those highly-coveted autographed CDs, you might have a chance this summer, as the pompous partiers return to NEPA on July 14 to open for fellow “rockers” Nickelback at Toyota Pavilion at Montage Mountain.