VALENTINES DAY IN THE 21ST CENTURY...

VALENTINE'S DAY in the 21st Century...  

DOES TECH TURNOFF = TRUE LOVE? 

Valentine's Day.

Each year on February 14th, many people all over the world, exchange cards, candy, gifts or flowers with their special “Valentine.” 

The day of romance we call Valentine's Day is named for a Christian martyr and dates back to the 5th century but, has origins in the Roman holiday Lupercalia.

For some people, V-Day is just another "commercial" holiday that ultimately feels more like an obligation, jacks up the cost of roses, chocolate and reminds single people they may end up alone forever?

Well ... not so fast my cynical friends.  

In today's tech consumed world, the once simple act of experiencing an in-depth human connection is getting harder and harder to find.

Can you remember what a real human connection is?  Real eye to eye contact.  Heart to heart communication.  Soul to soul exchange.  

This real connection takes time.  Dare I say, it takes WORK!   What?  More work?  

In today's day and age, if you are fortunate enough to find another person you actually want to see face to face.  No, selfie to selfie does not count!  Your next step is to actually peel yourself away from all modern technology and make a real effort to connect with a person...That means (gasp) you need to put down the phone...wait no, turn off the phone!  Ok.  Baby steps.  How about just turn over the phone?  

There is NO denying it...TECH TURNOFF is a serious challenge.   

In 2016, Valentines Day has taken on a very different meaning.  The once holiday of professing your love with a bouquet of flowers and chocolates has been trumped just simple human connection.  

Moving forward, when it comes to love, the real question you should ask yourself isn't just,  "Do I really like this person?" 

The real test for your inner love meter is,  "Can I fathom TECH TURNOFF with this person?"  Do I feel the urge to turn off the phone?  Can I realistically take my mind off the social media rat race and focus on this one person?

Now, when it comes to relationships, the tech turn-off should be a no brainer.  If you and your significant other are finding it hard to turn off (or at least turn away) from the phone to share a meal together and actually connect...If you are finding the "tech turn- off" a serious challenge, then maybe you need to work at the relationship or just simply turn away?  

Valentines Day is the perfect opportunity to show your loved ones you care enough to TURN OFF the tech and TURN ON the romance.

HAPPY TURNOFF TECH DAY people!  

XO Gina and W2W

HOW TO HOST THE PERFECT LAST MINUTE BARBECUE? HURRY UP AND READ THIS...

START PLANNING THE PERFECT BBQ RIGHT NOW…

Memorial Day weekend 2022 is only a few months away!  It’s the unofficial start to the summer season.

This holiday weekend is the perfect time to host a backyard, deck or porch-side BBQ celebration in honor of our fellow veterans and active military members.  

If you are anything like us here at W2W, we realize doing things last minute and on a budget is key.  No worries, we’ve got you covered!  

W2W put together some solid resources to help you plan, including a handy checklist, so you can host the perfect BBQ soiree.  You just need to provide the working grill and we can help you plan the rest!  

Let’s do this! 

GUEST LIST:  Make a quick guest list.  Nothing fancy.  Text or create an official invite or send an electronic invitation with, Evite.  Just have a solid number of people who will attend and plan to eat!  Once you have a solid number of attendees, make sure to ask if anyone has any specific food allergies or special dietary needs, such as gluten free or vegan.  Then be sure to plan accordingly.  We agree shrimp on the barb sounds great but some folks are allergic to shellfish so providing a few options from fish, meat and non-meat food dishes. are a safe way to go.

FOOD MENU:  Based on how many guests attending and their dietary needs, start planning your menu and make a list of all the food/drink ingredients and non-food supplies you’ll need for the barbecue.   This is also a good time to think of a theme for your BBQ.  See “DECOR” for more on this topic.

DRINK MENU:  Create a signature drink.  This can be with or without alcohol.  A signature drink is a great way to create a memorable theme or just spice up the celebration.  Plus, buying and creating anything in bulk can save time and money.  Our favorite cocktail that you can put your own spin on is an, Aperol Spritz.  If your guests like prosecco and orange, this is a big hit!  American flag garnish is optional.

CREATE A SIGNATURE DRINK

FOOD & SUPPLIES SHOPPING LIST:  Create a master food and supplies list.  This CHECK LIST from our friends over at STOCKYARDS STEAKS is a super handy checklist that you can print out and get the ball rollin’.  An all American basic BBQ menu typically includes hamburgers, hotdogs and chicken.  Side dishes include corn, grilled veggies and potato salad.  For dessert, fresh fruit salad, cupcakes, cookies or a sundae bar is a festive way to go.  You can put your own a spin on any BBQ by adding on fresh fish such as Lobster or shrimp, speciality frozen drinks or gourmet side dishes.   If possible, we suggest you purchase any nonperishable foods and supplies at least a few days in advance.  This is will help breakup the shopping load but, if you don’t have the time, one big shopping trip will get the job done!

BBQ CHECK LIST

OUTDOOR GEAR:  Whether your event is outdoors or inside, you need to think of seating.  It’s customary to provide comfortable and sun free seat options for guests to eat.  You may need to rent or buy extra folding tables or chairs.  Paper or we prefer reusable Melamine (heavy duty plastic) products are a simple way to provide all the necessary cups, plates, utensils, serving pieces for your guests.  PartyCity, Target, Walmart and Amazon are all good last minute options to buy any gear and table supplies.  Don’t forget to invest in a few outdoor receptacles for garbage or at least a box of heavy duty 20 gallon garbage bags. 

DECOR:  Whether you throw a BBQ with several weeks to plan or 24 hours before, “DECOR” doesn’t have to be a scary word.  Not every celebration has to have a theme but, it' sure makes the event festive and can help streamline every choice you make from the food to the cups, plates and utensils.  If you have the time, check out Martha Stewart and Town and Country’s take on the perfect Mem Day bash for some decor inspo. If you are short on time, no worries, mood lighting can create a festive impact on your guests with minimal effort.  Buy a few sets of flameless candles for the tables and hang some string lights over the eating areas to create instant ambiance!  For any summer celebration, you can’t go wrong with an American flag theme.  Even a few flags proudly on display will help create a more festive vibe.

FOOD AND DRINK STATIONS:  Serving up the food quick, hot and simple is key.  We suggest creating a food and drink self serve or buffet area for guests to serve themselves.  This is the best way to go.  We suggest creating food stations inside but, If your buffet stations are outside you will want to serve the food in covered containers or cover all food trays with the appropriate sized food screens to keep out the bugs.  Food screens are a great investment and everyone from Amazon to Target sells a version.  Heated food trays or burners are also a great option and can keep food warm without burning anything for hours at a time.  Kabobs are great way to serve guests fast and easy.  Helps create a great theme for your event as well.  The kabob sticks come in metal or bamboo are easy to buy in bulk and help streamline the grilling process.

THE DAY OF YOUR BBQ:   

• Prep all your dishes and items to be grilled.  Marinate meats and veggies for grilling.  Be sure to display all your condiments for guests. Cut and prep fresh fruits and veggies and keep them in the fridge until guests arrive.

• Finish decorating. Make the final adjustments to your décor and seating arrangements. Organize cups, plates, utensils, salads, side dishes, condiments, etc., on a buffet-style table. Make sure any food items are covered to protect them from heat and bugs!

• Set up the drinks station. Fill your cooler with ice and stock it with plenty of drinks so they’re nice and cold by the time your guests arrive. Remember to frequently replenish the ice supply throughout the day.

• Fire up the grill. Set up your grill and start cookin’! Keep an eye on the meats and ensure they’re being grilled at the proper grilling temperatures.

• Enjoy! Spend the day having fun with your family and friends!

POST BBQ:  

• Put away the leftovers. Wrap up any leftover perishable food right away and store them in the fridge. (That includes meats, salad, cheeses and spreads.) If there’s enough to go around, give some leftovers to your guests to take home.

• Clean up. Throw away the trash and clean and disinfect tables and chairs. Don’t forget to thoroughly clean your grill too.

• Stock up for your next BBQ bash. Hang on to any unused utensils and save them for your next fabulous backyard barbecue.

Any tips on how you made a last minute BBQ a success?

We would love to hear from you!

Please do comment below and let us know!

###

HOW DOES THE CORONAVIRUS SPREAD and WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

UPDATED FACTS on the CORONAVIRUS. THE SYMPTOMS and how the virus SPREADS…

Passengers wearing face masks travel on a subway train in Shanghai on March 5, 2020.(AFP photo)

1. If you have a runny nose and sputum, you have a common cold.

2. Coronavirus pneumonia is a dry cough with no runny nose.

3. This new virus is not heat-resistant and will be killed by a temperature of just 26/27 degrees. It hates the Sun.

4. If someone sneezes with it, it takes about 10 feet before it drops to the ground and is no longer airborne.

5. If it drops on a metal surface it will live for at least 12 hours - so if you come into contact with any metal surface - wash your hands as soon as you can with a bacterial soap.

6. On fabric it can survive for 6-12 hours. Normal laundry detergent will kill the virus.

7. Drinking warm water is effective for all viruses. Try not to drink liquids with ice.

8. Wash your hands frequently as the virus can only live on your hands for 5-10 minutes, but - a lot can happen during that time - you can rub your eyes, pick your nose unwittingly and so on.

9. You should also gargle as a prevention. A simple solution of salt in warm water will suffice.

10. Can't emphasize enough - Drink plenty of water!

THE SYMPTOMS

1. It will first infect the throat, so you'll have a sore throat lasting 3/4 days

2. The virus then blends into a nasal fluid that enters the trachea and then the lungs, causing pneumonia. This takes about 5/6 days further.

3. With the pneumonia comes high fever and difficulty in breathing.

4. The nasal congestion is not like the normal kind. You feel like you're drowning. It's imperative you then seek immediate attention.

As Coronavirus Spreads, Here’s What You Can Do

As coronavirus, or COVID-19, spreads globally, public health experts suggest these 5 vital steps to take now for prevention:

Wash your hands

Experts agree that washing your hands frequently is one of the most important acts in preventing virus spread. During an outbreak, proper hand-washing is your best defense against a virus. So, follow the evidence-based advice to wash for 20 seconds or more using soap and water. In addition, you may want to forego hugging and hand-shakes, and embrace "low-touch" salutations such as the elbow bump.

Self-quarantine if you feel sick

Stay home if you aren’t feeling well, and encourage your friends and coworkers to do the same. Keep your distance from other people. As for what constitutes far enough, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends maintaining at least “three feet of distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.”

Should you start to feel ill, stay out of public areas to avoid spreading the sickness. But if you develop more than mild symptoms, particularly if you have any trouble breathing, then seek immediate care.

Refrain from touching your face

Don't touch your face, eyes, nose, and mouth since you can transmit a virus in a single touch. While coming into contact with a contaminated surface won’t immediately confirm the spread, infection occurs when you touch your eyes, your mouth, or the inside of the nose. Another solution is to wipe down your surroundings with disinfectant wipes before coming into contact with them.

Carry hand sanitizer

Although washing with soap and water is king, coating hands with hand sanitizer is a handy on-the-go method. The CDC recommends an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol (for example, Purell has 70%).

Stock up on essentials

Beyond hand soap, make sure you have at least a little food in your house in case you decide to stay at home for a few days. When you’re doing bulk buying, remember that surgical masks do not need to be top of the list. The standard paper surgical masks on the news have virtually no protective value for healthy people. Masks are most important for health care workers taking care of sick people.

Source: Vogue March 4, 2020 article by Jenna Rennert

As the news changes every day check out the CDC's website below for the latest updates.

– U.S. Centers for Disease Control Coronavirus Page: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/index.html

PLEASE SHARE THE FACTS AND NOT THE FEAR…

FANS OF THE LATE BELOVED, FASHION DESIGNER KATE SPADE, RUSH TO BUY OUT HER CURRENT ACCESSORIES COLLECTION, "FRANCES VALENTINE" ON NORDSTROM.COM - SOLD OUT IN MINUTES...

Bebeto Matthews/AP

Uber successful fashion designer, Kate Spade, reportedly committed suicide this morning at age, 55.  Spade's Housekeeper apparently found Spade hanging by a scarf tied to the doorknob of her bedroom, with a note by her side.  Katherine Noel Frances Valentine Bresnahan is survived by her husband and business partner, Andy Spade and 13 year old daughter, Bea Spade.  

As soon as the horrible news made headlines this morning, fans of Spade immediately hit the internet and snatched up her latest fashion collection, "Frances Valentine."  FrancesValentine.com was so busy the site was shut down.  Nordstrom.com carries the online collection and every piece sold out in minutes.  

In 2016, Spade legally changed her name to "Frances Valentine" to help support her latest business venture.  It is surreal to watch this WSJ interview where Spade explains why she chose to change her name and shared, "I didn't want to confuse the customer with my name."  Spade went onto reveal how getting back into the fashion business after a hiatus to raise her daughter, was not easy, "I forget how hard it was."  

Spade's alleged suicide is a tragic reminder that despite success, fame and fortune anyone can suffer from depression and mental health issues.  WE all need to work towards making it easier for anyone suffering to get help and not feel alone.  The time is now to get rid of the negative stigma on mental health issues and make it easier for anyone to access the necessary care and resources to live a productive life.  

NAMI is a fantastic resource for loved ones in need or anyone suffering from anxiety, depression and mental illness.  

USA Today created a memorable look back at the fashion icon, mother and wife, Kate Spade.  RIP.

WANNA GUESS HOW MUCH IT WILL COST YA TO PARTY WITH 50 CENT "IN DA" HAMPTONS?

Effen Vodka

 Thank goodness Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, is officially moving forward from his 2015 bankruptcy dilemma and back on the celebrity scene.

The rapper/actor is currently a co-executive producer and re-occurring character Kanan, on the Starz series, "Power."  50 Cent just announced this month, that he has a superhero-themed series in development with The Starz network titled, “Tomorrow, Today."

Despite Jackson's recent bankruptcy woes, he is still considered a successful business entrepreneur.  In 2007, 50 Cent was the richest rapper in hip-hop, behind Jay Z.   In 2014, Jackson announced he was part owner of, Effen Vodka produced in the Netherlands.  He currently endorses the product via his live concert performances and social media platforms.  50 Cent also promotes Effen Vodka by making appearances around the globe and this weekend he is scheduled to hit da Hamptons!

That's right, the famous rap artist is hosting a big event, "50 Cents Effen Hamptons Party!"  You will find Fifty "in da club" this Friday, August 5, 2016, at AM Southampton.  

Question is, "How much will it cost to party with 50 Cent?"  

General admissions tickets will set you back $50 bucks and include entry into the venue where 50 Cent is set to perform live.  

For $2000.00 dollars you and seven of your closest friends will get an actual seat at a table, some where inside the club.  

For $5000.00 thousand dollars ($400 per person) you and eleven of your friends will get the ultimate VIP experience which includes a table near 50 Cent, 4 bottles of Effen Vodka and 5 bottles of house champagne.  Proximity almost guarantees an autograph and a few memorable celebrity selfie-shots.  Imagine...you, Effen Vodka and 50 Cent?  Isn't this exactly the kind of networking experience you told your parents you would acquire on a summer internship in NYC?  

If partying late night in da club isn't exactly your style, you still have a chance to hang with 50 Cent this weekend!  This Saturday evening, 50 Cent is also scheduled to attend an exclusive charity event.  Not a bad move on his part.  The rapper (who has since apologized) could use some good karma after his despicable "attack"  towards a 19 year old, Andrew Farrell, an airport janitor that suffers from autism.  

This Saturday, August 6, 2016, the charity event, "A Night Under The Stars" will take place at the Campbell Stables on West Pond Drive in Bridgehampton at 6pm.  The proceeds are set to benefit several worthy causes including:  Starkey Hearing Foundation, The Needlers Foundation & the Long Island Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependence (LICADD).  The event founder is Jason Zimmerman who initially partnered with friend and Executive Director of the Starkey Hearing Foundation, Brady Forseth.  Other notable guests scheduled to attend include:  Dacha Polanco (Orange is the New Black) and Verne Troyer (“Mini Me”).

If you wanna party Friday night at AM Southampton with 50 Cent, you can buy tickets HERE.

Buy tickets to the Bridgehampton Benefit, "A Night Under The Stars" HERE.

Make a donation to the Bridgethampton Benefit event HERE.

“YA KNOW YOU WANNA”

MUSIC YOU WANNA HEAR REVEALS THE BEST ROCK ALBUM OF THE YEAR!

SONGS FROM THE STARDUST ROAD HITS ITUNES & APPLE MUSIC TODAY!

www.stardustroad.com

At a time, when Hip-Hop is king, Country is cool, and Pop is a princess, real Rock & Roll might as well be the ugly step-sister.

Those days of stepping out in the East Village, to find a rock band performing live at a legendary venue on every corner, are long gone.  Both the venue and the bands are no where to be found.  Rock and roll institutions have been replaced by international clothing chains and drug store theme parks.

Yet, just when the future of rock appears bleak, one underground band surfaces with a new album, that injects a powerful surge of hope and inspiration into the world of music.

The New York, Bronx born band, SWEET CYANIDE released a new album today, SONGS FROM THE STARDUST ROAD.  Thirteen tracks, written and composed by SWEET CYANIDE’s front man, Sal Scoca.  The album is coming off of their 2012 rock radio hit, "IN MY WORLD" and 2014 rock radio hit, "BETTER AT GOODBYES." 

STARDUST ROAD is an unexpected yet, genius evolution from SWEET CYANIDE’S original aggressive, hard rock sound.  Each track on the new album delivers a distinctive mix of inventive electric modernity, layered between daringly clever lyrics that all culminate into a unique rock experience. 

STARDUST ROAD, has the power to change the way the world emotionally digests a group of songs released together at the same time, by offering fans a few different ways to experience the album.

Each song can stand alone as it’s own distinctive sound and experience.  Yet, if you listen closely to the lyrics from beginning to end, each track seamlessly flows from one scene to the next, ultimately revealing a captivating character and raw storyline.  But, make no mistake, the whole is not greater then the sum of it’s parts.  Just different.

The multi-level experience that STARDUST ROAD delivers fans, is what industry insiders would refer to as a, “concept album.”  The concept may have a thematic unity or artistic cohesiveness.  The group of songs may be unified by a theme, which can be instrumental, compositional, narrative, or lyrical. 

Most rock historians agree, the first concept album was by the Beatles' in 1967;  Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.  Other famous concept albums include:  The Who's Tommy in 1969, Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon in 1973 and the Eagles' Hotel California in 1977. 

Setting out to create a concept album is quite ambitious.  Writing a successful song is hard enough.  Now, imagine trying to create thirteen individual songs that offer double the pleasure?  Seems almost impossible to pull off. 

Seems impossible, but Scoca pulled it off.  STARDUST ROAD is a successful concept album. 

Yet, when we asked Scoca to share the concept, he said, “I don’t want the concept to over power or influence how someone interprets the sound.  The storyline is not up in your face.  It’s suggested.  Abstract enough so the listener still has the room to think and create a personal connection.  I guess when you create a concept that is the risk you take.”

It’s a risk that paid off for Scoca.  Tracks like New Illusions and Zero Hour are epic hits on their own and when you listen to the entire album, they weave an intense thought provoking story, that delivers both musically and lyrically.

Scoca said while he was in the trenches of creating the album he was listening to a lot of music from the late 70’s and early 80’s, “I kept going back and forth listening to Hall and Oates, Peter Gabriel and Bowie.” 

Sal also revealed, “Initially the concept of the album was inspired by Ziggy Stardust.  I always wondered to myself, what ever happened to Ziggy?  What if Ziggy was resurrected now, in the year 2016?  A time where the majority of society is obsessed with celebrities, fame and selfies.  Basically exploring the concept of…Are you chasing the dream or is the dream chasing you?”

You can form your own opinion and download the album which premieres on ITUNES today. 

You can also experience the album live.  SWEET CYANIDE plans to make their annual pilgrimage cross-country from NYC to South Dakota.  The band will be performing live on the main-stage at the 76th annual Sturgis Buffalo Chip Music Festival.  Sturgis is a real tradition for the band.  Past years SWEET CYANDIE has performed live and shared center-stage with Alice Cooper, Def Leppard, Cheap Trick, Five Finger Death Punch, and Motley Crue.  This year, Friday, August 12, 2016, the band will be performing live with Pop Evil and Buckcherry.  You can buy SWEET CYANIDE LIVE @ STURGIS tickets HERE.

Sweet Cyanide live on the mainstage at Sturgis. Until next year... Goto ITunes now and download their latest album out today, SONGS FROM THE STARDUST ROAD! WWW.STARDUSTROAD.COM

SONGS FROM THE STARDUST ROAD is Music You Wanna Hear! 

Log onto SWEETCYANIDE.com for live updates from the band and special CD and merch giveaways.

“Ya Know Ya Wanna!” 

ORLANDO SHOOTING PROMPTS CELEBRITIES TO TWEET OUT AGAINST THE SALE OF AUTOMATIC ASSAULT WEAPONS...

The Aftermath - Tragedy Strikes Orlando Night Club

Sunday, June 12 - Orlando, Florida, 49 people were killed and 53 wounded by a mass murderer at the Pulse nightclub. The shooter was legally able to purchase several automatic weapons, despite the fact that he was investigated earlier this year, by the FBI. The nation is in mourning over this terrible tragedy and celebrities are no exception.  In fact, several famous faces tweeted out in anger against the sale of automatic weapons.

 “Family Guy”, Seth MacFarlane tweeted, “These shootings are a regular occurrence. You don’t get to be “shocked” anymore unless you can take action to stop them. Ban automatic weapons.”

[MacFarlane Tweet]  - Twitter - @SethMacFarlane

Cher tweeted on point and stated “If nothing else, automatic assault rifles & those that can be made in 2 assault weapons.”

[Cher Tweet] - Twitter - @Cher

Monday evening, talk show host, Conan O’Brien addressed the tragedy in his show monologue and stated “I simply do not understand why anybody in this country is allowed to purchase and own a semi-automatic assault rifle. It makes no sense to me. These are weapons of war and they have no place in civilian life. . .. Nobody I know or have ever met in my entire life should have access to a weapon that can kill so many people so quickly”

Other celebrities including Chris Rock, Julianne Moore, Olivia Wilde and Adam Lambert have tweeted their anger about the tragedy.  They used the hash tags #stopgunviolence and #guncontrol.       

THE WANNA wants to hear from you!  Any tweets that caught your eye?                           

BRITNEY SPEARS RETRACTS HER ENDORSEMENT FOR HILLARY CLINTON?

OOPS!  BRIT DOES IT AGAIN?  

BRITNEY SPEARS RETRACTS HER ENDORSEMENT FOR HILLARY CLINTON?

CLICK ON THE LINK ABOVE FOR LATEST SPEARS STORY...

STEVEN SPIELBERG DOESN'T KNOW WHY IDRIS ELBA WASN'T NOMINATED FOR AN OSCAR?

STEVEN SPIELBERG DOESN'T KNOW WHY IDRIS ELBA WASN'T NOMINATED FOR AN OSCAR? 

BOWIE'S BLOOD AND DIEHARD FANS DISAPPOINTED BY GAGA'S FAILED GRAMMY TRIBUTE...

BOWIE'S BLOOD AND DIEHARD FANS DISAPPOINTED BY GAGA'S FAILED GRAMMY TRIBUTE...

By @Lancesirlot

See the innovative collaboration from music's biggest night. Subscribe NOW to GRAMMYs on YouTube: http://grm.my/1dTBF8H About GRAMMYs: The recording industry's most prestigious award, the GRAMMY, is presented annually by The Recording Academy. A GRAMMY is awarded by The Recording Academy's voting membership to honor excellence in the recording arts and sciences.

Let's get this straight, we are fans of Lady Gaga.  

There is no debating that she is an incredibly talented musician and actress.  

In fact, Ms. Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta's recent "Best Actress" Golden Globe for her performance in "American Horror Story," was well deserved.

But, Gaga's tribute performance at the 73rd Grammy Awards show, in honor of the legendary David Bowie, is getting some serious criticism by Bowie fans and even Bowie's son, Duncan Jones, who tweeted his disdain after the tribute, "overexcited or irrational, typically as a result of infatuation or excessive enthusiasm; mentally confused." Damn it! What IS that word!?

Gaga's tribute kicked off with an extreme close up on her face, with an image of Ziggy Stardust's famous make-up, superimposed over her.  When Gaga started singing that's when the performance took a turn for the worse.  Dressed in a high waisted jump suit that looked more Elvis (circa late 70's) then Ziggy, she rushed through a disjointed medley of Bowie's legendary hits, including Space Oddity, Changes, Ziggy Stardust, Suffragette City, Rebel Rebel, Fashion, Fame, Under Pressure, Let's Dance and Heroes.

Unfortunately, Gaga's tribute seriously missed the mark.  

Gaga's performance left fans wondering, was this a showcase for Gaga or a Bowie centric tribute? 

Gaga's performance was more about a Gaga resurrection or comeback into the current music scene, then about honoring Bowies contributions and legacy to Rock music.  

The tribute was chaotic and more about Gaga transforming into Bowie (at one point she even distorted her voice to emulate his signature sound) versus Gaga just simply being Gaga and singing (in her signature voice) a tribute to Bowie.   We would have preferred Gaga chose one song and put her unique spin on it.  

We must admit, the entire production of the awards ceremony also displayed an unformatted, chaotic, disjointed collection of visuals.  The Director was off in the pacing and the sound quality confused viewers. 

Now, lets not shoot the messenger.  Clearly, Gaga stepped up to the massive challenge.  She is an obvious fan and where were the other artists to pay tribute to Bowie this year?  Not one other well known musician felt compelled to honor Bowie? 

There is no question Gaga is a super fan of Bowie and in the end she did ultimately honor his legacy just by taking a risk.  Sometimes the risk reward doesn't payoff but, taking a risk is essentially honoring the essence of what Bowie was all about.

Speaking of the music scene or shall we say, lack of music and more about an abundance of narcissistic self aggrandizement, the current music scene is entrenched in a formulaic machine that generates at best, mediocre music.  Overall, the music generated today seriously lacks elements of what Bowie's music symbolized:  real substance, originality, authenticity and a sense of sacrifice and struggle.  

Bottom line, if Bowie represents the passing of a musical era and Gaga is the Millennial representative expected to carry on the spirit of Ziggy Stardust, then what will be the future of Rock and Roll?  

Will any new artist truly carry on the substantial cultural impact that Bowie and several artists of that era contributed to society?

Only time will tell...