OK – so with such a tightly packed field vying for the title of Greatest Guitar Riff of All Time – it comes down to being subjective and (in many cases) the era you hold closest as far as creative palance is concerned.

The contenders are a virtual who’s who of the musical world and straight off the top of my head would cite “Smoke On The Water” by Deep Purple,  “Stairway To Heaven” by Led Zeppelin, “Johnny B. Goode” by Chuck Berry, Iron Man from Black Sabbath, Day Tripper for Beatles fans and even Leonard Skinnards – Sweet Home Alabama.

But what would be yours?

With barely a struck match between artists – and not a whole lot of room to move as each contest for centre stage – I would (for the sake of discussion at least) like to declare my hand in all this as well.

To find out where I stand click on the link below.

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Beauty, they say is in the eye of the heholder.

But for the car enthusiast – or those of us with a penchant for good looks – some four wheeled carriages are a cross between automotive functionality and art.

Just because a Mercedes SLR or Porsche 911 Carrera GT3 may win many automotive beauty contests (some would argue no doubt due to its $495,000 price tag) there are those cars that represent all that’s beautiful in the world and cost relatively little when first released.

Lotus, Ferrari and Jaguar all roll off the tongue when it comes to marques – but what of the Citroen’s, Fords or garden variety automotive gems which have rolled off the assembly lines over the years?

From classic rounded lines to aerodynamic masterpieces to museum pieces – what would make your list of modern masterpieces?

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Ever had one of those sorryful moments in your life when the radio and your own self absorbed mind found solice in a particular tune?

Perhaps Kelly Clarkson and Since U Been Gone struck a chord or Gloria Gaynor’s – I Will Survive – maybe even The Eagles – Heartache Tonight is a contender for pulling on the bleeding strings of your soul

The concept itself of listening to woe is me songs after a breakup  doesn’t make a whole lot of sense when in essence we should be trying to cheer ourselves up yet, there’s little doubt that most people tend to spend days, weeks (even longer) after a breakup indulging their misery.

You do reach a point though and whether its Achy Breaky Heart by Billy Ray Cyrus or Always On My Mind by Elvis – we’ve probably all been there done that!

While I’m on the point – it would be interesting to know if these songs vary depending on whether your a fella or a girl.

Does “Hurt” by the Nine Inch Nails mean the same as say Irreplaceable by Beyonce?

Would love to hear your tale of woe.

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Selecting the  sexiest women in TV history isn’t easy – it’s a job requiring a huge amount of dedication, research and frankly a fair bit of ‘eyeballing’.

But someone’s gotta do it!

The contenders — from wholesome girls next door to our favourite vamps – from blondes to brunettes – the list is exhaustive – which is why I need your help.

So while I have gone to great lengths to rack my mind – it’s your turn to do the work.

Does Loni Anderson from ‘WKRP in Cincinatti’ rank up among your top 10 or is Sarah Michelle Gellar (aka Buffy the Vampire Slayer) atop your list?

Does the wholesome Mary Ann from Gilligans Island or Samantha from Bewitched crack your all time portfolio of beauties.

Perhaps Carmen Electra or Pammy Anderson from Baywatch or even Farah Fawcett from Charlies Angels sits at the summit of primetime’s sexiest?

Save my soul – and share your thoughts.

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Before vinyl became fodder for the retro revolution- album covers were justifyable coming into their own as ‘art’.

The 70′s in particular were a dynamic era in rock art where the marketing needs of the record industry and the aesthetics of rock & roll came together in an often spectacular visual marriage.

OK – so the purists will point to cover design - especially in the jazz field as being the ‘real deal’ as far as pioneers in thei field in the album art – which preceeds even efforts such as The Beatles and their Sgt Peppers or Abbey Road covers.

In fact, Rolling Stone magazine surveyed a panel of distinguished art directors, designers, photographers and editors for what can only be described as a highly subjective list of the 100 greatest album covers of all time – with a number of suprises.

The twelve-inch album cover may be (in the main) dead and buried – but its artistic legacy endures to this day even if it is in miniature on compact disc.

For the record – some of my personal favourites include

Hotel California – The Eagles

Breakfast In America – Supertramp

Dark Side of the Moon – Pink Floyd

Candy-O – The Cars and

. . . and the definitive Goodbye Yellow Brick Road album by Elton John.

Would love to hear if you have any personal favs?

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At what point in your musical journey do you earn the right to be simply acknowledged by your first name?

Is it all to do with marketing or is it fame? Perhaps it’s more to do with your birth name.

Madonna, Prince, Bono are all recognisable by their singular and exclusive moniker – but given some of the labourious titles some of our greatest musicians and pop icons have been lumbered with – is it any wonder they go out of their way to head straight to the deed poll office.

Alice Cooper— Vincent Furnier

Elvis Costello— Declan Patrick McManus

Gary Glitter— Paul Francis Gadd

Engelbert Humperdinck — Arnold George Dorsey

Elton John — Reginald Kenneth Dwight

Marilyn Manson — Brian Warner

Freddy Mercury— Farouk Pluto Bulsara

Cher— Cherilyn Sarkisian LaPierre

Gene Simmons— Chaim Witz

Sid Vicious — John Simon Richie

Bono — Paul David Hewson

 Bobby Darin – Walden Waldo Robert Cassotto

Snoop Dogg – Cordazer Calvin Broadus Jr.

Herb (Peaches & Herb) – Haer Feemster

Adam Ant – Stuart Leslie Goddard

David Bowie – David Robert Hayward Stenton Jones

Irene Cara – Irene Escalera

 . . . and then you get the legendary 50′s idol Sam Cooke who, just to throw his fans off the scent decided to simply add an ‘e’ to his surname, in what was thought, no doubt at the time, to marketing coup.

Any wonder his PR guy was back pumping gas after Sam’s untimely demise.

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