That said, another hunch of mine would suggest that it would be less expensive for organists to play songs from the most recent groups (as discussed in posts above). As weird as it might be to hear Bowling for Soup over the organ, it would be less expensive because there are at least two types of licenses: (1) synchronization license and (2) master use license.

With the synchronization license, whoever pays (NHL, in this case) can use the lyrics and music. With the master use license, the NHL can use a particular recording. [Remember Wayne's World? When they rocked out to Bohemian Rhapsody, the studio had to pay for both types of license. But when Wayne just starts singing "Hey Mickey, you're so fine" the studio only had to pay for the synchronization license.]

So it would be less expensive for the NHL to buy just the synchronization license for Gwen Stefani’s “Holla Back Girl” and have organists play the music. A few problems here: what, to me, is exciting about that track is the particular sounds (not organ); not every stadium even has an organist anymore; those that do would have to be sure that the audience knows the chorus (the point of all this music, after all, is to get everyone fired up and screaming the same thing, right? No matter what it is?) . . . Well, you can think of more problems with that.

Yet, when the fans wanted more goals the NHL responded with new rules, equipment limitations, etc. So, if the fans who actually go to the games let the league know that they’re not being entertained by the music, then they’d have to sit up and listen.

i would however definitely be in favour of actual thought going into these things— why not get, you know, DJ’S if yr gonna do it—- eg. kid koala for a game as an added bonus? you could have a wide variety of hometown dj’s/musicians running the music in the regular season, and keep the best one or two for the playoffs. not that the canucks are making the playoffs. go leafs.

The Saddledome “organ” plays tunes from various classic-rock and modern punk bands before turning into Go Team Go. From one whistle to the next, it can go from “Birthday” by the Beatles to “American Idiot” by Green Day, both of them leading into Go Team Go. Crazy.

Also checked out the Robbie Williams song. You might be onto something there, maybe even edited a little bit.

BTW, can we also toss a ban/limit on Motley Crue as well?

And the theme from the Mr. Magoo cartoon is great for our other referee friend.

To top it all off…whatever happened to the venerable organ? I was watching the 1994 Stanley Cup Final game 7 (ouch) and recognized that beautiful, sweet music during the breaks. THAT is what hockey is all about. Coaches wearing fedoras…and a pipe organ blasting out CHARGE tunes. Now, if someone could find a mix of the organ AND modern tunes…it would truly be an experience at the arena to savor.

Old music is OK…but it needs to be an unplayed classic. Come Fly With Me…Frank Sinatra. Fire…Jimi Hendrix. People are Strange…The Doors. Party…Boston. That sort of stuff.

Gawd I wish I had that job.

AC/DC and GNR are near the edge of the library for me. It is really over played and hugely abused. I’d be willing to ban it completely, but there is that mass appeal thing to consider. That’s why I would limit its rotation.

Rap is iffy, but hip hop is considerable. There is a difference! That’s why I called it beats and rhythms. There’s great electronic music, not only techno and house, that can be utilized. When you’re already crushing the other team, you gotta keep the party alive, right?

And I’m all for editing music. The lyrics of any song in relation to sports is tough. I mean, Cotton Eye Joe? What the hell? Splice, layer, loop, and make it a combo of various tunes if you want. Anything is possible.

Zanstorm… There’s a variety of NIN tunes to pick from, but parsing through “With Teeth”, check out The Collector; it’s almost a perfect tune for a goalie. :p But since lyrics can come into question, family atmosphere and all, that’s where editing comes in handy.

“In heaven there ain’t no beer….”

Talk about a beer buzz dance.
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BTW–We have amazed the parents at our little Catholic school at the home basketball games. I went to your favorite tech store, Radio Shack, and purchased a simple patch cord to feed our iPods into the Aux port on the gym PA system.

“Wow–you guys are so high tech. How did you think of getting that stuff to hook up to the system? Um, do you have any Journey?”…..”Why, yes I do.”

We’ve generated our own sports playlist. The boys run out to the latest Green Day/U2 tune, “The Saints are Coming” with a bit of sound editting by your sister-in-law. (She’s the family master of Gargeband.) Our school’s mascot is the “Saints”–Catholic school comprised of 4 different parishes, all starting with Saint Patrick, Saint Rose, etc.

On the fly, I threw in a chunk of U2 (of course), Goo Goo Dolls, Scott Strap, and Lifehouse. From your web links, I snagged Echo 3′s version of the “Mario Brother’s Theme”–a big hit with the kids (6th Grade through 8th Grade). I slipped in Troubled Hubble’s “Ear, Nose and Throat” into the warm up playlist and the boys like the tempo.

Our 8th Grade coach (late 30′s) requested anything by AC/DC and “Welcom to the Jungle” by Guns ‘n Roses. When I reviewed the lyrics with him and the principal, Axl screaming out “I want to see ya bleed” just didn’t fit the school enviroment. We couldn’t even start with AC/DC.

Your nephew continues his rap phase. He picked up a cut called “Shoulder Lean”, editted it and presented to me as the 6th Grade team’s “signature” warm-up song. As the 6th Grade coach and iPod gatekeeper, I haven’t put it in yet–it has clean lyrics but it sure sounds less than intelligent.

The first weekend of December, my guys played in a 6th grade tournament thrown by our main rival–a Lutheran school. (The host team blew us out in the championship game, 36-20; dang Reformation!) Those darn Lutherans played all kinds of ganster rap pregame and at the half. I’m pretty sure their time keeper/public announcer was that Michael Bolton guy from “Office Space”.

Although I don’t attend games, I listen on the internet and watch games on DVD…I can hear it. Why did the music list for sports arenas stop in 1989???

First rule…nothing should be played that is older than 1994 (unless it is an ulimate classic that cannot be denied)

When the Canucks come out on the ice…Robbie Williams, ‘Let Me Entertain You’

Hell is gone and heaven’s here
There is nothing left for you to fear
Shake your ass, come over here
Now Scream!

When a bad call has been made by Rob Shick…play the Gillette theme (remember Shick razors?). They used to do that in Portland when Shick was a WHL ref…very good.

For in between music…use the theme song from Johnny Quest…it’s the closest thing to Johnny Canuck that is out there (unless there was an old Johnny Canuck TV show, then use that music).

NO RAP! Period. ‘nuf said.

Why doesn’t anyone use The Zamboni’s?? Some really stupid stuff…but some great fun hockey songs too. Hextall is great…The Helmet song is great for Edmonton fans and the classic Hockey Monkey is a great one to get things going.

Hoobastank, The Killers, Stereophonics, Goo-Goo Dolls, Gwen Stefani, No Doubt, Bloc Party, Sugarcult, Simple Plan, Eric Gales, The Hives (if you want a Swedish band), Bowling for Soup, The Exies, Razorlight, Copeland, Dashboard Confessional, Mae, Snow Patrol, All American Rejects, Yellowcard…there is so much out there right now…and I am a 44 yr old grump!! Put the AC/DC discs away!!!

Finally…if anyone…ever…suggests to play Queen…they will be taken out on the ice and tied to the goalposts prior to warm-ups.