A pair of deaths in the rock world this week. Jon Lord and Bob Babbit passed away. Lord was the keyboard player for iconic band "Deep Purple" laying down that driving Hammond organ on many of their classic songs like "Smoke On The Water". He died in London at the age of 71 of pancreatic cancer.

You may not have known the name of Bob Babbit but you certainly have heard his playing. He laid down the bass on many calssic Motown tunes as a memeber of their house band "The Funk Brothers" He played on Cool Jerk, Signed, Sealed & Delivered, Inner City Blues, Ball Of Confusion, Rubberband Man and many more. You might have seen him on American Idol last year playing with contestant Jacob Lusk on the Marvin Gaye classic "Youre All I Need To Get By". I'll include some music below featuring the work of both Lord and Babbit.

How long before the Brewers flip K-Rod and the Ax-man? John Axford blew another ninth inning save last night, wasting a great pitching performance by Mike Fiers. They might as well make the move for awhile. Axford is struggling and Frankie Rodriguz has closing experience...it cant hurt as they say.

Doug Melvin also said yesterday not to read anything into the fact that Zach Grienke will not make his scheduled start on Wednesday. He says it's not because there is a trade in the works. They only want to get Grienke some rest after piching three times last week. They feel his velocity may be down a bit and he has struggled  a bit as well in his last couple starts.

The Bucks summer league team started with a win last night  76-68 over New Orleans in Las Vegas. The Bucks number 1 pick John Henson didnt play because of illness...but second round pick Doron Lamb looked good scoring 20 points. Tobias Harris had 19. The Bucks blocked nine shots in the game.

The Legion baseball season is quickly coming to a head. In AAA Marshfield will be the sight of next weeks regional featuring Plover, Stevens Point, Marshfield, RSW, Wisconsin Rapids and Wausau. Plover is still unbeaten in Wisc Valley Legion League play and they travel to Stevens Point tonight. Marshfield hosts Eau Calire in a doubleheader at Jack Hackman field at 530...and Wausau is at home tonight taking on Wisconsin Rapids in a 7pm game at Athletic Park.

Songs of the Day  (from my I-pod) featuring Jon Lord and Bob Babbit

Smoke On The Water-Deep Purple (1972) Rock Songs dont get any more recognizable than this from Machine Head and the Live In Japan LP

Ball Of Confusion-Temptations (1970) Babbit's bass line drives this political screed...by the way...that's Stevie Wonder on harmonica....who says political music cant be funky