SuperSonics legends mingle with rock-and-roll icons for Rock Meets Jock

By Michael Simeona

Former Guns N’ Roses bassist Duff McKagan will join 710 ESPN’s Kevin Calabro, former SuperSonics legend Shawn Kemp and Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready at the Hard Rock Cafe in Seattle for Rock Meets Jock. (AP)

Once upon a time, Seattle was the mecca for playoff basketball and grunge rock. From the high-flying acrobatics of Shawn Kemp to the guitar-shredding antics of Mike McCready, the Emerald City used to be one of the most vibrant entertainment destinations in the entire country.

Although the SuperSonics have left for Oklahoma City and grunge rock has faded from our collective memories, 710 ESPN Seattle is celebrating Seattle’s past with Rock Meets Jock at the Hard Rock Cafe in Seattle on Monday, June 11th.

710 ESPN’s Kevin Calabro will take the stage with Guns N’ Roses bassist Duff McKagan, Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready, and former SuperSonics icon Shawn Kemp for a behind-the-velvet-rope discussion of the world of sports and rock.

“This is going to be fun, I’m really looking forward to it,” McKagan said during an appearance on Friday’s “Brock and Salk Show“.

There’s an old saying that musicians always want to be like athletes and athletes want to be like musicians. But to hear McKagan talk, you’d think he’d want to be more like Calabro.

“I’m blown away myself, you know, Calabro was the voice of my Sonics. Even hearing him on ESPN during the playoff games [was] just weird, especially those Thunder games was weird for me to hear.

“He’s a legend and I don’t know him that well so I might be a little freaked out [when I meet him],” McKagan said.

While the event is not open to the public, you can listen to the show on 710 ESPN Seattle or watch the live webcast on 710Sports.com beginning at 7 p.m. For more information about the event, visit MyNorthwest.com/RockJock