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Jeff Mezydlo

A Chicago native, Jeff Mezydlo has professionally written about sports, entertainment and pop culture for parts of four decades. He was an integral member of award-winning sports sections at The Times of Northwest Indiana (Munster, Ind.) and Champaign (Ill.) News-Gazette, where he covered the NFL, PGA, LPGA, NCAA basketball, football and golf, Olympics and high school athletics. Jeff most recently spent 12 years in the editorial department at STATSPerform, where he also oversaw coverage of the English Premier League. A graduate of Northern Illinois University, Jeff's work has also appeared on such sites at Yahoo!, ESPN, Fox Sports, Sports Illustrated and NBA.com. However, if Jeff could do it again, he'd attend Degrassi Junior High, Ampipe High School and Grand Lakes University

EXPERTISE:

NCAA football, NCAA basketball, PGA/LPGA, international soccer, sports history, rock music, film history

Ain't nothing like real thing: Live takes of songs superior to the studio version

There's nothing better than experiencing music live. In fact, some of the best versions of classic songs are live versions. Here are 21 such examples in chronological order.

The best songs with a day of the week in the title

Every day is a good day for music, but some songs are made for specific days. Here's a list of some of the better and most memorable tunes that feature a day of the week in the title.

25 golfers who could still win their first major this season

There are plenty of big-name golfers still capable of winning majors who have not yet done so. Here's a look at 25 golfers who we feel have a good chance at winning their first major in 2021 (building up to the most likely).

The definitive Soundgarden playlist

Even in the wake of lead singer Chris Cornell's death in 2017, Soundgarden's music still resonates. Here's the ultimate Soundgarden playlist.

20 underrated albums from legendary bands

Even the greatest musicians have an album or two under-appreciated by the masses. But those albums are still special to true fans. Here are 20 albums from legendary bands that might not get enough credit.

The definitive Guns N' Roses playlist

More than 30 years after the release of its massively successful Appetite for Destruction debut, Guns N' Roses is still relevant. Here are 25 songs that encompass what G N' R is all about.

The biggest one-hit wonders from the '80s

It seemed the 1980s were made for one-hit wonders. With MTV dominating the music landscape, bands and hit singles came and went at a moment's notice. Hot one day, forgotten the next. Here are 20 of the best.

Multi-axes: Legendary bands that featured more than one guitar

There are many legendary one-guitar bands (Van Halen, The Who, and Rush, for example), but sometimes, two or even three guitars are better than one. Some of rock's most legendary bands featured more than one elite guitarist. Here is our ranking of the 25 best.

The most memorable graduation moments from movies

Graduation is an annual rite of passage, providing an opportunity for a student to look back at what's been accomplished and look forward to what the future holds. In the spirit of this annual ritual, here are some of our favorite fictional graduation movie moments.

Fictional food creations we'd like to eat

Food frequently plays key parts in film, television, and even literature storytelling. There are plenty of fictional food creations we'd love to sink our teeth into just once, for better or worse. Here are some of the top fictional foods we'd like to eat. 

20 one-hit wonders from the 1990s that have endured

Whether it's the final remnants of 1980s hair metal, mainstream alternative rock, or dance music, the 1990s had it all, including plenty of one-hit wonders. Here are the most memorable one-hit wonders from that decade.

The definitive Red Hot Chili Peppers playlist

In late September 1991, the Red Hot Chili Peppers released  Blood Sugar Sex Magik , the band's fifth studio album and the one that earned international stardom.

The definitive Pearl Jam playlist

In 1991, Pearl Jam released its stellar debut, Ten. Decades later, the group is still going strong. Our ultimate Pearl Jam playlist (original material only) is ordered the way it's meant to be heard.

The definitive Metallica playlist

While the road hasn't always been easy, Metallica remains one of the biggest bands in the world, regardless of genre. In the ideal order as if we're attending a Metallica show, here's an in-depth playlist of the best 25 songs the band has offered throughout the decades.

The 30 most memorable Lollapalooza moments

While we don't know that future of the festival holds, there are many memories from the past. Here are 30 of the most notable moments (listed in chronological) in Lolla history.

The 30 most memorable Lollapalooza performances

Lolla has endured a rocky history of controversies, cancellations, poor ticket sales, venue and format changes, international appearances, and even an extended hiatus. Yet, there are performances that we continue to discuss for better or worse. Here are 30 of the more notable performances listed in chronological order.

The best characters from Gen-X films

Generation X, in many ways, is known for individualism. Latch-key kids striking out on their own or doing something less conventional. What made a great Gen-X movie was usually the characters. Here is a ranking of the best characters from the Gen-X film genre.

Drum solos, fills, breaks and intros all music lovers should know

Great drummers are usually known for notable solos. But there are also those precise fills, thundering breaks, and catchy introductions. We have ranked 25 of the best drum solos, fills, breaks, and introductions of all time.

The 25 most iconic Gen-X films

Movies from the 1980s, '90s and even 2000s have encompassed the lifestyle of a Gen-Xer. Here are 25 of the better movies that defined the Gen X movement, or at least do an above-average job of explaining it.

The 25 best TV sitcom neighbors

Whether quirky or overbearing, kind or mean, TV sitcoms have cornered the market on memorable fictional neighbors. Below, the 25 best are ranked.

The 25 most memorable NCAA men's national championship games

It's always a special moment when the NCAA Tournament championship game lives up to the hype. The ones that leave lasting memories and keep fans talking years after the final buzzer sounded.  Here's our ranking of the 25 best national championship game moments.

The 25 best Final Four moments

The NCAA Tournament Final Four has offered plenty of lasting memories. Some more prominent than others. While we know there are more to be made, it's always fun to look back.

The 25 most memorable fictional companies, firms or stores

Nailing down a good job is something everybody strives for. In the fictional world of television and film, some positions are more coveted than others. Here are some of the more notable fictional places of employment.