Yardbarker

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

Wave music: Songs to enhance your day at the beach

Whether we're talking about sitting or laying in the sand off an ocean or lake, music should be a big part of the experience. Here are some of the most fitting tunes to enjoy during your time at the beach.

The 30 all-time greatest cast members from 'The Real World'

The groundbreaking reality series about strangers coming together to live in a house and navigate life for a few months in a new city, for most, was a cornerstone of the MTV lineup for years. Of course, what made The Real World appointment viewers for many are the characters.

Every season of 'The Real World', ranked

The first cast, set in New York, has reunited for another go-around. In celebration of that moment, here's our ranking of the 33 seasons of The Real World that have gotten us to this point.

Iconic bands that switched styles after adding new members

Here are some of the more notable bands that changed their sound after adding new members or repurposing existing members.

The definitive Beach Boys playlist

Regardless of the current makeup of The Beach Boys, the legendary band's music will continue to be enjoyed and beloved by generations. Here are 25 of the best Beach Boys songs.

Dance with somebody: The ultimate Whitney Houston playlist

Although the world lost Whitney in February 2012, she's still present. To celebrate her legacy, here are 25 songs everyone needs for the perfect Whitney Houston playlist. 

The 25 most memorable closing tracks in music history

The positioning of a song on a great album doesn't always matter. However, we tend to remember those closing tracks that wrap up a special listening experience. While this is all subjective, here is our ranking of the 25 best album closers.

25 most memorable College World Series moments

The College World Series is one of the great events in all of sports -- amateur or professional. It's been the source of countless memories, even for those baseball fans without a rooting interest in the tournament.

The 25 best Michael Keaton films

Michael Keaton's acting career has spanned six decades. Whether playing a superhero, recovering addict, or a hard-hitting journalist, Keaton has been among the great actors of the modern era. Here are the 25 best movies he's starred in, ranked.

Live versions of classic songs that are better than 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 20 greatest 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. 

The 20 greatest one-hit wonders from the '90s

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.