BEST CLASSIC BANDS – CELEBRATING THE ARTISTS, MUSIC AND POP CULTURE OF THE CLASSIC ROCK ERA
Queen’s Homage to Space Exploration: ’39’
The band’s guitarist, Brian May, can do many things well, one of which is to write songs. This one, about time travel, presaged his PhD in astrophysics
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1967 in Rock Music: A Look Back
1967 was one amazing year for rock, pop and soul music. Here are some of the highlights when FM “underground” radio was starting to overtake AM Top 40
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‘Dixie Chicken’: Little Feat’s Secret Southern Sauce
The group drew on Lowell George’s versatile command of blues, country, folk and R&B for its third–and many feel finest–studio album.
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The Band’s 3rd Album, ‘Stage Fright,’ Gets Expanded Edition
All of the Anniversary Edition releases were overseen by Robbie Robertson and boast a new stereo mix by Bob Clearmountain.
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When the Chambers Brothers’ ‘Time’ Had Come
They started out as a gospel quartet, then their souls were psychedelicized. The story of the group behind “Time Has Come Today”
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Harp On It: 20 Great Rock Songs Featuring Harmonica
The harmonica has long been used—particularly by lead singers—to inject a bit of bluesy, earthy authenticity into a song. We look at some of the best.
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11 Surprising 1970s Radio Hits (Part 2)
It’s amazing that these songs – many by huge stars – were not only played on Top 40 radio… they became smash hits. Their stories…
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James Purify, R&B Singer of ‘I’m Your Puppet’ Fame, Dies at 76
In addition to their big soul hit, the duo, two cousins from Florida, returned to the pop chart with several singles, including “Shake a Tail Feather.”
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Ron Campbell, Beatles Animator, Dies at 81
He directed the Saturday morning cartoon series and was also one of the animators for Yellow Submarine. His career includes many other popular animated shows
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Elton John’s ‘Honky Château’: New Heights
“I find it hard to comprehend just how prolific Bernie and I were during the early days,” Elton has said. “The songs just poured out of us.”
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‘Rock Camp: The Movie’ Showcases Fans Side-by-Side With A-List Stars
For 25 years, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp has delivered the ultimate musical experience for participants to learn directly from Daltrey, Cooper, and more
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Jimmie Rodgers, Early Rock ‘n’ Roll Star, Dies at 87
He scored a #1 hit with “Honeycomb,” and went on to earn another four Top 10 pop singles. He continued to place singles on the country chart through the ’70s
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Dolly Parton, Ronstadt, Harris Reunite at 2019 MusiCares
The star-studded event honored Parton as the 2019 Person of the Year. Such stars as Don Henley, Vince Gill, Willie Nelson and Miley Cyrus performed her songs
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Radio Hits in January 1969: Over and Over
We’ve got some fun facts and great videos of hits from The Doors, Dusty Springfield, BJ Thomas, Tommy James and the Shondells, and more
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Dion’s Moving ‘Abraham, Martin and John’
Tension was in the air in 1968 and rock music reflected the turmoil. Then came a voice from the past, gently singing of non-violence and hope.
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Ronnie Spector on Her Ex- Phil: ‘Brilliant Producer, Lousy Husband’
The singer who fronted the “girl group” the Ronettes, signed with Spector’s label and recorded numerous songs, including “Be My Baby,” which he produced and co-wrote
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Steve Earle Interview: The Return of the Outlaw
It took me a long time to get a record deal and be successful, but I was luckier than a lot of people. I knew what I was when I was 12 years old
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When Jefferson Airplane Auditioned for Phil Spector: ‘Man, Let’s Get Out of Here!’
“He was shooting [a pellet pistol]. Made me uncomfortable and I left after we played,” remembers guitarist Jorma Kaukonen of the “strange” meeting.
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Phil Spector Dies; Famed ‘Wall of Sound’ Producer Had Been Jailed For Murder
He was one of the most distinctive producers in music industry and originator of the famous “Wall of Sound” production technique
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Muhammad Ali: Greatest Showman of a Generation
During his peak years, the Champ was as big a rock star as any of ’em. If you are of a certain age, you already knew that
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The Rolling Stones in Hyde Park Live 1969
The band hadn’t played a full concert since 1967. 20-year-old Mick Taylor was debuting as their new lead guitarist, two days after Brian Jones had died
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10 1970s Classic Rock Songs You Won’t Forget
You don’t need to spin some of the biggest rock songs of all time. Just hit that button in your brain and voila! They play!
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Tom Jones Sets New Album, ‘Surrounded By Time’
The 80-year-old recorded it during lockdown, with songs by Dylan and Cat Stevens, and a biting track, “Talking Reality Television Blues,” about you know who
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Jim Gordon: From A-List Drummer to Convicted Killer
He’s played on hundreds of hits but you won’t find any gold records on his wall: Since the ’80s he’s been locked away for murder.
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Top Albums of January 1977: Faster Than a Speeding Bullet
Nine months after its release, Bob Seger’s 2-LP live set finally enjoyed national acclaim thanks to the success of his band’s breakthrough studio album
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‘Sonic Boom’ Book Tracks Spectacular Rise of Warner Bros. Records
The title, from music journalist and biographer Peter Ames Carlin, covers the growth of the much-admired label, its colorful executives and historic roster
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Don Miller of ’60s Singing Group, The Vogues, Dies at 80
The high school friends from a Pittsburgh suburb earned four Top 10 singles including “You’re the One” and “Five O’Clock World”
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