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All posts by categoryA Night That Changed My Life
When Bruce Springsteen Broke His Own Record: 4-Hour Concert
Over the course of 16 days in 2016, he and the E Street Band set a new record for his longest U.S. gig ever, on four different occasions.
Read MoreAlbum Rewinds
‘John Prine’: A Debut for the Ages for a Songwriter’s Songwriter
The album is a quiet masterpiece, a portrait of a young singer-songwriter already fully formed and crafting songs for the ages.
Read MoreBCB Blog
Ocean Carolina Takes It One Step At A Time
Ocean Carolina’s Michael Simone took an unusual path to being a frontman for a band
Read MoreBooks
A New Book Recalls the Great Band Rockpile: A Whole Lot of Rockin’
There’s not going to be a band reunion so, along with their extant recordings, YouTube videos and social media chat groups, this wonderful book is the next best thing.
Read MoreBrick & Mortar Record Retailing
Remember Crazy Eddie, the “Insaaane” Music Retailer?
The chain’s TV ads with the crazy pitch man were so ubiquitous in the New York metropolitan area, Dan Aykroyd spoofed them on Saturday Night Live.
Read MoreCartoons
Pete Townshend’s Smashing Guitar Legacy
In their early years, The Who were known for frequently smashing – and breaking – their instruments at their concerts. Cartoonist David Skinner lampoons it
Read MoreClassic Videos
Loverboy ‘Working For the Weekend’: A Guilty Pleasure
Rock fans have been singing this bona fide rock anthem since 1981 as they get ready for Friday night. Our Classic Video…
Read MoreContests
‘ELO: UK Singles Vol. One: 1972-1978’: Contest
For our first contest in nearly a year, we’re giving away a boxed set collection of 7-inch singles of the first hits from the Electric Light Orchestra
Read MoreCulture Clips
007 x 24 = Spectre
The 24th James Bond movie and Daniel Craig’s third (and possibly last) turn as 007 opens soon. “Spectre” reveals a secret from Bond’s past.
Read MoreDo You Remember Rock and Roll Radio?
Spiral Starecase’s Catchy ‘More Today Than Yesterday’
The one hit wonders enjoyed success in 1969. Years later, while touring with a teen idol, their lead singer was not on the plane that killed the star.
Read MoreFEATURES:
10 Essential Jackson Browne Songs Beyond the Hits
Our look at some choice tracks from his catalog other than such favorites as “Running on Empty,” “Doctor My Eyes,” “Somebody‘s Baby,” and “Take It Easy.”
Read MoreFilms/DVDs
2016’s Beatles Documentary, ‘Eight Days a Week’: Review
The 2016 film is “a nonstop rush of adrenaline, a comfort-food feast of melodic guitars and impeccable harmonies, unbridled creativity and boundless artistic determination, cheeky wit and newness and wonder and youth. And screams—lots of screams.”
Read MoreGift Guides
Best Boxed Sets, Collections & Reissues of 2025
This year’s archival releases include rarities from Bob Dylan, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Pink Floyd, the Grateful Dead and others.
Read MoreHOLDING CATEGORY
Now Streaming: The Beatles
My how times have changed. We used to hope for a new Beatles album for Christmas. Now their catalog is available for streaming
Read MoreHow the Song Came to Be
ELO’s ‘Don’t Bring Me Down… Bruce!’
Most classic rock acts have a misheard lyric. It goes with the territory. So what did Jeff Lynne do when concert audiences started singing along to his big hit?
Read MoreIf You Like...
Blacktop Mojo Cover Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Dreams’
The Southern rock band from Palestine, Tex. offers a blend of post-grunge, classic rock and metal, somewhere between Soundgarden and Lynyrd Skynyrd
Read MoreInterviews
Bad Company Co-Founder Simon Kirke on the Band’s Members and Their #1 Debut Album
“The buzz was pretty incredible from the get-go. We wanted to get back to more muscular, stripped-down, bluesy rock ’n’ roll.”
Read MoreKey Players
Remembering King Curtis, Saxophone Giant Who Was Brutally Murdered
Born Curtis Ousley, he also had his own hits like “Memphis Soul Stew” and recorded a steamy album at the Fillmore West.
Read MoreLegendary Locales
Jeff Lynne’s ELO at the Hollywood Bowl in 2016
The spaceship touched down on Los Angeles as the re-tooled Electric Light Orchestra played their first of just 5 U.S. dates.
Read MoreListicles
10 Essential Jackson Browne Songs Beyond the Hits
Our look at some choice tracks from his catalog other than such favorites as “Running on Empty,” “Doctor My Eyes,” “Somebody‘s Baby,” and “Take It Easy.”
Read MoreLive Shows
The Who: Loud as Ever at Solid 2016 Coachella Show
On the final night of Desert Trip’s first weekend, they gave a career-spanning performance and showed they can still play as feverishly and loudly as ever.
Read MoreMusic Conferences
NMS Report: Are Happy Days Here Again?
At this year’s New Music Seminar, hot topics for the recorded music biz were both new and old: The growth of streaming services and vinyl’s big comeback
Read MoreNew Classics
Jake Clemons Fills His Uncle Clarence’s Big Shoes
The saxophonist talks about playing with the E Street Band, the audience’s reception, the first time he saw them perform
Read MoreNews
Paul Simon Sets ‘The Quiet Celebration Concert’ Album
His surprising news in 2025 that he would return to the stage followed a self-imposed retirement after his 2018 “Homeward Bound” tour.
Read MoreNEWS PLUS:
Paul Simon Sets ‘The Quiet Celebration Concert’ Album
His surprising news in 2025 that he would return to the stage followed a self-imposed retirement after his 2018 “Homeward Bound” tour.
Read MoreODDS & SODS:
‘ELO: UK Singles Vol. One: 1972-1978’: Contest
For our first contest in nearly a year, we’re giving away a boxed set collection of 7-inch singles of the first hits from the Electric Light Orchestra
Read MoreOn This Day
Oct. 10, 2025: John Lodge of the Moody Blues Dies
The legendary band’s bassist, singer and songwriter, 82, wrote “I’m Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band).”
Read MorePerfect Rock Songs
Stevie Nicks’ ‘Edge of Seventeen’ and That Chugging Guitar
The third single off her 1981 solo debut, Bella Donna, features many top-notch musicians though none stands out more than Waddy Wachtel and his chugging guitar.
Read MorePlease Release Me
2 ‘New’ Early Recordings by the Beatles Discovered
Two studio recordings surfaced in Dec. 2025, Paul McCartney’s solo demo of ‘Love of the Loved,’ and the first recording of ‘Misery.’
Read MorePoints of View
When Steve Miller, Peter Cetera Bashed the Rock Hall
After airing their grievances about the HoF, two of its 2016 inductees did a joint interview, sharing details about the events leading up to that night.
Read MorePolls
Which Classic Rock Acts Are You Excited to See This Summer?
Classic rock acts touring in summer 2015 only. Upvote the bands and musicians you are most looking forward to seeing live.
Read MorePromo Hits, Flops & Swag
Todd Rundgren’s ‘Hello, It’s Me’: Wild Success Story
The musician has a long list of credits as a producer (Bat Out of Hell) and engineer. Here’s the inside story of how one song took off to become his biggest solo hit
Read MoreRecordings
A Box Set Enhances the Beatles’ Classic ‘Rubber Soul’: Review
As John Lennon wrote, “’Rubber Soul’ was the first album where we took over control completely, and we’d learned a lot by then.”
Read MoreReview Listings
Recent Album Reviews
Albums by Wilco, Neil Young, Brian Wilson, Courtney Barnett, The Kinks, Nellie McKay, Pink Floyd, Van Morrison, Vanilla Fudge, Wiko Johnson & Roger Daltrey & The Blues Magoos. Rewind review of “Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out” by The Rolling Stones.
Read MoreREVIEWS:
‘John Prine’: A Debut for the Ages for a Songwriter’s Songwriter
The album is a quiet masterpiece, a portrait of a young singer-songwriter already fully formed and crafting songs for the ages.
Read MoreRIP – Rock In Perpetuity
Sonny Rollins, Giant of the Tenor Saxophone, Dies at 95
During his seven-decade career, he played with a Who’s Who of fellow jazz greats as well as a memorable solo with the Rolling Stones.
Read MoreRock and Roll Memories
Huey Lewis’ Last Known Performance After Hearing Loss
He canceled his tour earlier that year, telling The Today Show, “I can’t hear music.” Six months later, he sang a favorite for the first time in 8 months.
Read MoreRocking The Tube
Watch Billy Joel Perform on ‘The Midnight Special’ Before True Stardom
When he appeared on the popular musical TV series in 1975, it was still two years before his true breakthrough LP, The Stranger.
Read MoreSong & Video Premieres
Chicago Live 1971 Track: Exclusive Premiere
Recorded in Washington, D.C., “Goodbye”–previously unreleased–is from the new career-spanning 5-disc collection of live recordings by the R&R Hall of Famers.
Read MoreSpotlight Feature
Emotional Mary McCartney Speaks at Linda McCartney USPS Stamp Dedication Ceremony
“My mom gave me the opportunity to look at her as an artist… and I started asking her questions about her life and her career.”
Read MoreTerms & Rules
Terms and Rules for the ‘ELO: UK Singles’ Contest
Official terms and rules for Best Classic Bands’ ‘ELO: UK Singles Volume One 1972-1978’ contest
Read MoreThe Art & Craft of Rocking
The Rolling Stones’ ‘Exile on Main Street’: Behind the Cover Art
The 1972 album cover was highly influential. Since, then, thousands of artists have used its “Ripping and Tearing” style and graffiti in their work.
Read MoreThe Art of the Playlist
Ever Wonder How Many Top 10 Singles Motown Had?
Longtime music industry writer, editor and executive Adam White shares his story identifying the artists and songs that achieved the benchmark with the great label.
Read MoreThe Classic Rock Legacy
The Beach Boys’ ‘Good Vibrations’: Brian’s Masterpiece
1966 was a watershed year for the group, with the release of Brian Wilson’s genius album, Pet Sounds, and this song, recorded with the Wrecking Crew.
Read MoreThe Dennis Elsas Conversation
1974’s Historic John Lennon Radio Interview With Dennis Elsas
In the wide-ranging live conversation on New York’s WNEW-FM, he talked about his status with the other members of The Beatles at that time, the band’s relationship with the Rolling Stones in the early days in London, his love for New York, and much more.
Read MoreThe Scene:
Watch Billy Joel Perform on ‘The Midnight Special’ Before True Stardom
When he appeared on the popular musical TV series in 1975, it was still two years before his true breakthrough LP, The Stranger.
Read MoreThis Just In!
Paul McCartney Cancels 2020 Tour
The eleven dates of the 2020 edition of his Freshen Up tour were to take place in Europe. The legend turns 78 on June 18.
Read MoreThrough The Lens
Linda Ronstadt Album Designer, Kosh, Talks Covers
We go behind the scenes with her longtime collaborator who earned 3 Grammys for his work with her. “She never seemed to really appreciate how good she was.”
Read MoreTools of the Trade
7 Class Axes & the Guitarists Who Wielded Them
It’s magic when guitarists find an instrument that suits their style, sound and preferences. Guitar World’s Founding Editor takes a look.
Read MoreTop of The Pops (Charts)
Radio Hits in October 1974: The ‘New Math’
The Best Classic Bands chart nerds noticed that this week featured 3 hits at the top with the word “Nothing” in the title: great songs by BTO, Stevie Wonder and Billy Preston.
Read MoreTV Show
Review: Yes, ELO, Journey Shine on HBO’s Rock Hall 2017 Broadcast
The trio of classic rock-era inductees clearly enjoyed the ceremony held in their honor. Kudos to HBO for capturing the evening’s poignant moments
Read More