Posts From Greg Brodsky

How the Rolling Stones’ ‘Steel Wheels’ Conquered Rock Radio (And the Birth of the Promo 12″ Single)

Columbia Records exec Paul Rappaport shares a story from his 2025 book, Gliders Over Hollywood: Airships, Airplay, and The Art of Rock Promotion.

Read More

Surviving the ’70s: 12 Disco Songs Even Rock Fans Enjoy

Though the genre is maligned, there are plenty of choices that will get rock die-hards on the dance floor at their cousin’s wedding

Read More

12 (More) Soaring Vocals of the ’60s: Good Vibes

In a decade where Top 40 playlists were filled with songs from a variety of genres, these performances were truly special.

Read More

The 9 Number One Albums of 1981: Take It On the Run

Each of the releases had a different story to tell. Many were from artists who had paid their dues for years. Others were from superstars returning to the top.

Read More

The Number One Singles of 1970

Only two songs stayed at the top for four weeks or more. And thus, no less than 29 singles reached #1 that year. Several musical acts had more than one

Read More

‘Devil With a Blue Dress On’: The Ultimate Party Song

Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels teamed with Four Seasons producer Bob Crewe for the 1966 hit recording, coupled with a Little Richard classic.

Read More

Tributes For Roberta Flack, ’70s Singer Who Made History

She was the first recording artist to win the Grammy Award for Record of the Year in consecutive years.

Read More

The Album of the Year Grammy Nominations From 1975-1979

Back in rock music’s recorded heyday, you used to have a keen interest in which 5 albums received nominations for this big category.

Read More

The Same Musician Who Orchestrated ELO Gave Us ‘Hooked on Classics’

Jeff Lynne opted to live up to the band’s name when he hired Clark as string arranger and utilized a full orchestra in the group’s recordings.

Read More

Tom Petty—’American Girl’: Take it Easy, Baby

Though the second single from the Heartbreakers’ 1976 self-titled debut failed to chart on Top 40, its story about the girl alone on the balcony overlooking U.S. Route 441 resonates with his fans.

Read More