Points of View
These articles examine and opine on the state of rock music as well as trends, issues and other matters of consequence related to classic rock and its business and culture.
Rob Halford on Judas Priest’s 2018 Rock Hall Rejection
One of the world’s top metal bands was rejected by Rock and Roll Hall of Fame voters. How did their lead singer feel about the snub?
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On Being Music Mogul Walter Yetnikoff’s ‘Rabbi’
The passing of the colorful executive elicited plenty of memories from those who worked with him. Here’s one from a journalist who was hired to write a speech
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Deaths of Older Rock Legends Continue to Shake Us
A wave of deaths of older rock legends has given boomers reason to pause. Is 67 or 70 the new 27? “I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead.”
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Bob Dylan Streamed Concert: ‘What a Joy’
The last concert I saw before the pandemic shut everything down was Dylan. I can’t think of anybody better to enjoy my return with
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Bob Dylan: Still the Colossus
Is there any contemporary popular music singer, songwriter and musician as significant as Bob Dylan? The answer is no.
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Handicapping the Rock Hall’s Class of 2021
Now that the Class of 2021 has been selected, we’ve looked back at the predictions we made when the nominees were announced
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I Went to a 2021 Concert and It Was Glorious
After a year-plus like no other, when the group took the stage, the audience let out a pent-up, emotional round of applause
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Herb Alpert Calls Leon Russell ‘A Special Talent’
Russell was one of the studio musicians that played on many of the Tijuana Brass LPs. Alpert says, “I’m glad he was in my life”
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When a Label Chief Threatened to Cancel Metallica Signing
An Elektra Records senior executive paints a great picture of an industry legend: “You have to get out of here. That guy is crazy”
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Tom Petty, a True Rock ‘n’ Roll Star
Petty idolized the Byrds and he famously incorporated their 1967 song, “So You Want to Be a Rock ‘n’ Roll Star,” into the Heartbreakers concert repertoire
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