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.

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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Before Judas Priest’s 2022 Rock Hall Induction, Rob Halford Was Gracious About Their Prior Rejection

Before finally being selected, one of the world’s top metal bands was turned down by the Hall’s voters.

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50 Years Post-‘Tapestry,’ Carole King Finally Earned Rock Hall Induction as a Performer

She practically invented a genre and influenced countless other singer-songwriters. The 1971 album earned 4 Grammy Awards and set records and trends

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Tom Petty, a True Rock ‘n’ Roll Star—An Appreciation

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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Paul McCartney’s Memorable ‘Band on the Run’ B-side

Though best known as a musician for being a bass man, his signature as a melodist is his use of piano on “Let It Be,” “Hey Jude” and this one

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Bob Dylan: Still the Colossus

Is there any contemporary popular music singer, songwriter and musician as significant? The answer is no.

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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

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Paul McCartney: The Beatles’ ‘Other’ Consummate Guitarist

The Beatles had three guitarists. One of them doesn’t get nearly as much credit as he deserves. We look at Paul McCartney’s guitar work.

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Dave Edmunds Shares a Bruce Springsteen Story

All celebrities know each other, right? Well, at some point, they have to actually meet. Such was the case when Bruce gave Dave a song for his next album. “It was perfect for me”

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Mad Magazine: Required Reading For Generations

Many of Mad’s articles exposed staples of American culture—nothing and no one was safe from its pointed humor, from hit movies to products to the media.

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