Spotlight Feature
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16 Best Studio Double Albums of All-Time
In the pre-digital era, many rock legends released a two-record set. Here are favorites from The Who, Derek and the Dominos, Elton John, Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin
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‘Shawshank Redemption’: Hope is a Dangerous Thing
The film finished ninth in its opening weekend in autumn 1994 and was declared a dud. Yet 6 months later, it was vying for 7 Oscars, including Best Picture.
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Watch Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, Gordon Lightfoot, and Ronnie Hawkins Perform ‘Me and Bobby McGee’
When the four legends recorded the classic in 2016, its producer had a high class problem.
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How ‘Bat Out of Hell’ Became a Success: Inside Story
The album is one of the all-time best-sellers but you would never know that from its initial reception. Then it took off like… a bat out of hell.
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John Stewart: From a Trio to ‘Daydream Believer’ to ‘Gold’
After many years with the Kingston Trio, the baritone singer-songwriter wrote a Monkees’ favorite. But solo success eluded him until he struck Gold in 1979
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Remembering Jimmy Buffett, ‘Margaritaville’ Singer Who Led the Parrot Heads
With his Coral Reefer Band, he established a laid-back style that ultimately led to a business empire
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Roger Dean Interview: Getting Close To the Edge
The album designer, best known for his surrealistic cover illustrations for Yes, shares some surprising stories about working with the band.
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‘Body Heat’: 1981’s Double Dealing Movie Thriller
The steamy box-office hit starred William Hurt and Kathleen Turner, in her film debut. “You’re not too smart are you,” she says. “I like that in a man.”
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When Bill Withers ‘Punk’d’ the USC Trojans Football Team
The singer-songwriter had essentially retired from the spotlight decades ago. In 2009, he was invited to address the college team by then-head coach Pete Carroll
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A Tribute to a Loyal Reader Who We Nicknamed ‘The Grim Reaper’
For years, Best Classic Bands reader Ric Allen Niedzinski would message us with news of a musician’s death.
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