The Scene:
The Scene features a variety of articles that explore a wide range of subjects, all of then delving into the many aspects of rock ‘n’ roll music, its artists and players, the music business and classic rock culture
How Led Zeppelin Were Convinced to Release ‘Whole Lotta Love’ as a Single
When the song started taking off at FM radio, Atlantic’s Jerry Greenberg made an edit for AM radio. They put it out “and the record explodes…”
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‘Mary, Mary’: The Song Recorded by a Blues Band, a TV Rock Band and a Hip-Hop Group
Neither the Paul Butterfield Blues Band nor Monkees versions were released as singles, but a Run-DMC cover was a modest chart hit.
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9 Signature Rock Songs That Weren’t U.S. Chart Hits
Many songs associated with classic rockers were never actually hits. Here are the surprising back stories to ones by ELO, Billy Joel, Van Halen, Queen & more.
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A Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Cynic Visits the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
After 35 years of critiquing the induction process, our editor finally made his way to the actual Hall in Cleveland. What did he think of it?
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1970: The Year in 50 Classic Rock Albums
We looked back at hundreds of albums released that year and whittled the list down to 50 standouts. How many do you own?
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When a Radio Legend and a Bottle of Jack Saved a Lynyrd Skynyrd Concert
In ’76, the band’s management asked an exec at their label to set up a live radio broadcast. When show time arrived, they refused to go on. Enter Scott Muni.
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When the J. Geils Band Finally Broke Through
The only #1 hit for this dynamic Boston band was about a schoolboy crush later being crushed for real. We look back at an early MTV favorite.
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When Paul McCartney Brought Johnny Carson a Birthday Cake
In 1968, Lennon and McCartney famously appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson but its host wasn’t there. Sixteen years later, Paul finally met Johnny.
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The Mighty Manfred Mann: From ‘Do Wah Diddy Diddy’ to ‘Blinded By the Light’
They underwent frequent personnel changes, including several lead singers—and they were named after the keyboardist—but they kept producing hits.
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Promised Land: Chuck Berry @ 100
‘St. Louis to Liverpool’ is a document one needs to experience in life or else one isn’t getting from life what one easily can.
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