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

Queen’s Homage to Space Exploration, “’39”

The band’s guitarist, Brian May, can do many things well, one of which is to write songs. This one, about time travel, presaged his PhD in astrophysics

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The Beatles’ ‘Yesterday and Today’: Should It Ever Have Existed?

The album was slapped together from odds and ends by Capitol Records, without the band’s participation. And what was up with that cover?

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Eric Burdon & The Animals’ Love Song to ‘Monterey’

Performing a the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967 was such a profound experience for the British singer that he wrote a song about it. Here’s the story.

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AT40: When Casey Kasem Delivered the Hits

Fans tuned in each week for the popular syndicated program “heard in the fifty states and around the world,” and for great stories from its legendary host

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Monterey Pop Festival—10 Killer Performances

Here is a look at some of the finest that went down over those 3 days, and which still loom so largely as we bring contemporary ears to bear on them

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Iron Butterfly’s Classic ‘In-a-Gadda-Da-Vida’

The single and album signaled a shift from the psychedelic sound toward something more aggressive, loud and primal. Rock fans either loved it or hated it.

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When Glenn Frey Came to Small-Town Minnesota

Imagine you’re in a tiny town in Minnesota and there, onstage, is the co-founder of the legendary Eagles, playing for just a couple hundred folks.

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The Gentrys’ ‘Keep on Dancing’: Behind the ’60s Garage Classic

The Memphis septet took an obscure R&B tune and turned it into a top 5 rocker in 1965. The story behind the recording–and the band–is fascinating.

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When Gregg Allman’s Grandson Made His Stage Debut on Hammond B3

“My son has played piano since he was a little guy,” said his father, Devon, of the Allman Betts Band. “The road truly goes on forever!”

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Rock Radio Promotion: From Dead Rats to Live Aid

How a highly original record label promotional stunt helped introduce Bob Geldof and the Boomtown Rats to America. “Playboy called me a promotional genius”…

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