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
The Beach Boys’ ‘Good Vibrations’: Brian’s Masterpiece
1966 was a watershed year for the group, with the release of Brian Wilson’s genius album, Pet Sounds, and this song, recorded with the Wrecking Crew
Read More
1968—The Year in 50 Classic Rock Albums
Rock was still very intense in ’68 but it began giving way to quieter, more roots-oriented sounds. More than anything though, the music was diverse.
Read More
Beatles Fan’s Memorable Meeting With John Lennon
Before he became a successful record company promotion man, Dave Morrell was an 18-year-old music fan who dug the Beatles. He shares a one-of-a-kind story from his book
Read More
Todd Rundgren’s ‘Hello, It’s Me’: Wild Success Story
The musician has a long list of credits as a producer (Bat Out of Hell) and engineer. Here’s the inside story of how one song took off to become his biggest solo hit
Read More
When Phil Collins Opened His 1st U.S. Tour in 12 Years
He sat throughout most of these performances, due to hip and back surgeries, but still treated his fans to songs from his extensive catalog
Read More
‘MacArthur Park’: Jimmy Webb’s Recipe for a Hit
“Someone left the cake out in the rain/I don’t think that I can take it ’cause it took too long to bake it.” Love it or hate it, here’s the story
Read More
Gotta Bludgeon: The Delightfully Punishing, Hell-for-Leather Second Take of The Beatles’ ‘Helter Skelter’
Close your eyes and it’s not hard to picture George Martin in the control booth, thinking, “What on earth are we doing tonight?”
Read More
When Hugh Hefner Championed Rock Music
For more than a year, 1969-70, Hef invited the top rock and soul acts of the day to perform on national TV. Here are more than a dozen of those clips.
Read More
Eagles’ ‘The Long Run’: The Making of a Classic
“’The Long Run’ was a pretty painful birth because we were like, ‘How the f*** are we going to top “Hotel California”‘?”–Joe Walsh
Read More
The Important Half: John Lennon, ‘Julia’ and Singing to Reach
“The song, inspired by John’s late mother, “is brave, because in the delivery we hear a singer willing to be transported.”
Read More