The Classic Rock Legacy
Average White Band’s Surprise #1: ‘Pick Up the Pieces’
The Scottish band got their big break as the opening act on Clapton’s 1973 comeback tour. A year later, this instrumental single failed to chart in the U.K.
Read More
Blood, Sweat & Tears’ Groundbreaking Debut: Rewind
The idea was simple but brand new: a rock band augmented by a jazz-influenced horn section. Soon, a classic album was born.
Read More
ELO’s ‘Mr. Blue Sky’: Like You’ve Never Seen
Electric Light Orchestra fans will be surprised to discover how this favorite fared on U.S. radio. It was released in the midst of a string of hit singles for the group that combined electric instruments with orchestral ones
Read More
15 Rockers’ Early Days: Before They Were Stars
The Eagles, Simon & Garfunkel, Hendrix, Stephen Stills and other rockers made records before anyone knew who they were. You’ve got to hear these!
Read More
Mike Bloomfield & the Electric Flag: Long Time Comin’
He was an American guitar hero before there was such a thing. In 1967 he put together a new but short-lived band that combined blues, soul and rock.
Read More
Bon Jovi’s Game-Changing ‘Livin’ on a Prayer’
Guess who didn’t much care for the song that made the band a major force of rock for decades to come? And who’s just fine with it now…
Read More
Genesis’ Path to Success: The Inside Story
Before he became Atlantic Records’ President, Jerry Greenberg said: “I never heard one note of their music. But just from what I read in the English papers about them, I thought: ‘I’ve gotta have this group.’”
Read More
When Queen and Rami Malek Reigned at the Oscars
The actor had swept all the awards shows earlier, so why not the Acadeny Awards? Earlier, Queen + Adam Lambert opened the show with a rocking performance
Read More
10 Rocking ‘Ed Sullivan Show’ Performances
He may have been a square but he knew what “the kiddies” wanted to hear. Check out these great clips from the all-time biggest variety show in America.
Read More
Shocking Blue’s ‘Venus’: An Out-of-This-World Hit
When the Dutch rock band replaced its male lead vocalist with a striking 21-year-old female, they scored with a shock heard ’round the world
Read More