The Classic Rock Legacy

Full Cyrkle: The ‘Red Rubber Ball’ Band Bounces Back

They scored a smash single with an unreleased Paul Simon song, were managed by Brian Epstein and disappeared after two hits.

Read More

George Thorogood Bar Tab: ‘One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer’

For 10+ minutes of storytelling and boogie guitar, Thorogood + the Destroyers (with Elvin Bishop) stretch things out on the song made famous by John Lee Hooker.

Read More

Bob Dylan Bassist Harvey Brooks on Making ‘Highway 61’

“A thin, frizzy-haired guy dressed in jeans and boots was standing in the front of the mixing console. I assumed it was Bob Dylan.”

Read More

When REO Speedwagon Had Their Breakthrough

Talk about perseverance! It took seven studio albums before the midwestern band achieved real success. Two years later, they were at the top of the music world.

Read More

10 Songs That Defined New Wave Music

New wave music wasn’t easily defined, but most fans knew it when they heard it. We chose 10 songs that, to us, were the best of the genre.

Read More

Janis Joplin & Jorma Kaukonen: The Tale of the Typewriter Tape

Before they became rock icons, Janis and the Jefferson Airplane guitarist played acoustic blues. Here’s the tale of their fascinating 1964 duets.

Read More

Monterey International Pop Festival: Behind the Scenes

More than a half century after it took place, the first major rock festival still proves the power of music and the way it is presented.

Read More

The Rolling Stones’ Summer of ‘Satisfaction’

In 1965, the Stones hit #1 for a 4-week run. Can later generations even comprehend what it felt like for those of us growing up back then?

Read More

The Cars’ Debut: Just What We Needed

When they first emerged in 1978, some critics were perplexed but rock fans loved this Boston quintet. The song made them a band to watch.

Read More

Sweet: The British Glam Band That Also Blitzed America

They earned worldwide success in the 1970s with such hits as “Little Willy,” “Ballroom Blitz” and “Fox on the Run.”

Read More