Music
How Johnny Cash Went To (Folsom) Prison And Changed Eve...
January 13, 2021
Johnny Cash At Folsom Prison just about saved Johnny Cash. By the mid-'60s, the country music legend wasn't as popular as he'd once been. He was ready to tur...
Steve Miller's 'Joker:' Pompatus, Maurice And The Space...
January 12, 2021
From its first lines, Steve Miller's 1974 #1 hit "The Joker" is a jumble of enigmatic lyrics: Are we supposed to call him the Space Cowboy, Gangster Of Love,...
Who Was Syd Barrett? Biography Of Pink Floyd's Mad Geni...
January 6, 2021
Roger Waters and Syd Barrett of Pink Floyd pose for a portrait in 1967 in London, England (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) Once upon a time, Pink...
Candle In The Wind: Elton John's Tribute To Marilyn Mon...
December 29, 2020
What did Marilyn Monroe and Princess Diana have in common? Apart from Elton John's "Candle In The Wind," nothing -- Monroe was a celebrity sex symbol whose l...
1967: Beatles 'Magical Mystery Tour' Goes Nowhere Fast
December 26, 2020
After a long streak of perfectionism throughout the ‘60s, the whimsical 1967 film Magical Mystery Tour proved The Beatles were capable of mistakes after all. Th...
'Do They Know It's Christmas?' Band Aid Asked In 1984
December 25, 2020
Left: Bob Geldof and Midge Ure in Notting Hill, London, during the recording of 'Do They Know It's Christmas?' on November 25, 1984. Right: Sleeve art for the single...
Pogo's 'Deck Us All With Boston Charlie:' A Walt Kelly ...
December 24, 2020
Deck us all with Boston Charlie,Walla Walla Wash., an' Kalamazoo!Nora's freezin' on the trolley, Swaller dollar cauliflower alleygaroo!Walt Kelly's Pogo comi...
Alvin And The 'Chipmunk Song' Christmas Hit: David Sevi...
December 22, 2020
In 1958, The Chipmunks, a nonexistent musical act, achieved a #1 hit with "The Chipmunk Song," also known as "Christmas Don't Be Late." The Chipmunks weren't...
1977: Elvis Costello Banned From Saturday Night Live Ov...
December 17, 2020
When Elvis Costello played "Radio, Radio" on Saturday Night Live in 1977, he cemented his status as an angry young man. Rather than playing "Less Than Zero,"...
Dionne Warwick, Twitter Phenom: The 'Say A Little Praye...
December 12, 2020
Dionne Warwick Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images With hit singles like "Walk On By" and "Say A Little Prayer," Dionne Warwick emerged as one of the ...
'I Am Woman' By Helen Reddy Brought Feminism To The Pop...
December 9, 2020
Helen Reddy in 'Midnight Special' in January 1973. Photo by: Paul W. Bailey/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank With six words -- "I am woman, hear me roar" -- Australian sin...
Kung Fu Fighting: Carl Douglas' Chop-Socky Disco Hit
December 7, 2020
Carl Douglas, studio portrait, doing Kung Fu poses, London, 1974 . (Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images) Carl Douglas' 1974 #1 hit "Kung Fu Fighting" is one of th...
Lorne Greene's 'Ringo,' A Bonanza Star's Hokey Cowboy #...
December 5, 2020
Lorne Greene (1915-1987), Canadian actor and cowboy pop star, circa 1970. (Photo by Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images) Lorne Green's "Ringo," a cowboy son...
Million Dollar Quartet: Elvis, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkin...
December 4, 2020
L-R Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley (sitting), Johnny Cash - The Million Dollar Quartet - group shot at Sun Studios (Photo by GAB Archive/Redferns)...
Linda Martell, The Black Grand Ole Opry Star Who Disapp...
November 18, 2020
R&B and Country singer Linda Martell poses for a portrait circa 1969 in Nashville, Tennessee (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) In a genre dominate...
How Journey's 'Don't Stop Believin'' Became The Greates...
November 13, 2020
Steve Perry of Journey performs at the Rosemont Horizon in Rosemont, Illinois, May 27, 1980. (Photo by Paul Natkin/Getty Images) There are some songs that jus...
'MacArthur Park' And A Cake Out In The Rain: Worst. Lyr...
November 11, 2020
Donna Summer performs on stage, circa 1975, as Richard Harris looks on. (Photo by GAB Archive/Redferns; IMDB) "MacArthur Park," a hit for Richard Harris, Wayl...
Patti Smith: 'Horses' And The Life Of A Garage-Rock Pun...
November 10, 2020
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - OCTOBER 09: Patti Smith posed in Amsterdam, Netherlands on October 09 1976 (Photo by Gijsbert Hanekroot/Redferns) Patti Smith, punk p...
Gordon Lightfoot's 'Edmund Fitzgerald:' Lyrics And Stor...
November 9, 2020
Gordon Lightfoot's 1976 single "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" sounds like an ancient mariner's lament -- chalk that up to Lightfoot's somber vocals. Bu...
Led Zeppelin IV: Facts, Legends And Mysteries About Zep...
November 8, 2020
Led Zeppelin IV is famous not only for "Stairway to Heaven," "Rock and Roll," "Black Dog," and other Zeppelin classics, as well as its lore and trivia. No ot...
Jimmy Dean, the Sausage King of Country Music: Biograph...
November 6, 2020
Some may recognize the name Jimmy Dean from the hearty sausages they use to fuel their day. The name may also ring a bell for others as the country star mos...
Gram Parsons: Bio Of Country-Rock's Messiah And Grievou...
November 5, 2020
CHICAGO - MARCH 1969: Singer/Songwriter Gram Parsons plays acoustic guitar backstage in March 1969 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty I...
Prince's Revolution: From R&B Controversy To Rock Star ...
October 27, 2020
American musician Prince (1958 - 2016) performs onstage at the Ritz during his 'Dirty Mind' tour, New York, New York, March 22, 1981. (Photo by Gary Gershoff/Ge...
It's Eagles, Not 'The' Eagles: Facts And Trivia About T...
October 26, 2020
Photo of EAGLES; 1973 - L-R Bernie Leadon, Don Henley and Randy Meisner and Glenn Frey. (Photo by GAB Archive/Redferns) The Eagles may not have invented count...
Meat Loaf's Bat Out Of Hell: Story Of An Unlikely Rock ...
October 21, 2020
American singers Karla Devito and Meat Loaf performing on the Bat Out Of Hell Tour, USA, March 1978. (Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images) Meat Loaf's Bat O...
'Y.M.C.A.,' The Sports Anthem About A Gay Cruising Spot...
October 20, 2020
Photo of DISCO; The audience performs the 'YMCA' dance with The Village People at the "ABC Disco Ball" at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, CA (Photo by Ama...
Isaac Hayes' 'Hot Buttered Soul' And The Stax Crisis Th...
September 23, 2020
Portrait of American musician Isaac Hayes (1942 - 2008). New York, New York, 1972. The photo was taken during a shoot for Essence magazine. (Photo by Anthony Ba...
'After The Gold Rush,' Neil Young's Soundtrack Of A Los...
September 19, 2020
Neil Young on the cover of 'After The Gold Rush/' Source: Flickr.com Neil Young's After The Gold Rush is one of the great albums in classic rock, including "O...
Jimi Hendrix, Guitar Genius Who Died At 27: Facts And S...
September 18, 2020
Rock guitarist Jimi Hendrix performs onstage with his Fender Stratocaster electric guitar at the Newport Pop Festival on June 20, 1969 in Devonshire Downs, Cali...
1967: The Who's Keith Moon Blows Up The Smothers Brothe...
September 17, 2020
If any band was going to blow up on TV in 1967 -- literally explode -- it would be The Who, and particularly their loose cannon drummer Keith Moon. And that'...
Rapper's Delight By Sugar Hill Gang, The First Top 40 H...
September 16, 2020
Sugar Hill Gang (L-R Michael "Wonder Mike" Wright, Guy "Master Gee' O'Brian and Henry "Big Bank" Jackson) perform on stage circa 1979 in New York. (Photo by Mic...
Fired From Metallica, So He Formed Megadeth: Dave Musta...
September 13, 2020
Megadeth 1987 David Ellefson, Chuck Behler, Jeff Young and Dave Mustaine (Photo by Chris Walter/WireImage) Dave Mustaine, of thrash-metal gods Megadeth, was f...
With 'He Stopped Loving Her Today,' George Jones Return...
September 12, 2020
George Jones in 1978. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) When George Jones recorded "He Stopped Loving Her Today," he didn't just need a hit -- he ...
'How Do You Sleep?:' John Lennon's Most Ungroovy Anti-M...
September 9, 2020
Musician John Lennon formerly of "The Beatles" performs onstage at the Chrysler Arena on December 10, 1971 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Tom Copi/Michael Oc...
Donovan's 'Sunshine Superman,' The First Psychedelic #1...
September 3, 2020
When the psychedelic revolution happened, Donovan's "Sunshine Superman" made history as the first trippy tune to top the Billboard pop chart. Hallucinogenic...
Was George Harrison's 'My Sweet Lord' Really A 'He's So...
August 31, 2020
Left: George Harrison in Cannes on January 30, 1976, for the Midem music industry trade fair. Right: The Chiffons' single Harrison was said to have plagiarized....
Dylan, The Beatles, And Weed: The Night Bob Got The Fab...
August 28, 2020
Left: The Beatles pose for a portrait in front of an American Flag, New York City, 1964. Right: Milton Glaser's poster portrait of Bob Dylan. Sources: Michael O...
On A Hot August Night In 1972, Neil Diamond Was King
August 24, 2020
In an era of incredible live albums, Neil Diamond’s Hot August Night from 1972 was the "Cherry Cherry" and "Sweet Caroline" singer's bid to be an A-list showman. T...
How George Harrison Brought Bob Dylan Back With The Con...
August 1, 2020
Bob Dylan at the Concert for Bangladesh, August 1, 1971. Photo by Thomas Monaster/NY Daily News via Getty Images. On August 1, 1971, Bob Dylan made his first ...
Gilbert O'Sullivan's 'Alone Again (Naturally),' The Son...
July 31, 2020
Left: single sleeve art for Gilbert O'Sullivan's 'Alone Again (Naturally).' Right: Biz Markie. Sources: discogs.org; Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Gilber...
The Boomtown Rats' 'I Don't Like Mondays:' The Strange ...
July 28, 2020
The Boomtown Rats' "I Don't Like Mondays," a fun-sounding little song that went to #1 in the UK, isn't about mere start-of-week grumpiness -- it was inspired...
Bruce Springsteen, 'Born To Run,' And The Lawsuit That ...
July 27, 2020
Bruce Springsteen backstage at Hammersmith Odeon, London before his first UK show, 18th November 1975. (Photo by Mark and Colleen Hayward/Getty Images) With t...
Cherokee People, Cherokee Tribe: Lyrics And Meaning of ...
July 24, 2020
The Raiders, formerly known as Paul Revere and the Raiders, had a single number one hit, with "Indian Reservation (The Lament of the Cherokee Reservation Ind...
'My Aim Is True:' Facts And Trivia About Elvis Costello...
July 21, 2020
Elvis Costello with a Fender Jazzmaster guitar, March 1977. A photoshoot for the cover of his debut album 'My Aim Is True'. (Photo by Estate Of Keith Morris/Red...
1973: The Everly Brothers Break Up On Stage At Knott's ...
July 14, 2020
Phil Everly and Don Everly in 1972, on set of LWT TV show (Photo by Tony Russell/Redferns) As one of the most crucial American pop acts of the 20th century, t...
Surf Music History: The So-Cal Sound Of Dick Dale's Ins...
July 10, 2020
Left: Dick Dale. Right: The Ventures. Sources: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images; merchbar.com The story of surf rock and surf guitar has one big hero: Dick ...
Billy Preston: Stories And Life Of The (Almost) Fifth B...
July 7, 2020
Billy Preston (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) Billy Preston left his mark on the pop charts with the hits "Will It Go Round In Circles?," "Nothi...
Who's In The '27 Club'? List Of The Famous Who Died You...
July 3, 2020
Cool people like Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morrison may be members, but the 27 Club is one of the few institutions of fame that no one in their righ...
Why Did Cher And Gregg Allman Get Married?
June 30, 2020
Cher with Gregg Allman circa 1978. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) Cher married Gregg Allman in 1975, and they stayed together through 1979. People forget that,...
Marvin Gaye's 'Got To Give It Up:' Story And Facts Abou...
June 25, 2020
Marvin Gaye live at Royal Albert Hall, London. 1979 (Photo by David Corio/Redferns) When Marvin Gaye recorded "Got To Give It Up," he was joining the club -- ...
Why Didn't The Kinks Catch On In America? Their Self-De...
June 21, 2020
The Kinks in 1965: Ray Davies, Pete Quaife, Dave Davies and Mick Avory holding playing cards (Photo by GAB Archive/Redferns) The Kinks are responsible for man...
The Beach Boys' 'Smile:' Everything We Know About The '...
June 20, 2020
Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys poses for a portrait in 1968 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) One of the great long lo...
Carole King's Tapestry: Story And Trivia Of A Songwrite...
June 19, 2020
Left: Carole King and her cat photographed in her Laurel Canyon home for the cover of 'Tapestry.' Right: King in record producer Lou Adler's office holding the ...
Fleetwood Mac's 'Dreams:' Anthem For The TikTok Generat...
June 18, 2020
Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac performs at The Omni Coliseum in Atlanta Georgia June 1, 1977. (Photo By Rick Diamond/Getty Images) With its chorus "Thunder onl...
Monterey Pop, 1967: The Summer Of Love Begins (Facts An...
June 16, 2020
Jimi Hendrix performs onstage at the Monterey Pop Festival on June 18, 1967 in Monterey, California. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) Over three ...
Tom Jones, The Unusual Star With The Biggest Voice: Sto...
June 7, 2020
Tom Jones performing in Atlanta in 1977. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) Roaring out of Wales with a show-stopping baritone, Tom Jones became fa...
'What Did You Think?' When Family Ties And Sad Michael ...
May 28, 2020
The first kiss between Alex P. Keaton and Ellen (played by Michael J. Fox and Tracy Pollan) was a big deal on Family Ties, and it made "At This Moment" a big...
Hank Williams Jr: The Outlaw Bocephus Who Made Nashvill...
May 26, 2020
Photo of Hank Williams Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images For the son of Hank Williams, one of the most important figures in country music, life shou...
"Burn Baby Burn" Original Version Lyrics/Meaning To 'Di...
May 25, 2020
With "Burn baby burn," The Trammps 1976 single "Disco Inferno," the group lit a fire in the kindling of the pre-disco era -- or perahps it's better to say th...
The Blues Brothers: Cast List Of This 1980 Comedy Class...
May 24, 2020
With young John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd and Carrie Fisher, The Blues Brothers (1980) was loaded for comedy in its major roles. But the cast list doesn't stop th...
'Set Me Free Why Don't You Babe' Song Meaning & Lyrics ...
May 22, 2020
The Supremes, 1968. From left, Diana Ross, Cindy Birdsong, and Mary Wilson. They wear dresses used during their European tour dates of that year. (Photo by Silv...
'If You Wanna Be Happy' By Jimmy Soul: The Offensive & ...
May 18, 2020
Jimmy Soul Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images. Single sleeve source: discogs.com The lyrics of Jimmy Soul’s “If You Wanna Be Happy” make it one of th...
Millie Small: 'My Boy Lollipop' Singer And Jamaican Ska...
May 17, 2020
Jamaican singer Millie Small in May 1964 (Photo by Chapman/Mirrorpix/Mirrorpix via Getty Images) "My Boy Lollipop" was an international hit for Millie Small i...
June Carter Cash's Death, Life, And Times: Biography Of...
May 15, 2020
American country singer Johnny Cash with his wife June Carter photographed in a London park during their visit to Britain, a few weeks after their wedding. 3rd ...
Frank Sinatra's Death: The Aftermath, And How Seinfeld ...
May 14, 2020
The night Frank Sinatra died, America was busy watching Seinfeld. It was May 14, 1998, and Ol' Blue Eyes was going to the great Vegas showroom in the sky, bu...
Stevie Wonder: Facts, Trivia, Things You Didn't Know Ab...
May 13, 2020
Stevie Wonder circa 1970. Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images With songs like "Superstition," "I Wish," and "Boogie On Reggae Woman," Stevie Wonder re...
Exile On Main Street: The Rolling Stones' Best Album Is...
May 12, 2020
Left: Cover art of 'Exile on Main Street.' Right: Mick Jagger on stage in 1972. Sources: Amazon.com; photo by Robert Knight Archive/Redferns A great Rolling S...
How The Guess Who Wrote 'American Woman' By Accident (L...
May 9, 2020
"American Woman" by The Guess Who might seem like an anthem praising the ladies of the 50 states... maybe an heir to the Beach Boys' "California Girls." But ...
'(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction' Lyrics/Song Meaning And...
May 6, 2020
When Keith Richards sat down to write one of the most iconic riffs in music history, to the point where the song is in the National Recording Registry of the...
Art Garfunkel: Biography, Life, And Facts About The Eni...
May 5, 2020
Art Garfunkel, relaxes on a bench in the Embankment Gardens, London, in 1975. Photo by © Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images Art Garfunke...
Rita Coolidge: Muse To Kris Kristofferson, Leon Russell...
May 1, 2020
Left: Publicity photo of Rita Coolidge circa 1970. Right: Coolidge on the cover of her 1972 album 'The Lady's Not For Sale.' Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images;...
'Doodle O/Turtle Love/Dude Low' How 'Good Lovin' By The...
April 30, 2020
Photo of American group The Young Rascals (later known as the Rascals) posed circa 1965. (Photo by GAB Archive/Redferns) Maybe you don’t remember where you we...
Willie Nelson: Stories Of Legendary Outlaw/Bio Of Count...
April 29, 2020
Willie Nelson performs on stage at the Hammersmith Odeon in London, England in June 1982. (Photo by David Redfern/Redferns) Willie Nelson, also known as The A...
'Heart Of Glass,' Blondie's First #1 Hit: Song Meaning,...
April 28, 2020
Debbie Harry in 1979, shooting Blondie's 'Heart Of Glass' video. (Photo by Roberta Bayley/Redferns) 'Heart of Glass' became Blondie's first #1 hit on the stre...
1982: Rod Stewart Was Mugged, Gunman Steals His $50,000...
April 26, 2020
English Rock singer Rod Stewart performs onstage at the Rosemont Horizon, Rosemont, Illinois, January 12, 1982. (Photo by Paul Natkin/Getty Images) Rock star ...
'Sticky Fingers' By The Rolling Stones: Album History, ...
April 23, 2020
Mick Jagger & Keith Richards performing live onstage on March 9, 1971 (Photo by David Redfern/Redferns) Sticky Fingers had to be a defining album for the Roll...
Grace Slick Tried Dosing Nixon With 600mg of LSD, But H...
April 20, 2020
Grace Slick of Jefferson Airplane went to the White House in 1970 with a plan: slip President Richard Nixon a dose of LSD. Slick was a powerful woman in the ...
'Ring Of Fire' By Johnny Cash: Song Meaning, Stories, L...
April 19, 2020
THE JOHNNY CASH SHOW - Shoot Date: March 17, 1969. (Photo by Walt Disney Television via Getty Images Photo Archives/Walt Disney Television via Getty Images) I...
The Beatles' 'Come Together:' Song Meaning, Lyrics, And...
April 17, 2020
"Here come old flat-top" it begins, then describes a man with "ju-ju eyeball," "toe-jam football" and "monkey finger" -- "Come Together" contains lyrics that...
1985: 'We Are The World' Hits #1 On The Charts As The W...
April 13, 2020
Just reading the title “We Are The World” puts the unforgettable chorus in your head. Sung by a bevy of stars at the height of their fame, the song came toge...
