Music
How Van Halen Changed Michael Jackson's Beat It And Mus...
January 14, 2022
“Beat It,” improbably, blended the genius of Eddie Van Halen and Michael Jackson to ignite the King of Pop’s most iconic album. Prior to Thriller’s 1982 Nove...
Rumors Of McCartney’s Death Were Greatly Exaggerated
January 8, 2022
28th January 1980: English songwriter and pop star Paul McCartney on his farm near Rye, Sussex. (Photo by David Harris/Keystone/Getty Images) On October 12, 1969,...
Andy Gibb: A Talent Gone Too Soon
December 19, 2021
In 1958, Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb formed what would become one of the powerhouses of disco music: the Bee Gees. The year that the brothers became a band, they also welcomed the...
Queen's “Another One Bites The Dust” Surprising Journey...
December 13, 2021
“Another One Bites The Dust” by Queen introduced the iconic band to Americans in a major way. Billboard’s longest-running #1 top 10 hit of 1980 surprised...
The Origins Of “Sweet Caroline” By Neil Diamond
December 9, 2021
“Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond combined some unexpected ingredients: the Kennedys, baseball, and an ex-wife on its way to becoming a beloved song by millions. Rel...
The Happy Accident Of "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet" By B...
November 9, 2021
When it comes to happy accidents, “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet” by Bachman-Turner Overdrive ranks right among the happiest. The Canadian rock band composed of...
How Woodstock Got Its Start
October 24, 2021
Woodstock was not created by individuals who had an expertise in music festivals or organizing large events. Putting on this historical music festival wasn’t even their original goal.John ...
The Breakup Of The Greatest Band In History
October 23, 2021
A few splits have rocked the collective world: Ross and Rachel, Kim and Kanye, the Koreas but few can match the disbanding of The Beatles. The greatest band in the world, m...
Ozzy Osbourne's Infamous Bat Bite
October 12, 2021
The list of outrageous stage acts could fill libraries. But Ozzy Osbourne’s bat-eating stunt of 1982 lords above the rest. The former member of Black Sabbath shocked the world when ...
The Mystery Man Behind Carly Simon's "You're So Vain"
October 4, 2021
Simon set tongues wagging when she first sang "You're So Vain."(Joe Corrigan/Getty Images for Tribeca Film Festival) “You’re So Vain,” by Carly Simon inspired more...
The "We Are Family" Pirates And The Anthem of '79
September 20, 2021
In 1979, the Pittsburgh Pirates rode the catchy tune, “We Are Family” by “Sister Sledge” to become one of the most unlikely champions in sports history. With a soundt...
The Harlem Cultural Festival
August 23, 2021
Source: (The Everett Collection/Pop Sugar). In the Summer of 1969, Woodstock became the music festival to remember. At the time, other youth-oriented festivals, like Monterey and Newport w...
Right Said Fred's "I'm Too Sexy"
August 17, 2021
The musical list of one-hit-wonders runs longer than a greedy child’s Christmas list. However, very few of those singular smashes retained the culture footprint of Right Said Fred’s “...
Beatles Love Me Do
July 31, 2021
The Beatles, arguably the most popular and most influential band in history, started with two English schoolboys skipping class to write songs. In 1958 at ages 16 and 17 respectively, Paul McCartne...
Forgotten One-Hit Wonders
July 21, 2021
Creating a song that enraptures an entire country encapsulates the mission of artists the world over. Standing out in the music scene, perhaps the most crowded and competitive industry on ea...
Questions surrounding Jim Morrison’s death
July 5, 2021
Jim Morrison was a voracious reader and was inspired by philosophers and poets from a young age. He started college at Florida State University in 1962, but in 1964, he mo...
Will The Circle Be Unbroken -- When The Hippies Jammed ...
June 9, 2021
They Began In An Entirely Different GenreThe Nitty Gritty Dirt Band started as a psychedelic string band, and after three albums, they had only had one minor...
Lynyrd Skynyrd's 'Free Bird' -- Story Behind The Most E...
June 3, 2021
Many people prefer a short and sweet approach to music. The band, Lynyrd Skynyrd and their all-time classic “Free Bird” definitely don’t agree with those peo...
What's Going On? When Marvin Gaye Went A Little Bit Cra...
May 22, 2021
Soul singer Marvin Gaye performs onstage at Royal Albert Hall in 1979 in London, England. (Photo by David Corio/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) At the end...
Oh No, It's Devo! (What Was Up With Those Weird Art Pun...
May 18, 2021
Devo performs at the Phoenix Theater in August 1980 in Petaluma, California. (Photo by Ed Perlstein/Redferns/Getty Images) Devo was never your typical rock ba...
When Bob Dylan Bailed On Ed Sullivan Over 'Talkin John ...
May 12, 2021
For a 21-year-old Bob Dylan, a shot at playing the Ed Sullivan Show in 1963 was a priceless. It was the biggest of big breaks. Most artists in such a situati...
April Stevens, 'Teach Me Tiger' & 'Deep Purple' Siren, ...
May 10, 2021
April Stevens is a pop star of the early '60s whose biggest hit, "Deep Purple," reached #1 on the Billboard chart in 1963. Stevens often worked with her youn...
'Stay' By Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs: The Shortest ...
April 30, 2021
Photo of MAURICE WILLIAMS & THE ZODIACS; Group portrait (Photo by GAB Archive/Redferns) "Stay" made Maurice Williams & the Zodiacs a one-hit wonder when the s...
The Zombies: The British Invasion Group That Almost Was...
April 19, 2021
Portrait of British group The Zombies taken in the 1960's.; (Photo by King Collection/Photoshot/Getty Images) The Zombies gave us three hit singles that rank ...
Velvet Underground's Nico, A Chelsea Girl From Germany
April 17, 2021
CIRCA 1967: Singer and entertainer Nico poses for a portrait session in circa 1967. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) The model, singer and actress Ni...
'Come And Get Your Love' By Redbone: American Indians I...
April 13, 2021
Redbone circa 1972. Photo by Charlie Gillett/Redferns “Come and Get Your Love” by Redbone made waves in 1974, reaching #5 on Billboard's Hot 100. The catchy e...
Klaatu: The Fake Beatles, History And Facts Of The Cana...
April 11, 2021
A sticker depicting Ringo Starr as the alien Klaatu that was released to promote his 1974 album 'Goodnight Vienna.' (Photo by Paul Chesne/Michael Ochs Archives/...
Minnie Riperton: The 'Lovin' You' Whistle Singer And Ma...
April 5, 2021
R&B singer Minnie Riperton poses for a portrait in August 1975 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) Minnie Riperton, the ...
How Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young Arose From The Byrds, ...
April 2, 2021
Neil Young, David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Graham Nash of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young pose for a composite publicity photo circa 1970. The Neil Young imag...
Astrud Gilberto, The 'Girl From Ipanema' Bossa Nova Sin...
March 29, 2021
Jazz singer Astrud Gilberto poses for a portrait backstage at Birdland on the day they recorded the live album Getz Au Go Go on August 19, 1964 in New York, New...
Blondie's 'Rapture:' The New Wave Goes Hip Hop, Meaning...
March 28, 2021
The first rap song to go to #1 on the Billboard pop chart? That would be "Rapture" by Blondie, from 1981, featuring the fresh rhymes of Debbie Harry. The son...
Diana Ross: Young Supreme Hit Maker, Then And Now
March 26, 2021
Posed studio portrait of Diana Ross circa 1970. (Photo by RB/Redferns) Diana Ross, born and bred in Detroit, came to fame as the lead singer of Motown’s number one gro...
John Lennon And Yoko Ono's 'Bed-Ins:' What Was The Poin...
March 25, 2021
John Lennon and Yoko talking to Donald Zec about their seven day event at the Amsterdam Hilton Hotel. March 1969 Z03078-011 (Photo by WATFORD/Mirrorpix/Mirrorpi...
The Night Marc Bolan (T. Rex) Made Glam Rock The Next B...
March 24, 2021
TOP OF THE POPS Photo of Marc BOLAN and T REX, Marc Bolan (Photo by Ron Howard/Redferns) For his first appearance on the British music show Top of the Pops Ma...
Who Was Fela Kuti And Why Is He Headed For The Rock Hal...
March 23, 2021
Fela Kuti live at The Academy, Brixton, London 1983 (Photo by David Corio/Redferns) The late Fela Kuti, inventor of the Afrobeat genre of music, emerged from ...
Tommy (The Movie), 1975: Cast List Of The Who's Rock Op...
March 22, 2021
The 1975 musical film Tommy, based on the Pete Townshend-penned rock opera of the same name, brought together a cast of Tina Turner, Elton John, Eric Clapton...
Joan Jett: 'I Love Rock 'N Roll's Original Riot Grrrl, ...
March 20, 2021
CIRCA 1980: Photo of Joan Jett (Photo by Anne Fishbein/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) Joan Jett's 1982 hit "I Love Rock 'N Roll" topped the pop chart in ...
Randy Rhoads: Guitar God Who Saved Ozzy Osbourne's Care...
March 19, 2021
British musician Ozzy Osbourne and American musician Randy Rhodes (1956 - 1982) perform at the Rosemont Horizon, Rosemont, Illinois, January 24, 1982. (Photo by...
Pattie Boyd: George Harrison's Wife And Clapton's 'Layl...
March 17, 2021
Left: Beatle George Harrison and Patti Boyd on their wedding day, January 20, 1966. Right: 'La Fille au Bouquet,' a painting by Frandsen de Schomberg that remin...
Otis Redding's 'Sittin' On The Dock Of The Bay:' A #1 H...
March 16, 2021
Soul singer Otis Redding poses for a portrait in May 1966 in London, England. (Photo by Cyrus Andrews/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) When Otis Redding's...
Lawrence Welk Played Champagne Music On TV For 31 Years
March 11, 2021
You could depend on the Lawrence Welk Show for 31 years -- like it or not. Lawrence Welk was a bandleader and host who delivered incredibly square entertainment...
Dylan's 'Subterranean Homesick Blues,' Lyrics And Meani...
March 8, 2021
"Johnny's in the basement / Mixin' up the medicine" -- so begins Bob Dylan's "Subterranean Homesick Blues," a single from his album Bringing It All Back Home...
Beatles 'More Popular Than Jesus' -- Really? Meaning Of...
March 4, 2021
Teenagers gather at a "Beatles Burning," staged by WAYX-AM (Georgia), where records, books, and wigs are burned in a bonfire in response to John Lennon's commen...
How Ike Turner Invented Rock 'N Roll With 'Rocket 88'
March 3, 2021
Ike Turner (center) and some of his Kings of Rhythm in 1955. Source: Collection Gilles PTtard (Photo by Gilles Petard/Redferns) What was the first rock 'n roll son...
Why Did Sha Na Na Exist? '50s Nostalgia For Hippies, Bo...
February 28, 2021
Jon 'Bowzer' Bauman, of the group Sha Na Na, performs onstage at the Holiday Star Theater, Merilville, Indiana, February 2, 1982. (Photo by Paul Natkin/Getty Im...
Led Zeppelin Groupies: Stories, Truth, Myths, & Proof A...
February 26, 2021
During the golden age of rock 'n roll groupies, Led Zeppelin epitomized rock-star recklessness and excess. While any band might have groupies, Zeppelin took...
When Iggy Pop Went Into Rehab, David Bowie And Dennis H...
February 23, 2021
Musicians Iggy Pop and David Bowie pose backstage after Pop's concert at the Ritz, New York, New York, 1986. (Photo by Larry Busacca/WireImage) What kind of f...
Walk On The Wild Side: Lyrics And Meaning Of Lou Reed's...
February 21, 2021
American musician Lou Reed (1942-2013) performs live on stage in 1974. (Photo by Gai Terrell/Redferns) "Walk On The Wild Side" by Lou Reed captures characters...
Blinded By The Light: The Springsteen-Penned Manfred Ma...
February 19, 2021
Left: Bruce Springsteen on August 22, 1975 in Atlanta, Georgia. Right: single sleeve for Manfred Mann's 'Blinded By The Light.' Sources: Photo by Tom Hill/WireI...
Juice Newton: The Angel Of The Morning And Queen Of Hea...
February 18, 2021
Juice Newton performing in Toronto on June 29, 1982. (Photo by Mike Slaughter/Toronto Star via Getty Images) No voice says early-'80s country-pop quite like J...
Video Killed The Radio Star: Lyrics And Meaning Of The ...
February 10, 2021
The Buggles, famous for "Video Killed The Radio Star," were a one-hit wonder -- but oh, what a hit, with prophetic lyrics and an overall meaning that would d...
I'm Your Venus: Lyrics And Meaning Of The Shocking Blue...
February 7, 2021
Left: Shocking Blue. Right: single sleeve for Bananarama's 'Venus.' Sources: GAB Archive/Redferns; Discogs "She's got it, yeah baby she's got it" -- the catch...
In 'Creeque Alley,' Mamas & Papas Told Their Story: Lyr...
February 4, 2021
Photo of The Mamas and the Papas circa 1970 by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images "...And no one's gettin' fat except Mama Cass" -- that's the chorus to "Cre...
'Love Rollercoaster' By Ohio Players: Did A Woman Die F...
January 31, 2021
The Ohio Players' "Love Rollercoaster" was an instant funk classic -- haunted by a morbid urban legend. The single was released on November 9, 1975, and driv...
Sam Cooke, Biography Of A Soul Singer With A Tragic End...
January 22, 2021
Sam Cooke circa 1960 (Photo by Jess Rand/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) Sam Cooke helped to shape soul music, from the smooth love song "You Send Me" to ...
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...
