Now that The Rolling Stones‘ No Filter tour has concluded, longtime backing singer Bernard Fowler says he’s turning his attention to promotingInside Out, an album of Stones covers that came out in April. Fowler plans to do live shows to get the word out on the album and is already thinking about a follow-up. Like Inside Out, it would have him…… Read more »
I Tried to go in 69 , but I was only 8 The wait is over as Woodstock producer and co-founder Michael Lang says there will be an official 50th celebration of the music’s most iconic festival. Woodstock founder and co-producer Michael Lang officially announces Woodstock 50 The Watkins Glen International Speedway was the site for Summer Jam, which once received the Guinness Book…… Read more »
The group will receive the award during a ceremony and concert on May 11th in Los Angeles. Sabbath have won two Grammys in their career —Best Metal Performance in 1999 and 2013. Whether all four original members — Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward — show up for the ceremony is another question. Osbourne has a break in his…… Read more »
Album: For Your Love Year: 1965 Writer: Graham Gouldman Stats: Peaked at number-six on the Billboard Hot 100 and number-three in Britain. Background: “For Your Love” gave The Yardbirds a Top 10 hit on both sides of the Atlantic, but it also spelled the end of guitarist Eric Clapton’s stay with the band. For Clapton, it represented a move in a…… Read more »
CLASSIC CUTS: Magic Bus The Who: “Magic Bus” The Hook: Pete Townshend wrote the song because he had nothing better to do. Album: The studio version was included on The Who’s fourth American album, a studio record oddly titled Magic Bus: The Who on Tour. Ironically, the version most people know is the concert version from Live at Leeds. Years: Studio version…… Read more »
CLASSIC CUTS: People Are Strange The Doors: “People Are Strange” The Hook: The idea came to Jim Morrison during a sunrise spent at the crest of Laurel Canyon following a deeply depressed evening. Album: Strange Days Year: 1967 Writers: Jim Morrison and Robby Krieger Stats: Peaked at number-12 on the Billboard Hot 100. Background: “People Are Strange” was the first single off The Doors’ second album,Strange…… Read more »
CLASSIC CUTS: Kickstart My Heart Motley Crue: “Kickstart My Heart” The Hook: Heart-stopping talk box guitar “stuff” from Mick Mars takes the place of a traditional solo at the end of Nikki Sixx‘s song about about the time his heart actually stopped. Album: Dr. Feelgood Year: 1989 Writer: Nikki Sixx Stats: The second single off Dr. Feelgood, following its Top 10 title track, “Kickstart…”…… Read more »
What was the A-side of the first single released by Apple Records? Stumped? Here are some hints. It turned out to be the band’s most successful single, selling nearly 6 million copies worldwide in 1968 alone. At the time, it was the longest song to ever top the British charts. It was written…… Read more »
CLASSIC CUTS: Killer Queen Queen: “Killer Queen” The Hook: Brian May says their breakthrough hit may not have rocked all that hard, but, boy, was it put together well. Album: Sheer Heart Attack Year: 1974 Writer: Freddie Mercury Stats: Peaked at number-12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and at number-two on the British charts. Background: When Queen released their third album, Sheer Heart Attack, in 1974,…… Read more »
CLASSIC CUTS: Free Bird Lynyrd Skynyrd: “Free Bird” The Hook: Easier to learn than you’d think. Album: (Pronounced ‘Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd) Year: 1973 Writers: Allen Collins and Ronnie Van Zant Stats: An edited version became Skynyrd’s second Top 20 hit, peaking at number-19 on the Billboard Hot 100. Background: Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Ricky Medlocke was the group’s drummer in 1970 and ’71, before they had a recording contract.…… Read more »