Free Republic

Exactly 52 years after the release of Led Zeppelin’s fourth studio album—widely referred to as Led Zeppelin IV—the identity of the man gracing its cover has been revealed, The Guardian and The New York Times report. The cover artwork famously features an elderly man hinged at the waist, weighed down by a bale of long twigs strapped to his back. Now, a research fellow in South West England named Brian Edwards has discovered that the original source of the scene: a late Victorian era photograph of a Wiltshire thatcher named Lot Long. A visiting research fellow with the regional history...

Hilton Valentine, the original guitarist for the influential ‘60s band The Animals, passed away in Wallingford, Connecticut at the age of 77, his record company confirmed today. His wife Germaine made the announcement, though no cause of death was revealed. “We at Abkco have been privileged to serve as stewards of The Animals catalog and his passing is felt in a truly profound way by the entire Abkco family,” his record label, Abcko, posted. Valentine’s iconic guitar arpeggios on the Animals’ classic “The House Of The Rising Sun” remain a rite of passage for all budding guitar newbies. Played on...

A friend wants to sell his gold and silver coins. He lives an hour west of Memphis. Would anyone know a decent place, it may not be local, to sell them? Any help would be appreciated.

<p>The Connors family didn’t plan to be on the unmarked road.</p> <p>Originally from the United Kingdom, the two couples and their three young children were driving near the U.S.-Canada border on Oct. 3 during a visit to Vancouver when an animal ventured into the road, forcing them to make an unexpected detour. But before the family could get very far, flashing lights from a police car appeared in their rearview mirror. The officer that pulled them over was American — they had accidentally crossed the border.</p>

Showbiz legend Cilla, who also had two number one singles at the start of a career stretching over 50 years, died in Spain.... She was championed by The Beatles and enjoyed eleven top ten hits including chart-toppers Anyone Who Had a Heart and You're My World.

This is Carolina Day, the 232nd anniversary of the Battle of Fort Sullivan. If you are not a native of South Carolinian (and possibly even if you are), you likely have never heard of Fort Sullivan and the significance of this day. Most American school children have heard stirring stories of the battles of Concord Bridge and Lexington Green, relatively minor skirmishes fought by the Minutemen of Revolutionary lore. These were fought in April 1775, and at Concord Bridge was fired the "shot heard 'round the world." But it was at an unfinished, palmetto-log fort on Sullivan's Island where the...

The British Invasion I was rather lucky to have grown up in one of the most amazing periods in the history of modern music, what has become known as the “British Invasion”. It wasn’t really an invasion of the U.S. by an armed force from another country; rather it was an invasion of our music charts by British recording artists. I was in the eighth grade when I first heard “I Want to Hold Your Hand” and “She Loves You” by the Beatles. Prior to 1964 the British had only two hit records that topped the U.S. charts. Those were...

Three members of The Faces reunited on stage when Ronnie Wood and Ian McLagan joined Rod Stewart at his gig at the Hollywood Bowl. Wood, who left the band to join the Rolling Stones, accompanied Stewart on five songs, including the finale of Ooh La La as McLagan played organ. Monday's performance was the first time Stewart and Wood have worked together since an MTV session in 1993. When Wood joined the Stones in 1975 Stewart concentrated on his solo career.

Beatlemania!40 years ago today, the Beatles changed America foreverBy David Fricke Cover photo by John Dominis Shortly after 8 p.m. on Sunday, February 9th, 1964, a short, stiff man with rubbery bloodhound features -- Ed Sullivan, the host of the highest-rated variety hour on American television -- addressed his New York studio audience and the folks tuned in at home over the CBS network. "Yesterday and today, our theater's been jammed with newspapermen and hundreds of photographers from all over the nation," Sullivan said in a nasally chuckling voice. "And these veterans agreed with me that the city never...