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Fuller and his group’s version of ‘I Fought The Law’ is a classic rock’n’roll record, but always risks being upstaged by the macabre circumstances of his death.No matter how memorable was Bobby Fuller’s signature hit – and his version of “I Fought The Law” is inarguably a classic rock’n’roll record of any era – it always risks being upstaged by the macabre and never-explained circumstances of his death. Born on October 22, 1942 in Baytown, Texas, Fuller became a noted performer in the El Paso, Texas area to which he and his family relocated. His first appeared on disc...

Not only is rock music dead, it’s been dead for quite a while. Like the jazz, blues, and classical genres, it rests now in an afterlife of soundtracks and in the tombs of dark clubs and gilded concert halls, where the remnant priesthood still perform the ancient rituals. But it has no thriving existence. Rock is a form of music distinct from, but closely related to, the earlier doo-wop, rockabilly, and rock ‘n roll. It draws inspiration from the same genres of jazz, blues, gospel, country, and the folk music of the British Isles transplanted to the American backwoods. It...

In the performer category, this year’s inductees are Mary J. Blige, Cher, Dave Matthews Band, Foreigner, Peter Frampton, Kool & The Gang, Ozzy Osbourne and A Tribe Called Quest. ,p> Jimmy Buffett, MC5, Dionne Warwick and Norman Whitfield were selected as the recipients for the Musical Excellence Award. The announcement was made Sunday during the “Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Night” episode on “American Idol.” The inductees into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame were selected among nominees announced earlier this year, and have “created music whose originality, impact, and influence has changed the course of rock &...

One of the great double-sided hits of the era paired ‘Long Tall Sally’ with ‘Slippin’ and Slidin.’’Little Richard burst onto the emerging rock‘n’roll scene in the new year of 1956 with “Tutti-Frutti,” the American Top 20 hit that lit the fuse for an explosive follow-up. One of the great double-sided hits of the era, “Long Tall Sally,” backed with “Slippin’ and Slidin’ (Peepin’ and Hidin’),” was released on February 27 that year. Like its predecessor, the Specialty 45 would end up in both the Grammy and Rock & Roll Halls Of Fame, and help spread the word about the unique...

Few chords possess the ability to encapsulate an entire genre and ethos. Yet, the power chord, with its primal simplicity, stands as a testament to the enduring essence of punk and rock music. Across generations, musicians have wielded this indispensable tool, shaping and propelling the instinctual force that drives the very heart of musical expression. The origins of the power chord can be traced back to the early days of rock and roll, where guitarists sought to create a louder, more aggressive sound. By simplifying traditional chord structures and focusing on the root note and fifth, musicians discovered a formula...

On May 4, 1956, some kids from Norfolk, Virginia, walked into a house in a quiet part of Nashville, Tennessee, and changed the world. It was on that day when “Be-Bop-A-Lula” was recorded by Gene Vincent, Cliff Gallup, Jack Neal, Wee Willie Williams, and Dickie Harrell. They weren’t just some teenagers trying to sound like Elvis Presley. They brought together elements of jazz, be-bop, country and western, and rhythm and blues in a way that still sounds fresh today. Let’s look at the meaning of “Be-Bop-A-Lula.” The Origin The song’s birth has always been a mystery, as different people have...

Heard this on my way home tonight. Brought back memories. They just don't make music like this today. It's all crap today.

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...

Harris was once described by David Bowie as ‘the first glam star.’Early British rock’n’roll star Wee Willie Harris died yesterday (27) at the age of 90. Harris was well known for his animated performances and pink (and sometimes green or orange) hair, and was an early favorite of the pre-fame Beatles, and was once described by David Bowie as “the first glam star.” Paul McCartney would recall that, as a young music fan in 1957, he queued outside the Liverpool Empire for Harris’ autograph. He never figured in the UK charts, but was a well-known figure on the 1950s music...

There are various ways to rate the best-selling rock albums of all time. In this case, we went directly to the source: The Recording Industry Association of America® (RIAA). Specifically, tracked certified units sold as of February 2023. In terms of what constitutes a "rock" album, we went with consensus and inclusion of sub-genres of the "rock" category, such as hard rock/heavy metal, pop rock, soft rock, and folk rock. With all that in mind, here are the 25 best

Huey "Piano" Smith, a pioneering figure in R&B and early rock 'n' roll music, died on Monday at age 89. The news was confirmed to Nola.com by his daughter, Acquelyn Donsereaux. "He just slept away," Donsereaux said. "Daddy was the most positive person I know. Easygoing and funny. He was a comedian until the last couple of hours." Smith was born in New Orleans in 1934 and was influenced by the regional music played by Professor Longhair. He wrote his first song, "Robertson Street Boogie" - named for the street where he lived - when was 8. As a teenager,...

As a tour celebrating the 50th anniversary of his iconic 'American Pie' gets underway, singer-songwriter Don McLean reveals the deep 'yearning for something American' that he feels he's captured. New York-born Don McLean, the one-man cultural force behind "American Pie," "Vincent (Starry, Starry Night)," "And I Love You So," "Castles in the Air," and many other songs, albums, tours, and projects, told Fox News Digital in a revealing in-depth interview that he "was the right guy at the right time" for "American Pie." That song attained No. 1 on the Billboard charts after its release more than 50 years ago,...

Singer and musician Mike Nesmith, who found fame with the Monkees in the 1960s before becoming a solo act and a pioneer in music video, has died.His death comes less than a month after his final Monkees concert.

A part of a mountain in Tlalnepantla, located on the outskirts of Mexico City, gave way on Friday, September 10, 2021, sending huge boulders -- some of them the size of small homes -- into a densely populated area, and leaving at least 1 person dead and 10 missing. The landslide followed days of heavy rain in central Mexico and M7.0 earthquake on September 7 in Acapulco1. Mexico state Gov. Alfredo del Mazo said Friday night that both factors likely contributed to the slide. Residents immediately started search and rescue operations and continued until the night when authorities pulled them...

No one likes to think of their own mortality or realize they have more days behind them than ahead. But one sure way to realize you’re on the back 9 is when the music you grew up with starts showing up on the “oldies” or classic rock station. Personally, I don’t have to worry about that – the music I liked growing up was wildly unpopular in its time and will never make a classic rock station. But the music Baby boomers grew up on is also what we Gen X’ers grew up with, having it forced on us by...

“Blondie has shared a new clip from their upcoming short film, Blondie: Vivir En La Habana, which chronicles the band’s 2019 trip to Cuba...They had been invited to perform in Havana as part of a four-day cultural exchange event through the Cuban Ministry of Culture…Along with museum visits and architecture tours, the trip included two Blondie shows at Havana’s Teatro Mella. Blondie: Vivir En La Habana had its North American premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival, which is taking place in New York City through June 20th.” (From Rolling Stone magazine, 6/17.) In other words: Apparatchiks of the police state...

NOTE: This is a fifteen year old article, but the songs are timeless On first glance, rock ’n’ roll music isn’t very conservative. It doesn’t fare much better on second or third glance (or listen), either. Neil Young has a new song called “Let’s Impeach the President.” Last year, the Rolling Stones made news with “Sweet Neo Con,” another anti-Bush ditty. For conservatives who enjoy rock, it isn’t hard to agree with the opinion Johnny Cash expressed in “The One on the Right Is on the Left”: “Don’t go mixin’ politics with the folk songs of our land / Just...

After taking 2020 off due to the pandemic, Riot Fest is returning to Chicago for 2021. My Chemical Romance were originally supposed to headline the festival in 2020 and then again in 2021, but after again postponing their reunion tour, they won’t play Riot Fest until 2022. That left a huge gulf at the top of the 2021 poster, which has been filled by none other than Nine Inch Nails. Riot Fest just announced its updated 2021 slate, which carries over a lot of bands from last year’s initial announcement, including headliners Smashing Pumpkins, Pixies, and Run The Jewels. The...

Lloyd Price, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer behind the groundbreaking 1950s pop/R&B hits “Personality” and “Stagger Lee,” has died. He was 88. Although media outlets reported that Price died on May 6, his wife Jackie states he passed away on May 3. In a statement she sent to Billboard, Jackie wrote: “I am so touched by the outpouring of love and tribute for the passing of my husband Lloyd Price, who passed peacefully on May 3, 2021 at Schaffer Extended Care in Westchester County, NY. Lloyd’s music crossed many boundaries and carried him to all corners of the...

Van Morrison 225K subscribers The Official Audio for Why Are You On Facebook? by Van Morrison. The new double album Latest Record Project Volume 1 is out now