Brian May – The Asteroidal Axeman

Brian May – The Asteroidal Axeman

Lots of rockers and actors have had asteroids named in their honor, but Brian May is no doubt the only true scientist of the bunch. The brainy guitarist/astrophysicist best known for his work with Queen turns 67 today. I could always recognize his distinctive style. He used his custom-built "Red Special" guitar to produce sounds that mimicked all kinds of instruments, such as trombones and piccolos. In 2012, readers of Guitar World magazine voted him the 2nd greatest guitarist of all time, and Rolling Stone pegged him at #26 in their list of Top 100 guitarists.

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The Yardbirds’ Keith Relf: From Electric Blues to Electric Demise

The Yardbirds’ Keith Relf: From Electric Blues to Electric Demise

The 1960s electric blues band The Yardbirds was the premier rock-n-roll incubator, cultivating three of the world's most talented guitarists: Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page. But does anybody recall the name of the man who co-founded the British group and provided lead vocals and harmonica on its killer tracks, among them, "Heart Full of Soul," "For Your Love," and "Shapes of Things"? His name was Keith Relf, born 71 years ago today. He suffered one of the strangest deaths in rock history.

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Many Shades of Pale

Many Shades of Pale

There have been more than 1,000 cover versions of "A Whiter Shade of Pale," the debut single by British progressive-rock band Procol Harum. The hauntingly beautiful song with its Bach-like melody and trippy lyrics was a perfect soundtrack for the Summer of Love. It hit the #1 one spot on the U.K. charts on June 8, 1967, and remained there for six weeks. In fact, it's one of fewer than 30 singles to have sold over 10 million copies worldwide.

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Is There a Drummer in the House?

Is There a Drummer in the House?

Keith Moon would have turned 68 today if he hadn't died in 1978 from swallowing 32 tablets of Heminevrin, a sedative he was taking to help him with alcohol withdrawal symptoms. The Who's chemically induced clown/drummer mixed one too many horse tranquilizers with brandy on the evening of November 20, 1973, causing him to pass out twice during the band's performance at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. But the show went on! Who guitarist Pete Townsend shouted out to the crowd: "Can anybody play the drums?", and a young man stepped forward.

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The Rolling Stones: Still Rippin’ The Joint, Fifty Years On

The Rolling Stones: Still Rippin’ The Joint, Fifty Years On

When yer blogger was 16 she had her first erotic dream. Mick Jagger. A fountain. Somewhere in sleepy London town. How's that for a teaser? Now that I have your attention, please allow me to introduce my midnight ramble about The Rolling Stones' June 18 concert in Philadelphia, and -- more specifically -- the enduring appeal of the band's strangely sexy frontman. This year The Stones have been hanging fire all across North America with their 50 & Counting Tour. Fifty, as in 50 years of belting out what is arguably the most organic, unadulterated rock and roll ever to emerge from American blues, R&B, and country-honk tradition. Here's my rant.

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