Give me your music, your art, your huddled masses of words and rhythms yearning to breathe free.
Dana Spiardi 
Chuck Berry is the head of my holy rock trinity, which includes John Lennon and Bob Dylan. And today’s his 89th birthday. I’ll always love this ornery old genius. I had only one chance to see him live, performing a short outdoor set during the Three Rivers Arts Festival in 1983. Sure, his guitar sound … Read more
Here she is: the original…the one-and-only, Ms. Rita Hayworth. Feast your eyes on the screen goddess performing “Put the Blame on Mame” from the 1946 film noir classic “Gilda.” It’s one of Hollywood’s most iconic scenes, and a top favorite of mine. And, as an added treat, you get to see the “Rita head toss” … Read more
“I’m sittin’ in the railway station, got a ticket for my destination.” Paul Simon was indeed sitting in a railway station when he wrote – or was inspired to write – those words to “Homeward Bound,” an early Simon and Garfunkel single that peaked at #5 on the Billboard charts in December 1965. Paul had … Read more
The popular music of North America is seasoned with the blood and sweat of every race and nationality: Anglos, Africans, Hispanics, Jews…rockers of all ethnic mixes. But what about the native peoples of North America? Many rock fans know that Cher, Rita Coolidge, and Robbie Robertson have native roots. But when was the last time … Read more
I’ve read six books about a singer/songwriter that some of you may barely recognize or recall: Gram Parsons. Six books. And three more that feature him prominently. I begin each bio hoping to understand how and why such an enormously gifted musical visionary chose, or was predestined, to recklessly self-destruct at such a young age. … Read more