Give me your music, your art, your huddled masses of words and rhythms yearning to breathe free.
Dana Spiardi 
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. In October 2007, after playing rock and roll for his entire adult life, he completed a PhD … Read more
When Ringo sang the words of Buck Owens’ hit “Act Naturally” on the B side of the 1965 Beatles’ single “Yesterday,” little did he know that acting would become a second career of sorts. “Well, I’ll bet you I’m gonna be a big star. Might win an Oscar, you can never tell,” he wailed in … Read more
Swan song is a term that refers to a final effort or performance. The phrase was derived from the ancient Greek belief that the swan, having been silent throughout its life, sang a beautiful song right before its death. But, when I think of swan song as it relates to The Beatles, their early hit … Read more
“What’s with all this telephone nonsense of “‘Press 1 for English, press 2 for Spanish’? You live in America. Speak American, you damn illegals, or go home.” Ah, the words of the xenophobes. Well, yer blogger has figuratively “pressed 2 for English” in every country she’s ever visited. In the 1970s, my little school offered … Read more
“Your Honor, the defense is trying to sway the jury with inane references to a counter-culture rock song,” said the District Attorney. So, what song could the defense attorney possibly be citing? It’s Bob Dylan’s word-twister from 1965, “Subterranean Homesick Blues,” one of the most influential and imitated songs in popular music. With its random … Read more