Dana Spiardi

Happy Birthday, Julian Lennon: Beautiful Boy #1

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The first baby born to a Beatle inspired two of the band’s most famous songs before he turned five years old. As the legend goes, his drawing of classmate Lucy (in the sky, with diamonds) Vodden spurred John to write THE defining psychedelic song of the 1960s. He was also the inspiration behind the Beatles’ … Read more

Her D.I.V.O.R.C.E. Was Just Begging to be S.P.O.O.F.E.D

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Okay, rock fans of the ’60s and ’70s, it’s time to get brutally honest and swallow your hipster pride. Can you please admit you’ve heard of country singer Tammy Wynette? And, if you know the name, are you self-assured enough to admit you’ve heard, or even enjoyed, her 1968 chart-topping single, “D.I.V.O.R.C.E.”? C’mon, fess up! … Read more

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

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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 … Read more

Rockin’ Through the Irish Rye

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When you think about Irish rockers, who comes to mind? Prickly, ginger-haired Van Morrison, in a near-transcendental state, wailing G.L.O.R.I.A? Bono in his wrap-around spaceman shades, righteously pouring out arena anthems with his U2 mates? Sinead O’Connor ripping up a picture of Pope John Paul II on Saturday Night Live? Well, there’s more to Ireland’s … Read more