Give me your music, your art, your huddled masses of words and rhythms yearning to breathe free.
Been a long time, been a long time, been a long lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely time….since the musical machinations of Led Zeppelin first set my turntable needle ablaze. Sure, I enjoyed weapons-grade guitar noise before the Zep – in the form of Clapton, Beck and Hendrix – but it was the deafening decibels of … Read more
In 1976 the U.S.A. was having a big birthday – its 200th. In the Land of the Free, American rock fans could have their cake and eat it, too. New flavors were popping out of the oven daily, from Punk Pecan to Disco Devil’s Food to bland ol’ Styx-Style White Cake. But the all-time favorite, … Read more
One of the most unusual and innovative new performers of the day chooses you for his band, insists you wear eyeliner, satin, and 6-inch platform boots, and then proceeds to engage in deviate sexual activity with your guitar while you stand on stage churning out searing licks. Sound demanding? Well, it’s all in a day’s … Read more
Images of the old American West and scenes of Southern country life have inspired countless British rock recordings through the years – from Rod Stewart’s early solo LPs to the Rolling Stones’ late-‘60s country honk tunes. But none match the early way-down-yonder albums of Elton John. And no wonder. His lyricist Bernie Taupin was in … Read more
In the early 1970s I was rounding out my collection of Beatles LPs, when I stumbled upon one called “The Beatles Featuring Tony Sheridan – In the Beginning, Circa 1960.” I considered this a real find! I hadn’t been aware of any pre-1963 Beatles recordings, and I had never known the boys to collaborate on … Read more