Back in February Afghan Whigs leader Greg Dulli released Random Desire, his eagerly anticipated first official solo album. Reviews were off the charts and a tour from one of the most enigmatic frontmen to break out of the grunge era with a unique spin on rock and soul next lined up a tour which was... Continue Reading →
Madonna Falls for Coronavirus ‘Cure’ Doctor
Pop icon Madonna came under fire this week after she posted a video to her official Instagram account featuring Dr. Stella Immanuel, the Houston, Tex. based physician who has made controversial claims that she has successfully treated hundreds of patients suffering from COVID-19. “The Truth will set us all Free!” the singer wrote in a... Continue Reading →
Roundtable: Metallica in the ’80s v. Metallica in the ’90s
Following on the heels of last week's Rush roundtable, I sat down with some of my esteemed colleagues over at Ultimate Classic Rock to talk about Metallica. Specifically, we broke down whether the band was better in the '80s or the '90s and why. Both periods had their merits, with the Cliff Burton era coming... Continue Reading →
Stones Release ’70s Collaboration with Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page ‘Scarlet’
At the time it would’ve been one of the biggest moments in rock and roll. Instead, The Rolling Stones waited 46 years to release their collaboration with Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page, “Scarlet,” which landed at streaming services and radio in the wee hours of the morning this past Wednesday. The rocking number, which can... Continue Reading →
Roundtable: Rush in the ’70s vs. Rush in the ’80s
Earlier this week I took part in a prog-rock throwdown between Rush of the 1970s and Rush of the 1980s. Who were better? Was the addition of keyboards in the '80s a smart move? What was their most underrated LP of each decade? And which version of Rush were better to see live? Sitting down... Continue Reading →
Trump Continues to Draw Ire of Artists for Unauthorized Use of Music
President Donald Trump isn’t the first politician to offend performers by using their music at campaign events, but he might be the most maligned due to his enduring audacity to play whatever he wants during them, despite the often very vocal calls to cease from the song’s composers. Recent weeks have seen the “Trump 2020”... Continue Reading →
Class of 2020 Cheated as Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Ceremony Canceled
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony originally slated to take place May 2 was moved to November 7 due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Now the entire spectacular has pretty much been abandoned altogether, with organizers opting instead for an “exclusive special” televised on the latter date on HBO. “Due to ongoing... Continue Reading →
Cancellations of Lollapalooza, Coachella and More Put Nail in 2020 Concerts Coffin
The closer we move to a summer without live shows to experience in person, it becomes more and more likely that the second half of the year will follow suit. The past several days has made that certain with the cancellation and postponement of some of the biggest musical events of the year, and final... Continue Reading →
Music Industry Struggles, but Makes Strides in Call for Unity
The idea seemed like a good one at the time. Members of the music industry at large joined a “blackout” this past Tuesday, one where they would halt operations in favor of reflecting on issues of social justice spurred on by the May 25 death of George Floyd in police custody and other recent victims... Continue Reading →
It May Be the End of the Road for Classic Rockers Performing Big Gigs
Did you catch the Rolling Stones at the Linc last summer? How about Paul McCartney at Citizens Bank Park back in July 2016? Count yourself among the lucky then, as it very well could be the last time those acts will tour in front of such substantial crowds, another unfortunate side effect from the coronavirus... Continue Reading →