It’s hard to imagine now, but back in 1989, when the Rolling Stones were about to embark on their first tour of North America in seven years, many fans and critics balked at ticket prices. The nerve of a bunch of over the hill musicians – mean age at the time being 47 – thinking... Continue Reading →
‘Guns N’ Roses: The Story of Their Songs’ Repeats on REELZ this Sunday Night
Following its premiere last weekend, REELZ will be airing an encore presentation of Guns N' Roses: The Story of Their Songs this Sunday, June 26 at 6:00pm ET/PT. I appear in the program as a talking head/music historian as the show delves into six of the tracks that made the greatest impact on the career... Continue Reading →
Boston Calling 2022 Comes on Strong Despite Nasty Weather, Artist Cancellations
Following two years of having to cancel due to the ongoing pandemic, Boston Calling made a triumphant return over Memorial Day Weekend, but it wasn't without its hiccups...or straight up coughing fits. The Strokes had to bail out as the second night's headliner, only to be replaced by Nine Inch Nails, who had already killed... Continue Reading →
Catching Up with Bradley Jay About Depeche Mode
It's been a minute since I've talked about anything other than my most recent book on Van Halen, but this week I sat down with longtime Boston broadcaster and all around good guy Bradley Jay to discuss my book Depeche Mode: All That's Left to Know About the World's Finest Synth-Pop Band, which came out... Continue Reading →
‘Van Halen: The Eruption and the Aftershock’ Audiobook Now Available
I'm pleased to announce that the audiobook for Van Halen: The Eruption and the Aftershock is now available across all listening platforms. While the print and eBook came out last October, I had been concurrently working diligently on the audiobook version, which was quite the experience and one that I look forward to taking on... Continue Reading →
Jack White wants major labels to build vinyl pressing plants
Former White Stripe Jack White has a lot on his plate right now. A new record, Fear of the Dawn, arrives in three weeks. Then another one, Entering Heaven Alive, hits shelves in the middle of July. And, he’s just announced a North American and European tour set to run from April through August. It... Continue Reading →
10 Years Ago: Adele Blocks Van Halen from No. 1
One of the neverending arguments in rock and roll remains the one over who was the best lead singer for Van Halen: David Lee Roth or Sammy Hagar. When it comes to the Red Rocker, his supporters never shy from pointing out that Diamond Dave never had a number one album with the group, while... Continue Reading →
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2022: Who Should Go In?
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame revealed its nominees for the Class of 2022, and at a mind boggling 17 artists, it’s going to be nearly impossible for even the most discerning music fan to whittle it down to the five to seven inductees who will be announced in May. Ok, deep breath. The... Continue Reading →
New Year’s Resolutions 2022: Some Recommendations for Your Favorite Artists
Welcome to this year’s edition of Rock Music Menu’s “New Year’s Resolutions for Rockers Who Need Them,” where we assist often otherwise occupied musicians with setting goals for the coming 12 months. It’s not an easy job, but one that has to be done. Just like you and I, there are rockers, rollers and other... Continue Reading →
Iceland shuts down, but music continues
Just like the disastrous 12-month period that was 2020, music tours and festivals continue to get scuttled this year, including Iceland Airwaves, the annual event that brings international artists far and wide to Reykjavík, the world’s most Northernly capital just below the Arctic Circle. Last year, organizers of Airwaves presented “Live from Reykjavík,” a highly... Continue Reading →