Posts by jb

Rock Flashback

Rock Flashback: Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey in 2010 (Getty Images/Gabriel Bouys/AFP)Mariah Carey in 2010 (Getty Images/Gabriel Bouys/AFP)

By | March 27, 2012
Singer Mariah Carey celebrates her 42nd birthday today. She's the biggest female star of the last two decades and arguably of all time with 18 #1 singles, the most of any solo performer in history, and six #1 albums. After the jump, we present five… Read more »
The #1 Albums

The #1 Albums: “The Sound of Music”

This decidedly old-fashioned image was part of the cover of the soundtrack album from the 1965 film "The Sound of Music."This decidedly old-fashioned image was part of the cover of the soundtrack album from the 1965 film "The Sound of Music."

By | March 27, 2012
When we call the roll of the top stars of the mid 1960s, there's one name that almost never gets mentioned. Find out which one after the jump. Jump! Read more »
Rock Flashback

Rock Flashback: Aretha Franklin, In the Beginning

Aretha Franklin performed earlier this month in Atlanta. (Getty Images/Rick Diamond for the Fox Theatre)Aretha Franklin performed earlier this month in Atlanta. (Getty Images/Rick Diamond for the Fox Theatre)

By | March 26, 2012
The great Aretha Franklin turned 70 years old on March 25th. When she was only 18, she signed a recording contract with Columbia Records. The five-year period she spent at Columbia before moving on to Atlantic -- and the legendary sessions that… Read more »
The #1 Albums

The #1 Albums: “Help!” by the Beatles

This image comes from the American cover of "Help!" (1965).This image comes from the American cover of "Help!" (1965).

By | March 26, 2012
In the summer of 1965, millions of Beatles fans went happily off to the theaters to see Help!, bought the soundtrack album, and were glad that their old favorites were up to their old tricks. But Help!, which spent nine weeks at #1 in America… Read more »
Bubbling Under

Bubbling Under: Kokomo’s “I Can Understand It”

Here's a detail from the cover of the debut album by Kokomo (1975).Here's a detail from the cover of the debut album by Kokomo (1975).

By | March 25, 2012
The middle of the 1970s saw a riot of rock styles -- hard rock and progressive rock were worldwide phenomena, while glam rock and pub rock were big mainly in the British Empire. But pub rock, with its loose and informal mix of folk, blues, country,… Read more »
Rock Flashback

Rock Flashback: The Rutles

Neil Innes (L) and Eric Idle (R) appear as Ron Nasty and Dirk McQuickly of the Rutles on the cover of the fictional album "Let It Rot."Neil Innes (L) and Eric Idle (R) appear as Ron Nasty and Dirk McQuickly of the Rutles on the cover of the fictional album "Let It Rot."

By | March 24, 2012
In 1978, a British invasion happened, when the Beatles parody group the Rutles came to the United States. It was the brainchild of Monty Python member Eric Idle and Python collaborator Neil Innes. Thirty-two years ago this month,… Read more »
World's Worst Songs

World’s Worst Songs: “Respect Yourself” by Bruce Willis

Before starring in movies including "The Sixth Sense," "Die Hard," "Armageddon," and others, Bruce Willis (R, with Haley Joel Osment) was a TV star, and scored a Top-10 hit single. (Getty Images)Before starring in movies including "The Sixth Sense," "Die Hard," "Armageddon," and others, Bruce Willis (R, with Haley Joel Osment) was a TV star, and scored a Top-10 hit single. (Getty Images)

By | March 24, 2012
Everybody who loves music also hates music --- certain specific examples of it, anyhow. This feature is about those songs: the World's Worst Songs. … Read more »
Rock Flashback

Rock Flashback: Reunite the Beatles, Save the Whales

In 1978, rumors swirled of a Beatles reunion to help save endangered whales. (Getty Images/David McNew)In 1978, rumors swirled of a Beatles reunion to help save endangered whales. (Getty Images/David McNew)

By | March 23, 2012
This week in 1978, the music world went briefly crazy with news of an impending Beatles reunion. What? How? Read more »
Rock Flashback

Rock Flashback: Nat King Cole?

Nat King Cole (C, at the piano) appears onstage at the Apollo Theater in 1950. (Getty Images/Eric Schwab/AFP)Nat King Cole (C, at the piano) appears onstage at the Apollo Theater in 1950. (Getty Images/Eric Schwab/AFP)

By | March 22, 2012
Singer Nat King Cole was born this week in 1919. He's a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as an early influence. Cole died in 1965, and if he were here today, his inclusion in the Hall would puzzle him. Why? Read more »
Rock Flashback

Rock Flashback: T. Rex

In 1971, John Veleno built his first aluminum guitar for Marc Bolan of T. Rex. Other prominent players who owned one included Eric Clapton, Gregg Allman, and Johnny Winter. (Getty Images/Neilson Barnard)In 1971, John Veleno built his first aluminum guitar for Marc Bolan of T. Rex. Other prominent players who owned one included Eric Clapton, Gregg Allman, and Johnny Winter. (Getty Images/Neilson Barnard)

By | March 21, 2012
During the 1970s, only ABBA and Rod Stewart had more #1 singles in the UK than T. Rex. Unlike ABBA and Rod Stewart, however, T. Rex was far more successful in the States as an album act. All About the Rex ... Read more »
Rock News

Never Number One: Grand Funk Railroad

This portrait of Grand Funk Railroad appeared on the cover of "E Pluribus Funk," which was released in a package shaped like an oversized coin.This portrait of Grand Funk Railroad appeared on the cover of "E Pluribus Funk," which was released in a package shaped like an oversized coin.

By | March 21, 2012
Although they managed a #1 single ("We're an American Band," 1973), the fact that Grand Funk Railroad never had a #1 album is surprising, given that they sold 'em by the boxcar load during the first half of the 1970s. Read On Read more »
Rock Flashback

Rock Flashback: The Rolling Stones, Untied

This is Mick Jagger's necktie, photographed in 2009. It's really him wearing it, we swear. (Getty Images/Rich Schmitt/AFP)This is Mick Jagger's necktie, photographed in 2009. It's really him wearing it, we swear. (Getty Images/Rich Schmitt/AFP)

By | March 20, 2012
Certain clothing manufacturers fell on hard times in the '60s. First John F. Kennedy came along, and men quit wearing hats. Then the necktie started falling out of fashion with young people. The culprits in the latter disaster, according to a British… Read more »
Rock Flashback

Rock Flashback: The Death of Randy Rhoads

In 2004, Randy Rhoads, represented by his mother Dolores, was honored with a plaque on the Hollywood Rockwalk. L to R: Zakk Wylde, Ozzy Osbourne, Yngwie Malmsteen, Sharon Osbourne, Rudy Sarzo. (Getty Images/Frazer Harrison)In 2004, Randy Rhoads, represented by his mother Dolores, was honored with a plaque on the Hollywood Rockwalk. L to R: Zakk Wylde, Ozzy Osbourne, Yngwie Malmsteen, Sharon Osbourne, Rudy Sarzo. (Getty Images/Frazer Harrison)

By | March 19, 2012
It started as a lark and ended as a disaster. What Happened? Read more »