Micky Dolenz is the Last Monkee Standing
I’m heartbroken. I’ve lost a dear friend and partner. I’m so grateful that we could spend the last couple of months together doing what we loved best – singing, …..
Posts tagged: Pop Music
Edmund Fitzgerald was Alive When the Edmund Fitzgerald Sank
You might have assumed that the ill-fated ship the Edmund Fitzgerald was named for an old-timey sea captain or an Irish bartender or some other sailing-adjacent fellow. Not so! As …..
Dave Grohl Looks Back as He’s Inducted (Again) Into the Rock Hall of Fame
Here’s a wonderful interview with rocker Dave Grohl, courtesy of New York magazine. Grohl just got inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for a second time. This …..
Alex Trebek’s Memoir Hits the Highlights
“I don’t have a lot of ghosts. I don’t have any bad memories that affect my life. It’s all good. Sure, I think of Mom and Dad and [sister] Barbara …..
Joni Mitchell is a Terrific Artist, Too
How much talent can one woman have? Joni Mitchell made her name with catchy singles like “Big Yellow Taxi” (1970) and confessional albums like Blue (1971). But while she was …..
How Ed Sheeran Created ‘Shape of You,’ the Smash Song of 2017
How do you keep an impatient music star in the room while you write hit songs? Try a suitcase full of Legos. That’s just one of the fascinatin’ facts in this truly …..
‘The Year Of the Cat’ Was Originally About Princess Anne
When Al Stewart sat down to write ‘The Year of the Cat,’ his first lyrics were about a British comedian… and then Princess Anne.
Do all pop stars die young?
Drug overdoses, but also rare forms of cancer and plane crashes. The good do die young.
Steve Gadd Shows You the Drum Riff from ’50 Ways to Leave Your Lover’
“Famous rock drummer” is Steve Gadd‘s job title, but you can also call him “that guy who played drums on 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover.” Here he is in younger …..
Frank Sinatra ‘Gave Men License to Cry’
Frank Sinatra is 100 years old today, and Stephen Holden has a terrific notebook that captures so many truths about the man. Holden runs through a recap of all the …..
Pope Francis, Rock Star: Album reviews
While the current leader of the Catholic Church has been a metaphorical rock star since his election, he’s now a literal one. With the release of Wake Up, a multi-lingual recording …..
‘I’ll Be Home for Christmas’ Is the Shortest, Saddest and Best Christmas Song of All Time
The 1943 Bing Crosby hit is still playing (and paying off) over 70 years later.
Harry Styles Biography: New!
He’s one-fifth of the boy band One Direction, and Harry Styles is in our files.
Macklemore on the City Bus
Before he performs it at the Grammy Awards on January 26th, watch Macklemore sing “Can’t Hold Us” on a New York City bus.
How Can Taylor Swift Possibly Be the World’s Biggest Pop Star?
She’s had 43 songs reach Billboard’s pop Top 40 — and she was only born in 1989. How does Taylor Swift do it?
Heart Covers ‘Stairway,” Makes Robert Plant Cry
Well, heck, watch this video of Ann and Nancy Wilson performing “Stairway to Heaven,” and you’ll probably cry, too.
Pete Best and Stuart Sutcliffe: Odd Beatles Out
Meet the two lads who left the band just before John, Paul, George and Ringo hit it big.
George Martin Biography: New!
Meet the superproducer for the biggest superband in pop music history.
The Beatles and ‘Please Please Me’: The 50th Anniversary
The lads from Liverpool released their first album on March 22, 1963.
Justin Bieber in a Gas Mask? Yup, Justin Bieber in a Gas Mask
The pop singer has found the perfect accessory for a Brooklyn Nets baseball cap.
The Miseducation of Lucy Van Pelt
What if Charlie Brown is really a young Eminem?
Happy Birthday, Frank Zappa!
Frank Zappa died in 1993. Had he lived, he’d be celebrating his 62nd birthday. In his honor, watch an interview and listen to a song.
Ravi Shankar is Dead; Sitar Player Influenced the Beatles (and Steely Dan)
The famed Indian sitar player has died in San Diego at age 92.
Dave Brubeck Obituary
Jazz great Dave Brubeck has died from heart failure, a day before his 92nd birthday.
Photos of Rock Stars Before They Were Famous
Can you name these future music stars?
Psy Biography: 7 Things You Didn’t Know About the ‘Gangnam Style’ Singer
To which world leader did he teach the horsey dance?
Jenny McCarthy, Celebrity Vampire
At the American Music Awards Jenny McCarthy clutched Justin Bieber as if she needed his life essence to stay young.
Juan Luis Guerra Biography: New!
Juan Luis Guerra won another Latin Grammy this week. Read our new biography of this Dominican star.
Idris Elba Meets Mumford and Sons
Idris Elba — Stringer Bell from The Wire — directs and stars in a new music video from Mumford & Sons.
Bob Dylan v. Andy Warhol
Maybe you’ve seen the Bob Dylan “screen test” film by Andy Warhol. If not, Who2 will save you the trouble. We’ll also try to find out if Bob Dylan hated Andy Warhol.
Hal David: King of the Short Words
The songwriter was the true master of the light lyric.
Bruce Springsteen at 62
The New Yorker has a terrific profile of Bruce Springsteen, “We Are Alive” by David Remnick.
Country Star Kitty Wells is Dead
She was the first woman to have a top hit in country music. Now Kitty Wells has died in Nashville at the age of 92.
Queen’s ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ is the UK Favourite
According to a new poll, the UK’s top pop song of the last 60 years is “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
A Blast From Paul McCartney’s Past: Rare Photos and Go-Kart Love
For Sir Paul’s 70th birthday, The Guardian goes to its archives and a Manhattan gallery shows some grand old photos.
Chris Brown and Drake Fight Over Rihanna?
While I was sleeping last night, Drake threw bottles and punches at Chris Brown in a bar fight over Rihanna. What did I miss?
Reggie Watts Biography: New!
Who’s Reggie Watts? Find out!
Happy Birthday, Kanye!
Kanye West turns 35 years old on June 8th. To celebrate, here’s our gallery of Kanye stickers by KanyePDX, a sticker graffitt artist — slaptagger — from the Pacific Northwest.
Robin Gibb, Disco Prince, Dead at 62: Photos
Robin Gibb, singing star of the Bee Gees, finally lost his battle with cancer yesterday in England.
Loretta Lynn: Old Miner’s Daughter
Loretta Lynn is three years older than we all thought she was, according to the Associated Press.
Donna Summer Biography and Photos
The disco queen has died at the very young age of 63. We’ve got a new biography and photos.
Beastie Boys Video Round-up
In honor of the passing of Adam “MCA” Yauch, we’ve gathered a few choice Beastie Boys videos and put them in one spot.
Adam Yauch of The Beastie Boys Dies
Adam Yauch, also known as MCA of The Beastie Boys, has died from cancer at the age of 47.
Photos of Hip Hop Stars
A simple gallery of some musical greats, from the book Hip Hop Immortals: The Remix.
Six Photos From Beyoncé’s Tumblr
Yay! Beyoncé’s on the internet! Here are six great photos of B. from her very own Tumblr (and one more, just because it’s cool).
Marshall Amps Founder Dies at Age 88
Jim Marshall, the man behind rock music’s biggest, loudest amplifiers, has died at the age of 88.
History and Band Names
From History Today, a list of famous bands named for historical people or events.
M.I.A.’s ‘Bad Girls’ Video
Just because… it’s a great video, and a catchy song.
Davy Jones of The Monkees is Dead
Davy Jones, the lead singer of The Monkees, is dead at the age of 66.
Black History: Odetta
In honor of Black History Month, we’ve added another activist-entertainer to our files: Odetta, the folk singer who came to fame in the 1960s for her powerful voice in protest songs.
Taylor Swift Loves the Number 13
Pop star Taylor Swift sings in Chicago last week during her Speak Now world tour.Swift often paints the number 13 on her hand before concerts.
Merv Griffin Sings ‘I’ve Got a Loverly Bunch of Coconuts’
Ever wonder what Merv Griffin did for work before he became a talk show host and inventor of Jeopardy? Here’s your answer.
1976 Flashback: The Captain and Tennille Destroy ‘Muskrat Love’ Forever
We mentioned “Muskrat Love” in our earlier post about the late Dan Peek.
Paul McCartney Plays Yankee Stadium
Super-enthusiastic reviews for Paul McCartney’s concerts at Yankee Stadium this weekend. McCartney even worked in a baseball joke for the crowd: “Who’s this Derek Jeter guy?