Classic Rock
The Who’s Roger Daltrey Calls The Rolling Stones a “Mediocre Pub Band”
Ever since “My Generation,” Roger Daltrey of The Who hasn’t been shy about sharing strong opinions on his peers. In a new interview with the Coda Collection, Daltrey praised Mick Jagger but referred to The Rolling Stones as a “mediocre pub band.” Daltrey was asked about Paul McCartney’s recent comments suggesting that The Stones were nothing but a “blues cover band,” and in response he let out a great big belly laugh. “The Stones have written some great songs but they are in the blues. They are in that format.” He added, “You cannot take away the fact that Mick Jagger is still the number one rock and roll showman up front. The only other people I’d put up against him would be perhaps James Brown, maybe Jerry Lee [Lewis] in his day, and Little Richard. But Mick Jagger, you’ve...
The Story Behind Blondie’s Iconic “Rapture”
Listen via Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSS Blondie are, without question, one of the most successful, iconic, and influential bands in rock and roll history. Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 15 years ago, the Debbie Harry-fronted group has sold over 40 million albums worldwide and continues to release new music. But the “rock and roll” label doesn’t do justice to the group’s genre-bending music. What started as a punk band in the mid-1970’s in New York City after Harry and guitarist Chris Stein broke off from their earlier band, The Stillettoes, Blondie (first called Angel and the Snake) always innovated, infusing pop, disco, new wave, reggae, and rap elements into their music. Advertisement Which br...
R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe and Mike Mills on 25 Years of New Adventures in Hi-Fi
Listen via Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Pocket Casts | Radio Public | RSS Michael Stipe and Mike Mills sit down with Kyle Meredith to remember R.E.M.’s 1996 album New Adventures in Hi-Fi for its 25th anniversary. Advertisement Related Video The rock legends talk about writing the bulk of the record while touring the Monster album, the idea of spontaneity within the songs, and Stipe using religion as a writing tool. We also hear what it was like for the lead singer to meet his idol Patti Smith for the first time, hearing Eddie Vedder and Jason Isbell’s recent covers of R.E.M. classics, and new music on the way from both individuals. Listen to R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe and Mike Mills on this new episode ...
Gov’t Mule on the 5 Artists Who Inspired Their New Album Heavy Load Blues: Exclusive
After more than 25 years as a band, Gov’t Mule is still breaking new ground. Today (November 12th) marks the release of Heavy Load Blues, the Warren Haynes-led quartet’s first-ever blues album. Stream the full project below. A project like Heavy Load Blues has been on Haynes’ mind for many years, but he wasn’t sure if fellow Gov’t Mule members Matt Abts (drums), Danny Louis (keyboards, guitar, backing vocals), and Jorgen Carlsson (bass) would be into the idea. While talking to the band’s manager about their next album, however, she suggested they do a blues record and that settled it. “We play some traditional blues on stage from time to time and although it’s usually never more than a few songs per show, our approach to the blues is unique and based on our collective chemistry as a band,”...
Tom Petty Doc, Somewhere You Feel Free, Premieres on YouTube: Watch
A new documentary about one of the key eras in the life and career of Tom Petty is streaming for free on YouTube. Stream it below. Largely based around a collection of 16mm archives that weren’t discovered until 2020, Tom Petty: Somewhere You Feel Free – The Making of Wildflowers follows the rock icon from 1993 to 1995 through the making of his now-classic sophomore solo album Wildflowers. Featured throughout the 89-minute documentary are new interviews with the likes of Heartbreakers guitarist (and Wildflowers co-producer) Mike Campbell, keyboardist Benmont Tench, and more. “I spent almost 20 years with the Heartbreakers,” Petty says in the doc. “And if I only made records with the same people all the time, I’d never learn, I’d never grow. Rick Rubin kind of guided me back into a musical ...
Jack Black Covers David Bowie Classic with Young Musicians for 50th Anniversary of “Original School of Rock”
Long before Jack Black starred in the 2003 movie School of Rock, the Blue Bear School of Music in San Francisco was teaching rock, pop, and blues to young students. Now, the “original school of rock” is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a performance of the David Bowie classic “Suffragette City” by Black and the current Blue Bear teen student band. Founded in 1971, the Blue Bear School of Music has welcomed roughly 40,000 students over its 50-year history. The nonprofit organization offers both paid and free classes for aspiring musicians of all ages. “A good friend of mine (Paul Cummins) told me about Blue Bear and the incredible work they’ve been doing,” said Black. “I jumped at the chance to celebrate their 50th anniversary by jamming some Bowie with their teen all-star band. So fun...
QAnon Believers, Still Waiting in Dallas, Sing “Take Me Home, Country Roads” to JFK Jr.: Watch
Last week, hundreds of QAnon followers gathered in Dallas to witness the return of John F. Kennedy Jr., who is dead. When he failed to appear at Dealey Plaza, they waited for him at The Rolling Stones’ concert that night (“Rolling Stones? Rolling away the stone!” one Q influencer said), and when he once again stood them up, some of the attendees did something remarkable: they kept waiting. A few dozen are still congregated at Dealey Plaza, occasionally forming a circle to sing the strange psalm of this faith: John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” As Steven Moncelli of Protean Magazine reported on Twitter, these true believers are replacing “West Virginia” with the words “Dealey Plaza,” to better distinguish their own needs from Mr. Denver’s. Monacelli noted that “some of them also r...
Nandi Bushell Has In-Person Drum Battle with Queen’s Roger Taylor: Watch
After her epic virtual drum battle with Dave Grohl last year, Nandi Bushell is now taking on rock icons in the flesh. In a new video, the 11-year-old wunderkind has an in-person drum battle with none other than Queen legend Roger Taylor. Nandi recently returned to her native England after a US trip that saw her jam “Everlong” onstage with Foo Fighters at a Los Angeles concert, and record an original song called “The Children Will Rise Up” with Tom Morello and his son Roman. “I have just had another INCREDIBLE day,” wrote Nandi in the YouTube description of the Roger Taylor video. “I just jammed with @Roger Taylor Solo the AMAZING drummer from @Queen Official!!! Mr Taylor was so nice and kind to me. We had a little drum battle then we jammed a few Queen songs. I am so grateful and truly app...
Van Morrison Sued by Northern Ireland Health Minister Over COVID-19 Criticism
Northern Ireland Health Minister Robin Swann is suing Northern Irish songwriter Van Morrison for defamation over his “bizarre and irresponsible” COVID-19 criticisms, the Associated Press reports. Morrison has been ruining his legacy chafing at pandemic restrictions ever since they began, referring to socially-distanced concerts as “pseudo-science” and even releasing an anti-lockdown song series. He publicly criticized Swann on at least three occasions, calling him “a fraud” and “very dangerous.” Swann first fought back in an op-ed in Rolling Stone, writing that Morrison’s “words will give great comfort to the conspiracy theorists – the tin foil hat brigade who crusade against masks and vaccines.” Advertisement Related Video Now, he’s bringing the bat...
Alice Cooper Announces Winter 2022 US Tour
Having just wrapped up his fall outing, Alice Cooper has announced brief 2022 US winter tour. He has also confirmed that his annual “Christmas Pudding” charity concert will return on December 4th of this year in Phoenix, Arizona. Cooper’s next tour leg will kick off on January 28th in Cincinnati, Ohio, and wrap up on February 8th in Orlando. The day after that, Cooper will hit the high seas as host of the Monsters of Rock Cruise. However, the shock rock legend does have one more party planned for 2021. After taking a year off due to the pandemic, his annual holiday bash “Christmas Pudding” is back for its 19th iteration. The event benefits the free music, dance, arts, and vocational programs for individuals 12 to 20 years old at Alice Cooper’s Solid Rock Teen Centers. Advertisement Related...
The 22 Worst Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Snubs
This article originally ran in 2013 and has been updated. As of 2021, Kraftwerk and Tina Turner have finally graduated from our list of worst snubs, while Daft Punk and others now qualify. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has revealed the inductees for its class of 2021. They include JAY-Z, Foo Fighters, The Go-Go’s, Carole King, Tina Turner, Todd Rundgren, Kraftwerk and LL Cool J. Sadly, nominees Rage Against the Machine, Kate Bush, Chaka Khan, DEVO, Iron Maiden, New York Dolls, Dionne Warwick, Fela Kuti and Mary J. Blige will have to wait another year for possible induction. Advertisement Those left out, however, aren’t exactly in poor company. Many great artists have been shut out from the warm confines of the Cleveland institution. Here’s a list of 22 artists who have...
Ozzy Osbourne Announces Diary of a Madman 40th Anniversary Expanded Digital Edition
Ozzy Osbourne is celebrating yet another album anniversary in 2021. The Prince of Darkness has announced a 40th anniversary expanded digital edition of his 1981 album, Diary of a Madman, out November 5th. The release includes the original eight-song tracklist and two live recordings previously unavailable digitally: “Believer” and “Flying High Again.” Diary of a Madman is considered a classic album in Ozzy’s canon. It was the last studio effort to feature the virtuosic guitarwork of Randy Rhoads, who tragically died in a plane crash in 1982. Advertisement Related Video Notable tracks from the album include the chugging opener “Over the Mountain,” the weed ballad and radio hit “Flying High Again,” and the epic closing title track. To coincide with the expanded digital edition, Ozzy has team...
