Smash Mouth Singer Passes Away

Smash Mouth Singer Passes Away

Steve Harwell, the former lead singer of Smash Mouth, died at his home in Boise, ID (on 9/4) “surrounded by family and friends.” Harwell, a co-founder of Smash Mouth, was in hospice care for final stage chronic liver failure.  He was 56. Smash Mouth has sold over10-million albums worldwide-wide, scored two major pop and Rock chart…

The Mars Volta
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The Mars Volta

Often groups break into factions. Once that happens they’re done. But those clicks, with a shared vision, can take a life of their own. A case in point: At The Drive-In was a promising band that saw members depart to form Sparta. The other side of that equation, Cedric Bixler-Zavala and Omar Rodriguez-Lopez, became The…

ZZ Top’s Gibbons To Receive Award

ZZ Top’s Gibbons To Receive Award

BMI will present the Troubadour Award to ZZ Top‘s Billy Gibbon during a reception in Nashville on Monday, September 18th. The honor recognizes a songwriter who has made a profound impact on the creative community. As his band’s main songwriter, Gibbons’s credits include “Sharp Dressed Man,“ “Legs“ and “La Grange.” BMI (Broadcast Music Inc.) was founded in 1939 to represent…

2023 Top Rock Tracks (So Far)

2023 Top Rock Tracks (So Far)

With half the year over, it’s noteworthy that only three songs have had multi-week runs at #1 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Airplay Chart – Metallica (pictured above) -“Lux Æterna,” Linkin Park – “Lost” and Foo Fighters – “Rescued.” “Lux Æterna,” from the ’72 Seasons” album, was released late last year and topped the chart on…

Doctor Tom Petty

Doctor Tom Petty

Florida native Tom Petty was recognized by the University Of Florida with an honorary Doctor Of Music degree. Bruce Petty, Tom’s brother, accepted the posthumous doctorate on his behalf at the university’s spring commencement ceremony (May 4th). The university also partnered with Petty’s estate for what they called the Tom Petty Endowment for Guitars & Innovation, benefitting its School…

Stairway To Heaven Inducted

Stairway To Heaven Inducted

Led Zeppelin’s 1971 song “Stairway To Heaven” (from the band’s “Led Zeppelin IV” album) is among the National Recording Registry’s 2023 inductees – released on 4/12. The song was composed by the band’s guitarist Jimmy Page and singer Robert Plant (pictured with the band’s bassist John Paul Jones on the far left with drummer John Bonham…

2023 Rock Hall Nominees

2023 Rock Hall Nominees

The White Stripes (first time eligible – pictured), Iron Maiden, Rage Against The Machine, Soundgarden, Sheryl Crow, and Warren Zevon are among the nominees for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Non-Rock performers nominated include Willie Nelson, George Michael, Missy Elliot, Cyndi Lauper and The Spinners. “These artists have created their own sounds that…