Warren Zevon
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Warren Zevon

Warren Zevon always had a unique perspective. He earned it. After his first album bombed, Zevon found work writing commercial jingles. If that doesn’t alter your point of view, nothing will. His return was marked by a self-titled album which contained several classic songs including “Hasten Down The Wind” and “Poor, Poor Pitiful Me” (both…

Electric Light Orchestra/ E.L.O.
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Electric Light Orchestra/ E.L.O.

Countless groups have covered Chuck Berry. Nearly all stayed relatively close to the source. One notable exception was Electric Light Orchestra’s rendition of “Roll Over Beethoven.” Aside from the inescapable guitar riff, the song had definite “classical” overtones (figures, given the song’s title) with a creative arrangement. What made it work was the violins and…

Duran Duran

Duran Duran

There are some groups so “on trend” it’s scary. MTV, launched in the early ’80s, was initially in dire need of content. Equally important, they needed to find musicians who “got it.” Artists who understood making a video was more than standing in front of a camera lip-synching. Enter Duran Duran from Birmingham, England. Duran…

“Cowboys From Hell” Goes Double Platinum

“Cowboys From Hell” Goes Double Platinum

Pantera‘s major label debut album, “Cowboys From Hell” released in ‘90, was recently certified (May 26th) double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales in excess of 2-million copies in the United States. “Cowboys From Hell,” originally certified platinum in July ’97, has been called one of the most influential Metal albums of the…

Jeff Beck Honored

Jeff Beck Honored

A Jeff Beck tribute concert, organized by Eric Clapton and Sandra Beck, the guitarist’s widow, took place Monday night (5/22) at London’s Royal Albert Hall.  The event featured Metallica’s Kirk Hammett, ZZ Tops’ Billy Gibbons and actor/guitarist Johnny Depp.  A second all-star concert was held Tuesday night. Beck, who passed away earlier this year, was…

Foo Fighters Are #1

Foo Fighters Are #1

Foo Fighters’ “Rescued” is #1 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Chart (dated 5/20). Released on April 19th, “Rescued” is the first single off the Foos eleventh studio album, “But Here We Are,” which will drop June 2nd.    The track references the passing last year of drummer Taylor Hawkins. According to the band, it’s “the first…

Ghost - Impera

Ghost Wins Grammis Award

Ghost took the “Best Hard Rock/Metal” category for their “Impera” album at this year’s the Grammis awards (the Swedish Grammy equivalent), held May 3rd in Stockholm. They beat out Amon Amarth (“The Great Heathen Army”) and Arch Enemy (“Deceivers”), among others. Frontman Tobias Forge, who is Swedish, accepted the award in person. Ghost was also nominated in the “Album Of…

RATM Is In

RATM Is In

The good news is the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has announce that Rage Against The Machine will be inducted into the Hall on November 3rd at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. Kate Bush, Sheryl Crow, Missy Elliott, Willie Nelson and late singer George Michael (who won the fan vote) will also be inducted. …

“Meteora” is #1

“Meteora” is #1

Linkin Park’s “Meteora 20th Anniversary Edition,” which celebrates the band’s sophomore album, is #1 on Billboard’s Top Rock Albums Chart. In addition to the original album, the re-packaged set contains previously unreleased tracks. “Lost,” a showcase for Chester Bennington’s riveting vocals, failed to make the original album’s final track listing.  However, earlier this year, the…