Rock History

MTV IS TEACHER APPROVED It’s doubtful MTV would have ever used the above as an advertising slogan when they launched in the ‘80s but they could have. From Dire Strait’s “Money For Nothing,” with Sting’s guest vocals, came the ethereal demand “I want my MTV.” Both Sting (The Police) and Dire Straits frontman, guitarist/vocalist Mark…

By ’79 AC/DC had produced three albums. The Rolling Stone Record Guide published that year, roundly dismissed AC/DC as both sonically and visually offensive. Their albums, one of which was “Powerage,” got the lowest possible rating. A rating that questioned AC/DC’s musical competency. Even ABBA who was alphabetically listed just above, got a two-star rating for most…

The Yeah Yeah Yeah’s Karen O’s (Ozolek) vocal and stage antics made her impossible to ignore. Prone to dumping beer all over herself while performing, Karen O’s style owed at least something to Wendy O. Williams and Iggy Pop. Guitarist Nick Zinner and drummer Brian Chase delivered a raw Garage Rock din. In ’02, Yeah…

Neil Youngs’s Resume Buffalo Springfield – Though they only stayed together for a couple of albums, Buffalo Springfield, which included Stephen Stills, left an indelible mark on Rock music. They’re best remembered for the tense hit “For What It’s Worth.” However, that song was easily eclipsed by Young’s “Mr. Soul” which sounded like a bridge…

Nirvana was credited for taking Grunge to the mainstream. They also put a merciful end to “Hair Metal,” which was in a steep decline anyway. Still, the band deserved every accolade it received. But whenever there was a list of great Gunge songs you could bet “Smells Like Teen Spirit” would land at #1 with…

It cut like a knife through the radio airwaves. The driving beat with acoustic and electric guitars going full tilt. Still, you kept coming back to that voice. It was harsh and powerful yet had a plaintive, desperate quality. Was it some long lost classic or had Humble Pie re-grouped, and just by chance, recorded…

Emerson, Lake & Palmer were noted for Rockin’ classical works (“Hoedown,” “Fanfare For The Common Man” and “Pictures At An Exhibition”) and even the “Peter Gunn Theme” from the late-50’s/early-60’s TV detective series. Emerson, Lake & Palmer were prime exponents of the Art-Rock movement. They were also known for flamboyant performances, extended solos, time signature…

The Rolling Stones have had a remarkable career with incredible highs, and despite tragic lows, they have prevailed (surviving the firing and death of founding guitarist Brian Jones, the Altamont tragedy, the departure of Jones’ replacement Mick Taylor, the retirement of bassist Bill Wyman, the passing of drummer Charlie Watts, not to mention rampant drug…

John Lennon’s solo career began with the release of three avantgarde albums (“Two Virgins,” “Life With The Lions” and “Wedding Album’) in the late 1960’s with Japanese conceptual artist, Yoko Ono, while John was, if only half-heartedly, still in The Beatles. In 1970, John released the Rock oriented solo effort (“John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band’), the…

The song “Runaway,” recorded in ’84 by Jon Bon Jovi, was included in radio station W-D-H-A’s compilation of un-signed acts. Technically, Bon Jovi didn’t really qualify. Less than a year earlier, Bon Jovi (the group) had been signed by Mercury Records after building a solid reputation as a live act. In the process, John Francis…