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Rock Flashback

Rock Flashback

Rock Flashback: U2′s “The Joshua Tree” at 25

Somewhere in front of that backdrop is U2, performing at the Glastonbury Festival in the UK last summer. (Getty Images/Dave Hogan)Somewhere in front of that backdrop is U2, performing at the Glastonbury Festival in the UK last summer. (Getty Images/Dave Hogan)

By | March 9, 2012
In 1984, the fourth album by U2, The Unforgettable Fire, included their first mass-appeal radio single, "Pride (In the Name of Love)." They played a memorable spot at Live Aid in 1985. So when The Joshua Tree was released 25 years ago today --… Read more »
Rock Flashback

Rock Flashback: Peter Wolf’s “Sleepless”

Peter Wolf performs at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010. (Getty Images/Michael Loccisano)Peter Wolf performs at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010. (Getty Images/Michael Loccisano)

By | March 8, 2012
This week, Peter Wolf celebrates his 66th birthday. In 1967, Wolf formed what would become the J. Geils Band, which ran successfully for the next 17 years without a personnel change. In 1984, he began his solo career, which is up to seven albums… Read more »
Rock Flashback

Rock Flashback: Happy Birthday, David Gilmour

David Gilmour and his wife, author Polly Samson, attend an event in London in 2011. (Getty Images/Danny Martindale/stringer)1David Gilmour and his wife, author Polly Samson, attend an event in London in 2011. (Getty Images/Danny Martindale/stringer)1

By | March 7, 2012
This week, David Gilmour of Pink Floyd celebrates his 66th birthday. After the jump, read some fascinating factoids about Gilmour found in Wikipedia. Hit It Read more »
Rock Flashback

Rock Flashback: Patsy Cline’s Plane Crash, 1963

Patsy Cline is pictured on the sleeve of a 1961 Decca Records EP.Patsy Cline is pictured on the sleeve of a 1961 Decca Records EP.

By | March 6, 2012
Pop music has had its share of famous fatal crashes. It's not much of an exaggeration to compare one that happened this week in 1963 to the one that killed rocker Buddy Holly four years before. Buckle Up Read more »
Rock Flashback

Rock Flashback: John Belushi and Fear

(Getty Images/Vince Bucci)(Getty Images/Vince Bucci)

By | March 5, 2012
Thirty years ago today, John Belushi died of an overdose at the Chateau Marmont Hotel on the Sunset Strip in Hollywood. Everyone knows Belushi's connection to the blues, but Dan Aykroyd says he was one of the first punk-rock fans in… Read more »
Rock Flashback

Rock Flashback: Hank Ballard

After Hank Ballard asked Annie to "work" with him, entirely logical consequences followed.After Hank Ballard asked Annie to "work" with him, entirely logical consequences followed.

By | March 4, 2012
This week in 2003, R&B pioneer Hank Ballard died at age 75. Many rock fans recognize his name without knowing precisely why. After the jump, find out who he was and where he fits in. Learn More Read more »
Rock Flashback

Rock Flashback: Chicago’s Catholic Kids Get a Talking-To, 1957

As "Young Love" rode the charts in 1957, the subject was on the mind of a religious leader in Chicago.As "Young Love" rode the charts in 1957, the subject was on the mind of a religious leader in Chicago.

By | March 3, 2012
As rock 'n' roll consumed the attention of American youth, America's moral leaders found themselves with plenty to say about it. In March 1957, Samuel Cardinal Stritch of Chicago came down hard on the music in a Lenten message to his flock that was… Read more »
Rock Flashback

Rock Flashback: Officer Eddie Money

Eddie Money in 2010 (Getty Images/Jamie Squire)Eddie Money in 2010 (Getty Images/Jamie Squire)

By | March 2, 2012
The single thing everyone knows about Eddie Money is that he used to be a cop. But is that really true? Find Out Read more »
Rock Flashback

Rock Flashback: Davy Jones

Davy Jones (R) with his Monkees mates Peter Tork (L) and Micky Dolenz (C), 2011 (Getty Images/Dave J. Hogan)Davy Jones (R) with his Monkees mates Peter Tork (L) and Micky Dolenz (C), 2011 (Getty Images/Dave J. Hogan)

By | March 1, 2012
How big a star was Davy Jones of the Monkees, back there in the middle of the 1960s? A British singer, just launching his career, had made records under his given name, David Jones, but decided he would have to change it to something else. He… Read more »
Rock Flashback

Rock Flashback: Riding With Eric Clapton

Eric Clapton sights two ghostly musicians through the smoke onstage in Brazil, 2011 (Getty Images/Jefferson Bernardes/AFP)Eric Clapton sights two ghostly musicians through the smoke onstage in Brazil, 2011 (Getty Images/Jefferson Bernardes/AFP)

By | March 1, 2012
You are riding in the car one fine day when the distinctive opening riff of Eric Clapton's "Let It Rain" comes on the radio. You crank it up, but when Clapton starts to sing, it's not what you expect to hear. What the hell is this? … Read more »
Rock Flashback

Rock Flashback: February 29, 1992

Michael Bolton's game is different today than 20 years ago, and so is his hair. He's seen here at a golf tournament in California earlier this month. (Getty Images/Ezra Shaw)Michael Bolton's game is different today than 20 years ago, and so is his hair. He's seen here at a golf tournament in California earlier this month. (Getty Images/Ezra Shaw)

By | February 29, 2012
Since the rock era began in 1955, Billboard magazine, the bible of the record industry, has had a publication date of February 29 only four times. Oddly enough, three of them came consecutively, in 1956, 1960, and 1964, then not again until 1992.… Read more »
Rock Flashback

Rock Flashback: Gary Wright Before “Dream Weaver”

Gary Wright, 2010 (Getty Images/Ethan Miller)Gary Wright, 2010 (Getty Images/Ethan Miller)

By | February 28, 2012
In some kind of national word-association test, the name Gary Wright would bring back the response, "Dream Weaver." His 1976 hit single and album of the same name will be mentioned in the first line of his obituary someday, but he was a rock… Read more »
Rock Flashback

Rock Flashback: Keith Richards Gets Busted, 1977

Keith Richards, his wife of 28 years Patti Hansen, and their daughter Theodora enjoyed a night on the town in 2011. (Getty Images/Henry S. Dziekan III)Keith Richards, his wife of 28 years Patti Hansen, and their daughter Theodora enjoyed a night on the town in 2011. (Getty Images/Henry S. Dziekan III)

By | February 27, 2012
"I don't have trouble with drugs," Keith Richards is supposed to have said, "only with cops." Thirty-five years ago this week, Richards was busted in Canada, an arrest that that brought him closer to the Big House than any of his other brushes… Read more »