Chubby Checker was recently inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, largely because of a handful of dance-themed hits in the early 1960s. Let’s discuss his breakthough hit, ‘The Twist’. Chubby Checker Ernest Evans was born in Spring…
The Zipps formed in 1965 in Dordrecht, a Dutch city known for a folktale where a sheep masqueraded as a person. Credits 4 KICKS & CHICKS – The Zipps (NL)(Peter Nuyten/Ben Katerberg) PERSONNEL/PHILIP ELZERMAN: vocals, guitar * PETER NUYTEN: lead…
Sparks are the world’s longest-running cult band. The only constant members are siblings Ron and Russell Mael, who grew up in Pacific Palisades, California. They emerged with the glam movement of the 1970s. Their single ‘This Town Ain’t Big Enough…
When people talk about wasted potential in rock and roll, it’s usually premature deaths like Buddy Holly, Jimi Hendrix, or Kurt Cobain. Pink Floyd’s original leader Syd Barrett also belongs on the list. Although Barrett lived into his sixties, his musical…
We’re back sorting albums this week, and up to U. Can you tell the Ultraviolence from the Undertow? I’m ineligible because I created the quiz. Congratulations to EclecticMusicLover and UK #1s Blog, who tied on 35 Here I am…
Two rock records this week. The Hold Steady’s Craig Finn teams up with The War on Drugs’ Adam Granduciel for his sixth solo album. Meanwhile, Ex-Vöid layer harmonies onto their punk roots. Craig Finn Always Been 2025, 8/10As much as…
This obscure Roy Wood tune sounds like a Move song. Credits 4 DANCE AROUND THE MAYPOLE – The Acid Gallery (U.K.)(Roy Wood) PERSONNEL/(prob) THE EPICS: JEFF CHRISTIE: vocals, bass * VIC ELMES: lead guitar * MIKE BLAKELY: drums * IAN…
Let’s take another break from sorting albums this week and guess which half of the decade songs belong to. Remember that 1995 is in the decade’s second half. I scored 37/40 – I need to bone up on my…
Despite releasing their first album in 1968, Creedence Clearwater Revival weren’t hippies. Frontman John Fogerty represents blue-collar America, addressing working-class issues like the Vietnam War, while there’s a heartland warmth to their swampy rock. The band sounded like they came…
Duets keep popping up on the music I write about this year, and today’s batch is no exception. Marlon Williams teams up with Lorde, while Justin Vernon duets with several female vocalists. Meanwhile, with only two tracks, Steven Wilson doesn’t…
