Guitarist Wilko Johnson of pub rock band Dr. Feelgood created a polyrhythmic down-and-up chop on open chords that inspired Paul Weller (the Jam), Hugh Cornwell (the Stranglers), and Jon King (Gang of Four) – and many more.
Tom Verlaine’s death symbolizes the continued denouement of a certain period of New York City history, a time when the word “bohemian” still held some meaning.
Losing Olivia Newton-John this week made for summer dreams ripped at the seams. Like so many of you, she was my first love.
Mark Lanegan brought an air of authenticity to everything he was involved in, which was a lot. If he was involved, the project was worth listening to.
Electrifying funk singer-songwriter Betty Davis passed away last week at 77. Her music inspired everyone from Miles Davis to Janelle Monáe.
Drummer for arguably the world’s greatest rock and roll band, Charlie Watts wasn’t even a rock star, and that’s one of the many things that made him so great.
Remembering and appreciating the great cowboy poet, Texas singer-songwriter Chris Wall, who passed away in July 2021. God speed, cowboy.
It was thrilling to think of where SOPHIE was going to take us next after having deconstructed both club music and pop. But even without her here to lead us, the tenacity and impactfulness of her bold body of work can guide us.
Thank you for your life, Eddie Van Halen. Long live the music, the joy, and all the little dreamers you inspired.
Astral planes, Nietzsche's Doctrine of Eternal Recurrence, and UFOs -- they're all just part of Western Terrestrials' Roger Miller tribute, Back in the Saddle of a Fever Dream.
Stezo died in his sleep on 29 April at age 51, leaving behind a legacy begging to be properly commemorated. His 1989 album Crazy Noise has been buried in the annals of hip-hop history, an underappreciated dollar-bin find that serves both as a time capsule for hip-hop's late 1980s golden era and a lesson in keeping it real.
"Lean on Me" singer-songwriter Bill Withers was the voice of morality in an industry without honor. It's amazing he lasted this long.
