essay Archive
31 Dec 2022
Take 5: The Hudson Brothers
John Lennon once told The Hudson Brothers (Bill, Mark and Brett) that he considered them the “kings of Saturday morning.” But they were more than stars of their own series, […]
24 Dec 2022
Take Five: Early Epics from Genesis
The fourth album from Genesis, Foxtrot was released 50 years ago October. The critically-acclaimed album was the band’s first major commercial breakthrough, climbing to the #1 spot in Italy and […]
20 Dec 2022
Best Classic Bands: Essays and Interviews
Most publications — online and/or in print — assert a kind of temporary ownership of commissioned pieces; after that embargo, the non-exclusive rights to those works revert to the author. […]
12 Dec 2022
U2’s Bono: Rock Star, Messiah or Vandal?
It was 35 years ago last month – November 11, 1987 – when U2 staged a free and seemingly impromptu concert at Justin Herman Plaza (now Embarcadero Plaza). When it […]
10 Dec 2022
Take Five: Deep Cuts from Pete Townshend
Pete Townshend is best known as the guitarist and visionary songwriter for The Who. But Townshend plays all manner of instruments, and even in the earliest days of the band […]
29 Nov 2022
Take Five: Tommy Boyce
Tommy Boyce died in 1994; had he lived, he would celebrate his 83rd birthday on September 29. He and Bobby Hart were one of the most successful songwriting duos of […]
28 Nov 2022
Music to Your Ears: Steely Dan’s ‘Can’t Buy a Thrill’
One of the most critically and commercially successful groups of the 1970s, for most of its time in the spotlight Steely Dan wasn’t really a band at all. Co-led by […]
25 Nov 2022
Take Five: Toni Basil
Viewers of MTV in its early years will readily recall Toni Basil, who celebrated her 79th birthday on September 22. Bouncing across the screen in her cheerleader outfit as she […]
24 Nov 2022
Take Five: The Tubes’ Fee Waybill
Tubes lead singer and founding member Fee Waybill celebrated his 72nd birthday on September 17. Founded in 1972 and still performing today, The Tubes were among the most outrageous bands […]
23 Nov 2022
Take Five: Pat Mastelotto
One of the most varied and versatile drummers in all of music, Pat Mastelotto celebrated his 67th birthday on September 10. Artists as varied as Hall & Oates, Al Jarreau, […]