Claude Lemaire thinks Led Zeppelin is so seminal to hard rock, he chooses them twice for Episode 3. King Crimson also makes the cut.
On December 19, 1955, Carl Perkins stepped into Memphisโ Sun Studio with a song that would become a cornerstone of rock โnโ roll history. But like most great music moments, the creation of Blue Suede Shoes wasnโt so much a straight line as it was a tangled web of stories, late-night drives, and serendipitous inspiration.…
In this episode, writer and self-taught musicologist Claude Lemaire chooses Iron Butterfly, Jeff Beck, and even the Beatles as pioneering heavy rock influencers.
In the autumn of 1964, America was a cauldron bubbling over with change. The civil rights movement was in full swing, the Vietnam War was escalating, and the Beatles had already ignited a British Invasion that left teenagers screaming and parents scratching their heads. But on October 25th, a new kind of British export hit…
In this first fall installment, writer Rudy Radelic is featuring a comparison, some winners, a major disappointment, and a handful of other notable titles he’s found.
Watkins Glen, New YorkโJuly 28, 1973. This date marks an unparalleled event in rock history. The Summer Jam at Watkins Glen wasnโt just a concert; it was a colossal phenomenon that shattered records and set new standards for music festivals. Promoted by Shelly Finkel and Jim Koplik, the festival attracted an estimated 600,000 to 800,000…
John Mayallโs last show took place on March 26, 2022, at The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, California. This performance marked the end of a remarkable 65-year touring career. During this final concert, Mayall, who was 88 years old, performed with his band, which included Greg Rzab on bass, Jay Davenport on drums, and…
On June 18, 1967, the Monterey Pop Festival bore witness to a performance that would become legendary in the annals of rock history. Jimi Hendrix, a relatively unknown guitarist at the time, took the stage and delivered a performance that catapulted him into superstardom and forever changed the landscape of rock music. This electrifying set,…
The Rolling Stonesโ inaugural U.S. tour in 1964 was a wild ride of rock โnโ roll chaos and cultural clashes. Hereโs a deeper dive into the anecdotes and adventures that marked this historic tour, setting the stage for the bandโs legendary status. The Flight That Almost Didnโt Happen Before the Stones could even set foot…