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 late 1930s, when Hollywood was still refining synchronized sound, Walt Disney had an audacious idea. He wanted to create an animated film that not only brought classical music to the masses but did so in a way that allowed audiences to feel like they were immersed in the music itself. Enter Fantasiaโa revolutionary…
Frank Zappa was never one to tread lightly, especially when it came to tearing down cultural idols. So when he and the Mothers of Invention decided to parody The Beatlesโ iconic Sgt. Pepperโs Lonely Hearts Club Band cover for Weโre Only In It For The Money, they went all in, crafting a visual riot that…
On a hot August morning in 1958, something extraordinary happened on a Harlem street. Fifty-seven jazz legends gathered on the stoop of 17 East 126th Street, not for a performance, but for a photograph that would become one of the most iconic images in American music history: A Great Day in Harlem. Captured by Art…
All photos by David Meerman Scott On September 23, 1980, Bob Marley, already a global icon and a beacon for reggae music, took the stage at the Stanley Theatre in Pittsburgh for what would be his last live performance. The air was thick with anticipation as 3,500 fans packed the sold-out venue, but few knew…
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…
In January 1983, a now-iconic photograph was taken backstage at the Ritz in New York City. It featured Tina Turner, David Bowie, and Keith Richards, capturing a moment of musical camaraderie and mutual respect that symbolized a pivotal period in Turnerโs career. The early 1980s were a challenging time for Tina Turner. After breaking free…
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…