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In this episode, writer and self-taught musicologist Claude Lemaire chooses Iron Butterfly, Jeff Beck, and even the Beatles as pioneering heavy rock influencers.
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Walt Disney’s radical 1940 film Fantasia demanded a sound system that didn’t yet exist. In response, William Garity and J.N.A. Hawkins built Fantasound—the first surround sound, decades ahead of Dolby. The system flopped commercially but changed cinema forever.
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Welcome to the November Vinyl Beat! This month at Casa Rudy we’re enjoying a couple of Doobies, being overrun by Rhinos, wearing a Tutu, adding some salsa to life’s recipe, and operating under an assumed identity.
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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 Beatles’ iconic Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band cover for We’re Only In It For The Money, they went all in, crafting a visual riot that…
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From Brooklyn watchmaker to audio legend, Joseph Grado transformed precision craftsmanship into the iconic “Grado sound” that audiophiles still obsess over today.
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Tom Gibbs reveals how Euphony’s new software and a top-notch DAC took his music system to stunning new heights, with sound so real it feels like a live concert.
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Welcome to Claude Lemaire’s new series, in which he explores the history of hard rock, heavy rock, and heavy metal—including metal’s many subgenres.
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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…
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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…
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Sidney Harman and Bernard Kardon revolutionized home audio in postwar America, merging business vision and engineering brilliance to create Harman Kardon. This short biography of Harman traces his journey from Signal Corps to stereo legend, civic leader, and cultural patron.
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Despite the generational fade of classic rock, Queen continues to thrive. With Queen Rock Montreal remastered in Dolby Atmos, the band’s epic 1981 performance reaffirms why Freddie Mercury and company still command global reverence.
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“I’ve decided to start a new series. Even if you’re not a musician, perhaps it’ll give some insight into the nitty-gritty of the art of music-making, or inform your listening the next time you sit in front of your stereo, or just provide some entertainment and perhaps a life lesson or two.
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Watkins Glen, New York—July 28, 1973. This date marks an unparalleled event in rock history. The Summer Jam at Watkins Glen wasn’t 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…
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From boomboxes to Bluetooth, this lively history tracks the cultural and technological evolution of portable music—highlighting how innovations like the Walkman, Discman, iPod, and wireless earbuds shaped how (and where) we listen.
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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 Turner’s career. The early 1980s were a challenging time for Tina Turner. After breaking free…