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Part 2 of Jeff Weiner’s two-part series that tries—and does so convincingly—to answer the enduring question: “Where did rock and roll come from?”
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January 24, 1962, wasn’t just another cold Liverpool morning. It was the day four scruffy lads—John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Pete Best—put their faith in a well-dressed, fast-talking record store manager named Brian Epstein. With a few strokes of a pen, they signed a management contract that would change the course of music…
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In August 16, 1962, The Beatles made a decision that would change the course of music history—and rock ‘n’ roll drama—forever. The band, then on the cusp of global stardom, fired their original drummer, Pete Best, and replaced him with Ringo Starr. It was a ruthless move that left Best devastated and fans in shock,…
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In February 1964, two of the most iconic forces of the 20th century collided in an encounter so surreal it could have been scripted by Hollywood. The Beatles, fresh off their earth-shattering debut on The Ed Sullivan Show, met Cassius Clay (soon to be Muhammad Ali) in Miami Beach. It was a meeting that combined…
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Record Store Day 2024 spins into action with exclusive releases from Elton John, Frank Zappa, Queen, and the Pixies, as vinyl lovers worldwide celebrate analog culture, indie shops, and community-centered music discovery.
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Apple Records’ prodigal sons Badfinger were poised to inherit the Beatles’ mantle—complete with George Harrison’s guiding hand—yet behind the scenes, turmoil, label neglect, and internal fractures began unraveling their golden opportunity.
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George Harrison championed them, Paul McCartney produced their debut hit, and Apple Records signed them—yet the Iveys (soon to be Badfinger) nearly vanished before they began, victims of internal rifts and corporate reshuffling.
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After tensions split Delaney & Bonnie’s band, Bobby Whitlock joined Eric Clapton in forming Derek & the Dominos, playing key roles in both Layla and George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass—before launching a solo career of his own.
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Joe Cocker’s career nearly derailed in 1970 until Leon Russell hastily assembled the raucous “Mad Dogs & Englishmen” tour—transforming a PR crisis into a legendary, if chaotic, rock caravan that launched Russell to solo stardom.
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Mike Vosse helped spark one of rock’s greatest musical intersections: Elton John’s rise in America, Leon Russell’s breakout, and the moment they collided at the Troubadour—fueling a creative surge that would echo for decades.
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Joe Cocker’s breakthrough came in 1968 with a soulful, waltz-time cover of “With a Little Help from My Friends,” crafted alongside Chris Stainton and studio ace Jimmy Page—launching a transatlantic ascent capped by Woodstock.
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Bob Dylan’s 1980s spiritual detour shocked fans with gospel-only sets and preaching. By 1983’s Infidels, he returned to secular music, backed by stellar musicians, showcasing renewed creativity despite mixed critical reception and early digital recording controversies.