Join us
We take the term heavy metal for granted, knowing instinctively what it means. The origins of the term are difficult to pin down - where did it come from?
In 1964, Chess Records released Surfin’ With Bo Diddley which is about as bizarre a concept album as you can possibly imagine.
Black Sabbath planned to tour North America on the back of their new album and met to discuss the stage set, always central to any rock bands live show...
Ever wondered how the U2 EP 'Wide Awake in America' got made? Here's the story from Tony Visconti's autobiography, Bowie, Bolan & The Brooklyn Boy...
The Rolling Stones signed for Decca Records and in early 1964 they recorded a song in the style of Jimmy Reed, to be used on an TV advert for Rice Krispies.
Music artist's places of birth celebrated in songs.
Neil Sedaka was inspired to write the song 'The Immigrant' after the U.S. government's refusal to grant Lennon resident alien status.
Juke is an African word meaning wicked, that passed into popular usage and later came to describe a dance. We take a deep dive into the world of jook...
Howlin’ Wolf was born Chester Burnett in the heart of the Mississippi on 10 June, 1910, over 6ft tall and weighing close to 300 lbs he was a powerful man.
The great Cole Porter, writer of some of the best loved & most recorded works in the Great American Songbook & ex Foreign Legion Officer, was born in 1891.
In their review of Cream’s 1st album, Fresh Cream, Britain’s NME was none too sure. “The Cream startle the ears with their changes of volume”
“Take a small Bible with you, and read it!” said producer, Norman Petty to Buddy Holly & the Crickets, on their first tour outside of Texas.
In 1983 a student from UCL formed a band called Seona Dancing, and got signed to Decca Records. His name? Ricky Gervaise.
The first Lennon & McCartney song to make the US charts was Del Shannon’s From Me To You (it made No.77). 7 months later came I Want To Hold Your Hand.
BB King said it was his ambition to record an album of Louis Jordan’s songs. 19 years later that album was released which acknowledges BB’s debt to Louis.
