If you believe the cultural conflicts within the American country music scene in 2024 are recent developments, you might be overlooking its history. For years, tensions have been brewing regarding the definition of country music.
In the early 1960s, England saw a flood of music, and The Kinks were part of this wave. They were surrounded by groups like the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Who, Hollies, Dave Clark Five, Gerry and the Pacemakers, and many more. Together, these bands took over the pop music scene from 1963 to 1965, leaving an indelible mark that forever changed popular music.
Back in June, I had to step back from my tour with Crazy Horse due to some health troubles within our crew. We’d been putting on some incredible shows, with audiences that were really into it, and performances we’d remember for a long time. But after our gig at Pine Knob Music Theatre in Clarkston, Michigan on May 22nd, some of us started feeling under the weather. I didn’t say if I was one of them, but obviously, this wasn’t something that could be ignored. As a result, we had to postpone several tour dates across Canada and the US. It’s been tough, but health always comes first.
As a gaming enthusiast, I can’t help but recall the countless times I’ve spun Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven,” Nirvana’s “Smell’s Like Teen Spirit,” and Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” on my virtual jukebox. And if you, fellow gamer, still cherish these tunes, I bet there won’t be a single complaint when they come on again!
The 1990s saw an abundance of excellent albums, particularly grunge at its peak. However, it largely served as a bridge between the pop music of the 1980s and the polished tunes of the 2000s. While there were some remarkable instances like Britpop, there were also many songs that quickly faded from memory.
As a devoted fan here, I’m thrilled to share that Fivio Foreign and Kodak Black have dropped a fresh track titled “ONBOA47RD.” Interestingly, it’s not Trump who raps on this one, but the artists have cleverly sampled his RNC speech following the assassination attempt. A snippet from that speech goes like this: “I will fight for you with every breath in my body, and I will never ever let you down.” The rappers trade boastful verses while injecting a dash of political commentary into their lyrics.
Naturally, the Cars stood out on their own merit. Not only were they eventually inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but they’ve managed to maintain a loyal fanbase for over four decades – an impressive feat indeed. Moreover, Ric Ocasek and his fellow band members weren’t shy about expressing their opinions on certain matters.
Is there a chance we might see Sepultura’s legendary lineup come together one last time for a heartfelt goodbye? While no official announcements have been made, there seems to be a glimmer of hope, as both long-time guitarist Andreas Kisser and former lead vocalist Max Cavalera have expressed openness to the idea. In a recent interview with Metal Hammer, Kisser stated that any potential reunion involving the Cavalera brothers should be a joyful and uplifting experience.
Tom Petty’s songs never reached the peak position on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart, whether it was during his time as a Heartbreaker, a Wilbury, or on his own. He came close with “Stop Dragging My Heart Around” alongside Stevie Nicks in 1981, but that song too fell just shy of the top spot. Hitting number one is tough to achieve.
On August 6th, 2024, Maurice Williams, aged 86, sadly passed away. Though not widely recognized by many, Williams significantly impacted the doo-wop and R&B genres in the ’50s and ’60s. Among his notable works are “Little Darlin’,” a hit song from 1957, and “Stay,” released in 1960, which both helped shape the era’s soundscape.