Rock History
1. “Live at Leeds” – The Who (1970) This isn’t a concert, it’s a guitar riot. The Who tear through their set like they’re trying to burn the place down. It’s raw, loud, unrestrained and absolutely legendary. Pete Townshend’s windmills, Keith Moon’s lunacy, and Roger Daltrey in full lion-roar mode. Best Track: “My Generation” (extended […]
Mercury. Plant. Jagger. Ozzy. Who ruled the mic and who just ruled the chaos? Alright, grab a cold one, crank the stereo and let’s settle the barstool debate once and for all: Who was the greatest frontman in classic rock? Not just who could sing, we’re talkin’ the full package: charisma, pipes, swagger and pure, […]
In the summer of 1961, ten-year-old Tom Petty from Gainesville, Florida, had no idea his life was about to change forever. His uncle, Earl Jernigan, was working on the Ocala set of Elvis Presley’s movie Follow That Dream and invited young Tom to tag along. Petty later remembered standing in the Florida sun when a […]
October 20, 1977 will forever echo as one of rock’s most heartbreaking days. Lynyrd Skynyrd—America’s fiery Southern rock powerhouse, had just released Street Survivors, their fifth album, only three days earlier. The cover showed the band engulfed in flames, an image meant to symbolize their musical heat, not tragedy. But after their plane went down […]
Whether you’re a die-hard who grew up air-guitaring to KISS or just someone who loves a killer riff, you know Ace Frehley is way more than “the guy in the silver suit.” He’s the heart and soul of rock ‘n’ roll, the Spaceman, a guitar hero with style and attitude. From stomping on stage in […]
AC/DC’s ‘T.N.T.’ wasn’t just a breakthrough song—it was a statement of intent and a magnet for chaos, both onstage and off. Released in 1975 on their Australian album T.N.T. (and later included on the international High Voltage in 1976), the song captured the young band’s gritty, rebellious spirit. Written by Angus and Malcolm Young with […]
Queen’s ‘You’re My Best Friend’ is one of the band’s most heartfelt and enduring songs—a moment of pure sincerity amid their usual bombast. Written by bassist John Deacon, the 1975 hit stands out for its warmth, tenderness, and simplicity. It first appeared on A Night at the Opera, the same album that gave the world […]
Jon Bon Jovi declares, “I am a Def Leppard Fan!” in his dedication speech for Def Leppard’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It’s always a special occasion when a big star gets immortalized on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Def Leppard couldn’t be more deserving of this honor. Doug O’Brien
Turns out, some rock gods don’t just melt faces they also crush book sales. These legends traded in their axes for pens and stormed the literary world like they stormed the charts. If you thought rockers couldn’t write anything more than a setlist or a breakup anthem, buckle up. These bad boys (and girls) hit […]
October has played host to some of rock’s most defining moments. It’s the month The Who released Tommy, Elton John dropped Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and Def Leppard made their live U.S. debut. Rock legends like Stevie Ray Vaughan, Lindsey Buckingham and Tommy Lee all celebrate birthdays this month, while fans remember the losses of Tom Petty and […]
On this day back in 1987, Billy Idol turned a rock cover into a cultural phenomenon. His original studio version of “Mony Mony” had already been out for a few years, released in 1981 on his debut album. But it was the live version, officially released on October 2nd, 1987, that took the song over […]
Alright, Gen Xers and elder millennials, grab your pumpkin beer, dust off the old stereo, and crank the volume. Halloween isn’t just for the kids anymore. For those of us who still remember when MTV played music and Monster Mash actually felt edgy, here’s a hard-hitting list of four iconic Halloween tracks that still slap […]