Rock History
1986 rock albums turn 40 in 2026, showcasing the era's defining sounds and lasting impact.
‘Auld Lang Syne’ is one of the most enduring and universally recognized songs in the world, sung every New Year’s Eve as a symbol of reflection, friendship, and nostalgia. Its origins trace back centuries to traditional Scottish folk music, but it was Robert Burns who, in 1788, collected and refined the lyrics for publication in […]
December 29Marianne Faithfull (1946) – The Rolling Stones muse turned survivor, whose voice got deeper, darker and more dangerous with time. December 30Jeff Lynne (1947) – The mastermind behind ELO, stacking harmonies like bricks and making strings rock harder than most guitars. December 31Pete Townshend (1945) – The windmill-armed architect of The Who, smashing guitars […]
Let’s say the quiet part loud: Cheap Trick is the greatest rock band of all time and no, we’re not bowing to sacred cows, dusty legends or music-history homework assignments. Yes, The Beatles rewrote the rulebook. Yes, The Rolling Stones perfected danger, but greatness isn’t about who showed up first. It’s about who showed up […]
Peter Frampton’s cover of ‘Black Hole Sun’ represents a fascinating moment in his long and ever-evolving career, showing how a classic rock icon reinterpreted one of the most iconic songs of the 1990s. Originally written by Chris Cornell and released by Soundgarden in 1994 on Superunknown, “Black Hole Sun” became a defining track of the […]
Dec 22 — Davy Jones (The Monkees), born 1945 Pop-rock legend with enduring ’60s hits; heartthrob and multi-talented performer.
‘Doctor My Eyes’ is one of Jackson Browne’s most enduring early songs and a defining moment in his emergence as a major singer-songwriter in the early 1970s. Released in 1972, the song appeared on Browne’s self-titled debut album Jackson Browne (often referred to as Saturate Before Using), which introduced listeners to his introspective lyrical style […]
‘Working Man’ stands as one of the most important and unlikely breakthrough songs in the history of Rush. Released in 1974 on the band’s self-titled debut album, the track introduced the Canadian power trio—Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and drummer John Rutsey—to a wider North American audience at a time when the band was still finding […]
Dec 22, 1972 — The Rolling Stones — Goats Head Soup U.S. release Includes hits like “Angie.” Peaked on the charts right at year’s end, cementing late-era Stones dominance. Dec 23, 1968 — The Who — Magic Bus Single Release (UK) This week marks the UK single drop, a driving mod-rock track that became a staple of live shows. […]
‘Let It Go’ holds an important place in Def Leppard’s early catalog, not only as a standout track from High ’n’ Dry (1981), but as a clear expression of the band’s mindset at a crucial stage in their development. The song captures Def Leppard in transition—still rooted in hard rock grit, yet beginning to embrace […]
‘Lorelei’ occupies a special place in Styx’s catalog not only for its beauty but for the depth of its meaning and the care that went into its creation. Featured on Equinox (1975), the song helped establish the band’s identity as storytellers capable of blending classical themes with modern rock. Dennis DeYoung wrote ‘Lorelei’ after becoming […]
‘Hypnotized’ is widely regarded as one of Fleetwood Mac’s most atmospheric and quietly mesmerizing songs, capturing a reflective moment during the band’s early-1970s evolution. Released in 1973 on the album Mystery to Me, the song emerged during the Bob Welch era, a period when Fleetwood Mac was reshaping its identity following Peter Green’s departure and […]