This sums up our Generation perfectly. The cast of Batman and the cast of Gilligan’s Island on Family Feud in 1983
Video: The Two Stevies: Stevie Wonder and Stevie Ray Vaughan Performing “Superstition” Together In 1988
,,,and if THAT wasn’t enough, Jody Watley, Salt-N-Pepa, and BrownMark, Prince’s bassist are in the band.
My Next Read: “I Was There: Dispatches from a Life in Rock and Roll” By Alan Edwards
Alan Edwards, the godfather of British music PR, has worked with some of the most legendary artists of our time, from David Bowie to the Spice Girls via the Rolling Stones, the Stranglers, Prince and Amy Winehouse.
In I Was There, he describes getting his break in the mid-’70s as a scruffy, stoned 20-year-old just back from the hippie trail; his encounter with London’s thriving punk scene, which inspired him to set up his own PR company; broadening his horizons as his work with the likes of Blondie takes him to the US and beyond; and his move into the world of pop with the Spice Girls during the tabloid-crazed ’90s.
At the centre of this story sits the defining relationship of Edwards’ career: his close, thirty-year collaboration with David Bowie. He guides us through a series of vivid, funny, always insightful behind-the-scenes reports, whether he’s playing a spontaneous game of football with Bob Marley, listening to Prince discuss the future of civilisation in a nightclub VIP area, or being used as a pawn in the power struggle between Mick Jagger and Keith Richards.
Above all, we’re treated to Edwards’ fascinating observations about the brilliant artists he has worked with and what makes them tick, as he looks back on his role in the last five decades of music and culture.
My Next Read: “Infinite Dreams – The Life of Alan Vega” By Laura Davis-Chanin and Liz Lamere
Best known for co-founding the early punk duo Suicide, Alan Vega lived a complex and labyrinthine life, driven by a desire to express himself uncompromisingly through art. From his first sketch in art class at Brooklyn College to the 2021 release of the album Mutator five years after his death, Vega continues to shock and inspire. This first-ever biography of Vega tells the story of the man’s life and art, beginning with his early attempts to live a “normal” life and his epiphanic encounter with Iggy Pop in 1969. Although becoming a performer on stage had been at the bottom of Vega’s list of lifetime ambitions, Iggy changed his mind: he needed music to truly express his vision. Infinite Dreams goes on to describe Vega’s many experiments across a variety of media, including the partnership with Marty Rev that became Suicide, which challenged audiences to look deep inside themselves and to not settle for distractions. A raw but engaging exploration of a man whose artwork, music, and philosophy inspired thousands, written by award-winning author Laura Davis-Chanin together with Liz Lamere, Alan Vega’s wife and long-term creative collaborator.
SWV Brings Iconic ’90s R&B to NPR’s Tiny Desk
SWV graced the Tiny Desk with soulful harmonies and timeless hits, reminding us why they’re among the greatest girl groups in history. From “I’m So Into You” to “Weak,” their performance celebrated decades of influence, style, and connection.
The Wiz Cast Brings Broadway Magic to NPR’s Tiny Desk
The cast of The Wiz revival dazzles with stripped-down renditions of Broadway classics, showcasing their raw talent and heartfelt storytelling. From Alan Mingo Jr.’s commanding presence to Nichelle Lewis’ emotional finale, the performances celebrate the enduring magic of The Wiz.
My Next Read: “They Can’t Kill Us Until They Kill Us” by Hanif Abdurraqib
In an age of confusion, fear, and loss, Hanif Abdurraqib’s is a voice that matters. Whether he’s attending a Bruce Springsteen concert the day after visiting Michael Brown’s grave, or discussing public displays of affection at a Carly Rae Jepsen show, he writes with a poignancy and magnetism that resonates profoundly.
In the wake of the nightclub attacks in Paris, he recalls how he sought refuge as a teenager in music, at shows, and wonders whether the next generation of young Muslims will not be afforded that opportunity now. While discussing the everyday threat to the lives of Black Americans, Abdurraqib recounts the first time he was ordered to the ground by police officers: for attempting to enter his own car.
In essays that have been published by the New York Times, MTV, and Pitchfork, among others—along with original, previously unreleased essays—Abdurraqib uses music and culture as a lens through which to view our world, so that we might better understand ourselves, and in so doing proves himself a bellwether for our times.
My Next Read: “I Sing to Use the Waiting: A Collection of Essays about the Women Singers Who’ve Made Me Who I Am” By Zachary Pace
I Sing to Use the Waiting: A Collection of Essays about the Women Singers Who’ve Made Me Who I Am is a vital and affecting reflection on how popular culture can shape personal identity.
With remarkable grace, candor, and a poet’s ear for prose, Zachary Pace recounts the women singers—from Cat Power to Madonna, Kim Gordon to Rihanna—who shaped them as a young person coming-of-age in rural New York, first discovering their own queer voice.
Structured like a mixtape, Pace juxtaposes their coming out with the music that informed them along the way. They recount how listening to themselves sing along as a child to a Disney theme song they recorded on a boom box in 1995, was when they first realized there was an effeminate inflection to their voice. As childhood friendships splinter, Pace discusses the relationship between Whitney Houston and Robyn Crawford. Cat Power’s song “My Daddy Was a Musician” spurs a discussion of Pace’s own musician father, and their gradual estrangement.
Resonant and compelling, I Sing to Use the Waiting is a deeply personal rumination on how queer stories are abundant yet often suppressed, and how music may act as a comforting balm carrying us through difficult periods and decisions.
5 Surprising Facts About Guns N’ Roses’ ‘Appetite for Destruction’
If you were around in 1987—or wish you were—then you’ve probably cranked up Appetite for Destruction, the explosive debut album that not only put Guns N’ Roses on the map but set it on fire. With its gritty, unfiltered look at rock ’n’ roll life, the album became a cultural phenomenon, selling over 30 million copies worldwide and dominating the charts a year after its release. But even with its legendary status, there’s still more to uncover about this masterpiece. Let’s dive into five little-known facts that’ll make you appreciate Appetite for Destruction even more.
1. “Sweet Child o’ Mine” Almost Didn’t Happen
What started as a warm-up riff by Slash—something he called “a circus melody”—turned into the band’s only U.S. number-one single. Axl Rose overheard the jam session, wrote lyrics inspired by his then-girlfriend Erin Everly, and the song was born. But here’s the twist: Slash wasn’t a fan at first. He thought it was too different from the band’s usual gritty sound. Thankfully, the rest of the band pushed forward, giving us one of the most iconic rock ballads ever.
2. The Rocket Queen Recording Had Real-Life Drama
The steamy mid-song break in “Rocket Queen” features recorded audio of a passionate encounter between Axl Rose and Adriana Smith, a friend of the band. The controversial recording was meant to capture the raw, uninhibited energy the band was all about. Smith later said she participated willingly, knowing it would be part of the album, but it remains one of the most talked-about moments in rock history.
3. The Original Cover Art Was Too Shocking for Stores
Before the now-famous skulls-on-a-cross artwork became the cover, Appetite for Destruction featured a painting by Robert Williams that depicted a robot attacker and an avenger. Retailers, however, balked at the image, calling it too graphic. The band compromised by moving the original artwork inside the album sleeve, swapping it for the cross design we all know today. Axl Rose later revealed that he wanted the Space Shuttle Challenger explosion as the cover art, but Geffen Records shot down the idea, calling it “in bad taste.”
4. “Welcome to the Jungle” Almost Didn’t Air on MTV
MTV initially refused to play the music video for “Welcome to the Jungle,” fearing it was too edgy for their audience. But David Geffen himself intervened, persuading the network to play it just once—at 4 a.m. The response was immediate and overwhelming, leading MTV to put the video in regular rotation. The song’s success paved the way for the album’s eventual climb to the top of the Billboard 200.
5. Izzy Stradlin’s Quiet Contributions Shaped the Album
While Slash’s guitar wizardry and Axl’s searing vocals stole the spotlight, rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin quietly became the backbone of the album’s songwriting. Tracks like “Think About You” and his collaborative work on others reflect his influence. Stradlin’s punk and blues roots helped balance the band’s hard rock edge, giving Appetite for Destruction its unique, genre-defying sound.
From Slash’s iconic riffs to Axl’s fiery vocals, Appetite for Destruction is celebrated for its hits, but it’s the behind-the-scenes stories make it even more fascinating. So, the next time you press play on this groundbreaking record, remember: every track has a tale, and every tale has a little chaos. Isn’t that what rock ’n’ roll is all about?