When Rock Meets Retail: Musician Vid Nelson and his band took live music to the aisles of Home Depot, delivering an impromptu walking rock show with wireless amps and a drummer on a flat cart. Dressed in Home Depot’s signature orange aprons, they brought some unexpected joy (and confusion) to employees and shoppers alike!
Canada’s Music Incubator and National Music Centre Announce 11 Participants of 2024 Artist Entrepreneur West
Canada’s Music Incubator (CMI) and the National Music Centre (NMC) have revealed the 11 artists selected for the 2024 AE West (Artist Entrepreneur West) program, which is being hosted at CKUA Radio in Edmonton this year. The program kicks off today and will conclude with the AE West Artist Extravaganza Showcase, a free live concert featuring performances by all participating artists, taking place at Edmonton’s Yardbird Suite on December 5.
The 11 artists include Vancouver hip-hop/R&B duo Ato-Mik; R&B/soul artist Bella Cat from Nelson, BC; country singer-songwriter BERLYN hailing from Eckville, AB; Calgary soul/funk act CELIN; folk singer-songwriter CocoLarosa from Surrey, BC; Saskatoon synth-pop artist and producer Jordan Perry; country singer Martina Dawn from Devon, AB; Edmonton country-pop artist Robyn Ashley; Edmonton neo-soul singer Ru; country-rock singer-songwriter Travis Dolter from Bittern Lake, AB; and Vancouver art-pop act Wallgrin.
“AE West has become a pivotal stepping stone for many Western Canadian artists on their way to success,” said Stephanie Hutchinson, NMC’s Director of Programs. “We are especially excited to be hosting the program in Edmonton this year, which will provide an even broader opportunity for local and regional talent to access the program’s resources and mentorship.”
“At Canada’s Music Incubator, we are incredibly proud of the ongoing impact AE West has on the careers of emerging Western and Northern Canadian artists,” said Gianna Antonacci, Programs Manager, CMI. “The 2024 cohort is an exciting, diverse group, and we can’t wait to see them take the stage at the AE West Artist Showcase and beyond.”
AE West (Artist Entrepreneur West) is a month-long creative entrepreneurship program designed to empower emerging artists by providing them with the practical skills, knowledge, and resources needed to thrive in the music industry. The eighth edition of the AE West program takes place from November 4 to December 5, 2024 at CKUA Radio in Edmonton.
AE West is an extension of CMI’s highly regarded, Toronto-based Artist Entrepreneur program and represents a partnership between CMI, a national not-for profit organization, and NMC. The majority of costs for the program are offset thanks to the generous support of TD Ready Commitment, Stingray Radio, and the Government of Canada.
The free AE West Artist Extravaganza Showcase happens at Yardbird Suite on December 5. The evening will feature all 11 artists, each performing two songs. Learn more at yardbirdsuite.com.
Based on Canada’s Music Incubator’s long-running Artist Entrepreneur program (since 2012), AE West is designed to help emerging artists and bands from all genres build their businesses and careers. Artists will work closely with Canada’s Music Incubator and the National Music Centre team of social media, marketing, management, promotion, publicity, funding, touring, songwriting, and live performance experts. They will also be introduced to a wide range of active music industry professionals. Artists also have ongoing access to CMI mentors and industry resources post-program.
Canada’s Music Incubator (CMI) is a Toronto-based national not-for-profit organization specializing in professional development, ongoing mentorship and live events for artists, managers, and music companies. Launched in 2012, CMI supports 1,700+ emerging music entrepreneurs, across all genres, in the development of long-term careers and sustainable businesses. To date, CMI has provided 12,500+ hours of programs and mentorship. CMI Live works with private and community partners across the country curating paid performance opportunities. Some 2,000+ shows have been programmed, paying $3 million directly to artists. For more information, please visit canadasmusicincubator.com.
The National Music Centre (NMC) has a mission to amplify the love, sharing, and understanding of music. It is preserving and celebrating Canada’s music story inside its home at Studio Bell in the heart of the East Village in Mohkinstsis (Calgary) on Treaty 7 territory. NMC is the home to four Canadian music halls of fame, including the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame, the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, and Quebec’s ADISQ Hall of Fame. Featuring musical instruments, artifacts, recording equipment, and memorabilia, the NMC Collection spans over 450 years of music history and innovation. A registered charity with programs that include exhibitions, artist development, performance, and education, NMC is inspiring a new generation of music lovers. For more information about NMC’s onsite activities, please visit studiobell.ca. To check out the NMC experience online, including video-on-demand performances, made-in-Canada stories, and highly entertaining educational content, visit amplify.nmc.ca.
The 10 Most Iconic Music Videos That Changed The Industry Forever
Some music videos don’t just accompany a song—they become a part of pop culture history. From jaw-dropping visuals to groundbreaking storytelling, these iconic clips have left a permanent mark on music and the world beyond. Let’s take a look at ten music videos that continue to inspire, entertain, and amaze.
1. Michael Jackson – “Thriller”
The granddaddy of all music videos, “Thriller” wasn’t just a video—it was a short film. With its epic choreography, spooky storyline, and Vincent Price’s haunting narration, it set the gold standard for what a music video could achieve.
2. Madonna – “Like a Prayer”
Controversial yet unforgettable, “Like a Prayer” pushed boundaries with its provocative imagery and religious themes. Madonna proved that music videos could spark cultural conversations while remaining unapologetically artistic.
3. Nirvana – “Smells Like Teen Spirit”
Grunge got its visual anthem with this high-energy, chaotic gymnasium performance. Nirvana captured the spirit of the ’90s, cementing their legacy as the band that redefined rock.
4. Beyoncé – “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)”
Who knew black-and-white minimalism could be so iconic? Beyoncé’s flawless moves and instantly recognizable choreography turned this video into a global phenomenon—and countless viral dance challenges.
5. A-ha – “Take On Me”
Blurring the lines between animation and live-action, this video pulled us into a comic book world of romance and adventure. Decades later, “Take On Me” remains a visual masterpiece.
6. OK Go – “Here It Goes Again”
Treadmills have never been cooler. OK Go’s inventive, one-take choreography proved you don’t need a huge budget to create an unforgettable music video—just creativity and timing.
7. Lady Gaga – “Bad Romance”
Avant-garde fashion, gripping visuals, and Gaga’s dramatic flair—“Bad Romance” redefined the idea of spectacle in a music video and remains a symbol of her artistic dominance.
8. Britney Spears – “…Baby One More Time”
The schoolgirl outfit. The choreography. The hallway walk. Britney’s debut video didn’t just introduce her to the world—it announced the arrival of a pop icon.
9. Peter Gabriel – “Sledgehammer”
A stop-motion masterpiece, “Sledgehammer” broke new ground with its surreal, creative visuals. Even today, it’s a reminder of how innovative the medium can be.
10. Queen – “Bohemian Rhapsody”
The original trendsetter, this video’s layered visuals and operatic drama showed how music videos could be artistic expressions in their own right. It remains the blueprint for generations of artists.
Music videos have the power to tell stories, create movements, and make us see a song in a whole new light. Whether they’re breaking boundaries or simply making us dance, these iconic clips remind us why music is such a visual and emotional experience.
Roger Daltrey Announces 2025 UK Solo Tour Featuring The Who Classics, Solo Hits, and Fan Q&A Sessions
Legendary rock singer Roger Daltrey will be hitting the road in 2025 on a special solo tour packed with classic The Who songs, solo hits and his now-famous Q&A sessions, in which he opens up to the fans who have been with him throughout the decades.
In a run of unmissable intimate shows, Daltrey will perform acoustic and semi-acoustic takes on gems from the legendary band and delve into a solo back catalogue that dates back nearly 50 years.
Accompanied by his incredible nine-piece band, the acclaimed group consists of regular Who collaborator Simon Townshend (guitar/ vocals) alongside John Hogg (bass), Doug Boyle (guitar), Steve Weston (harmonica), Jody Linscott (percussion), Billy Nicholls (Backing vocals), Katie Jacoby (violin), Geraint Watkins (keyboard), and Scott Devours (drums).
While showcasing one of the most famous voices in rock, Daltrey will also give the audience the floor, as he takes on questions about his storied career.
Roger says: “Here we go again! After touring the US with this band of phenomenal musicians, I can’t wait to get back on the road in the UK with these shows. It’s a joy to be on stage performing – up close and personal for the audience, chatting with them and playing familiar songs in an unfamiliar way.”
Daltrey’s solo career began in 1973 with the single ‘Giving It All Away’ which reached number 5 in the UK charts. His most recent album was 2018’s acclaimed top10 hit As Long As I Have You.
With The Who, he was the voice of timeless classics like ‘Substitute’, ‘Who Are You’, ‘Won’t Get Fooled Again’ and ‘Baba O’Riley’.
In 2024, Daltrey bowed out as figurehead for the Teenage Cancer Trust after 24 years – during which time he raised around £34 million with star-studded concerts at the Royal Albert Hall. He remains Honorary Patron of the charity and an active campaigner on their behalf.
This year also saw Daltrey contributing a harmonica part for Mark Knopfler’s all-star Guitar Heroes take on his song ‘Going Home (Theme from Local Hero)’ – released in aid of the charity, which builds and operates specialised wards for teenagers with cancer. The recording featured everyone from Slash to Joan Armatrading to Roger’s Who counterpart and guitarist Pete Townshend.
Roger Daltrey 2025 UK Tour (Tickets will be available here)
Apr 20 – Brighton – Brighton Dome
Apr 21 – London – London Palladium
Apr 23 – Southend-on-Sea – Cliffs Pavilion
Apr 24 – Wolverhampton – Univ. of Wolverhampton at the Halls
Apr 26 – Dundee – Caird Hall
Apr 28 – Glasgow – SEC Armadillo
Apr 30 – Edinburgh – The Usher Hall
May 01 – Gateshead – The Glasshouse
May 04 – Manchester – The Bridgewater Hall
Alex Lifeson and Godin Guitars Unveil Lerxst Grace, Inspired by Rush’s Grace Under Pressure
Alex Lifeson and Lerxst announce the launch of Grace, the latest edition of his signature guitar series created in partnership with innovative Canadian manufacturers Godin Guitars. Grace is a modern reimagining of the iconic Hentor Sportcaster guitars played throughout the recording and touring behind Rush’s Grace Under Pressure album, evolving Alex’s original concept with the latest in high quality hardware and modern craftsmanship to create an instrument primed for the next generation of tone seekers. Grace is available now as a limited edition of 200 for MAP $3,999. For more information and to purchase from the official Lerxst Reverb shop, please click here.
By 1984, Alex Lifeson had thoroughly come into his own as a player in terms of sound, style, and skill. After spending the previous decade cutting his teeth on a variety of stock instruments from major manufacturers, he had dedicated himself to the Hentor Sportscaster platform. These guitars gave him the critical mix of playability and tonal versatility required for his rapidly evolving sonic sensibility – which was increasingly making use of delay and modulation effects alongside his clean and overdriven sounds. During the recording and touring behind Grace Under Pressure, Alex’s main Sportscaster was an eye-catching red model with a mirror pickguard which has served as the inspiration for the Grace guitar.
Like Limelight, Grace takes advantage of state-of-art hardware choices and modern craftsmanship to present a 21st century take on the Sportscaster concept. High-quality body wood is matched with re-tuned pickups and electronics for an exceptionally built, versatile instrument that excels in any genre. “Working with Alex to craft and refine these signature instruments has been an amazing opportunity to push the boundaries of what we believe a modern, versatile instrument should be capable of,” said Godin Guitars President and CEO Simon Godin. “Grace represents the latest evolution of our collaboration and – befitting the album that it is named after – is a testament to what can be achieved when brilliant creative minds come together in pursuit of musical excellence.”
The body electric
Grace has a contoured swamp ash body for premium comfort and a maple neck with 12” radius ebony fretboard and medium stainless-steel frets for fast and intuitive playability. Like the original it has an HSS pickup configuration for maximum versatility, and the pickups have been custom wound by Mojotone to Alex’s specifications to ensure balanced performance in all pickup positions. Players have a choice of the classic Floyd Rose tremolo system or a Vega Trem with 18:1 locking tuners for superior tremolo performance with rock solid tuning stability.
“We were blown away by the positive feedback we got from the release of Limelight earlier this year and knew that we wanted to do another one,” said Lifeson. “With Grace, we wanted to pay tribute to the 40th Anniversary of Grace Under Pressure by building off of my favorite guitar from that period and – much like Limelight – evolving the concept to create an instrument with a sound and playability that would speak to modern players.”
“It’s a beautiful instrument that suits many different styles of playing,” he continued, “and the mirrored pickguard comes in handy for late night sessions when you need, um, to check, ah, your hair or something.”
GRACE Specifications
- Body: Swamp Ash
- Bridge: Vega Trem (052608) or Original Floyd Rose (made in Germany 052592)
- Pickups: 1x Mojotone Lerxst Humbucker and 2x Mojotone Lerxst Single Coils
- Pickguard: Mirror
- Color: Red Sector A
- Controls: 1x Tone, 1x Volume, 3-way toggle Switch
- Neck Wood: Maple
- Scale Length: 25.5” (647.7 mm)
- Fingerboard: Ebony
- Fingerboard Radius: 12″ (304.8 mm)
- Finish: High Gloss
- Frets: Medium Stainless Steel
- Number of Frets: 22
- Machine Head Ratio: 18:1 staggered locking keys *on Vega Trem model only
- Nut Type: Graphtech *on Vega trem model only
- Made In Canada
- MAP: $3,999 USD
Additionally, Alex Lifeson has partnered with music gear marketplace Reverb to offer a limited number of signed copies of his famed solo album Victor via The Official Lerxst Reverb Shop, which will also have a limited number of Grace Guitars available for sale. You can visit The Official Lerxst Reverb Shop here: https://reverb.com/shop/the-official-lerxst-amplification-reverb-shop
Initially formed in 2012, LERXST is a partnership between Alex Lifeson and Mojotone founded on the desire to design and manufacture a line of guitar products that reflect Lifeson’s forward-thinking approach to sonic exploration and live performance. Bringing together the Rush guitarist’s five decades of musical exploration and Mojotone’s singular commitment to high-level design and craftsmanship in musical equipment, the brand offers a range of amplifiers, guitars, effects pedals, and pickups that appeal to all levels of player looking to explore the next frontier of guitar sounds.
For more information about LERXST, please visit: https://lerxstamps.com/
Reverb is the largest online marketplace dedicated to music gear. Since launching in 2013, Reverb has helped millions of music makers find the perfect piece of gear from its trusted community of music shops, top brands, and other music makers around the world. Built by musicians and gear lovers, Reverb combines one of the largest selections of musical instruments with tools to help music makers find music gear that fits within their budget. Sales on Reverb help support Reverb Gives, which provides youth music programs with musical instruments. Reverb is a subsidiary within the Etsy, Inc. (NASDAQ: ETSY) “House of Brands” portfolio.
Eminem, Janet Jackson, Alanis Morissette, and N.W.A Lead Star-Studded List of 2025 Songwriters Hall of Fame Nominees
The Songwriters Hall of Fame (SHOF) has announced its slate of nominees to be voted upon for induction at its 2025 Induction & Awards Gala in New York City.
Songwriters Hall of Fame is dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the exceptional work and lives of composers and lyricists who make an indelible impact creating music around the world. A songwriter with a catalog of notable songs qualifies for induction 20 years after their first significant commercial release of a song. Eligible voting members will have until midnight EST on December 22, 2024 to turn in ballots with their choices of up to three nominees in each of the songwriter and performing songwriter categories.
Songwriters Hall of Fame 2025 Nominees for Induction
Songwriters
Walter Afanasieff – All I Want for Christmas Is You * Hero * License To Kill * Love Will Survive * One Sweet Day
Steve Barri and P.F. Sloan – Secret Agent Man * Eve Of Destruction * Where Were You When I Needed You * You Baby * Can I Get to Know You
Mike Chapman – The Best * Love Is A Battlefield * Ballroom Blitz * Stumblin’ In * Kiss You All Over
Sonny Curtis – Love Is All Around (Theme from “The Mary Tyler Moore Show”) * I Fought the Law * Walk Right Back * More Than I Can Say * I’m No Stranger to the Rain
Tom Douglas – The House That Built Me * Little Rock * I Run To You * Grown Men Don’t Cry * Love Me Anyway
Franne Golde – Dreaming of You * Nightshift * Don’t Look Any Further * Don’t You Want Me * Stickwitu
Ashley Gorley – I Had Some Help * Last Night * You Should Probably Leave * Play It Again * You’re Gonna Miss This
Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins – Say My Name * The Boy Is Mine * You Rock My World * Deja Vu * Telephone
Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter – One Tin Soldier (Theme from “Billy Jack”) * Don’t Pull Your Love * Ain’t No Woman (Like the One I’ve Got) * It Only Takes a Minute * Country Boy (You Got Your Feet In L.A.)
Tony Macaulay – Baby Now That I’ve Found You * Build Me Up Buttercup * Don’t Give Up On Us * (Last Night) I Didn’t Get to Sleep at All * Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)
Roger Nichols – We’ve Only Just Begun * Rainy Days and Mondays * I Won’t Last a Day Without You * Out in the Country * Times Of Your Life
Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham – I’m Your Puppet * Cry Like a Baby * A Woman Left Lonely * Out of Left Field * It Tears Me Up
Narada Michael Walden – How Will I Know * Freeway of Love * You’re a Friend of Mine * Baby Come to Me * Who’s Zoomin’ Who?
Performing Songwriters
Bryan Adams – (Everything I Do) I Do It For You * Heaven * All for Love * Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman? * Summer of ‘69
George Alan O’Dowd p/k/a Boy George – Karma Chameleon * Do You Really Want to Hurt Me * Time (Clock Of The Heart) * Love Is Love * Miss Me Blind
George Clinton – Atomic Dog * Flash Light * (Not Just) Knee Deep * I’d Rather Be With You * Give Up The Funk (Tear the Roof off the Sucker)
Sheryl Crow – All I Wanna Do * Soak Up The Sun * If It Makes You Happy * A Change Would Do You Good * Everyday Is a Winding Road
Tom Johnston, Michael McDonald and Patrick Simmons p/k/a Doobie Brothers – Listen to the Music * Takin’ It to the Streets * Black Water * What a Fool Believes * Long Train Runnin’
Marshall Mathers p/k/a Eminem – Lose Yourself * Stan * Mockingbird * Houdini * Rap God
David Gates – Everything I Own * Make It With You * Baby I’m-A Want You * The Guitar Man * If
Janet Jackson – Black Cat * Together Again * Again * Got ‘til It’s Gone * Rhythm Nation
Tommy James – Mony Mony * Crimson and Clover * Crystal Blue Persuasion * Sweet Cherry Wine * Tighter, Tighter
Mike Love – California Girls * Good Vibrations * The Warmth of the Sun * I Get Around * Fun, Fun, Fun
Alanis Morissette – You Oughta Know * Ironic * Hand in My Pocket * Thank U * Uninvited
Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, Ice Cube, MC Ren and DJ Yella p/k/a N.W.A – Express Yourself * Dopeman * Fuck Tha Police * Gangsta Gangsta * Straight Outta Compton
Steve Winwood – Higher Love * Gimme Some Lovin’ * I’m a Man * Valerie * Roll With It
The Songwriters Hall of Fame celebrates and honors the contributions of songwriters of all genres of music, educates the public with regard to their achievements and produces a spectrum of professional programs devoted to the development of new songwriting talent through songwriting craft forums, scholarships, digital initiatives and Master Sessions on both coasts. Educational activities are held at The GRAMMY Museum, which hosts the permanent Songwriters Hall of Fame Gallery, and at the University of Southern California/Thornton School of Music, with additional events and programs at Belmont University’s Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business, the University of North Carolina and NYC’s Stuyvesant High School. Out of the tens of thousands of songwriters of our era, there are approximately 470 inductees who make up the impressive roster enshrined in the Hall of Fame. A songwriter with a notable catalog of songs qualifies for induction 20 years after the first significant commercial release of a song. The list of inductees include Kenneth Gamble & Leon Huff, Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil, Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller, Eddie Holland, Lamont Dozier & Brian Holland, Smokey Robinson, Paul Williams, Hal David & Burt Bacharach, Billy Steinberg & Tom Kelly, Bob Dylan, Isaac Hayes & David Porter, Carole King, Paul Simon, Billy Joel, Jon Bon Jovi & Richie Sambora, Elton John & Bernie Taupin, Brian Wilson, James Taylor, Don Schlitz, Bruce Springsteen, Phil Collins, Alan & Marilyn Bergman, Loretta Lynn, Jimmy Webb, Van Morrison, Kris Kristofferson, Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Diane Warren, Carole Bayer Sager, Stevie Wonder, Steven Tyler & Joe Perry, Mac Davis, Leonard Cohen, Ray Davies, Cyndi Lauper, Desmond Child, Mick Jones & Lou Gramm, Elvis Costello, Marvin Gaye, Nile Rodgers & Bernard Edwards, Lionel Richie, Bill Withers, Neil Diamond, Jay Z, Tom Petty, Toby Keith, Max Martin, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Berry Gordy, Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, Robert Lamm & James Pankow, Holly Knight, Bill Anderson, Steve Dorff, Jermaine Dupri, Alan Jackson, Kool & The Gang, Liz Rose, John Mellencamp, Gloria Estefan, and Allee Willis, among many others.
For more about the Songwriters Hall of Fame, visit: songhall.org
Billie Eilish’s Isolated Vocals For “Ocean Eyes”
Billie Eilish’s “Ocean Eyes” started as a SoundCloud upload in 2015 and became a sensation, launching her meteoric rise. Written by her brother Finneas, the dreamy track has since gone triple platinum and earned a place on her setlists.
Disturbed’s Isolated Vocals For “The Sound Of Silence”
50 years after its release, Simon & Garfunkel’s “The Sound of Silence” was reimagined by Disturbed, and wow—what a legacy. Their haunting cover hit #1 on the Billboard charts, earned Paul Simon’s personal praise, and its music video has surpassed 1 BILLION views. Silence never sounded so powerfu
The Tragically Hip Honoured as First Recipients of Unison Fund’s Courage in Unison Award
The Unison Fund is proud to introduce the Courage in Unison Award, a prestigious new honour dedicated to recognizing individuals, groups, or organizations that inspire and drive positive change within the Canadian music community. This annual award celebrates courage, leadership, and unwavering commitment to fostering a sustainable, united, and thriving music industry through voluntary and benevolent efforts.
The Courage in Unison Award highlights those who lead by example, creating initiatives that benefit the broader community while fostering a sense of purpose and unity across Canada’s musical landscape.
The name of this award pays homage to The Tragically Hip’s iconic song “Courage (for Hugh MacLennan),” reflecting the profound spirit of authenticity, bravery, and purpose that the award embodies. Courage means staying true to oneself and speaking from the heart, and this award honours those who live and lead with such principles, inspiring others to do the same.
As an annual highlight of Unison’s beloved Holiday Schmoozefest, the Courage in Unison Award ensures that the values of compassion, courage, and community remain central to the Canadian music industry’s legacy.
“We are incredibly proud to introduce the Courage in Unison Award, a tribute to the individuals and organizations who lead with courage and compassion in our music community. This year, it’s an honour to present this award to The Tragically Hip, whose generosity and unwavering support for The Unison Fund have made a lasting impact. Their dedication to fostering a stronger, more united music industry is exactly what this award stands for. We hope the Courage in Unison Award inspires others to continue uplifting and empowering our Canadian music community.” – Amanda Power, Executive Director, The Unison Fund
This inaugural year, the Courage in Unison Award will be presented to The Tragically Hip, a band whose legacy of generosity and leadership perfectly exemplifies the award’s mission. Their unwavering support for The Unison Fund has positively impacted countless artists and music professionals, setting a benchmark for benevolent leadership within the industry.
The Tragically Hip’s tireless dedication serves as an inspiring reminder of the difference that courage and compassion can make in uniting and uplifting the music community.
“Musicians are the impetus, the reason that this business exists…managers, agents, promoters, and record companies exist for and because of the musicians. While musicians and their crew, generate content and a whole vast industry around themselves, they are perpetually vulnerable – the last to get paid, often just surviving on their earnings and pouring any rare savings into the next project. Changes in the economic landscape, such as a rise in the price of gas or insurance, a health issue, or the chaos wrought by the pandemic can have truly catastrophic consequences for those living on the slimmest of margins.” shared the members of The Tragically Hip “Unison has been there for musicians in need, and there is much need. The helping hand they provide should not go unnoticed or ever be taken for granted. The work done by the folks at Unison is of immeasurable value. We, The Hip, have been very fortunate in an all too often difficult industry, and as such, we are proud and honoured to be of service to Unison and to be the recipient of the “Courage” award.”
5 Surprising Facts About Ramones’ Debut Album
The Ramones’ 1976 self-titled debut album is one of punk rock’s most influential records, but there’s always more to the story. Did you know it cost just $6,400 to record in seven days? Here are five more fascinating facts:
1. Budget Masterpiece
The Ramones recorded their debut album in just seven days for a mere $6,400—a budget so tight it was unheard of even in the ‘70s. Despite the constraints, the album went on to change the course of punk rock forever, proving you don’t need millions to make music history.
2. Album Cover Price Tag
The now-iconic photo of the Ramones leaning against a brick wall cost only $125 to shoot. Taken by Punk magazine photographer Roberta Bayley, this gritty image perfectly encapsulated the raw energy of punk and became one of the most imitated album covers in history.
3. Fast-Paced Perfection
Clocking in at just 29 minutes with 14 blistering tracks, the album is a no-frills punk manifesto. Its longest song, “I Don’t Wanna Go Down to the Basement,” runs only 2:40. It’s proof that the Ramones didn’t need long songs to leave a lasting impact.
4. Blitzkrieg Inspiration
The famous “Hey! Ho! Let’s Go!” chant in “Blitzkrieg Bop” was inspired by the Bay City Rollers’ “Saturday Night” and the Rolling Stones’ “Walking the Dog.” Ramones drummer Tommy came up with the chant while carrying groceries home—a mundane moment that sparked a punk anthem.
5. A Museum-Worthy Album
The album cover is more than iconic—it’s a piece of art. Both the sleeve and poster design are part of the Museum of Modern Art’s permanent collection. The gritty, DIY aesthetic of the cover has become synonymous with the punk ethos the Ramones helped define.