Henry Rollins is clearing the air. After Bill Hader told a hilarious secondhand story on Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend about Rollins meeting David Lee Roth, Rollins chimed in to set the record straight—with trademark intensity and wit.
Ozzy Osbourne’s Isolated Vocals For “Mama, I’m Coming Home”
“Mama, I’m Coming Home” is Ozzy Osbourne at his most tender—written by Lemmy, powered by Zakk Wylde’s soaring guitar, and wrapped in raw emotion. Released in 1991, it became Ozzy’s biggest solo Billboard hit and his heartfelt farewell at his final 2025 show.
Ozzy Osbourne’s Isolated Vocals For Black Sabbath’s “Paranoid”
Released in 1970, Black Sabbath’s “Paranoid” became a defining moment in heavy metal. Clocking in under three minutes, it was a quick, riff-heavy burst that climbed to #4 in the U.K. and marked their first U.S. chart entry. A classic, plain and simple.
Ozzy Osbourne’s Isolated Vocals For “Crazy Train”
All aboard! Ozzy Osbourne’s “Crazy Train” roared out of the station in 1980, a Cold War scream set to Randy Rhoads’ game-changing guitar riff. Rumors swirl about who sparked that iconic lick—Steve Miller? A Quiet Riot jam?—but one thing’s clear: it’s a metal anthem for the ages.
Lukas Nelson Launches ‘The American Romance ‘Tour With Stephen Wilson Jr., The Band Loula & Laci Kaye Booth
Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and musician Lukas Nelson will embark on his extensive The American Romance Tour this fall, which includes newly confirmed stops at Austin’s Paramount Theatre (two nights), Dallas’ Majestic Theatre, Nashville’s Pinnacle, Atlanta’s Buckhead Theatre, Washington D.C.’s Lincoln Theater, Philadelphia’s Brooklyn Bowl and Chicago’s The Vic among others. See below for full tour routing.
Tickets for the new dates, which will feature special guests Stephen Wilson Jr., The Band Loula and Laci Kaye Booth, will be available for pre-sale starting Thursday, July 24 at 10:00am local time with general on-sale following on Friday, July 25 at 10:00am local time. Full details can be found at www.lukasnelson.com/tour.
The tour celebrates Nelson’s acclaimed new album, American Romance, which was released last month via Sony Music Nashville.
Produced by Grammy Award-winner Shooter Jennings (Brandi Carlile, Tanya Tucker), American Romance cements Nelson as a singular artist, as he showcases his songwriting dexterity and country-blended sound in a way that feels both familiar and new. Across the twelve tracks, including collaborations with Sierra Ferrell and Stephen Wilson Jr., Nelson tells stories of his life on the road, detailing the joys, complexities, beauty and heartbreak he’s encountered during his travels across the country.
Reflecting on the project, Nelson shares, “This album is the first chapter in a whole new era of my life as an artist. It’s a love story to the country that raised me. Diners and highways that carried me through the joy and pain that led to the music you hear now.”
In addition to Nelson and Jennings, the record also features special contributions from Anderson East (“Disappearing Light,” producer) and SistaStrings (“Montana,” cello and viola) as well as Matt Chamberlain (drums), Corey McCormick (bass), Marty Muse (dobro), Russ Pahl (pedal steel), Chris Powell (drums), Brian Whelan (acoustic guitar) and Eleanor Whitmore (fiddle).
Since his debut over a decade ago, Nelson has become one of the most respected voices in music and released eight studio albums, including 2023’s Sticks and Stones, which spent 18 weeks in the top 10 of the Americana Albums chart and reached #1 on the Alt Country chart. A highly sought-after collaborator both in the studio and on stage, Nelson recently joined forces with The Travelin’ McCourys and Sierra Ferrell for a bluegrass-inspired rendition of Adele’s iconic hit, “Someone Like You,” and has also worked with artists such as Lainey Wilson, Ernest, Miranda Lambert, The Pistol Annies and more. Most recently, he performed at the MusiCares 2025 Person of the Year Gala, where he honored the Grateful Dead by performing “It Must Have Been the Roses” with Sierra Ferrell.
Nelson has also sold-out countless headline shows, been featured at renowned festivals such as Stagecoach, Ohana Festival, Bourbon & Beyond and Farm Aid and has made multiple appearances on late night shows including Jimmy Kimmel Live! and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Additionally, Nelson co-produced and co-wrote much of the music for the acclaimed 2018 film A Star is Born, in which he also appeared. The soundtrack won a Grammy Award for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media and a BAFTA Award for Best Original Music.
AMERICAN ROMANCE TRACK LIST
1. Ain’t Done
2. Pretty Much
3. Make You Happy
4. Outsmarted
5. Disappearing Light (with Stephen Wilson Jr.)
6. Born Runnin’ Outta Time
7. All God Did
8. Montana
9. Friend in the End (feat. Sierra Ferrell)
10. The Lie
11. American Romance
12. You Were It
LUKAS NELSON CONFIRMED TOUR DATES
BOLD on-sale this Friday, July 25 at 10:00am local time
July 23—Kingston, NY—Ulster Performing Arts Center
July 25—Rutland, VT—Paramount Theatre
July 26—Newport, RI—Newport Folk Festival
July 28—Deerfield, MA—Tree House Brewing Company
August 1—Big Sky, MT—Wildlands Festival*
August 2—Big Sky, MT—Wildlands Festival*
August 3—Rexford, MT—Abayance Bay Marina
August 6—Billings, MT—Pub Station
August 8—Park City, UT—Canyons Village at Park City
August 10—Alta, WY—Grand Targhee Bluegrass Festival
September 13—Telluride, CO—Telluride Blues and Brews Festival
September 19—Ashland, KY—Healing Appalachia
September 20—Bristol, TN—Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion
September 26—Dana Point, CA—Ohana Festival
September 29—Austin, TX—Paramount Theatre†
September 30—Austin, TX—Paramount Theatre†
October 2—Dallas, TX—Majestic Theatre†
October 3—Little Rock, AR—The Hall†
October 4—Memphis, TN—Mempho Music Festival
October 6—Decatur, AL—Princess Theatre
October 8—Nashville, TN—The Pinnacle§
October 9—Atlanta, GA—Buckhead Theatre§
October 10—North Charleston, SC—Riverfront Revival Music Festival
October 12—Wilmington, NC—Live Oak Bank Pavilion‡
October 14—Washington, D.C—Lincoln Theater§
October 15—Philadelphia, PA—Brooklyn Bowl§
October 21—Cleveland, OH—Globe Iron§
October 22—Detroit, MI—Majestic Theatre§
October 24—Milwaukee, WI—The Rave§
October 25—Madison, WI—The Sylvee§
October 26—Chicago, IL—The Vic§
October 28—Saint Paul, MN—Palace Theater§
October 29—Omaha, NE—The Admiral§
October 31—Denver, CO—Paramount Theatre§
*supporting Dave Matthews
†with special guest Laci Kaye Booth
§with special guest The Band Loula
‡with special guests Stephen Wilson Jr. and The Band Loula
Michael Marcagi Drops “Humbling,” Builds Buzz With Dan Wilson, Amy Allen & 2025 Tour Across Iconic Stages
Midwestern singer-songwriting force of nature Michael Marcagi released another anthemic, sing-along track “Humbling” today via Warner Records.
The Platinum-certified rising star also recently announced yet another headline tour of EU/UK tour, as well as domestic dates in support of new music including his globally acclaimed MIDWEST KID EP.
“Humbling” finds Marcagi building on his reputation for wryly evocative, desperately honest songcraft by huddling up with GRAMMY-winning songwriters Amy Allen (Leon Bridges, Olivia Rodrigo, Koe Wetzel) and Dan Wilson (Chris Stapleton, Taylor Swift, Adele) while continuing his kindred collaboration with producer David Baron (The Lumineers, Noah Kahan, Jade Bird).
The new song begins up-close and intimate before a cascade of finger-picked guitar gives way to warm bass, emotive piano, bluegrass pluck, and a powerful kick-drum push. Marcagi takes a hard lyrical look at his station in life ahead of a relatable chorus: “It’s 2 a.m. on Main Street, my friends are home with babies / Their happiness is doublin’, my lack of it is troublin’, and / They all got front yards minivans and Christmas cards / the way I got none of it’s a different kind of humbling.”
Marcagi explains, “I wrote the song “Humbling” to try to poke fun at myself for always comparing my life to others, and how futile of a mindset that can be. Being out on the road for the past year, it’s easy to feel like my life has stayed stagnant, but in reality the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.”
“Humbling” is Marcagi’s first single since April’s beloved Midwest Kid EP, which included the standout track “Wish I Never Met You,” featuring Wesley Schultz of The Lumineers, alongside singles like the deeply poignant “Follows You”; “Flyover State,” which he brought to Jimmy Kimmel Live!; and the title cut “Midwest Kid,” which Holler hailed as a “nostalgic, uptempo earworm” before noting that “Michael Macagi continues to cement himself as one of the most exciting new voices in the folk rock landscape.”
His second solo release ever, “Scared to Start,” (February 2024) caught fire with fans around the world, eventually climbing to #5 on Billboard Hot Rock & Alternative Songs, picking up a stirring duet version with Joy Oladokun, and scoring Marcagi his late-night TV debut on Late Night with Seth Meyers, before going Platinum, multi-Platinum, and Gold in various countries abroad. To date, “Scared to Start” has racked up more than 1.3 billion global streams, 2.2 billion TikTok views, 415 million Instagram views, and 22 million YouTube views.
Macargi built on his breakthrough with the raw and bruising lay honest American Romance EP, follows by a trio of singles “Keep Me Honest,” “Tear It All Apart,” and “Good Enough” (also co-written by Schultz), and dates overseas with The Lumineers. Just last month, Marcagi wrapped up a Southeast U.S. run with Rainbow Kitten Surprise and, barely skipping a beat, he and his live band head back out this weekend for a tour supporting The Red Clay Strays interspersed with festival stops and N. American headlining dates – including at the Los Angeles’ storied Masonic Lodge within the Hollywood Forever Cemetery on Monday, July 21.
Michael Marcagi 2025 Tour Dates
^ with The Red Clay Strays
# festival
Jul 20 – Los Angeles, CA @ Greek Theatre ^
Jul 21 – Los Angeles, CA @ Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever (headline show)
Jul 23 – San Francisco, CA @ The Warfield ^
Jul 24 – San Francisco, CA @ The Warfield ^
Jul 26 – Bend, OR @ Hayden Homes Amphitheater ^
Jul 27 – Nampa, ID @ Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater ^
Jul 28 – Missoula, MT @ Top Hat Lounge (headline show)
Jul 31 – Minneapolis, MN @ The Armory ^
Aug 2 – Milwaukee, WI @ BMO Harris Pavilion ^
Aug 3 – Saint Charles, IA @ Hinterland Music Festival #
Aug 6 – London, ON @ London Music Hall (headline show)
Aug 7 – Toronto, ON @ The Danforth Music Hall (headline show)
Aug 8 – Ottawa, ON @ The Bronson Centre (headline show)
Aug 9 – Quebec City, QC @ Cigale Festival #
Aug 12 – Nantucket, MA @ Dreamland (headline show)
Aug 25 – Dillon, CO @ Dillon Amphitheater (headline show)
Sep 11 – Louisville, KY @ Bourbon & Beyond #
Sep 13 – Cavendish, PE @ Sommo Festival #
Sep 19 – Independence, MO @ Cable Dahmer Arena ^
Sep 20 – La Vista, NE @ The Astro Theater ^
2026 UK/Europe – Headline Tour:
Jan 20 – Lisbon, Portugal @ LAV
Jan 21 – Madrid, Spain @ Sala La Riviera
Jan 22 – Barcelona, Spain @ Razzmatazz
Jan 24 – Paris, France @ La Maroquinerie
Jan 25 – Brussels, Belgium @ Orangerie @ Botanique
Jan 27 – Hamburg, Germany @ Uebel & Gefährlich
Jan 28 – Copenhagen, Denmark @ Vega
Jan 29 – Stockholm, Sweden @ Nalen
Jan 31 – Berlin, Germany @ Metropol
Feb 2 – Warsaw, Poland @ Progresja
Feb 3 – Prague, Czech Republic @ Palac Akropolis
Feb 5 – Vienna, Austria @ WUK Foyer (WUK)
Feb 6 – Zurich, Switzerland @ Plaza
Feb 7 – Milan, Italy @ Magazzini Generali
Feb 9 – Munich, Germany @ Backstage Werk
Feb 9 – Cologne, Germany @ LUXOR
Feb 11 – Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Melkweg
Feb 13 – Birmingham, UK @ XOYO Birmingham
Feb 14 – Bristol, UK @ Electric
Feb 16 – Dublin, Ireland @ Vicar Street
Feb 19 – Glasgow, Scotland @ QMU
Feb 20 – Manchester, UK @ Academy 2
Feb 21 – London, UK @ Roundhouse
Tips For Lighting Your Event
By Mitch Rice
Lighting Is More Than Just Brightness
When people start planning an event, lighting often lands somewhere near the bottom of the checklist. But here is a little secret: lighting can make or break your event. The way you light a space shapes how people feel the moment they walk in. It controls mood, energy, and even how your photos turn out. If you want your event to feel polished and unforgettable, lighting deserves some serious attention.
Let’s say you are working through retirement party ideas for your boss. You have the guest list, venue, caterer, and playlist lined up. Now imagine walking into the party space with harsh fluorescent lights buzzing overhead. Not exactly the warm, celebratory vibe you were hoping for, right? The right lighting can turn a basic room into something magical without needing much else.
Understand Your Venue First
Every venue comes with its own lighting challenges and opportunities. Before you even think about what kind of lights you want to bring in, take a good look at what the space already offers. Does it have natural light that fades after sunset? Are the existing fixtures adjustable? Is there enough power supply for additional lighting equipment?
If your retirement party is happening in a banquet hall with high ceilings and limited windows, you will need to create warmth and intimacy with your lighting design. On the other hand, a cozy restaurant with lots of ambient lighting might only need a few accents to create the right mood.
Know The Three Types Of Lighting
Good event lighting uses layers. Start by understanding the three basic types of lighting: ambient, accent, and decorative.
Ambient lighting is your foundation. It fills the room with general light so people can move around comfortably. Accent lighting highlights specific areas like the stage, cake table, or centerpiece displays. Decorative lighting adds personality and flair, like string lights, chandeliers, or colored LED uplights.
For your retirement party, you might use soft amber ambient lighting to create a cozy base, accent lighting to highlight a slideshow screen, and decorative twinkle lights to add a festive feel.
Use Color And Temperature To Set The Mood
Color temperature is one of those details that makes a huge difference even if your guests do not consciously notice it. Warm lighting (more orange and yellow tones) feels inviting and intimate, while cool lighting (blues and whites) feels modern and energetic.
If your party is about heartfelt speeches, laughter, and good food, warm tones are usually your best bet. If you are aiming for a high-energy dance party later in the evening, adding some cooler tones with color-changing LEDs can help shift the mood.
Also, be thoughtful about how colors will affect your decor and guests. Strong colored lighting can distort skin tones in photos or make food look unappetizing. Stick with soft washes of color rather than overwhelming the space.
Layer In Uplighting, Downlighting, And Dynamic Effects
Layering your lighting creates depth and interest. Uplighting involves placing lights on the ground that shine upward, often used along walls or behind key features like plants or backdrops. It instantly adds drama and makes even simple spaces feel more sophisticated.
Downlighting focuses light downward, which can highlight tables, stages, or dance floors. Spotlights or pendant lights work well here. Dynamic lighting effects like moving lights, patterns, or changing colors add excitement and keep the energy lively, especially during key moments like speeches or the first dance.
For your retirement party, you could use uplighting along the walls to warm up the room, soft downlights for dining tables, and dynamic effects to kick off the post-dinner dancing.
Prioritize Guest Comfort
While creating a beautiful atmosphere is important, never forget that your guests need to feel comfortable too. Make sure dining areas are well-lit enough for people to see their food but not so bright that it feels sterile. Avoid lights shining directly into guests’ eyes from awkward angles. Keep pathways and exits clearly lit for safety.
During speeches or presentations, ensure your speaker is well-lit but not squinting into a blinding spotlight. Balance is key. Your guests should feel relaxed, not like they are on stage themselves.
Consider The Photographer’s Perspective
If you want great photos, lighting plays a huge role. Harsh or uneven lighting can create shadows, washed-out colors, or unflattering skin tones. Talk to your photographer about your lighting plans and make adjustments if needed.
Often, photographers prefer soft, even lighting with minimal strong color washes. Using warm ambient lighting with soft spotlights often works well for both atmosphere and photos.
Work With Professionals When Needed
Depending on the size and complexity of your event, hiring a professional lighting company can be a smart investment. They know how to balance technical needs with creative design and can handle setup and troubleshooting so you do not have to.
If your retirement party is small and intimate, you may be able to handle lighting on your own with rented uplights and a bit of research. For larger or more elaborate events, pros can help you avoid common pitfalls and achieve the exact mood you want.
Test Everything In Advance
One of the biggest mistakes is assuming your lighting will work perfectly on event day without a trial run. Whenever possible, do a walkthrough of your venue at the same time of day your event will take place. Test your lighting setup, check for any dark spots or glare, and adjust angles as needed.
This gives you a chance to catch any issues early and feel confident that your event will look just the way you imagined.
Lighting Sets The Tone For Everything
At the end of the day, lighting is not just a technical detail. It is a silent storyteller that shapes how your guests experience the entire event. When done thoughtfully, lighting can turn even the simplest retirement party into a warm, welcoming, and unforgettable celebration.
So next time you are planning an event, give lighting the attention it deserves. It is one of the most powerful tools you have to create an atmosphere your guests will remember long after the last song plays.
5 of the Greatest EDM Music Festivals of All Time
By Mitch Rice
Electronic Dance Music (EDM) has become a global phenomenon, captivating millions of fans with its electrifying beats, pulsating rhythms, and unforgettable live experiences. One of the best ways to experience the world of EDM is at one of the massive music festivals that take place around the globe. These festivals are not just about the music; they are celebrations of community, culture, and sheer joy.
Whether you’re a seasoned festival-goer or a newbie looking to experience the magic, here are five of the biggest EDM festivals of all time that have left an indelible mark on the industry.
1. Tomorrowland (Belgium)
Tomorrowland is widely considered the holy grail of EDM festivals. Held annually in Boom, Belgium, this festival has set the standard for electronic music events across the world. The festival’s stunning stage designs, world-class DJ line-ups, and massive production values have made it a bucket-list event for EDM fans everywhere. Since its inception in 2005, Tomorrowland has grown exponentially, with attendance reaching over 400,000 people from all corners of the globe.
What sets Tomorrowland apart is its incredible attention to detail. The festival’s main stages are monumental in size and always feature immersive themes, such as enchanted forests or dreamlike castles. The festival also boasts a unique vibe, where attendees are encouraged to embrace the “unity” spirit, all coming together under the shared love of music.
As the event continues to grow, Tomorrowland has expanded its reach by hosting satellite events in countries like the United States, Brazil, and India, allowing even more fans to join in the global celebration of EDM. It’s a festival that’s as much about the experience as it is about the music.
As you gear up for your next festival experience, don’t forget to grab the perfect festival essentials. Shop at Scummy Bears to get everything you need for your next rave or festival, from comfortable apparel to accessories that let you stand out in the crowd.
2. Ultra Music Festival (USA)
Held annually in Miami, Florida, Ultra Music Festival is another giant in the EDM world. First established in 1999, Ultra has evolved from a small one-day event into a global phenomenon attracting over 165,000 people each year. Ultra’s success is rooted in its ability to feature some of the biggest and most influential names in EDM, from Swedish House Mafia to Calvin Harris.
Ultra’s signature festival atmosphere is defined by its electric energy, with attendees dancing and partying from day to night. One of the festival’s most iconic features is its main stage, where massive LED screens, lasers, and fireworks synchronize with the beats, creating a jaw-dropping spectacle. Over the years, the festival has also expanded internationally, hosting events in locations like Europe, Asia, and South America.
Ultra has become more than just a festival. It’s a global brand that signifies the power of EDM to bring people together. Whether you’re in Miami or one of Ultra’s other locations, the energy is always palpable, and the memories last a lifetime.
3. Electric Daisy Carnival (USA)
If you’re looking for an EDM festival that mixes mind-blowing music with larger-than-life production, then Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) in Las Vegas is the place to be. EDC began in Los Angeles in 1997 but moved to Las Vegas in 2011, where it quickly became one of the most iconic festivals in the world.
The festival’s main attraction is its immense stages and visual effects. EDC is famous for its jaw-dropping light shows, enormous art installations, and wild carnival-like atmosphere. The entire venue is transformed into a vibrant, multi-sensory experience, with massive rides, neon art, and a sea of enthusiastic fans dressed in colorful outfits.
EDC attracts some of the biggest names in EDM, and the lineup features everything from house and techno to dubstep and trap. The festival takes place over three nights, with the desert skyline providing the perfect backdrop for the unforgettable experience. EDC is known for its inclusivity and welcoming vibe, where fans from all walks of life come together to create an unparalleled community.
4. Electric Zoo (USA)
New York City is home to the Electric Zoo Festival, an annual EDM event that has become a staple of the North American music scene. Held at Randall’s Island Park, Electric Zoo blends the best of EDM with the energy of one of the world’s greatest cities. Since its debut in 2009, Electric Zoo has grown into one of the most anticipated festivals in the United States.
What makes Electric Zoo stand out is its ability to balance world-class EDM talent with the energy of New York City. The festival offers an eclectic mix of house, techno, trance, and bass music, ensuring there’s something for everyone. The event’s location is perfect for those looking to explore the city before or after the festival, as it’s situated just a short ferry ride from Manhattan.
Electric Zoo also places a strong emphasis on sustainability, with efforts to reduce its environmental impact through initiatives like waste reduction and eco-friendly power sources. It’s a festival that celebrates not only great music but also a sense of responsibility toward the environment.
5. Creamfields (United Kingdom)
Creamfields, held annually in Daresbury, England, is one of the biggest and most renowned EDM festivals in Europe. Since its launch in 1998, Creamfields has been a significant player in the global EDM scene, attracting fans from all over the world. The festival is known for its fantastic lineups, which include the top names in house, techno, trance, and other genres of EDM.
One of the festival’s defining features is its sheer scale. Creamfields spans multiple days and features over 30 stages, ensuring that attendees can enjoy a non-stop dance party from start to finish. The festival is also famous for its spectacular production, including massive LED displays, pyrotechnics, and breathtaking visual effects that complement the music.
Creamfields has evolved into a major international brand, hosting events not only in the UK but also in countries like Brazil and Australia. Its combination of stellar music, incredible visuals, and a welcoming atmosphere has made it a must-attend festival for any EDM fan.
Conclusion
The EDM festival scene is a celebration of music, culture, and the electrifying energy that comes from thousands of fans dancing together in unity. From the grandeur of Tomorrowland to the neon-filled nights of EDC, these festivals are not just about the music; they are transformative experiences that leave lasting memories for everyone involved.
Attending one of these legendary EDM festivals is a rite of passage for any music lover. With their unparalleled production, top-tier lineups, and vibrant atmospheres, these events continue to shape the future of EDM and ensure that fans continue to flock to the world’s biggest and most thrilling music festivals.
Data and information are provided for informational purposes only, and are not intended for investment or other purposes.
5 Surprising Facts About Paul and Linda McCartney’s ‘Ram’
By 1971, Paul McCartney had traded Abbey Road for his Scottish farm, swapped Ringo for Linda, and swapped global adulation for domestic bliss and critical confusion. Ram, his only album credited to Paul and Linda McCartney, was a patchwork of pastoral charm, baroque pop, and passive-aggressive digs—an album that baffled critics at the time but later found its flock. The vibes were sun-drenched, the melodies pristine, and the drama delicious. It’s no wonder Ram has grown into one of McCartney’s most beloved solo works. Here are five curious facts you might not know about this gloriously weird masterpiece.
1. The thunder on “Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey” came from a film reel
Norwegian engineer Eirik Wangberg stitched the thunder sounds together using a monaural movie clip. He doubled it onto two tracks to create a fake stereo effect—and it worked. Paul gave him total freedom to mix and sequence the album as he pleased.
2. Linda wasn’t just on backing vocals—she helped choose the band
Linda McCartney may not have had musical training, but she picked guitarist David Spinozza during attic auditions in New York. She later sang co-lead on “Long Haired Lady” and harmonized on nearly every track. Their daughter Heather even chimed in on “Monkberry Moon Delight.”
3. One session yielded 20+ songs—and McCartney couldn’t decide what to cut
From “Another Day” to “Big Barn Bed,” Ram’s sessions produced a trove of unreleased gems. Jim Guercio cancelled his honeymoon to help finish the album, but left after Paul refused to trim the tracklist. In the end, engineer Wangberg helped whittle it down.
4. “Too Many People” was aimed at Lennon—but more subtle than you’d think
While McCartney later admitted “preaching practices” and “you took your lucky break and broke it in two” were pointed jabs, the original lyric said “Yoko” by name. He rewrote it before recording—but the message still landed loud and clear.
5. That beetle-on-beetle photo? Not accidental
The back cover featured two insects mid-romp. Former Beatles associate Peter Brown claimed it was Paul’s metaphor for how the others treated him. Whether petty or playful, it was pure McCartney—cheeky, symbolic, and ready to stir the pot with a smile.
Once seen as a lightweight detour, Ram now feels like a proto-indie pop blueprint—handmade, heartfelt, and defiantly odd. From its lush orchestration to its surreal humour, it’s a record that rewards repeat visits. Ram on indeed.
5 Surprising Facts About Yes’ ‘Close to the Edge’
In September 1972, Yes released Close to the Edge, an album that soared to new heights of musical imagination. With its intricate arrangements, poetic lyrics, and fearless experimentation, the record became a landmark in progressive rock. It brought together everything the band had been building toward—Jon Anderson’s mystical visions, Steve Howe’s virtuosic guitar work, Rick Wakeman’s majestic keyboards, Chris Squire’s thunderous bass, and Bill Bruford’s inventive drumming. Together with producer Eddy Offord, Yes created a world that felt both celestial and grounded, intimate and infinite. From its opening swirl of nature sounds to its final fading echoes, Close to the Edge invites listeners into a sprawling, symphonic journey.
Here are 5 wondrous facts you might not know about the making of this classic:
1. A 40-Foot Tape Loop? Oh, Go On Then!
Before a single lyric was sung, the album’s title track opened with a blend of babbling brooks, chirping birds, and wind chimes—all spliced together on a whopping 40-foot loop of tape. Jon Anderson fancied a bit of nature in his music, so they quite literally stitched the forest into the song.
2. Rick Wakeman Played a Church Organ. A Real One.
For the celestial bit in “I Get Up, I Get Down,” Rick Wakeman popped over to St Giles-without-Cripplegate in London to record on a proper church pipe organ. It was so majestic, one might’ve expected a knight to gallop past mid-solo.
3. The Album Nearly Went in the Bin. Literally.
One of the band’s favourite takes got tossed by the cleaning crew at Advision Studios. What followed was a frantic bin dive, rescuing magnetic tape from the jaws of a janitor’s dustbin. Progressive rock: glamorous and gritty!
4. Steve Howe’s “Okay” Wasn’t Meant to Stay
The very first sound you hear on “And You and I”? That little “Okay”—it’s Steve Howe responding to the engineer. Completely unplanned, but the producer insisted it added charm. And honestly, he was right. It’s prog with a wink.
5. Roger Dean’s Logo Debuted Here, Mid-Train Journey
While the band crafted soundscapes from dreams, artist Roger Dean doodled a now-iconic bubble logo on a train to Brighton. Inspired by medieval bookbinding and misty tarns in the Lake District, the artwork became as timeless as the music.
From bubbling brooks to bin rescues, Close to the Edge is a prog masterpiece full of eccentric magic and meticulous invention. It doesn’t just sound like another world—it practically built one.