John Mayer proved that musical worlds can collide beautifully during his solo acoustic show in Chicago on October 18, 2023. The longtime Dead & Company guitarist opened “Your Body is a Wonderland” with a dreamy “Dark Star” intro, delighting in the surprising fusion. Later, he slipped the beloved “Bertha” right into his reflective tune “The Age of Worry” — showing reverence for the past while making it his own. A true student and steward of the Dead’s legacy, with a touch of wide-eyed wonder.
The Day a Stumpf Fiddle, a Toy Piano, and Friendship Made Music on Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood
Sometimes the greatest music lessons come with a smile and a sweater. In one joyful episode of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, percussionist Bob Rawsthorne showed off a homemade stumpf fiddle, joined by Joe Negri on guitar and Mister Rogers himself on a toy piano. It wasn’t about perfection — it was about play, creativity, and making music together.
5 Surprising Facts About Traveling Wilburys’ ‘Vol. 1’
The Traveling Wilburys weren’t supposed to exist. But when George Harrison needed a B-side in 1988, what began as a one-off jam between friends became one of the most delightful curveballs in rock history. Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1 arrived that October, sounding like it had been playing on your record player for decades—even if you had never heard it before. Let’s dig into five little-known facts about this Grammy-winning, triple-platinum classic that united Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Roy Orbison, Jeff Lynne, and Harrison under one roof and five pseudonyms.
George Harrison didn’t plan a supergroup—he planned a barbecue.
The magic started in Bob Dylan’s garage in Malibu. Harrison had rounded up Jeff Lynne and Roy Orbison to help him record a quick B-side. Needing a studio, he called Dylan. Needing his guitar, he swung by Tom Petty’s house and invited him, too. What was meant to be a throwaway track, “Handle with Care,” was so good that Warner Bros. refused to let it be buried. So they turned one song into ten, and a backyard hangout into rock and roll alchemy.
They recorded most of the album in a kitchen.
The bulk of Vol. 1 was recorded in Dave Stewart’s (of Eurythmics) home studio. The Wilburys would sit around the kitchen table with acoustic guitars, jotting lyrics, tossing jokes, and tracking demos on the fly. It was casual, spontaneous, and completely unfiltered. The dinner table vibe stayed in the songs, giving the record its warm, ragged charm. The vocals? Usually laid down after dinner—because even rock legends need to eat.
They weren’t trying to reinvent the wheel—just keep it rolling.
Each song sounds like it was written in a day—because many of them were. Jeff Lynne and George Harrison guided the sessions, assigning lead vocals and shaping the sound, but the mood stayed collaborative. Dylan penned Springsteen-esque narratives (“Tweeter and the Monkey Man”), Harrison crafted meditative gems (“Heading for the Light”), Lynne turned in jangly earworms (“Rattled”), and Petty gave the project its grounded drawl. Orbison’s vocals, especially on “Not Alone Any More,” were thunder and velvet at once.
The members’ names never appear on the album.
In true Monty Python fashion, the band disguised themselves as fictional brothers—Lucky, Lefty, Otis, Nelson, and Charlie T. Wilbury Jr. Not only were their real names missing from the liner notes, but their backstory was entirely fabricated, with Michael Palin writing parody bios for the Wilburys clan. It was a rock album wrapped in myth, recorded by some of the most legendary musicians on the planet—who played it all completely straight-faced.
Roy Orbison’s final recorded magic.
Orbison passed away less than two months after the album’s release, making Vol. 1 his swan song. His performance on “Not Alone Any More” is hauntingly beautiful—equal parts farewell and triumph. It’s a reminder of what he brought to pop music: operatic drama, unmatched range, and a timeless voice. The band was shaken by his loss, but honored him by continuing—naming their second album Vol. 3 in cheeky tribute, skipping Vol. 2 altogether.
The Wilburys didn’t tour, didn’t hype, didn’t last—but they didn’t need to. They two albums – Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3 followed 2 years later – and reminded us that sometimes the best bands are the ones built on friendship, humor, and a shared love of the music that raised them.
10 Musicians Who Faced Hearing Loss And Kept Playing Anyway
For musicians, hearing is more than a sense—it’s a superpower. But even superheroes face their kryptonite. From the world’s loudest stages to the quietest moments of fear, these artists confronted hearing loss head-on. Some lost it suddenly, some gradually, but all of them found a way to turn down the volume and keep turning up the music.
Huey Lewis
In 2018, Huey Lewis was forced to cancel all upcoming tour dates after being diagnosed with Ménière’s disease, a disorder of the inner ear that caused sudden and severe hearing loss. The frontman of Huey Lewis and the News described it as sounding like “a jet engine.” And yet, the heart of rock & roll kept beating. Lewis focused on studio work and eventually released Weather, the band’s first new album in nearly 20 years—proof that while his ears changed, the music inside him never stopped.
Ludwig van Beethoven
Yes, that Beethoven. Before distortion pedals and sound checks, the great composer was already navigating profound hearing loss. By his late 20s, Beethoven began to lose his hearing, and by his 40s, he was almost completely deaf. Still, he composed some of his greatest works—including the Ninth Symphony—without ever hearing them as the audience would. He didn’t just survive hearing loss. He redefined what music could be.
Brian Wilson (The Beach Boys)
Brian Wilson has long lived with hearing loss in his right ear, likely from a childhood injury. Yet it didn’t stop him from becoming one of the most sonically innovative producers of all time. With Pet Sounds, Wilson imagined orchestral arrangements and vocal harmonies with one ear and infinite imagination. His genius wasn’t diminished—it was focused.
Phil Collins
In 2011, Phil Collins stepped away from live performance after suffering nerve damage and partial hearing loss due to years of touring and drumming. The man behind Genesis and “In the Air Tonight” cited hearing issues as a major reason for his retirement. Still, he made a comeback, launching a tour in 2017—proving that even if the volume changes, the rhythm never does.
Eric Clapton
The guitar god himself has openly discussed his struggle with tinnitus, a persistent ringing in the ears often caused by exposure to loud sound. Decades on stage with Marshall stacks and screaming solos took their toll. But Clapton didn’t quit—he adapted, performing seated and keeping the blues alive with a quieter, more intimate sound.
Pete Townshend (The Who)
You don’t earn the nickname “the loudest band in the world” without consequences. Pete Townshend, The Who’s explosive guitarist, developed tinnitus and partial hearing loss from years of ear-splitting shows. He’s since become a vocal advocate for hearing protection in the music industry—because once you’ve smashed a thousand guitars, the only thing left to save is your ears.
Will.i.am (Black Eyed Peas)
Will.i.am has tinnitus in both ears. For the Black Eyed Peas frontman and producer, it’s like hearing a constant tone that never fades. But he sees it as both a challenge and a companion: “There’s always a beat.” His drive to stay creative despite the condition makes him one of pop’s most prolific innovators.
Chris Martin (Coldplay)
The Coldplay frontman has struggled with tinnitus since his early 20s. Chris Martin credits the use of in-ear monitors and hearing protection with saving his career. He’s also raised awareness, working with hearing loss charities and reminding young fans (and musicians) that turning it down can help keep the music alive longer.
Ozzy Osbourne
Decades of heavy metal and stage pyrotechnics caught up with the Prince of Darkness. Ozzy suffers from both hearing loss and tinnitus, the latter ringing like a banshee long after the amps shut down. Yet the Black Sabbath icon is still rocking—proof that you can go off the rails on a crazy train and still hear enough to stay on track.
Barbra Streisand
Streisand has been candid about living with tinnitus since she was nine. The condition hasn’t stopped her from becoming one of the most iconic and influential singers in history. Her voice, pure and precise, defies the ringing in her ears. If anything, it’s sharpened her sense of control and tone.
Hearing loss doesn’t signal the end of a music career. It opens a new chapter—one that requires adaptation, resilience, and often, innovation. These artists remind us that the power of music doesn’t come from perfect ears. It comes from the heart, the mind, and the will to keep playing—even in silence.
32 Years Ago, The Cranberries Played “Dreams” Live and Gave Us All Something to Believe In
In 1993, Dolores O’Riordan and The Cranberries brought “Dreams” to life on Irish TV’s Kenny Live, delivering a performance so pure and powerful it still echoes today. At just the beginning of their career, they reminded us what it feels like to fall in love — for the first time, and forever.
10 Glam Rock Albums That Turned Glitter Into Gold
The glam rock explosion didn’t tiptoe into the ‘70s—it barged in, feather boa wrapped, lipstick smeared, and volume maxed. These weren’t albums that played nice. They strutted, seduced, and rewired the rules of rock. Below are 10 of the finest glam rock records ever made—albums that not only defined a sound, but also painted the culture in glitter and guyliner.
The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars – David Bowie (1972)
This is the glam rock blueprint, a cosmic opera that gave the world an alien messiah in a jumpsuit. Bowie blurred the line between art and artifice, playing Ziggy like Shakespeare played Hamlet. The riffs shimmer, the lyrics haunt, and the whole thing felt like a broadcast from another planet with better makeup.
Electric Warrior – T. Rex (1971)
Marc Bolan was the poet laureate of glitter, and Electric Warrior is his crown jewel. There’s groove, swagger, and just enough mysticism to make you question your own reflection. “Get It On” wasn’t a suggestion—it was a sonic seduction with fuzz pedals.
Aladdin Sane – David Bowie (1973)
This was Bowie going full jet-set lunatic. The piano breaks shattered convention, the fashion blurred genders, and every song felt like a journal entry from a beautifully unhinged genius. Bowie wasn’t following trends—he was predicting them and leaving them in the dust.
Desolation Boulevard – Sweet (1974)
With hooks sharp enough to slice leather pants, Sweet perfected the bubblegum-metal fusion. “Ballroom Blitz” and “Fox on the Run” don’t age—they detonate. This album reminded everyone that pop could punch and mascara could maim.
New York Dolls – New York Dolls (1973)
The Dolls dressed like drag queens and played like punks. Their debut was a sneer dipped in glitter, paving the way for glam, punk, and every garage band that ever looked in the mirror and said, “Why not us?” There’s blood under the sparkle, and it rocks harder for it.
Transformer – Lou Reed (1972)
Produced by Bowie and Mick Ronson, this album walked the streets of New York in heels and shadows. “Walk on the Wild Side” was a whisper that roared. Reed turned glam into noir—sleazy, sweet, and too cool to care what you thought.
Kimono My House – Sparks (1974)
Sparks weren’t from this planet, and Kimono My House proves it. With operatic vocals, jerky rhythms, and lyrics about moustaches and existential crises, this album carved its own glitter-covered corner in glam’s palace. Ron and Russell Mael made weirdness fashionable.
Easter – Patti Smith Group (1978)
While not glam in the fishnet-and-feathered-sleeves sense, Easter shimmered with poetic rebellion and warpainted clarity. Patti Smith stomped through genres in combat boots and divine fury. This album captured her righteous fire and Bowie’s permission to fly the freak flag high.
The Slider – T. Rex (1972)
If Electric Warrior opened the door, The Slider moonwalked through it in platforms and silk. Bolan turned cryptic into charismatic and transformed love songs into spells. This album didn’t evolve glam—it steeped it in velvet and magic.
Diamond Dogs – David Bowie (1974)
Part Orwell, part opium dream, Diamond Dogs saw Bowie dragging Ziggy into dystopia. The guitars were sharper, the vision darker, and the theatricality fully unleashed. This album staged glam’s end-of-days carnival—and the glitter never looked so grimly glorious.
“Rise Up and Sing” Proves Music Can Still Change the World in Andrea Warner’s Powerful Book for Young Activists
A protest anthem can’t pass legislation—but it can spark the fire that makes someone try. In Rise Up and Sing! Power, Protest, and Activism in Music, author Andrea Warner and illustrations by Louise Reimer turns up the volume on that idea, weaving together decades of artists who have used their platforms, lyrics, and lives to push for justice. This is more than a history book—it’s a call to action for young readers, a playlist for the heart, and a crash course in how to sing truth to power.
From Beyoncé’s feminist anthems to Lil Nas X’s unapologetic queerness, from the protest legacy of Nina Simone to the righteous rage of Neil Young, Warner curates a journey through the movements that shaped—and are still shaping—our world. Each chapter focuses on a different front in the fight for justice—climate action, gender equality, peace, human rights, and more—with a custom playlist that connects readers directly to the music that moves movements.
Whether you’re marching, dancing, or crying in your room, Rise Up and Sing! reminds us that music doesn’t sit on the sidelines. It marches, it chants, it protests, and most importantly—it brings people together. This book belongs in classrooms, community centers, and the hands of every young person ready to change the world, one beat at a time.
“Oh Didn’t They Ramble” Explores the Genre-Bending Legacy of Rounder Records in David Menconi’s New Book
What is American roots music? Any definition must account for a kaleidoscope of genres from bluegrass to blues, western swing to jazz, soul and gospel to rock and reggae, Cajun to Celtic. It must encompass the work of artists as diverse as Alice Gerard and Alison Krauss, George Thorogood and Sun Ra, Béla Fleck and Clarence ‘Gatemouth’ Brown, the Blake Babies and Billy Strings. What do all these artists and music styles have in common? The answer is a record label born in the wake of the American folk revival and 1960s movement politics, formed around the eclectic tastes and audacious ideals of three recent college grads who lived, listened, and worked together. The answer is Rounder Records.
For more than fifty years, Rounder has been the world?s leading label for folk music of all kinds. David Menconi’s book is the label’s definitive history, drawing on previously untapped archives and extensive interviews with artists, Rounder staff, and founders Ken Irwin, Marian Leighton Levy, and Bill Nowlin. Rounder?s founders blended ingenuity and independence with serendipity and an unfailing belief in the small-d democratic power of music to connect and inspire people, forging creative partnerships that resulted in one of the most eclectic and creative catalogs in the history of recorded music. Placing Rounder in the company of similarly influential labels like Stax, Motown, and Blue Note, this story is destined to delight anyone who cares about the place of music in American culture.
10 Iconic Music Videos That Broke the Internet
Music videos have always been part of the story. But these 10? They rewrote it. From crashing YouTube to birthing memes to sparking global movements, these clips didn’t just go viral—they became part of our collective memory. Let’s hit play on the moments that melted servers, changed pop culture, and made us all hit replay (again…and again).
1. “Gangnam Style” – PSY (2012)
The video that literally broke YouTube’s view counter. PSY’s galloping, tongue-in-cheek masterpiece became the first video to hit a billion views. With its absurd choreography, unforgettable hook, and pure unfiltered joy, “Gangnam Style” turned a South Korean star into a global phenomenon—and made invisible horses the new dance craze.
2. “Bad Romance” – Lady Gaga (2009)
Lady Gaga didn’t just drop a music video—she dropped a fashion opera. “Bad Romance” gave us white latex, razor-blade sunglasses, and a choreography clinic set in a bathhouse of the future. Gaga redefined what a pop star could be—and in doing so, helped usher in the era of the “visual album” and full-scale pop spectacle.
3. “This Is America” – Childish Gambino (2018)
In four jaw-dropping minutes, Donald Glover lit the internet on fire with imagery that was as urgent as it was unforgettable. Every frame of “This Is America” begged to be paused, rewound, and debated. A powerful commentary on race, violence, and distraction, it was a viral moment with real-world impact.
4. “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” – Beyoncé (2008)
One camera. One take. One leotard. Beyoncé turned minimalism into maximum cultural impact. The choreography was instantly iconic, spawning thousands of dance covers and parodies—and even more marriage proposals. “Single Ladies” wasn’t just a hit; it became a pop culture reference point. Forever.
5. “Wrecking Ball” – Miley Cyrus (2013)
One sledgehammer. One wrecking ball. One era destroyed. “Wrecking Ball” launched a thousand think pieces and reminded us that a music video can be both raw and meme-able. Love it or not, it marked a moment where Miley shattered her Hannah Montana past and claimed her new, unapologetic identity.
6. “Thriller” – Michael Jackson (1983)
The blueprint. The OG. The reason music videos are a thing. Michael Jackson’s 14-minute horror epic wasn’t just a music video—it was a cultural reset. With werewolves, zombie choreography, and Vincent Price’s sinister laugh, “Thriller” became the most influential video of all time before the internet even existed. And it still breaks it every Halloween.
7. “Anaconda” – Nicki Minaj (2014)
It’s cheeky. It’s NSFW. And it broke Vevo’s 24-hour record with 19.6 million views. “Anaconda” delivered a riotous jungle gym of color, attitude, and twerking. But beneath the booty and bananas was a masterclass in control, ownership, and flipping the script on how women are presented in pop.
8. “HUMBLE.” – Kendrick Lamar (2017)
From burning heads to Last Supper imagery, Kendrick’s “HUMBLE.” delivered stunning visual metaphors and holy verses. Every shot was layered, cinematic, and ready for a screenshot. It’s not just a song—it’s a short film that had fans dissecting every frame like a grad school thesis.
9. “Shake It Off” – Taylor Swift (2014)
Taylor’s cheeky, meta take on haters and hip-hop culture launched a new era. Whether she was cheerleading, breakdancing, or ballet twirling, “Shake It Off” was made to be memed. The song topped charts, but the video turned T-Swift into a viral chameleon—self-aware, unstoppable, and ready to play.
10. “Despacito” – Luis Fonsi ft. Daddy Yankee (2017)
Before TikTok was the kingmaker, “Despacito” ruled with 7 billion views and counting. The beachy, sensuous visuals paired with an irresistible melody made it a global phenomenon. Even Justin Bieber jumped on the remix. “Despacito” didn’t just break the internet—it made the internet sing in Spanish.
These weren’t just music videos. They were cultural earthquakes. The kind that remind us just how powerful a few minutes of music and visuals can be. So go ahead—press play. Again.
Dark Archer Releases “Hidden Eyes” In A Daring Anthem Of Awakening And Truth
Dark Archer returns with Hidden Eyes, a piercing new single that unearths the hidden truths beneath society’s polished lies. In this evocative track, a lone traveler flees from a collapsing order, bearing witness to haunting visions-a mother and daughter with golden, anxious stares, silent crowds marked by invisible scars, and a coercive figure whose promises mask a darker reality.
Rooted in Dark Archer’s signature blend of atmospheric soundscapes and razor-sharp lyrics, Hidden Eyes challenges listeners to open their inner vision and confront the pervasive deception that veils our world. This release is a bold continuation of Dark Archer’s ongoing narrative, inviting audiences to question appearances and embrace the awakening that comes from seeing what’s truly hidden.
“Hidden Eyes is our call to unmask the familiar, to pierce through the façade that numbs our senses. It’s about awakening-finding the courage to look beyond what’s visible and challenge the status quo,” says Dark Archer.