history
Iconic moments in music history.
My Guitar Couldn't Hold You So I Split the Band
When Elton John was sent to the United States by Dick James Music in 1970 to perform. He was accompanied by a touring band comprised of Dee Murray on Bass and Nigel Olsson on drums. Though Dee and Nigel would appear sparingly on Tumbleweed Connection and Madman Across the Water, the early albums relied almost exclusively on Session Musicians, that changed in 1972 with the addition of Davey Johnstone on Guitar after which the touring band would also be used on Studio Recordings for the bulk of the rest of Elton's recorded work. His band saw many (Often controversial) changes throughout the years including firing his core rhythm section of Olsson and Murray, twice.
By Sean Callaghan8 years ago in Beat
An Idiot's Guide to Pop Punk
Three chord sequences, pogoing, sunshine (mostly) and sometimes pizza - pop punk is THE summer genre, and holds a special place in the heart of many an alternative music fan. Whether you're a 'pop punk till I die' kind of fan or one who keeps it as a guilty pleasure, it can't be denied that without it, our corner of the world would be a far more po-faced, sullen place. And if you're just getting into it, or you want to but aren't sure where to start, what better time to discover it than during the height of summer, and with this article? This is the lowdown on everything - the bands, the albums, and the stories - pop punk.
By E.W Hemmings8 years ago in Beat
Riot Grrrl: Feminism's Most Important Soundtrack
The 1980s were a time when the music scene was primarily dominated by a misogynistic and masculine aesthetic and sound, an issue that was merely the spark to the Feminist bonfire that would slowly start to consume the industry for the next couple decades. The short-lived, but forever inspirational “Riot Grrrl” scene was ground zero. Not everyone knows what Riot Grrrl is, not even all punk enthusiasts know, but I personally believe that Riot Grrrl was a major part of the influential decade that was the 90s. It was the most important Feminist movement in music history.
By Aaron Kerper8 years ago in Beat
Mozart vs. Michael
Historians and scientists alike have drawn uncanny parallels between two of the world’s most well-known musicians: Austrian composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and “King of Pop” singer Michael Jackson. Both were born as the seventh children in their families and toured their countries as young prodigies. However, these similarities were not what captured the interest of several psychologists, but their personalities, which could be described as eccentric and even related to one another. The psychological likenesses between Mozart and Jackson point to the childhood abuse and pressure they faced.
By Sarah Bryan8 years ago in Beat
The Dropped Rock
The Dropped Rock Seeing something cease to exist is probably a very sad moment in life...we have to give our parents more credit. The reason being is that they had to watch rock and roll die (or at least the prominent culture that used to surround it). I'm talking Led Zeppelin, Queen, Michael Jackson (wherever he is now), David Bowie, Def Leppard, Elvis Presley (depending on how old your parents are), Van Halen, The Rolling Stones, Elton John, etc. I could really list off names of people or bands that I wish I could go back in time to watch them perform. The bottom line is that we, in the current generations, came into this world either while it was dying or after the fact. You might ask, "what makes you think Rock and Roll is dead?"
By Collin Campbell8 years ago in Beat
The Black Belt of A Capella
"Barbershop is the black belt of a capella." This is the claim of Deke Sharon, one of the leaders and pioneers of the contemporary a capella sound and style. For a man that has directed several choirs, quartets, arranged and produced for Broadway, TV, and more recently the Pitch Perfect trilogy — that's a pretty bold claim.
By Domonic Tracy8 years ago in Beat
'Stalag 17' – How This Record Has Traveled Through Time
1973 – Kingston, Jamaica. While the world was watching Big George Foreman knocking the hell out of Smokin Joe Frazier, just a few miles away, Stalag 17, one of the most legendary records in history, was put together. (Alright, I don't know if it was actually the same exact time, but it was the same year and the same city — you get the picture.)
By Philip Jancsy8 years ago in Beat
Political Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd produced seminal works in the creation of the concept album during '70s. Of these concept albums, The Dark Side of the Moon perhaps is the most famous. Released in 1973, The Dark Side of the Moon has since spent almost 1000 weeks on the Billboard Albums charts, one of the highest of any other album created thus far.
By Sam Gallagher8 years ago in Beat
Rock 'n' Roll in Soho!
Rock 'n' roll started in Soho. Well actually, no it didn't, but it found Soho and made its home there. Rock 'n' roll actually started in the United States in the 50s, but it made its way over to England through mainly the radio (see Radio Caroline) and the records were traded, bought, sold, and stolen in the docks up and down the country. (For instance the docks up in Liverpool were great places to get the latest American records as found out the members of a skiffle band later to become a pop band called The Beatles, but more on them later.) However it made it there, it did, and found a welcome home in Soho. This marriage of rock 'n' roll and the seedy wondrous streets and venues gave birth to British rock 'n' roll and changed the face of music forever.
By George Appleton8 years ago in Beat
6 Songs That Had a Lasting Impact on Society
Songs and musicians can do more than just entertain; they can also inspire. Last year, Eminem raised awareness for a good cause in England on his social media account following the Manchester attack that left dozens dead and hundreds injured.
By Patricia Sarkar8 years ago in Beat
School of Vivaldi
In this article, I will briefly introduce you to a piece of Antonio Vivaldi; Concerto in E Minor, Op. 3 No. 4. I am going to do this by first explaining what the function of this piece was in relation to the viewers of the performance as well as the performers themselves. Then I am going to discuss the musical aspects, like the rhythm and the key.
By Larissa van Orselen8 years ago in Beat
