 The tunes may be old, but the sentiments are as relevant as today's headlines -- the plight of the working man (and woman) hasn't changed all that much since the days of Eisenhower, as these golden oldies will prove. Coal mine conditions, Dennis Kucinich's Presidential campaign and the big lottery payoff... they're all tied into my list. < read more
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 The brand of soul music known as Stax/Volt was label-based, just like Motown, but offered a harder, more emotional sound of black America to compete with its more famous Detroit rival's Sound of Young America. But the Blues Brothers, as well as countless R&B acts, would have been unthinkable without it. read more
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 Now Updated! In remembrance of the 5th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and the devastation wrought on the Gulf Coast, I'm once again presenting this guide to New Orleans' (that is, my hometown's) rock and roll landmarks and the water damage they suffered during the storm. Many of these suffered minor damage, or have since been repaired, but they should never leave ... read more
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 One of the best-loved songs in the Beatles' canon, "Here Comes The Sun" was nevertheless a contradiction of sorts: a simple song that was in reality rhythmically complex, an ode to serenity written in the midst of excessive turmoil, and a Beatles song in which George makes most of the music alone. read more
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 The other transatlantic folk-pop group may not have garnered the respect that CSNY did, but they made a comfortable home at AM radio with well-loved favorites like "A Horse With No Name," "Ventura Highway," and "Sister Golden Hair." Read all about America the band in my latest ... read more
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On the 33rd anniversary of the King's untimely demise, I take a look at the disturbing last days of Elvis Presley's life. Got a question about the mysteries surrounding his death, his funeral and burial, or the persistent myth that he never passed away at all?