Videos

“I do my records to please myself, not anybody else,” says a complacent Todd Rundgren to Entertainment Tonight in 1985 about his new album A Cappella. Rundgren recorded A Cappella using an E-mu Emulator, an early digital sampler, to shape his voice into drum sounds, basslines, and orchestral elements. The…

Happy 60th birthday to a musical icon who needs no introduction- Dr. Dre, born 2/18/65 as Andre Romelle Young. Best known for shaping West Coast hip-hop and pioneering the G-funk sound, DreDre started out as a DJ in the early ’80s before co-founding N.W.A in 1986 alongside Ice Cube, Eazy-E,…

50 years ago today (2/17/75), AC/DC released High Voltage, their debut album, in Australia and New Zealand only. It served as a raw, high-energy introduction to their signature sound. Unlike the international version of High Voltage (released in 1976), this original Australian release featured a completely different tracklist and is…

Fifty years ago today (2/14/75), Rush released their second LP, Fly by Night, and their first with new drummer/lyricist Neil Peart, replacing John Rutsey. This owl-covered album would set the course for Rush to take on a lengthy legacy of extended, brainy lyrics and help build their live setlists. Watch…

Happy 75th birthday today (born 2/13/50) to the visionary songwriter/vocalist/musician Peter Gabriel. Serving one of rock’s most accomplished careers as lead singer of the Genesis before embarking on a successful career as a solo artist, Gabriel displays an unmistakable voice that has served as many a personal soundtrack. Gabriel has…

40 years ago today (2/11/85), The Smiths released their second studio album Meat Is Murder. The album had a darker, more political tone compared to their debut, tackling issues like vegetarianism (the title track), corporal punishment (“The Headmaster Ritual”), and working-class struggles (“Rusholme Ruffians”). “How Soon Is Now?” was added…

35 years ago today (2/7/90), Primus released their full-length debut album Frizzle Fry, which was quite unlike anything ever heard. Led by bassist Les Claypool’s quirky vocals and novel slap bass technique. Primus bridged the gap between alternative rock, funk, and metal. Larry LaLonde’s dissonant guitar style and Tim “Herb”…

80 years ago today (2/6/45), reggae legend and all-around world music ambassador Bob Marley was born. The pioneer of rock, reggae,, ska and rocksteady has had a numeral cultural influence on rock, spirituality and Jamaican music. Check out Bob Marley and The Wailers live in Santa Barbara in 1979..

45 years ago today (2/5/80), The Cure released their first compilation album Boys Don’t Cry. This second official release following the band’s May 1979 debut album Three Imaginary Boys (which had yet to see a U.S. release)was filled with material from the band’s 1978-1979 era. Check out “10:15 Saturday Night”…

Happy 77th birthday to Alice Cooper (born Vincent Damon Furnier) on 2/4/48. The Godfather of Shock Rock,” he has drawn equally from horror movies, vaudeville, and garage rock, and his influence on rock and roll is epic as countless bands drew from his presentation and raw style. Watch Cooper take…