A Lost Art: 1970s-90s Record Store StandeesBefore streaming playlists and social media promotion, record labels had a much more physical way of grabbing fans’ attention: giant cardboard standees, hanging mobiles, oversized album displays, and elaborate in-store cutouts that transformed record shops into miniature music museums. During the 1970s and 1980s in particular, these promotional displays became a defining part of music retail culture. Walk into a mall record store in 1974 and you might see a towering Queen standee near shelves...
2026 Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Inductees AnnouncedThe 2026 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees were announced earlier today, and this year's group includes Phil Collins, Billy Idol, Iron Maiden, Joy Division/New Order, Oasis, Sade, Luther Vandross, and Wu-Tang Clan. In addition, Celia Cruz, Fela Kuti, Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, and Gram Parsons are being recognized with the Early Influence Award, while Linda Creed, Arif Mardin, Jimmy Miller, and Rick Rubin will receive the Musical Excellence Award. Finally, Ed Sullivan will receive the A...
Iconic Labels: Interscope RecordsThis is the eighth in our series of profiles of iconic record labels, exploring the label's history and some interesting stories about the artists they signed, and music they released. Look for more label profiles coming up soon and check them all out here. Few record labels have shaped modern popular music as dramatically as Interscope Records did, starting in the 1990s. From gangsta rap and alternative rock to pop superstars and streaming-era hitmakers, Interscope has consistently been...
The Most Iconic Live Music Venues: Pt. 2This is Part 2 in our series on iconic music venues. Check out Part 1 here. Live music is as much about place as it is about sound. Certain venues transcend their physical structures, becoming cultural landmarks where history, artistry, and audience energy converge. Around the world, a handful of stages have earned near-mythic status—not just for the artists who’ve performed there, but for the atmosphere, acoustics, and stories embedded in their walls. Here’s a journey through some of the m...
The Most Iconic Live Music Venues: Pt. 1This is Part 1 in our series on iconic music venues. Check out Part 2 here. Certain places where people have enjoyed live music have become more than brick and mortar — they become mythology. The most iconic music venues are not just stages; they are proving grounds, cultural crossroads, and sacred spaces where movements are born. From psychedelic ballrooms to gritty punk clubs, these venues helped shape modern music history. Here are some of those places, in no particular order: Fillmore A...
February 1964: Beatlemania Hits America And Births A Cultural RevolutionLooking back 62 years ago this month, in February 1964 The Beatles arrived in the United States and ignited a cultural explosion that would permanently reshape popular music. John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr landed at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York on February 7, greeted by an estimated 3,000 screaming fans. Their arrival marked the true beginning of the “British Invasion,” a wave of UK acts who would dominate American charts throughout the deca...
Prettier Than RIAA Awards? DiscAward Ltd '60s-'70s AwardsIn the history of recorded music, the iconic gold and platinum records that adorn the walls of recording studios, artist's homes, and music professional's offices have become some of the most recognizable symbols of commercial success. Most people immediately associate these plaques with the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)—the trade organization that, beginning in 1958, formalized sales recognition in the United States. Yet nestled within the annals of music memorabil...
Collecting Picture Discs: Shapes, Colors, and RarityIn a world where music is often reduced to digital files and streaming playlists, there’s something delightfully tactile, nostalgic, and visually captivating about collecting picture discs. These unique records—pressed with colorful images, artist/band photos, logos, or conceptual artwork—represent more than just sound. They’re miniature canvases, time capsules, and love letters to music fans who value both the aesthetic and the emotional connection to the music they adore. Collecting picture...
This Week In Music History Apr 21-May 4The week in music history brought to you by MusicGoldmine.com. Just a couple of highlights from this week in music history! APR 21: Happy birthday to Robert Smith! The iconic frontman, guitarist, and primary songwriter of the British band The Cure was born on April 21, 1959, in Blackpool, England. Smith is known for his distinctive look—wild hair, smudged red lipstick, and pale complexion—which became emblematic of the gothic rock movement. He formed The Cure in 1976, and the band rose to pr...
The Resurgence Of CassettesIn an era dominated by streaming platforms and digital convenience, one might assume that physical music formats have faded into obscurity. While an obvious exception is vinyl, which is certainly enjoying renewed popularity, another unexpected revival has taken root: the resurgence of cassette tapes. Once relegated to thrift shops and dusty basements, cassettes are now experiencing a renaissance, fueled by nostalgia, collectability, and a desire for tangible connections to music. This resurge...
Diamond: Exploring The RIAA's Most Prestigious AwardOn March 16, 1999 the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), the organization that issues music product sales awards, launched the RIAA Diamond Award program. It was created to recognize albums which have achieved the impressive milestone of selling 10 million copies or more in the U.S. The award was designed by renowned crystal designer Peter Yenawine. Yenawine was a (continued below...) ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ...
Music People We Lost In 2024Some great musical talents left us in 2024 and it's worth taking a minute to remember them and remain thankful for the musical gifts they left us. Many are likely missing here for sure and this is not meant to be an exhaustive list but here are many of the most notable deaths from last year in chronological order (date of death, name, music role/known for, age, location if known, cause of death if known): January 2, 2024: Chris Karrer, Amon Düül, Amon Düül II, Embryo, Guitarist and violin...
A Lost Art: 1970s-90s Record Store Standees
Before streaming playlists and social media promotion, record labels had a much more physical way of grabbing fans’ attention: giant cardboard standees, hanging mobiles, oversized album displays, and elaborate in-store cutouts that transformed record shops into miniature music museums. During the 1970s and 1980s in particular, these promotional displays became a defining part of music retail culture. Walk into a mall record store in 1974 and you might see a towering Queen standee near shelves...
2026 Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Inductees Announced
The 2026 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees were announced earlier today, and this year's group includes Phil Collins, Billy Idol, Iron Maiden, Joy Division/New Order, Oasis, Sade, Luther Vandross, and Wu-Tang Clan. In addition, Celia Cruz, Fela Kuti, Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, and Gram Parsons are being recognized with the Early Influence Award, while Linda Creed, Arif Mardin, Jimmy Miller, and Rick Rubin will receive the Musical Excellence Award. Finally, Ed Sullivan will receive the A...
Iconic Labels: Interscope Records
This is the eighth in our series of profiles of iconic record labels, exploring the label's history and some interesting stories about the artists they signed, and music they released. Look for more label profiles coming up soon and check them all out here. Few record labels have shaped modern popular music as dramatically as Interscope Records did, starting in the 1990s. From gangsta rap and alternative rock to pop superstars and streaming-era hitmakers, Interscope has consistently been...
The Most Iconic Live Music Venues: Pt. 2
This is Part 2 in our series on iconic music venues. Check out Part 1 here. Live music is as much about place as it is about sound. Certain venues transcend their physical structures, becoming cultural landmarks where history, artistry, and audience energy converge. Around the world, a handful of stages have earned near-mythic status—not just for the artists who’ve performed there, but for the atmosphere, acoustics, and stories embedded in their walls. Here’s a journey through some of the m...
The Most Iconic Live Music Venues: Pt. 1
This is Part 1 in our series on iconic music venues. Check out Part 2 here. Certain places where people have enjoyed live music have become more than brick and mortar — they become mythology. The most iconic music venues are not just stages; they are proving grounds, cultural crossroads, and sacred spaces where movements are born. From psychedelic ballrooms to gritty punk clubs, these venues helped shape modern music history. Here are some of those places, in no particular order: Fillmore A...
February 1964: Beatlemania Hits America And Births A Cultural Revolution
Looking back 62 years ago this month, in February 1964 The Beatles arrived in the United States and ignited a cultural explosion that would permanently reshape popular music. John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr landed at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York on February 7, greeted by an estimated 3,000 screaming fans. Their arrival marked the true beginning of the “British Invasion,” a wave of UK acts who would dominate American charts throughout the deca...
Prettier Than RIAA Awards? DiscAward Ltd '60s-'70s Awards
In the history of recorded music, the iconic gold and platinum records that adorn the walls of recording studios, artist's homes, and music professional's offices have become some of the most recognizable symbols of commercial success. Most people immediately associate these plaques with the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)—the trade organization that, beginning in 1958, formalized sales recognition in the United States. Yet nestled within the annals of music memorabil...
Collecting Picture Discs: Shapes, Colors, and Rarity
In a world where music is often reduced to digital files and streaming playlists, there’s something delightfully tactile, nostalgic, and visually captivating about collecting picture discs. These unique records—pressed with colorful images, artist/band photos, logos, or conceptual artwork—represent more than just sound. They’re miniature canvases, time capsules, and love letters to music fans who value both the aesthetic and the emotional connection to the music they adore. Collecting picture...
This Week In Music History Apr 21-May 4
The week in music history brought to you by MusicGoldmine.com. Just a couple of highlights from this week in music history! APR 21: Happy birthday to Robert Smith! The iconic frontman, guitarist, and primary songwriter of the British band The Cure was born on April 21, 1959, in Blackpool, England. Smith is known for his distinctive look—wild hair, smudged red lipstick, and pale complexion—which became emblematic of the gothic rock movement. He formed The Cure in 1976, and the band rose to pr...
The Resurgence Of Cassettes
In an era dominated by streaming platforms and digital convenience, one might assume that physical music formats have faded into obscurity. While an obvious exception is vinyl, which is certainly enjoying renewed popularity, another unexpected revival has taken root: the resurgence of cassette tapes. Once relegated to thrift shops and dusty basements, cassettes are now experiencing a renaissance, fueled by nostalgia, collectability, and a desire for tangible connections to music. This resurge...
Diamond: Exploring The RIAA's Most Prestigious Award
On March 16, 1999 the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), the organization that issues music product sales awards, launched the RIAA Diamond Award program. It was created to recognize albums which have achieved the impressive milestone of selling 10 million copies or more in the U.S. The award was designed by renowned crystal designer Peter Yenawine. Yenawine was a (continued below...) ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ...
Music People We Lost In 2024
Some great musical talents left us in 2024 and it's worth taking a minute to remember them and remain thankful for the musical gifts they left us. Many are likely missing here for sure and this is not meant to be an exhaustive list but here are many of the most notable deaths from last year in chronological order (date of death, name, music role/known for, age, location if known, cause of death if known): January 2, 2024: Chris Karrer, Amon Düül, Amon Düül II, Embryo, Guitarist and violin...
