Articles

The wild, unpredictable spirit of rock and roll has produced countless stories that blur the line between myth and reality. Among them is one of the more startling tales involving Iggy Pop, a firearm, and a record award belonging to Chris Stein of Blondie. Like many stories from the late 1970s New York music scene, it is equal parts chaos, camaraderie, and cultural context. To understand the incident, it helps to picture the environment in which it occurred. The downtown New York scene of the mid-to-late ’70s—centered around clubs like CBGB—was a breeding ground for punk, new wave, and artistic...

The week in music history brought to you by MusicGoldmine.com. Just a couple of highlights from this week in music history! MAR 4: Today at #1 in 1988 on the Billboard Hot 100: “Father Figure” by George Michael, released from his debut solo album Faith! Following the explosive success of the album’s title track, the song revealed a darker, more intimate side of Michael’s artistry. Built around a slow, hypnotic groove and minimal instrumentation, “Father Figure” blends pop with elements of soul and R&B, creating a sensual yet emotionally complex atmosphere. Lyrically, the song explores themes of protection, devotion, desire, and...

Guitars, despite their wood, metal and wire construction, have always had a human quality to them. Guitarists who hold one in their hands for enough years will tell you that they become extensions of themselves. Rough edges get smoothed. Spots get worn. Belt buckle rash appears. Their wood gets stained with sweat, booze, even blood (just ask Pete Townshend). They've traveled the world. They've been played on countless stages and studios. And so by now they're just about perfect. Any collector will tell you to get one of these well-traveled instruments that was used to create some of their favorite...

The week in music history brought to you by MusicGoldmine.com. Just a couple of highlights from this week in music history! FEB 25: Today in 1943, George Harrison was born in Liverpool, England. The English musician, singer, and songwriter is best known as the lead guitarist of The Beatles. Often referred to as “the quiet Beatle,” Harrison played a crucial role in shaping the band’s evolving sound, contributing distinctive guitar work and increasingly sophisticated compositions as the 1960s progressed. While early Beatles albums were dominated by the songwriting partnership of John Lennon and Paul McCartney, Harrison emerged as a major creative...

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 Auditorium (San Francisco) Few venues symbolize the 1960s counterculture like the Fillmore. Under the visionary promotion of Bill...