Archive for December, 2011
Performing Songwriter’s 10 Favorite CDs of 2011
Looking back, 2011 was a stellar year for music. No matter what your tastes—from Americana to Rap, R&B to Country—artists were delivering some of their best work, and independents led the pack. With their originality, direct-to-fan marketing and good old hard work, they’ve found a fertile place to flourish while enjoying devoted fan bases. The […]
Happy Birthday, Patti Smith!
Looking back over the past 35 years, it’s hard to imagine what the rock ’n’ roll landscape would look like were it not for the impact of Patti Smith. Her most obvious contribution has been to blaze a path for other powerful female voices, but in truth her influence cuts across gender, genre and generations. […]
Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” Video Turns 28
On December 2, 1983, Michael Jackson’s 14-minute video, “Thriller,” was released and became what the National Film Registry has called “most famous music video of all time.” The film was directed by John Landis (Animal House, Blues Brothers, Beverly Hills Cop among his credits) and co-starred Jackson and 1980 Playboy centerfold Ola Ray. It also […]