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Dylan Plugs In: July 25, 1965

Dylan Plugs In: July 25, 1965

| July 25, 2023 | 3 Comments

Bob Dylan stepped on stage July 25, 1965 at the Newport Folk Festival with an electric band in tow, which many folk purists in the crowd considered a heresy.

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Behind the Songs of John Prine

Behind the Songs of John Prine

| April 8, 2020 | 62 Comments

Legendary songwriter John Prine tells the stories behind such classics as “Sam Stone,” Hello In There,” “Paradise,” “Dear Abby,” and more.

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Marian Anderson’s April 9, 1939 Lincoln Memorial Performance

Marian Anderson’s April 9, 1939 Lincoln Memorial Performance

| April 9, 2019 | 1 Comment

On April 9, 1939, celebrated African-American contralto Marian Anderson performed for 75,000 people on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial after being denied use of a D.C. Hall over segregation rules.

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The Sgt. Pepper’s Album Cover: Faces in the Crowd

The Sgt. Pepper’s Album Cover: Faces in the Crowd

| March 30, 2018 | 17 Comments

As the definitive snapshot of ‘60s pop culture, artist Peter Blake’s Sgt. Pepper cover was unlike anything the world had ever seen—and almost half a century later it’s still iconic Beatles.

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The Story Behind “Mardi Gras Mambo” and “Iko Iko”

The Story Behind “Mardi Gras Mambo” and “Iko Iko”

| February 13, 2018 | 1 Comment

Mardi Gras and music go together like red beans and rice and coffee and beignets. Here’s the story behind two songs that are Fat Tuesday favorites: “Iko Iko” and “Mardi Gras Mambo.”

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The Emotional Truth of Jonatha Brooke’s ‘My Mother Has 4 Noses’

The Emotional Truth of Jonatha Brooke’s ‘My Mother Has 4 Noses’

| February 11, 2018 | 0 Comments

Jonatha Brooke’s vulnerable, emotionally powerful musical theater piece tells the story of serving as a care giver to her mother, who had dementia, during the final two years of her life. It’s a brilliant piece of art.

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Martin Luther King: Oh, You Beautiful Fool

Martin Luther King: Oh, You Beautiful Fool

| January 15, 2018 | 3 Comments

Performing Songwriter celebrates the memory of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. today with “Beautiful Fool,” a song of hope and dreams by Don Henry.

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Bono’s Defining Moment at Live Aid, July 13, 1985

Bono’s Defining Moment at Live Aid, July 13, 1985

| July 13, 2017 | 3 Comments

The 1985 Live Aid event is the perfect example of how U2 frontman Bono masterfully understands the emotional heft that can be communicated by just the right gesture.

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The Story Behind “Strawberry Fields Forever” & “Penny Lane”

The Story Behind “Strawberry Fields Forever” & “Penny Lane”

| February 18, 2017 | 5 Comments

In Feb. 1967 the Beatles released a double-A side single of “Strawberry Fields Forever” and “Penny Lane” which opened the doors to the wonders of Sgt. Pepper. Here’s the story.

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Frank Sinatra: The Stories Behind His Songs

Frank Sinatra: The Stories Behind His Songs

| December 12, 2016 | 7 Comments

Frank Sinatra was the best friend a song ever had. We have the stories behind some of his greatest hits— like “Nice ‘n’ Easy,” “My Way,” “It Was a Very Good Year,” “All the Way,” and “The Best Is Yet to Come”—told by the songwriters.

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