Twisted Tales
Emitt Rhodes, the 'One-Man Beatles,' Calls It Quits at 24 -- Twisted...
In the early 1970s, he was "one of the finest artists on the music scene today," according to Billboard. At age 20, he'd already recorded "one of best albums of the decade" -- singlehandedly. And by 24, Emitt Rhodes was effectively finished with the music industry ... Read More »
Willie Nelson Sparks an 'Austin Torpedo' on White House Roof --...
When Willie Nelson visited the White House last December, it was just days after the singer's arrest for possession of 6 ounces of pot. ... Read More »
Austin's Driskill Hotel Ghost Haunts Concrete Blonde Singer --...
driskillhotel.com They don't get much sleep in Austin, Texas, the "live music capital of the ... Read More »
Professor Longhair Revived From the 'Dead' in Time for Mardi Gras --...
Henry Roeland Byrd -- better known as Professor Longhair -- created the rolling piano style that has defined New Orleans rhythm and blues for more than half a century. ... Read More »
Dave Clark Five Say 'Catch Us If You Can' to Beatles and Stones --...
Which band set a Carnegie Hall record when it sold out 12 shows in three days? ... Read More »
Paul McCartney Gets Banned for 'Give Ireland Back to the Irish' --...
Surprisingly, the ex-Beatle who drew the most controversy over the plight of Northern Ireland was the congenitally diplomatic Paul McCartney. ... Read More »
Thin Lizzy Frontman Phil Lynott Leaves the 'Whiskey in the Jar' Empty...
They were hardly your typical Valentines. On Feb. 14, 1980, Thin Lizzy frontman Phil Lynott married his longtime girlfriend, Caroline Crowther. ... Read More »
SSgt Barry Sadler's 'Ballad of the Green Berets' No. 1 With a Bullet...
Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images The Beatles had a big year in 1966. So did the Stones and ... Read More »
Joe Meek Hears New Sounds ... and Voices -- Twisted Tales
Joe Meek heard a sound in his head like no other. For a brief time in the early 1960s, it made the eccentric British producer a cottage industry. ... Read More »
Michael Jackson's Fire-Hot Career Takes a Commercial Break -- Twisted...
The late Michael Jackson was never hotter than he was at the end of 1983. 'Thriller,' the biggest album of the year, was well on its way toward becoming the best-selling album of all time. ... Read More »
Hippie Hordes Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out at the Human Be-In --...
On Jan. 14, 1967, the Human Be-In unfolded, with none of the authority clashes that would mark so many major rock concerts of the 1960s. ... Read More »
Rod Stewart Asks the Children of UNICEF 'Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?' --...
When UNICEF kicked off its International Year of the Child in 1979 with a star-studded concert, the hit performances included Rod Stewart's new disco hit, 'Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?' ... Read More »
Merle Haggard Gives New Year's Resolution the Finger -- Twisted Tales
Who among us doesn't promise to turn over a new leaf on New Year's Day? On January 1, 1958, the son of Flossie Mae and James Francis Haggard made such a promise to himself. At the time, he was in jail. ... Read More »
James Brown Spreads Christmas Spirit as the Santa Claus of Soul --...
James Brown recorded dozens of holiday tunes during his wildly prolific career, including three albums' worth of Christmas songs, almost all originals, between the years 1966 and 1970. ... Read More »
Blondie's Debbie Harry Screams Bloody Murder About a Serial Killer --...
When Deborah Harry's New Wave band Blondie debuted in 1976, Rolling Stone's reviewer described the former Playboy Bunny's singing style in terms of fictitious and real-world horror. ... Read More »
Aretha Franklin Keeps the Faith Through Several Family Tragedies --...
Years before she became the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin began her career in music singing gospel. ... Read More »
