They were among the most successful soft-rock groups of their day, and leader David Gates' ballads more or less defined love on the early '70s AM band. But Bread were actually much more musically diverse than their hits would lead one to believe... and that diversity spelled the end for the group, despite all the gold. Read more here about the music and history of the band Bread in my latest profile....
The artists, the legacy, the impact, the Sound of Young America -- the Motown influence is thoroughly explored here in this Ultimate Guide, the latest in a series. Find out how Berry Gordy turned the Detroit carmakers' model into a model of pop assembly-line production, not only changing the face of pop and soul forever, but also the way they did business. Find out everything you ever needed or wanted to know about the Motown label and its music here.
Conceived as a children's song and yet another vehicle for Ringo the Entertainer, "Octopus's Garden" was in actuality a cry for help from not one but two Beatles desperate to get away from the endless musical and legal battles that had engulfed the band. Read a detailed breakdown of "Octopus's Garden" in my latest Beatles fact sheet.
Continuing the list of greatest oldies by year, from 1955-1975, my Top Ten list is now expanding to include the disco and classic rock years of 1976-79! Learn when and where these songs were recorded and released, and why they still hold a place in our hearts all these years later. Enjoy the best 1979 oldies here or check out the first 20 years of Top 10 lists.
Dean Martin was the King of Cool, sure, no mean feat for a member of the Rat Pack. But he was also the most well-rounded of the bunch as far as talent went. Big screen, little screen, recording studio, nightclub -- no venue or medium was beyond Dino's scope. Read more here about the life and career of Dean Martin in my latest profile.
Patriotic oldies music. Seems easy enough, right? Yet patriotic music behaves much like patriotism itself - it proliferates in times of crisis yet slacks off in times of plenty. This may be why the 20th century's best songs about America were written during the Great Depression and after the Seventies. (The '60s simply polarized everything, which doesn't necessarily result in good music.) Still, there are enough examples in rock's Golden Age to suggest that the feeling never goes away entirely. These songs from the Fifties, Sixties, and Seventies present a full portrait of what it means (or certainly what it once meant) to be an American.
The most notorious of all Beatles songs, and one of the most notorious rock songs, period, "Helter Skelter" actually started as an innocent game of one-upmanship with a musical rival, topped off with an innocent childlike metaphor. Still sounds pretty scary, though... or is that just the song's alternate history talking? Read a detailed breakdown of "Helter Skelter" in my latest Beatles fact sheet.
Now updated! After the spiritual journeys, romantic dalliances, massive partying, and "alternative" experiences of 1965, Elvis suddenly decided, in the middle of what was becoming a typical year for him, to return to his roots -- not abandoning his perk-filled life so much as seeking to ground it in the values he was brought up in, while finally beginning to rebel against the image Col. Parker and Hollywood had created for him. Read more here about the year 1966 in Elvis' professional and personal life.
Andy Carlson
They were among the most successful soft-rock groups of their day, and leader David Gates' ballads more or less defined love on the early '70s AM band. But Bread were actually much more musically diverse than their hits would lead one to believe... and that diversity spelled the end for the group, despite all the gold. 
The artists, the legacy, the impact, the Sound of Young America -- the Motown influence is thoroughly explored here in this Ultimate Guide, the latest in a series. Find out how Berry Gordy turned the Detroit carmakers' model into a model of pop assembly-line production, not only changing the face of pop and soul forever, but also the way they did business. 
Conceived as a children's song and yet another vehicle for Ringo the Entertainer, "Octopus's Garden" was in actuality a cry for help from not one but two Beatles desperate to get away from the endless musical and legal battles that had engulfed the band. 
Soul music was where the church met the street, the first real merger of sacred and secular black music in American history. Naturally, it offended a number of God-fearing folk, but its groove and passion proved to strong to resist -- and a social and musical influence which changed the face of R&B forever. 
Continuing the list of greatest oldies by year, from 1955-1975, my Top Ten list is now expanding to include the disco and classic rock years of 1976-79! Learn when and where these songs were recorded and released, and why they still hold a place in our hearts all these years later. 
Dean Martin was the King of Cool, sure, no mean feat for a member of the Rat Pack. But he was also the most well-rounded of the bunch as far as talent went. Big screen, little screen, recording studio, nightclub -- no venue or medium was beyond Dino's scope. 
Patriotic oldies music. Seems easy enough, right? Yet patriotic music behaves much like patriotism itself - it proliferates in times of crisis yet slacks off in times of plenty. This may be why the 20th century's best songs about America were written during the Great Depression and after the Seventies. (The '60s simply polarized everything, which doesn't necessarily result in good music.) Still, there are enough examples in rock's Golden Age to suggest that the feeling never goes away entirely. 
The most notorious of all Beatles songs, and one of the most notorious rock songs, period, "Helter Skelter" actually started as an innocent game of one-upmanship with a musical rival, topped off with an innocent childlike metaphor. Still sounds pretty scary, though... or is that just the song's alternate history talking? 
It came to define the Seventies just as much as Classic Rock did, but the sensitive, ultra-professional genre known as "soft rock" held a number of clever, musically and lyrically subtle tricks up its sleeve -- tricks hard rock bands either couldn't or wouldn't perform. 
Now updated! After the spiritual journeys, romantic dalliances, massive partying, and "alternative" experiences of 1965, Elvis suddenly decided, in the middle of what was becoming a typical year for him, to return to his roots -- not abandoning his perk-filled life so much as seeking to ground it in the values he was brought up in, while finally beginning to rebel against the image Col. Parker and Hollywood had created for him. 
