For the first time in North America, The Music of Cream tour will embark on a special 50th anniversary tour in the fall. The outing, which first went on the road in Australia and New Zealand in 2017, features Kofi Baker (Ginger Baker’s son) on drums, Malcolm Bruce (the late Jack Bruce‘s son) on bass […]
“I am the Batman. This is my city. At night it belongs to me.” “Batman” by Neal Hefti On first listen, the theme from the Batman TV show seems pretty simple: a jazzy score and the word “Batman” repeated 12 times. But composer Neal Hefti said in TV’s Biggest Hits that it was the hardest […]
Among guitarists, few have led careers as legendary and influential as Eric Clapton — and today, the man affectionately referred to as ‘Slowhand’ celebrates his 73rd birthday. In late 2017, Rock Cellar published a piece from writer Frank Mastropolo that brought together insight from throughout the music world about Clapton and his importance over the […]
Sometimes, interviews don’t go well. It’s part of the business, and as rock journalist Steve Rosen can attest in his latest Behind the Curtain entry, it happens. I’m often asked, “What is the worst interview you ever did?” It’s an interesting turn of phrase, because lurking behind the suggestive and intriguing façade of the query […]
“Mony Mony” by Billy Idol “Mony Mony” was a 1968 hit for Tommy James and received renewed attention when Billy Idol recorded a version that reached No. 7 on the Billboard dance chart in 1981. In his autobiography Dancing With Myself, Idol explains the song’s attraction. “That song has always had special significance to me. I […]
Last month, we previewed this piece with a sneak peek at rockers recalling their first experiences hearing Eric Clapton — now, enjoy the full feature below. Eric Clapton is one of the most skilled and creative guitarists of his generation. For more than 50 years “Slowhand” has brought his brand of blues and rock to […]
In the summer of 1967, Carmine Appice was a 21-year-old kid from Brooklyn, New York living out his fantasy in the Summer of Love. For a brief heartbeat there during the summer of 1967, Vanilla Fudge were one of the hottest bands in the world. Carmine was the drummer and their amped-up and slowed-down version […]
The sound of Eric Clapton‘s guitar is instantly identifiable. Old school fans remember his departure from the Yardbirds to pursue his passion for the blues with John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers. Huge hits with Cream, Blind Faith, Delaney & Bonnie & Friends and Derek & the Dominos followed. Clapton’s solo career further expanded his cult of fans. […]
For six unforgettable seasons, creator David Chase made music an integral part of the Emmy Award-winning drama The Sopranos. Mob boss Tony Soprano (the late, great James Gandolfini) was the show’s focus, and Chase used as a musical guide “any song that Tony would be listening to, that he would have on his radio station.” […]
It is February 12, 1974 and I am backstage at Kiel Auditorium in St. Louis, MO. Bedlam— drummer Cozy Powell, singer Frank Aiello [formerly with Truth], guitarist Dave Ball [ex-Procol Harum] and his brother Dennis Ball [bass]—is about to take the stage in front of 9,300 rabid Black Sabbath fans. This is only the fifth […]
