Rock Flashback

Rock Flashback: James Taylor in “Two-Lane Blacktop”

In the summer of 1970, film director Monte Hellman saw a Los Angeles billboard with [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]James Taylor[/lastfm]‘s face on it, and he believed he’d found a star. After the jump, read about Taylor’s road […]

2011/12/28

The Cover Image From "The Concert for Bangla Desh"

Rock Flashback: The Concert for Bangla Desh on Vinyl

In the summer of 1971, George Harrison and Ravi Shankar organized the Concert for Bangla Desh to benefit refugees in the newly-independent country of Bangla Desh (formerly East Pakistan), which was ravaged by war and […]

2011/12/27

(Getty Images/Karl-Joseph Hildenbrand/AFP)

Rock Flashback: The Moody Blues’ “December”

Earlier this month, we mentioned The [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Jethro Tull[/lastfm] Christmas Album and how well the band’s folk-inflected style lends itself to holiday music. Find out about another holiday album that’s a perfect match for the band […]

2011/12/24

The Grounds of Elvis Presley's Memphis Mansion, Graceland, Decorated for Christmas (Getty Images/Greg Campbell)

Rock Flashback: Elvis Presley’s Christmas Album

In those first white-hot years after “Heartbreak Hotel,” guardians of American virtue passionately hated [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Elvis Presley[/lastfm] for corrupting the youth of America and threatening All We Hold Dear. In 1957, Elvis committed the greatest blasphemy […]

2011/12/20

The Beach Boys, Still Rockin' (Getty Images/Kristian Dowling)

Rock Flashback: The Beach Boys’ “Little St. Nick”

[photogallerylink id=77515 align=right]Christmas 1963 was a somber season in America. The recent assassination of President Kennedy cast a pall that lasted for months. Nevertheless, some of the most enduring pop Christmas music was first heard […]

2011/12/19

From the Cover of "In the Christmas Spirit" by Booker T and the MGs

Rock Flashback: Booker T. and the MG’s Get the Christmas Spirit

By 1966, [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Booker T. and the MG’s[/lastfm] were well-established as one of the greatest groups in history, laying down the groove for superstar acts at Stax Records in Memphis and scoring hits on their own. […]

2011/12/14

David Bowie's Marlene Dietrich-Inspired Cover Shot for "Hunky Dory"

Rock Flashback: David Bowie’s “Hunky Dory”

Perhaps we could have seen what was coming from the album’s very first song, “Changes”: how [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]David Bowie[/lastfm] would reinvent himself repeatedly, taking on new personas and then discarding them. Hunky Dory, released 40 years […]

2011/12/14

ELO's Jeff Lynne (Getty Images/Kevin Winter)

Rock Flashback: The Electric Light Orchestra Is Born

Forty years ago this month, a new band from Britain released its first album. The album’s release in the States led to one of the most hilarious misunderstandings in rock history.

2011/12/13

On stage with Stephen Stills (L), Graham Nash (C), and David Crosby (R) (Getty Images/Robert Vos/AFP)

Rock Flashback: The Stephen Stills-Graham Nash-Rita Coolidge Triangle

If you need a Christmas gift for a music fan or want to put something cool on Santa’s list for yourself, we strongly recommend David Browne’s book Fire and Rain: [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]the Beatles[/lastfm], [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Simon […]

2011/12/13

Rock Flashback: Nilsson’s “Remember (Christmas)”

In the summer of 1972, just a few months after the release of his career-making album Nilsson Schmilsson, [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Nilsson[/lastfm] returned with a sequel, Son of Schmilsson. It included a dizzying variety of songs, including a […]

2011/12/09

Listen Live!