When you think of the band Pink Floyd, most people think of Dark Side of the Moon and The Wall but before they were record-breaking superstars, they were a psychedelic rock band with a different eccentric guitarist and singer. He wasn’t a virtuoso on the guitar like Jimi Hendrix or, the most talented songwriter like… Continue reading 40: Arnold Layne, LSD, and Crazy Diamonds
38: Cops, Corruption, and Simolina Pilchard.
During one of our many lockdowns, the country was gripped by the series Line of Duty. The series was all about catching bent coppers. I mention this series because this week’s story is about a real-life aoften accused bent copper. During the 1960s Norman Pilcher leader of Scotland Yard’s drug squad wreaked havoc on the… Continue reading 38: Cops, Corruption, and Simolina Pilchard.
37: Miss Misery, Suicide, and Mysterious Circumstances
In the late nineties, there was a singer who became a huge influence for most modern indie rock bands. A troubled soul from a young age who managed to release material that struck a chord with fans all over the world. Although this singer had suffered from depression throughout his life his death may not… Continue reading 37: Miss Misery, Suicide, and Mysterious Circumstances
36: Immortality, Heartbreak, and Mr. Brightside.
How many chart-topping songs do you remember from 2004? How about five years ago? Last year? Six months ago? It’s difficult to remember. The charts have such a massive turnaround in tracks from week to week it can be confusing to remember who sings what. With the high turnaround of singles in the charts, songs… Continue reading 36: Immortality, Heartbreak, and Mr. Brightside.
35: Rivalries, Award Shows, and The Tabloids
There have always been rivalries in music. The Beatles vs. the Rolling Stones, East Coast Rappers vs. West Coast rappers, and The Backstreet Boys vs. *NSYNC the list goes on throughout the ages since music notes started to play. Although rivalries aren’t anything new in music it’s rare to see them spill out at awards… Continue reading 35: Rivalries, Award Shows, and The Tabloids
34: Reading, Mud, and Tampons
The 1992 Reading music festival is remembered mostly for the headline performance by Nirvana. With rumours of singer Kurt Cobain being ill and may not being able to perform there was genuine worry that the band was going to be a no-show. However, the rumours turned out to be bogus and the band played a… Continue reading 34: Reading, Mud, and Tampons
33: Tie-Dyes, Basketball, and Freedom
When you think of the Grateful Dead you think of long jam sessions, LSD and the wall of sound. One of the last things you would relate to the band is basketball. But in 1992 they helped Lithuania get to the Barcelona Olympics and helped them get revenge on their previous occupiers. This week The… Continue reading 33: Tie-Dyes, Basketball, and Freedom
32: Cars, Conspiracies, and Not Filling Potential.
When it comes to Texas musicians they always seem to pass away before their time. Buddy Holly and Stevie Ray Vaughan both went before they reached their peak. Their tragedies were straightforward in terms of their untimely demise. However, there was another musician from Texas who had a mysterious death that still hasn’t been cleared… Continue reading 32: Cars, Conspiracies, and Not Filling Potential.
31: Disc Jockeys, Congress, and Bribery
Congratulations! Your band has just signed a record deal. You have recorded a single and now you need the radio to take notice among the thousands of other that are sent to them every week. Your manager gives you a wink and says, “Leave it to me”. Your manager will head to the radio station… Continue reading 31: Disc Jockeys, Congress, and Bribery
30: Rekindling, New York, and Saturday Night
If you have watched any American comedy show or film over the last 45 years, then it is highly likely that the stars of those have appeared on the iconic American TV show Saturday Night Live. The sketch show with musical performances has been a stalwart for American families for generations. The likes of Mike… Continue reading 30: Rekindling, New York, and Saturday Night