Jon Bon Jovi, the esteemed frontman of the iconic band Bon Jovi, reflects on his journey towards rediscovering joy in the face of adversity. At 62, Bon Jovi’s legacy spans over four decades, marked by numerous chart-topping hits and sold-out performances. However, his recent revelations shed light on the personal challenges he has faced and the lessons he has learned along the way. In a candid interview with People magazine, Bon Jovi opens up about the band’s enduring presence in the music industry, their latest album “Forever,” and the profound impact of his vocal cord injury. Following years ..read more

Pearl Jam’s drummer, Matt Cameron, recently shared a nostalgic anecdote on the Howard Stern Show about receiving a cease-and-desist letter from KISS during his teenage years. The incident occurred after Cameron, also known for his role in Soundgarden, met the iconic rock band as a young musician. Cameron reminisced about his time in a KISS cover band during his youth, playing gigs at local high schools and parties. He recounted how his father’s connection with the head of the stagehand union in San Diego granted him and his bandmates, Tim and Dave Mahoney, the opportunity to attend a KISS soun ..read more

Harmoni Kelley’s journey from the club circuits of Austin to becoming a staple in Kenny Chesney’s band is a testament to her talent, versatility, and adaptability as a bassist. With roots in hard rock and a passion for groove-oriented music, Kelley’s transition to the modern country scene has been marked by her mastery of the five-string bass and her ability to elevate live performances to new heights. Growing up in Austin, Texas, Kelley was immersed in a diverse musical environment shaped by her father’s eclectic record collection. Influenced by artists ranging from The Beatles to Metallica ..read more

Richard Shepard, known for his work on “Girls” and “The Perfection,” faced a tumultuous journey with his 1991 crime comedy “The Linguini Incident,” starring David Bowie and Rosanna Arquette. However, after years of obscurity, the film is receiving a second chance with a director’s cut and upcoming Blu-ray release. Shepard candidly recounts the challenges that plagued the production, admitting, “I made this movie when I was 25 — and I was no genius at 25.” Despite assembling an impressive cast including Bowie, Arquette, and others, Shepard grappled with disappearing producers and financial woes ..read more

In 1996, the Telecommunications Act marked a significant shift in American telecommunications policy, ushering in a new era of deregulation. While this overhaul was intended to modernize the industry and accommodate the burgeoning internet, its unintended consequences rippled through the music world, particularly the indie rock scene. With the removal of caps on nationwide radio station ownership and the deregulation of broadcast markets, a small number of corporations seized the opportunity to consolidate power and homogenize playlists. This consolidation led to a dramatic shift in the landsc ..read more

In the realm of rock music, certain figures become synonymous with their genres, and Josh Homme undeniably occupies this space. Emerging as a central figure in the Palm Desert Scene, Homme’s influence spans from his early days with Kyuss to his leadership role in Queens of the Stone Age. His signature heavy, groove-laden sound is a cornerstone of stoner rock and stoner metal, shaped by his experiences in the desert music scene. While Homme’s music often draws comparisons to metal acts, particularly given its slow tempos, heavy distortion, and de-tuned guitars, he and former Kyuss vocalist John ..read more

Pink Floyd’s iconic album, Dark Side of the Moon, continues to defy time, reemerging on the charts with a newfound vigor. The album, celebrated as one of the most commercially successful in history, has once again captured the imagination of music lovers, propelling it to new heights on Billboard’s rankings. This resurgence comes amidst a wave of renewed interest in the album, driven in part by its timeless appeal and perhaps coincidentally, the recent eclipse. While there may not be a direct correlation between the celestial event and the album’s resurgence, some have drawn connections, addin ..read more

In January of 1997, David Bowie celebrated his 50th birthday in grand style, hosting an unforgettable bash at New York’s iconic Madison Square Garden. This wasn’t your typical birthday affair; instead, it was a star-studded extravaganza featuring performances from Bowie himself, alongside a lineup of musical luminaries including Robert Smith, Frank Black, Billy Corgan, Kim Gordon, and Lou Reed. Among the performers that night were the Foo Fighters, still a relatively young band at the time. For bassist Nate Mendel, it was a milestone event that left a lasting impression. Reflecting on that his ..read more

In the 1990s, with the explosion of alternative rock, many bands with unconventional approaches to songwriting and a quirky sound had their chance at mainstream success. This was the decade where acts like Primus, Faith No More, and The Presidents of the United States of America all had their time to shine, with music that was out-of-the-box and often just plain weird. While nu metal continued to propel strange acts in the vein of System of a Down or Mudvayne to success well into the 2000s, mainstream rock switched to safer grounds with the rise of the post-punk and garage rock revivals. The p ..read more

After 18 years programming the Kitchener Blues Festival, Claude Cloutier is used to discordant sounds. Not from the musicians he books, an eclectic lineup of pure blues acts and rock survivors from the ‘70s and ‘80s who never miss a note. From festgoers who complain that the largest free blues festival in Canada isn’t living up to their lofty expectations. “I get crucified on Facebook by the Blues Police,” laughs the easygoing artistic director, whose booking of nostalgic rock acts rubs purists the wrong way. “There’s only five or six (rock acts). The rest are primarily blues and folk, folk ro ..read more