Music History

What is Prince's last name?

What is Prince's last name?

Born in 1958 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Prince was truly one of a kind — but, sadly, yet another artist who had more music to give. I like imagining Prince if somehow he hadn't made it as a musician. Working at a grocery store, going to the bank, picking up the kids...

What inspired the Village People’s band name?

What inspired the Village People’s band name?

I have to say, it's pretty impressive that this band has the power to get literally anyone, of any age, anywhere in the world, at any time to spell the letters "Y-M-C-A" out with their arms in unison. Admit it — your arms are twitching just thinking about it. But I...

What was the first album to have a parental advisory label?

What was the first album to have a parental advisory label?

You know a great way to get kids interested in something? Make it scary for parents. That was more or less the experience for millions of kids who grew up seeing that little black-and-white label on the corner of an album they were considering buying. And that was a big...

Who wrote and originally recorded "Respect" before Aretha Franklin?

Who wrote and originally recorded "Respect" before Aretha Franklin?

There are the most popular singers of all time, and then there's Aretha. Across a career that successfully spanned multiple decades and eras, Aretha Franklin's global record sales have topped over 75 million. And among her many, many other accolades, she even received a Presidential Medal of Freedom — deservedly so....

Who did Nirvana knock out of the top spot when they hit no. 1?

Who did Nirvana knock out of the top spot when they hit no. 1?

I’m not sure how exactly to impart upon kids today just how shocking it was when Nirvana — the grungy, punky, antithesis of pop, loud band from the Pacific NorthWest — reached no. 1 on the Billboard charts. Given the number of Nirvana shirts I see teenagers wearing these days, it...

What was the first heavy metal album to hit no. 1?

What was the first heavy metal album to hit no. 1?

A few years ago I caught Slayer on one of their "farewell" tours. It was sort of a mini-festival, with like 5 metal bands spanning multiple eras and subgenres. And as much as I do like a couple of Slayer albums, I realized one thing: I am not that metal....

Which singer led Woodstock’s opening act in 1969?

Which singer led Woodstock’s opening act in 1969?

If you're talking Woodstock, it better be about two things: Snoopy's bird friend, or the original music festival from 1969 that has become cultural mythology. In this case, we're talking about the latter. Pretty much every big name musician from the time ultimately showed up at Woodstock '69 (yep, even...