Tag Archives: Musicians

Music News – July 25, 2007

Queen Guitarist Completes Doctorate Queen has always been my favorite band. Well, okay, when I was six, I loved the Monkees, but I have always loved the music of Queen. Now, I read that not only are they talented musicians, but one of them is now a doctor! Brian May, renowned for what he can do with a guitar, just completed his doctorate in astrophysics. This comes 30 years after he left school to help form Queen. The young May quit Imperial College once the band started becoming successful in 1971. The sixty year old guitarist (who also wrote many … Continue reading →

Music’s Big Name Comebacks

He was shot in the head and survived. Now singer-songwriter Marc Cohn (his hit “Walking in Memphis” won a Grammy in 1991) is planning his first performance in the state where he barely escaped death nearly a year and a half ago. According to his website, Cohn will play in Boulder, Breckenridge and Aspen, Colorado next week. It will be his first time back on a Colorado stage since he was shot in the head during a carjacking attempt in Denver in August 2005. Cohn made a full recovery and recently his 27-year-old attacker pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree murder … Continue reading →

The Police to Reunite

Oh, the music gods have answered my prayers – the Police are going to regroup for the February 11th Grammy Award ceremony. This has started rumors that after the award show, the band will plan a reunion tour. I will not hold my breath on that one. The band, one of the most successful in the early 80s, broke up due to tension among its members. The band consisted of drummer Stewart Copeland, singer-bassist Sting, and guitarist Andy Summers. Along with The Clash, they were one of the first conventional bands to use reggae beats and lyrics in their music. … Continue reading →

What’s New With Van Halen

When I was in high school, Van Halen was the hot new band, destined to save us all from disco. The young good-looking guitarist, Eddie Van Halen, shared the spotlight with lead singer David Lee Roth. In the next 20 years, Van Halen would release 11 studio albums, all of which broke into the Top 20 of the Billboard charts. Overall, they have sold more than 75 million albums. The Guinness Book of World Records lists them as the band with the most number one hits on the Billboard Mainstream Rock List. Despite all their success, things have not always … Continue reading →

No Love Lost with Culture Club

I remember the first time I saw Culture Club. I was at a fraternity party and they had MTV on in one of the rooms. A Culture Club video came on. Honestly, I wasn’t sure if he was male or female, but I was almost an instant fan of their music. Culture Club had a string of hits in the 80s including “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me?” “Time (Clock of the Heart),” “Karma Chameleon,” “Miss Me Blind,” and “I’ll Tumble 4 Ya.” They were remarkably popular and successful for a band that was together only four years. When … Continue reading →

Is Madonna With Child?

We’ve heard her hint at it in the past and the subject came up again just a few weeks ago, but now word comes that singing sensation Madonna may be holding a new addition to her family by the end of the week. Several news organizations are reporting that the Material Girl’s missionary trip to Malawi was designed not only to help AIDS orphans, but also to adopt a child from the impoverished southern African country. Andrina Mchiela, secretary to the minister for gender and child welfare, said the pop star planned to adopt a child and launch six projects … Continue reading →

Olivia Newton John’s Heartbreak

A couple of week’s ago, I decided to watch The French Connection. I know I am like 30 years behind the rest of the population, but it was on Encore one Friday night and I’ve always loved Gene Hackman. Now you are probably wondering, “What does this have to do with Olivia Newton John?” I am getting there, I am getting there! So, I was watching the movie and this character named Howard in the movie caught my attention. I wondered what else this actor had been in, so I looked him up on my beloved Internet Movie Database and … Continue reading →

The Final KISS-off for Vinnie Vincent

If you are a fan of the band KISS, you probably know who Vinnie Vincent is. Vinnie (whose real name is Vincent Cusano) replaced guitarist Ace Frehley in 1982. Ace had a problem with substance abuse and was involved in a serious car accident in 1982, so the remaining KISS members chose Vinnie as a replacement. Vinnie played on the band’s 14th album, Creatures of the Night, however Ace’s photo still appeared on the album cover. After that album, Vinnie was fired, for reportedly not getting along with bassist Gene Simmons. I am not really sure what went on because … Continue reading →

Catching up with Aerosmith

I remember Aerosmith when they first released “Toys in the Attic.” Of course, I was still playing with toys, but even back in 1975, I could tell they were a great band. However, they loved the rock-n-roll lifestyle a little too much and descended into heavy drug use in the early 80s. Steven Tyler and Joe Perry became known as the “Toxic Twins” at one point because of their heavy drug use. With help from manager Tim Collins, the band was finally able to get clean and made some of the best music of their careers. After both Tyler and … Continue reading →

Reviewers Agree – They All Hate K-Fed!

Okay, perhaps “hate” is too strong a word to use in the title. But, almost all reviews I read of K-Fed’s performance at the Teen Choice Awards said that he was terrible. The best I could find was some reviewers that said he was not half bad. In my book, that is not exactly a glowing review. In case you have no idea what I am talking about, Britney Spear’s husband, Kevin Federline, had his first televised singing appearance on the Teen Choice Awards. Now first off, why have K-Fed on a teen awards show? Is this man – who … Continue reading →