Topic

Music

A collection of 55 issues

The Lost Tapes: How Axl Rose Killed the 1995 Guns N' Roses Reunion

In 1995, a GNR comeback was near. Izzy Stradlin, Duff McKagan, and Matt Sorum recorded ten demos to recapture their early sound. Axl Rose rejected nine, liking only a punk cover. The project collapsed, the tapes were shelved, and the classic lineup's last hope was extinguished.

From Anarchy to the TARDIS: The Punk Rock Past of Peter Capaldi and Craig Ferguson

Before he was Doctor Who and he was a late-night TV host, Peter Capaldi and Craig Ferguson were bandmates in a Glasgow punk rock group called The Dreamboys. This unlikely friendship, forged in art school and acid trips, is a fascinating footnote in the history of two entertainment icons.

The Four Extra Teeth That Powered a Legend: Freddie Mercury's Vocal Secret

Freddie Mercury had four extra teeth, causing a severe overbite he was self-conscious of. He refused to have them fixed, believing the unique space they created in his mouth was the secret to his incredible four-octave vocal range and fearing any change would destroy his gift.

From Idol Hopeful to Action Hero: The Surprising Musical Past of 'Reacher' Star Alan Ritchson

Long before he was the imposing Jack Reacher, Alan Ritchson was a hopeful singer on American Idol. He wowed Paula Abdul with his looks and voice, passed his initial audition, but his journey on the iconic show was surprisingly short-lived. Discover his unexpected musical past.

Before the Zeppelin Flew: How Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones Forged the 'Goldfinger' Theme

Long before Led Zeppelin's reign, a young Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones were top session musicians. Their anonymous but crucial guitar and bass work helped shape the iconic, powerful sound of Shirley Bassey's 1964 James Bond theme, 'Goldfinger,' a hidden chapter in rock history.

From the Schoolyard to the Stratosphere: Billie Eilish's Forgotten Life as a Movie Extra

Before she was a global pop icon, Billie Eilish was an uncredited extra in films like 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid' and 'Ramona and Beezus.' It was a brief foray into acting that she found so unenjoyable it solidified her true passion for music.

Proud to be an American... and a Canadian? The Secret History of Lee Greenwood's Other Anthem

Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA" is a beloved American anthem, but few know he also wrote and recorded "God Bless Canada" for a 1989 tourism campaign. With swapped lyrics praising Manitoba and Calgary, the song reveals a surprising chapter in the history of a patriotic classic.

Vanishing Act: The Paternal Ghost That Haunted Depeche Mode's Dave Gahan

Depeche Mode's Dave Gahan was abandoned by his father, Len, at 6 months. Told he was dead, Gahan was shocked when Len reappeared when he was 10. After a year of sporadic visits, Len vanished forever, leaving a profound void that would shape the iconic frontman's life and art.

From a Breakup to a Breakthrough: The Wild Transformation of The Doors' 'The End'

The Doors' 12-minute epic 'The End' is famed for its dark, Oedipal themes. But it began as a simple, sad song Jim Morrison wrote about a breakup with his girlfriend, Mary Werbelow, before live improvisation on the Sunset Strip transformed it into a mythological masterpiece.

Decoding Beethoven's Birthday: The 24-Hour Mystery Behind a Musical Genius

Ludwig van Beethoven's birth date is unknown. We celebrate it on December 16th based on his baptism record from December 17, 1770. Catholic custom at the time dictated infants be baptized within 24 hours of birth due to high mortality rates, making the 16th our best historical guess.