Topic

Music

A collection of 58 issues

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.

Biography & Personal Stories Music Medicine, Psychology & Health

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.

Music History Art, Culture & Design

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.

History Biography & Personal Stories Music

More Than a Careless Whisper: The Story of George Michael's Lifelong Gift to Andrew Ridgeley

George Michael, who wrote 'Careless Whisper' at 17, gave Wham! bandmate Andrew Ridgeley a co-writing credit as a gesture of immense friendship. This act ensured Ridgeley would receive royalties for life from a song that became a global #1 hit, cementing a lifelong bond.

Music Biography & Personal Stories

Beyond Pulp Fiction: The Ancient, Multicultural Journey of 'Misirlou'

The iconic surf-rock anthem 'Misirlou' from *Pulp Fiction* wasn't born in 1960s California. It's an ancient folk song from the Ottoman Empire, shared by Greek, Arab, and Jewish cultures for centuries. Its name, 'Misirlou,' simply means 'Egyptian Woman.'

Music History Art, Culture & Design

How a German 'Sound of Music' Replaced 'Do-Re-Mi' with a Stroke of Genius

A 2005 German production of 'The Sound of Music' cleverly replaced the iconic 'Do-Re-Mi' song. Instead of solfège, it used mnemonics to teach the notes C, D, E, F, G, A, H, making the musical lesson culturally relevant and understandable for a German-speaking audience.

Music Entertainment & Media Art, Culture & Design

Not an Austrian Folk Song: The Surprising Hollywood Story of 'Edelweiss'

Often mistaken for Austria's national anthem, 'Edelweiss' is not a traditional folk song. It was written by Rodgers and Hammerstein in 1959 for *The Sound of Music* as a poignant farewell from Captain von Trapp to his homeland, becoming a beloved but misunderstood classic.

Music Entertainment & Media History

One Artist, Five Charts, Zero Competition: The Unprecedented Record of Sheena Easton

Scottish singer Sheena Easton holds a unique Billboard record no one else has matched: she is the only artist ever to score a top-5 hit on the five primary singles charts—Pop, R&B, Country, Adult Contemporary, and Dance. This is a testament to her incredible vocal versatility.

Music Entertainment & Media Biography & Personal Stories

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