Published inThe Riff·4 days agoMember-onlyBlame British Soccer Fans for the Dave Clark Five’s Thunderous ‘Glad All Over’Soccer matches in Britain — or football, as it’s known across the pond — are raucous affairs where fans clap, chant, and stamp their feet to support their teams. Their enthusiasm inspired one of the biggest hits of the British Invasion. The Dave Clark Five was one of the best…Rock2 min readRock2 min read
Published inThe Riff·May 30Member-onlyThe Beatles Go Country on ‘Act Naturally’“Act Naturally” began as a country tune written by Johnny Russell that became Buck Owens’ first number-one country hit in 1963. Russell explained in The Stories Behind Country Music’s All-Time Greatest 100 Songs that it originated when he broke a date with his girlfriend to perform in California. “When she…Rock2 min readRock2 min read
Published inThe Riff·May 25Member-onlyFormer Ikette Claudia Lennear on Tina Turner: Book ExcerptOn Working With the ‘Queen of Rock and Roll’ — Tina Turner died in Switzerland on May 24, 2023, at the age of 83. Turner’s life with husband Ike Turner, with whom she performed in the Ike & Tina Turner Revue, was turbulent. The 1993 film “What’s Love Got to Do With It” portrays the abuse she endured. The Ike…Rock5 min readRock5 min read
Published inThe Riff·May 25Member-onlyWhat’s Your Rock IQ? Music Trivia QuizI’m Gonna Keep on Schemin’ — 1. They had a hit with Doris Troy’s “Just One Look” A. The Tremeloes B. Herman’s Hermits C. The Searchers D. The Hollies 2. George Harrison said of this album, “We just played it, just wore it out” A. The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan B. Are You Experienced by the Jimi…Rock1 min readRock1 min read
Published inThe Riff·May 24Member-only‘There’s a Bitterness There’: Simon & Garfunkel’s ‘Hazy Shade of Winter’“A Hazy Shade of Winter” was written by Paul Simon while living in the UK in 1965. Simon & Garfunkel released the song as a single in 1966; it later appeared on 1968’s Bookends. …Rock2 min readRock2 min read
Published inThe Riff·May 19Member-only‘Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie’ Left a Sour TasteIn the mid-sixties Philadelphia producer Jerry Ross discovered and signed Jay & the Techniques, an R&B band fronted by Jay Proctor. Ross, who also discovered Bobby Hebb (“Sunny”), offered the group a new song: “Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie.” Hebb had already passed on the tune. “I’m raw off the street…Rock2 min readRock2 min read
Published inThe Riff·May 14Member-onlyThe King of the Jungle Jive: ‘Alley Oop’Dallas Frazier wrote “Alley Oop,” a novelty song about the comic strip caveman while working in a cotton gin. “I’m in this big, huge cotton trailer that’s full of cotton,” Frazier told the Tennessean. “I get to thinking about the cartoon character. It just comes to mind. “I start just…Rock2 min readRock2 min read
Published inThe Riff·May 10Member-onlyWhat’s Your Rock IQ? Music Trivia QuizJust Who Do You Think You Are? — Rock1 min readRock1 min read
Published inThe Riff·May 8Member-onlyStop Your Sobbing With These Songs About Crying“When the tides of life turn against you, and the current upsets your boat, don’t waste those tears on what might have been, just lay on your back and float.” — Ed Norton “Tears in Heaven” by Eric Clapton Eric Clapton was inspired to write “Tears in Heaven” by the…Rock12 min readRock12 min read
Published inThe Riff·May 7Member-onlyIan Hunter on New Album With Jeff Beck & Taylor Hawkins and Tales of Bowie, Dylan & RingoIan Hunter, former lead singer, guitarist and pianist of Mott the Hoople, admits the pandemic brought together the array of top musicians who contributed to his 13th solo album, Defiance, Part 1. “Basically, it was because of Covid,” says Hunter. “No one would have been around. All these people would…Rock9 min readRock9 min read
