In the early 1960s, the cool, clean sound of surf music spread from California across the US. Like the Beach Boys, Jan & Dean seemed to effortlessly produce Top 10 singles extolling the pleasures of surf, sand and street rods.

But Jan Berry and Dean Torrence were not dedicated musicians; the two were college students who juggled classes with recording dates and public appearances. Torrence studied advertising design while Berry pursued a degree in medicine.

One spring evening in 1964, Berry’s roommate Don Altfeld was cruising in his Corvette down LA’s Colorado Boulevard towards Pasadena. Though he studied medicine with…

It is sad to report that Kansas founder and violinist Robby Steinhardt has passed away. Steinhardt was the original violinist and vocalist on “Dust in the Wind,” “Point of No Return” and “Carry on Wayward Son.” Steinhardt, who was working on a solo album, was 71. The following interview with guitarist Rich Williams was conducted May 14, 2021.

Classic rock bands have always experienced a revolving door of musicians. Kansas has seen its share of upheaval but guitarist Rich Williams and drummer Phil Ehart have been been with the band since its debut album and have never left. “We have…

1. What is the only № 1 song written by Bruce Springsteen?

A. “Fire” by the Pointer Sisters

B. “Blinded by the Light” by Manfred Mann’s Earth Band

C. “Pink Cadillac” by Natalie Cole

D. “Sandy” by the Hollies

2. The Moody Blues pioneered the use of what electronic instrument?

A. Moog synthesizer

B. Musitron

C. Mellotron

D. Theremin

3. What duo recorded the 1969 hit “Backfield in Motion”?

A. Mel & Tim

B. McFadden & Whitehead

C. The Brothers Johnson

D. James & Bobby Purify

4. What guitarist accompanied Bob Dylan when he recorded “Like a Rolling Stone”?

A. Mark Knopfler

B. Elvin Bishop

C. Robbie Robertson

D. Mike Bloomfield

5. What American artist played a major role on Eric Clapton’s 1970 self-titled solo LP?

A. Leon Russell

B. David Crosby

C. Delaney Bramlett

D. Steve Cropper

Answers

1. B
2. C
3. A
4. D
5. C

11. “Brown Sugar” by the Rolling Stones

“Brown Sugar” was written primarily by Mick Jagger in 1969 but was not released until 1971 because of a dispute with Decca Records. The song shot to №1 shortly after its release. “I wrote that song in Australia in the middle of a field,” Jagger told Rolling Stone in 1995. “They were really odd circumstances. I was doing this movie, Ned Kelly, and my hand had got really damaged in this action sequence. So stupid. …

1. The Beatles’ Yesterday and Today album was released under what title in the UK?

A. Days of Future Passed

B. All Those Years Ago

C. Beatles For Sale

D. It was not released in the UK

2. Which of these hits was NOT a cover song?

A. “I’m Into Something Good” by Herman’s Hermits

B. “Time Is on My Side” by the Rolling Stones

C. “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” by Queen

D. “You’ve Made Me So Very Happy” by Blood, Sweat & Tears

3. Supertramp took its name from:

A. An American comic book

B. A Welsh novel

C. Jethro Tull’s Aqualung

D. Merchant ships that delivered cargo on irregular schedules

4. Which of these is NOT a Temptations hit?

A. “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone”

B. “Are You Man Enough”

C. “Psychedelic Shack”

D. “Ball of Confusion…

Singer-songwriter Gerry Beckley of America hardly slowed down during the pandemic. He and Dewey Bunnell celebrated America’s 50th anniversary in 2020 with an eight-disc box set that includes a book, replica posters, unreleased demos, album outtakes and hits from their copious catalog.

Beckley released Keeping the Light On on March 26, 2021, a compilation of songs from his eight solo albums and Like a Brother, a 2000 collaboration with Chicago’s Robert Lamm and the late Carl Wilson of the Beach Boys. The collection includes five previously unreleased tracks including the single “(I’m Your) Heart Slave.”

America formed in, of all…

Beatlemania in Australia reached its peak in June 1964 when the Fab Four staged a three-week tour of the country. Hundreds of rock groups sprouted as a result, formed by teens who hoped to emulate their heroes from Liverpool.

That happened in Sydney, where guitarists Harry Vanda and George Young, bassist Dick Diamonde, drummer Gordon “Snowy” Fleet, and lead singer Stevie Wright founded the Easybeats, their name a nod to the Beatles.

With the help of producer Ted Albert, whose family owned a prestigious music publishing company, the Easybeats put together a string of hit singles; by 1966 they were…