Rock and Roll Road Trips: Tales of Tragedy

The second in my trilogy on offbeat rock landmarks, this time spotlighting tragedy, both fictional and actual, in oldies history and oldies songs. If you've ever wondered where to pay tribute to Otis, Buddy, Jim, or Skynyrd, or just where that Tallahatchie Bridge was that Billie Joe jumped from, here's your chance. Find out more here... complete with directions!

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The Beatles Songs: "Golden Slumbers"

One of Paul's most beautiful ballads, "Golden Slumbers" actually took its musical inspiration from another song he'd only recently recorded -- and its lyrical inspiration from over three hundred years before. But he couldn't make it a reality until he got two of the words just right.Read all about the history and recording of "Golden Slumbers" in my latest Beatles fact sheet.

Lana Del Rey Revives Phil Spector Controversy

Modern pop chanteuse Lana Del Rey has a new single out called "Beautiful Player," and it's raising some eyebrows for what is very likely a reference to pop production legend (and convicted murderer) Phil Spector: in the middle of singing about a male lover who can't keep his hands off of other women, she coos "Hit me and it felt like a kiss / You know it hurt so good / When you do me like this." The first half of that line quotes The Crystals' infamous girl-group hit from 1962, "He Hit Me (It Felt Like a Kiss)," written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King...

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