Dolly Parton’s Road Tips: The Lost Interview
I once asked Dolly to talk about her tour bus and life on the road. Her answers spoke volumes about her drive, likability and sense of humor.
The DBrief
Journalist, music historian, author ("Talkin' Greenwich Village," bios of CSNY, the Dead, Jeff Buckley, Sonic Youth), Rolling Stone contributor.
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With Rush Back, Has Prog Been Redeemed?
Rush’s eagerly greeted resurrection tour is the latest example of a much-maligned genre getting a second wind.
That Time I Was a Roadie for Kiss
What I learned from spending a few days on the crew of one of rock’s biggest tours of the ’90s.
Mid-Summer Playlist: A "Nashville" Song Makes a Timely Return,"Rock" Is Back, Live/Old Dead and the Enya of Colombia
From Charli's scuzz-pop revamp and the Enya of Colombia to an accidental tribute to Hayden Panettiere.
Remember Woodstock 50? This Poster Does.
The revival/reunion that fell apart is worth a second look—for its lineup.
Never Mind the Bollocks. Here's the Icelandic Punk Museum.
A visit to the Reykjavík tourist destination that documents a scene that gave us Björk and so much more.
The Return of Gaga, Perry and Recession Pop
The heyday of Gaga, Perry, Adele—and Barack Obama—is back to take your mind off what's happened since.
Secrets from My Grateful Dead Vaults
A few things I learned about the Dead from my years of articles and book research.
The Lost Glen Hansard Interview: 'It Feels a Bit Like Being in Fleetwood Mac'
From my archives, an unpublished conversation with the late, impassioned troubadour post- "Once."
Why They Call It the Blues: The Night I Tried to Interview Paul Butterfield
What I learned the night I tried to interview the late Paul Butterfield.
The '90s Files: Pearl Jam Vs. Critics
How one band took on its detractors, pre-social media. I have the shirt to prove it.
Southern Rock Is Once Again Free as as Bird
From the World Cup to cruise-ship ads, the proudly raucous and never hip genre is making an unexpected comeback. How did that happen?
Phil Collins + Rock Hall: Hard to Believe in the '80s
Looking back at the time when mainstream prog wasn't cool, and reviews could leave a mark.
Why Applaud the Swift-Kelce Wedding? The Venue Name.
Remember when arenas and stadiums weren't reminders of your local bank or insurance company? And what does the Guess Who tour have to do with this?
Six Confessions about Madonna's "Confessions II"
She's back, and back in the groove. Is that enough?
Vinyl Is Back. Are Cut-out Bins Next?
During the first LP era, those sections of record stores were home to real bargains. Do they have a future in the music biz?
Bob Weir Saw the Rock-Health Crisis Coming: The Lost Interview
In a 2009 convo published for the first time, the late Dead founder talked about issues that would come to haunt his generation, especially this summer
Are Pop Heydays Only Seven Years? Case Study: Lizzo
Her new album is a flop. Is it the quality of the music, her recent bad PR—or a mysterious pattern in pop music?
The Allman Brother Who Wasn't Thrilled to See Me (Not at First, Anyway)
With a new Gregg Allman doc in theaters, a look back at my meeting with the late Butch Trucks, who (bless him) wasn't afraid to say what was on his mind
Clive Davis, Kelly Clarkson ... and Me
Recalling my interactions with the late record mogul, including my real peek into the ways of the music business
"Bridge Over Troubled Water" Is Back, and Just in Time
Paul Simon's 56-year-old pop-gospel masterstroke might be an even better fit for these times
Rock Veterans, Their Voices Now and Us
Why we're suddenly arguing over how heritage artist sound now, in their eighties
Taylor Swift Talks Ukulele: The Lost Interview
About 15 years ago, Swift joined the pack of uke stans. Here's my largely unpublished conversation with her about it, just in time for her country return.
The '90s Files: Fine Backstage Dining at Lollapalooza
In my first lookback at that decade: what a vintage notebook reveals about the rise of indie/alt rock