George Clinton on the Mall
“Can you believe this?” George Clinton called out to the crowd on the Washington Mall. The man who once sang “Paint the White House Black” was now singing “Tear the…
The dB’s Return
“Here’s another hit,” Peter Holsapple said in the middle of The dB’s show at the Iota in Arlington last week. You could practically hear the ironic quote marks around the…
Billboard Awards a Testament to Dead, Living
The past, present and future collided in the Billboard Music Awards Sunday, the out of season music awards show from Las Vegas. With a number of artists to be celebrated…
Donna Summer, 1948-2012
There were a lot of disco divas back in the day, but only one disco queen. But more than that, Donna Summer, who died Thursday at age 63, was an…
Considering the Beach Boys, a 60s Act Deep in their 60s
The discussion began when a friend with whom I had often shared enthusiasm in music sent another friend and me a note out of the blue regarding the reconstituted Beach…
The Beatles for Sale
One campaign in Sunday night’s “Mad Men” involved getting some young, peppy song that sounded like the Beatles. Getting the Beatles themselves was out of the question – even if…
On TV Tonight: Beasties in the Hall
How did the 2012 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction (HBO, 9 p.m.)end up on premium cable? In recent years it was run on Fuse or VH1 after several…
Remembering Adam Yauch, 1964-2012
Sad to hear of the passing of Adam Yauch, the mighty MCA of the Beastie Boys Friday in New York. He was just 47, but will seem forever younger than…
‘What’s Going On’ Forty Years Later
Forty years after Marvin Gaye put on an historic concert at the then-new Kennedy Center – presenting his breakthrough “What’s Going On” album before a hometown crowd on what would…
Remembering Dick Clark
Like Ryan Seacrest, who began the “American Idol” telecast Wednesday saluting his New Year’s Rockin’ Eve boss, Dick Clark, who died at 82 Wednesday, was a conduit to pop culture.…