Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2019

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held on March 29, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio.  Artists are eligible for inclusion in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twenty-five years after their first recording.

The Cure is an English rock band formed in Crawley, England in 1976.  Genres include gothic rock, post-punk, alternative rock and new wave.  The members are Robert Smith (original), Simon Gallup, Roger O'Donnell, Jason Cooper and Reeves Gabrels.  Their first album was Three Imaginary Boys in 1979 in the post-punk and new wave movements.  In the early 1980s they style of music emerged into gothic rock.  The band are to have sold 27 million records and released thirteen studio albums, two EPs, and over thirty singles.

Def Leppard is an English rock band formed in 1977 in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England.  Their genres include hard rock, heavy metal, and glam metal.  Members include Joe Elliott (lead vocals), Rick Savage (bass, backing vocals), Rick Allen (drums, backing vocals), Phil Cololen (guitars, backing vocals), and Vivian Campbell (guitars, backing vocals).  Their first album, High 'n' Dry was produced in 1981.  "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" was one of the first rock videos played on MTV in 1982.  Del Leppard have sold more than 100 millions records worldwide.  They have ranked No. 31 in VH1's "100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock" and ranked No. 70 in "100 Greatest Artists of All Time".


Janet Damita Jo Jackson was born on May 16, 1966 in Gary, Indiana.  She is an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and actress.  She is the youngest member of the Jackson family and began her career with the variety television series The Jacksons in 1976.  Jackson has sold over 100 million records.  She has had 18 top ten singles on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.  In 2010 she ranked fifth among the "Top 50 R&B/Hip-Hop Artists of the Past 25 Years".  In December 2016 Billboard named her the second most successful dance club artist of all-time after Madonna.


Radiohead is an English rock band formed in Abingdon-on-Thames, England in 1985.  Genres include Art rock, alternative rock, electronica, and experimental rock.  Members include Thom Yorke, Johnny Greenwood, Colin Greenwood, Ed O'Brien, and Philip Selway.  They released their first single "Creep" in 1992 and Pablo Honey in 1993.  Radiohead has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide.  In 2005, Rolling Stone ranked them 73rd in "The Greatest Artists of All Time" and in 2009 the second-best artist of the 2000s.


Roxy Music was an English rock band formed in 1970 in Newcastle upon Tyne/London, England.  Their genres are art rock, glam, rock, pop rock, art pop, and progressive rock.  Members included Bryan Ferry, Phil Manzanera, Andy Mackay, Paul Thompson, Brian Eno, Eddie Jobson, and John Gustafson.  Roxy Music became successful in Europe and Australia during the 1970s.  The band's final album was Avalon in 1982.


Stevie (Stephanie) Lynn Nicks was born on May 26, 1948 in Phoenix, Arizona.  She is an American singer and songwriter.  She is best known for her work with Fleetwood Mac.  She had sold over 140 million records.  Nicks has been named one of the 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time and the 100 Greatest Singers.  As a member of Fleetwood Mac, she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998.  She has eight Grammy Award nominations and two American Music Award nominations as a solo artist.  She also was awarded a Grammy Award and five Grammy Award nomination s with Fleetwood Mac.


The Zombies are an English rock band formed in St Albans, Hertfordshire, England in 1961.  Their genres are rock, psychedelic pop, baroque pop, and beat.  Members include Rod Argent, Colin Blunstone, Steve Rodford, Tom Toomey, and Soren Koch.  Their hits include "She's Not There" (1964), "Tell Her No" (1965).  Their 1968 album Odessey and Oracle ranked 100 on Rolling Stone list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

An American Treasure

Gainesville, Florida celebrates the life and music of the late Tom Petty this weekend, today would have been his 68th birthday, with events all over town on both Saturday and Sunday. YOU can join the celebration anytime by checking out the recently released 4CD boxed set AMERICAN TREASURE that chronicles the music of an American rock legend. The music on the collection was culled from hours and hours of unreleased songs by Pettty's longtime producer Ryan Ulyate and his bandmates Mike Campbell and Benmont Tench, and includes salvaged bits of unheard music as well as some of Petty's best known songs. For more info on the release check out this article and in the meantime have a look/listen to the video for an unearthed outtake "Gainesville"

Exile in 2018

One of the real treats of lifelong music listening is rediscovering the old favorites. One of the records (or, should I say CDs) that really put a good dent in my head this summer and caught me by surprise was Matador Records 25th Anniversary remastered reissue of Liz Phair's (now) classic EXILE IN GUYVILLE.  I picked up this set thinking I would listen a couple times, maybe let the nostalgia course through my veins a bit and then move along. What I hadn’t planned for and what actually HAPPENED left me dumbstruck by that fact that I'd completely forgotten how these songs were the soundtrack to my life in 1993, in two different record stores, and more importantly how well this record still holds up 25 years later. I was surprised, if not shocked, at how good it still sounded. Right on, right? Sure, there’s some nostalgia in there for the good times past but darn if this didn’t get under my skin again THIS summer, scored by great songs with emotional pull that still leaves a mark.

Originally released in 1993, EXILE is Phair’s song by song response to the Rolling Stone’s Exile on Main Street. Not sonically, per se, or even topically, but a deeply personal, feminist landmark of emotional brush clearing that’s continually included in countless lists, including Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest albums of all time and Pitchfork’s Top 100 albums of the 90s. If you’ve never heard Phair’s music before, here’s your point of entry. If you’ve haven’t listened in a LONG while, now's a great time to revisit.

There's A Riot Going On!

Record of the week in my house is the brand new album by veteran New Jersey rock band Yo La Tengo. And while there may be a RIOT in the album's title, a head fake to Sly and the Family Stone's 1971 masterpiece, it bears absolutely NO sonic resemblance to its namesake predecessor. If there's any rioting go on here it's all internal turbulence, the sound of a band reckoning with its own longevity, looking inward, and searching for answers in troublesome times. They make it seem effortless, but that's not unexpected for a band's that's been recording and touring for thirty-four years. Their fifteenth studio album has a warm, assured, enveloping sound, tranquil throbbing fuzz bass and blurry organ drone, hushed vocals and pulsing guitar thrum. It might take a couple listens for the layered, sprawling songs to take shape in your head, but a little bit of time and effort is worth it, just like catching up with an old friend again. Yo La Tengo play two SOLD OUT shows in Chicago this week at Thalia Hall. You can place a hold on the CD here.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - 2018

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held on April 14, 2018 in Cleveland.  Artists are eligible for inclusion in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twenty-five years after their first recording.

Bon Jovi is an American rock band from Sayreville, New Jersey and was formed in 1983.  Their genres include hard rock, glam metal, arena rock and pop rock.  Members include Jon Bon Jovi (leaad singer and namesake), David Bryan (pianist and keyboardist), Tico Torres (drummer), Phil X (lead guitarist), and Hugh McDonald (bassist). Alec John Such and Richie Sambora will play with the band at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

They have released 13 studio albums, plus six compilations and three live albums.  The band has sold more than 100 million records worldwide.  They have been inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2006 and were also honored with the Award of Merit at the American Awards in 2004.  In 2009 Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora were inducted into the Sonwriters Hall of Fame.

The Cars are an American rock band that originated in Boston, Massachusetts in 1976.  The band included Ric Ocasek (singer, rhythm guitarist, and songwriter), Benjamin Orr (bassist), Elliot Easton (lead guitarist), Greg Hawkes (keyboardist, and David Robinson (drummer).  The band merged 1970s guitar-oriented rock with the new synthesizer-oriented pop (combo of new wave and classic rock).

They were named "Best New Artist" in the 1978 Rolling Stone Readers' Poll and won "Video of the Year" for "You Might Think" at the first MTV Video Music Awards in 1984.  The Cars have sold over 23 million albums in the United States.

Dire Straits were a British rock band that mixed with blues and a dash of country.  They were formed in Deptford, London, England in 1977 by Mark Knopfler (lead vocals and lead guitar), David Knopfler (rhythm guitar and backing vocals0, John Illsley (bass guitar and backing vocals), and Pick Withers (drums and percussion).

Their first hit single was "Sultans of Swing."  According to the Guiness Book of British Hit Albums, Dire Straits have spent over 1,100 weeks on the UK albums chart.  They have won four Grammy Awards, three Brit Awards - winning Best British Group twice, and two MTV Video Music Awards.

The Moody Blues are an English rock band formed in Birmingham, England in 1964.  Their members included Mike Pinder, Graeme Edge, Justin Hyward, Ray Thomas, and John Lodge.  Their genres include progressive rock, art rock, psychedelic rock, pop rock, symphonic rock, proto-prog and R&B.  They were established as pioneers in the development of art rock and progressive rock with Days of Future Passed in 1967.

The band became internationally known with singles including "Go Now," "Nights in White Satin," "Tuesday Afternoon," and "Question."  They have been awarded 18 platinum and gold discs and have sold 70 million albums worldwide.

Nina Simone was born Eunice Kathleen Waymon on February 21, 1933 in Tryon, North Carolina and died on April 21, 2003 in Carry-le-Rouet, Bouches-du-Rhone, France.  She was an American singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger, and activist in the Civil Rights Movement.  Her music genres included R&B, jazz, blues, folk, soul, classical, and gospel.  She attended the Julliard School of Music in New York and was awarded her an honorary degree.

Simone recorded more than 40 albums, mostly between 1958 and 1974.  She had a hit in the United States in 1958 with "I Loves You, Porgy."

How About Some Good Sounds?

James Elkington is a Chicago based guitar player (by way of England) who just released his first solo album on the Paradise of Bachelors label. I first saw Elkington play in his band The Zincs at a music festival not long after I moved to Chicago in 2005. Elkington can now be found as a valued sideman to artists like Richard Thompson, Jeff Tweedy, Steve Gunn and Michael Chapman (as well as a regular member of Eleventh Dream Day and Brokeback). He makes anyone that he plays with sound better. It’s a real treat to hear him show off his playing AND his own songwriting on his new album Wintres Woma (old English for “the sound of winter, I looked it up).  Melding British folk (see Bert Jansch) and jazz-traditions, I really enjoy listening to what Pitchfork calls an “elegant and assured collection of acoustic fingerpicking and smart songwriting”. Watch the video below and you can find Wintres Woma in the library’s music CD collection.

by michael w

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2017

On Friday, April 7, 2017 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, performer inductees were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  Artists are eligible for inclusion in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twenty-five years after their first recording is released.  Inductees include Electric Light Orchestra (ELO), Joan Baez, Journey, Pearl Jam, Tupac Shakur, and Yes.


The Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) is an English rock band from Birmingham, West Midlands, England.  It was formed in 1970 by Jeff Lynne and Roy Wood with drummer Bev Bevan.  Lynne and Wood wanted to create modern rock and pop songs with classical overtones.  Their first single "10538 Overture" was released in 1972 as a homage to the Beatles.  Some of their albums include Eldorado, a Symphony (1974) and Time (1981)  They have sold over 50 million records worldwide.

Joan Chandos Baez, and American folk singer, songwriter, musician, and activist was born on January 9, 1941 on Staten Island, New York.  Her contemporary folk music includes songs of protest or social justice.  She has performed from 1960 and has released over 30 albums.  Her first three albums, Joan Baez, Joan Baez, Vol. 2 and Joan Baez in Concert have all achieved gold records.  Some of her songs include, "Diamonds & Rust", "Farewell, Angelia", "Love Is Just a Four-Letter Word", "Forever Young", "Joe Hill", "Sweet Sir Galahad" and "We Shall Overcome" (which became prominent during the Civil Rights Movement).

Journey is an American rock bank from San Francisco, California.  They formed in 1973 with former members of Santana and Rumious Bandersnatch.  "Don't Stop Believin'" (1981) was one of their top hits.  They have had two gold albums, eight multi-platinum albums, one diamond album, and 18 top 40 singles in the United States.  Their style is Arena Rock, Stadium Rock, and Concert Rock.  In the United States they have sold 48 million albums and worldwide close to 90 million records.

Pearl Jam, also known as Mookie Blaylock originated in Seattle, Washington in 1990.  They play alternative rock, grunge, and hard rock music.  Its debute album was Ten in 1991.  Members included Eddie Vedder (lead vocals), Mike McCready (lead guitar), Stone Gossard (rhythm guitar), Jeff Ament (bass), and Matt Cameron (drummer).  They have refused to make proper music videos, give interviews, and have boycotted Ticketmaster.  They have sold nearly 32 million records in the United States and 60 million worldwide.

Tupac Amaru Shakur (Lesane Parish Crooks) was born on June 16, 1971 in East Harlem, New York, and died on September 13, 1996 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  He was an American rapper who was also known as 2Pac, Makaveli or Pac.  He had sold over 75 million records worldwide, with All Eyez on Me and his Greatest Hits best-selling albums.  His themes are about violence and hardship in inner cities, racism and other social issues.

Yes (originally Mabel Greer's Toyshop) are an English rock band from London that began in 1968 by singer Jon Anderson and bassist Chris Squire.  They began playing covers to progressive and art rock in the 1970s and then pop in the 1980s.  They have sold 13.5 million albums in the United States.  Their most successful albums are The Yes Album (1971) and Close to the Edge (1972).  They disbanded in 1981 and reformed in 1983 with new musicians.  Their highest-selling album was 90125 (1983), which included "Owner of a Lonely Heart".  In 1985, they won a Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Performance with "Cinema", and received five Grammy nominations between 1985 and 1992.

Well-Behaved Women Seldom Make History: Women's History Month

Laurel Thatcher Ulrich's quote has always been one of my favorites. Who were these women that we did not learn about in a standard history class? Were they really so wild?

Or were they just trailblazers for their time in society? 

Take a look at a few of these titles and make your own decisions.

Girls Like Us: Carole King, Joni Mitchell, and Carly Simon--and the journey of a generation by Shelia Weller

Joni Mitchell, Carole King, and Carly Simon remain among the most enduring and important women in popular music. Each woman is distinct: King is the product of outer-borough, middle-class New York City; Mitchell is a granddaughter of Canadian farmers; and Simon is a child of the Manhattan intellectual upper crust. They collectively represent, in their lives and their songs, a great swath of American girls who came of age in the late 1960s.

Flappers: six women of a dangerous generation by Judith Mackrell

A biography of six women who declared their independence during the Jazz Age. British heiresses Diana Cooper and Nancy Cunard, Russian artist Tamara de Lempicka, African-American entertainer Josephine Baker, actress Tallulah Bankhead and aspiring writer Zelda Fitzgerald were daring women who defied expectations about what a woman's life should be.

The Scarlet Sisters: sex, suffrage, and scandal in the Gilded Age by Myra MacPherson

Describes the adventures of  Victoria Claflin Woodhull and her sister, Tennessee (Tennie) Claflin who tried to overcome the male-dominated social norms of the late nineteenth century and achieved a remarkable list of firsts, including the first woman-run brokerage house and the first woman to run for president.

Wonder Women: 25 innovators, inventors, and trailblazers whochanged history by Sam Maggs

The title is a fun and feminist look at the brilliant, brainy and totally rad women in history who broke barriers as scientists, engineers, mathematicians, adventurers and inventors, along with interviews with real-life women in STEM careers.

Hidden Figures: the American dream and the untold story of the Black women mathematicians who helped win the space race by Margot Lee Shetterly

An account of the previously unheralded but pivotal contributions of NASA's African-American women mathematicians to America's space program describes how they were segregated from their white counterparts by Jim Crow laws in spite of their groundbreaking successes. ( Our Book It book discussion group is talking about this title on March 22nd.)

And don't forget Vicki Leon's 'Uppity women' series of titles for short bios of fascinating women of their times. There is the Uppity women of the New World, Uppity women of the Renaissance, Uppity women of medieval times , and the Uppity women of ancient times. 
                

So try one of these titles and take a look at her story. You might find a side of history that you have never explored before!

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - 2016

The 2016 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame performer inductees were chose by more than 500 voters of the rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation.  Artists are eligible for inclusion in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twenty-five years after their first recording is released.  The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction is April 8, 2016 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY.


Cheap Trick is American rock band from Rockford, Illinois, formed in 1973.  Current members are Rick Nielsen, Tom Petersson, Robin Zander, Bun E. Carlos, and Daxx Nielsen.  Past members are Randy Hogan, Pete Comita, and Jon Brant.  Their biggest hits include "Surrender," "I Want You to want Me," "Dream Police," and "The Flame."  They have often been referred as the "American Beatles."  Their first albums were Cheap Trick, In Color, Heaven Tonight, Dream Police, and All Shook Up.


Chicago is an American rock band formed in 1967 in Chicago, Illinois.  They are a rock and roll band with horns.  They have sold more than 100 million records and considered one of the longest-running and most successful rock groups.  Originally called the Chicago Transit Authority, they eventually shortened their name to Chicago in 1970.  They received critical acclaim with such songs as "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?" and "Beginnings."


Deep Purple is an English rock band formed in Hertford in 1968.  They are considered to be one of the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock.  They have sold over 100 million albums.  In 1975 Guiness Book of World Records listed them as "the globe's loudest band."  They ranks number 22 on VHI's Greatest Artists of Hard Rock and received the Legend Awards at the 2008 World Music Awards.

Steven Haworth "Steve" Miller (born October 5, 1943 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin) is an American guitarist and singer-songwriter.  He began his career in blues and blues rock.  He began playing in the San Francisco area with albums like Children of the Future, Sailor and Brave New World.  Other hits included "Take the Money and Run," "Rock'n Me," "Fly Like an Eagle," "Jet Airline" and "Jungle Love."  He eventually moved to Chicago, where he played with Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Buddy Guy, and Paul Butterfield.


Niggaz Wit Attitudes (N.W.A.) are an American hip hop group from Comton, California (1986-1991, 1998-2002). They popularized gangsta rap and West Coast hip hop.  Despite been banned from many American radio stations because of their explicit lyrics, the group have sold over 10 million albums, including Straight Outta Compton and Niggaz4Life.

Rock legends we've lost

We're barely through the first month of 2016 and we've already lost some MAJOR rock icons. First David Bowie, then Glenn Frey and now Jefferson Airplane's Paul Kantner has passed. The good news: we have plenty of CDs by these amazing artists in AV ROOM to help ease the pain. Stop by and grab some music by these lasting musical legends this week. 

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - 2015

The 2015 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame performer inductees were chosen by more than 500 voters of the rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation.  Artists are eligible for inclusion in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twenty-five years after their first recording is released.
The ceremony will take place on April 18, 2015 in Cleveland.

Green Day

Green Day is an American punk rock band that was formed in 1986 by Billie Joe Armstron (lead vocalist and guitarist) and Mike Dirnt (bassist and backing vocalist).  They were originally part of the punk scene at the DIY 924 Gilman Street club in Berkely, California.  In 1994 they released Dookie through Reprise Records and became a hugh success.  It eventually sold over 10 million copies in the U. S.  

Their three follow-up albums, Insomniac (1995), Nimrod (1997), and Warning (2000) were successful, but not as much as Dookie.  The band's rock opera, American Idiot (2004) reignited their popularity.

They have sold more than 75 million records worldwide.  The group has won 5 Grammy Awards, including Best Musical Show Album for American Idiot.  In 2010, the musical won them 2 Tony Awards for Best Scenic Design and Best Lighting Design, and was nominated for Best Musical.

Joan Jett and the Blackhearts

Joan Jett (Joan Marie Larkin) was born Joan Marie Larkin on September 22, 1958 in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania.  She's an American rock guitarist, singer, songwriter, producer and actress.  She was best known for her work with Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, including their No. 1 hit record "I Love rock 'n' Roll" in 1982.  Other popular recordings were "Crimson and Clover," "I Hate Myself for Loving You," "Do you Wanna Touch Me," "Light of Day," "Love is All Around" and "Bad Reputation."  She is considered by the Toronto Sun as the Queen of Rock 'n' Roll.

Joan Jett and the Blackhearts became the first rock band to perform at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on Broadway that broke the record for the fastest ticket sell-out.

Lou Reed

Lou Reed (Lewis Allan) was born on March 2, 1942 and dies October 27, 2013.  He was an American musician, guitarist, singer, and songwriter.  In the 1960s, he worked with the Velvet Underground.  Also was not financially successful, it did have a following and became one of the most influential bands of the era.

After leaving the group, Reed began a solo singing career in 1972.  His hit song, "Walk on the Wild Side," was commercially successful.

The Paul Butterfield Blues Band

Paul Vaughn Butterfield was born on December 17, 1942 in Chicago, IL and died on May 4, 1987 in North Hollywood, California.  He was an American blues singer and harmonica player.  He formed the band in 1963 and they were popular in the late 1960s with performances at the Fillmores, Monterey Pop Festival and Woodstock.  They combined electric Chicago blues with rock urgency and jazz fusion.

Butterfield was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame in 2006.  He was well known for his harmonica skills.  His preferred single notes to chords and used the harmonica for soloing.

Ringo Starr

Ringo Starr was born Richard Starkey (July 7, 1940) in Dingle, Liverpool, England.  He joined The Beathes in 1962 and was their lead drummer.  He was the lead singer for "With a Little Help from My Friends", "Yellow Submarine" and "Act Naturally."  He wrote "Don't Pass Me By" and "Octopus's Garden."  After the band's break-up in 1970, he released several successful singles.

In 2011, Rolling Stone readers named Starr the fifth-greatest drummer of all time.  In 1988, The Beatles were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and in 2002, he was inducted into the Percussive Arts Hall of Fame.

Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble

Stephen Ray Vaughan was born on October 3, 1954 in Dallas, TX and died on August 27, 1990. He is considered one of the most influential guitarist in the history of blues music.  He as inspired by American and British blues rock.  He left high school in 1971 and moved to Austin, TX.  Later his formed his own group, Triple Threat Revue and then renamed the band Double Trouble.  In 1983, his debut studio album, Texas Flood charted at number 38.

Vaughn has receive several music awards.  In 1983, he was voted Best New Talent and Best Electric Blues Guitar Player by the readers of Guitar Player.  In 1984, the Blues Foundation named him entertainer of the Year and Blues Instrumentalist of the Year, and in 1987 Performance Magazine honored him with rhythm and Blues Act of the Year.  He was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Musicians Hall of Fame in 2014.

Bill Withers

Bill Withers was born on July 4, 1938 in Slab Fork, West Virginia.  He is an American singer-songwriter whose genres include soul, R&B, smooth soul, blues, and Funk.  His major recording hits include, "Lean on Me" (Inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2007), "Ain't No Sunshine," (1972 Grammy Award for Best R&B Song) "Use Me," "Just the Two of Us," "Lovely Day," and "Grandma's Hands."  

On October 6, 1972, Reed performed at Carnegie Hall.  This was recorded and released as a live album Bill Withers, Live at Carnegie Hall on November 30, 1972.  In 1976, Withers performed "Ain't No Sunshine" on Saturday Night Live.  

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - 2014

Peter Brian Gabriel (February 13, 1950) Chobham, Surrey, England
     (Progressive rock, art rock, experimental rock, worldbeat)

Peter Gabriel is a singer-songwriter, musician and humanitarian activist.  He was the lead vocalist and flautist of the rock band Genesis which was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010.  His solo career includes his 1986 album, So. It sold five million copies in America with the biggest hit being "Sledgehammer," which won nine MTV Awards at the 1987 MTV Video Music Awards.

Gabriel has won numerous music awards, including three Brit Awards, six Grammy Awards, thirteen MTV Video Music Awards, and in 2007 he was honored as a BMI Icon.  He has received the Man of Peace award from the Nobel Peace Prize Laureates in 2006, and in 2008, TIME magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people on the world.

Daryl Hall & John Oates - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
     (Pop rock, new wave, blue-eyed soul, soft rock, blues rock)

Daryl Hall and John Oates created a mix of soul and rock. Hall is the lead vocalist and plays a wide range of musical instruments.  Oates plays electric guitar and is the backup singer.  They also write most of the songs they perform.  In 2003, Hall and Oates were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. They have influenced the work of Bruno Mars and Justin Timberlake.

 They are best known for their six No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100: "Rich Girl," "Kiss on My List," "Private Eyes," "I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)," "Maneater" and "Out of Touch".

KISS - New York City, New York
     (Hard rock, Heavy metal)

KISS is an American rock band well known for their black and white face paint and flamboyant costumes.  They took on comic book-style characters: Starchild (Stanley), The Demon (Simmons), Spaceman or Space Ace (Frehley) and Catman (Criss).

During their heyday, mid to late 1970s, their live performances feature fire breathing, blood spitting, smoking guitars, shooting rockets, levitating drum kits and pyrotechnics.  Kiss has been awarded 28 gold albums and has sold more than 40 million albums in the United States.

Nirvana - Aberdeen, Washington
     (Alternative rock, grunge)

Nirvana was an American rock band formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in 1987. 

In the late 1980s Nirvana was part of the grunge scene.  It released its first album Bleach in 1989.  The band's sound relied on dynamic contrasts, between soft and loud.  Their album, Nevermind, which included "Smells Like Teen Spirit," popularized alternative rock.  The band has sold over 25 million records in the United States and over 75 million records worlwide.

Linda Maria Ronstadt (July 15, 1946) - Tucson, Arizona
     (Rock, rock and roll, folk, country rock, soft rock, jazz, big band, art rock)

Linda Ronstadt is an American popular music singer who has earned 11 Grammy Awards, two Academy of Country Music awards, an Emmy Award and an ALMA Award.  She has also earned nominations for a Tony Award and a Golden Globe award.  She is the only artist to win a Grammy Award in the categories of pop, country, Mexican American and Tropical Latin.

Ronstadt regularly crrossed over to the country chars in the 1970s, which was rare for rock singers.  She had four consecutive platinum albums in the mid 1970s: Heart Like A Wheel (1974), Prisoner In Disguise (1975), Hasten Down The Wind (1976) and Simple Dreams (1977).  She has released over 30 studio albums and 15 compilation or greatest hits albums.  She has since retired from singing when she was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in December 2012.

Cat Stevens/Yusuf Islam (July 21, 1948) - Marylebone, London, England
     (Folk rock, psychedelic rock, soft rock, pop rock, synthpop, electro, nasheed, hamd)

Cat Stevens (born Steven Dametre Georgiou) is a British singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, humanitarian and education philanthropist.  Stevens' albums Tea for the Tillerman (1970) and Teaser and the Firecat (1971) were triple platinum in the US.  His 1972 album Catch the Bull at Four sold half a million copies in the first two weeks.  He also earned two ASCAP songwriting awards for "The First cut Is the Deepest."  Some of his other hit songs include, "Father and Son," "Wild World," "Peace Train," "Moonshadow" and "Morning Has Broken."

He converted to Islam in 1977, changed his name to Yusuf and left his music career to devote himself to educational and philanthropic causes in the Muslim community.  Yusuf won several peace awards including the 2003 World Award, the 2004 Man for Peace Award and the 2007 Mediterranean Prize for Peace.  In 2006 he returned to pop music.

Rocktober

Celebrate Rocktober at home this month and choose a film from our display in the Audiovisual room -- chock full of a great rock-and-roll film moments on DVD in both the non-fiction and feature film collections.  Check out Jack Black's classes at the School of Rock or walk the halls of the Rock 'n' Roll High School, explore the Beatles' A Hard Day's Night or take a look at the fascinating, Academy Award winning documentary on Detroit musician Sixto Rodriguez called Searching for Sugar Man.  Follow Cameron Crowe's semi-autobiographical coming-of-age story in Almost Famous or watch the beautifully chronicled romance between Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova in Once.  Whatever flavor or style you like, there's plenty of good rock and roll movies to choose from.  And while we are watching the rock this month, keep your eyes peeled for new CD releases in the music collection this fall by Nine Inch Nails, Arctic Monkeys, Sebadoh, Neko Case, Sting, Jack Johnson, MGMT, Sheryl Crow and many, many more.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - 2013

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - 2013

The 28th annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inducttion Ceremony will be held on April 18, 2013 at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angels.  The following musicians will be inducted.

Rush is a Canadian rock band which was formed in 1968 in Toronto, Ontario.  The band consists of Geddy Lee (bassist, keyboardist and lead vocalist), Alex Lifeson (guitarist and backing vocalist), and Neil Peart (drummer, percussionist and lyricist).  Past members are John Rutsey and Jeff Jones.

Rush's music began with blues-inspired heavy metal and then moved on to hard rock, progressive rock and a period of heavy use of synthesizers.

Rush was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1994.  They possess 24 gold records and 14 platinum records.

Heart is an American rock band who started in Canada, came to the United States and then went worldwide.  Members include Ann Wilson (lead singer), Nancy Wilson (guitarist), Ben Smith, Craig Bartock, Debbie Shair and Dan Rothchild.

Heart has been known as The Army (1963/1967-1969), White Heart (1969-1972), and Hocus Pocus (1972-1973). Their music is influenced by hard rock, folk rock and heavy metal.

Heart has sold over 30 million records worldwide.  They rank number 57 on VHI's "100 Greates Artists of Hard Rock."

Randy Newman (born November 28, 1943 in Los Angeles, California) is an American singer-songwriter, arranger, composer and pianist.  He is known for his pop songs and for film scores.  

One of his biggest hits is "Short People."  His film scores include Ragtime, Awakenings, The Natural, Leatherheads, James and the Giant Peach, Meet the Parents, Cold Turkey, Seabiscuit, The Princess and the Frog, Toy Story, A Bug's Life, Toy Story 2, Monsters, Inc., Cars and Toy Story 3.

Newman was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2002 and inducted as a Disney Legend. 

Public Enemy is an American hip hop group (also know as PE!) consisting of Chuck D, Flavor Flav, Professor Griff and his S1W group, DJ Lord, and Music director Khari Wynn.  They were formed in 1982 in Long Island, New York.  They are best known for their criticism of the American media and concerns of the African American community.

Public Enemy has been ranked number 44 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the Immortals: 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.  They were inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame in 2007.

Donna Summer (December 31, 1948 - May 17, 2012) was an American singer and songwriter.  She was a five-time Grammy award winner and has three consecutive albumes reach number on on the Billboard chart.  She began singing in church choir groups and then joined bands influenced by the Motown Sound in the 1960s.  She spent several years in Germany after joining a touring version of the musical Hair.

After returning to the United States, she co-wrote the song "Love to Love You Baby" with Pete Bellotte.  It was released in 1975.  Other disco hits followed, such as "I Feel Love", "MacArthur Park", "Hot Stuff", "Bad Girls" and "No More Tears (Enough is Enough)".

She was posthumously described as the "undisputed queen of the Seventies disco boom."

Albert King (April 25, 1923 - December 21, 1992) was an American blues guitarist and singer.  He was one of the "Four Kings of the Blues Guitar" (along with B.B. King, Earl King and Freddie King) and was known as "The Velvet Bulldozer".  King was left-handed, but usually played right-handed guitars flipped over upside-down.  He played his signature Gibson Flying V guitar.

King greatly influenced many rock and roll guitarist, including Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Michael Bloomfield and Stevie Ray Vaughan.

His real breakthrough came in 1966 when he recorded such classics as "Crosscut Saw" and "As the Years Go Passing By."  He continuted playing until his death in 1992.

Fade into Some New Music

Some new titles are starting to turn up in the music CD collection these days as our ordering season is ratcheting up and 2013's first releases emerge from the musical tundra of winter. With the year barely a month old it's probably premature (if not wholly misguided) to start penciling in your favorite records  already but that's exactly what I'm prepared to do. It's just the first week of February--but I'm perfectly happy to carve the name of Yo La Tengo's new record (Fade for those keeping score) in my forehead now so I can't forget in December how much I enjoyed this record through mid-January's terrible chill. Fade was recorded in Chicago last summer with John McEntire (Tortoise, The Sea and Cake) and ranks comfortably among the band's best and might be their most personal statement yet. Check out the band's first video in fifteen years, beautifully shot by long time associate Phil Morrison for the stark  Bert Jansch-like "I'll Be Around":

Fade is Yo La Tengo's 13th full-length album in 29 + years -- and it's as clear and as declarative a statement to a music career that I've heard from a band that I've been following for at least as long. Listening has been a supremely satisfying ride, and I'm happy to hear them in 2013 so comfortable, confident and in total control of their considerable musical powers. Other bands would have cooled the wheels of the touring bus and exhausted their creative ability long ago but Yo La Tengo keep on keepin' ON. They come to the plate and deliver yet another batch of heartfelt songs. I'll spare you a full history of the band (you can read that here) but I'll leave you with another song, some kinda weird inverted anthem for the times, with modest (almost child-like) lyrics that reveal a simple truth, an unfortunate reality that "Sometimes the bad guys come out on top, sometimes the good guys lose, we try not to lose our hearts, not to lose our minds" before they suggest we not lose hope and try make the best of each moment: "lose no more time, no time".

So, yeah, there's still hope in the end, so long as Yo La Tengo are still coming out on top.

2012 Kennedy Center Honors

December 2, 2012

Buddy Guy

Bluesman

Born July 30, 1936, in Lettsworth, Louisina

A six-time Grammy winner,  Buddy Guy pioneered the blues, working alongside Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, and Sonny Boy Williamson to name a few.  According to Eric Clapton, "By far without a doubt the best guitar player alive."

Dustin Hoffman

Actor and director

Born August 8, 1937, in Los Angeles, California

Dustin Hoffman is one of most versatile actors of any generation.  He has played such roles a 121-year-old Native American about to die, a young divorced parent, a Washington Post reporter going after the Watergate cover-up story, plus Captain Hook and the voice of Shifu in the Kung Fu Panda films.  He states, "I grew up thinking a movie star had to be like Rock Hudson or Tab Hunter, certainly nobody in any way like me."

David Letterman

Comedian and television host

Born April 12, 1947, in Indianapolis, Indiana

David Letterman is one of the most influential personalities and producers in the history of late=night television for more than 25 years.  In 1992, he received the Peabody Award for taking "one of TV's most conventional and least inventive forms...and infusing it with freshness and imagination."  In 1981, he won two Daytime Emmy Awards as writer and host for his first show.  Late Night with David Letterman premiered on NBC.

Natalia Makarova

Ballerina, choreographer, teacher

Born November 21, 1940, in Leningrad, U.S.S.R.

Natalia Makarova left her native Russia in 1970 and debuted in the title role of "Giselle" with the American Ballet Theatre.  She has "ignited the stages of the world's greatest ballet companies and continues to pass the torch to the next generation of dancers."

Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin, heavy-metal pioneer, who's members are all in their 60s, "transformed the sound of rock-and-roll with their lyricism and innovative song structures."  They combined rock-and-roll, British folk music, American blues, and english skiffle, heavyweight guitar riffs.

John Paul Jones

Rock bassist and keyboardist, composer and producer

Born January 3, 1946, in Sidcup, Kent, England

Jimmy Page

Rock guitarist, composer and producer

Born January 9, 1944, in Heston, Middlesex, England

Robert Plant

Rock singer, composer and producer

Born August 20, 1948, in West Bromwich, Staffordshire, England

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - 2012

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony will take place on April 14, 2012 at the Waldorf Asteria in New York City. Inductees include the Beastie Boys, Donovan, Guns N' Roses, Laura Nyro, Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Faces. Artists are eligible for inclusion twenty-five years after their first recording is released.

Check out the display in the Audiovisual Room.

Beastie Boys are an American, Jewish hip hop trio from Brooklyn, New York City. The Beastie Boys began as hardcore punk band in 1979. They released their first EP, Polly Wog Stew, in 1982. In 1984 they made the transition to hip hop after their release of 12" Cooky Puss. As of 2010, they have sold 22 million albums in the United States and 40 million albums worldwide.

Donovan (born Donovan Philips Leitch May 1946) is a Scottish singer-songwriter and guitarist. He began in the British folk scene and developed his own distinctive style that bleneded folk, jazz, opp, psychedelia and world music.Donovan was one of the leading British recording artists of his day. He started playing in the United Kindgdom in early 1965 and influenced both John Lennon and Paul McCarney by teaching them his finger-picking guitar style in 1968. He was scorned in the 1970s and 1980s because of his folk and hippie image. In 2004, he released a new album, Beat Cafe.

Guns N' Roses are an American hard rock band, started in 1985 in Los Angeles, California. Members of the band were vocalist Axl Rose, lead guitarist Slash, rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin, bassist Duff McKagan and drummer Steven Adler. Axl Rose is the only member remaining in the group. The band has released six studio albums. Guns N' Roses revived the popularity of rock 'n' roll. Dance music and pop metal were popular at the time. In the late 1980s and early 1990s they rebelled much like the early Rolling Stones.

Laura Nyro (October 18, 1947 - April 8, 1997) was an American songwriter, singer, and pianist. Song from her abums Eli and the Thirteenth Confession and New York Tendaberry were sung by Barbra Streisand and The 5th Dimension. The 5th Dimension scored with "Stoned Soul Picnic" and "Sweet Blindness" in 1968, "Wedding Bell Blues" in 1969 and "Blowin' Away" in 1970. Barbara Steisand charted with "Stoney End," "Time And Love" and "FLim Flam Man." Elton John acclaimed her influence to Elvis Costello: "The soul, the passion, the out-and-out audacity of her rhythmic and melody changes was like nothing I'd ever heard before."

Red Hot Chili Peppers is an American alternative rock band, formed in Los Angels in 1983. Their style is rock with funk and elements from punk, rock, hip hop and psychedelic rock. The band's members are anthony Kiedis (vocals) and Michael Balzary (bass) with drummer Chad Smith and guitarist Josh Klinghoffer.

Small Faces were English band from East London. The group began in 1965 with Steve Marriott, Ronnie Lane, Kenney Jones and Jimmy Winston. They wrote "Itchycoo Park", "Lazy Sunday", "All or Nothing" and "Tin Soldier". By 1969, when they disbanded, they were a psychedelic band. After they disbanded, they were joined by Ronnie Woods and Rod Stewart in the 1970s and became The Faces. They broke in 1975 when Rod Stewart went solo.Small Faces are one of the biggest influences on the Britpop movement of the 1990s. Their music is still among the most famous British mod and psychedelic of the mid to late sixties.

The Man, The Myth, The Musician: Keith Richards

In the age old question which rock group is better : the Beatles or the Rolling Stones - if you answer the Stones - this is the book for you.

Life by Keith Richards with James Fox, gives the Rolling Stone fan a glimpse into the creative and sometimes chemically enhanced mind of a founding member of the band. Richards is very straightforward on some issues (the music, his ex- girlfriend and Brian Jones), and cagey on others (Altamont.)  It is amazing he remembers as much as he does and it is fun when he has others in his circle being interviewed about the topics at hand.

At 564 pages, this is a long read, but Keith's humor and unique perspective make it worth while. Definitely a must read for anyone who is interested in the 60's and 70's music scene in England, and in one of the biggest rock bands of the last century. Just a warning - you might as well get your Stones music out when reading, because you will be hearing the songs in your head!

Pitchfork Music Festival

The summer music season is now in full swing and local outdoor concerts abound in the summer heat. From Ravinia to Glenview's 'Bearfoot in the Park' to the myriad outdoor street festivals hosted by various neighborhoods in Chicago, your out-of-doors music opportunities come fast and furious this time of year. While many music fans hold out for the super-sized Lollapalooza, next weekend Chicago's Union Park (Ashland and Lake) hosts the increasingly popular Pitchfork Music Festival. Self-described as "a three-day event showcasing over 40 of independent music’s best bands and artists on three stages" this year's festival is anchored by a reunited Pavement and tickets for Saturday and Sunday (July 18th, 19th) are already sold out. The word is a batch of extra tickets will be released on Thursday at the box office, but whether you have a ticket in hand or NOT, what's more important is (once again) your library card is a passport to catching up with many (if not most) of these exciting new/young/reunited/aging hipster artists right HERE at your library. Come check out new (and old) releases by Tallest Man on Earth, Liars, Broken Social Scene, Delorean, Bear in Heaven, Local Natives, Dam-Funk, Titus Andronicus, Beach House, and yes, Pavement. See you at the shows!