Thumbnail image from Pixabay
By Randal C. Hill
In October 1969, shortly after the release of “Abbey Road”, Beatle fans everywhere were suddenly digging up “evidence” of a music-world tragedy—the death of Paul McCartney.
What did the rumor about Paul say?
According to the rumor, he had argued with the other Beatles during a 1966 recording session. Supposedly, early in the morning of Wednesday, November...
Thumbnail image by PublicDomainArchive from Pixabay
BY RANDAL C. HILL
At a London party in 1760, a Belgian violinist made a surprise entrance on a new invention called “roller skates” as he played his music. In doing so, he smashed into a mirror worth a thousand dollars and damaged it beyond repair.
Over the years, roller skates evolved...
By Randal C. Hill
Even before he became a successful and respected musician, Gerry Rafferty had developed a loathing for the often-underhanded machinations of the pop-music industry.
Born in 1947 in Paisley, Scotland (near Glasgow), Rafferty came from a working-class family,...
Thumbnail image from Pixabay
BY RANDAL C. HILL
A leisurely drive on a country road can offer a chance to leave city stresses behind for a while and enjoy nature’s scenic wonders.
Sometimes, though, such a usually ordinary event can prove life-changing.
About the music
Near the end of 1970, musicians Bill Danoff and his girlfriend/future wife Taffy Nivert motored along a picturesque two-lane Maryland highway called Clopper Road....
“Imagine a moonless night in the Rockies at 10,000 feet; a meteor went by, its tail stretching across the sky, and burned itself out. It was raining fire in the sky.”
Thumbnail image by Anselmo Pedraz from Pixabay
BY RANDAL C. HILL
The Beatles had 20. Elvis Presley had 18. Michael Jackson—with and without his singing brethren—had 17. Had what? The answer is hit singles. And not just any successful releases but...
Thumbnail image by Tibor Janosi Mozes from Pixabay
BY RANDAL C. HILL
The first time the world heard of Brooklyn-born musician Robert John was in 1958 when he was 12 years old. Back then, the singing youngster was going by his...
Thumbnail image from Album Art Exchange
By Randal C. Hill
It’s hard to imagine a million-selling 1970 song opening with the voices of a second-grade class singing,
Jesus loves the little children, all the little children of the world
Red and...
By Randal C. Hill
Songwriter Alex Harvey has explained that “Delta Dawn” was written about his mother, a Mississippi Delta-born hairdresser living in Brownsville, Tennessee. At 41, she had given herself over to drink after a man who had promised...
Writer: Randal C. Hill
Inspirations for a hit song can sometimes spring from a most unusual source.
Members of the California septet War hailed from different neighborhoods in and around Los Angeles. Of disparate backgrounds and different ages, the musicians found...
