Stevie Wonder may be our modern day Mozart. A child prodigy, he joined Motown as a preadolescent where he was marketed as “Little” Stevie Wonder. He wowed audiences with his virtuosic command of the piano, harmonica, drums and of course, vocals. At just 13, he had his first number one hit “Fingertips Part II.” It was an unusual chart topper, featuring a live ... Show More
Nov 18
Is there a Disney curse?: Demi, Selena, and Miley
This year, there were a few records that delivered less-than-optimal returns on either the Hot 100 or the Billboard 200 – and they all came from former Disney pop stars.
Demi Lovato’s latest album peaked at number nine on the Billboard 200, where it spent one week and then fell ... Show More
48m 6s
Nov 11
Rosalía's 'LUX' brings the symphony to the club
Spanish pop star Rosalía is back with her new album, Lux. Over eighteen tracks, she trades in the dembow beats that filled her last record Motomami for maximalist orchestral sounds more in line with Björk than Bad Bunny. The album is dense: there's four movements, thirteen langua ... Show More
44m 2s
Nov 4
Lily Allen and Tate McRae revive the revenge anthem
They say the best revenge is living well, but if you’re a pop star going through a break up, that’s false. The best revenge is releasing a searing scorched-earth revenge banger that calls out your ex and, ideally, rides that vengeance to the top of the Billboard charts. That’s ex ... Show More
33m 50s
May 2025
This Moment in Music History for 05-23-2025
On May 23, 1969, The Who released their groundbreaking rock opera album, "Tommy." This concept album tells the story of a "deaf, dumb, and blind" boy named Tommy Walker, who experiences various trials and tribulations before ultimately finding enlightenment and becoming a messian ... Show More
1m 55s
Oct 2024
Neil Finn's songs of ascension
<p>Neil Finn is one of our greatest living songwriters. In Split Enz and Crowded House, solo and in his collaborations, his tunes have become the soundtrack to our lives. </p><p>I’ve been chasing Neil to Take 5 for the TV series since the beginning, and finally he said yes. Even ... Show More
1h 1m
May 2025
This Moment in Music History for 05-18-2025
On May 18, 1980, Ian Curtis, the lead singer and lyricist of the influential post-punk band Joy Division, tragically took his own life at the age of 23. His untimely death came just on the eve of the band's first North American tour and two months prior to the release of their se ... Show More
2m 12s
Oct 21
Two Days in 1961: Dylan's Debut Begins a Legend
On October 21, 1961, Bob Dylan recorded his debut album, titled "Bob Dylan," at Columbia Recording Studios in New York City. The album was produced by John Hammond, who had previously signed Dylan to Columbia Records. The recording session lasted just two days, with Dylan recordi ... Show More
2m 43s
May 2025
This Moment in Music History for 05-16-2025
On May 16, 1966, one of the most influential albums in rock history was released: "Pet Sounds" by The Beach Boys. Produced and arranged by Brian Wilson, this groundbreaking album pushed the boundaries of what was possible in the recording studio and set a new standard for pop mus ... Show More
2m 2s
Oct 2024
This Moment in Music History for 10-18-2024
On October 18, 1957, Paul McCartney made his debut performance with John Lennon's band, The Quarrymen, at a social club in Liverpool, England. This event marked the beginning of a legendary musical partnership that would change the course of music history.<br /><br />McCartney, t ... Show More
1m 52s