In 2015, I wrote about the recording of Bruce Springsteen’s rock-and-roll anthem “Born to Run” on the album’s 40th anniversary, which led to the unveiling of a historic plaque placed at the site a year later. I revisited and updated the story on the album’s 50th anniversary. Click on the link below for the full story.Continue reading “‘Born to Run,’ Born in the Burbs 50 years ago”
Category Archives: Rock and Roll
The Wichita Lineman is Still on the Line
At age 78, Jimmy Webb is still performing, still writing songs, and still telling the stories behind some of the hits that catapulted him to a Grammy award and a spot in the Songwriters Hall of Fame. I had a blast speaking with him for this interview about his friendship and collaborations with Glen CampbellContinue reading “The Wichita Lineman is Still on the Line”
He’s worked with Mother Teresa, the Dalai Lama and E. Jean Carrol
He’s taught at Rockland Community College for more than a half-century, published books with some of the world’s most respected thinkers, produced albums by blues, jazz, pop stars and poets. He’s a behind-the-scenes guy worthy of some attention. Oh, did I mention I had him as my professor and advisor? Meet Richard Connolly, my longtimeContinue reading “He’s worked with Mother Teresa, the Dalai Lama and E. Jean Carrol”
Where music’s wedged onto the menu
A venerable Italian deli in Westchester County, NY, turns into a music venue on Friday and Saturday nights.
RIP Brooks Arthur, 914 Sound Studios hitmaking wizard
Brooks Arthur, award-winning engineer and the founder of 914 Sound Studios. Photo by James J. Kriegsmann Jr.
This Time, The Last Waltz Was His Alone
Levon Helm at the Mountain Jam music festival, a celebration of his 70th birthday, held in 2010 at Hunter Mountain. Photo by Dino Perrucci
Dancing with, and to, The Dead
A faded 19th century mansion where ghosts of the past are close at hand seems just the right place to pay tribute to The Dead.
Music fest stays true to its roots
Veteran DJ Bruce Figler has curated another strong lineup for the Pleasantville Music Festival, mixing A-listers with locally grown talent.
Nyack, New Rochelle, and the song about ‘Day the Music Died’
Fifty years ago, American Pie reached No. 1 on Billboard’s charts. Here’s some backstory on the making of a record that was born here in the Hudson Valley.
Hit-making studio legend recalls Springsteen’s breakthrough recordings
Brooks Arthur, the engineer behind hit records by Carole King, Neil Diamond, Janis Ian, and the Shangri-Las, was the founder of 914 Sound Studios. Photo by Betsy Hammer
Robert Brum 