America’s leading hard rock band in the 1980s, Bon Jovi have broadened their appeal still further by combining their musical aggression with catchy pop songs to achieve a universal appeal. The band was formed in 1983 in New Jersey by singer Jon Bon Jovi (b. John Francis Bongiovi, 2 March 1962), guitarist Richie Sambora (b. 11 July 1969), keyboard player David Bryan (b. David Bryan Rashbaum, 7 February 1962), bassist Alec ...
(Vocal/instrumental group, 1976–present) A mainstream American rock band whose meticulously layered music was largely the brainchild of songwriter, guitarist and producer Tom Scholz, Boston’s line-up was completed by Brad Delp (vocals), Barry Goudreau (guitar), Sib Hashian (drums) and Fran Sheehan (bass). The all-conquering first album Boston released in 1976 became the biggest-selling debut of all time and yielded the hit single ‘More Than A Feeling’. Ever the perfectionist, Scholz considered the ...
(Vocals, b. 1953) Brooklyn-born Benatar established herself as queen of arena rock with a trio of fine albums. Her poppier debut In The Heat Of The Night (1979) was followed by heavier, Grammy-winning Crimes Of Passion (1980) and her only No. 1 Precious Time (1981). Her expressive tones powered several hit singles including ‘Hit Me With Your Best Shot’, ‘Love Is A Battlefield’ and ‘We Belong’. Husband Neil Giraldo provided guitar ...
The gorgeously flamboyant Queen were formed in 1970 in London by singer Freddie Mercury (born Farrokh Bulsara, 5 September 1946), guitarist Brian May (born 19 July 1947) and drummer Roger Taylor (born Roger Meddows-Taylor, 26 July 1949), with bassist John Deacon (born 19 August 1951) completing the line up in 1971. They spent two years developing their style while they remained at college, playing few gigs. But once they started ...
The rise of arena rock began in North America during the mid-1970s with a surge in the popularity of bands like Journey, Foreigner, Boston and Styx. Embraced by a network of FM radio stations, these bands and others like them became so profitable to their record companies that they almost represented a licence to print money. The formula was deliciously simple: slick, commercial material, underpinned by memorable hard rock riffs and ...
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An extensive music information resource, bringing together the talents and expertise of a wide range of editors and musicologists, including Stanley Sadie, Charles Wilson, Paul Du Noyer, Tony Byworth, Bob Allen, Howard Mandel, Cliff Douse, William Schafer, John Wilson...
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David Bowie
Fantastic new, unofficial biography covers
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