SEARCH RESULTS FOR: Smashing Pumpkins
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(Vocal/instrumental group, 1988–2000, 2005–present) Formed in Chicago, Billy Corgan (guitar, vocals), James Iha (guitar), D’Arcy Wretzky (bass) and Jimmy Chamberlin (drums) are, along with Nirvana, one of the most important alternative bands of the 1990s. Corgan fused metal, punk and melody over which he delivered compelling lyrical narratives. Siamese Dream (1993), Mellon Collie And ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley

Alternative-rock guitarist Billy Corgan (b. 1967) was born in Chicago, Illinois. Shortly after starting high school, Corgan began to learn guitar on an imitation Gibson Les Paul. His father, a musician, suggested that Billy listen to Jeff Beck and Jimi Hendrix but refused to teach him to play; consequently, Corgan was self-taught. His early influences were ...

Source: Rock Guitar Heroes, consultant editor Rusty Cutchin

The almost uncategorizable Irish composer Gerald Barry, whose untrammelled imagination and irreverent wit is displayed in operas such as his 1990 ‘opera within an opera’, The Intelligence Park, returned to the stage more recently with his take on Oscar Wilde’s comedy of manners, The Importance of Being Earnest. The Los Angeles concert premiere (conducted by Thomas Adès, ...

Source: Definitive Opera Encyclopedia, founding editor Stanley Sadie

Blues guitarist Johnny Winter (b. 1944) was born in Beaumont, Texas. Albino and cross-eyed from birth, Johnny showed a precocious talent for music, taking up the clarinet at the age of five and switching to guitar after a brief flirtation with the ukulele. Inspired by bluesmen like B.B. King, Muddy Waters and Bobby Bland, he ...

Source: Rock Guitar Heroes, consultant editor Rusty Cutchin

(Vocal/instrumental group, 1985–present) Fronted by ginger-haired Mick Hucknall, this Manchester band remain the finest exponents of blue-eyed soul, even though no other original members remain. By 1990, they already had 12 sophisticated hits to their name and spent the decade adding another dozen to the locker. Stars (1991) was a tour de force and Life (1995) was ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley

Rather a ‘catch-all’ category that includes many musically diverse bands from the 1980s and 1990s, ‘alternative’ is generally an American term referring to any remotely leftfield and non-mainstream band, whereas ‘indie rock’ originally refers generally to the UK bands recording for smaller, independent labels, again usually meaning non-mainstream bands. Alternative encompasses many sub-styles. To complicate matters, ...

Source: The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Music, general editor Paul Du Noyer

Hard rock is a cross between rock’n’roll and blues, but played louder – everything on ‘11’ or ‘one louder’, as guitarist Nigel Tufnell in spoof rock band Spinal Tap would say. The electric guitar is the prominent instrument in hard rock, and most hard rock songs are based on a guitar ‘riff’. The classic example of a hard rock ...

Source: The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Music, general editor Paul Du Noyer

January The Bookmobile And European Tour ‘It was a travelling library that was found in Phoenix, Arizona, and converted into an RV [recreation vehicle],’ Billie Joe told a TV interviewer in 1994 when discussing the Bookmobile inside the vehicle. ‘A lot of people come up to us and say, “Do you have books for sale in there ?”. ...

Source: Green Day Revealed, by Ian Shirley

January Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Although Pink Floyd were not defending their heavyweight title in the ring anymore, they were no longer anonymous figures and enjoyed all the personal trappings of being one of the world’s most successful and influential bands. On 17 January 1996 at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York Gilmour, Wright and Mason were ...

Source: Pink Floyd Revealed, by Ian Shirley

May Stop, Drop And Roll!!! The debut album by the Foxboro Hot Tubs entitled Stop, Drop And Roll!!! was released in May 2008 and was supported by a short tour of eight small clubs in the Bay Area with $20 tickets only available on the night. Musically, the album dropped anchor in various ports of the ...

Source: Green Day Revealed, by Ian Shirley

This unlikely opera house was the first avant-garde public arena and was funded by the Prussian Ministry of Culture. Built in 1844 by entrepreneur Josef Kroll, the theatre, with its large stage and fine acoustics, became the centrepiece for new music and production values that embraced modernity. When Otto Klemperer was appointed musical director, he approached the ...

Source: Definitive Opera Encyclopedia, founding editor Stanley Sadie

Zither The zither is part of a group of instruments which are linked by the fact that sets of strings run parallel to their main body, and that – unlike the lute, lyre or harp – they can still be played even without a resonating device. In the concept’s least advanced state, native instruments exist which are little ...

Source: The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Music, general editor Paul Du Noyer

Composed: 1920–25 Premiered: 1925, Monte Carlo Libretto by Colette (Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette) The child has been naughty. His mother does not think he deserves more than tea without sugar and dry bread. He must think about how sad he has made her. He shouts after her, ‘I don’t love anybody! I’m naughty!’ He starts smashing and ill-treating everything ...

Source: Definitive Opera Encyclopedia, founding editor Stanley Sadie

‘The Bohemian Life’ Puccini’s first work following the overwhelming triumph of Manon Lescaut was immediately beset by problems. Leoncavallo had already begun preparations on the same scenario and, on hearing of Puccini’s choice of subject, publicly berated his rival and friend and claimed priority over the project. Puccini responded calmly by declaring that both composers should go to work ...

Source: Definitive Opera Encyclopedia, founding editor Stanley Sadie

‘Mephistopheles’ Composed: 1866–67 Premiered: 1867, Venice Libretto by the composer after Goethe’s Faust Prologue Mefistofele wagers with God that he can win Faust’s soul. Act I Crowds celebrate Easter Sunday in Frankfurt. The aged Faust is bored and watches a mysterious friar, who follows him back to his study. When Faust opens his bible the friar reveals himself as ...

Source: Definitive Opera Encyclopedia, founding editor Stanley Sadie
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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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