Ozzy Osbourne Dies

In 1981, during a meeting with CBS Records executives, he bit the heads off two live doves as a publicity stunt.

John Michael “Ozzy” Osbourne was born on December 3, 1948, in Aston, Birmingham, England, to a working-class family, and struggled with dyslexia and other learning difficulties in school, eventually dropping out at age 15. He never served in the military and worked a series of odd jobs, including as a construction laborer and slaughterhouse worker, before turning to music.

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My Favorite Vocalists (Part One)

This is a series of posts that will talk about my favorite vocalists. See if you agree with any of these!

Greg Lake (1947–2016) was an English musician, singer, and songwriter best known as the vocalist and bassist for progressive rock bands King Crimson and Emerson, Lake & Palmer (ELP). Lake’s rich baritone voice was a defining feature of both groups, combining clarity, warmth,

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Best Last Lines in Songs (Part One)

These songs all have cool, strange, and or notable last lines of the lyrics.

Taxi,” written and performed by Harry Chapin, was released in 1972 as the lead single from his debut album Heads & Tales. The song, a poignant storytelling ballad, recounts a chance encounter between a taxi driver and his former lover, Sue, highlighting how both abandoned their youthful dreams—he aspired to be a pilot, she an actress—and settled into unfulfilled lives.

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Roberta Flack Dies

She was a leading figure in soul and R&B music.

Roberta Cleopatra Flack, born on February 10, 1937, in Black Mountain, North Carolina, was a prodigious talent who began playing the piano at the age of nine. Raised in Arlington, Virginia, she received a full music scholarship to Howard University at just 15 years old, where she honed her skills in classical piano before transitioning to vocal performance.

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Singing Drummers (Part Two)

Both the drummer and singer, a rare combination in rock music.

Singing lead and playing drums simultaneously is one of the great feats in popular music. Here I’ll post about some of the artists that make it work. The drummer is typically relegated to the rear, but here we’ll find some that should be right out front.

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Quincy Jones Dies

Jones was one of few producers to have number one records in three consecutive decades (1960s, 1970s, and 1980s).

Quincy Jones is one of the most influential figures in music and entertainment, celebrated for his innovative production work, his vast contributions across genres, and his collaborations with some of the industry’s biggest names. Born on March 14, 1933, in Chicago, Illinois, Jones’s early life was marked by hardship and a drive to succeed.

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Sérgio Mendes Dies

Known for blending bossa nova, samba, and jazz with pop.

Sérgio Mendes is a Brazilian musician known for blending bossa nova, samba, and jazz with a distinct pop sound. Over his long career, Mendes has become a globally recognized figure in Brazilian music and has had significant influence on popularizing the genre outside of Brazil. Sérgio Santos Mendes was born on February 11, 1941, in Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

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Joe Bonsall Dies

Country music is crying today.

Joseph Sloan Bonsall Jr., known as Joe Bonsall, was born on May 18, 1948, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He grew up in a close-knit family, with his parents and sister. His father, Joseph Sloan Bonsall Sr., served in the United States Army during World War II, which had a significant impact on Joe’s upbringing, instilling in him values of patriotism and resilience.

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Song Meanings: Ode To Billie Joe

It was the third of June, another sleepy, dusty Delta day

Ode to Billie Joe is a song written and recorded by American singer-songwriter Bobbie Gentry, released on July 10, 1967. It became an instant hit, known for its haunting narrative and mysterious storyline, capturing the imaginations of listeners with its tale of Southern gothic intrigue. Bobbie Gentry, born Roberta Lee Streeter, grew up in Mississippi, a setting that deeply influenced her songwriting.

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Songs About Dad (Part One)

The leader of the band is tired and his eyes are growing old, But his blood runs through my instrument and his song is in my soul, My life has been a poor attempt to imitate the man, I’m just a living legacy to the leader of the band

There are some great songs about fathers out there: the ones dedicated to his love, the ones about a strained relationship and even the ones certain dads wrote about their newborn children. No matter your relationship with your Dad, there are probably some songs that will bring back memories.

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