Rob Smith
88 Facts About the Summer of 1988
A look back at the music, films, news, and pop culture that made the summer of 1988 a unique season in history.
Gov’t Mule, ‘Peace … Like a River': Album Review
Warren Haynes and band return with Billy Gibbons, Billy Bob Thornton and more quality blues rock.
Extreme, ‘Six': Album Review
First album in 15 years from Boston rockers makes up for lost time.
40 Years Ago: Elton John Roars Back With ‘Too Low for Zero’
First, he had to reconnect with songwriting partner Bernie Taupin and his classic-era band.
50 Years Ago: Funkadelic Serves Up a Hot ‘Cosmic Slop’
George Clinton's band fit a broad vision into shorter songs, coming up with a classic.
Winger, ‘Seven': Album Review
Thirty-five years after debut, New York hard rockers, original lineup still intact, return with seventh LP.
40 Years Ago: How Krokus’ Slow Climb Influenced ‘Headhunter’
Why they never achieved the multiplatinum heights of Scorpions or Quiet Riot is a mystery.
Why Heart’s ‘Magazine’ Was Originally Released Against Their Will
The band were later allowed to finish the record, but their label sent armed security guards to the studio.
40 Years Ago: The Tubes Clean Up Their ‘She’s a Beauty’ Video
They wanted a freak show, they wanted boobs. They got a sanitized carnival ride.
40 Years Ago: The Tubes Go ‘Outside Inside’ for Their Biggest LP
With David Foster producing, San Francisco art rockers created their biggest album and hit single, "She's a Beauty."
45 Years Ago: REO Speedwagon Breaks Through With ‘Tuna Fish’
They'd established a fan base between coasts but had been largely ignored in hotspots like New York or Los Angeles.
50 Years Ago: Bob Seger Digs Deep on Underrated ‘Back in ’72’
How could something this awesome escape the attention of a wider audience? Because he hates it.
Def Leppard’s ‘Pyromania’ at 40: The Story Behind Every Song
These tracks changed the game for hard rock in 1983.
Santana Albums Ranked Worst to Best
Carlos Santana & Co. have been supernatural musical shape-shifters for 26 albums. Here's how those records rank.
What a Wonderful Soundtrack: The Music of ‘Good Morning, Vietnam’
Companion to the Robin Williams film is a great snapshot of mid-'60s radio.
25 Years Ago: Phish Stages ‘The Great Went’
Band invited fans to Maine in 1997 for a weekend of art, humor, a big bonfire and lots of jamming.