MUSIC

11 Items in Van Halen's Contract Rider (Including No Brown M&Ms)

Van Halen is back! Featuring David Lee Roth and three Van Halens, the band has reunited for a North American tour, and their new record was released just three days ago. So I thought I'd take a look back at the band's infamous early-1980s tour rider*, t

Great Moments In Kazoo History

Here are a few fascinating points in the history of the great musical equalizer.

Why Don't You Hear Someone's Accent in a Song?

Ever wonder how singers manage to loser their accent when they sing? Is it there, but we just don't hear it, or is there a reason behind it?

The 25 Most Powerful Songs of the Past 25 Years

They’re not the most beautiful songs, or the most musically important. In fact, a few could literally drive you nuts. But the following tunes have made a difference somehow.

Do you remember "Christmas Tree," Lady Gaga's 2008 holiday tune? Neither does anyone else.

11 Christmas Songs That Never Really Took Off

From The Beatles to Lady Gaga, some of the music world's biggest names are responsible for some of the holiday season's biggest clunkers.

The Stories Behind 11 Classic Album Covers

Discover the stories behind 11 classic album covers, including The Clash's "London Calling" and more.

The Beatles's Bizarre 1960s Christmas Shows

By the 1963 Christmas season, The Beatles were already the biggest musical stars in the history of British entertainment. Which makes their live "The Beatles Christmas Shows" of 1963 and 1964 even more bizarre.

The FBI Plot Against "Louie Louie"

In the winter of 1963-64, a team of FBI agents spent their days hunched over portable record players, struggling to decode a message that threatened the morality of America’s youth. It wasn’t from the Russians or Castro, but a band of white-bread Portland

'Jingle Bells' Was Originally Written as a Thanksgiving Song

Thanksgiving's got nothing on Christmas when it comes to music. Beyond Adam Sandler's "The Thanksgiving Song," there aren't a ton of tunes you associate with Turkey Day. Unless you count "Jingle Bells." Wait, what?

11 Things You May Not Know About "God Bless America"

You may know all the words, but how much do you know about the song

They Could've Been Beatles

In June of 1956, a 15-year-old named John Lennon started the band that was to eventually develop into "The Beatles." In August of 1962, Richard "Ringo Starr" Starkey officially joined the soon-to-be-famous rock group, joining John Lennon, Paul McCartney,

Phil Spector at his trial for the murder of Lana Clarkson.

5 Artists Reportedly Held at Gunpoint by Phil Spector

Phil Spector was best known for developing a new production style and murdering Lana Clarkson by gunshot wound. Here are five musical artists he also threatened with a gun.

Celebrating Christmas with The Beatles

Paul: "I just wanted to thank you fans. Don't know where we'd be without you." John: "The army, probably." George, speaking about their upcoming film: "This one will be in color." John: "Green." --1964 Beatles Christmas

Muzak History: The Background Story on Background Music

When you hear the name Muzak, you probably think of the type of easy listening music one often encounters in elevators or while on hold at a call center. Where does the term Muzak come from, and where does the actual music originate?

John Minihan, Evening Standard/Getty Images

Marvin Gaye, Detroit Lions Wide Receiver?

We’ve seen plenty of athletes—probably too many—try to become musicians. But what happens when it goes the other way?

Columbia House had members swimming in CDs.

It's a Steal! How Columbia House Made Money Giving Away Music

If you grew up in the pre-MP3 era, chances are you had at least one go-round as a member of Columbia House’s mail-order music club.

BlöödHag: Seattle's Edu-Core Death Metal Library Rockers

BlöödHag is a death metal band from Seattle who perform, among other places, in libraries. Their songs are "Edu-Core," and focus on science fiction authors and literacy -- check out some lyrics here. In fact, what the heck, I'll just quote their classic

Going Out With a Bang: Janis Joplin's Hard-Partying Wake

When Janis Joplin died of a heroin overdose on October 4, 1970, she left behind a will that included an offbeat stipulation: $2500 to fund a hard-partying wake in her memory.

Paul McCartney (left) and Ringo Starr of The Beatles

8 Surprising Facts About Paul McCartney

Whether with The Beatles, Wings or solo, Paul McCartney has given us scores of classic songs that will live on through the ages.

Craig Barritt / Getty Images for Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation

The Time John Fogerty Was Sued for Ripping Off John Fogerty

In 1993, former Creedence Clearwater Revival singer John Fogerty found himself at the center of a case being argued before the United States Supreme Court.

Ode to the Brain

"The brain is a very big place, in a very small space" -Carl Sagan, in the latest Symphony of Science song. More geeky scientific awe, communicated via music and imagery, from composer John Boswell. "Here is this mass of jelly you can hold in the palm o

"Hallelujah" 10 Ways

"Hallelujah" is a song written by Leonard Cohen in 1984, and never officially released as a single. It has become famous mainly through cover versions, and has been recorded by hundreds of artists. In 2008, American Idol contestent Jason Castro sang a v

5 Things You Didn't Know About Cher

Cher's done a little bit of everything. She's blown up the pop charts, hosted a hit variety show, and even won an Oscar. Let's take a look at five things you might not know about the woman who was born Cherilyn Sarkisian.

The actual star-spangled banner is displayed at the National Museum of American History.

10 Things You Need to Know About 'The Star-Spangled Banner'

In 1814, Francis Scott Key saw the tattered remains of the American flag still blowing in the breeze after Fort McHenry had been bombarded by the British all night. The rest, as you probably know, is history.

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