Linda Ronstadt, 1970s. Linda Ronstadt is 70 years old today and it seems a good time to reflect on just how massive her popularity once was, particularly in the 1970s. Her birthday is also a sad reminder that it’s three years since Ronstadt announced to the music world that she can no longer sing a…
Category: Artists: I-P
Whatever Happened To The Bee Gees In The 80s?
Bee Gees ESP album cover, 1987 For people in the Southern Hemisphere, last night was the longest night of the year. Never afraid of a slightly tenuous link if it means I can talk about the Bee Gees, I couldn’t resist sharing this beautiful song of the same name, The Longest Night. Where I live…
The End Of The Purple Reign: Prince Dead At 57
This morning I woke up to a text message that read “Noooooooooooo” and had a link to an article. Half asleep and thinking I’d probably click on whatever the link was and read it later, I felt wide awake as soon as I clicked. Can’t believe it. Prince is dead at the age…
My NZ Herald Tribute To Martin Crowe – How He Used To Request Michael Buble Songs On My Radio Show
In case you missed it, click here to link to my New Zealand Herald tribute article to Martin Crowe. I wrote the piece in less than 90 minutes in the emotion and shock of hearing my great mate had died. If I’d had more time it might’ve been more refined, more eloquent. But sometimes writing in…
In The Presence Of Genius – Reflections On Prince’s Auckland Concerts, Plus A Live B-Side Classic
Prince at the American Music Awards, 2015. We toss the word “legend” around fairly willy-nilly in New Zealand. I guess if we call our mates “legend” when they buy us a drink or give us a ride somewhere then it’s little surprise we extol far too many musicians with two albums and three hits with…
Earth, Wind & Fire’s Maurice White Dies – Their Epic Rivalry With The Commodores
Maurice White of Earth, Wind & Fire. Maurice White was the heart and soul of a band who overflowed with both. They overflowed with funk too, not to mention the touches of jazz and gospel and the grooves of Africa and Latin America that ran through their music. And all told, some of the greatest…
Jimi Hendrix’s ‘All Along The Watchtower’ + 5 More Of The Greatest Cover Versions Ever
Jimi Hendrix. This weekend marked 45 years since the death of Jimi Hendrix so with him and his colossal take on Bob Dylan’s All Along The Watchtower in mind, here’s a list of five of my all-time favourite cover songs. I played All Along The Watchtower (featured at the bottom of this article) on my radio show…
The Commodores 10 Funkiest Songs
The Commodores in the mid 70s. Today is the 66th birthday of one of the funkiest bass guitarists in history so it seemed like a good time wheel out this little top 10 list. Ronald LaPread was the bassist for the Commodores from 1969 until his departure for a new life in New Zealand in…
‘We’d have the most fun’ – Barry Gibb Explains His Friendship With Michael Jackson
Maurice Gibb, MJ, BarryGibb, Robin Gibb – circa 1985. If Michael Jackson was still alive August 29th would’ve been his 57th birthday. That seems reason enough for me to remind fans of the personal and creative friendship that Michael shared with Bee Gee Barry Gibb. Over the years they always spoke very warmly of each…
Nick Jonas & The Gospel Version Of ‘Jealous’ – Why Hall & Oates Would Be Proud
Nick Jonas This is the version of Jealous by Nick Jonas that I mentioned on the radio last night. The original is one of the most purely fun R&B pop songs of the year. There’s also been the explicit version with the former wearer of one of those horrific virginity rings shedding his goody-good Disney…
My Favourite Interviews, A Montage Including Barry Gibb, Lionel Richie, Lindsey Buckingham, Sheryl Crow, Paul Michael Glaser and More
With Barry Gibb, February 2013. Over the course of my broadcasting career I’ve been incredibly fortunate to interview so many people I admire, from music legends to sporting heroes to movie stars to Prime Ministers. People often want to know who was the funniest, friendliest, the most down-to-earth and of course, the worst. The truth…
‘Blurred Lines’ And The Blurred Lines Of Copyright Infringement – Why This Decision Is All Wrong
Marvin Gaye. The ruling in the copyright infringement case against Pharrell Williams and Robin Thicke is ridiculous. Like any good student of 70s R&B, the first time I heard Blurred Lines – the Thicke / Williams / T.I. collaboration that became the biggest hit of 2013 – I knew it wasn’t only inspired by Marvin Gaye, but inspired by…
