Music

“Diversity was their greatest asset… They broke most of the rules that existed and wrote a new set”: Queen’s spirit of adventure and forward-looking values prove they were prog

• Article argues Queen's adventurous style qualifies them as a prog band
• Cites 2012 endorsement from Yes's Steve Howe and Dream Theater's Mike Portnoy
• Traces roots to a 1971 gig supporting Kevin Ayers and Genesis

A feature article revisits the case, first made in 2012 by Yes guitarist Steve Howe and Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy, that Queen deserve recognition as a progressive rock band despite becoming known chiefly for their pop anthems. It argues that by the time Queen achieved mainstream fame,…

4 Songs From the 1980s That Made You Wish You Were in a Rock Band, Too

• American Songwriter lists four 1980s rock songs celebrating band life.
• Featured acts: Motörhead, Guns N' Roses, Neil Young, Tom Petty.
• Songs contrast with era's typically darker, grittier rock themes.

American Songwriter has published a listicle highlighting four 1980s rock songs that celebrate the romance and thrill of life in a touring band, part of the outlet's recurring nostalgia-driven "The List" feature. The piece argues that while 1970s rock frequently glamorised band life, that theme largely faded in…

Watch Green Day play ‘Basket Case’ on top of an ice cream truck at San Diego Comic-Con

• Green Day played 'Basket Case' atop an ice cream truck at Comic-Con
• Stunt promoted their new film "Nimrods", out 11 August in UK
• A 22-track soundtrack featuring a new song arrives 31 July

Green Day surprised fans at San Diego Comic-Con by performing their 1994 hit 'Basket Case' from atop an ice cream truck, promoting their upcoming coming-of-age film "Nimrods". Billie Joe Armstrong began the impromptu set alone on the roof of a truck branded with the film's title, before bandmates…

3 Rock Bands That Actually Split at the Right Time

The article, from American Songwriter, looks back at three rock acts that chose to end their careers at a fitting moment rather than dragging on past their prime. It presents R.E.M., The Beatles and Talking Heads as examples of bands that recognised when it was time to stop,…

The “dream” band Phil Collins always wanted to work with: “It’s fantastic”

• Collins fulfilled a childhood ambition by recording with The Funk Brothers.
• The collaboration took place on his 2010 Motown covers album.
• He called hearing Bob Babbitt play “fantastic”.

Phil Collins described working with The Funk Brothers, Motown’s celebrated backing band, as a long-held dream when recording his 2010 covers album Going Back. The collaboration mattered to him because it connected him directly with the musicians behind songs he had admired since childhood and helped him make…

Watch: JUDAS PRIEST Kicks Off 2026 ‘Faithkeepers’ European Tour At Germany’s BOBFEST

• Judas Priest opened their 2026 "Faithkeepers" tour at Germany's BOBfest
• Played "The Ripper" and "Delivering The Goods" for first time since 2019
• Tour supports "Invincible Shield", the band's fifth UK Top 10 album

British heavy metal band Judas Priest launched their 2026 "Faithkeepers" world tour on 25 July at Germany's BOBfest, held at Mönchengladbach's SparkassenPark. The 17-song show marked the European leg of the band's continuing world tour cycle, following a 22-city North American co-headlining run with Alice Cooper the previous…

4 Country Hits From 1975 That Time Forgot, but We Sure Didn’t

This is a list-style feature from American Songwriter highlighting four country songs from 1975 that the writer believes were commercially successful in their time but have since faded from public memory and radio play. The piece argues these tracks deserve renewed appreciation despite being largely forgotten by modern…

On This Day in 1980, Merle Haggard “Dragged” a Hollywood Icon to the Top of the Country Chart With a Song That Almost Went to George Jones

• Haggard and Eastwood hit No. 1 with "Bar Room Buddies" on 26 July 1980
• George Jones was the original planned duet partner, not Haggard
• Both stars later downplayed the song in later interviews

On 26 July 1980, Merle Haggard and Clint Eastwood topped the US country chart with "Bar Room Buddies", a duet from the soundtrack of Eastwood's film Bronco Billy, which held the No. 1 spot for a week. The pairing is notable because the song was originally intended for…

The “douchey” 2011 moment Matt Damon wants everyone to forget: “Stupid and unprofessional”

• Damon regrets a staged 2011 television feud with Sarah Silverman.
• He says jealousy contributed to his behaviour.
• The incident stemmed from Jimmy Kimmel comedy sketches.

Matt Damon has said he regrets a 2011 appearance on *The Tonight Show with Jay Leno*, where he and comedian Sarah Silverman staged a hostile exchange. Speaking on the *Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend* podcast, Damon called the performance “stupid and unprofessional”, saying it reflected poorly on him…