Simon & Garfunkel: Poetic Voices of a Generation Simon & Garfunkel. Origins and Formation Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel met as schoolboys in Queens, New York, in the 1950s. They first recorded under the name Tom & Jerry, scoring a minor hit with “Hey, Schoolgirl” in 1957. After going separate ways briefly, they reunited in…
The Allman Brothers Band: Southern Rock Pioneers and Jam Band Legends The Allman Brothers Band. I. Formation and Origins The Allman Brothers Band was formed in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1969, but quickly relocated to Macon, Georgia, which became their spiritual home. The Allman Brothers Band. Original lineup: Their sound fused Delta blues, jazz improvisation, soul,…
Nirvana: The Band That Redefined Rock in the ’90s Nirvana. Formation and Early Years Nirvana was formed in Aberdeen, Washington, in 1987, by: The band emerged from the Pacific Northwest’s underground punk scene, heavily influenced by: They began blending punk aggression with melodic songwriting, laying the foundation for grunge — a raw, emotionally charged genre…
The Cars: Where New Wave Meets Classic Rock Precision The Cars. I. Formation and Background The Cars formed in Boston in 1976, bringing together musicians with backgrounds in art rock, power pop, and punk. The classic lineup included: They fused guitar-driven rock with synth textures and detached vocal delivery, helping define the early American new…
Guns N’ Roses: The Last Great Rock ‘n’ Roll Outlaws Guns N’ Roses. Formation and Origins Guns N’ Roses (GNR) was formed in Los Angeles in 1985, combining members from two bands: Hollywood Rose and L.A. Guns. Guns N’ Roses. Classic lineup: Their name came from merging the names of their previous groups — and…
Peter Gabriel: Sonic Visionary and Progressive Icon From Chobham to Genesis: A Progressive Origin Story Peter Brian Gabriel was born on February 13, 1950, in Chobham, Surrey, England. Raised in a musical household, Gabriel was exposed early on to classical music and church hymns, which subtly shaped his musical sensibilities. During his school years at…
Barclay James Harvest: Symphonic Rock’s Unsung Storytellers Barclay James Harvest. I. Formation and Origins Formed: 1966Origin: Oldham, Lancashire, England Barclay James Harvest. Classic Lineup: Initially inspired by The Beatles, The Moody Blues, and classical music, the band started as The Blues Keepers before adopting the more distinctive name Barclay James Harvest — a fictional composite…
Yngwie Malmsteen: The Maestro Who Brought Baroque to Metal Early Life and Fiery Beginnings Born Lars Johan Yngve Lannerbäck on June 30, 1963, in Stockholm, Sweden, Yngwie Malmsteen showed an early disinterest in mainstream music—until the age of 7, when he saw a documentary on Jimi Hendrix, whose flamboyant showmanship and guitar pyrotechnics lit a…
Suzanne Vega: The Poet of Urban Folk and Modern Storytelling Suzanne Vega. A Quiet Voice That Changed the Landscape of Songwriting Suzanne Vega, born on July 11, 1959, in Santa Monica, California, and raised in New York City, is a pioneering American singer-songwriter known for her intimate, poetic lyrics, minimalistic style, and understated yet compelling…
Jimi Hendrix: The Electric Shaman of Rock History Jimi Hendrix. The Birth of a Guitar Revolution Born Johnny Allen Hendrix on November 27, 1942, in Seattle, Washington, and later renamed James Marshall Hendrix, Jimi Hendrix emerged as a seismic force in the history of rock music. Though his mainstream career spanned only four years, he…
