The NY Independent Music

Phil Spector Wall of Sound Polluted, Homogenized Rock for Radio; RIP

Keith GirardJanuary 18, 2021

Phil Spector was hailed as a musical genius for his "wall of sound" production, but his legacy is far more clouded....

Prince singing in Brussels in 1986. The singer's estate has been socked by a hefty IRS bill. (Photo: Prince)

Prince Estate Mired by IRS Claims, Leaving Relatives Penniless in $80M Dispute

Keith GirardJanuary 4, 2021

Prince singing in Brussels in 1986. The singer's estate has been socked by a hefty IRS bill. (Photo: Prince) Prince, the iconic "Purple Rain" singer, is facing a green drain on his estate. The IRS charges his estate has been under-valued by almos...

POP

Paul McCartney Adds Coda to His Long Career with ‘McCartney III’

Matt KindelmannDecember 22, 2020

Paul McCartney releases McCartney III, the long awaited album in his solo trilogy. (Photo: Bang ShowBiz) I did what any Paul McCartney fan would do when rumors began circulating that McCartney III, the long belated third installment in ...

POP

The Oxfords are back with a No. 1 album on Amazon's Pop Oldies chart. (Photo: The Oxfords)

The Oxfords, a Throwback ’60s Philly Band, Finds New Fans With Oldies Album

Keith GirardDecember 7, 2020

It has been quite the year – eminently frustrating for certain – but the Philadelphia group, The Oxfords, saw the rebirth of their sound....

POP

Gene Cornish recounts his days as a founding member of The Rascals. (Photo: DisCompany)

Gene Cornish’s Life as Rascal Detailed in New Book About America’s ‘First Rock Band’

WinchesterDecember 2, 2020

“Good Lovin’: My Life As A Rascal” by Gene Cornish is a reflective look on what made The Rascals one of rock’s most enduring bands, long after it broke up....

ROCK

The Beatles in a promo photo from their Magical Mystery Tour in 1967, near the end of their time together. (Photo: Parlophone Music Sweden)

Paul Left The Beatles 50 Years Ago With First Solo Album; It Still Resonates Today

Matt KindelmannSeptember 16, 2020

The Beatles spent the last three years of the 1960s breaking up. By the spring of 1970, little more than a snarled set of business relationships was keeping them together....

POP

Victor Kastel reached deep into his past to create a modern album. (Photo: DisCompany)

Victor Kastel Reaches Back for an Album That Speaks to Today

WinchesterJuly 28, 2020

Singer-songwriter Vic Kastel has just issued his first-ever album, Time Traveler (Island Avenue Records), with much of the music recorded in the mid-70s....

BLUES

Daeodon finds its stride as the hell pig of Grunge rock. (Photo: DisCompany)

Daeodon Takes Grunge Out of the Garage With ‘Forever Strangers’

WinchesterJune 23, 2020

Daeodon (day-o-don), the broad-ranging, post-grunge rockers named for a pre-historic creature, sometimes called a “hell pig,” delivers music with “teeth” on its new CD album Forever Strangers....

BETWEEN THE LINESROCK

Prince was acutely aware of intolerance and spoke out against it. (Photo: Bang ShowBiz)

Prince Called Out Intolerance in 2015; Read His Words and See His Video

Keith GirardJune 8, 2020

Prince, a Minneapolis native who rose to become a music legend, was acutely attuned to racial intolerance and expressed his feelings in a moving letter that resonates with today’s “Black Lives Matter” protests....

POP

Liam Gallagher, former Oasis frontman, says his long-running feud with Robbie Williams is over. (Photo:

Liam Gallagher, Robbie Williams Ready to End One of Rock’s Longest Feuds?

Keith GirardMay 28, 2020

Williams have been feuding for 20 years, longer than any other rock stars. But Liam, at least, seems ready to bury the hatchet. Is a reunion possible?...

POP

Petula Clark's signature 1974 Royal Albert Hall concert has been captured on a new CD. (Photo: Petula Clark)

Petula Clark’s 1974 Royal Albert Hall Concert a Sonic Blast on New CD

Mark BegoMay 6, 2020

Petula Clark’s 1974 concert at The Royal Albert Hall in London has been released on a new CD, so imagine my delight when I recently opened it up....

REVIEWS

Project Grand Slam Debuts Video for ‘I’m Falling Off Of The World,’ a Coronavirus Anthem

WinchesterApril 28, 2020

Robert Miller and his band Project Grand Slam, have released a video of their new song, “I’m Falling Off Of The World,” which could serve as an anthem for those locked down in isolation by the coronavirus pandemic....

JAZZ

Behind her sensual facade, Dua Lipa harbors a secret fear. (Photo: Bang ShowBiz)

Beyond Sexy Dua Lipa Wants Fans to Know She Has a Secret Fear (photos)

Keith GirardApril 16, 2020

Exotically beautiful UK singer Dua Lipa wants fans to know she has a secret fear. She feels “vulnerable,” despite her successful career and stunning beauty....

POP

Romeo Delight, which bills itself as the ultimate Van Halen tribute band, is part of a trend that's gaining in popularity. (Photo: DisCompany)

Are ‘Tribute’ Bands Finally Getting the Respect They Deserve as Artists?

WinchesterApril 6, 2020

Say what you will about tribute-bands, but they now account for the No. 1 form of live entertainment. ...

ROCK

Mike Nesmith and Micky Dolenz record a live album for the ages as survivors of The Monkees. (Photo: Album)

Mike & Micky Show Live Album Seals Monkees as a ‘Real’ Band for the Ages

Anthony PomesApril 2, 2020

First, silence. Then, slowly, a growing audience roar more than 50 years in the making is heard. Two singers shout out “Hello!” to the crowd, and the listener just knows this is going to be fun....

REVIEWSROCK

Miley Cyrus is one of several musicians canceling shows because of coronavirus. (Photo: Bang ShowBiz)

Coronavirus Cancellations for Musical Acts, Tours, Festivals Mounting

Keith GirardMarch 13, 2020

Musical acts around the globe are canceling or postponing tours and appearances as a result of the coronavirus crisis, which has also knocked out several major music events. ...

MUSICPOP

The Dixie Chicks are back with a fiery new anthem and a new album. (Photo: ScreenCap)

Dixie Chicks Return (Not a Moment Too Soon) With New Album, Fiery Video (See!)

Keith GirardMarch 5, 2020

The Dixie Chicks, one of the hottest country groups until they took on President Bush and caused country radio to turn on them in 2003, are back–and not a moment too soon....

COUNTRYPOP

K-Pop Band BTS Takes Over Grand Central Station on Tonight Show (Watch!)

Keith GirardFebruary 25, 2020

BTS, the k-pop boy band from South Korea that’s become a worldwide phenomenon, took over New York City’s Grand Central Station for a stunning performance of their song “On.”...

POP

Miley Cyrus, Liam Hemsworth Handle It Badly at Same Oscars Party

Keith GirardFebruary 10, 2020

Miley Cyrus proved absence doesn’t make the heart grow fonder, at least when she and her ex-husband Liam Hemsworth show up at the same Oscars party. ...

CELEBRITIES

Hosting a major awards show like the Grammys is no easy task, says Alicia Keys. (Photo: Bang ShowBiz)

Alicia Keys Bore an Extra Burden This Year Hosting Grammy Awards

Keith GirardJanuary 27, 2020

Alicia Keys admitted hosting the Grammy Awards this year was “hard” and “painful” coming so soon after the death of NBA basketball great Kobe Bryant and eight others in a California helicopter crash....

POP

Shakira unleashes her sensuality in a new song "Me Gusta." Traslated: "I Like." (Photo:

Shakira Ready to Light Up Super Bowl; Hear Her First New 2020 Song ‘Me Gusta’

Keith GirardJanuary 13, 2020

Shakira, who set the world on fire with her Latin sensuality, is ready to do the same at the Super Bowl. She’ll be appearing with Jennifer Lopez during the halftime extravaganza....

POP

Alicia Keys takes her music to the streets in new Underground video. (Photo: ScreenCap/YouTube)

Alicia Keys Busts a Move for Downtrodden in New Underground Video (watch!)

Keith GirardJanuary 9, 2020

Alicia Keys stands up (and dances) for the downtrodden in a stunning new video for her song “Underground.” The song explores the humanity of those who are struggling to overcome adversity on the lowest rungs of society....

R & B

Kurt Cobain's hit 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' lives on long after his death. (Photo: Bang ShowBiz)

Nirvana Iconic ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ Hits 1 Billion YouTube Views! See!

Keith GirardDecember 28, 2019

Nirvana iconic tune “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” the opening track and lead single from the band’s second album, Nevermind has reached 1 billion views on YouTube, a milestone topped by only one other tune....

POP