Happy Birthday to the “Godlike” Freddie Mercury!

There are some singers who possess a special charisma. Then there are those who are theatrically engaging. There’s no shortage of vocalists who created their own signature style and imbued it with their special presence. But no one has had it all like Queen frontman Freddie Mercury.Even now, more than…

Happy Birthday, Michael Jackson! Ten of Jacko’s Most Amazing Moments

Forget about the scandals, the accusations of child molestation, the dangling baby, the skin bleaching, the increasingly bizarre appearance, drug abuse, the pet monkey, all the tabloid trash talk, even the hyperbaric oxygen chamber. Elvis had his own reputation for misbehavior. The Stones were busted on more than one occasion…

Gene Simmons, Sharp-Tongued Kiss Frontman, We Wish You a Happy Birthday

See also: Kiss Superfan and String Strangler Juan Montoya Got His Nose Broken Defending the BandKiss and Motley Crue at Cruzan Amphitheatre SlideshowA Birthday Kiss to Ace FrehleyYou can’t miss Kiss. There are Kiss comics, Kiss coffins, Kiss movies, Kiss condoms, Kiss trading cards, Kiss radios, Kiss record players… Well, just…

Backstage “in” South Florida: Frenzied at Newport Folk Festival

Music vet and New Times scribe Lee Zimmerman offers his insights, opinions, and observations about the local scene. This week: A first time visit to the Newport Folk Festival.I never really hit the festival circuit during my younger years. Never went to Woodstock, never been to Lollapalooza. Hell, never even…

Reflections on the Life of Whitney Houston on Her Birthday

There’s no other way to describe it. Whitney Houston’s sudden passing in a bathtub at the Beverly Hills Hotel this past February was a horrible waste of talent and a tragic loss for the world.Houston’s battle with drugs and the horrors of an abusive marriage aren’t uncommon in the world…

Jon Lord, Deep Purple’s Keyboard Innovator, Rest in Peace

After a long bout with pancreatic cancer, keyboard player and composer Jon Lord died suddenly from a pulmonary embolism yesterday. This marks the passing of yet another British rock legend. Although his early love was for classical music and his key influences included American blues and jazz artists like Jimmy Smith,…

Backstage In South Florida: The Cover Band Controversy

Music vet and New Times scribe Lee Zimmerman offers his insights, opinions and observations about the local scene. This week: A trip to Marathon inspires a marathon debate.I’ve never been shy about venting my distaste for cover bands, but I don’t think I’ve actually shared the reasons as to why…