Few R&B artists have made such an indelible impact as the great Wilson Pickett. Born March 18, 1941, he remains one of America’s greatest soul singers, even after his passing at age 64 on January 19, 2006. Such was his stellar reputation that he placed more than 50 songs on…
Born March 15, 1940, bassist Phil Lesh, a founding member of the Grateful Dead, is now at an age where he can be considered one of rock’s elder icons. For a genre that was once spurred on by youthful innocence and ideals, rock now finds its original innovators firmly entrenched…
Music vet and New Times scribe Lee Zimmerman offers his insights, opinions and observations about the local scene. This week: Kilmo conquers Hollywood It’s nice to see a new venue establish itself here in South Florida. After all, if there’s one thing we lack, it’s places for live bands and original…
Born March 12, 1922, Jack Kerouac was one of the seminal novelists of the Beat Generation. That group of writers, poets, and vagabonds of the 1950s set the stage for the counter generation and youth revolution of the 1960s. His books — On the Road and The Dharma Bums –…
Even at the ripe old age of 70, John Cale remains one of the most enigmatic musicians in popular music. He is a man whose musical endeavors once stretched from rock to punk to the realms of classical and experimental progression. Born in Wales on March 9, 1942, Cale was a…
It may seem unlikely — especially to those who came of age in college dorm rooms during the Day-Glo daze of the late ’60s and early ’70s — that the Moody Blues, providers of the psychedelic soundtrack of their youth, should still be going strong today. Yet indeed, nearly half…
Music vet and New Times scribe Lee Zimmerman shares stories of memorable rock ‘n’ roll encounters that took place in our local environs. This week: Reflections on the makers of our memories… I confess that I was reticent at first to add my comments about the passing of Davy Jones,…
Who would have guessed that at age 70, Lou Reed would remain as irascible and irreverent as ever? Born in Brooklyn on March 2, 1942, Lewis Allan Reed came to be known as one of the world’s most infamous insurgents. He is a musical icon who foretold the emergence of the…
Music vet and New Times scribe Lee Zimmerman offers his insights, opinions and observations about the local scene. This week: For the ex-Goods guy, the play’s the thing.Jim Camacho has always struck me as either multi-talented, a multi-tasker, or perhaps a combination of both. And, for the record, I’m not…
Music vet and New Times scribe Lee Zimmerman shares observations, insights, and updates relating to South Florida’s musical environs. This week, Fernando Perdomo sets out to change the world. It seems Fernando Perdomo is at it again. The ambitious mastermind behind South Florida’s Forward Motion Records and member of rock band…
Like Elvis, Johnny Cash has left the building. Happily, though, the memories still linger by the back door. Born February 26, 1932, the “Man in Black” — a nickname given him not only because of his garb but due to his dour demeanor — would have been 80 years old today…
Volumes have been written about George Harrison, variously referred to as “the quiet Beatle,” “the spiritual Beatle,” “the baby Beatle,” and the like. In fact, he was the most misunderstood member of the band, the one who had to continuously vie with Lennon and McCartney to get his songs on…
The Saw Doctors Revolution Thursday, February 23, 2012 Better than: Dare we say that better-known band from Ireland, the one whose name starts with a U… “Brilliant. Awesome. Life-changing,” we can’t take credit for those particular adjectives. In fact, those are just some of the random comments that came from various individuals who packed…
Barry GibbHard Rock Live, Hollywood Tuesday, February 21, 2012 Better than: Anyone might have possibly expected.Can one Bee Gee make up for the lack of three? After Maurice Gibb’s passing and Robin Gibb’s recent health scare, it was left to brother Barry to carry on the band’s legacy and prove that he can…
Rowdy, rebellious, and unrepentant as ever, Hank Williams III, AKA Hank 3, honors Americana tradition while flipping it the occasional middle finger. Alongside the usual banjo-baited twang and fiddle-fueled hoedowns, he proffers a seamy underside that’s revealing and rebellious. Over nearly two decades, he’s readily bared his barbs, defying the wishes…
When it comes to pop stars, perhaps the only thing sadder than a life taken too soon due to mishap or misadventure is one whose legacy is thus forever haunted by the demise. We’ve seen it just now with the death of Whitney Houston; pundits will always extol her talents,…
Music vet and New Times scribe Lee Zimmerman shares observations, insights, and updates relating to South Florida’s musical environs. This week: Life with Livesay! Billy Livesay’s been around. Musically, that is. Growing up in Miami and Hialeah, raised by a single mother, and switching schools frequently, he didn’t have the…
Singer/songwriter Conor Oberst is considered something of a boy wonder. He trod the way for off-the-beaten path, alt-folk indie rock in the late ’90s and early aughts. Born February 15, 1980, he began his music career at the tender age of 13. By the time he was 15, he had already accumulated tenure…
It could be argued, and successfully, no doubt, that Peter Gabriel’s two-pronged career has made him one of the most innovative and ingenious musicians of the modern era. That reputation sprung to life at the helm of Genesis and then reached full bloom with a solo career that continued to awe…
Some people seem like they were born to be rock stars, like Keith Richards, Chrissie Hynde, Slash, and Lenny Kravitz. If that’s true, Dave Grohl would also have to be included among that number. An integral member of Nirvana, one of Grunge’s most influential bands, and later Queens of the Stone…
Music vet and New Times scribe Lee Zimmerman offers his insights, opinions, and observations about the local scene. This week: a publicist’s pitch gets my attention… Being a writer and reviewer, I get all kinds of pitches from publicists and record label representatives, most of them clamoring for my attention…
The call comes in five minutes early, but no matter. Leo Moran, one of two singers, guitarists, and songwriters for the Irish band the Saw Doctors, is on the phone from his hometown of Galway. The soft burr of his Eire accent automatically evokes an uncommon air of affability. In…
