Michael Olivas, Law of Rock and Roll Professor

I cannot let the death of Paul Revere Dick go by without a brief note. Of course, he was the front man for Paul Revere and the Raiders, one of the many 1950’s and 1960’s vintage bands... Download PDF File

The most recent Rolling Stone has an interesting list of “The 30 greatest rock roll movie moments,” which includes some exquisite movies, movie scenes, and music... Download PDF File

One of the interesting things about the life cycles of recording artists is that almost all of them tour and perform their new works, the time-honored way of getting word out to their fans... Download PDF File

As is always the case at the beginning of the semester, I am digging out of a hole immediately, and this semester has been no different. At the annual meeting... Download PDF File

Last night, Tina and I attended a concert with a group I adored when I was a kid, who fell apart too soon, and made extraordinary music during the important years 1964-1968... Download PDF File

Last night, Tina and I opened our 2014 school year and our reintroduction in the Houston concert scene with Crosby, Stills & Nash (CSN), who performed at the Houston Bayou Music Center... Download PDF File

I had one more thing about The Zombies that I was reminded of—the wonderful but oddly-stylized singing format and mannerisms of Colin Blunstone. This 2012 NPR Tiny Desk Concert... Download PDF File

When I was eight years old, in 1959, I saw “The Three Worlds of Gulliver,” at the Lensic Theater in Santa Fe, NM, , one of the films that changed my life... Download PDF File

In my life, as most of you know, I have developed certain musical tastes and preferences, which are constantly in a state of flux with some well-considered... Download PDF File

Bobby Womack, another soul giant has passed, and although he is properly in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (inducted by the Stones’ Ron Wood), he never got his due. He was covered by many others... Download PDF File

With the news that Tony Sheridan died and that the Beatles, d/b/a Apple Corps gave away the rights (technically, charged less than the ususal rates) to the movie ‘Good Ol' Freda’ (about their former staffer Freda Kelly)... Download PDF File

Adam Gopnick said exactly what I tried to convey earlier, in my recent post on the death of Ray Harryhausen, that his work was only appreciated poetically... Download PDF File

Several Posse members asked me why I had not singled out the performance of Nirvana at the recent Hall induction. Listening to this poor-quality recording of them doing “Teen Spirit” (with Joan Jett)... Download PDF File

I have had a great response and a number of you sent many more stories about back up singers, including Ronnie Spector, of the Ronettes (inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)... Download PDF File

Thanks to Ernie, who stepped up and threw down. He assumes Darrow-like talents in my view for convincing my Posse that his client could not have done it—if it doesn’t fit, you must acquit... Download PDF File

I have always loved the music and the musicians of Buffalo Springfield, which disbanded in 1968 after a great but short two years. They are in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame... Download PDF File

This was in my recent New Yorker—which I have loved reading since I was 14, but the e-version is so great because it has audio elaborations... Download PDF File

It is hard to believe, but I had another transformative moment while attending the Marc Anthony concert with Tina and my friends Yocel... Download PDF File

Of course—I just had a chance to read my most recent daily RS.com, which has this wonderful piece that I pass on to my Posse members... Download PDF File

Yikes—a resourceful and careful Posse member found that I had provided the same URL twice for the two versions of “Take me to the River.” A thanks and ... Download PDF File

I am passing along several things, very quickly, as I really am jammed, but that all of you will appreciate. First, once again, I remind you of Wolfgang’s Vault... Download PDF File

We were going to be in New Mexico when John Mayer came through, so quite a while ago, we bought tickets to see him at the Pavilion, a very good Albuquerque... Download PDF File

My recent book review of Linda Ronstadt, Simple Dreams, A Musical Memoir, also in Spanish: Suenos Sencillos, Memorias Musicales... Download PDF File