George Harrison is, quite simply, one of the greatest guitarists in rock and roll history. Not the most technical musician, and certainly not the flashiest, but when it comes to being in a band — playing precisely what the song asks for, contributing ideas, and acting as one voice among several, he has been only occasionally equaled, and never surpassed. While capable of some impressive soloing, Harrison’s true talent lies in his creative lead playing and strong songwriting. As a member of the Beatles, Harrison … Continue reading →

Joni Mitchell was born Roberta Joan Anderson on November 7, 1943, in Fort Macleod, Alberta, Canada. At the age of nine, Mitchell contracted polio during a Canadian epidemic, but she recovered after a stay in hospital. It was during this time that she first became interested in singing. Joni Mitchell moved to New York City in 1967, and took up residence in the arty Chelsea district. She met Elliot Roberts in the fall and he began to manage her career, helping to open up the … Continue reading →

To understand Lou Reed you could begin where he began: the works of American poet and author Delmore Schwartz and the novels of proto-grunge writer Hubert Selby jnr, author of Last Exit To Brooklyn and Requiem For A Dream. In 1962, Delmore Schwartz began teaching creative writing at Syracuse University. One of his students was future songwriter Lou Reed (Take A Walk On The Wild Side), who dedicated several songs to his mentor (European Son). Schwartz told Reed at one point, “You can write-and if … Continue reading →