Dave Swanson is a writer and musician from Cleveland, Ohio. He has spent a lifetime obsessed with all things Rock & Roll. Dave has written for a variety of publications including Shindig!, Bucketful Of Brains, The Cleveland Scene and The Cleveland Plain Dealer. He hosts his own radio show, has promoted concerts and played in several bands including, but not limited to, Rainy Day Saints, New Salem Witch Hunters, The Cynics, Chamber Strings, Guided By Voices, Death Of Samantha, and Captain Groovy & His Bubblegum Army. Favorite bands-Cheap Trick, The Monkees, Sparks, Motorhead, Beach Boys, Rockpile, XTC,Van Der Graaf Generator, Sweet, Bob Dylan,etc. Favortie color- paisley. Sign-Scorpio. Favorite Movies-Love And Death, Don't Look Back & Beyond The Valley Of The Dolls. Political party-Mod & Rocker. Religion-Rock & Roll. His biggest regret is having no regrets. If not playing, writing, reading about, listening to, or discussing music, he is most likely dead.
Dave Swanson
50 Years Ago: The Beatles Hit U.S. Airwaves
On Dec. 17, 1963, the U.S. still had no idea what was in store. The Beatles had yet to appear on the Ed Sullivan Show where they seemingly overnight changed the landscape of pop music forever. That wouldn't occur until February 1964. However on a mid-December day in 1963, Carroll James of WWDC in Washington, DC played a Beatles record. He wasn't the first to do so in America, but it was the first
41 Years Ago: The BBC Bans ‘Hi Hi Hi’ by Paul McCartney and Wings
While controversy seemed to follow John Lennon on a daily basis in the early-70s, it was not a foreign concept to his former Beatles band mate Paul McCartney either. In early 1972, McCartney and his band Wings, released the defiantly political single, 'Give Ireland Back To The Irish.' Dipping into controversial waters out of character for McCartney, and though the single was strong and hard-rockin
45 Years Ago: Cream Perform ‘Farewell Concert’
After just over two years as a band, Cream gave their final performance on Nov. 26, 1968. The concert was held at the Royal Albert Hall In England. Cream's decision to disband took fans by surprise, though simmering tensions within the band, primarily between Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker, came to a head, as Eric Clapton was losing interest in the band. They embarked on a 'farewell tour' of 19 citie
45 Years Ago: Led Zeppelin Make London Debut, Robert Plant Gets Married
The band had only been up and running for a couple of months, playing a smattering of gigs throughout Denmark and Sweden before finally hitting the U.K.
50 Years Ago: Bob Dylan Records ‘The Times They Are A-Changin”
Sessions for Bob Dylan's third album, 'The Times They Are A Changin,' began just a few months after the last tracks for his second LP, 'The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan,' wrapped up. .
When the Monkees Made the Jump to Film With ‘Head’
Released in theaters nationwide on Nov. 6, 1968, 'Head' was the Monkees last real hurrah as a pop phenomenon of the '60s.
45 Years Ago: Tyrannosaurus Rex Release ‘Prophets, Seers & Sages: The Angels of the Ages’
After releasing their elegantly titled debut album, 'My People Were Fair and Had Sky in Their Hair ... But Now They're Content to Wear Stars on Their Brows,' in mid-1968, Tyrannosaurus Rex quickly became fixtures on the U.K. underground scene. Their engaging live performances, and support from the likes of John Peel on his radio show, helped spread their reputation.
40 Years Ago: ‘Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert’ Debuts
From his days at New York's famed Brill Building, through the behind-the-scenes power struggle with the Monkees and on through the years, Don Kirshner's position in the world or pop music in unquestionable. "The Man with the Golden Ear," as he was commonly known, built his legend as a maverick with his hands in music publishing as well as finding new talent. In late-1972, he embarked on
47 Years Ago: Jimi Hendrix Experience Makes Their Live Debut
The Jimi Hendrix Experience made their live debut 47 years ago this week with four dates in France.
35 Years Ago: Blondie Release ‘Parallel Lines’
In 1978, Blondie began to skyrocket to the big time. When the band first appeared on the scene at famed NYC club CBGB in 1975, they were dismissed as a '60s throwback pop group. But they had the last laugh, becoming the most successful act to emerge form that rock 'n' roll underground.