The Bizarre 1968 Epic That Made Richard Harris a Music Legend

In 1968, the music industry was obsessed with the radio-friendly three-minute pop formula. Executives wanted snappy hooks and predictable rhythms that fit perfectly into the high-rotation jukeboxes of the era. So, when the Irish actor-turned-singer Richard Harris walked into the studio with a seven-minute, spoken-word orchestral ballad about a cake left out in the rain, … Read more

The Flop That Made Aerosmith: How Dream On Saved a Legend

In 1973, the airwaves were dominated by the polished melodies of AM radio, and a scruffy, blues-infused band from Boston was desperately trying to find their footing. Aerosmith had just released their self-titled debut, a gritty collection of riffs that felt like a punch to the gut. The centerpiece was a sprawling, melancholic ballad called … Read more