These Classic Rock Legends Started Out As Cover Bands
Classic rock legends like Van Halen and the Rolling Stones were once just fledgling bands trying to get gigs, and that required playing lots of covers.
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2020
Sarah Crocker
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Stories By Sarah Crocker
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5 Power Ballads That Were Bigger Than The Bands That Made Them
Power ballads such as "Sister Christian" and "When I See You Smile" ultimately became better known than the bands that recorded them.
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The 5 Wildest On-Stage Moments In Rock History
Some of the wildest on-stage rock moments have been so memorable that they're still talked about years or even decades after the fact.
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The 5 Most-Covered Songs In Folk Rock History
Though it's hard to pin down exactly how many covers are out there, the most popular in folk rock have generated thousands of works.
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The No. 1 Song On July 15, 1960 Hits Harder Today
Singing of unrequited love will never age, and this classic song by a young musical prodigy has inspired many artists over the decades since its release.
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Classic Rock Songs You Probably Didn't Know Were Inspired By Real Events
From historic floods to devastating fires and even a circus poster, these classic rock songs were surprisingly not just figments of the artists' imagination.
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The 5 Most-Covered '80s Songs Of All Time
From the glitter of prime Michael Jackson to the uplifting new wave sensation of the Eurythmics, these '80s tunes were the templates for hundreds of covers.
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5 Covers Of Joni Mitchell Songs That Capture The Poetic Magic Of The Originals
Joni Mitchell has become renowned for rich, almost magical songs, and fellow musical greats like Herbie Hancock and Prince have covered her work.
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5 Defining Duets Of The '80s That Made Magic
The 1980s were the golden age of the duet, as evidenced by "Islands in the Stream," "Close My Eyes Forever," and the other songs on this list.
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5 Stevie Nicks Breakup Songs Besides Silver Springs That Fans Don't Talk About Enough
Thanks to her tumultuous years with Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Nicks has penned several songs about heartbreak that are just as worthy as "Silver Springs."
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The 5 Best Stevie Nicks Solo Songs That Aren't Edge Of Seventeen
Stevie Nicks's song "Edge of Seventeen" is well-loved, but the iconic songwriter has other songs like "Bella Donna" and "Stand Back" that are among her best.
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10 Essential Folk Rock Songs For Any Soul-Searching Road Trip
Whatever your reason for hitting the road, you'll need a soundtrack for a reflective mood, and what better genre for that than folk rock?
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How A Late-Night Phone Call In 1969 Led To One Of The Rolling Stones' Most Legendary Vocal Moments
After a very pregnant Merry Clayton took a late-night phone call in 1969 to sing for the Rolling Stones, the result was one of the most iconic songs of the era.
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The Weirdest Classic Rock Songs Ever Used In TV Commercials
Some classic rock songs have appeared in commercials so far removed from their artistic rebel roots that the team-up leaves you dazed and confused.
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5 Hit Songs That Prove 1967 Was The Decade's Greatest Year For Women In Rock
By the 1960s, rock was well underway as the boundary-pushing genre of choice for young folks, and women were continuing to make their mark.
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Rock Musicians From The '70s Whose Stage Costumes Defined The Decade
The 1970s were an innovative time for fashion, and rock musicians embraced it. Check out the artists whose stage costumes were definitive of the decade.
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'60s Rock Icons Who Walked Away From Their Careers
These 1960s rock icons may have had successful careers, but they each ultimately decided to walk away from their onstage careers for a multitude of reasons.
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Bands Whose Reunions Were Total Flops
For fame, cash, or both, these legendary bands were lured back into reuniting, but flopped due to old animosities, changing tastes, and the ravages of time.
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5 Rock Songs From The '50s That Were Ahead Of Their Time
Rock 'n' roll as we know it was born in the '50s, but even in those trailblazing times, musicians such as Chuck Berry and Janis Martin were charting new waters.
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1977 Changed Rock Forever — Elvis's Death Was Only One Part
1977 was a pivotal year for rock in many ways, from the death of Elvis and other bands' ends, to the rise of new iconic albums and influential bands.
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Rock Songs That Defined These Iconic Horror Movies
"Bad Moon Rising," "Goo Goo Muck," and "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" are just a few rock songs that will forever be associated with classic horror films.
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Musicians Who Tanked Their Careers With One Regrettable Flop Song
If the right song played at the right time can make a musician's fortune, then the wrong one released at the wrong time can cause a precipitous downfall.
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5 Catchy Commercial Jingles That Are Worth A Head-Turning Amount Of Money
From singers on a hilltop wanting to teach the world to a pithy one-liner that started as a pop song, these jingles went on to make corporations even richer.
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Fans Got It So Wrong Blaming These Women For The Breakup Of Their Favorite Rock Bands
When famous rock bands broke up, fans erroneously blamed these woman, ignoring the complex fractures caused by egos, finances, and the pressure of fame.
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These 5 Underrated Music Venues Are Treasure Troves Of Rock History
They're not as famous as CBGB or the Whiskey a Go Go, but venues such as The Bitter End and The Surf Ballroom have played host to rock 'n' roll history.
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10 Albums That Nearly Destroyed These Classic Rock Legends
Pink Floyd, Genesis, Van Halen, and Fleetwood Mac are just a few of the legendary rock bands that were nearly undone by one disastrous record.
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13 Times High-Profile Missing Person Cases Were Actually Fake
While many of us rejoice when a lost person is safely found, sometimes, a person is found ... and they weren't really missing at all.
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