Nick DeRiso is UCR's assistant managing editor, and author of 'Journey: Worlds Apart.' He has been named columnist of the year five times by the Associated Press, Louisiana Press Association, and Louisiana Sports Writers Association, and previously oversaw a daily newspaper section that was named Top 10 in the nation by the AP.
Nick DeRiso
April 2021 New Music Releases
Spring has sprung – at least in the aisles of your local record shop.
How the Beatles Ditched Psychedelia With ‘Lady Madonna’
Fats Domino-inspired U.K. chart topper served notice that 1967's technicolor dream was over.
How R.E.M. Threw Out the Rule Book Then Became Superstars With ‘Out of Time’
Gutsy and creatively free, 'Out of Time' did things other R.E.M. albums hadn't.
Lou Ottens, Inventor of the Audio Cassette, Dies at 94
"I got annoyed with the clunky, user-unfriendly reel-to-reel system," the Dutch engineer once admitted.
How R.E.M. Drew to a Close With ‘Collapse Into Now’
Instead of falling apart amid the usual rock-band squabbles, they left on their own terms.
40 Years Ago: Billy Idol Leaves Generation X For Solo Stardom
He took their manager, their producer and their final single, which he remixed into a U.S. dance hit.
Deluxe Reissue of ‘The Who Sell Out’ to Include 46 Unheard Songs
There will also be a two-LP stereo vinyl package, a two-CD/two-LP mono vinyl version, a two-CD edition and a digital release.
Miles Davis’ Rock ‘n’ Roll Connections
His link with the genre began at the turn of the '70s, during heralded shows with Neil Young and Grateful Dead.
40 Years Ago: Eric Clapton Rebounds on ‘Another Ticket,’ Then Falls Again
He came into the sessions without any real direction. He left the project behind in even worse shape.
35 Years Ago: Electric Light Orchestra Blow Apart on ‘Balance of Power’
The dark and downbeat album proved to be perfectly named.