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
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.
35 Years Ago: Sid Vicious Charged With Murdering His Girlfriend
On Oct. 12, 1978, the body of 20-year-old Nancy Spungen was found in a room at New York's famous Chelsea Hotel. She and her boyfriend, Sex Pistols bassist Sid Vicious, had been living in Room 100 for abound a month and a half when Vicious called the front desk, saying that something had happened to his girlfriend. It turned out that she was dead from multiple stab wounds to her stomach.
Punk Rock Pioneer Phil Chevron Dies
Guitarist Phil Chevron has died after a long battle with cancer. Even though he got his start as a founding member of the Radiators From Space, one of the many bands to emerge from the late-'70s punk scene in England, Chevron was best known as the guitarist for the Irish punk band the Pogues. He was 56.
How ‘Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert’ Brought Music Home
How one show revolutionized live rock music on TV.
45 Years Ago: Blondie Escapes the Underground on ‘Parallel Lines’
Once dismissed as a '60s throwback pop group, they ended up having the last laugh.
47 Years Ago: The Beatles Record ‘Helter Skelter’
On Sept. 9, 1968, the Beatles recorded 'Helter Skelter.'
20 Years Ago: Bruce Dickinson Leaves Iron Maiden
On August 28, 1993, Bruce Dickinson gave his last performance with Iron Maiden until he rejoined the band in 1999. The 1993 show was filmed by the BBC at Pinewood Studios in London and broadcast on MTV and pay-per-view in the U.K. Later, it was released as 'Raising Hell' on home video.
45 Years Ago: Paul McCartney Records ‘Mother Nature’s Son’
On Aug. 9, 1968, the Beatles were in the middle of the recording sessions that would yield 'The Beatles,' the double LP better known as 'The White Album.' One song that got finished that day was Paul McCartney's 'Mother Nature's Son.'
47 Years Ago: Cream Play Their First Show
On July 31, 1966, the Sixth National Jazz and Blues Festival was held at the Royal Windsor Racecourse in England. Among the usual assortment of artists you find at things like this was a new band called Cream, who were making their debut performance.
How Grand Funk Railroad Got on Track for ‘We’re an American Band’
They were on a skyward trajectory, but it wasn't a bump-free ride.