About.com Oldies Music

Profile: The Jackson 5

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 22:17:17 +0000

With the shocking news of Michael Jackson's death, I take a look back at the juggernaut from Gary, Indiana that was the Jackson brood; they began by mixing bubblegum with soul, moved on to establish Seventies Motown, became disco's most dynamic act, and then finally unleashed the force of nature known as Michael. This Jackson 5/Jacksons profile, one of a series on rock's AM giants, focuses on all six(!) of the Jackson 5 brothers... and then some.

Michael Jackson: 1958-2009

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 20:54:36 +0000

Los Angeles' county coroner has confirmed the shocking news: at 1:07 pm PST, The King of Pop, Michael Jackson, died of cardiac arrest brought on by as-yet-unknown causes. The former Jackson 5 lead singer, who had gone on redefine superstar success in the Eighties with his monumental album Thriller, was rushed to the UCLA hospital earlier this afternoon after paramedics found him in a coma on the floor of the Bel-Air mansion he had been renting. Six minutes later, he arrived at the medical center, and was pronounced dead shortly thereafter. (L.A. police have vowed to investigate the murder, although foul play is in no way suspected.) Thousands of fans have already begun gathering outside Michael's home to grieve.

The 50-year-old megastar, whose career had been derailed over the past decade due to slumping album sales, bizarre personal behavior, an addiction to prescription painkillers, and a much-publicized child molestation trial (which brought back a "not guilty" verdict), had been primed to resurrect his career, recently holding a press conference to announce the This Is It tour, a series of 50 concerts to be performed at London's 02 Arena beginning July 8. The pop icon, who had not mounted a tour since 1997, had begun rehearsals and personal training to prepare for the grueling series of concerts. The multitalented singer and dancer is survived by three children: Michael Joseph Jackson, Jr. and Paris Michael Katherine Jackson, both from Jackson's second wife, dermatology nurse Debbie Rowe; and Prince Michael Jackson II, from an unnamed surrogate mother.

The Beatles Songs: "Dizzy Miss Lizzy"

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 23:35:34 +0000

The last song on Help! was an afterthought, ending their trilogy of Larry Williams covers... and more or less ending Beatles covers in general. Read a detailed breakdown of "Dizzy Miss Lizzy" in my latest Beatles fact sheet.

The Oldies Encyclopedia: Funk

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 23:01:54 +0000

The groove that inspired disco, dance music, and hip-hop began with James Brown, more or less... but as with other kinds of history, music history isn't always so simple. Read more about "Funk" and its history in my latest encyclopedia entry.

In-Depth: Doo-wop

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 03:50:10 +0000

The most in-depth look at doo-wop on the internet, complete with a series of articles about the genre's history, artists, songs, and more. Want to know more about this classic vocal group style, where it came from, and why it's so beloved? Learn more here about doo-wop music and its history.

Rock and Roll Road Trips: Where the Music Was Made

Sun, 14 Jun 2009 03:45:45 +0000

The final installment in my trilogy of possible summer road trips for oldies music lovers focuses on the studios where the classic music itself was created, both the famous and the little-remembered. Some have been turned into the historical landmarks they deserve to be, but some have met more ignoble fates... Find out more here, complete with directions!

Profile: James Taylor

Sat, 13 Jun 2009 03:38:53 +0000

He's known as the original sensitive singer-songwriter, but Sweet Baby James actually had quite a dark past from which to draw his pleasing, radio-friendly tales of loss and friendship. Learn more about James Taylor's life and music in my latest profile.

The Oldies Encyclopedia: Frat Rock

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 03:27:45 +0000

The rambunctious party music known as "Frat Rock" is indeed a lot like it's pictured in Animal House, but there's also a connection between it and the burgeoning soul music scene, not to mention garage rock and the bar-band explosion of the Seventies. Read more about "Frat Rock" and its history in my latest encyclopedia entry.

The Beatles Songs: "I've Just Seen A Face"

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 03:24:47 +0000

A song so happy and uplifting that Paul's own aunt loved it, this Help! album track, though buried in the middle of Side 2, remains one of the Beatles' best-loved tunes... and one of the band's truly unique departures. Read a detailed breakdown of "I've Just Seen A Face" in my latest Beatles fact sheet.

Rock and Roll Road Trips: Tales of Tragedy

Sun, 07 Jun 2009 19:04:56 +0000

The second in my new trilogy on offbeat rock landmarks, this time spotlighting tragedy, both fictional and actual, in oldies history and oldies songs. If you've ever wondered where to pay tribute to Otis, Buddy, Jim, or Skynyrd, or just where that Tallahatchie Bridge was that Billie Joe jumped from, here's your chance. Find out more here... complete with directions!