In the summer of 1978, a driving disco-rock hybrid called "Hot Child In The City" exploded onto radio waves across North America, becoming one of the year's most distinctive hits. The song, performed by British-Canadian singer Nick Gilder, would prove to be his biggest commercial success and a defining track of the late 1970s rock scene.
In the summer of 1974, when the world was caught between the fading optimism of the '60s and the uncertainty of the mid-'70s, a British band called First Class delivered the perfect escapist anthem. "Beach Baby" became an instant classic, capturing the carefree spirit of summer romance with its infectious melody and sun-soaked harmonies.
It was the kind of song that seemed to roll out of a dusty highway dream — a smooth voice, a simple guitar, and a van full of freedom. In 1973, singer-songwriter Sammy Johns recorded a track that would take two years to find its moment, but when it did, it became an unexpected anthem for a generation chasing open roads and fleeting romance.
It was the early 1970s, and the air was electric with change. Funk was getting funkier, disco was still finding its feet, and a small vocal group from California was about to drop a tune that would literally rock the boat — and make music history.
Few songs capture the essence of late-’70s disco quite like “Ring My Bell” by Anita Ward. Released in 1979, this sultry, infectious track became a chart-topping sensation, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and securing its place as one of disco’s most memorable hits. Though Anita Ward would never replicate its success, “Ring My Bell” remains a timeless dance floor classic, still filling clubs and party playlists decades later.
The Story Behind “Kung Fu Fighting” by Carl Douglas: The Accidental Hit That Took the World by Storm
Mick Ralphs, the renowned guitarist and co-founder of the iconic rock bands Bad Company and Mott the Hoople, has passed away at the age of 81. “Our Mick has passed, my heart just hit the ground," Bad Company front-man Paul Rodgers said. "He has left us with exceptional songs and memories. He was my friend, my songwriting partner, an amazing and versatile guitarist who had the greatest sense of humor. Our last conversation a few days ago we shared a laugh but it won’t be our last. There are many memories of Mick that will create laughter.” Ralphs co-founded Mott the Hoople in 1969 and later formed Bad Company in 1973, contributing to their success with hit songs like "Can't Get Enough" and "Feel Like Makin' Love." After retiring from Bad Company in 2016 due to a stroke, Ralphs' musical legacy will be cemented with the band's induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2025. (COS)
Cavin Yarbrough, one half of the chart-topping 1980s R&B duo Yarbrough & Peoples, passed away on Thursday (June 19) at the age of 72 due to complications from heart disease. “He was the love of my life, my protector. Now he’s my guardian angel,” Yarbrough’s wife and longtime music partner, Alisa Peoples, said in a statement. The group was known for their breakout hit, "Don't Stop the Music," which topped the R&B charts in 1981, and also reached No. 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. “Don’t Stop the Music” went on to become an RIAA gold-certified single, and was featured on the pair’s gold-certified debut album, The Two of Us, which also spent two weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and peaked at No. 16 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. The duo also achieved commercial success with other hit songs like "Don’t Waste Your Time," "Heartbeats," "Guilty," and "I Wouldn't Lie." The duo was discovered by Charlie Wilson of The Gap Band, who in turn introduced them to Lonnie Simmons, who signed them to his Los Angeles-based label, Total Experience Records. (Billboard)
REO Speedwagon singer Terry Luttrell miraculously survived a car crash after he fell asleep at the wheel. The accident occurred just a day after the band's farewell show at the State Farm Center in Illinois, and Luttrell's car was totaled in the incident. “I was able to get up and get out of the car,” the 78-year-old Luttrell told The News-Gazette. “The airbag went off and cracked my sternum a little bit. I have a little back pain and neck pain. It’s nothing that can’t be overcome.” Luttrell admited that his busy schedule, including signing autographs for fans until the early hours and getting little sleep before driving, contributed to him nodding off. He was taken to Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, Ill. for treatment following the incident, and is reported to be on the road to recovery. In September 2024, REO Speedwagon announced that they would stop touring in 2025 due to "irreconcilable differences" between frontman Kevin Cronin and bassist Bruce Hall. (People)
On Monday (June 16), Stevie Nicks announced that she has expanded her 2025 North American tour by adding eight new shows. These additional dates arrive after the cancellations of her performances with Billy Joel due to his recent brain disorder diagnosis. The additional concerts include a Brooklyn show on August 8 that will now serve as the tour kickoff concert. The other added shows will take place in early September and October, and will hit a variety of cities throughout the US and Canada, including Detroit, Portland, Sacramento, Atlantic City, and Charlotte, with the tour now scheduled to end on October 25 in Hartford, Connecticut. Tickets for these new shows will be available for pre-sale on Wednesday (June 18) and for the general public on Friday (June 20). The 77-year-old Nicks recently revealed that she is currently working on her first album in 14 years, featuring a series of autobiographical songs inspired by her past experiences. “They’re real stories of memories of mine, of fantastic men,” Nicks says of her new songs. (Consequence of Sound)
On Tuesday (June 10), Atlantic City police recovered a stolen custom-built guitar belonging to Heart’s Nancy Wilson, one of two irreplaceable instruments taken from the band two weeks earlier. The theft happened after Heart finished loading into the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, with surveillance footage showing the guitar being handed to a woman who later surrendered it to police, which led to the arrest of a 57-year-old man on charges of burglary and theft. Paul Moak’s vintage 1966 Gibson EM-50 mandolin, which was also stolen that night, remains unrecovered at this time. The theft occurred the night before the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers were set to kick off their An Evening With Heart summer tour on May 31. Before the recovery of her guitar, Wilson said, “These instruments are more than just tools of our trade — they’re extensions of our musical souls. We’re heartbroken, and we’re asking for their safe return — no questions asked. Their value to us is immeasurable.” (Billboard)
After canceling their UK and European tour earlier this year due to scheduling conflicts, rumors began swirling that the Rolling Stones were back in the studio recording new material. Reports from The Sun confirm that the rock legends are working on a new album, and possibly gearing up for another tour. The article states that Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood, and Steve Jordan have been busy recording at Metropolis Studios in West London since April, and have 13 new songs completed. Those reports also claim that renowned producer Andrew Watt – who produced and co-wrote three songs on the Stones’ Grammy-winning 2023 album, Hackney Diamonds – is again working with the band on their upcoming project. The band and their label are apparently in discussions for the album's release, while also contemplating future tour dates. Though no official announcements have been made, Jagger and Richards have both previously revealed that the group has ample material for another album. (NME)
Brian Wilson, the brilliant musician who helped define the California teen lifestyle through a series of iconic ’60s hits with his band, The Beach Boys, has passed away at the age of 82. In a heartfelt post shared on Instagram, his family confirmed the news of his death. “We are heartbroken to announce,” the statement began, expressing their deep grief over the loss of a beloved husband, father, and music legend.
The Doobie Brothers, known for their genre-blending, commercially successful career since the 1970s, just released their 16th studio album, Walk This Road, on Friday (June 6). This new record marks the first time that all three of the band’s principal songwriters - Tom Johnston, Michael McDonald, and Pat Simmons - have contributed significantly to a project. Walk This Road was produced by pop-rock veteran John Shanks, and represents McDonald's first appearance on a Doobies album in two decades. The band’s long history of chart success includes nine Top 10 albums on the Billboard 200, and 10 Top 20 entries on the Billboard Hot 100, with hits spanning the rock, adult contemporary, R&B, and country charts. The new album's release precedes the band's induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame on June 12, alongside fellow music legends George Clinton, Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, Ashley Gorley, Mike Love, and Tony Macaulay. The reunion for the new record went so smoothly that McDonald teases that they “might even do another” album. (Billboard)
Sly Stone, the groundbreaking musician who fused funk, rock, and soul with Sly & the Family Stone, died on Monday (June 9) at the age of 82. According to his family, the cause of death was due to a “prolonged battle with COPD and other underlying health issues.” Stone’s family shared that “Sly passed away peacefully, surrounded by his three children, his closest friend, and his extended family. While we mourn his absence, we take solace in knowing that his extraordinary musical legacy will continue to resonate and inspire for generations to come.” The family also revealed that Stone “recently completed the screenplay for his life story, a project we are eager to share with the world in due course.”
Drummer Frank Beard has rejoined ZZ Top for their summer tour after taking a leave of absence due to foot and ankle issues that have now been resolved. The band’s longtime drum tech, John Douglas, filled in for Beard over the past two months. “We’re happy that Frank is back with Elwood [Francis, bassist] and yours truly, BFG,” vocalist/guitarist Billy Gibbons said in a statement. “We missed him and are looking forward to turning it up and rocking out with him. His complete recovery is cause for celebration and that’s just what we intend to do. Welcome back, pardner!” Beard also added, “It’s good to be back. See you out there.” Beard has been ZZ Top’s drummer for over 55 years, from their 1971 debut album through 2012’s La Futura, and has co-written hits like “Legs,” “Sharp Dressed Man,” and “Gimme All Your Lovin’.” ZZ Top's Elevation Tour resumed on Sunday (June 1) in Victoria, British Columbia, with stops scheduled across Canada and the U.S. through October. (Rolling Stone)
John Fogerty has followed Taylor Swift's lead by re-recording his classic hits and deep cuts from Creedence Clearwater Revival. The 80-year-old rock legend has just shared "John's Version" recordings of CCR classics "Up Around the Bend," "Have You Ever Seen the Rain," and “Porterville.” Those three songs will be included on Fogerty’s upcoming 20-track album, Legacy: the Creedence Clearwater Revival Years, which is set for release on August 22nd via Concord. The project is co-produced by Fogerty and his son Shane, who also plays on the album with his dad alongside his brother, Tyler. Fogerty reclaimed a majority interest in the Creedence Clearwater Revival publishing catalog in 2023, but that deal did not include his master recordings. “For most of my life I did not own the songs I had written,” Fogerty says in a statement. “Getting them back changes everything. Legacy is my way of celebrating that — of playing these songs on my terms, with the people I love.” (Consequence of Sound)
On Wednesday (May 28), Styx revealed details about their upcoming 18th studio album, Circling from Above, which is set to be released on July 18th. The band also shared the project’s lead single, "Build and Destroy," along with a Jay Ziebarth-directed music video. “We knew it was strong,” bassist Terry Gowan says of their new single. “Even though it was the second-to-last song we finished, it felt like a quick way into the album’s overall theme.” Fans can grab early physical copies of Circling From Above at their merch stand throughout their ongoing tour with REO Speedwagon’s Kevin Cronin, which runs through late August. This mark’s Styx’s first studio album since 2021’s Crash of the Crown, and it includes 13 tracks spanning 41 minutes, while showcasing all seven members of the band. (Consequence of Sound)
