Pophistory: music, movies, history, and life.
One of my favorite podcasts lately has been Cocaine & Rhinestones by Tyler Mahan Coe. In each episode, Coe delves deep into the history of country music in the twentieth century. Episodes run anywhere between forty minutes and two hours, and each one may examine an artist’s career or may analyze the history behind a … Continue reading “Enjoy the History of Country Music with Cocaine & Rhinestones Podcast”
Alan Peter Kuperschmidt, who became known as musician Al Kooper, was born on February 5, 1944. Kooper played a number of important roles in the history of music, such as work as a producer and writer and for organizing Blood, Sweat & Tears. But most people know his work from a chance role he played … Continue reading “The Man Behind the Organ in “Like a Rolling Stone””
One of the greatest Christmas songs of all time is “The Fairytale of New York” by The Pogues and Kirsty McColl. We have already discussed why it is one of the most depressing Christmas songs of all time. But what is the story behind the song? This BBC special investigates the making of the Christmas … Continue reading “The Story Behind “The Fairytale of New York””
On November 17, 1958, the Kingston Trio scored a number one hit on the Billboard pop chart with their recording of the folk song “Tom Dooley.” The song, asking Mr. Dooley to hang down his head, became one of those songs where everyone knows the chorus. But the lyrics come out of a true story. … Continue reading “The True Story of Tom Dooley”
I have probably heard “Sin City” by the Flying Burrito Brothers more than a hundred times. But I never realized that one of the verses is about Robert F. Kennedy until reading an interview with Steve Earle. In the interview, Earle recounted how the song’s co-writer Chris Hillman explained the Bobby Kennedy connection. The following … Continue reading “The Flying Burrito Brothers Song That Includes a Tribute to Bobby Kennedy”