American Pie turns 50, Tommy Castro and Josh Radin chat

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Blues Rocker Tommy Castro Brings It Home

Throughout his long, constantly evolving career, guitarist, singer and songwriter Castro has always remained true to himself while exploring, growing and creating new music, and he has taken his thousands of devoted fans right along with him. Ranging from horn-fueled R&B to piping hot blues to fiery, stripped-down rock ‘n’ roll, each of his 16 albums is solidly built upon Castro’s unshakable musical foundation—a dynamic mix of 1960s-influenced guitar-led blues, testifying Memphis-soaked blue-eyed soul and Latin-tinged East San Jose funk, all driven by Castro’s grab-you-by-the-collar vocals and passionate guitar work.

Tommy Castro Presents A Bluesman Came To Town is a roots music odyssey, a special project composed by Castro along with Grammy Award-winning producer and songwriter Tom Hambridge.

Read more and check out my zoom interview with Tommy here.

Remember Marc Feld? Not really? What if I told you that his stage name was Marc Bolan? Now you remember him, don’t you? Marc would have been turning 74 this week had he not been killed in a car crash in 1977 when he was just 29 years old. He left such a mark, having been the frontman and songwriter for the band TRex. Marc also started the movement that became known as ‘glam rock’ leaving artists like David Bowie, Slade and Kiss to follow in his wake. 

Read more and take a look at him doing his thing here

Meet Joshua Radin

He grew up listening to his parents 60’s and 70’s music and didn’t start making music himself until he was given a guitar after age 30. But, in the space of just 17 years, Joshua Radin has achieved what so many artists could only dream of. He’s sold more than a million records, generated 1 billion+ streams and has had his music used in countless films, ads and TV series including Grey’s Anatomy. I caught up with Josh from his hotel room in Stockholm, Sweden and found myself charmed by his uncanny honesty and vulnerability. Read more and see if you agree by watching our zoom interview here.

 

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American Pie Is 50 and Don McLean Keeps Touring

2021 marks the 50th anniversary pf Don McLean’s much loved American Pie album and to celebrate, the 76 year old is heading out on tour. McLean released American Pie as a double-A single in 1971 .. it charted within a month, reaching the No1 spot and making its singer an international star almost overnight. Despite decades of attempted interpretations, the singer has always remained enigmatic as to the song’s meaning and the mystery persists till this day, He did let me in to a few clues though! Now, 50 years on, American Pie resides in the Library of Congress National Recording Registry, joining less than 500 works including Somewhere Over The Rainbow. It was also named by the Recording Industry of  America a Top 5 song of the 20th century. Don McLean has just received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his efforts.  Read more and watch Don performing the song above.

National Treasure - Well Worth The Watch!

This series (although made in 2016) is new to our screens and is a topical four-part drama written by BAFTA-award winning writer Jack Thorne, starring Robbie Coltrane (Cracker, Harry Potter and more) and Julie Walters (Educating Rita, Mary Poppins and more), Andrea Riseborough and Tim McInnerny. The story follows an adored ageing comedian who is accused of historic rape and his world falls apart The story gives the Me-Too discussion a whole new light.  It’s well worth a look! Catch it on ABC Iview. Read more

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