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He was born Mark Lavon Helm on May 26, 1940, but for most of his professional career, he was known simply as Levon, the folksy yet soulful singer who also supplied the solid backbeat for The Band, the group that helped Bob Dylan ease his transition into rock 'n' roll and later defined the template for Americana rock music. When he died on April 19, 2012, he left behind a legacy that will forever loom large in the annals of roots rock and the true sounds of the heartland. His signature songs, "The Weight," "Up On Cripple Creek," "Ophelia," and "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down," not only defined The Band, but also his own signature sound, one that was honest, forthright, and flush with both humility and humanity. More >>

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Bob smiles! The ever-elusive Mr. Dylan dares his followers to guess what he'll be up to next...

Throughout his constantly veering trajectory, Bob Dylan often catches followers by surprise, testing the limits of their preconceptions and then shattering them entirely. And because there are so many sides to the former Robert Zimmerman (born May 24, 1941), New Times is pleased to provide a handy primer to help guide you through Bob's various phases and stages.

The early rock 'n' roller

While most of the world caught its first glimpse of Dylan as a shaggy-haired traditional troubadour on the streets of Greenwich Village, Dylan's first tentative steps toward finding his musical muse occurred before he left his hometown of Hibbing, Minnesota. His initial attempts at making songs were expressed with various local bands while he was still in high school -- among them the Shadow Blasters and the Golden Chords, both cover bands. In one of their first public performances at a high school talent show, the Golden Chords' rendition of "Rock 'n' Roll Is Here to Stay" was so loud, the school principal turned off their microphones. It wouldn't be the last time that a Dylan performance would stir his audience's umbrage.

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Today is Morrissey's 53rd reel around the fountain of life, and to celebrate the crowned prince of the coif's most recent year of survival, we've decided to take a closer look at some of the man's best tracks. But first, some biographical information to help you better understand the "pope of mope" and his path from English suburban youth to international icon of sad songs and big hair.  More >>

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Joey in full frenzy!

The late Joey Ramone is clearly held in high regard. He still inspires a celebration in his memory, one that's held every year on his birthday: May 19. Sadly, it's been eleven years since he passed away, only a month prior to what would have been his 50th birthday. Yet, for those who came of age in the heady days of the '70s, Joey Ramone will remain forever young.

Born Jeffry Ross Hyman and raised in a Jewish home in Forest Hills, New York, he became wholly obsessed with rock 'n' roll in his early teens. With the Beatles, the Who, David Bowie, and the Stooges as prime influences, he initially joined a glam group called Sniper, allowing him to hone his stage skills prior to forming the Ramones in 1974. The group took their name from a pseudonym once used by Paul McCartney, and in due order Jeffry and his original band mates John Cummings and Douglas Colvin acquired the aliases Joey Ramone, Johnny Ramone, and Dee Dee Ramone respectively. Joey was the band's original drummer, but he soon switched to vocals when the group's manager, Tommy Erdelyi, took over the traps and assumed the nom de plume Tommy Ramone.

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Liberace contemplates his excess.

Born May 16, 1919, Wladziu (or Vładziu) Valentino Liberace, known to his adoring fans everywhere simply as Liberace, was one of the world's most distinctive and glamorous musicians, an artist who was as concerned with his wildly flamboyant image as he was about his art. More >>

Born May 15, 1948, Brian Peter George St. John le Baptiste de la Salle Eno -- thankfully known in most quarters simply as Brian Eno -- is easily one of the most prolific producers and musicians of the last 30 years. More importantly, he's also one of the most innovative. His efforts in popularizing the use of ambient music, an experimental blend of environmental and synthesized sounds, made him one of the leaders in that genre before eventually bringing him more into the mainstream through collaborations with U2, David Bowie, David Byrne, Paul Simon, Coldplay, Laurie Anderson, Devo, and other artists whose music tends to navigate toward more mainstream realms. More >>

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For a man who was not only the avowed forerunner of modern blues music -- Eric Clapton once called him "the most important blues singer that ever lived" -- relatively little is known about the brief life of Robert Johnson. Even the information that has been uncovered is often contradictory or in dispute. More >>

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It goes without saying - but we'll say it anyway - the best guitarists are those that have a distinctive sound. From Chet Atkins and Scotty Moore to Jimi Hendrix and Joe Satriani. There's Link Wray to Brian May and Keith Richards to BB King. The musicians that claim a technique all their own are those that make the most indelible impression. So, include Dick Dale in that elite category; his signature surf style helped initiate a genre all its own, one that still resonates over half a century later. No wonder then that he's known as The King of the Surf Guitar, a title that befits his iconic status. More >>

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Happy Birthday, Willie! Have a toke on us!

Suffice it to say, Willie Nelson may well be the most prodigious musician working today, no small accomplishment for a guy turning turning 79. Born April 30, 1933, Willie continues to issue multiple albums in the space of a single year, generally for multiple labels (his accountant must go crazy!), each with a different focus and often in the company of younger, big-name guest stars. And yet, that's only part of his accomplishments. An author, actor, and activist, he's always on the move, and when he's not touring on his biofueled bus, you may find him relaxing on the golf course. More >>