Dave Swanson is a writer and musician from Cleveland, Ohio. He has spent a lifetime obsessed with all things Rock & Roll. Dave has written for a variety of publications including Shindig!, Bucketful Of Brains, The Cleveland Scene and The Cleveland Plain Dealer. He hosts his own radio show, has promoted concerts and played in several bands including, but not limited to, Rainy Day Saints, New Salem Witch Hunters, The Cynics, Chamber Strings, Guided By Voices, Death Of Samantha, and Captain Groovy & His Bubblegum Army. Favorite bands-Cheap Trick, The Monkees, Sparks, Motorhead, Beach Boys, Rockpile, XTC,Van Der Graaf Generator, Sweet, Bob Dylan,etc. Favortie color- paisley. Sign-Scorpio. Favorite Movies-Love And Death, Don't Look Back & Beyond The Valley Of The Dolls. Political party-Mod & Rocker. Religion-Rock & Roll. His biggest regret is having no regrets. If not playing, writing, reading about, listening to, or discussing music, he is most likely dead.
Dave Swanson
How ‘Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert’ Brought Music Home
How one show revolutionized live rock music on TV.
45 Years Ago: Blondie Escapes the Underground on ‘Parallel Lines’
Once dismissed as a '60s throwback pop group, they ended up having the last laugh.
47 Years Ago: The Beatles Record ‘Helter Skelter’
On Sept. 9, 1968, the Beatles recorded 'Helter Skelter.'
35 Years Ago: David Bowie Releases ‘Stage’
When an artist releases a live album, it often closes one chapter in their career, and opens another. Such was the case with the 1978 release of 'Stage' by David Bowie.
20 Years Ago: Bruce Dickinson Leaves Iron Maiden
On August 28, 1993, Bruce Dickinson gave his last performance with Iron Maiden until he rejoined the band in 1999. The 1993 show was filmed by the BBC at Pinewood Studios in London and broadcast on MTV and pay-per-view in the U.K. Later, it was released as 'Raising Hell' on home video.
45 Years Ago: Paul McCartney Records ‘Mother Nature’s Son’
On Aug. 9, 1968, the Beatles were in the middle of the recording sessions that would yield 'The Beatles,' the double LP better known as 'The White Album.' One song that got finished that day was Paul McCartney's 'Mother Nature's Son.'
When the Beach Boys’ ‘Surfer Girl’ Hit the Charts
On Aug. 3, 1963, the Beach Boys' fifth single, "Surfer Girl," hit the Billboard charts. The song would eventually make its way to No. 7.
47 Years Ago: Cream Play Their First Show
On July 31, 1966, the Sixth National Jazz and Blues Festival was held at the Royal Windsor Racecourse in England. Among the usual assortment of artists you find at things like this was a new band called Cream, who were making their debut performance.
How Grand Funk Railroad Got on Track for ‘We’re an American Band’
They were on a skyward trajectory, but it wasn't a bump-free ride.
T. Rex Helps Fiat Lead an Italian Invasion
The commercial for the new Fiat 500L sets itself up all American Revolution style, with a pseudo Paul Revere warning 'the British are coming.' After a second look, he corrects himself...'wait...the Italians are coming,' as he spies a fleet of new Fiat 500s rolling down the road. As the automobiles come into view, the unmistakable sounds of 'Children Of The Revolution,' the 1972 single from T. Rex,
Peppi Marchello of the Good Rats Dies at 68
Peppi Marchello, lead singer of the Good Rats, died on Wednesday, July 10 from a heart attack, just weeks after having open heart surgery. He was 68.
Alice Cooper Guitarist Steve Hunter Releases New Album
Guitarist Steve Hunter is the stuff of legend. He's worked with many artists since the 1970s, including Peter Gabriel, Aerosmith and David Lee Roth.