R.i.p | The AllMusic Blog

Aug. 31, 2021

Open the Gate: Examining the Impact of Lee "Scratch" Perry

Fred Thomas offers a personal exploration of the life and impact of the eccentric dub pioneer as AllMusic remembers Lee "Scratch" Perry. Read More

Aug. 25, 2021

Charlie is My Darling: Charlie Watts, 1941 - 2021

Remembering Charlie Watts, the steady backbeat and cool, laconic backbone of the Greatest Rock 'n' Roll Band in the World. Author Mark Deming takes a deep dive into the drummer's legacy. Read More

Aug. 16, 2021

A Lone Star State of Mind: Remembering Nanci Griffith

Tenderly embracing folk and country music, Texas singer-songwriter Nanci Griffith left behind a legacy of heartfelt songs and quietly influential albums. Read More

Oct. 15, 2020

The Eddie Van Halen Prism: Tracing His Impact Through His Influences and Disciples

From classical and Clapton to the shredders who followed in his wake, the Van Halen guitarist was a turning point for the instrument. We trace his legacy by surveying the sounds that inspired him and… Read More

Apr. 8, 2020

Remarkable Songs About Ordinary People: Remembering John Prine

The perpetual sturdiness of Prine's extremely human songs proves that compassion and tactful simplicity can count for just as much as big themes and grand execution. Read More

Apr. 2, 2020

"But Now it's Time to Say/What I Forgot to Say" – Adam Schlesinger and Leaving Utopia Parkway

The passing of Schlesinger and other beloved musicians emphasizes our collective feeling of helplessness during an unpredictable time, but they also leave behind a light to help us find our way out of… Read More

Mar. 23, 2020

Kenny Rogers Exemplified How To Cross Over Without Really Changing

The country superstar demonstrated a keen grasp of the leeway granted by his audience, which allowed him to paint outside the lines without alienating anyone. Read More

Aug. 17, 2018

With Respect: Remembering Aretha Franklin

Editor Mark Deming traces the career of the late Queen of Soul, from her roots as a preacher's daughter to her rough start with Columbia Records to her breakthrough with Atlantic and subsequent torrent… Read More

Jan. 10, 2018

Grieving a Band and the Gift of a Proper Goodbye

After attending the final Dillinger Escape Plan show, Chris Steffen ponders the bittersweet joy of accepting a band's farewell at face value while ignoring the potential for cynicism surrounding an artist's… Read More

Oct. 6, 2017

Celebrating Tom Petty's Catalog, Untarnished Even In Its Ubiquity

Singer/songwriter and former AllMusic staff writer Andrew Leahey pens a remembrance of the late Tom Petty, whose music was so omnipresent and seemingly effortless that it was nearly taken for granted. Read More