
Michael Christopher


30 Years Ago: Van Halen Cook Up a Hit With ‘Poundcake’
First single from 'For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge' arrived with some new six-string tricks up its sleeve.

30 Years Ago: Jimmy Page Jams With Locals on Memorial Day Weekend
Former Led Zeppelin guitarist played with two Lake Tahoe bar bands while in the area working on 'Coverdale-Page' album.

35 Years Ago: Sylvester Stallone Mixes Cops and Horror in ‘Cobra’
His grizzled Los Angeles police officer is called upon to stop a band of murdering sadists.

Aerosmith’s ‘Rocks': A Track-by-Track Guide
Steven Tyler and company said they wanted "the hardest-rocking record imaginable." Here's how they got there.

Van Halen’s ‘Fair Warning': A Track-by-Track Guide
Band's 1981 album remains its darkest work, but it's also a fan favorite.

25 Years Ago: How ‘Humans Being’ Spelled Disaster for Van Halen and Sammy Hagar
Their initial 11-year association ended slowly, and then all at once.

20 Years Ago: ‘Blow’ Joins a Long Line of Drug-Smuggling Classics
Like most stories involving illicit activities and drugs, it all goes bad in swift fashion.

Why Black Sabbath’s Dio Era Forced Tony Iommi to ‘Work Harder': Exclusive Interview
Guitarist delves deeply into a four-album collaboration that challenged and excited the band.

All the Call-Outs in Def Leppard’s ‘Hysteria’ Hit ‘Rocket’
All of the songs and artists referenced by Joe Elliott in the final single from the blockbuster album.

81 Essential Albums That Turn 40 in 2021: Class of 1981
From synths to New Wave, the year's evident musical shifts deeply impacted the future of rock 'n' roll.

What Led Zeppelin’s Stars Have Done Since They Broke Up
Former bandmates have been prolific, with solo albums, tours, film projects and more.

40 Years Ago: Ozzy Osbourne Bounces Back From Tragedy With ‘Bark at the Moon’
A turbulent two-month span led into a difficult recording session.