Black and white illustration of the band with black text above on a white background

The Clash formed in 1976 in Notting Hill, London, England. The original members were Joe Strummer (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Mick Jones (lead guitar, vocals), Paul Simonon (bass guitar, vocals), and Nicky "Topper" Headon (drums, percussion). The Clash disbanded in 1986, but not without leaving a significant impact on rock and alternative rock. They were often referred to as "The Only Band That Matters" and in 2003 were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  

Black and white photograph of the band with black text above on a white background

The Boomtown Rats are an Irish rock group that formed in 1975. They released a series of hit singles in the UK from 1977 to 1985, until their breakup in 1986. They later reformed in 2013 but with only 4 out of 6 of the original members. Some of their hits include “She’s So Modern” (1978), “Banana Republic” (1980), and Lookin’ After No. 1” (1977). 

Black and white photograph of a man in a hat and sunglasses with a yellow and blue outer edge and yellow text

“There’s a Tear in My Beer” is a country song written by Hank Williams between 1950-1951 during his Nashville sessions but despite having recorded it, he never released it. The song would eventually see release in 1989 after Hank Williams Jr. received a demo of the song. With the use of merging technology, Hank Williams Jr. recorded his voice over his father’s recording and released it as a duet. In the music video for the song he also used previously recorded footage of his father.  

Illustration of a banjo with a musical note and stars with black text on a yellow background

The Philadelphia Mummers Parade occurs annually on New Year’s Day. The parade is a tradition that started in 1901, but mummers in Philadelphia, and around the world, have roots that stretch throughout history. Mummers are people who enjoy getting dressed up in costumes to dance, sing, and put on skits. This has roots as far back as ancient Egypt, however, it is best documented during the medieval period. In Europe, mummer’s plays were a popular pastime for the poor, with a wide variety of plays that were characterized by big masks and pantomime traditions. European mummers would also parade around the streets, enter random houses, and play dice in silence. As time went on, these mummers would beg for food and drink after performing a skit or poem.

In the late 17th century, Swedish immigrants settled down in Philadelphia. Mummers became a celebration of the rivalry between Philly neighborhoods and could get very rowdy as they reveled through the streets. Mummers would go into homes, cause a ruckus, and demand soup and alcohol before they left. Some shot guns into the street. In the 1860's, this began to take the shape of the parade that is known today, and in 1901, the City of Philadelphia got involved. This was the year of the first official Philadelphia Mummers Parade and with the cities involvement, there were no more guns allowed and the ruckus and commotion were toned down.

With the involvement of the city came the designation that participants must belong to a club to register for the parade.  These clubs can compete for prizes in 5 categories; comics, wench brigades, fancy division, fancy brigades, and string bands. Clubs plan and rehearse all year to prepare for the parade. Mummers still go into people’s homes to beg for soup and drinks, but only if the owners leave the door open as an invitation. This parade also has a history of mocking minorities and using blackface, and though this has been banned since the 1960's, it still appears every so often in the parade as of 2020.

After 2008, when the city of Philadelphia had budgetary problems, the Mummer Parade had to find other means to fund the parade. They began a, “Save the Mummers Fund,” and companies such as Southwest Airlines and SugarHouse Casino have helped fund the parade throughout the years. Interestingly, in 2009, Philly natives Kevin Bacon and his brother Michael, known as the Bacon Brothers, recorded a version of, “New Year’s Day,” and proceeds from the sale of the song went to the Save the Mummers Fund.

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The Stereophile started as one of the first underground audio magazines in 1962. It was founded by J. Gordon Holt who started the magazine after growing tired of pandering to the demands by advertisers. The Stereophile was started as an answer to audiophiles' need for an honest, reliable information. The magazine reviewed audio components by listening to them, a strange concept in those days. The first issue featured 20 pages free from advertising, a review of the Weathers cartridge, and an article by “Lucius Wordburger,” a pseudonym J. Gordon Holt would write under, on how to write an ad.

The magazine continues to do the work it set out it started over 55 years ago now with thousands of equipment reports going back over 40 years on its website that is updated daily with blog posts, music opinions, show reports, news and a digital version of its magazine as well as print.

Photograph of Ringo Starr in a silver star costume on a black background with white text

Ringo Starr, formerly of the Beatles, released his third solo album Ringo in 1973. The album, which reached number two on the Billboard 200 Chart, was well known for including appearances by fellow Beatles John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison. Ringo included the single "Step Lightly," which was written by Starr and contained the sound of his own tap dancing.

Black text with each letter in a red circle over an illustration of the band on a white background

Sweets from a Stranger is the fifth album by British new wave band, Squeeze, released in May, 1982. The album was mildly successful, spawning a minor hit in the song, ‘Black Coffee in Bed,’ which would hit in the Top 40 in the U.S. while it failed to chart the top 50 in the U.K.

The band was formed in Deptford, Long, England in 1974, coming to prominence in the late 1970s. Band members, Christ Difford, Glenn Tilbrook and Jools Holland named the band after a disreputable Velvet Underground album. The band was heavily inspired by the Beatles and the Kinks. The band was joined by Harry Kakoulli and Paul Gunn, the original drummer, was later replaced by Gilson Lavis. The release of Packet of Three lead to a recording contract with A&M Records. They had a tough time gaining a foothold in the U.S. and didn’t hit the U.S. Top 40 until a decade after their debut album. Squeeze went on to build a dedicated following that stayed with them in the late 1990s with many of their songs becoming pop classics of the new wave era.

By the time the band was close to releasing their fifth album, they were exhausted. Like many groups of the era, the group had been performing nonstop for close to a decade and had gone through a number of members. After going on tour to support the album, the band broke up going their separate ways. The band reunited in 1985, releasing some of their most commercially successful work.

Black and white image of yelling man.

Blackout is an album released by the Scorpions in 1982. It was their eighth studio album. The Scorpions are a German hard rock and heavy metal band who were popular throughout the 1970s, '80s, and '90s. They are known for their songs like "Rock You Like a Hurricane" and "Wind of Change." The band includes Klaus Meine on vocals, Rudolf Schenker on guitar, Matthias Jabs on guitar, Francis Bucholz on bass, and Herman Rarebell on drums. The band is considered to be one of the greatest rock bands, having been called "the heroes of heavy metal" by Rolling Stones Magazine.

Color photograph of Sid Vicious

John Beverly, also known as Sid Vicious (1957-1979) was an English musician best known as being a member of the rock group Sex Pistols. Vicious joined the Pistols in 1977 as a replacement to Glen Matlock. Despite being hospitalized during the recording of their only studio album, resulting in his bass only being featured in one song on the album, Vicious would eventually perform three cover songs for the soundtrack to The Great Rock ‘n’ Roll Swindle, a fictional documentary of the Pistols. 

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The High Road is a live extended album by the English rock group Roxy Music. The album was recorded in 1982 and released the following year. Two of the song on the album are covers, including John Lennon’s “Jealous Guy” and Neil Young’s “Like a Hurricane”. The songs on the album are not the same as the ones on the bands High Road video and DVD, despite having the same name and art.