The Beatles rehearse in Studio 1 ahead of the Our World broadcast (1967), the first international satellite television production. This ambitious project showcased creative artists from 19 countries and was viewed by close to 400 million people around the globe — the largest ever TV audience at the time.
Credit Bloomsbury Publishing
From left: Bruce Welch, Brian Bennett, Hank Marvin, Brian "Licorice" Locking and Cliff Richard lark about behind despairing engineer Malcolm Addey.
Credit Bloomsbury Publishing
Kate Bush in Studio 2's control room at a Mark IV desk.
Credit Bloomsbury Publishing
George Martin at the Studios.
Credit Bloomsbury Publishing
Stevie Wonder performs impromptu in Studio 2 at a launch for his album Hotter Than July in 1980.
In 1969, four moppy-haired musicians named John, Paul, George and Ringo walked single file on a London crosswalk and made one of the most iconic album covers of all time. Today, a steady stream of Beatles fans and London tourists are still eager to walk in the footsteps of the Fab Four on that famous stretch of asphalt.
Death Cab for Cutie is known for bittersweet love songs, stirring melodies and frontman Ben Gibbard's unmistakable voice, soft and sincere. After 15 years in the band, Gibbard is releasing his first solo album, Former Lives.
"Over the years, I've accrued a number of songs that I've always been very fond of but didn't fit tonally, lyrically, musically in with the palette of songs that were in front of us for a Death Cab for Cutie record," Gibbard tells NPR's Guy Raz.
John Lennon loved word play; he wrote songs that have not only become standards, but also milestones, like "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" and "Strawberry Fields," which he wrote with the Beatles, and "Imagine" and "Give Peace a Chance," which he wrote on his own. For most of his life, he also composed letters to friends and family; then lovers, as he grew up; and strangers, as he grew famous. His notes, letters and postcards often contained small, funny drawings and self portraits.
Deep Sea Diver singer Jessica Dobson took a roundabout way to get where she is now. Signed to Atlantic Records at 19, Dobson moved to New York to record her first LP, which was eventually shelved; a second recording hit the same dead end. After leaving the label, she went on to play guitar in Beck's touring band, toured with Yeah Yeah Yeahs and most recently played with The Shins.
Originally published on Mon November 19, 2012 3:46 pm
Grizzly Bear began in 2004 as a bedroom project for Ed Droste. By 2006, Droste had a full band alongside him: Daniel Rossen, Christopher Bear and Chris Taylor. They released Yellow House the same year, but it was 2009's Veckatimest that propelled the group to worldwide fame.
Buke & Gase Live From (Le) Poisson Rouge (Audio Only)
Sitting down on stage isn't typical of rock bands, but Buke & Gase is neither typical nor really a rock band. Watching Arone Dyer and Aron Sanchez perform feels more like witnessing a divination, as two solemn figures huddle over strange objects, stomp their feet and chant with an intense and eerie focus.
Originally published on Fri October 19, 2012 7:24 am
This week's drum-fill quiz comes from Murph, longtime drummer for the band Dinosaur Jr. A couple of these are pretty easy, but this was otherwise one of the harder ones I've done. See what you think. Just drag the drum fill or intro to the album it's from. If you get it right, the song names will appear.
Originally published on Tue December 18, 2012 6:59 am
Detroit singer-songwriter Rodriguez has finally found the fame that had eluded him for more than four decades. In the early '70s, he achieved cult status in South Africa, while at home, he remained virtually unknown. His public obscurity sparked rumors that he'd killed himself, but while he was alive and well, he'd retreated from music, earning a philosophy degree while working as a demolition man.
Drummer Zach Hill of Sacramento-based band Death Grips, during the group's speaker-busting set at (Le) Poisson Rouge.
Credit Loren Wohl for NPR
Arone Dyer of Buke and Gase plays a homemade baritone ukulele at (Le) Poisson Rouge in New York.
Credit Loren Wohl for NPR
Ali Shaheed Muhammad of A Tribe Called Quest (and NPR Music's hip-hop stream, Microphone Check) DJs between sets at (Le) Poisson Rouge.
Credit Loren Wohl for NPR
Stefan Burnett, a.k.a. MC Ride, of the band Death Grips, during the band's sweaty, intense set during the CMJ Music Marathon.
Credit Loren Wohl for NPR
Drummer Zach Hill of Death Grips, during the group's speaker-busting set at (Le) Poisson Rouge.
Credit Loren Wohl for NPR
Steven Ellison, a.k.a. Flying Lotus, headlines a show at (Le) Poisson Rouge presented by NPR Music and WNYC's Soundcheck during the 2012 CMJ Music Marathon.
Credit Bob Boilen / NPR
Elena Tonra (left) led the British trio Daughter at an event broadcast from the Union Square Ballroom by Seattle's KEXP.
Credit Bob Boilen / NPR
Justin Fowler and Dan Galucki of the Portland band Wooden Indian Burial Ground perform at Pianos during CMJ 2012.
Credit Loren Wohl for NPR
Arone Dyer (left) and Aron Sanchez of Buke and Gase, playing at a show presented by NPR Music and WNYC's Soundcheck during the 2012 CMJ Music Marathon.
