Aretha Franklin (The Queen of Soul)

"There are certain murical notes that can be played on a saxophone that are chilling; similarly, there are sounds above the twelfth fret on guitar that are orgasmic. Aretha Franklin is better than any instrumen, as she can hit notes that do not exist in industrumental terms." Lycos Music

:-P The quote above, indeed, is only one of the many high praises addressed to this big and beautiful lady, Aretha Franklin. When she was a little girl, Aretha often sang with her sisters, Carolyn and Erma, at the Detroit church where her father, Reverend C.L.Franklin, preached. She became a featured solo vocalist in her church choir when she was 12 and made her first recording as a gospel artist two years after. John Hammond, the famous talent scout, was one of the people who brought Aretha to popularity.

Many hits by Aretha, especially those made in the early '70s, were huge successes, for example, "Spanish Harlem," Simon and Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water," "Day Dreaming," etc. She was even more triumphant after producing the admirable albums live at Fillmore West and Amazing Grace.

With her songs claiming the first place in R'nB lists twenty times and the Grammy Awards that she, the first artists ever, won every year between 1960 and 1975, it was no wonder that Aretha was crowned "The Queen of Soul" in th 60's, a title that she till proudly wears now. She was the first woman in Rock and Roll hall of fame. She got a lifetime award in 1995. She is the inspiration for Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige.;-D:-q

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U2 (A school band that never ends)

"They are the only band that's been around for twenty years with no member changes and no big splits". Chris Martin (Coldplay)

What would have happend if no one had answered Larry Mullen Jr.'s advertisement for establishing a rock band, back in 1976? Great songs like "With or With out You," "When the Streets Have No Name" and "Beautiful Day" would never have existed. Initially named FEEDBACK, Paul Hewson a.k.a Bono (vocal), Adam Clayton (bass), David Evans a.k.a the Edge (guitars, keyboards), Larry Mullen (drums), and Dick Evans played the ROLLING STONES's and BEATLES songs. Before they took the name U2, this band used the name HYPE in 1977. Soon after, Dick Evans left the band to set up the VIRGIN PRUNES and the foursome changed the name into U2.

Though U2 is very famous and successful now, their journey to get to the top wasn't that smooth. They won a talent contest in 1978 but they failed in an audition with CBS Records. But when they released their debut EP "U2:3" in 1979, the record topped the lrish charts. In early 1980, they signed a contract with Universal and released their debut, "Boy". But it was "Joshua Tree," that made them become one of the most successful rock bands ever. Within 28 hours since its release, the album went platinum! What a milestone! They are the only band that has four different songs on one album win several categories in the 2000 and 2001 Grammy Awards! They have been together for more than 20 years and they still show no sign of quitting.B-);-)

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MetamorphDONNA

"i'm sorry, but i'd rather meet Madonna than the president of the United States. Madonna has this thing about her that you can't explain-the thing that makes somebody a star." Britney Spears

Madonna is an undeniable existence in showbiz. She's always been the dazzling sparkle in the industry. With her album Like a Virgin, she started her fame with the naughty girl look in her shredded wedding dress and veil, just when other female singers were trying to look cutie nice. And when every girl imiatated her style by wearing big shiny cross pendants, she movem on and set another trend in True Blue: displaying a fress look with her short blond hair, wearing a pointy bustier (Jean Paul Gaultier specially designed for her) to show off her muscle.

She's a real style inventor! That way, she's successfully enlightened society, that a beautiful voice alone is not enough to guarantee fame. Not everybody thinks Madonna's voice is extraordinary, but she has her style. Her voice is so Madonna. But which artist can stand a whole 2 hour concert singing various kinds of songs, mostly those with a fast beat, while dancing energetically, and managing to change outfits for almost every song?

Only Madonna can do that, and she did it in her True Blue concert. Other female singers would end up being out of breath and they wouldn't even bother to change their custome that frequently. Stamina has always been Madonna's nick name, as her muscular body testifies, despite her very feminine look.

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The story of Jimi Hendrix

"Are you experienced." "When i think of Hendrix, i thinh of some of the most placid, lovely guitar sound on songs like little wing"- John Mayer

Born as John Allen Hendrix at King Country Hospital, Seattle on November 27, 1942, this guitar player was renamed James Marshal by his father, shortly after his mother abandoned him. As a child he loved to listen to his father's R&B and blues record. That was how he learned music, by listening, since he could neither read or write music. Not long after his father gave him a small guitar when he was five, jimi could already play the songs he heard from the radio and records.

During his teens jimi played with local bands in Seattle. Jimi joined the army 1961 but quit the next year. After quitting, he played guitar for little Richard, Sam Cooke ame the Isley Brothers. In 1966, he met Chas Chandler, the former bass player for the Animals, and was invited to london. After he moved to London, his success came quickly. Chas Chandler became Jimi's manager and Jimi formed The Jimi Hendrix Experience and recorded 'Hey Joe', which was released at the end of the year. The rest was history.

The way the left-handed guitar player performed in front of live audience has changed the rock scene in particular. But with his unpredictable talent and style, Jimi has influenced every genre of music, ranging from rock to soul, blues to pop, jazz to rap and modern music in countless aspect. Jimi died at the age of 27 from an overdose of sleeping pills and alcohol but his songs are still played by many musicians. "Little Wing" was played by Skid Row, Metallica, The Corrs and many other artists from various music scenes on album and live

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Michael Jackson "THE KING OF POP"

Tell me who was the first black artist whose music video played on MTV. There's only one name. It was Michael Joseph Jackson with his transatlantic hit, "Beat It." However, it wasn't the first time he made a name for himself. At the age of four, as the front man of the Jackson Five, he sold many hits such as "I want You Back," "ABC," and "I'll Be There" (remade by Mariah Carey). At 13, he released his first solo album, Got To Be There, with the hit single, "Ben" (later resung by Boyzone). He was brilliant in making music, creating a stunning mix of pop music with R'nB, rock, dance, or rock 'n roll. That was how he earned the title of the king of pop and sold millions of records.

One of his albums, Thriller, containing 7 top 10 hits, had a remarkable short film of 14 minutes duration, and earned 26 platinum awards! He got many awards. His clear voice, outstanding stage performance, distinguished dance style, musicality, music video making breakthroughs, and humanitarian side have captured millions of music lovers' hearts. You remember his Moonwalk steps, don't you? On stage he can portray an absolute self-confidence despite his shy and introvert personality.

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The Beatles history

"Michael Jackson can sell records until the end of time, but he'll never matter to people as much as the Beatles did." (Elvis Costello, musician)

Can you name for revolutionary people who are responsible for changing the world? Yes, they are John, Paul, George, and Ringo, The Beatles. How could these young people from Liverpool have changed the world? Through their songs and their actions. The Beatles are not only a musical icon, they're also an icon of humanity (Remember, John Lennon was also known as a icon of peace). The government of the Soviet Union once banned the Beatles, because the Beatles were not just a band, but a cultural event in a century that might undermine communism.

It might be right if it's said that the Soviet Union crumbled party because of these four young men from Liverpool. A generation in the history of the Soviet Union listened to the Beatles. They were influenced by the lyrics about love, freedom and other stuff. Later on they became officers who took part in changing the country. What was the secret of the Beatles? The outstanding talent of each individual member, excellent sense of music, sense of adventure (It was the Beatles who experimented with Indian music for the first time). Guts (Hey, it was John Lennon, who said the Beatles were more popular than Jesus Christ), and luck. John and Paul were good singers and excellent song writers. George and Ringo might not be respectively the besj guitarist and drummer (Don't ever compare George to Jimmy Hendrix and Ringo to John Bonham), but their skills significantly contributed to the group's success. Wanna know which musicians have been influenced by the Beatles? They are The Hollies, The Small Facer, The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Byrds, The Monkees, The Kinks, Jim Hendrix, Badfinger, Oasis and many more for there will be more bands and musicians to come.

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The Long Road of NICKELBACK

Long journey to success
It's interesting to know the history of this Canadian band. NICKELBACK started their career in music as a cover band in their hometown, Hanna, Calgary, Canada. Tired of playing other people's songs. Chad Kroeger (vocal) went to Vancouver with his brother, mike (guitar), and his friend, Ryan Vikedel (bass) after borrowing money from his stepfather. In 1996, they recorded and released the EP "Hesher" and the full-length "Curb" on their own. In late 1998 they fired their manager and handled everything by themselves. With their savings, they managed to release their independent album. The State, in January 2000. The album attracted some record companies such as Roadrunner, Island/Def jam, and EMI Canada, as it impressively sold 500.000 copies in Canada.

The unexpected result of The State encouraged the band to record their follow-up album, Silver Side Up. Interestingly, the songs on Silver Side Up were actually written before The State was released in the U.S. As "How You Remind Me" rocked the charts, NICKELBACK's popularity grem accordingly. Silver Side Up sold over 9 million copies worldwide and NICKELBACK stunned listeners by being #1 Most Played Rock Artist of 2002 Across All Radio Formats. This achievement made them the icon of the new grunge band of the new millennium.

A New Challenge
Life is full of challenges and the same goes for NICKELBACK. Forced to make a better album than the one before, the band took the challenge by releasing their follow-up album Long Road. Without any influences from other bands, the threesome confidently crafted the whole album to their tastes. On this album we can hear that the band focuses on melodic guitar crunch they never did before. The dynamic "Someday," the fully strapping guitar riffs in "Throw Yourself Away," the vibrant and energetic "Do This Anymore," and the bare emotion of "Feeling Way Too Damn Good" testify to that. This album also introduces a lyrical growth, shown by the way the band interpreted the universal themes on Long Road, making the record sounds more sophisticated than their predecessors. However, the band still needs to continue on their long road to ultimate success.

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The Reason You Love "HOOBASTANK"

Crawling to Their Debut
Hoobastank, Hmm, sounds like the name of a rock band, huh? Actually, they do rock. "We're a rock band and we play rock music. It's a positive rock," explains Dan, the gutarist of the band. HOOBASTANK was formed by four schoolmates in the South California suburb of Agoura, California in the mid 1990s. Consisting of Doughlas Robb (vocal), Markku Lappalinen (bass), Dan Estrin (guitar), and Chris Hesse (drums), the foursome couldn't afford to record their first album right away. They look regular 9-to-5 office work to save money. They worked hard to record their ten songs. Three years after that, they could finish the whole album and signed a contract with Island/Def Jam Record. But their struggle resulted in a sweet sensation when their self-titled debut went platinum in 2000 with the hit singles "Crawling in the Dark" and "Running Away."

Their Genuinenesess
Trying to make following effort, the HOOBA guys released their second album, The Reason, in early 2004 with the first single "Out of Control." Contrary to their prediction, the 12-track-album didn't make much in the first week of its release. But after several months, HOOBASTANK became the most wanted band on the radio as their follow-up single, "The Reason," hit the charts.

"Out of Control" and "The Reason" are quite different. The rockin' first single opens with guitar riffs, combined with steady quarter note beats on the bass drum. What's amazing is Dough's sreaming, which expresses the true feeling of being out of control. On the second single, the HOOBA gusys use the theme of relations, focusing on Dough telling the woman in his life that he's sorry for what he has done. But because better man will treat her in the way she deserves. So sweet!!

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Nirvana Story

"Cobain changed the course of where the music went"
Vernon Reid (Guitarist, ex-Living Colour)

Nirvana started with meeting of Court Cobain (guita/vocal) and Christ Novoselic (born Krist Novoselic) (bass) in Aberdeen (near Seattle) in 1985. Then both of them formed a band called the Stiff Woodies, with cobain on the drums, Novoselic on the bass, and a rotating cast of guitarist and vocalists. After they changed their personnel and name several times, finally in 1987, Dave Grohl joined them as the drummer, adn the band was called Nirvana.

At the end of 1991, Nevermind immediately became a top-charting album, quickly selling 50.000 copies. What helped the record become a seccess was "Smells Like teen spirit"a blistering four-chord song that was accompanied by a video that Smells like teen spirit"shot into MTV rotation. By the beginning of 1992, "Smells Like teen spirit" had climbed onto the American Top Ten and Nevermind beat Michael Jackson's Dangerous off the top of the album charts. By February the album had been certified triple platinum.

Nirvana's sucess did'nt only surprice the music industry but also its own personnel. And they were mentally not ready to accept it. They started to act weirdy on the stage. Novoselic and Grohl shard a kiss at the end. Because of that, some people started to question the band's ability. Cobain married Courtney Love in February 1992. Shortly after marriage, ther were rumors that the couple were heavy heroin users. Since Cobain was going through such personal problem , Nirvana was unable to record a follow up to Nevermind until spring of 1993.

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