FROM THE PAST
The most incredible urban legends in the history of Rock
The music world, but more specifically the rock 'n' roll environment, has always been a place inhabited by cursed artists, bizarre characters, suffering personalities and misunderstood geniuses. The lives of these great artists have often not been easy, and have also given rise to many legends.
The famous 27 Club, for example, is said to have been born out of a pact with the devil. But also the rock stars' passion for drugs gave rise to many urban legends that are still believed to be true by many people today.
It is difficult to say how much truth there is in these tales, but it is undeniable that the stories told have, over the years, increased the myth of the cursed poet, the wild rocker and the 'fast life'.
The most incredible urban legends in the history of 'rock'
The music world, but more specifically the rock 'n' roll environment, has always been a place inhabited by cursed artists, bizarre characters, suffering personalities and misunderstood geniuses. The lives of these great artists have often not been easy, and have also given rise to many legends. The famous 27 Club, for example, is said to have been born out of a pact with the devil. But also the rock stars' passion for drugs gave rise to many urban legends that are still believed to be true by many people today. It is difficult to say how much truth there is in these tales, but it is undeniable that the stories told have, over the years, increased the myth of the cursed poet, the wild rocker and the 'fast life'.
Kurt Cobain's murder
Kurt Cobain committed suicide in 1994 with a shotgun blast to the face. However, for some observers, certain details did not add up, such as the strange position of the rifle, too much heroin in the blood, the non-authentic suicide note - and controversial statements, so that the hypothesis that it was a murder could not be ruled out. Some accusations have been made against Cobain's partner Courtney Love herself. There are two hypotheses: that she committed the murder herself or that she turned to a hitman. To this day, the real version is still unknown, and the official one speaks of suicide.
Jimi Hendrix and LSD-soaked bandannas.
Jimi Hendrix is not only world famous for the way he was able to play his guitar, but also for his extravagant looks of flared trousers, psychedelic shirts and bandanas. Legend has it that under his bandana, Jimi hid a tablet of LSD, which dissolved releasing its effect during the concert.
Di Courtland Bresner - http://www.earlyblues.com/down_t12.jpg, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimed
Robert Johnson and the sale of the soul to the devil
A musical icon, incredible blues guitarist of the 1920s and one of the progenitors of rock, Robert Johnson is said to have made a pact with the devil, trading his soul for unparalleled musical talent. His death in 1938, aged just 27 from pneumonia, gave rise to the legend of the 27 Club, of which the Nirvana frontman is also a member.
Debbie Harry and the meeting with Ted Bundy
In Face It, her 2019 autobiography, the Blondie frontwoman recounts a night in 1972 when she had a close encounter with serial killer Ted Bundy, who murdered 35 women between 1974 and 1978. One night, in New York's East Village, Harry is said to have accepted a lift from a stranger, as he found no taxis available. The singer allegedly managed to save herself after realising that the door handles were missing, by throwing herself out of the car with a shoulder. There is no confirmation of the incident, but the singer has always maintained her truth.
Gene Simmons and the cow's tongue
One of the characteristic features of the Kiss frontman is his very long tongue. It is most probably a natural feature, but there are also those who have put forward other hypotheses. For example, it is thought that Simmons cut off his frenulum to make it longer. Other, more extreme theories say that the singer would have transplanted a cow tongue.
Am I alive or am I dead?
Here the stories intersect. Bassist Paul McCartney, according to conspiracy theories of fans, died in 1966 and was replaced by look-alike Billy Shears. On the contrary, King Elvis Presley would be alive and would have faked his own death. Thus was born the motto Paul Is Dead. Elvis Lives! But there are many other theories about singers who have died but are believed by fans to be alive. The most recent was Michael Jackson, who died in 2009, but there is also talk of Tupac and Jim Morrison as still alive on a phantom island.
Rankings
03/12/2023
The well-known US magazine Rolling Stone in 2021 has updated the list of the 500 most beautiful songs of all time.
The ranking was first published on December 11, 2003 and was compiled by a jury chosen by the editorial staff, composed of 172 musicians, music critics and experts in the recording industry. Subsequently, the ranking was changed twice: the first in 2010, the second in 2021, when 254 songs that were previously not present were added.
Obviously, there is nothing more subjective than music: these songs are considered the best according to the criteria defined by Rolling Stonemagazine, but each of us has his own personal ranking of the best songs ever. Here, however, is the Top 20 of Rolling Stone.
Rankings
01/12/2023
In 2008, 'Rolling Stone' compiled a list of the 100 best singers of all time.
This ranking was compiled 15 years ago by 180 people, including several musicians (e.g. Bruce Springsteen, Rod Stewart, Justin Timberlake, George Michael, Keith Richards), journalists and music experts.
On 1 January 2023, however, 'Rolling Stone' published an update of the ranking that revolutionised the list, especially with regard to the Top Ten. As the well-known US magazine was keen to point out, this ranking does not only take into account technical and vocal abilities (it is not a list of the best voices of all time), but also the originality of the vocal timbre, the record catalogue, the writing ability and the musical legacy of the singers in question. Here are the top 20 positions.