Bo Diddley

Michael Nesmith talks about his solo tour and inspirations

2013-03-23 08:00:00

Once pegged as "the smart Monkee," singer, songwriter and guitarist Michael Nesmith is now embarking on his first U.S. solo tour in more than two decades. Nesmith shot to fame after "The Monkees" series premiered in 1966, and though he recently reunited...

Mickey Baker dies at 87; rhythm and blues, rock guitarist

2012-12-03 00:00:00

Mickey Baker, an exceptional 1950s session guitarist who played on hundreds of recordings, helping to transform rhythm and blues into rock 'n' roll, died Tuesday at his home near Toulouse, France, according to French media reports. He was 87. A cause of...

Album review: Redd Kross, 'Researching the Blues'

2013-01-01 16:50:00

It’s odd to think of Los Angeles punk band Redd Kross as a legacy act, considering its bassist Steven McDonald learned his instrument at age 11, shortly before he and older brother Jeff, 15, opened for Black Flag in the early ’80s. But more...

Getting the music right on 'Not Fade Away'

2012-11-03 12:12:00

Steven Van Zandt's gig on "Not Fade Away" began with a disappointment. The first feature from "Sopranos" creator David Chase, the film follows a group of New Jersey high-school kids as they put together a garage band in the wake of the British Invasion....

Library of Congress names new entries for National Recording Registry

2012-05-23 04:36:14

Johnny Otis dies at 90; R&B singer wrote 'Willie and the Hand Jive'

2012-01-19 00:00:00

Pioneering rhythm-and-blues singer, songwriter, drummer, bandleader and disc jockey Johnny Otis made the kind of conscious life choice early on that few people have the inclination, or circumstance, to carry out. Born white, the son of Greek immigrant...

Need a hostess gift when invited to dinner? The Times' S. Irene Virbila has a few ideas

2012-01-19 00:00:00

When I spent some months in Venice, Italy, years ago, my friend Paolo would show up at dinner parties with prosciutto. I'm not talking about a paper packet of sliced ham but a whole prosciutto di San Daniele, the famous ham from Friuli, cured with the...

Guitar Geek Festival 2012 this weekend in Anaheim

2012-01-19 21:36:33

Music review: Soweto Gospel Choir at Disney Hall

2012-04-13 16:37:41

Levon Helm 'one of the last true great spirits,' writes Bob Dylan

2012-04-20 16:36:22

Levon Helm: Joe Henry remembers 'a deacon who spoke our gospel'

2012-04-20 16:36:24

Willie 'Big Eyes' Smith dies at 75; blues musician

2011-10-01 00:00:00

At 17, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith left the Arkansas farm where he was raised to travel to Chicago, where he first heard Muddy Waters when his mother took him to a club. Inspired by the great bluesman, Smith never went home. Instead, he taught himself to...

Maria Bautista, 10, from left, Janelly Arreci, 7, and Juliana Smith, 10, look at the lyrics of Bo Diddley song they're about to perform in a class with Fruteland Jackson class on the last day of camp.

2011-07-16 00:00:00

Maria Bautista, 10, from left, Janelly Arreci, 7, and Juliana Smith, 10, perform aBo Diddley song in Fruteland Jackson's class.

2011-07-16 00:00:00

Liam Tracy, 8, from left, vocal coach Nellie Travis, Yonhani Monzon, 8, Janelly Arreci, 7, Maria Bautista, 10, Fruteland Jackson, Michael Thorsen, 13, Carlton McDowell, 11, and Liam Mathie, 11, perform a Bo Diddley song during a class taught by Fruteland Jackson.

2011-07-12 00:00:00