A few weeks back, I had dinner with Beck in Los Angeles where we discussed his latest album, the majestic "Ride Lonesome," as well as other chapters and tangents in his long and fascinating career. The results of that encounter appear in the new issue of MOJO magazine, with Neil Young on the cover.

My latest for The New York Times on the life, death, & resurrection of Gary Stewart. Spurred by the publication of Jimmy McDonough’s Stewart biography "I Am From The Honky-Tonks,” and a new archival LP "One Track Mind," the singer is enjoying a revival. Gift link here www.nytimes.com/2026/07/17/a...

The Rediscovery of Country Original Gary Stewart (Gift Article)

Gary Stewart spent a few years on top, but was largely forgotten after his tragic death in 2003. Now a new generation is rediscovering the onetime “king of honky-tonk.”

nytimes.com

My latest for The New York Times on the life, death, & resurrection of Gary Stewart. Spurred by the publication of Jimmy McDonough’s Stewart biography "I Am From The Honky-Tonks,” and a new archival LP "One Track Mind," the singer is enjoying a revival. Gift link here www.nytimes.com/2026/07/17/a...

The Rediscovery of Country Original Gary Stewart (Gift Article)

Gary Stewart spent a few years on top, but was largely forgotten after his tragic death in 2003. Now a new generation is rediscovering the onetime “king of honky-tonk.”

nytimes.com

The book at left ends on July 3, 1863, 163 years ago yesterday. The book at right ends on July 4, 1991, 35 years ago today.

Attention Byrds Nyrds! Gene Clark Fans! Lovers of groovy tunes! My wife’s band The Ettes have just released a new five-song EP, “Passionate Liars,” featuring their stunning version of a mostly unknown Gene Clark song, “On the Run.” Check it out! open.spotify.com/album/52Yv4y...

Attention Byrds Nyrds! Gene Clark Fans! Lovers of groovy tunes! My wife’s band The Ettes have just released a new five-song EP, “Passionate Liars,” featuring their stunning version of a mostly unknown Gene Clark song, “On the Run.” Check it out! open.spotify.com/album/52Yv4y...

My latest for The New York Times: a look at the life & legacy of the late great D. Boon. Visited San Pedro to talk to the surviving Minutemen, Mike Watt and George Hurley, as they continue to carry forward the spirit of Boon and the band. Gift link here: www.nytimes.com/2026/03/26/a...

D. Boon’s Death Shook Punk Rock. 40 Years Later, Minutemen Look Back.

nytimes.com

My latest for The New York Times: a look at the life & legacy of the late great D. Boon. Visited San Pedro to talk to the surviving Minutemen, Mike Watt and George Hurley, as they continue to carry forward the spirit of Boon and the band. Gift link here: www.nytimes.com/2026/03/26/a...

D. Boon’s Death Shook Punk Rock. 40 Years Later, Minutemen Look Back.

nytimes.com

Given the news lately, I've thought about this particularly chilling scene a whole lot. R.I.P. to Robert Duvall, maybe the best to ever do it.

Sad news from Memphis: the great soul singer & songwriter Don Bryant has died at 83. A Hi Records artist who penned hits for his wife Ann Peebles (including the immortal "I Can't Stand the Rain"), Bryant enjoyed a late-career comeback over the last decade www.commercialappeal.com/story/entert...

My latest for The New York Times, on John Prine. A new concert film, "You Got Gold," documenting a pair of tribute shows begins its theatrical run on the heels of Tom Piazza’s book on Prine. Fiona Prine, Bonnie Raitt & more talk about his life & legacy. Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/27/a...

5 Years After His Death, John Prine Gets a Cinematic Send-Off

nytimes.com

Was honored to receive a Grammy nomination the other day for my album notes for Wilco's "A Ghost Is Born (20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition)." Always a privilege to rep the band, Nonesuch and the Warner family - and be part of the great archival work from producer Cheryl Pawelski!

The mailman brought a copy of an incredible Hüsker Dü release, "1985: The Miracle Year," for which I wrote liner notes. This 4LP/2CD set from Numero Group comes out Friday. You can hit the Numero site or your local record retailer to get yours: numerogroup.com/products/198...

My latest for The New York Times on the great Warren Zevon, in the wake of a lavish tribute concert dedicated to him in Los Angeles and ahead of his induction to the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame next week. Gift link here: www.nytimes.com/2025/10/27/a...

leaning into middle age hard by reading about two of the most important pairs of brothers in american history

A bit of news, regarding my Replacements bio, "Trouble Boys"

Stereogum@stereogum.com · last yr.

Finn Wolfhard is adapting Bob Mehr's epic Replacements biography 'Trouble Boys' into a movie

My latest for The New York Times, on the legendary session musician Carol Kaye. The outspoken 90-year-old is being inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame this fall. With thoughts on Kaye's career from Paul McCartney, Kathy Valentine & more. Gift link here: www.nytimes.com/2025/09/24/a...

My latest for The New York Times, on the legendary session musician Carol Kaye. The outspoken 90-year-old is being inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame this fall. With thoughts on Kaye's career from Paul McCartney, Kathy Valentine & more. Gift link here: www.nytimes.com/2025/09/24/a...

My latest for the New York Times on the colorful career of Josh Freese, late of Foo Fighters, currently of Nine Inch Nails-a child drum prodigy who's risen to the ranks of the world’s top musicians. With thoughts from Sting, Mark Mothersbaugh, Jim Keltner & more. www.nytimes.com/2025/08/27/a...

What Nine Inch Nails and Michael Bublé Share: Josh Freese’s Drumming

nytimes.com

My latest for the New York Times on the colorful career of Josh Freese, late of Foo Fighters, currently of Nine Inch Nails-a child drum prodigy who's risen to the ranks of the world’s top musicians. With thoughts from Sting, Mark Mothersbaugh, Jim Keltner & more. www.nytimes.com/2025/08/27/a...

What Nine Inch Nails and Michael Bublé Share: Josh Freese’s Drumming

nytimes.com

You might've heard the news about an incredible project from Hüsker Dü, "1985: The Miracle Year," a 4LP/2CD box set coming this fall from Numero Group. Had the privilege of writing the liner notes to this epic package. Check it out here: numerogroup.com/products/198...

You might've heard the news about an incredible project from Hüsker Dü, "1985: The Miracle Year," a 4LP/2CD box set coming this fall from Numero Group. Had the privilege of writing the liner notes to this epic package. Check it out here: numerogroup.com/products/198...

Terry Reid: 1949-2025. Fly on...

My latest for The New York Times on Neil Sedaka. Fifty years ago, Sedaka pulled off one of pop music’s great comebacks. This is the story his rise, fall and rise again, as he marks the occasion with a deluxe release of “Sedaka’s Back” and some intimate shows in LA. www.nytimes.com/2025/07/01/a...

Neil Sedaka Executed One of Pop’s Great Comebacks. Now, He Just Plays.

nytimes.com

My latest for The New York Times on Neil Sedaka. Fifty years ago, Sedaka pulled off one of pop music’s great comebacks. This is the story his rise, fall and rise again, as he marks the occasion with a deluxe release of “Sedaka’s Back” and some intimate shows in LA. www.nytimes.com/2025/07/01/a...

Neil Sedaka Executed One of Pop’s Great Comebacks. Now, He Just Plays.

nytimes.com

My latest for The New York Times, on some of the still (officially) unreleased material from across Brian Wilson's career: Adult/Child, Sweet Insanity, The Paley Sessions and more. With insights from Wilson biographers David Leaf and Peter Ames Carlin. www.nytimes.com/2025/06/13/a...

The Musical Mysteries Brian Wilson Left Behind

nytimes.com

My latest for The New York Times, a profile of Irish music legend Christy Moore. Got to chat with the great man & some of his many admirers-U2’s The Edge, Elvis Costello, The Late Late Show's Patrick Kielty & Michael D. Higgins, President of Ireland-for this feature. www.nytimes.com/2025/05/15/a...

Christy Moore, Ireland’s Folk Music Legend, Is Still Writing History

nytimes.com

My latest for The New York Times, a profile of Irish music legend Christy Moore. Got to chat with the great man & some of his many admirers-U2’s The Edge, Elvis Costello, The Late Late Show's Patrick Kielty & Michael D. Higgins, President of Ireland-for this feature. www.nytimes.com/2025/05/15/a...

Christy Moore, Ireland’s Folk Music Legend, Is Still Writing History

nytimes.com

Fascinating find! I looked for this ad for a long time but could never locate it. It's an interesting bit of history that affixes the date officially for the Bataclan - or Ba-Ta-clan - gig that was set up specifically for Peter Jesperson. Let me explain...

Chris Steller@chrissteller.bsky.social · last yr.

Mehr says The Dads had a series of bookings at such sober houses. The Impediments are listed as openers again for The Dads May 30 at Ba-Ta-Clan, a venue in Minneapolis (not technically "this town"), in an ad from the May 28, 1980 Twin Cities Reader alt-weekly dug up by @mplsmusichistory.bsky.social.

Sad news from the world of Memphis music: Terry Manning, the noted engineer, producer, and musician who worked with a galaxy of stars — from Led Zeppelin to ZZ Top — over a sixty-plus year career has died. More on Manning's life and career here: www.commercialappeal.com/story/entert...

Terry Manning dies: Producer/engineer worked with music icons from Isaac Hayes to ZZ Top

A key figure in Memphis music and beyond, Terry Manning worked closely with artists across generations and genres, from the Staple Singers to Shakira.

commercialappeal.com