Nick DeRiso
@nickderiso.bsky.social
Author of 'Journey: Worlds Apart,' Amazon best-selling rock band + pop artist biography. Next: Exploring Bob Dylan and the Band. 17th Ward, New Orleans. www.nickderiso.com
The slate of August 2026 rock music releases is highlighted by new albums from members of Heart, Genesis and Marillion. John Fogerty will also expand his best-selling solo project. Here's a look: ultimateclassicrock.com/august-2026-...
What Rock Music Fans Have to Look Forward to in August 2026
Here's a look at rock's major releases for August 2026.
ultimateclassicrock.com
7/25/65: Dylan plugs in. World, changed. Our take: midcenturycinema.org/node/35 Seek out the Scorsese doc More: Mr. Al Kooper: www.villagevoice.com/50-years-aft... @johnharris1969.bsky.social: www.theguardian.com/books/2015/j... @nickderiso.bsky.social: ultimateclassicrock.com/bob-dylan-fi...
60 Years Ago: Bob Dylan Continues to Divide Fans After Newport
Bob Dylan played his first concert on Aug. 28, 1965 at Forest Hills, N.Y., after a controversial stop at the Newport Folk Festival.
ultimateclassicrock.com
Led Zeppelin's "Going to California" was a passion project for Jimmy Page and Robert Plant. "When you're in love with Joni Mitchell," Plant memorably quipped, "you've really got to write about it now and again."
Paul McCartney's album-closing songs were sometimes romantic pop asides. They might rock, too. My new ranked list tends to echo McCartney's particular genius in this way. Few could claim such thrilling variation: ultimateclassicrock.com/paul-mccartn...
The Paul McCartney Album Endings That Still Sound Like Nothing Else
A ranked look back at the final tracks on Paul McCartney's albums.
ultimateclassicrock.com
Linda Ronstadt turns 80 today. She retired after a Parkinson's Disease diagnosis, but not before scoring a string of hits in the '70s. You can also find her stirring vocal contributions on a number of other projects. Here's a look back at the Top 10: ultimateclassicrock.com/linda-ronsta...
Top 10 Linda Ronstadt Collaborations
Linda Ronstadt's Hall of Fame career included duets with Neil Young, Paul Simon, the Eagles, Randy Newman and others.
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Paul McCartney's latest song with the Rolling Stones has arrived. Here's where "Covered in You" ranks in my new countdown of the 60 best Beatles collaborations: ultimateclassicrock.com/top-beatles-...
Classic rock came along in America at the right time, as the album era got underway. So, this historic July 4th felt like a great time to take an in-depth look back – and celebrate it all. Here's UCR's staff-voted ranking of the 250 best American albums: ultimateclassicrock.com/top-250-amer...
Amity Island Mayor Larry Vaughn, with a friendly reminder.
A remake of 'Supergirl' is set to arrive this weekend. I'm told there will be no action sequence taking place at a Popeyes. So, I'm out. www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNCG...
Supergirl - 1984 - [Supergirl To The Rescue]
YouTube video by Generation X
youtube.com
Two more legendary classic-rock acts return with new music, just weeks after well-received albums by fellow stalwarts Paul McCartney, Peter Frampton and Yes. July 2026 will also see a raft of expanded reissues, hits packages and signature concert recordings: ultimateclassicrock.com/july-2026-ne...
Are legacy bands that undergo radical lineup changes over the years still beholden to what came before? That’s been Yes’ basic conundrum – and they've finally solved it on their new album, 'Aurora.' Here's my review: ultimateclassicrock.com/yes-aurora-r...
Paul Simon probably wouldn't have been allowed to leave without playing favorites like "Slip Slidin' Away" and "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard." But he also made room for "Train in the Distance," "Under African Skies" and "Spirit Voices." Simply transcendent.
Ultimate Classic Rock@ultclassicrock.bsky.social · 2mo agoPaul Simon's ongoing comeback will be the focus of an upcoming new album and film. Here's how you can check out 'Paul Simon: The Quiet Celebration Concert': ultimateclassicrock.com/paul-simon-q...
Rick Danko's solo debut precipitated the first partial studio reunion since the Band completed final tracking for 'Islands' just before taking the stage for 'The Last Waltz' in 1976. He managed another one in the most unlikely of settings: nickderiso.substack.com/p/how-rick-d...
George Harrison's 'Somewhere in England' arrived 45 years ago today with the No. 2 hit "All Those Years Ago." Paul McCartney also has a new album out. Where do they rank for you? Here's how the Beatles' solo albums stack up with me: ultimateclassicrock.com/beatles-solo...
MTV made a lot of new stars in the '80s. Classic rock wasn't going away, though: Still interesting how many acts with roots in the '60s and '70s were topping the charts, as well.
Ultimate Classic Rock@ultclassicrock.bsky.social · 2mo agoMusic in the '80s is typically associated with the computerized, neon-tinged sounds of MTV, but there was much more to this wildly varied decade. Which '80s rock album was your favorite?: ultimateclassicrock.com/top-80s-rock...
"Waiting on a Friend" was just an old leftover as the Rolling Stones completed 'Tattoo You.' Then they had the idea to ask saxophonist Sonny Rollins – who died at 95 yesterday after a stellar jazz career – to add a solo. The song was suddenly complete: ultimateclassicrock.com/rolling-ston...
How the Rolling Stones Finally Completed 'Waiting on a Friend'
The Rolling Stones' No. 13 hit 'Waiting on a Friend' with guest saxophonist Sonny Rollins arrived in November 1981.
ultimateclassicrock.com
June 2026 promises to be a reissue-heavy month, but some new releases stand out: ultimateclassicrock.com/june-2026-ne...
They should sing these songs in church. Marvin Gaye's 'What's Going On' doesn't simply boast the gospel influence that marks so much of America's most transformative works in blues and R&B; this album actually has the consistently challenging depth and heart-opening heft of sacred music.
Ultimate Classic Rock@ultclassicrock.bsky.social · 3mo agoOne of music's most important albums arrived 55 years ago today. Here's a deep dive into Marvin Gaye's 'What's Going On': ultimateclassicrock.com/marvin-gaye-...
By the mid-'80s, Peter Gabriel was working with Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois of U2 fame, and that provided the perfect, long-awaited alchemy for chart success. It took a few tries, but Gabriel finally hit upon the right showcase for every part of his restless genius.
Ultimate Classic Rock@ultclassicrock.bsky.social · 3mo agoPeter Gabriel's breakout 'So' album was released 40 years ago today. Here's where it ranks among more than 50 Genesis solo projects: ultimateclassicrock.com/genesis-solo...
Paul McCartney's initially misjudged 'Ram' arrived 55 years ago this week. He was bursting with after-breakup ideas — and that gives the LP a dizzying momentum. Here's my ranked song-by-song look back: ultimateclassicrock.com/paul-mccartn...
When spring evolves into summer, it can feel as if every band is on tour. As the weather turns, the idea of hanging on for a warm evening at the local music shed finally starts to make sense again. But not everybody is out on the concert trail. Here's why: ultimateclassicrock.com/rock-acts-no...
Missed church on Sunday to go to the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, but pretty sure seeing Mavis Staples counts anyway.
Paul McCartney and Peter Frampton return with new studio LPs this month. May will also see the Who and Eagles taking important looks back. Bruce Springsteen tops the list of pending live projects. Here's my complete preview of May 2026's new music releases: ultimateclassicrock.com/may-2026-new...
The busy summer of 2026 touring schedule will be marked by heralded reunions, long-awaited comebacks and some very lengthy goodbyes. There's more. Lots more. Here's my new Summer 2026 Preview: Rock's 85 Biggest Tours | ultimateclassicrock.com/summer-2026-...
New Orleans festival season is also Tourist Stopping in the Middle of the Pathway and/or Street for No Apparent Reason and Remaining There Forever Season.
