Sep. 21, 2011: R.E.M. called it a day after more than 30 years together. From Athens, Georgia to worldwide success, they helped turn alternative rock into a mainstream force. Their final album, Collapse Into Now, even left us with Michael Stipe seemingly waving goodbye.

Sep. 21, 2004: Yusuf Islam, formerly Cat Stevens, was denied entry into the U.S. after appearing on a security watch list. His flight was diverted to Maine, he was questioned and sent back to Britain. Quite the detour for the man who brought us “Peace Train.” ✌️🚂

Sep. 21, 1934: Leonard Cohen was born in Montreal. From “Suzanne” to “Hallelujah,” Cohen blended poetry, spirituality, love and darkness like few others. He left us in 2016, but his words — and that unmistakable voice — live on. ❤️

Sep. 20, 1979: The Clash’s Paul Simonon smashed his bass onstage at NYC’s Palladium. Pennie Smith nearly rejected her photo for being too blurry — but it became the iconic cover of London Calling and one of punk rock’s defining images. 🎸📸

Sep. 20, 1973: Jim Croce was killed in a plane crash. He was just 30. Only a day later, “I Got a Name” was released. His career was far too short, but songs like “Operator,” “Time in a Bottle” and “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown” made his voice unforgettable. 🎶

Sep. 20, 1970: Jim Morrison was convicted of indecent exposure and profanity stemming from The Doors’ infamous 1969 Miami concert. He died while appealing the conviction in 1971. Nearly 40 years later, Florida granted Morrison a posthumous pardon.

Sep. 19, 1989: Janet Jackson released Rhythm Nation 1814. Socially conscious, ridiculously danceable and packed with hits, it produced a record seven Billboard Top 5 singles from one album — something not even Michael matched. Janet was absolutely unstoppable.

Sep. 19, 1981: Simon & Garfunkel reunited for a free concert in Central Park, drawing more than 400,000 fans. The legendary night became a live album and film and sparked a brief reunion before the duo split again in 1983. 🎶

Sep. 19, 1960: Chubby Checker hit no. 1 with “The Twist” and helped launch a worldwide dance craze. More than 65 years later, it still fills dance floors — but I suggest you stretch first! 🕺

Happy Birthday, Mama Cass! 🎂 Born #OnThisDay in 1941, Cass Elliot gave The Mamas & the Papas one of the most unforgettable voices of the ’60s before going solo. She died far too young at 32. Forget the cruel myths that followed her — remember the voice, the joy and the music. ❤️🎶

Sep. 18, 1983: KISS did the unthinkable: they took off the makeup. 🤯 The band unveiled their new look on MTV for Lick It Up, kicking off a successful new era. They stayed unmasked until the original lineup — and the makeup — returned in 1996. 🤘

Sep. 18, 1978: WKRP in Cincinnati debuted. Critics said no real radio station could possibly be that chaotic. After 17 years working full-time in radio, I can confidently say: WKRP was basically a documentary. 😂📻

Sep. 18, 1970: Jimi Hendrix died in London at just 27. In only a few years, he revolutionized the electric guitar and changed rock music forever. More than half a century later, Hendrix still somehow sounds ahead of his time. 🎸

Sep. 15, 1982: Pink Floyd: The Wall hit the big screen. 🎬🧱 Alan Parker’s film mixed Bob Geldof’s Pink with Gerald Scarfe’s surreal animation, becoming a box-office success and later a cult classic. Rock opera. Art film. Fever dream. Still unforgettable.

Sep. 15, 1969: The “Paul is dead” conspiracy was taking off — claiming McCartney had died in 1966, been replaced by a double, and The Beatles were leaving clues in their music. 👀 Paul was alive and well, of course. If only this were the biggest conspiracy theory going around today. 🙄😂

Sep. 15, 1967: The Who turned The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour into rock ’n’ roll chaos. 💥 Keith Moon’s explosive-filled drum kit went off with a massive blast during “My Generation,” injuring Moon and singeing Pete Townshend’s hair.

Sep. 15, 1967: The Doors played The Ed Sullivan Show. 🔥 Jim Morrison was asked to change the “couldn’t get much higher” lyric in “Light My Fire.” He agreed. Then sang it anyway. 😏 The Doors were reportedly told they’d never be invited back. Peak Morrison. 🚪🔥

#OnThisDay in 1984, Miami Vice debuted on NBC, and brought pastel suits, neon nights, fast cars and MTV-style music to prime time TV. 🌴😎 Phil Collins’ “In the Air Tonight” helped set the mood, while Jan Hammer’s theme became a no. 1 hit. Peak ’80s cool.

Sep. 16, 1979: The Sugarhill Gang released “Rapper’s Delight.” Built around Chic’s “Good Times,” it became the first rap single to hit the Billboard Hot 100 and helped take hip-hop from NYC parties into the mainstream. And the original 12-inch version ran about 15 minutes long! 📀🔥

Sep. 16, 1977: T. Rex legendary frontman Marc Bolan was killed in a London car crash at just 29. A glam rock pioneer with glitter, swagger and killer riffs, Bolan helped define an era — and over 50 years later, his influence still shines. ✨🎸

Sep. 16, 1925: B.B. King was born in Mississippi. 🎸 The King of the Blues influenced generations with his guitar, Lucille, by his side — and in 1977, even brought his legendary sound to Yellowknife for two shows at the Gerry Murphy Arena. He left us in 2015 at 89, but the thrill lives on. 👑

Sep. 15, 2019: We lost Ric Ocasek of The Cars at 75. 🎸 His distinctive voice and songwriting gave us classics like “Just What I Needed”, “My Best Friend’s Girl” and “Let's Go.” A year earlier, The Cars entered the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and reunited for Ric’s final performance with the band. 🖤

Sep. 15, 1972: John Denver released Rocky Mountain High. 🏔️🎶 His sixth LP became his first U.S. Top 10 album, peaking at no. 4, while the title track became one of his signature songs. 54 years later, it has a home in my vinyl collection. 💿

Sep. 15, 1965: Ford introduced 8-track players across its car lineup, helping change the road trip soundtrack forever. 🚗🎶 Chunky cartridges, that unmistakable 'ka-chunk' sound between tracks, and tapes that sometimes needed a little “encouragement.” 😂 Do you remember having one in the car?

here's today's post: "why the fuck were millions of dollars wasted on Donny’s pointless Emotional Support Trip to Ireland?" — everything could have been done right here at home. thanks for reading, and please sign up for my daily newsletter so you never miss a post —

why the fuck were millions of dollars wasted on Donny’s pointless Emotional Support Trip to Ireland?

everything Dear Leader got up to on his 48-hour vacation could have been done right here at home

bit.ly

Sep. 14, 1985: The Golden Girls debuted on NBC. 🌴 Dorothy, Rose, Blanche & Sophia became TV icons — and Cynthia Fee’s version of “Thank You for Being a Friend” became one of television’s most beloved themes. Four decades later, those first piano notes still hit. Cheesecake, anyone? 🍰

Sep. 14, 1984: Madonna made MTV VMAs history with her performance of “Like a Virgin.” Wearing a wedding gown and “Boy Toy” belt, she emerged from a giant wedding cake, ditched her heels and rolled across the stage. 👰‍♀️🎂 Provocative, unforgettable — and pure MTV-era Madonna.

Sep. 14, 1955: Little Richard recorded “Tutti Frutti” in New Orleans. 🎹🔥 Its original “Tutti Frutti, good booty” lyrics were cleaned up with help from songwriter Dorothy LaBostrie, turning it into a radio-ready smash. One explosive record that helped change rock & roll forever. 🎶

Sep. 13, 2000: Almost Famous hit theatres. Inspired by Cameron Crowe’s teenage years as a rock journalist, it gave us Stillwater, Penny Lane, Lester Bangs and a killer ’70s soundtrack. A funny, bittersweet love letter to rock & roll. 🎸

Sep. 13, 1986: Berlin’s “Take My Breath Away” hit no. 1. ✈️🎶 The Top Gun ballad became an ’80s classic and won the Oscar for Best Original Song. Its B-side? “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’” — another old favourite revived by the movie. One heck of a soundtrack. 😎