The 15 Most Popular REBEAT Articles of 2017
For many of us, 2017 was at best a bizarre year — at worst, a terrible, forgettable dumpster fire. At a time when the world seems to have gone off the rails and disintegrates day by day, it’s so important to have a respite, something that’s not only a distraction but a salve. REBEAT is that for me, and I hope is has been that for you this year.
As I compiled our top 15 articles of the year — as I do every year — I was reminded of the bright spots of this year, like the tour that occupies our top spot, the many important releases that came across our virtual desks, and our conversations with the people who shaped the era of pop culture many of us co-opt as our own: the ’60s.
Offsite, REBEAT also hit another huge milestone as associate editor Erika White and I had the profound privilege to moderate three panels at the Chicago Fest for Beatles Fans. REBEAT has been fortunate to have a presence at the Fest for several years now, but this is the first time we were entrusted to lead conversations that we both felt were fun, informative, and important.
One of them centered around the “experience” of second- and third-generation Beatles fans, a topic that both Erika and I hold near and dear to our hearts. We hope to continue the conversation in 2018 at both the NY Metro and Chicago Fests — and in other ways to be announced soon!
More than anything, as I look over our top posts, I’m filled with so much gratitude for the truly fantastic group of writers this weird little website has attracted. When I started REBEAT in 2014, I never dreamed of the people it would bring into my life, the experiences it would spur, or the challenges it would present. For all of it, I’m thankful, and I can’t wait to see what 2018 has in store.
Before we get to the good stuff, thank you so much. Whether you’ve commented, hung out with us on Facebook, tweeted with us, or simply read an article then went on with your day, you’re the most important part of REBEAT, and I think I speak for all of us when I say we couldn’t do any of it without you!
Now, without further ado or fanfare, check out our top 15 posts of 2017 below. See you next year!
1) Micky Dolenz, Mark Lindsay Channel ’50 Summers of Love’ on Tour
Joining original Monkee Micky Dolenz and Raiders’ frontman Mark Lindsay on 10 dates around the country is premier Beatles tribute band the Fab Four, recreating the Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper-era sounds and looks…. More?
[Ed. note — Also in our top posts of the year was our announcement of this outstanding tour.]
2) The Story Behind: Brenton Wood, “The Oogum Boogum Song”
“The record company gave me a song one day called ‘Casting My Spell on You,’” says Brenton Wood, “I didn’t like it very much, so I took the song and rewrote it and added the hook ‘oogum boogum,’ which is another word for abracadabra….” More?
Other editions of ‘The Story Behind’ made our top posts, including:
- The Story Behind: Bob Kuban and the In-Men, “The Cheater”
- The Story Behind: Gene McDaniels, “A Hundred Pounds of Clay”
3) Sounds of Summer: 8 Surf-Rock Bands You Probably Haven’t Heard
Surf music. We love it, but do we know its roots? Southern California? Most of it, sure, but it just didn’t just pop up there one day. Most importantly, who were the influential artists and groups that started it all?… More?
4) How Paul McCartney’s Song for His Son Helped Heal My Family When I Came Out
Our family was damaged, and repairs needed to happen. The healing tonic turned out to be a simple, lesser known song written by an iconic songwriter to his son. Paul McCartney’s “Young Boy” slowed everything down and eventually started fixing our little, three-person unit…. More?
5) 6 Legendary 1960s TV Appearances – That Are Lost Forever
Back then, television stations didn’t preserve programming as completely as they do today, and without home VCRs to help fill gaps, much vintage TV is lost, including notable musical guest spots by artists we love. Here are six 1960s music TV appearances of legend, all sadly misplaced or gone forever…. More?
6) 10 Reasons Why the Second- and Third-Gen Beatles Fan Experience is Unlike Any Other
It wasn’t always easy growing up as a rabid second-generation Beatles fan. Peers didn’t know or care who they were, live experiences were few and far between, and my social circle of like-minded friends was relegated to your parents and one or two others. But times have changed since I was a 10-year-old kid with a scrapbook, and now there are a million ways to connect with fellow fans… More?
7) Long-Lost Del Shannon Sessions Finally Emerge on ‘The Dublin Sessions’
In 1977, Shannon recorded 11 tracks at Dublin Sound Studio with Smackee, a Coventry group who also served as his touring band in the United Kingdom during that time. Even though he had been playing the Oldies circuit for a good while by then, he never lost the desire to write and record new material. Four of the songs were covers, and the rest were originals proving that Shannon still had a lot left to give…. More?
Check out more reviews that made our top posts of the year:
- Chris Bell’s ‘Looking Forward’ Tells Another Side of the Big Star Story
- Ray Davies Dreams of ‘Americana’ as Only a Brit Can
8) Deep Tracks: 10 Underrated Fleetwood Mac Songs (And One Album)
Fleetwood Mac has the distinction of celebrating a series of anniversaries this year: the group is turning 50 years old, Rumours is 40, Tango in the Night is 30, and The Dance is 20. Though their greatest hits, like “The Chain,” “Rhiannon,” “Landslide” are ubiquitous, there are so many more by Stevie Nicks, Lindsey Buckingham, and company that are, for one reason or another, overshadowed. Here are 10 Fleetwood Mac “deep tracks” and one album, just for good measure…. More?
9) Finding the Good in Badfinger’s History: A Conversation with Joey Molland
If there’s anyone who knows about love, loss, and perseverance, it’s Joey Molland. As a member of popular ’70s group Badfinger, Molland reached rock star heights of fame at a breakneck pace. But seemingly just as quickly, he watched it fall apart in a tumultuous chain of events. This could have easily made him bitter — but instead, Molland is reflective and grateful for his experiences. His passion for music is palpable, as is his love of life… More?
10) 10 Underrated Dave Davies Songs for the Kinky Birthday Boy
Most of the credit to the band’s genius is given to older brother Ray, who was the primary songwriter and lead singer of the group, leaving Dave’s contributions to the band often swept under the rug. But without his gritty guitar work, let’s face it, the Kinks would have gotten nowhere…. More?
11) It Was 50 Years Ago Today: “Sugar Town” by Nancy Sinatra
This conflict between Sinatra’s sexy tough-kitten image and the family house style of “listenable music” resulted in a somewhat erratic discography, veering between sassy rock ‘n’ roll and more traditional, adult-friendly recordings…. More?
12) Donna Loren Reflects on Life as the Iconic ’60s Californian ‘It Girl’
A shy Californian whose vibrant and fun personality radiates when she talks about her memories, Donna Loren spoke to REBEAT on the phone about her pop star beginnings, her first performance after 50 years, and, of course, ’60s fashion…. More?
13) The Voice That Launched a Thousand Hits: The Undercover Stardom of Tony Burrows
Tony Burrows was one of the most recognizable voices on pop radio in the late ’60s and early ’70s. You definitely know his voice(s); it’s just his name you might not recognize. Recently, REBEAT had the chance to talk to Tony about some of his storied accomplishments and great hits over the years…. More?
14) Week-By-Week Proof That 1967 Was the Best Year in the History of Modern Music, Part 1
As you’ll see below and in the next , not only are there #1 songs by the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Supremes, Aretha Franklin, the Monkees, and others, but the year can also boast that despite a few #1s by groups without the longevity those acts have had, there’s not a single dog in the whole bunch. That, as much as anything, gave 1967 the title. So with no further ado, let’s take a look at the songs that topped the charts in 1967…. More?
15) A Song-By-Song Look at the 50th Anniversary ‘Sgt. Pepper’ Remixes
Though we’re all intimately familiar with these 13 tracks, the REBEAT staff took a closer look at these new versions, examining them, comparing them, and playing them over and over (and over). Here are our impressions…. More?
What were your favorite REBEAT articles of 2017? Let us know in the comments!
