Author: Bryan Crosby
1980s Lighting Design: How Lasers, Trusses, and PAR Cans Created Concert Spectacle
Explore how 1980s lighting design transformed live music with heavy truss structures, powerful gas lasers, and massive PAR can rigs. Discover the tech and aesthetics behind the decade's iconic concert spectacle.
How 1990s Teen Pop Used TV and Magazines to Build Fandom
Explore how 1990s teen pop acts like Britney Spears and Backstreet Boys used MTV's TRL and magazines like Tiger Beat to create a powerful, coordinated fandom ecosystem that defined youth culture.
The Future of Label Structure: How 1970s Record Labels Evolved
Explore how 1970s record labels evolved from indie shops to corporate empires. Discover the impact of mergers, genre stratification, and visual branding on the modern music industry.
Legacy Awards and Halls of Fame: How Institutions Honor the 1970s
Explore how legacy awards and halls of fame preserve the 1970s. Learn the difference between induction and legacy honors, and see how TV, music, and sports institutions recognize enduring impact.
The Ramones' Raw Simplicity: How Punk Rock Rejected Musical Complexity
Discover how The Ramones rejected 1970s musical complexity with raw, simple punk rock. Explore their 3-chord formula, impact on DIY culture, and lasting legacy.
Synthesis Types in the 1980s: FM, Analog, and Wavetable
Explore the defining synthesis types of the 1980s: Analog Subtractive, FM, and Wavetable. Discover how iconic gear like the Roland Jupiter-8, Yamaha DX7, and PPG Wave shaped the sound of pop, rock, and electronic music.
Poetry in Lyrics: Literary Devices in 1970s Singer-Songwriter Songs
Explore how 1970s singer-songwriters elevated pop music by using literary devices like metaphor, personification, and the objective correlative to create profound, poetic lyrics.
Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, and Emmylou Harris: The 1970s Country Queens Who Changed Music
Explore how Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, and Emmylou Harris redefined country music in the 1970s through bold lyrics, genre fusion, and authentic storytelling.
Awards in Music Journalism: How Industry Honors Shape Reporting and Careers
Explore how journalism awards shape music reporting standards, careers, and ethics. Learn about key honors like the Pulitzer and IRE prizes, their economic impact, and the challenges of prestige in a changing media landscape.
Stanley Clarke and the Bass Revolution: Jazz Fusion Virtuosos of the 1970s
Explore how Stanley Clarke and other virtuosos transformed the bass guitar in the 1970s jazz fusion era. Discover the techniques, collaborations, and lasting impact of these legendary players.
The Business of Magazines: How Subscriptions, Ads, and Circulation Work
Explore the inner workings of the magazine business, from subscription models and ad revenue to the strategic link between circulation and profitability.
Hidden Tracks and Bonus Cuts: The Secret Audio of 90s Alt-Rock
Explore the secret world of 90s alt-rock hidden tracks and bonus cuts. Learn how CD tech allowed bands like Nirvana and NIN to hide music from the labels and fans.