WELCOME TO BLITZ MAGAZINE'S WEB SITE!
BIFF BANG POW: The annual Record Store Day event on 23 April seemed poised to graduate from cottage industry celebration to major event, with the 2022 edition drawing capacity crowds to seek out limited edition releases in greater numbers than ever before. In our two part exclusive coverage, Editor / Publisher Michael McDowell takes a look at how leading retailers around the world prepared for the event, as well as a detailed celebration of some of the exclusive releases prepared for the occasion (several of which are pictured above). Click on the Record Store Day 2022 link in the Previous Posts column at right for the full story (Click on the above image to enlarge). Photo by Michael McDowell. C&P 2022 Blitz Magazine. All rights reserved.
WELCOME TO THE INTERET HOME
FOR BLITZ MAGAZINE
SINCE 1975 -
THE ROCK AND ROLL MAGAZINE
FOR THINKING PEOPLE
SINCE 1975 -
THE ROCK AND ROLL MAGAZINE
FOR THINKING PEOPLE
Welcome to the official web site for Blitz, The Rock And Roll Magazine For Thinking People. Since 1975, Blitz has been the leading voice for the discerning music enthusiast. Blitz Magazine was also one of the first magazines of its kind to embrace the internet, having also been online since January 1996.
Here
you will find news and updates about all of the key artists essential
to the growth and development of rock and roll music and related genres,
including rhythm and blues, country and western, jazz and easy
listening. For highlights from recent past editions of the Bits And Pieces and Shape Of Things To Come
columns, click on the archival postings on the right hand side of this
page. Be sure and check back frequently for regular updates.
Michael McDowell
Editor/Publisher
Blitz Magazine
Since 1975 - The Rock And Roll Magazine For Thinking People
E-Mail us at BlitzMcD@aol.com for a list of available back issues.
Be sure to follow Blitz on Twitter:
@BlitzMagazine
and
on Facebook at:
Blitz Magazine - The Rock And Roll Magazine For Thinking People
AUDREY'S MUSICAL JOURNEY:
Follow the fascinating and unfolding tale (through her favorite music) of the life and times of Blitz Magazine's late and beloved Photo Editor, Audrey McDowell, as told by her husband, Blitz Editor/Publisher Michael McDowell. A Facebook exclusive! "Like" us on Facebook at Blitz Magazine - The Rock And Roll Magazine For Thinking People, and watch for further installments.
IN THE BITS AND PIECES COLUMN:
The sudden passing on 30 April of beloved JUDDS co-founder NAOMI JUDD came as a tremendous shock to all. Editor / Publisher Michael McDowell salutes the Judds' extraordinary legacy, which kept them on center stage throughout the 1980s.
In a free standing article, beloved five tool player DEBBIE GIBSON took a giant leap forward on 28 April by joining forces with AARP in a concert celebrating the positive effects on brain health of music. (Link under the Previous Posts heading at right). Hot on the heels of that performance, Gibson announced the 06 May release of an all new video to accompany Me Not Loving You, one of the highlights of that AARP performance. Details in the Bits And Pieces column (Link also under Previous Posts at right).
In a free standing article under the Previous Posts heading at right, we take a sneak peek at the RECORD STORE DAY holiday already in progress in Australia (with insights from Queensland based collector Cliff Dickinson), in anticipation of the North American celebration on the morning of Saturday 23 April.
The musical atmosphere was joyous throughout early April in Southern California, as expat favorite son ADAM MARSLAND returned home to triumphant reunions with two of the bands that put his career on the map: COCKEYED GHOST and ADAM MARSLAND'S CHAOS BAND.
He became one of the leading lights of West Coast rock and roll, Gospel and rhythm and blues via the establishment of his iconic Specialty label in 1948. We remember the legendary ART RUPE, who passed away in his Santa Barbara home on Good Friday at age 104.
Their phenomenal sixty-five year run came to a sad conclusion on 08 April with the passing of BACHELORS co-founder and front man, CONLETH "CON" CLUSKEY. Editor / Publisher Michael McDowell salutes the sublime voice that gave the world of music an example of absolute, utter perfection in 1964 with their London label monster classic signature single, Diane.
They were front runners in the so-called punk / new wave movement, which rescued rock and roll from its worst protracted aesthetic slump to date in the mid - 1970s. We pay tribute to SAINTS co-founder and front man, CHRIS BAILEY, who passed away on 09 April.
Veteran supergroup CINECYDE and Blitz Magazine's pick for the Best New Band of 2021, the REARRANGEMENTS took back center stage with a vengeance in their performance before a capacity crowd at Bowlero's in Troy, Michigan on the evening of 26 March.
In a free standing article (link under the Previous Posts heading at right), Editor / Publisher Michael McDowell discusses with veteran composer and vocalist DANA COUNTRYMAN a wide variety of topics, including his recent relocation to the northernmost part of Washington State, as well as his acclaimed Pop Scrapbook album for Sterling Swan and his forthcoming salute to such legends as Bing Crosby, Buddy Clark and Nat King Cole.
IN THE REISSUES / ANTHOLOGIES SECTION OF
THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME COLUMN:
In an era of idealistic and subdued singer / songwriters, his vivid and often controversial lyrical imagery made him a visionary of the highest order. Editor / Publisher Michael McDowell recalls the career highlights of the legendary HARRY CHAPIN, in tandem with Strawberry / Cherry Red's release of his six CD Elektra-era box set, Story Book.
Veteran Indiana composer, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist BRAD LONG is the long overdue recipient of an anthology retrospective CD on the Space Brain Collective label.
Wells' Teensville label salutes the unique and troubled legacy of songwriting great RAY WHITLEY with the Various Artists collection, Extraordinary Man, featuring such greats as the Delltones, Tommy Roe, the Clingers, Brian Hyland, December's Children and others.
IN THE NEW RELEASES SECTION OF
THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME COLUMN:
Veteran five tool player BRIAN GARI takes the cerebral perspective of the modern lover to the next level in his latest Original Cast label release, Expose Yourself.
The highly prolific and multi-talented JEREMY MORRIS has transitioned from 2021 into 2022 on the strength of his two latest JAM Records releases, My Shining Star and Live For Today.
Jackson Five co-founder TITO JACKSON has taken decisive and encouraging steps to expand upon his extensive legacy with his all new blues album for Gulf Cost, Under Your Spell.
Veteran first generation garage rock greats the TOL-PUDDLE MARTYRS endured a fair share of pandemic related logistics issues to get the word out. But their efforts were worth it for their all new Under A Cloud, one of their most ambitious releases to date.