Paul Stanley knows just what fans expect from a Kiss concert, after decades of explosions and ear-splitting rock. That’s why they’ll be upping the ante on an upcoming tour with Motley Crue.

Even as the Beach Boys’ long-awaited reunion project That’s Why God Made the Radio bows at No. 3 on the Billboard charts — the Hall of Fame band’s highest debut ever — a sense of mystery surrounds their unique musical bond.

Paul McCartney’s ongoing reissue series has already produced sparkling new archival takes on McCartney, Ram, Band on the Run and McCartney II. Up next: His sprawling triple-album Wings Over America

Return to Forever, as Lenny White proudly told me, was a “jazz quartet on steroids” — with all of the muscular virtuosity and boisterous flourishes implied. Enter violinist Jean-Luc Ponty

Hailing from Hinsdale, Illinois, the Cryan’ Shames not only attained monumental local success, but were a mere hair away from making it on a national level.

Peter Holsapple, long-time leader of the newly reunited dB’s, takes over our regular One Track Mind feature

It used to be, a new Chris Smither album was a rare event. Thankfully, they’re not so much anymore, but Chris Smither remains a rare quality.