Van Halen’s self-titled debut arrived 45 years ago this week with a cover photo that was kind of primal and unhinged. I just knew I had to have it.

He departed much too early, but fortunately Donny Hathaway left us with several memorable songs – including this one.

Here is a light-hearted new Christmas ditty from the 1957 Tail-Fin Fiasco, based on a John Hughes short story that gave rise to the classic film ‘Christmas Vacation.’

Country songs were seldom this brazen, especially those recorded by its female stars – and many radio stations banned Loretta Lynn’s “The Pill.”

Fun, convincing and powerful, Susie Blue and the Lonesome Fellas make Halloween – or at least Halloween-inspired music – bearable for me.

Here is the video premiere of “Mad Nomad,” from the appealing world-music quartet So Long Seven.

“Rolling Back” is a strong indicator that Young Gun Silver Fox’s fourth LP will be yet another yacht-rock dandy from Andy Platts and Shawn Lee.

Bruce Hornsby had already put out two LPs credited with the Range before he finally released a proper group album. “Another Day” showed what they could do.

If we’ve had and lost love, we know what it’s like to remember minute details like those in Jimmy Webb’s “MacArthur Park.”

Pink Floyd’s dream-like “Yet Another Movie” is a rare high point from the transitional ‘Momentary Lapse of Reason,’ released 35 years ago today.