Grohl's 'Sound City' film explores human element

Rock musician Dave Grohl set out to make a recording studio the subject of his first-ever film. He was intrigued not only by the studio but by a specific piece of recording equipment — a 1970s era sound board — that captured every note of music made there.

Aimee Mann turns to AM radio hit for inspiration

The musical inspiration for Aimee Mann's latest disc may come as a surprise. It certainly did for Larry Lee.

Music review: Bruce Springsteen's anger channeled in new album

Nearly three decades ago, Bruce Springsteen wrote with sadness about a man showing his young son a hometown ravaged by outside economic forces, a town the family was about to leave.

M.I.A.'s finger, foulmouth mar Madonna's halftime

Madonna positioned herself as the queen of a new generation of pop stars at the Super Bowl halftime show — complete with throne — but didn't have complete control of her show.

Project uses indie artists to introduce Bob Dylan

A new project aims to introduce Bob Dylan's music to young people by having buzz-worthy indie artists cover one of his best-known albums in a digital-only format.

Jakob Dylan sets aside the band

At 38 years old and the father of four, Jakob Dylan won't be taking any backpacking trips through Europe. A musician's equivalent of that, however, inspired the first solo album of his career.

Another Rick Rubin production flatters Diamond

While producer Rick Rubin coaxed some fine songs out of Neil Diamond on their first collaboration, 2005's "12 Songs," you could feel the fear of a singer told to stand alone with his guitar in front of a recording microphone for the first time in many years.

Jill Sobule turns to fans to finance making a CD

In making six CDs, singer Jill Sobule has worked for two major record companies that dumped her and two indie labels that went bankrupt beneath her.

Police and Genesis reunions spark more

The Police and Genesis are the rock reunions getting most of the attention this summer. Two other bands with smaller but rabid followings -- Crowded House and Squeeze -- are also getting back together after taking dramatically different paths.

Some rich ironies for Dixie Chicks in Grammy Award haul

The Dixie Chicks' Natalie Maines couldn't resist the rich irony _ or the chance to rub their success in the face of a country-music establishment that turned its back on them.

Grammy watch: Who wins?

Mary J. Blige has a leading eight Grammy nominations and her triumphant comeback was the feel-good story of the 2006. So it seems as if her coronation on Grammy night is all but assured.

Shawn Colvin escapes

There are a few things Shawn Colvin fans can expect every time she comes forth with new music.

Total Top 40 immersion

Once upon a time, if you named any song in the Top 40, I could hum a few bars.

Bada-Bing!

Before being unmasked, public relations executive Gil Schwartz would occasionally get copies of magazine columns by business humorist Stanley Bing sent by corporate colleagues. They'd say they thought Schwartz would find it amusing.

The Man in Black's final days

Diabetes had cost Johnny Cash much of his sight, and he needed a wheelchair. Losing his wife June was crushing. Yet, in retrospect, producer Rick Rubin wasn't surprised to hear Cash's plea the day after June died in May 2003.

Happy 65th

Coming from the radio speakers, Bob Dylan sounds as craggy and weather-beaten as he looks -- and quite playful, too.

Tunes pack an emotional boost

It was meant to help pay his medical bills. A tribute album with musicians performing Alejandro Escovedo's songs arguably helped his health, too.

On the cover of Rolling Stone

Rolling Stone magazine celebrates its 1,000th issue this week with a burst of rock 'n' roll excess: a glitzy Manhattan party with the Strokes as house band and a 3-D cover that mimics the Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper" sleeve and cost nearly $1 million to produce.