Jethro Tull

Here's what we're all listening to right now: What's on your playlist this week?

Music is life. Or at least it is for us. When we're not writing about it, we're thinking about it, talking about it or listening to it. These are the things that were in heavy rotation for us this week. What are you listening to? What should we be listening to? C'mon now. Sharing is caring. Don't ho ... More >>

Barry Fey is dead: Towering figure in Denver music scene passes away

We've just learned that Barry Fey, a larger-than-life figure who helped put Denver on the music-business map, has died. At this writing, the circumstances of Fey's death have not been made public, but he has been ill of late. His personal Facebook page features a March 11 post that reads, "I am hap ... More >>

Denver's ten best jukeboxes

More and more, you've probably noticed an influx of Internet jukeboxes, the kind that offer a seemingly endless assortment of songs, cropping up in bars. But there are still a handful of spots rocking old school CD jukeboxes that require a bit of taste-making. Here's the ten best, including this yea ... More >>

Ethan McCarthy of Aqualung's Community Music Space talks about running a DIY space

Aqualung's Music Community Space is closing its doors. The north Denver DIY space is hosting its final show this Friday night with Deceased, Gravehill, 666 Pack, Glutgnar and 3BA. Aqualung's was started by Ethan McCarthy following his departure from Blast-O-Mat just before the fall. After an arduous ... More >>

Alert your uncle with the sweet handlebar 'stache: There's a Jethro Tull convention coming

Do you heart Jethro Tull? If so, you better hold on to your hat, hombre. I'm about to flip your wig: For the first time in the States in more a decade, there's a Jethro Tull Convention booked, and apparently, it's happening here. (I know, right?!) Well, not here here, but rather in Longmont up at th ... More >>

Reader: Denver is not your grandfather's Denver anymore

Bree Davies is a native, one who loves Denver with a passion -- and is understandably protective of this city. And so this week she offer this advice "from a Colorado native to a transplant: Your altitude problem is my attitude problem." Although some didn't appreciate the sentiment -- or get the j ... More >>

Karl Denson's Tiny Universe at Ogden, 10/31/12

KARL DENSON'S TINY UNIVERSE @ THE OGDEN THEATRE |10/31/12 Things witnessed last night at the Ogden Theatre, in no particular order: Rosie the Riveter breakdancing with a samurai; a priest making out with Little Orphan Annie; Milli Vanilli's Rob and Fab sharing a smoke outside; and a drunk monk. On ... More >>

Iron Maiden at Comfort Dental, 8/13/12

IRON MAIDEN @ COMFORT DENTAL AMPHITHEATRE | 8/13/12 See also: - The 25 Coolest Iron Maiden T-shirts we saw last night at Comfort Dental - The six best quotes from Iron Maiden's show last night at Comfort Dental - Slide show: Iron Maiden at Comfort Dental The word "epic" gets bandied about too oft ... More >>

Joe Piscopo on Frank Sinatra and Saturday Night Live

Joe Piscopo joined the cast of Saturday Night Live in 1980, after honing his stand-up chops at New York's Improv; he stayed with the show until 1985. During his SNL stint, he became known for such original characters as the Sports Guy, as well as celebrity impersonations of David Letterman and Frank ... More >>

Twenty fabled moments in Denver music: #15: Grateful Dead's first time at Red Rocks in 1978

Over the course of the next few weeks, Backbeat will be counting down the twenty most fabled moments in Denver music history. Today, a look back at the the first time the Grateful Dead played at Red Rocks in 1978. The origins of Colorado's jam band "scene" are pretty nebulous, but July 7, 1978, is ... More >>

Denver's ten best jukeboxes

Just as music collections say a lot about people, a jukebox can do the same for a bar; it often reflect the place's personality. A lot of times, variety is key to a well-stocked jukebox, and 3 Kings Tavern, this year's winner in the Best of Denver, had that with balls, to boot. Here's a look at the ... More >>

Harry Tuft and Barry Fey officially inducted into the Colorado Music Hall of Fame

Update (2/24/12): Barry Fey video montage added below. All is right with the universe this morning. We have a pair of Grammy winners in our midst, and as it should be, Harry Tuft and Barry Fey are now officially part of the Colorado Music Hall of Fame. While we didn't stick around until the very en ... More >>

Review: Ghost at Marquis Theater, 1/27/12

GHOST @ MARQUIS THEATER | 1/27/12Even before Ghost took stage, people started chanting for the band, which was interesting considering this is the outfit's first big tour. But that enthusiasm was rewarded when the strains of "Masked Ball" by Jocelyn Pook came over the P.A., with its reversed Romania ... More >>

Opeth

Tuesday, October 25, Ogden Theatre, 1-888-929-7849.

Westword Music Showcase 2011

The Westword Music Showcase celebrates seventeen years, a lifetime for some of 2011's performers

Janet Jackson, Jethro Tull, OMD shows announced. Tix on sale this weekend.

​Janet Jackson visits the Wells Fargo Theatre on Wednesday, April 6 as part of her Number Ones, Up Close and Personal Tour, on which she'll be performing music exclusively from her album, Number Ones. Jackson's new book on self-esteem, dieting and exercise,True You, hits stores February 8. Res ... More >>

Aloe Blacc, Harry Nilsson, Kid Cudi fill our playlists this week

​As people who think about, talk about, listen to and make music, the most common question we encounter is, "What are you listening to right now?" Whether you're looking for recommendations, trying to get a feel for our individual sensibilities, or are just curious, we've compiled a list of al ... More >>

The men of Eolian on their backgrounds and the creation of Egg, their concept album

Matthew Ballantine-PattonAdam Edwards, Ian O'Dougherty and Sean Merrell are Eolian​ In this week's issue, the Rough Mixes entry focusing on Eolian, the progressive rock project led by Ian O'Dougherty (Uphollow, Ian Cooke, TaunTaun) and featuring occasional Backbeat contributor Sean Merrell (T ... More >>

Top ten myths about Red Rocks

RedRocksOnline.com​ As Red Rocks is gearing up for its set of summer shows, we decided to do a little bit of research about its vibrant history. Not surprisingly, we learned that the ancient venue has its fair share of myths and rumors, many of which we've collected below. Feel free to share ... More >>

Deferred Hat Tip: The Original Brothers and Sisters of Love "The Legende of Jeb Minor"

I love songs that tell stories. I'm partial to them in a way that if I got jury duty to pick the best of them, I'd be kicked out due to my relentless love of any and all songs conveying even a semblance of plot. ​ Knowing this, I still feel comfortable saying that the 1999 release of The Leg ... More >>

Twisted Olive gives a new twist to nightlife in Stapleton

The newer generations' love of classic rock shows a lack of imagination

The Decemberists

Tuesday, May 26, Fillmore Auditorium, 1-877-598-6659.

Red Rocks Riot, 1971

Jethro Tull's 1971 show at Red Rocks was almost the last rock show ever held at the venue In 1971 at early rock show at Red Rocks featuring Jethro Tull, unruly fans turned the venue into a war zone. It started when fans who couldn't get get tickets for the sold-out show decided to climb the hills ... More >>

The Westword.com blog shortcut, November 17 edition

Single File poses side by side. How confusing! No pushing and shoving, blog lovers. There's plenty for everyone. Today in Backbeat Online: • Single File previews its new recording. • Tickle Me Pink releases the explicit version of its "Typical Whore" video. • KBCO's Studio C celebrates i ... More >>

Midlake

After a tour with the Flaming Lips and loads of hype, the only thing this quintet is missing is confidence.

The Rolling Stones

Thursday, November 24, Pepsi Center, 303-830-8497.

Upsizing

Uphollow graduates from rock opera to pop opus.

Crybaby

George Lopez lets the tears flow in his autobiography

Mistletunes

Rounding up holiday discs that offer season's greetings -- and beatings.

Xmas Marks the Spot

A guide to new holiday discs, from surprise presents to Tannen-bombs.

Westward Hoaxes

Denver officials and the press grope for the best way to deal with bogus anthrax scares.

The Next Stage

Jimy Murphy, the Kamikazi Kid, gets his act together.

Brothers Keeper

The demonic duo of Dean and Gene Ween returns with a new studio album -- and a refined take on a twisted past.

Summertime Rolls

It's the time of the season to check out some local releases.

Feedback

Peace and Love, Nineties Style

A Sixties icon becomes a weapon in Denver's promotion wars.

Feedback

Letters

Summer of Love

Uphollow Victories

The Long Goodbye

After thirty years, Barry Fey is stepping down. Sort of.

Simply the Tesh

The wit and wisdom of John Tesh. Seriously.

Yesterday and Today

What the years have done to the Who.

VOICE LESSONS

STAIRWAY TO HELL

OUR LIST OF THE MOST OVERPLAYED CLASSIC-ROCK SONGS OF ALL TIME.

HARVEST TIME

THE APPLES GET SET TO REAP THE FRUITS OF THEIR LABORS.

PLAYLIST

THE GRANDMA AWARDS