Rod Stewart

The ten most noteworthy music publicity stunts

Sometimes flawless technique, inspired lyrics and a devoted fan base aren't enough. Sometimes you've gotta do something outlandish to step up your game and grab the world's attention. Some would say that getting on a stage and saying, "Hey! Watch what I'm doing!" might be considered attention-seekin ... More >>

Are mixtapes even a thing anymore?

Even the most casual music fan has made or received a mixtape at some point. For the kind of people who see music as the soundtrack of their lives, assembling a list of songs for a friend or lover is a compulsion that is difficult to deny. But in the age of file-sharing and iTunes, does this form of ... More >>

The ten best music books of 2012

This year, ambitious new books tackled the lives of music legends from Neil Young to Pete Townshend -- and many of these 2012 releases managed to burst through genres to offer significantly more than the average biography. We at Backbeat explored memoirs, historical surveys, ruminations on philosoph ... More >>

Reader: Toy train-lover Rod Stewart is way cooler than you (and me)

Do you think toy trains are sexy?In advance of the Rocky Mountain Toy Train Show at the Denver Merchandise Mart last week, Cory Casciato listed five toy-train enthusiasts who are cooler than you. The lineup ranged from Winston Churchill to Neil Young. But there was one major omission. See also: F ... More >>

The story behind "Your Soft Silence Is Filled With Roots," at Ironton Studios

Every picture tells a story, Rod Stewart once said. And he might have been paraphrasing an ancient Chinese proverb, but that's not the point. The point is, every person who views a work of art will undoubtedly experience something different. And while that experience is linked to the power and meani ... More >>

The winner of the Colorado Scottish Fest's "Bonnie Knees" contest had a secret up his kilt

Rod Stewart should always be played on the bagpipes.​We were warned about the Bonnie Knees Contest: there was sure to be bribery, kilted men and somewhat bawdy behaviour, Colorado Scottish Festival director John Thornton told us. Without fail, the contest was indeed all of those things. "It' ... More >>

10 first videos on MTV to mark 30th birthday: Bet you forgot how terrible they were (VIDEOS)

Videos below.​MTV debuted thirty years ago -- and I was there. The cable system in my conservative hometown of Grand Junction began airing the net on day one -- and my friends and I were instant converts. We used the wall-to-wall music clips as near-constant background media even though many, ... More >>

Ageless wonders: Five musicians who look just as good today as they did yesterday

​Musicians have a hard life: Touring, recording, partying -- all these things tend to destroy any semblance of their youngselves by the time they're older. Even so, there have been a few who've somehow managed to come out on top. Maybe it's plastic surgery, maybe it's something else entirely, ... More >>

Westword Music Showcase 2010: Backbeat scribes' travelogue

​ Here's our massive, multi-page report/travelogue of the Westword Music Showcase from (in order) Tom Murphy, Cory Casciato, A.H. Goldstein, Jef Otte, Jon Solomon and Brain Frederick. Let us know in the comments what you saw and loved, saw and hated, or missed and hated yourself for missing. ... More >>

Hot Congress and Long Spoon's party rocked our block off as expected

Jef OtteMaria Kohler as Mercuria​ Hot Congress / Long Spoon Block Party 06.05.10 | Meadowlark • Larimer Lounge The upside to a big, multiple-venue show like the Hot Congress/Long Spoon Block Party this past Saturday is that there's always something awesome to see. The downside: There's alw ... More >>

Q&A with Rachael Yamagata

Hilary Walsh​Rachael Yamagata released her critically acclaimed debut disc Happenstance in 2004 only to be dumped by her record label, RCA, shortly thereafter. Last year the singer-songwriter and pianist finally resurfaced, on Warner Bros., with the wonderfully ambitious double album Elephants...T ... More >>

Cafe Society: Week in review

Sausage king​What you might have missed this week on Cafe Society while you were counting the minutes to Zolo Southwestern Grill's 105 days of tequila. While we locals aren't pleased that the Rockies blew another season of baseball, we understand that not everyone is a fan of the purple and ... More >>

Live Nation offers two-for-one ticket special tomorrow

On Wednesday, July 22, Live Nation is offering buy one, get one free lawn tickets for Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre shows including Creed, Crue Fest II, Def Leppard with Cheap Trick and Poison, Toby Keith with Trace Adkins, Brad Paisley with Dierks Bentley and Jimmy Wayne, and Rod Stewart. The two-fo ... More >>

Nine Inch Nails, Death Cab for Cutie, Rod Stewart shows announced

In addition to the My Bloody Valentine and Phish shows that we already reported, there were a lot of other concert announcements this week, including Nine Inch Nails and Jane's Addiction at Fiddler's Green on Tuesday, May 26, Death Cab for Cutie at Red Rocks on Tuesday, July 14 and Rod Stewart at Fi ... More >>

Mini Reviews

Tavern 13

How to get chicks, in one easy lesson.

Justice for All

An erstwhile hobby spells success for this Parisian duo.

Valentine's Day Heartbreakers

Songs not to include on your Valentine’s Day mix CD.

A Love Letter to Rod Stewart and Other Assorted Goodies

A Person’s Right to Choose

Joan Osborne

Breakfast in Bed
Time Life Records

Drivers Wanted

Limbeck steers its road-weary twang into greatness.

Rod's Body of Work

Rod Stewart continues his trip along the gravel-voiced road.

Best One-Man Dancercize Troupe

Magic Cyclops

Perfect Rx

Ted Leo and the Pharmacists find that just a spoonful of anger helps the medicine go down.

Hip-Hop Humor

So Dope takes a different slant on the funnybone

Critic's Choice

U.K. Subs

Backwash

Haiku you: The year’s worst records get poetic justice.

Will to Succeed

Early in his career, Will Hoge is making powerful friends.

He's Got a Witness

Preacher Boy made a believer out of Eagle-Eye Cherry. Now he's hoping to convert local audiences as well.

Stereophonics

Just Enough Education to Perform (V2 Music)

Looks Like He Made It

Reviewers have tried to get rid of him for years, but Barry Manilow's not going anywhere.

Peace and Love, Nineties Style

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

The Rolling Stones Live: A Content Analysis

Feliz Feliciano

After Further Review

Putting the season's major releases to the test.

Beck on the Highway

The man of the moment wants some moments for himself.

Quiz Show

Before you declare yourself a Grammy expert, let Backbeat test your skills.

Feedback

THRILLS

KC (& THE SUNSHINE BAND) AT THE BAT

THE HITS JUST KEEP ON COMING AT COORS FIELD.

PLAYLIST

THE UGLY TRUTH

THE ROCK-AND-ROLLERS WHOSE FACES COULD STOP A CLOCK. UGLY A LOOK AT THE MOST FRIGHTENING FACES IN ROCK AND ROLL.

ROCK AND POLE

A DENVER FIRM BUILDS A MUSIC EMPIRE IN POLAND.

BECK TO THE FUTURE

A CAST OF THOUSANDS

WHAT DO YOU GET WHEN YOU CROSS A STAGE MOTHER WITH A GROUP OF SCHIZOPHRENICS? A REALLY, REALLY BIG SHOW.

That's Uncredible!

How artists in a dishonest business are trying to keep your trust.