What do you really want to know about the music artists you love most? American Songwriter has the latest news on popular music’s most fascinating figures, of course. But let’s go deeper. Let’s pick through the inner-workings of a smash hit. Or learn about songs you may think you know well, but most certainly do not know the famous artists who wrote them.
Is a rising star you’ve only kinda-sorta heard about playing the Grammys? We’ll have interesting articles with backstory galore on what makes them tick as songwriters and musicians. Perhaps the singer you saw live the other night name-checked a legendary influence you’re not familiar with. American Songwriter will familiarize you with the source of your favorite artist’s inspiration.
The unique angles from which we approach music history are just about endless. Your path to music wisdom just got a whole lot shorter.
NEWPORT, RI – JULY 25: Bob Dylan plays a Fender Stratocaster electric guitar for the first time on stage as he performs at the Newport Folk Festival with guitarist Mike Bloomfield on July 25, 1965 in Newport, Rhode Island. (Photo by Alice Ochs/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 18: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Sir Paul McCartney performs at The O2 Arena during his 'Got Back' world tour on December 18, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Jim Dyson/Getty Images)
Atlanta – April 15: Singer/Songwriter Tom Petty of Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers perform at Lakewood Amphitheater in Atlanta Georgia April 15, 1995 (Photo By Rick Diamond/Getty Images)
NEW YORK – JUNE 1980: American singer-songwriter, composer, and pianist Billy Joel plays Madison Square Garden in New York, NY, June 1980. (Photo by Don Aters/Icon and Image/Getty Images)
CIRCA 1980: Actor John Travolta and Debra Winger talk in a scene during the Paramount Pictures movie 'Urban Cowboy" circa 1980. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Musicians Reba McEntire and Kenny Rogers attend the NBC Fall TCA Press Tour on July 29, 1991 at Universal Hilton Hotel in Universal City, California. (Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – DECEMBER 5: Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler and drummer Joey Kramer perform during the band's Permanent Vacation Tour on December 5, 1987, at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Ross Marino/Getty Images)