Dave Swanson is a writer and musician from Cleveland, Ohio. He has spent a lifetime obsessed with all things Rock & Roll. Dave has written for a variety of publications including Shindig!, Bucketful Of Brains, The Cleveland Scene and The Cleveland Plain Dealer. He hosts his own radio show, has promoted concerts and played in several bands including, but not limited to, Rainy Day Saints, New Salem Witch Hunters, The Cynics, Chamber Strings, Guided By Voices, Death Of Samantha, and Captain Groovy & His Bubblegum Army. Favorite bands-Cheap Trick, The Monkees, Sparks, Motorhead, Beach Boys, Rockpile, XTC,Van Der Graaf Generator, Sweet, Bob Dylan,etc. Favortie color- paisley. Sign-Scorpio. Favorite Movies-Love And Death, Don't Look Back & Beyond The Valley Of The Dolls. Political party-Mod & Rocker. Religion-Rock & Roll. His biggest regret is having no regrets. If not playing, writing, reading about, listening to, or discussing music, he is most likely dead.
Dave Swanson
When Manfred Mann Hit No. 1 With ‘Do Wah Diddy Diddy’
Paul Jones found an earlier version in his record collection, and Manfred Mann transformed it into a breakthrough smash.
How the Smash Hit ‘My Sharona’ Doomed the Knack
Loathed by critics and written off as a novelty act, they were actually a genuine rock 'n' roll band.
How a Soundtrack Brought Woodstock to the World
Ironic festival had been experienced eight months earlier by a crowd that was "half a million strong," as the song goes.
The Day Paul Simon Launched His First Solo Tour
He was initially somewhat tentative, fearing that a tour without Art Garfunkel would be a flop.
When Buffalo Springfield Performed Their Final Concert
They were always a house of cards caught in a hurricane.
How Sweet Finally Broke Out With ‘Sweet Fanny Adams’
Unfortunately, this album was never released in the U.S.
Revisiting Ringo Starr’s TV Special
The difficulties of being Ringo Starr was the subject of a cheesy TV special in April 1978.
How ‘The Birds, the Bees and the Monkees’ Showed a Band Branching Out
At this point, they'd been on a nonstop roller-coaster ride for a solid 15 months.
55 Years Ago: The Who Debut ‘Tommy’ in Concert
This historic concert was held a month before the groundbreaking double album arrived.
How Paul McCartney Finally Ended the Beatles for Good
They had been imploding for a while.