ClassicPopIcons.com brings you news, reviews and features on the all time greats of popular music.

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Competitions

Competitions

Enter prize draws for the chance to win concert tickets, CDs, DVDs, cash, the latest gadgets, holidays and more.

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New releases

New releases

Check the new and upcoming CD, Blu-ray and DVD music releases.

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Elvis Presley's Concept Album

Elvis Presley's Concept Album

Harley Payette explains why he thinks that the "I'm 10,000 Years Old - Elvis Country" album "tells us as much about the man who created it as anything he ever did."

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Song of the week

Song of the week

Each week we showcase a classic track as Song of the Week. Check the current and past choices.

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Johnny Otis obituary - 1921-2012

Johnny Otis obituary - 1921-2012

The "Godfather of R&B," Johnny Otis, passed away on January 17 at the age of 90.

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Bruce Springsteen releases We Take Care Of Our Own single

Bruce Springsteen releases We Take Care Of Our Own single

Take a listen to Bruce Springsteen's new single, released ahead of his upcoming 17th studio album "Wrecking Ball."

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Before they were famous - high school yearbook photos

Before they were famous - high school yearbook photos

See if you can identify these stars before they were famous.

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New releases update – February 2012

Written by admin on February 6, 2012 – 9:12 am -

The New Releases page has been updated to include music CD, DVD and Blu-ray releases for February.

New music releases February 2012

Highlights for February include:

  • Paul McCartney’s “Kisses on the Bottom” in standard and deluxe editions (Feb 7)
  • deluxe editions of the last five Queen albums (Feb 7)
  • a number of classic Bob Dylan albums on limited edition vinyl (Feb 7)
  • the Van Halen reunion album, “A Different Kind of Truth” (Feb 7)
  • the 3-CD set “Santana Anthology 68-69″ (Feb 14) and “Santana – Live at Montreux” on DVD and Blu-ray (Feb 21)
  • Pink Floyd’s “The Wall” in Experience, Immersion and Vinyl editions – Feb 28.


Click here to head over to the New Releases page


Posted in 60s pop, American Rock, Elvis, New releases, Rock 'n' roll, Soul | No Comments »


Fans pay tribute to Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens & the Big Bopper

Written by admin on February 3, 2012 – 1:38 pm -

Fans around the world are commemorating the 53rd anniversary of the death of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J. P. Richardson (the Big Bopper) today.

Among the main events is the annual four-day commemoration of the Winter Dance Party at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa. This was the last venue that the stars played before boarding the plane that would tragically crash shortly after take off. The Surf Ballroom has been designated a historical landmark by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and was listed in the National Register of Historic Places last year.
Winter Dance Party Poster


The Buddy Holly Center in Buddy’s home town of Lubbock, Texas is also marking the occasion by opening its doors free of charge from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm this evening. The permanent exhibition includes photographs, clothing, report cards, a pair of Holly’s trademake glasses and his Fender Stratocaster guitar.

Let’s step back in time for an example of how the media reacted to the tragedy in 1959. Ren Grevatt had this to say in his February 9, 1959 “On the Beat” column for Billboard Magazine:

Justin Hinds and Keith Richards

Moving up to date, Dion DiMucci, who also played on the Winter Dance Party tour, has paid tribute to the three on his Facebook page:

“Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper – You are well loved and missed my friends. May God bless you always. With love and affection.”


Related items:
Listen to Me: Buddy Holly” – tribute album
Test your knowledge of Buddy Holly



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Posted in Rock 'n' roll | No Comments »


Etta James dies aged 73

Written by admin on January 20, 2012 – 6:16 pm -

Etta James died today from complications of leukaemia, aged 73. Etta passed away at Riverside Community Hospital in California with her husband and sons at her side.

Etta was born Jamesetta Hawkins in Los Angeles on January 25, 1938 and began singing in a church choir before moving to San Francisco where she formed a group called the Creolettes with two other girls. The group were auditioned by Johnny Otis, who renamed them The Peaches and also came up with the Etta James stage name. Otis, who died earlier this week, would write and produce their number one R&B hit, “The Wallflower,” also known as “Roll With Me, Henry” and “Dance With Me, Henry.”

Etta James

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Posted in Obituaries, Rock 'n' roll | No Comments »


Johnny Otis obituary – 1921-2012

Written by admin on January 19, 2012 – 4:53 pm -

The “Godfather of R&B,” Johnny Otis, has passed away at the age of 90. The R&B performer, songwriter and producer, died in Los Angeles on Tuesday (January 17).

Otis was born Ioannis Alexandres Veliotes on December 28, 1921, in Vallejo, California, the son of Greek immigrant parents. He lived in a primarily black neighbourhood where he was exposed to and greatly influenced by jazz and blues music. He took a keen interest in the drums, piano and vibraphone as a teenager, and soon took on paying gigs as a drummer with various local jazz combos and big bands, including the Lloyd Hunter Band. Johnny Otis

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Song of the Week #89 – “Folsom Prison Blues”

Written by admin on January 16, 2012 – 7:45 pm -

Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues” is Song of the Week on Classic Pop Icons.

“Folsom Prison Blues” was first released as a Sun Records single on December 15, 1955, backed with “So Doggone Lonesome.” It also appeared on his first album, “With His Hot and Blue Guitar,” issued by Sun in September 1957.

Johnny Cash - Folsom Prison Blues single

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