Afterword
Sinéad O’Connor Was a Voice of Strength in the Darkness
Remembering the 56-year-old Irish singer-songwriter, whose captivating voice and outspoken spirit made her a beloved and misunderstood figure in pop.
Ryuichi Sakamoto’s Borderless Brilliance
Paying tribute to the visionary Yellow Magic Orchestra member and Oscar-winning composer, who died last month at 71 from cancer
Mimi Parker Was Indie Rock’s Guardian Angel
With her gentle performance style and sage perspective, the drummer and vocalist of Low made our unrelenting world sound a little more livable.
Remembering Takeoff, Migos’ Low-Key Linchpin
The Atlanta rapper, who was tragically killed today at age 28, was essential to his group’s signature fast-paced style.
Remembering Loretta Lynn, Who Helped Make Country a Place Where Women Can Speak Their Minds
With songs like “The Pill” and “Rated X,” the country legend, who passed away today at age 90, leaves behind a frank and ferocious legacy.
Remembering Ronnie Spector, the Beating Heart of Rock’n’Roll
A true original, the Ronettes leader pioneered an eternal attitude—tough and tender at once.
How Lee “Scratch” Perry Sculpted the Sounds of Reggae
The visionary artist and producer, who died yesterday at 85, revolutionized music with his daring studio techniques.
Remembering Biz Markie, the Uninhibited Spirit of Hip-Hop’s Golden Age
The rap pioneer passed away at age 57, following a long struggle with diabetes.
Remembering DMX, Who Changed Rap Forever
The New York MC made us feel his pain, and it made him a superstar.
Remembering John Prine, the Ultimate Songwriter’s Songwriter
The country-folk singer, whose matter-of-fact style attracted a reverent cult following, died this week of complications from COVID-19 at age 73.
The First Sensitive Punk: Remembering Buzzcocks’ Pete Shelley
He was a pioneer of so much that is still relevant, from gender-neutral pronouns in rock love songs to early synth-pop
How Aretha Franklin Earned Her Crown As the Queen of Soul
The spirit, fire, and audacity behind one of the greatest voices in history
The Glorious Savagery of the Fall’s Mark E. Smith
Remembering the post-punk frontman upon his death at age 60.
Soundgarden’s Chris Cornell Was More Than Just a Grunge Frontman
Remembering the late rocker and his undervalued versatility.
Afterword: George Martin
Stephen Thomas Erlewine pays tribute to the producer who helped elevate the Beatles’ talents and pioneered new ways of thinking in pop.
Earth, Wind & Fire’s Maurice White
Michael J. Agovino pays tribute to late Earth, Wind & Fire leader Maurice White, who combined jazz, blues, gospel, soul, funk, R&B, and disco in the '70s to create an inclusive style that still resonates today.
David Bowie
David Bowie was the ultimate cultural connector, envisioning pop not as a closed loop but rather an infinite network of intellectual curiosities that spanned underground music, avant-garde art, and left-field literature. By Stuart Berman.
Scott Weiland
At his best, Scott Weiland was much more than just another grunge replica. Ron Hart pays tribute to the troubled alt rocker following his death at age 48.
Allen Toussaint
Mike Powell remembers the songwriter, producer, and singer Allen Toussaint, who brought New Orleans R&B beyond the city’s borders without diluting the music's particularly joyous essence.
Ornette Coleman
Seth Colter Walls pays tribute to the jazz iconoclast following his passing at age 85 and offers a chronological guide that includes 10 highlights from his prolific and unpredictable career.
Tommy Ramone
Following last weekend's death of drummer Tommy Ramone—the towering punk band's last surviving original member—Evan Minsker looks back on his personal history with the Ramones and details why Tommy was so important to their entire ethos.
