All posts by Mac Davis Fleetwood

I wanna rock and roll all night and party every day. But sometimes, I just wanna rock and roll all day and party every night. And at other times, I just wanna sleep. 🎶
LIVE SHOWS, MUSIC FESTIVALS, ROCK NEWS

Sunset Strip Music Fest Returns as ‘Live on Sunset’

Sheryl Crow headlines Nov. 14 event, reviving WeHo’s beloved Sunset Strip Music Festival & bringing major live music back to the boulevard.

Admittedly, it can be disheartening to watch California and Los Angeles get dissed daily in the international media. And no, I don’t have my head in the sand. L.A. and West Hollywood have changed considerably over the past few years, and the city isn’t quite the carefree, anything-can-happen party destination it was a decade ago.

But here’s the thing: L.A. is still an extraordinary place to live.

L.A. CONFIDENTIAL: Sheryl Crow has performed at WeHo clubs like the Troubadour over the course of her career, including for live recordings like “Halfway There.”

Where else can you enjoy spectacular weather all year, meet fascinating people from around the world, and stumble upon an unforgettable concert or street festival without leaving the city or even your own neighborhood?

Case in point: the return of the Sunset Strip Music Festival (SSMF), now reimagined as Live on Sunset.

SAINTS OF LOS ANGELES: Motley Crue’s Vince Neil and Tommy Lee face the cameras at the Sunset Strip’s House of Blues during an event for the 2011 Sunset Strip Music Festival.

On Saturday, November 14, the new concert experience will bring major musical performances back to Sunset Boulevard, reviving the event that once transformed West Hollywood’s legendary rock ‘n’ roll corridor into an enormous outdoor party.

Live on Sunset: November 14

Sheryl Crow may know a thing or two about having fun until the sun comes up over Santa Monica Boulevard, but on November 14, the Grammy-winning singer-songwriter is heading north to Sunset Boulevard to headline Live on Sunset, a new iteration of the beloved Sunset Strip Music Festival.

The event will take place between Doheny Drive and San Vicente Boulevard, 4-11 p.m. and include an all-day lineup of musical acts, including Local Natives, Empress Of, Grace Bowers, Doug Locke, and DJ Mia Moretti.

Admission is free, but you must register at LiveOnSunsetWeHo.com.

Longtime West Hollywood residents will remember when the original festival brought major artists—including Ozzy Osbourne , Mötley Crüe, and Linkin Park—to the Strip for a celebration of the neighborhood’s remarkable musical history. The event became a signature West Hollywood attraction before its run ended in 2017.

SOMEWHERE THEY BELONG: SoCal arena rockers Linkin Park rocking WeHo at SSMF in 2013.

Now, Live on Sunset brings that festival back in a new format, giving music fans another opportunity to experience live performances on one of the world’s most famous boulevards. Plus, this time around the event is free to the public!

“The Sunset Strip is one of the most legendary music destinations in the world, and Live On Sunset is an opportunity to celebrate that extraordinary legacy while creating an exciting new chapter,” says West Hollywood Mayor John Heilman.

“For generations, artists, musicians, and fans have come to the Sunset Strip to experience something they couldn’t find anywhere else,” he adds. “We’re thrilled to bring live music out onto Sunset Boulevard and invite everyone to experience the energy, creativity, and unmistakable spirit that continue to make the Sunset Strip such an important part of culture.”

And what better way to launch this next chapter than with Sheryl Crow? Her catalog, spanning the sun-soaked sing-alongs “All I Wanna Do” and “Soak Up the Sun” to the blistering blues-rock of “My Favorite Mistake,” is practically tailor-made for a SoCal afternoon.

The event will take place from 4 to 11 p.m. along Sunset Boulevard, between Doheny Drive and San Vicente Boulevard. Admission is free with registration, and additional performers and attractions make this a compelling reason to get out and enjoy West Hollywood this fall.

The Party Never Really Stops in L.A.

‘ULTIMATE’ RUSH: A random shot from the Whisy A Go-Go’s monthly “Ultimate Jam Night.”

Let’s be honest: November is a pretty good time to be in Los Angeles.

While much of the country is bundling up for winter, we can be standing on Sunset Boulevard, singing along to Sheryl Crow and wondering why anyone would willingly live somewhere that requires scraping ice off a windshield.

SUNSET STRIP SALUTE: Roxy on Sunset pays respect to Eddie Van Halen in 2020.

For all its challenges, L.A. continues to offer experiences that are difficult to replicate anywhere else. Our music history, our neighborhoods, our diverse mix of people and our outdoor lifestyle remain reasons to celebrate.

And when it comes to keeping the history and spirit of rock and roll alive, we have to give to give props to people who continue to welcome this energy–from the City of West Hollywood to the owners of the Whisky A Go-Go, Roxy, and legendary Rainbow. Whether it’s giving props to a late rock legend on a marquee, or hosting a tribute night to a music icon, these venues have always unshakably supported live rock-and-roll music.

So, here’s to Live on Sunset, the return of a major music event that West Hollywood has been missing. The world can keep complaining about Los Angeles. We’ll be busy enjoying it.

See you on Sunset.

LIVE SHOWS, ROCKIN' NEWS

MÖTLEY DÜO

John 5 and Wednesday 13 team up for 2027 tour celebrating guitarist’s iconic career.

By Mac Davis Fleetwood | Sunset N’ Clark

Fans of the legendary Rainbow Bar & Grill on the Sunset Strip have seen both John 5 and Wednesday 13 rock its annual “Party in the Parking Lot” concert celebrations over the years. Now, two of hard rock’s most popular performers are taking that Sunset Strip energy on the road together.

John 5 has announced that his solo project, John 5 and The Creatures, will welcome horror-rocker Wednesday 13 as its vocalist for a special run of summer and fall 2027 tour dates. It’s the first time the guitarist has added a dedicated frontman to his solo band, opening the door to a setlist that spans nearly every era of his extraordinary career as the guitarist for some of heavy metal and hard-rock’s greatest bands.

ZOMBIE SLAYER: J5 is bringing best of Rob Zombie & Mötley Crüe on the road.

John 5’s solo career has been equally prolific, producing a dozen albums that showcase his distinctive mash-up of metal, country, and bluegrass guitar work, including his latest release, Ghost.

Wednesday 13 is equally prolific. Whether fronting Maniac Spider Trash, Frankenstein Drag Queens From Planet 13, Murderdolls, or his solo career, he has built a devoted following through theatrical live performances and a signature blend of metal and horror themes.

HE’S CREEPY AND HE’S KOOKY…Wednesday 13 channels his inner-Manson.

For fans of the Sunset Strip’s rich hard rock history, this pairing feels especially fitting. Two longtime Rainbow Bar & Grill “Party in the Parking Lot” and Whisky A Go-Go veteran performers are joining forces for what promises to be one of 2027’s hottest hard rock tours.

Continue reading MÖTLEY DÜO →
COOL STUFF, ROCKIN’ EVENTS

SPIRIT OF OZZY

Ozzy Osbourne & his 13 solo albums are being honored at Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights via epic new haunted house.

If you’ve spent any time reading Sunset N’ Clark, then you already know there’s no artist we admire more than Ozzy Osbourne. To us, he isn’t just the Godfather of Heavy Metal—he’s one of the most influential and revered entertainers ever.

And now, Universal Studios Hollywood will be honoring Ozzy at its popular Halloween Horror Nights this fall. The annual event will include major new attractions focused on Ozzy and his music, which has dominated rock radio for decades, so seeing his legacy celebrated in such an epic way in SoCal is incredibly exciting.

“We are honored to collaborate with the Osbourne family to create a unique haunted house that celebrates the legacy of Ozzy Osbourne,” says Mike Aiello, senior director of entertainment creative development at Universal Orlando, which is also hosting a Halloween Horror Nights haunted house dedicated to Ozzy.

“It was important for us to create an authentic experience that brings Ozzy’s creativity and personality to life in an eerily immersive new way,” continues Aiello. “Fans will discover so many meaningful details as they navigate memorable dark and twisted moments inspired by his iconic musical career.”

If you’ve been lucky enough to attend past years’ Halloween Horror Nights at Universal StudiosHollywood, then you know that the annual showcase is one of the greatest fall events in all of SoCal.

‘Ozzy never stopped pushing boundaries, and he loved anything that gave fans a new way to experience his music and the worlds he created.’

— Sharon Osbourne

Every autumn, Universal transforms itself into an unforgettable spectacle of movie-quality scares, jaw-dropping production design, and immersive storytelling. It’s terrifying, ridiculously fun, and one of those experiences that reminds you why L.A. is the entertainment capital of the world.

What makes it even cooler is that Halloween Horror Nights has never been afraid to embrace rock and heavy metal. Over the years, the event has incorporated legendary artists like Rob Zombie and Black Sabbath, and now Universal is once again giving heavy metal music the spotlight by honoring the one and only Ozzy.

Continue reading SPIRIT OF OZZY →
ROCK NEWS

FINAL BOW

L7 bassist Jennifer Finch, a pioneer of the ’90s L.A. Indie-Punk Revolution, Dies at 59

As a founding member of the influential Hollywood garage-punk-rock band L7, which formed in 1985, Jennifer Finch helped kick-start a garage-punk resurgence in SoCal clubs, warehouses, and underground parties from DTLA to Reseda. It was louder, rawer, and completely unapologetic reactionto the popular heavy metal scene of the time.

The former L7 bassist and songwriter has died at the age of 59 following a battle with brain cancer. Her passing marks the loss of a legendary L.A.-born musician whose influence stretched far beyond the bass guitar, helping redefine what women in hard rock could be. In fact, even Joan Jett was a fan who has performed with the band in the past.

Born and raised in West L.A, Finch came of age as SoCal’s music scene was exploding on international music charts. While pop-metal bands like Poison and Ratt dominated the Sunset Strip throughout much of the 1980s, a different sound was emerging in Hollywood and Silverlake’s underground clubs.

Alongside bands that would soon help shape the grunge and alternative rock explosion, L7 carved out its own identity with blistering riffs, uncompromising lyrics, and a take-no-prisoners attitude.

Continue reading FINAL BOW →
COOL STUFF, ROCKIN' NEWS

‘GOD’ IS GREAT!

Ratt legend Stephen Pearcy previews The Dogg Mob with scorching new track ‘God Speed 45’ that sounds ripped straight from the glory days of the Sunset Strip.

Iconic Sunset Strip rock and roll refugee Stephen Pearcy of Ratt recently gave fans another reason to crank up the volume, sharing an Instagram update on his long-awaited sixth solo album, The Dogg Mob, which is slated for a fall 2026 release.

Along with the announcement, the Long Beach, California-born singer-songwriter unveiled a preview of one of the album’s standout tracks, “God Speed 45.”

From the first note, “God Speed 45” hits like a runaway crazy train. The fast-and-furious rocker is loaded with scorching guitar riffs, thunderous drumming, Pearcy’s unmistakable Sunset Strip growl, and the kind of arena-ready choruses that made Ratt one of the defining bands of the 1980s Heavy Metal Era.

“God Speed 45” is the kind of unapologetic hard rock assault that feels as though it was pulled straight from the vault of metal’s 1980s golden era—a time when Dokken ruled the airwaves, Van Halen dominated the charts, and Ratt (pictured below) owned stages like the Whisky a Go-Go.

Continue reading ‘GOD’ IS GREAT! →
COOL STUFF, MUSIC REVIEW

TRUE CONFESSIONS

Madonna’s Confessions II is the long-awaited sequel that reminds us why the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer still holds the crown as the Queen of Pop—even if she occasionally stumbles on the way to the throne.

Review by Mac Davis Fleetwood

If you’ve been near West Hollywood recently, you have undoubtedly noticed Madonna. She seems ubiquitous, from surprise appearances at The Abbey and Melrose pop-ups to exclusive billboards dominating Sunset and Santa Monica Boulevards. The hype machine is in full force to promote Confessions II, the album fans have been waiting seven years for since 2019’s divisive Madame X.

As self-professed die-hard fans (who also happen to be metalheads), we felt it was our duty to dissect this release. Madonna, after all, is a rocker at heart. This is an artist who has collaborated with everyone from Ozzy Osbourne to Prince and Lenny Kravitz. It is probably why the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted her in her first year of eligibility (2008)—a feat few achieve.

A Turbulent Entry and a Classic Recovery

Madonna

Confessions II opens with a spoken-word interlude. Clocking in a bit too long, it feels slightly forced—an ode to obvious LGTBQ+ community standbys and drag queens that doesn’t quite provide the “wow” factor of genius openers like “Like a Prayer” or “Erotica.

The real opening, however, is “I Feel So Free.” As the title suggests, this track is the album’s most explicit “confession.” It’s an ode to the dance floor, exploring how getting “into the groove” among like-minded music lovers provides a sense of liberation. Musically, the song is chaotic; it makes you want to sway, but it isn’t groundbreaking.

While nice, this mid-tempo dance number doesn’t quite reach the high-caliber caliber of energy or engrossing hooks found on Madge’s earlier work. It strives for a Donna Summer “I Feel Love” vibe but falls short of being truly hypnotic. It is a good start, albeit one that concludes with more echoed spoken-word.

‘Soul’ Music

The moment you finish the second track, “Good for the Soul,” however, you will fall in love with Madonna all over again. She totally hits the nail on the head here. The grove is intricate, esoteric, and absolutely hypnotic. It’s a stunning blend that pulls from the best of Confessions on a Dance Floor and Ray of Light. The drum rhythms and vocal delivery are masterful, creating a dancing pulse that marks this as a definitive standout. It’s a Massive Attack of awesomeness, making you pause and replay it several times before moving forward.

“One Step Away” follows, a track where the Queen of Pop slamdunks the debate that the dance floor is superficial. Deliciously incorporating brave and extraordinary vocal inflections, this mid-tempo dance groove is wonderfully original. It works equally well for getting butts on the dance floor as it does as a smooth background soundtrack for chilling. (Or for “Netflix and chilling.”)

Continue reading TRUE CONFESSIONS →
COOL STUFF, ROCKIN’ EVENTS

MONSTER MASH

Meet Bob Dob: The heavy metal mastermind bringing music-loving monsters to Los Feliz.

SoCal artist and rocker returns to La Luz de Jesus Gallery with “Origins,” a wickedly fun solo exhibition that’s equal parts rock ‘n’ roll, pop surrealism, and beautifully twisted creativity.

Isn’t it the best feeling when you stumble across a band or an artist so outrageously talented that you immediately start texting friends, saying, “You have to see this”?

That’s exactly what happened here at Sunset and Clark when we first discovered the wildly imaginative paintings of Southern California artist Bob Dob, and we’re still hooked with his ever-evolving body of work.

The out-and-proud metalhead, artist, and longtime punk musician is returning to one of our favorite L.A. hot spots—La Luz de Jesus Gallery inside WACKO in Los Feliz—with a new solo exhibition titled Origins.

The show opens July 3 with a free reception from 7 to 11 p.m., where fans can meet the artist, mingle with fellow local art lovers, and get an up-close look at his latest collection.

Dob’s paintings are a creative collision of heavy metal attitude, punk-rock energy, pop surrealism, and dark humor. His colorful cast of demons, monsters, and misfits feel like they wandered out of a late-night party at the Rainbow Bar and Grill, proudly sporting Misfits and Slayer T-shirts and mischievous grins. They’re creepy, funny, strangely fascinating, and undeniably rockin’.

It makes perfect sense that Dob’s work is so deeply rooted in rock culture. Born Bob Dobbie, he’s spent more than a decade playing in the Southern California punk band Lunacy.

Growing up in Hermosa Beach and immersed in the L.A. music scene, music became every bit as influential to his artistic vision as paint and canvas.

“I love to create worlds where the dark side of human nature is present,” Dob writes on his website. “Life isn’t always good times… that’s why my characters have an adolescent quality to them.”

A graduate of Otis College of Art and Design, Dob has built a career putting his wonderfully warped spin on everything from pop culture icons and video game characters to Disney favorites, beach culture, and Americana.

Origins also marks a homecoming of sorts. Dob first exhibited at La Luz de Jesus Gallery in 2004, and now returns with a fresh collection of music-inspired works that feel perfectly at home inside the legendary gallery that’s helped define L.A.’s underground art scene for decades.

The exhibition runs through August 2 at La Luz de Jesus Gallery, located inside WACKO at 4633 Hollywood Blvd. Admission to the July 3 opening reception is free, and all artwork will be available for purchase.

Over the years, Dob’s work has found its way into the collections of entertainment heavyweights including Conan O’Brien and Nick Cassavetes.If your idea of great art includes a healthy dose of heavy metal, punk rock, monsters, and beautifully unhinged imagination, make room on your calendar. Bob Dob’s Origins looks like one helluva visual rollercoaster ride.

Check out more of Dob’s work or RSVP:

EXCLUSIVE FEATURE, ROCKIN’ EVENTS

NEON ANGEL

In September, the Sunset Strip welcomes back music icon Cherie Currie to rock the Rainbow.

If you were lucky enough to catch Cherie Currie‘s electrifying performance during “Ultimate Jam Night” at the Whisky a Go-Go back in 2023, you already know the woman doesn’t simply perform Runaways songs—she detonates them.

For a couple glorious hours, the Sunset Strip wasn’t in 2023 anymore. It was 1977. The air felt smoky. The guitars sounded louder. The ghosts of platform boots, leather jackets, satin corsets, and teenage rebellion seemed to be hanging around the Whisky like they never left. And honestly, where else could this happen?

Cherie Currie

CHERRY BOMBS AWAY: Cherie Curry at the Whisky, 2023. 🍒

One minute you’re dodging tourists taking selfies outside the Whisky, and the next you’re watching the original voice of one of rock’s most influential all-female bands tear into songs that helped change music history.

Now, Currie is returning to her old Sunset Strip stomping grounds when she co-headlines the Rainbow Bar & Grill’s annual parking lot party on September 6 alongside Stephen Pearcy of Ratt. That’s right—the voice of The Runaways and the voice of “Round and Round” sharing a stage on the Sunset Strip. Somewhere, every cassette tape from 1984 is smiling.

Continue reading NEON ANGEL →
LIVE SHOWS, ROCKIN’ EVENTS

BACK FOR MORE

Sunset Strip legends Stephen Pearcy of Ratt & Cherie Currie of The Runaways return to WeHo to rock the Rainbow, Sept. 6!

One of the Sunset Strip’s most historied rock ‘n’ roll institutions is pulling out all the stops once again. The iconic Rainbow Bar & Grill is bringing back its annual “Party in the Parking Lot” on Sept. 6, and this year’s lineup is absolutely stacked.

Headlining the free outdoor bash is Sunset Strip legend Stephen Pearcy of Ratt (seen above performing at Rainbow’s “Backyard Bash” in 2015), joined by the equally iconic Cherie Currie of The Runaways (pictured below at Whisky A Go-Go’s “Ultimate Jam Night” in 2023). The day also features performances by Eyehategod, Flotsam & Jetsam, Agent Orange, Murder One (Tribute to Motörhead), and a lineup of killer local and national acts.

Cherie Currie

If you’ve never experienced a Rainbow parking lot party, expect a full day of loud guitars, cold beer, and hundreds of rock and metal fans celebrating one of Los Angeles’ most famous music landmarks. These events have become a Sunset Strip tradition, and they always pack the house.

Admission is free, although a prepaid two-drink minimum is required at the gate. Get there early enough and you might even score one of the event’s coveted free T-shirts.

RATT N’ ROLL: Robbin Crosby, Warren DeMartini, Bobby Blotzer, Stephen Pearcy, and Juan Croucier circa 1985.

The Rainbow Bar & Grill is located at 9015 W. Sunset Blvd. in the heart of West Hollywood. Gates open at 1 p.m., but don’t be surprised if the line starts forming hours beforehand. That’s what happens when one of L.A.’s most beloved rock ‘n’ roll parties comes to town.

Continue reading BACK FOR MORE →
COOL STUFF, LIVE SHOWS

SLAUGHTER ‘HOUSE’

Rock and roll over laughing with this retro ‘Full House‘ clip from the MTV glory days of Slaughter, which headlines the Whisky in August.

While wandering down one of those glorious YouTube rabbit holes where productivity goes to die, we stumbled across this forgotten gem: an early-’90s episode of Full House built around none other than hard-rock heroes Slaughter.

Now, if you’re under 40, there’s a decent chance you’re asking, “Slaughter? Wasn’t that a horror movie?” But in 1990, Slaughter wasn’t just a band. They were everywhere. Mark Slaughter and company exploded onto the charts with their debut album, Stick It to Ya, which sold over 2 million copies and was one of the biggest rock records of the year.

“Up All Night” was the kind of song that made you want to drive too fast with the windows down. “Fly to the Angels” was mandatory listening for every teenager experiencing heartbreak for the first time. And “Spend My Life” was one of those arena-ready sing-alongs that could turn 15,000 people into one giant karaoke machine.

Their videos lived in heavy rotation on MTV—back when MTV’s radical programming strategy involved occasionally showing music videos.

Watching this clip today is like opening a time capsule from an era when big hair ruled, guitar solos were featured in every pop song, and every TV show somehow found a way to shoehorn a rock band into the plot.

Continue reading SLAUGHTER ‘HOUSE’ →
ROCK HISTORY

INTO THE GROOVE

How a bizarre 1983 studio idea led to one of music’s strangest collabs between the Prince of Darkness and the Queen of Pop.

It sounds like something dreamed up in a Sunset Strip recording studio at 3 a.m. after a few rounds of coke and whiskey, but believe it or not, in 1983, Ozzy Osbourne and Madonna did actually appear on the same song!

The track was “Shake Your Head (Let’s Go to Bed)” an experimental electro-dance track from Was (Not Was), the Detroit-based band fronted by musician/producer Don Was. The plan? Put Ozzy on lead vocals and pair him with a then-unknown Madonna on the duet.

It wasn’t pop. It wasn’t metal. It was something  that you might hear the Sprockets from Saturday Night Live listening to in an underground techno club somewhere in Germany in 1987.

“Shake Your Head (Let’s Go to Bed)” was slated for Was (Not Was)’s 1983 album Born to Laugh at Tornadoes. But just as quickly as the collaboration came together, it fell apart—because Madonna didn’t stay unknown for long.

Her self-titled debut dropped in July 1983, and almost overnight she went from East Village club kid to global superstar. With that came more control, and a hard no on the use of her vocals now that she was developing her own signature style. Just like that, the Ozzy–Madonna duet was shelved.

Later, Was brought in actress Kim Basinger to re-record the part, and the original became the kind of story that sounds too weird to be true.

Except it was true.

Accidentally Reviving an Ozzy/Madonna Collab

Nearly a decade later, “Shake Your Head (Let’s Go to Bed)” came back from the dead.

In the early Ninties, the song got a second life when it was remixed into a club track by producer Steve “Silk” Hurley. And that’s when destinies collided—or maybe just got mislabeled.

Continue reading INTO THE GROOVE →
LIVE SHOWS, ROCKIN' FEATURE STORIES

METALLICALIFORNICATION

Metallica’s upcoming Sin City takeover has us fondly recalling…

California’s 5 Most Legendary ‘Tallica Tour Stops

California’s greatest heavy metal export, Metallica is gearing up to ignite the Vegas Strip with their 2026-2027 residency at the Sphere, dubbed “Life Burns Faster.”

From October 1 through March 13, 2027, the band will perform 24 dates. And to make a stellar event even more awesome, the showcase features a “No Repeat Weekend” setlist and immersive visuals for a one-of-a-kind experience inside what is unarguably Sin City’s coolest new concert venue.

As the excitement builds for ‘Tallica’s Las Vegas gigs, it’s worth looking back at some of Metallica’s most unforgettable California performances— shows and venues that shaped the band, rocked fans, and created pure heavy metal mythology right here in the Golden State.

1. The Whisky A Go-Go Debut (1982)

On March 27, 1982, at the world-famous Whisky A Go-Go on the Sunset Strip, a rare musical moment would cement Metallica’s place in the L.A. metal scene and eventually the entire planet.

Two sets featured early classics like “Hit the Lights,” “Jump in the Fire,” and “The Prince.” And, for the first time, “Metal Militia” live. This was before studio polish and global fame—just pure, thrash-metal glory!

The Whisky isn’t just a venue. It’s a proving ground, and Metallica slayed it.

Continue reading METALLICALIFORNICATION →
ROCK HISTORY, ROCKIN' NEWS

DOLBY SOUND

Secret synth wizard helped to define Def Leppard’s signature musical style on Pyromania.

Sometimes the coolest stories aren’t on the cover, they’re buried in an album’s liner notes.

When Def Leppard unleashed Pyromania in 1983, they didn’t just redefine arena rock—they quietly recruited a future synth-pop legend to help shape its sound. But unless you were digging deep into liner notes (and even then, not really), you’d never know he was there.

That’s because Thomas Dolby—yes, that Thomas Dolby—was credited under the alias “Booker T. Boffin.”

When Dolby (pictured below) stepped into the studio, he wasn’t a household name yet. His quirky and contagious breakout hit, “She Blinded Me with Science,” hadn’t yet taken over MTV and radio. That explosion would come later in 1983, months after Pyromania had already hit record stores and landed numerous Billboard hits.

You can hear Dolby’s fingerprints woven into some of the album’s best tracks, including “Photograph,” “Rock of Ages,” and “Die Hard the Hunter.” Notably, he also provides the intro to “Rock! Rock! (Till You Drop).”

At the time, Dolby was a behind-the-scenes synth innovator with a knack for turning good tracks into unforgettable ones. Producer Robert John “Mutt” Lange brought in Dolby to add textured synthesizer layers and doubled guitar lines for a thicker sound that has now become an iconic signature style of the band.

We’re betting that the next time “She Blinded Me with Science” comes on the radio, you’re never going to look at Thomas Dolby the same way again after learning he’s a key innovator of one of the best rock albums ever produced!

ROCKIN' FEATURE STORIES

ROCK’S DEEPEST CUTS

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From R.E.M.’s ‘Everybody Hurts’ to GN’R’s ‘Sweet Child o’ Mine’ and Zep’s ‘Stairway to Heaven,’ these aren’t just ballads—they’re emotional gut punches wrapped in melody and distortion.

Sunset & Clark rounds up 20 slow-burning anthems that hit as hard as any riff in your metal playlist. Because sometimes, the heaviest thing in rock isn’t the volume, it’s the vulnerability.

#1: ‘Sweet Child o’ Mine’ – Guns N’ Roses

From the opening riff—Slash’s accidental warmup turned iconic melody—to Axl’s soaring vocals, this song is a thunderous love letter. Written for then-girlfriend Erin Everly (daughter of rock legend Don Everly), the relationship didn’t survive—but the song did. It’s a bulletproof ballad that turns sentiment into something seismic. Decades later, “Sweet Child” remains an anthem that proves even the sleaziest L.A. rockers had a soft spot, buried under layers of leather.

#2: ‘Stairway to Heaven’ – Led Zeppelin

Equal parts mythology and heartbreak, “Stairway to Heaven” is a slow climb into something transcendent. Robert Plant’s abstract storytelling meshes beautifully with Jimmy Page’s ascending arrangement—culminating in a solo that feels like a soul exiting the body. It’s spiritual, but not preachy. It’s heavy, but not weighed down.

#3: ‘Right Now’ – Van Halen

Often overshadowed by the band’s party-hard image, “Right Now” is a bold, piano-driven anthem that trades booze and bravado for reflection and social urgency. Sammy Hagar called it “the most serious lyric I ever wrote”—and it shows. This track implores listeners to stop waiting and take action, set against one of Eddie Van Halen’s most emotional compositions. More than a song, it’s a call to live.

#4 & #5: ‘Everybody Hurts’ & ‘Nightswimming’ – R.E.M.

The searing “Everybody Hurts” is the ultimate comfort song for the quietly broken. Strings, restraint, and sheer humanity combine to create one of the most universally healing rock ballads ever recorded–and sung by what is unarguably one of our generation’s greatest and most emotive singers (Sorry, Axl.). Though often associated with singer-songwriter Michael Stipe’s own vulnerability, the lyrics were actually written by multi-talented drummer Bill Berry.

Stipe later admitted to subtly tweaking the phrasing so fans wouldn’t assume the pain was autobiographical—highlighting how deeply he cared about the song’s message reaching listeners, not circling back to him. It’s one of two heartbreakingly tender tracks Stipe helped shape on Automatic for the People—the other being “Nightswimming,” which he did write himself. Equally moving, “Nightswimming” trades direct sorrow for nostalgic ache, and together, the two songs form the emotional core of R.E.M.’s most soul-baring album.

#6: ‘Wasted Years’ – Iron Maiden

Yes, Maiden. Known for epic gallops and fantastic fantasy tales dipped in equal parts evil and energizing, but “Wasted Years” hits different. A rare Adrian Smith–penned introspective cut that reflects on time lost and life on the road. The song’s yearning chorus, Bruce Dickinson‘s raspy and powerful vocals, and twin-guitar harmonies remind us all to stop chasing time and enjoy the moment—metal with a message that even Eddie the Head would support.

Continue reading ROCK’S DEEPEST CUTS →
LIVE SHOWS, ROCKIN' NEWS

MONSTER MASH

Marilyn Manson returns to L.A. this fall for Antichrist Superstar’s 30th anniversary.

Los Angeles loves its monsters–and it particularly loves the ones who survive. Marilyn Manson is one of those monsters.

Nearly 30 years ago, in June 1997, a skinny, snarling rock and roll newcomer in ripped fishnets and black lipstick stepped onto a stage at the Blockbuster Pavilion in San Bernardino County, and the crowd immediately booed him. Laughed at him. In fact, the first five minutes of his set consisted of the crowd pelting him with whatever was available: hot dog wrappers, a random sneaker, a dirty cup…

But I was in that crowd. I was cheering from the get-go, because I already knew the brilliance that is Marilyn Manson—though the rest of the world had yet to discover it.

It was that performance, during that Ozzfest tour, where he single-handedly turned around audience show after show by sheer talent and determination, making sure his art and his music hit you upside the head, made you think a little deeper, and rock a little harder. By the end of “The Beautiful People,” even the skeptics were on their feet, screaming, cheering, and wondering if maybe they’d been wrong.

Continue reading MONSTER MASH →