music-history19 Jan 2026How Stevie Wonder's joyful hit song changed the USWith Happy Birthday, Stevie Wonder successfully campaigned to honour Martin Luther King Jr with a national holiday, in a career of socially conscious songwriting.19 Jan 20261 Dec 2025The long, strange success of the Grateful DeadThe band performed their first concert on 4 December 1965. In 1981, their leader Jerry Garcia talked to the BBC about how they became superstars but "never sold out".1 Dec 202520 Oct 2025Why Little Richard's Tutti Frutti was so risquéWhen the single was released in 1955, it was a big hit – but only after the original lyrics were changed. In 1972, the singer told the BBC that "there's nothing bad" about his music.20 Oct 202515 Oct 2025Fans missed the point of D'Angelo's Untitled videoAs fans honour the loss of R&B legend D’Angelo and recall his sensual, slow-burn video for Untitled (How Does It Feel), it’s time to consider if the artistry wasn’t skin-deep.15 Oct 202525 Aug 2025The man who turned The Beatles into superstarsBrian Epstein guided the Fab Four from the Cavern Club to global fame. When he died 58 years ago this week, the band was left suddenly adrift.25 Aug 202531 Jul 2025Why Madonna's Ray of Light is 2025's hottest LPFrom FKA Twigs to Addison Rae, many of today's hottest pop stars are taking inspiration from Madonna's swirling 1998 masterpiece. What is it that has made the album such a touchstone?31 Jul 202523 Jul 2025Intimate images of 'the real Hotel California'The most iconic stars of the 1970s flocked to Record Plant Studios. A new book offers a glimpse inside – and argues that The Eagles' time there inspired the US band's most famous song.23 Jul 202525 Jun 2025The taboo-busting 'out and proud' 1928 anthemCited as one of the first representations of black queer popular culture, Ma Rainey's sensational Prove It on Me Blues is a landmark song that had a profound and lasting effect.25 Jun 202523 Jun 2025The story of the first ever Glastonbury FestivalAlmost 55 years ago, Michael Eavis hosted the first of his legendary music festivals. In 1970, the BBC visited his Somerset dairy farm to find out what made it unique.23 Jun 2025...