Among the Musical

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, Part Two

Part One (August 17) was about some of the most thrilling women electric guitarists working. We're moving on to drummers, all of them women, all of whom…

Nov 2, 2025 • Tony Scherman

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October 2025

The Aretha Series, Part Five: Unfinished Business

"Listen, baby," the Reverend C.L. Franklin told a friend who said she'd be glad when Aretha came back to the church, "If you want to know the truth…

Oct 24, 2025 • Tony Scherman

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The Aretha Series, Part 4: Black Music Power

"I began to appreciate myself as a beautiful black woman.”

Oct 22, 2025 • Tony Scherman

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The Aretha Series, Part 3: Running on Empty

Aretha was an alcoholic, and had been for years. "I realized," said her booking agent, Ruth Bowen, "that she had been using booze to numb the pain of a…

Oct 20, 2025 • Tony Scherman

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The Aretha Series, Part 2: What You Want, Baby I Got It

“My sister was on the brink of letting the world know what I’d always known," said Carolyn Franklin—"that she was hands-down the scariest singer in the…

Oct 17, 2025 • Tony Scherman

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The Aretha Series, Part One: Aretha's Arrival

When, where, and how a genius burst through. Date: January 24, 1967. Place: Fame Music in Florence, AL. Supporting cast: the legendary Swampers. Yield…

Oct 14, 2025 • Tony Scherman

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September 2025

Duane Allman: Live in the Studio, Part 2 of 2

Session musicians, even the very best, play for anyone who's ready to ante up the money, including Sam the Sham.

Sep 22, 2025 • Tony Scherman

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Duane Allman: Live in the Studio, Part 1 of 2

Known chiefly for his epochal late '60s/early '70s work with the great Allman Brothers Band, Duane Allman was also one of the most sought-after…

Sep 20, 2025 • Tony Scherman

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Rarely If Ever Noted: a Transcendant Moment of Aretha's

Unlike many of us beset with problems, Aretha Franklin had an escape route: her genius.

Sep 8, 2025 • Tony Scherman

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Sick of Being God, Eric Clapton Just Wanted to Play in the Band

For a brief moment in 1969/70, Delaney & Bonnie and Friends were making the best rock & roll on the planet.

Sep 3, 2025 • Tony Scherman

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August 2025

Jerry Lee Lewis, Sam Cooke, and a Critic's Bum Call

If some dude wants to turn art into a competitive sport, I'll reluctantly take him up on it. And whip his behind.

Aug 25, 2025 • Tony Scherman

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Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

Gender: Female; Occupation: Guitarslinger

Aug 18, 2025 • Tony Scherman

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