Author Archives: Bob Ruggiero

Unknown's avatar

About Bob Ruggiero

I am a passionate fan of classic rock (and related music) with 35 years experience writing about it for daily/weekly newspapers and magazines. I am also the author of the interview anthology "The Classic Rock Bob Reader" and "Slippin' Out of Darkness: The Story of WAR." Both available on Amazon!

Rediscovering Some Old Friends…and Family Ties

Posted on April 24, 2013 by Bob Ruggiero

It’s been an exciting week at Classic Rock Household with the arrival of the first new stereo system in more than a decade. What’s really cool about my $299 all-in-one contraption ordered online from Target is that I can finally … Continue reading →

Posted in Classic Rock | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

The Wall of Sound a Bit Crumbly for HBO’s “Phil Spector”

Posted on March 25, 2013 by Bob Ruggiero

It seemed like a good idea on paper. A TV movie about the Phil Spector murder trial penned by David Mamet with Al Pacino as the mercurial producer and Helen Mirren as his defense attorney. How could it miss? Well, … Continue reading →

Posted in Classic Rock on TV | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Eric Clapton Goes Comfy on New Record, But Sizzles Onstage

Posted on March 21, 2013 by Bob Ruggiero

Now that acts like The Rolling Stones, The Beach Boys, and The Zombies have marked their 50th anniversaries, those who got their start in 1963 are beginning to roll out more sonic celebrations, and classic rock heroes don’t get any … Continue reading →

Posted in Classic Rock, Classic Rock Live, Eric Clapton | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Vintage Rockers Dominate VH1 Classic’s Hard Rock Calling Show

Posted on March 1, 2013 by Bob Ruggiero

One of the things I love about VH1 Classic is their pretty solid schedule of screening rock docs and live concerts. The most recent one I caught showed highlights from the Hard Rock Calling 2012 shows held in London’s Hyde … Continue reading →

Posted in Classic Rock Live, Classic Rock on TV | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

It’s the Time of the Season: U.S. Preps for Zombie Invasion!

Posted on February 13, 2013 by Bob Ruggiero

Sure, zombies are really hot now – sorry, bloodsucking vampires. Just take a look at pop culture today and the stiffs are all over TV, movies, comics, video games, and even literature. Can zombie porn be far away? (Though, by … Continue reading →

Posted in Zombies | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Bands That Need to Get it Together Before It’s Too Late….

Posted on February 6, 2013 by Bob Ruggiero

Recently, I was tooling down the road jamming to the Greatest Hits CD by the three headed harmony monsters in America. Though, instead of traveling down “Ventura Highway,” I was on the Sam Houston Tollway – which is not nearly … Continue reading →

Posted in Classic Rock, Classic Rock Live | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

R.I.P. – Reg Presley, Lead Singer of The Troggs

Posted on February 5, 2013 by Bob Ruggiero

In the pantheon of garage rock classics, the Troggs‘ “Wild Thing” (written by Chip Taylor) certainly ranks high. With its simple, driving guitar, blunt lyrics (“Wild Thing/You make my heart sing/You make everything groovy/Wild Thing“) and slightly sinister edge, it’s … Continue reading →

Posted in R.I.P. | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Classic Rock in the Comics: Jerry Garcia’s Heavenly Journey

Posted on February 3, 2013 by Bob Ruggiero

Scott Hilburn’s hilarious “The Argyle Sweater” comic often has classic rock references. Here’s a recent good one. Find out more at http://www.theargylesweater.com

Posted in Comics | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

35 Years On, Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours” Still Talks

Posted on January 31, 2013 by Bob Ruggiero

Let us now praise the wondrous invention known as the “Deluxe Edition.” For years, of course, labels have tried to repackage, reissue, and get us to rebuy music that we already have in some other, probably soon-to-be obsolete format. (I’m … Continue reading →

Posted in Fleetwood Mac, Reissues | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Why Can’t They Be Friends? The War for War Rages On…

Posted on January 23, 2013 by Bob Ruggiero

While prepping for an interview I’m doing with legendary Animals frontman Eric Burdon for The Houston Press, I was inspired to revisit the discography of his onetime collaborators and backing band—who went on to produce a lot of fine music … Continue reading →

Posted in War | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments