To play the Hollywood Bowl. For any musician, that has to be a career highlight. The Doors performed in that revered venue in 1968, and Ray Manzarek, in his interview for Qello Concerts, articulated the import of such an occasion.

It’s not a sexy, round-number anniversary, but I bet Deadheads know that July 9 was the date of the last Grateful Dead concert with Jerry Garcia. That was in 1995, at Soldier Field in Chicago.

This week in rock history, Hank Williams made his debut on the live radio show, Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. That was on June 11, 1949, and it says somewhere that he got an unprecedented six encore calls from the audience at the Ryman Auditorium. Must’ve thrown the radio show clear off its schedule.

It’s a big week for rock star birthdays. Bob Dylan on the 24th (making him 75), Stevie Nicks on the 26th (she’s, cough, cough), and John Fogerty on the 28th (he was born in ’45).

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Pet Sounds, I’m thinking about the all-time lead Beach Boy, Brian Wilson.

The Seasons formed in Beauport, Quebec in the winter of 2011. The Chiasson brothers Hubert & Julien (vocals & guitars) had a desire to share the collection of hooks and melodies turning in their minds with the world, and so, Julien called up Rémi (drums & percussion) who brought along Sam (bass) and the band was formed.  The chemistry was instantaneous. After a few weeks in their parents' basement, a fully grown batch of original songs was brewed and they realized immediately that they were part of something bigger than themselves. 

Females are strong as hell, and Serena Ryder is living proof. When the world seems to be going backward, the Canadian singer-songwriter always keeps us marching forward.