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Rocket 88

One of the first songs in rock and roll history, and maybe the first to use guitar distortion…but, not on purpose.

April 26, 2023
Gallis Pole

Perhaps no man is more qualified to sing a song of impending execution than the “Murderous Minstrel” himself, Huddie Ledbetter.

April 16, 2023
Euridice!

One of the first operas. Period.

April 11, 2023
Big Maceo

You’re listening to Big Maceo, a pioneer of Chicago Blues, and you’re on the Sound Beat.

April 9, 2023
The Girl Behind the Gun

The Girl Behind the Gun opened at the New Amsterdam Theatre in New York on September 16, 1918.

March 27, 2023
The Cruelest Cut

DISCLAIMER: Sound Beat, its producers and support staff do not, in any way, promote or condone the actions of 19th century Italian doctors or Opera House directors.

March 26, 2023
Ride an Old Paint

Before all the Pulitzers, Carl Sandburg’s baritone made him famous.

March 16, 2023
Stealin’

We’re going back, before tie-dye was even a thing, to the Grateful Roots: songs that influenced the Grateful Dead.

February 9, 2023
Eddie Durham

Eddie Durham with Moten Swing.

January 26, 2023
You Ain’t Nothin’ But A Hounddog

You might know Elvis’ version better, but Jerry Lieber and Mike Stoller wrote the song for Big Mama Thornton.

January 11, 2023