@pophistory
Writer-professor with interest in how popular culture (movies and music) intersects with history, news, and life. Editor-in-chief of music and movie website, http://Chimesfreedom.com. Boomer dad. Reds fan. Living in NY.
Having now rewatched Star Wars (I think only my second time through the whole film) I have come to the conclusion that the reason it does little for me is that it's not really *about* anything except its own characters and events.
Battle of the Ironclads
On this day in history, 164 years ago, March 9, 1862, the second day of the Battle of Hampton Roads saw the first battle between two ironclad warships. (1/5)
Rock critic Greil Marcus has called this version of Charlie Rich’s song about failure “the strongest moment of Rich’s career — a match for Ray Charles’ ‘Georgia On My Mind’ or Otis Redding’s ‘Try a Little Tenderness’ and somehow more indomitable than either.” www.chimesfreedom.com/2017/11/12/c...
Maggie Gyllenhaal’s "The Bride!" is deeply flawed — and more exciting than any recent take on Mary Shelley's work. www.salon.com/2026/03/08/f...
51 years ago today, David Bowie released Young Americans, a bold move into soul and R&B. Featuring the hit “Fame,” co-written with John Lennon, the album helped spark Bowie’s breakthrough in the U.S. and showcased another turn in his ever-evolving sound.
I like this Ben Stiller fellow. When he made a movie in Wilmington, Ohio, he was nice to people. And look — he stands up for himself rather than allowing himself to be ritually humiliated.
So you loved best picture nominee Sentimental Value. What should you watch next? We asked our audience to share recommendations. You suggested more films from Joachim Trier featuring Renate Reinsve. n.pr/4cuOnNE
Digital reconstruction reveals the face of ‘Little Foot,’ a nearly 4 million-year-old human ancestor
41 years ago today, “We Are the World” was released, bringing together music’s biggest stars for a cause. Written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, the charity single became a global anthem and raised over $80 million for famine relief.
in a movie filled with great moments, I can’t get over James Horner’s grand music swell under Ben Kingsley’s “crash the whole damn system” speech in SNEAKERS.
movies just don’t have the confidence anymore to present a simple conversation with this much sense of grandeur.
#filmsky 📽️ #sneakers
General John Sedgwick and His Last Words.
www.chimesfreedom.com/2016/05/08/g...
We watched the new Jim Jarmusch film, "Father, Mother, Sister, Brother," last night. I liked the movie, but it was the soundtrack that really caught my ear. This lead-off track, a cover of "Spooky," is especially hip. Check this out when you have some time.
open.spotify.com/album/55pZLM...
March 7, 1944
Townes Van Zandt is born in Fort Worth, Texas.
His music has been covered by Bob Dylan, Lyle Lovett, Steve Earle and more.
Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard covered his song ‘Poncho and Lefty’, scoring a No.1 hit on the Billboard Country Music Chart.
He died on January 1, 1997.
Michael Stanley, often categorized as a local rock legend, created some great music and meant a lot to people in the Cleveland area. www.chimesfreedom.com/2021/03/09/m...
Funny thing about nights like this.
You start thinking about those who used to be part of the room. Not gone exactly… just someplace else now. Different streets. Different lives. But every once in a while something comes on the radio and suddenly they’re with you again.
Mm-hmm.
Let it ride.
The wife of the President received newspaper women today at the first White House press conference ever held by a first lady. Thirty-five newspaper women were received in the Red Room. Mrs Roosevelt brought a box of candied fruit, which went the rounds of the circle.
www.nytimes.com/1933/03/07/a...
Going to be interesting doing my final Elvis episode when I get there in a few months, because of the huge number of assumptions my audience has.
Bruce Springsteen draws a line from “Peter Pan” to “Born to Run”: www.salon.com/2026/03/04/b...
Took a small step toward eventually making my 6 yr old daughter appreciate classic films by showing her a clip of Danny Kaye. After an initial reaction of "this is boring" because it was not modern, she became enthralled and started dancing to his song. youtu.be/kirBGyDJPxI?...
Sturgill Simpson releases the new album “Mutiny After Midnight” by Johnny Blue Skies & the Dark Clouds.
www.chimesfreedom.com/2026/03/03/j...
Did my college honors thesis in Arthurian literature (a long time ago) largely because I loved The Once and Future King so much and wanted to spend more time with it. Loved the Book of Merlin too as a sort of epilogue.
'Twas a treat talking with Eric Ambel — and revisiting those Yayhoos albums, which remain tons of fun. Read his words of wisdom here:
No Depression’s Best of February 2026 Playlist: nodepression.org/no-depressio...
Sturgill Simpson -- as Johnny Blue Skies -- has released the stream of his upcoming album early. Give it a listen:
www.chimesfreedom.com/2026/03/03/j...
velvet underground researchers have apparently confirmed that this audio from a random youtube user is genuinely the long-lost july '67 performance from upbeat, a cleveland teen tv show, doing the unreleased "guess i'm falling in love" complete with screaming girls. www.youtube.com/watch?v=GU2U...
Ava Gardner and Richard Burton in THE NIGHT OF THE IGUANA (1964)
Join us this Wednesday at 6pE for a watch-party of John Huston's THE NIGHT OF THE IGUANA (1964).
A defrocked priest confronts desire and despair at a stormy Mexican hotel.
Richard Burton, Ava Gardner, and Deborah Kerr.
#TCMParty ^JW
I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of my friend and inspiration, John Hammond, Jr. From the first time I heard him on the first blues album I bought, Blues at Newport ‘63 on Vanguard Records, I was just knocked out and have felt that way about him ever since.
(1/6)
Jesus. F*cking. Christ.
St. Louis alt-country artist Adam Gaffney releases “Don’t You Cry” April 23, a moving tribute to his mother ahead of the new album ‘Product of Another Sad Song’ out May 8, 2026. zurl.co/yjCpO
#AwardWinningWomen 🏆
#MusicChallenge 🎶
Leontyne Price received many honors including 13 Grammys and a Lifetime Achievement Award. More than any other classical artist. She celebrated her 99th birthday last month.
O Patria Mia (from Aida by Verdi) - Leontyne Price (1962) youtu.be/2U5xd-WcMeo?...