Richard Cromelin
As a writer and editor, Cromelin (with Iggy Pop, right) has covered the pop music world since the early 1970s, primarily on the staff of the Los Angeles Times for more than 30 years. As a freelancer, he wrote for a range of music publications, including Rolling Stone, Creem, Circus, Phonograph Record, New Musical Express, et al., reporting to such editors as Dave Marsh, Lester Bangs and Jon Landau. Produced biographies and other promotional materials for record labels, including Beach Boys and Van Morrison histories for Warner Bros Records, liner notes for a Move album on United Artists and radio ads for artists on Warner Bros. and A&M Records.
403 articles
List of articles in the library
Essay by Richard Cromelin, UCLA Daily Bruin, 29 January 1969
IT'S GETTING toward the end. It's building and building and building. The intensity he is projecting is communicated to the whole crowd. He is not ...
The Incredible String Band: The Incredible World of The Incredible Shrinking Band
Overview by Richard Cromelin, UCLA Daily Bruin, 17 April 1969
JUST AS THE Beatle-led British rock explosion of 1963-64 spawned an awakening and a renaissance of rock music in America, so the American folk revival ...
Alice Cooper: Love It To Death (Straight WS 1883)
Review by Richard Cromelin, Creem, June 1971
IT HAS BEEN an uneasy relationship, that between Alice Cooper and their potential audience (generally, those who savor the outrageous and the flamboyant in dress ...
Joe Cocker, Leon Russell: Joe Cocker: Mad Dogs & Englishmen (A&M Film))
Film/DVD/TV Review by Richard Cromelin, Creem, June 1971
Something Like a Rock'n'Roll Tour ...
The Persuasions: Bitter End West, West Hollywood CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 1971
IF YOUR friends are going to think less of you if they see you floating two feet above the ground with a silly grin stretched ...
Donny Hathaway, Ian Matthews: Troubadour, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 26 August 1971
THE TROUBADOUR this week is the scene of one of those unfortunate billings, a pairing whose promise as one of the club's most attractive one-two ...
Fairport Convention: Angel Delight
Review by Richard Cromelin, Rolling Stone, 16 September 1971
Angel Delight is a happy event, for it sharpens and solidifies the tentative steps the Fairport Convention took in Full House, their first post-Sandy Denny ...
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 23 September 1971
His Lordship at Troubadour ...
Fanny, Wet Willie: Whisky a Go Go, Los Angeles, CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 23 October 1971
Fanny Rock Group in Engagement at Whisky ...
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 12 November 1971
THROUGH THE first few moments of its set, the listener may have trouble seeing exactly what it is that has so endeared Commander Cody and ...
Merry Clayton, Danny Cox: Troubadour, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 2 December 1971
Merry Clayton Tops Lineup at Troubadour ...
Big Mama Thornton, Phillip Walker: Ash Grove, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 4 December 1971
Big Mama Thornton on Stage at Ash Grove ...
The Osmonds: Forum, Inglewood CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 6 December 1971
BUSINESS AT the bar Saturday in the Inglewood Forum lobby isn't brisk. The odor of hot dogs fills the room. Daddy Whitebucks, Pat Boone himself, ...
Billy Preston: Troubadour, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 9 December 1971
Billy Preston Show Opens at Troubadour ...
Billy Preston: The Troubadour, Los Angeles
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Phonograph Record, January 1972
IT'S NOT EASY to be uncompromisingly religious in a den of drugs, drink and iniquity like the Troubadour, but Billy Preston has both the Power ...
David Bowie: The Darling of the Avant Garde
Profile and Interview by Richard Cromelin, Phonograph Record, January 1972
IS THIS FRAIL-LOOKING young Englishman with the delicate, birdlike features, arresting Capricorn eyes and page boy waves of sandy blonde hair indeed destined to become ...
Tom T. Hall: In Search of a Song
Review by Richard Cromelin, Rolling Stone, 6 January 1972
FACT IS, In Search of a Song doesn't quite match the quality of any of Hall's three previous Mercury albums. Meaning only that a couple ...
Procol Harum: It's Only Realism
Report and Interview by Richard Cromelin, Creem, February 1972
IN THE THICK AIR air of the early evening, Los Angeles wrings itself out after one of its record-breaking August heat wave days. Coldwater Canyon ...
Tom Rapp: Beautiful Lies You Could Live In
Review by Richard Cromelin, Rolling Stone, 17 February 1972
IT'S PAINFULLY OBVIOUS that Tom Rapp has some serious obstacles littering his path to musical/ poetic fulfillment. ...
Review by Richard Cromelin, Phonograph Record, March 1972
IN THEIR FOURTH bid to make a lasting impression on the fickle folk who buy America's records, the usually-underrated, intriguingly-monickered Mott the Hoople have opted ...
The Persuasions: Streetcorner Music
Profile by Richard Cromelin, Phonograph Record, March 1972
THE MUSIC-BUYING public (which has something – how much or how little is a matter of opinion – to do with determining the trends) can ...
Willie Dixon, Walter "Shakey" Horton: Willie Dixon All-Stars: Ash Grove, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 9 March 1972
Willie Dixon Fronting All-Stars at Ash Grove ...
Review by Richard Cromelin, Rolling Stone, 16 March 1972
THE SURE AND STEADY pace at which Yes has progressed through their four albums seems to suit them just fine, and in Fragile the fruit ...
J.J. Cale, Bonnie Raitt: The Ash Grove, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 17 March 1972
J. J. Cale on Stage at Ash Grove ...
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 24 March 1972
EMERSON, LAKE and Palmer, at their Wednesday night Long Beach Auditorium concert, made the tactical error of presenting Tarkus as their first long selection. ...
Spirit: The Whisky, Los Angeles
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Phonograph Record, April 1972
THERE'S NOT MUCH Spirit left. That doesn't refer only to the departure of Jay Ferguson and Mark Andes and the retirement of Randy California. The ...
Fairport Convention: Babbacombe Lee
Review by Richard Cromelin, Rolling Stone, 13 April 1972
"JOHN LEE, the jury has found you guilty of willful murder, and the sentence of the court upon you is that you be taken from ...
Procol Harum: Live with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra
Review by Richard Cromelin, Rolling Stone, 8 June 1972
If you're put off by pretensions of grandiosity in music, if all you want to do is get funky and boogie around, you've probably never ...
Randy Newman: The Troubadour, Los Angeles CA.
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Phonograph Record, July 1972
THIS GUY GAVE me a ride once, back when I was going to UCLA. He was pretty laconic, but under my expert employment of hitchhiker's ...
David Bowie: The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
Review by Richard Cromelin, Rolling Stone, 20 July 1972
UPON THE RELEASE of David Bowie's most thematically ambitious, musically coherent album to date, the record in which he unites the major strengths of his ...
Review by Richard Cromelin, Rolling Stone, 17 August 1972
OF THE SCADS of similarities between Wishbone Ash and Yes, the most trivial and accidental (and so most interesting) is the fact that both groups ...
Procol Harum and The Amateur Ork
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Rolling Stone, 31 August 1972
LOS ANGELES – "Well, we're only in our first year here at the magicians' college," Dave Ball, Procol Harum guitarist, advised the gentleman who has ...
Bonzo Dog Band: Let's Make Up and Be Friendly
Review by Richard Cromelin, Rolling Stone, 14 September 1972
Pity.For a brief span of time that segment of the population who dwell happily in out-of-the-way corners of human consciousness had their ideal musical spokesmen ...
Them: Them.…Featuring Van Morrison
Review by Richard Cromelin, Phonograph Record, October 1972
JOHN BALDRY tells of the time in L.A. that he answered his phone. "Lester Bangs here," said the caller, to which Long John replied, "He ...
Review by Richard Cromelin, Rolling Stone, 26 October 1972
THE COUNTRYSIDE COTTAGE in which (it says here) Genesis regrouped their creative energies must have had a lot of strange stuff coming out of the ...
Rock and Roll Revival: Richard Nader's Lament
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Phonograph Record, November 1972
UNLESS YOU'VE actually heard it, you just can't appreciate how strange phonetically and otherwise, it sounds to hear a nasal 'Mr. Didduly. Telephone for Mr. ...
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Phonograph Record, November 1972
DOES THE FACT that Faces were able to elicit a thunderous response from their Hollywood Bowl audience with what was definitely a sub-par performance say ...
Review by Richard Cromelin, Rolling Stone, 9 November 1972
WITH Close to the Edge, their fifth album, Yes have formed a coherent musical language from the elements that have been kicked around by progressive ...
Tower of Power: Whisky a Go Go, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 11 November 1972
THE POOR Whisky stage has never been made to bear so much weight to so little avail as it must this week. Tower of Power ...
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 13 November 1972
Mahavishnu Headlines Rock Concert ...
Family: Bandstand (United Artists)
Review by Richard Cromelin, Music World, December 1972
PERSONNEL CHANGES have had much to do with the evolution of Family, and, as nice as the two early Reprise albums (Music in a Doll's ...
Steely Dan: Whisky a Go Go, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 9 December 1972
Steely Dan and the Visual Side of Rock ...
The Rowan Brothers: Rowan Brothers: Somewhat Glam And Slightly Teenage
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Phonograph Record, March 1973
"THE BROTHERLY Loverlies" – kind of catchy, isn't it? That's what one of the teen mags called the Rowan Brothers when it tossed them to ...
The Carpenters: Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, California
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Phonograph Record, March 1973
IT'S 1973 ALREADY, and still we're trying to figure out who the Big Star of this young decade will be. Many opt for David Bowie, ...
Azteca, Stevie Wonder: Stevie Wonder: Civic Auditorium, Santa Monica CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 7 March 1973
THERE ARE innovative artists and there are great entertainers, but for one reason or another the twain seldom seem to meet. Stevie Wonder is remarkably ...
It's a Beautiful Day, Sylvester & the Hot Band: Civic Auditorium, Santa Monica CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 30 March 1973
IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY GOES ON A TIME TRIP ...
Silverhead: Whisky a Go Go, Los Angeles
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Phonograph Record, April 1973
IF YOU HAVEN'T seen them, you might feel like cramming Silverhead into the flash-in-the-pan bin. Their albums haven't been monumentally impressive, and their publicity veers ...
Sylvester: Stardom as Lifestyle
Profile by Richard Cromelin, Music World, April 1973
Of course, there's nothing more ancient or honorable than the old shamanistic transvestite that we see running up and down Greenwich Avenue. There's something very ...
Dan Hicks and His Hot Licks: Dan Hicks & His Hot Licks: Troubadour, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 19 April 1973
DAN HICKS, HOT LICKS ON TROUBADOUR STAGE ...
Slade: Santa Monica Civic, Los Angeles
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Music World, June 1973
SLADE, WHOM many anticipated to be an important new breath of life in the rock world, was slain by its own device here at the ...
Iggy Pop, The Stooges: Iggy and the Stooges: Raw Power (Columbia KC 32111).
Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 1973
The Genuine Depravity of Iggy ...
Iggy Pop, The Stooges: Iggy and the Stooges, Rufus: Whisky a Go Go, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 23 June 1973
Iggy and the Stooges —Theater of Cruelty ...
Sylvester & the Hot Band: Whisky a Go Go, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 1973
Hot Band Sizzles for Fourth ...
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 1973
DOOBIE QUINTET PLAYS UNCOMPLICATED ROCK ...
Jackson Browne: in concert at McCabe's
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Phonograph Record, September 1973
AT ONE POINT in his show, Jackson Browne told his audience in the packed but uncramped performance room of McCabe's Guitar Shop that he much ...
Elton John: The Elton John Career
Profile and Interview by Richard Cromelin, Phonograph Record, November 1973
AMERICA IS BEGINNING to recover now. The damage has been assessed, the injured have been treated, and the jangled buzzing has started to fade from ...
Danny O'Keefe, Bonnie Raitt: Bonnie Raitt, Danny O'Keefe: The Troubadour, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 2 November 1973
Bonnie Raitt Leans Heavily on the Blues ...
Sylvester and the Hot Band: Bazaar (Blue Thumb)
Review by Richard Cromelin, Phonograph Record, December 1973
WHEN SYLVESTER'S first album came out, his supporters' only defense was to say, "Well, he's a great live act." Now, in his second one, he's ...
Press Release by Richard Cromelin, Island Records, 1974
There isOne artNo moreNo lessTo doAll thingsWith art-Lessness– Piet Hein ...
Genesis: Short on Hair, Long on Gimmicks
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Rolling Stone, 28 March 1974
LOS ANGELES – Peter Gabriel's five o'clock shadow tints not only cheeks and chin but the shaved patch of flesh which cuts up from the ...
Report by Richard Cromelin, Phonograph Record, May 1974
DESPITE (OR maybe because of) its position as a center of the entertainment industry and one of the Big Gigs on any artist's tour, Los ...
Todd Rundgren: Civic Auditorium, Santa Monica CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 1974
Rundgren Pop Machine at Santa Monica Civic ...
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Rolling Stone, 23 May 1974
LOS ANGELES – The rain that was falling relentlessly on the tropical fantasyland that surrounds the Beverly Hills Hotel was giving Leo Sayer "a nasty ...
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 1974
THE MARSHALL Tucker Band has in a relatively short time picked up a large enough following to achieve headline status, but its Santa Monica Civic ...
Blue Oyster Cult, Nazareth: Civic Auditorium, Santa Monica CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 1974
Blue Oyster Cult in Heavy-Metal Offering ...
Mott the Hoople: Rock on Broadway
Report and Interview by Richard Cromelin, Rolling Stone, 20 June 1974
NEW YORK — The hall had long since emptied. The only light on the stage was cast by a bare light bulb atop a scrawny ...
Kiki Dee, Steely Dan: Steely Dan, Kiki Dee: Civic Audiorium, Santa Monica CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 1974
Steely Dan Shows Its Mettle ...
Peter Frampton, J. Geils Band, P.F.M.: J. Geils Band, PFM, Peter Frampton: The Forum, Inglewood CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 1974
Geils Band Goes Through Its Paces ...
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 1974
THE GRATEFUL Dead and its good vibes competed with some decidedly bad ones from a too active, too physical security force at the Hollywood Bowl ...
Brian Eno, Bryan Ferry: Bryan Ferry: Another Time, Another Place; Eno: Here Come The Warm Jets
Review by Richard Cromelin, Phonograph Record, August 1974
AS EXPECTED, Eno's first solo album is a sonically innovative and adventurous thing, boldly experimental in its employment of phasing, drones, repetition, shifting of layers, ...
Golden Earring: Cowtown Ballroom, Kansas City, Mo.
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Phonograph Record, August 1974
IF THE BODY of their set hadn't already convinced you that Golden Earring was just fine and at least lots of fun, the encore left ...
Joe Cocker: Roxy Theatre, L.A.
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Phonograph Record, August 1974
IT MUST BE TOUGH to always be coming back instead of going ahead. Joe Cocker is always coming back, like flowers you'd forgotten had been ...
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Phonograph Record, August 1974
SUZI QUATRO was thrown out of kindergarten, she never had a birthday party, and she used to steal money from a coin box in the ...
Report and Interview by Richard Cromelin, Rolling Stone, 1 August 1974
LOS ANGELES – If Golden Earring, the perseverant Dutch quartet, turns out to be as good as the Ray Milland/Marlene Dietrich WWII film whose title ...
Jobriath: Troubadour, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 23 August 1974
Jobriath Potent, but Not Nuclear ...
Elvin Bishop, ZZ Top: ZZ Top, Elvin Bishop: Long Beach Arena, Long Beach CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 27 August 1974
ZZ Top a Sell-Out Sleeper ...
Jobriath: The Troubadour, Los Angeles
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Phonograph Record, September 1974
JERRY BRANDT isn't noted for doing things in a small way, but Jobriath, his latest project, might prove to be merely mildly successful. ...
Review by Richard Cromelin, Phonograph Record, September 1974
LINES. A LINE here, a line there. Sometimes it seems that the best songwriters are the ones who are sure to pop up with a ...
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 2 September 1974
Souther, Hillman and Furay in Rock Brew ...
Electric Light Orchestra, The Move, Wizzard: Move, Wizzard, ELO Play Musical Chairs
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 15 September 1974
THE TASK is somehow to connect and make a little sense of this odd assortment of data: A once musically booming English industrial city, home ...
David Bowie: Time For Another Ch-ch-change
Report and Interview by Richard Cromelin, Rolling Stone, 10 October 1974
LOS ANGELES – David Bowie hadn't slept for 36 hours. He'd just gone through his rigorous show at the Universal Amphitheater for the fourth night ...
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 15 October 1974
Glitter-Rock Stages a Symbolic Wake ...
Hot Tuna, Journey: Civic Auditorium, Santa Monica
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 28 October 1974
Folk-Blues Program Offered by Hot Tuna ...
Brian Eno, Roxy Music: Eno Music: The Roxy Rebellion
Profile and Interview by Richard Cromelin, Phonograph Record, November 1974
"The reason I was attracted to the band in the first place was the contradiction of having someone like Eno and someone like Bryan in ...
Nektar: Germany's Nektar: They See the Light
Profile and Interview by Richard Cromelin, Rolling Stone, 21 November 1974
ST. LOUIS – The light show, thinks Mick Brockett, is something that was prematurely abandoned by the rock world, and though he's reluctant to talk ...
Elton John: Ms. Streisand & The Pants of John
Report and Interview by Richard Cromelin, New Musical Express, 30 November 1974
LOS ANGELES. – It was a busy week for Elton John: a couple of hours in the DJ chair at KMET radio, a tennis game ...
Brian Eno, John Cale, Kevin Ayers, Nico: Kevin Ayers, John Cale, Nico & Eno: June 1,1974 (Island)
Review and Interview by Richard Cromelin, Creem, December 1974
Kevin Ayers, John Cale, Nico, Eno & the Soporifics: The Inmates Have Taken Over ...
Review by Richard Cromelin, Creem, December 1974
THERE JUST MIGHT be something to what a British popster said recently – that Suzi is third-priority on the Chinn-Chapman song-machine, so Sweet get the ...
Electric Light Orchestra: Roll Over Chuck Berry and Tell Beethoven the News
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Rolling Stone, 19 December 1974
SAN FRANCISCO – Jeff Lynne nods toward the sliding glass door, through which can be seen an in-progress high-rise which looms uncomfortably close to his ...
Blue Cheer, Michael Fennelly: Whisky a Go Go, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 25 December 1974
Muted Blast From the Musty Past ...
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band: Alex Harvey: It Pays To Hang Tough
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Phonograph Record, January 1975
"MAYBE I'M GETTING old," says Alex Harvey, sounding a bit puzzled. "It may be that simple." It's a bit of a laugh, after listening to ...
Utopia: Todd Rundgren: Out of the Mainstream, Into the Mystic
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 26 January 1975
City in my head/Utopia/Heaven in my body/Utopia/It's time for me/For me to go — Todd Rundgren's 'Utopia' ...
Profile and Interview by Richard Cromelin, Rolling Stone, 30 January 1975
LOS ANGELES – It was several months ago in London that the disc jockey on Capitol Radio, BBC's commercial rival, was revealing the results of ...
Review by Richard Cromelin, Phonograph Record, February 1975
NEKTAR'S SMOOTH move from cosmic progressivism (though it was more genuinely rocky than that of past practitioners of the style) to a more straightforward rock ...
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 2 March 1975
"THE MYSTERY," said Alice Cooper, an unmistakable hint of determination in his voice, "is the fact that no matter what, when people go to see ...
Robin Trower's Unbroken Barricade: 'I'm Still in the Shadow of Jimi Hendrix'
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Rolling Stone, 24 April 1975
PORTLAND – Robin Trower finally emerges from the dressing room, which has remained locked for an ominously long time, and forces a smile. ...
Steely Dan: Yes, it's Steely Dan Versus the Fifth Ice Age
Interview by Richard Cromelin, New Musical Express, 26 April 1975
A meteorological report from stalagmite-encrusted California, U.S.A. ...
Flo & Eddie: The Roxy, Los Angeles
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Phonograph Record, May 1975
PERHAPS THE MOST absolutely heart-rending of the many touching moments provided by Flo & Eddie during their show at the Roxy came early in the ...
Tim Buckley: Starwood, West Hollywood, CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 1975
Tim Buckley and His Band: Sinuous Folk-Rock ...
Kraftwerk: Civic Auditorium, Santa Monica CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 1975
Kraftwerk — 'Fun, Fun' at Civic ...
Bryan Ferry, Roxy Music: Bryan Ferry: Snapshots Of A Shy Coxcomb
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Creem, June 1975
In which Bryan Ferry reveals that genius may not be pain, but interviews are something else again… ...
Steely Dan: Whole Is Greater Than Parts
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 1975
"It has been said many times and in many ways that what the world needs now is another rock 'n roll band. This could very ...
The Tubes: Tubes: The Roxy, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Phonograph Record, July 1975
A WARNING TO PARENTS: HERE COME THE VILE, THE HORRIFYING, THE AMAZING, THE FABULOUS TUBES ...
Bob Marley & the Wailers: Roxy, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 1975
Magic of Reggae by Marley & Co. ...
Peter Frampton: Saved by the Power of Love
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Rolling Stone, 14 August 1975
LOS ANGELES – Peter Frampton's fine-boned, clear-eyed and unlined face gives little hint of the eight years which have elapsed since the singer/guitarist, now 25, ...
Report by Richard Cromelin, Rolling Stone, 28 August 1975
Where cycle sluts, tanktoppers and dedicated bumpers dance, dance, dance, stick poppers up adversity's nose and dodge surging roachers... ...
Flo & Eddie: Illegal, Immoral & Fattening
Review by Richard Cromelin, Phonograph Record, September 1975
IN THE SPIRIT of fair play which should be utmost in our minds this Bicentennial year, PRM sent invitations to a wide spectrum of rock ...
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 8 September 1975
Lynyrd Skynyrd Predictable ...
Bob Marley & the Wailers: An Herbal Meditation with Bob Marley
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Rolling Stone, 11 September 1975
LOS ANGELES – This Bible is not the arcane, apocryphal version you might expect to find in the possession of these mysterious Rastas, but a ...
KC & the Sunshine Band: KC and Sunshine Band
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Phonograph Record, October 1975
"I'd just put out the George McCrae album, and I kept hearing one of my tunes come busting through the wall up there." H.W. Casey ...
Review by Richard Cromelin, Phonograph Record, November 1975
INDISCREET, THANKS to a production approach which digs a wide gulf between it and previous Sparks albums, could well win over some new fans for ...
The Who Tour: Random Flashes Of Brilliance
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Phonograph Record, December 1975
The Who: The Summit, Houston Tx. ...
Flo & Eddie Post-Turtles: So Snappy Together
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Rolling Stone, 1 January 1976
ON THE ROAD IN INDIANA – "Shit," laments Howard Kaylan (Eddie), whose long silver hair and gray beard give him the appearance of a lecherous ...
The Runaways: Starwood, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 2 February 1976
At The Starwood: Runaways Catch New Rock Wave ...
David Bowie: Station to Station
Review and Interview by Richard Cromelin, Circus, March 1976
DAVID BOWIE, never one to maintain continuity in his work or in his life, has become more elusive than ever in the past year. ...
Tom Waits: Personality Without Pretension
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 14 March 1976
THERE'S NO PLACE like Tom Waits' home. There's no home, at any rate, quite like Tom Waits' place. The Silver Lake court cottage looks like ...
Donna Summer: Love On The Road
Report and Interview by Richard Cromelin, Rolling Stone, 25 March 1976
BEVERLY HILLS – The question was: how do you take a recording-studio orgasm on the road? "I'm sort of eager to find out myself," Donna ...
Earl Slick: The Earl Slick Band: Earl Slick (Capitol)
Review by Richard Cromelin, Phonograph Record, April 1976
THE DEBUT of the Slick white Earl is promising, but the album's preoccupation with precision, correctness and conformity to prevailing hard-rock standards all but eliminate ...
Review by Richard Cromelin, Phonograph Record, May 1976
ON HUNKY DORY and Crisis, What Crisis?, producer Ken Scott proved himself a master of soft-core avant-garde rock. Resourceful, imaginative, tasteful, able to clean and ...
Cherry Vanilla: Studio One, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 1976
Cherry Vanilla's Act Moves West ...
Peter Frampton — Up From Rock's Infantry
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 1976
SUPPOSE, FOR illustration's sake, that your family is a rock 'n' roll band — not a great one, but solid and promising. The amateur dates ...
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Sounds, 5 June 1976
I have never met NapoleonBut I plan to find the time...Cause he looks so fine upon that hillThey tell me he was lonely, he's lonely ...
Steely Dan: No Silly Love Songs Here
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Rolling Stone, 17 June 1976
LOS ANGELES — Steely Dan has drifted in and out of public view since the group's songwriting team — guitarist Walter Becker and pianist Donald ...
Peter Frampton: Leader Of The Pack
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Sounds, 19 June 1976
'Show Me The Way' pleads PETER FRAMPTON but he sure knows where he's going now. RICHARD CROMELIN reports. ...
The Beach Boys: The Surf's Up and Brian Wilson's Ready
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 1976
There's a world where I can go And tell my secrets to In my room... Now it's dark and I'm alone But I won't be ...
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 19 July 1976
Yes, Frampton in Rock Concert ...
The Beach Boys, Brian Wilson: Brian Wilson, part 1
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Sounds, 31 July 1976
The Beach Boys' main man climbs out of the sandbox and explains how he got off the Endless Bummer. ...
The Movies (US): The Movies: The Movies
Review by Richard Cromelin, Phonograph Record, August 1976
THE MOVIES' debut release is a rather spotty, nondescript affair, more likely due to prematurity than to sheer lack of talent. The album reflects the ...
The Beach Boys, Brian Wilson: Brian Wilson, part 2
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Sounds, 7 August 1976
Pet Sounds & The California Consciousness ...
Bob Seger: Candy-Coated Summer for Bob Seger
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 29 August 1976
"UP UNTIL three years ago, we did a lot of things wrong," explains Bob Seger, whose strong drawing power (he has headlined to an audience ...
Earl Slick: The Earl Slick Band: Razor Sharp
Review by Richard Cromelin, Phonograph Record, September 1976
THE EARL SLICK Band's second album stops just when it gets going. Its ninth and final cut, ‘Games’, is what one hoped would happen when ...
Steely Dan Ready to Hit the Road Again
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 5 September 1976
MORE OFTEN than not, the news on Steely Dan is no news. Compulsive recordmakers Donald Fagen and Walter Becker, the group's creative core, are usually ...
The Beach Boys, Brian Wilson: Brian Wilson: Surf's Up!
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Creem, October 1976
Brian Wilson Comes Back From Lunch ...
Ringo Starr: Secrets Of The Stars
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Creem, October 1976
"I DO PLAY THE DRUMS!" claims ex-Fab Four ex-mop top in an Exclusive Interview with ace CREEM reporter Richard Cromelin. ...
Review by Richard Cromelin, Phonograph Record, October 1976
CHARACTERS, REAL honest-to-goodness characters, are hard to come by these days, so right off the bat Tom Waits, with his wino outfits and broken-soul slouch, ...
Report and Interview by Richard Cromelin, Sounds, 2 October 1976
"OH YEAH, I'm getting restless. I want to play again," said Alice Cooper, deepening his tan with the smog-filtered sunrays that slanted into the patio ...
Electric Light Orchestra: A New World Record
Review by Richard Cromelin, Phonograph Record, November 1976
THE ELECTRIC LIGHT Orchestra was conceived and dedicated toward the fulfillment of a specific musical blueprint, but it's become clear – mainly from the live ...
The Meters: Troubadour, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 2 December 1976
Hard-Nosed Funk From the Meters ...
Tom Waits: Royce Hall, UCLA, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 7 December 1976
Emotional Pull of Tom Waits ...
Kim Fowley, The Runaways: L.A. Rock Resurgence
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 18 December 1976
LOS ANGELES is the home of countless musicians and the center of the music industry, but in terms of nurturing local teen-on-the-street talent, the city ...
Van Halen: Whisky a Go Go, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 24 December 1976
Spreading Out From Punk-Rock ...
Electric Light Orchestra: Jeff Lynne Orchestrates ELO's Success
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 23 January 1977
MOST ATTEMPTS to combine rock and orchestral formats have led to uncomfortable mergers at best, and more often to utterly pretentious and insignificant music. The ...
Van Halen: Whisky a Go Go, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 29 January 1977
Van Halen Keeps Asserting Itself ...
The Beach Boys, Brian Wilson: Brian Gets Some Satisfaction
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 27 February 1977
AMID CONTINUING speculation in rock circles over Brian Wilson's future productivity, the new The Beach Boys Love You album arrives with solid evidence that his ...
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Creem, March 1977
"IT'S IN THE contract, you know," says Ronnie Wood, trying to lock his features into a suitably stern Rolling Stones scowl. "You can't be seen ...
Latimore: Roxy, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 1 April 1977
Latimore: Simple, Earthy Approach ...
Blondie: At Last, The Sound Of 1970!
Profile and Interview by Richard Cromelin, Sounds, 16 April 1977
WHAT BETTER way to introduce Blondie's bombshell Deborah Harry as she takes the stage at the Whisky in Hollywood than to use one of the ...
The Damned: the Starwood, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 20 April 1977
THE DAMNED, the first representative from England's Blank Generation of punk-rockers to reach America, proved more harmless Monday at the Starwood than dispatches from abroad ...
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Rolling Stone, 21 April 1977
LOS ANGELES — In black minidress and thigh-high boots, Blondie's bombshell, Deborah Harry, evokes the very essence of Nancy Sinatra. When she breaks into the ...
Steely Dan: Excerpts from a Teenage Opera
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Phonograph Record, June 1977
EVEN IN THE DAYS when Steely Dan was a finite rock band of relatively normal constitution, leaders Walter Becker and Donald Fagen insisted that it ...
Little Feat, Little River Band: Civic Auditorium, Santa Monica CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 1977
Big Step Forward for Little Feat ...
Wild Cherry: Roxy, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 1977
TEN YEARS ago, a blue-eyed soulster like Mitch Ryder filled the role that Wild Cherry occupies today with its funk-rock. Basically a Midwest bar band ...
Gene Clark: Whisky A Go Go, Los Angeles
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 1977
A Forgotten Man in the Spotlight ...
Supertramp: The taking of America by strategy
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Rolling Stone, 30 June 1977
DENVER — IN 1975 — quite unexpectedly — Supertramp's Crime of the Century saturated the American airwaves. And, touring on the album's heels, the group ...
Foghat, Peter Frampton: Peter Frampton, Foghat: Anaheim Stadium, Anaheim CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 1977
Bleached Sounds From Frampton ...
Heart, John McEuen: Universal Amphitheater, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 18 July 1977
Wilson Sisters Put Beat in Heart ...
The Sex Pistols: Sex Pistols Trigger Punk Rock Invasion
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 1977
DESPITE ENORMOUS media attention, the U.S. music industry has maintained a hands-off policy toward new wave or punk-rock music, probably hoping that it will go ...
The Sex Pistols: Sex Pistols Trigger Punk Rock Invasion
Report and Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 1977
DESPITE ENORMOUS media attention, the U.S. music industry has maintained a hands-off policy toward new wave or punk-rock music, probably hoping that it will go ...
Mink DeVille, Styx: Styx, Mink DeVille: Civic Auditorium, Santa Monica CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 15 August 1977
Versatile Styx Impresses the Fans ...
The Runaways, The Weirdos: Whisky a Go Go, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 29 August 1977
Jett, Ford Grab Runaways' Reins ...
Devo, the Weirdos: Whisky a Go Go, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 15 October 1977
Avant-Garde Devo at Whisky ...
Steely Dan: Aja (ABC Records AB 1006)
Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 23 October 1977
Welcome to Steely Dan's World ...
Tom Waits: Pantages Theater, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 21 November 1977
TOM WAITS' followers keep a close, almost medical eye on their hero's voice, much as Jets fans used to watch the status of Namath's knees. ...
Patti LaBelle: Pantages Theater, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 30 November 1977
THE RECENTLY disbanded Labelle was a one-of-a-kind musical experience, and there would be little point in its members trying to duplicate its theatrical, space-age R&B ...
John Fahey: Troubadour, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 23 December 1977
Beyond Virtuosity With John Fahey ...
The Band’s All-Star Farewell Banquet
Report and Interview by Richard Cromelin, Waxpaper, 1978
"FOR THE FILM, first of all, you have to do a thing which is called pre-dubbing, which is where you take your 24 tracks and ...
Jackson Browne, Kaleidoscope, David Lindley: David Lindley: Stringing Together an Aesthetic Sound
Profile and Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 1 January 1978
LOS ANGELES folkies fondly remember David Lindley as the perennial winner of the Topanga banjo-fiddle contest. Some rock fans, among them Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page ...
The Ramones: The Group That Sowed the Seeds of Punk
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 15 January 1978
BEFORE THE Sex Pistols, there was the Ramones. With its supercharged rock sound, comically demented lyrics and stylized, street-tough image, the foursome emerged from Forest ...
Captain Beefheart: Musical Rash of Capt. Beefheart
Profile and Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 27 January 1978
CAPTAIN BEEFHEART'S songs aren't exactly the sort to replace 'You Light Up My Life' in America's heart. The jagged, jerky music of such numbers as ...
The Ramones, the Runaways: Civic Auditorium, Santa Monica CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 30 January 1978
THE RECENT Sex Pistols tour threatened, among other things, the Ramones' standing as rock's premiere punk band. But while the Ramones is a bit lightweight ...
Iggy Pop, Lou Reed, The Stooges: Lou Reed: From Genius to Jerk and Back
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 12 March 1978
LOU REED has been called everything from genius to jerk, and in the course of his career he's lived up to it all. With New ...
Devo, The Dickies, The Heaters, The Screamers, The Zippers: Punk Bands: Some Do, Some Don't
Report by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 15 April 1978
THE DICKIES and the Heaters have it. The Runaways and the Quick did, but not anymore. Venus & the Razorblades had it for an instant, ...
Blondie, Mike Pinera: Starwood, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 27 April 1978
A Disciplined Blondie at the Starwood ...
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 1978
Five Punk Bands on Bill at Whisky ...
Television: Adventure (Elektra 6E-133)
Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 1978
Television Sends a Pale New Signal ...
Todd Rundgren, Utopia: Todd Rundgren in Retrospect
Report and Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 1978
TODD RUNDGREN, who usually alights in medium-size halls with his band Utopia, opens a week-long solo stand Wednesday at the 500-seat Roxy. The show will ...
Toni Basil: Fox Theater, Venice CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 1978
Toni Basil, 'Follies Bizarre' Troupe ...
Donna Summer: Universal Amphitheater, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 1978
Donna Summer's Debut at Universal ...
Television: Roxy, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 1978
MOST PUNK bands, wary of media labels, seem to spend half their energy denying that they're punk bands, but Television, which closes tonight at the ...
Blue Öyster Cult's Bivalve Personality
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 6 August 1978
BLUE OYSTER Cult's lead singer Eric Bloom was never comfortable with the band's original image — a tongue-in-cheek, leather-bound melange of macabre, tough guy and, ...
Thin Lizzy: Live And Dangerous (Warner Bros. 2BS 3213)
Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 24 September 1978
THIN LIZZY IN A TIZZY ...
Nick Gilder, Anne Murray: Gilder, Murray: On Top of the Pops
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 12 November 1978
FOR WEEKS, Nick Gilder's 'Hot Child in the City' and Anne Murray's 'You Needed Me' have jockeyed for the top position on the national singles ...
Blondie, Greg Kihn: Blondie, Greg Khin: Civic Auditorium, Santa Monica CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 23 November 1978
"BLONDIE IS a group!" is the band's battle cry, raised against the public's tendency to focus strictly on vocalist/sex symbol Deborah Harry and to overlook ...
Grace Jones: Whisky a Go Go, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 4 December 1978
Grace Jones in an Exotic Pose ...
Tom Waits: Huntington Hartford Theatre, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 15 December 1978
IT'S FITTING that Tom Waits is appearing at the Huntington Hartford, usually the home of legitimate stage productions. Waits finally has come upon an ideal ...
Sylvester: Roxy, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 23 December 1978
Sylvester: Disco, Soul at the Roxy ...
The Alley Cats, The Screamers, X, The Zippers: L.A. Bands: Rocking Or Reeling?
Report by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 21 January 1979
A YEAR AGO, Pasadena's Van Halen was just a promising band on the L.A. scene. Its most stellar dates were in Glendora, Redondo Beach and ...
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 10 February 1979
Toto: So-So at the Roxy ...
Rickie Lee Jones, Chuck E. Weiss: Chuck E. Weiss: Hanger-Out Is Moving Up
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 1979
CHUCK E.'S IN business. Thanks to Rickie Lee Jones' hit single 'Chuck E.'s in Love', one of L.A.'s perennial hangers-out is emerging from the shadows ...
Blondie's Disco Detour: Big Seller or Big Sellout?
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 1979
"DEATH TO DISCO" T-shirts weren't an uncommon sight among the new wave audience that formed Blondie's first base of support. But, as it turns out, ...
Report and Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 4 August 1979
"I FEEL LIKE I'm in an old MGM photo," cracked Bonnie Raitt as she and the other participants in tonight's "Tribute to Lowell George" concert ...
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 6 August 1979
Concert Tribute to Lowell George ...
Talking Heads: Fear Of Music (Sire/Warner Bros. SD-6076)
Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 23 September 1979
THE TALKING HEADS' FEARS, FIXATIONS ...
Tom Waits Does New York Shuffle
Report and Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 20 January 1980
IF NEIL SIMON can relocate from New York to Los Angeles, it's only fair that one of our local fixtures should return the favour. Tom ...
The Michael Ochs Archives: An Obsession that Grew Into a Business
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 11 April 1980
MICHAEL OCHS was caught red-handed in 1958 stealing a copy of the Five Shillings' 'Letter to an Angel' single from a Columbus, Ohio, department store. ...
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 1980
AT 21, JOAN Jett is a five-year rock veteran. She was a 15-year-old San Fernando Valley high schooler when L.A. entrepreneur Kim Fowley recruited her ...
Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 1980
DESTRUCTION OF THE BLUES ...
Peter Gabriel: Peter Gabriel (Mercury SRM 1-3848)
Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 27 July 1980
MUSIC WITHOUT FRONTIERS ...
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 30 August 1980
Speed, Precision of Oingo Boingo ...
Shaun Cassidy, Todd Rundgren: Shaun Cassidy: Shaun, Todd Break Mold
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 31 August 1980
IT'S TOUGH being a teen idol, we're told. But it's even harder to break out of the teen-idol image. ...
The B-52s: The B-52's: Wild Planet (Warner Bros. BSK 3471)
Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 21 September 1980
WILD TIMES ON PLANET B-52 ...
Cabaret Voltaire, Young Marble Giants, Monitor: Sokol Hall, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 1 November 1980
PEOPLE MAY complain about restrictive radio and record-company policies that stifle the development of new, daring bands, but there is a bright side. No matter ...
Talking Heads: The Transfiguration of Talking Heads
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 2 November 1980
VISITING A rock star at a Hollywood hotel is usually a bit like attending the circus, with publicists, aides, new and old friends, ringing phones, ...
Tangerine Dream: Santa Monica Civic, Santa Monica CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 24 November 1980
ROCK MUSIC has undergone some major upheavals in the 3½ years since Tangerine Dream last played in Los Angeles. The German trio appeared untouched by ...
Steely Dan: Gaucho (MCA MCA-6102)
Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 30 November 1980
AN LP WITH IRONIES IN THE FIRE ...
John Lennon, Yoko Ono: Rolling Stone Gathers A Little Moss
Report by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 9 January 1981
SIX LOS Angeles area supermarket chains, including Ralphs, Safeway and Alpha Bela, have refused to carry the Jan. 22 issue of Rolling Stone magazine. The ...
The Plimsouls: The Plimsouls (Planet P-13)
Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 1 March 1981
Plimsouls: L.A.'s Savior? ...
The Beach Boys, Carl Wilson: Carl Wilson: Testing The Waters Without The Other Beach Boys
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 23 April 1981
CARL WILSON has performed in Los Angeles countless times, but tonight at the Roxy things will be a little different. Instead of sharing the stage ...
Throbbing Gristle Makes L.A. Debut
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 1981
Throbbing Gristle: Veteran's Auditorium, Culver City, CA ...
Dennis Brown: Roxy, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 1981
Dennis Brown Set Danceable, but Routine ...
Overview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 1981
BESIDES MAKING names for themselves in local rock clubs and in the hearts of the police and the media, the Southland's hard-core punk bands have ...
Kraftwerk: Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, Santa Monica CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 1 August 1981
WHEN KRAFTWERK played the Santa Monica Civic in 1975, the German quartet's electronic music seemed like an academic aberration from the rock norm, and the ...
The Ramones: Pleasant Dreams (Sire SRK 3571)
Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 8 August 1981
ANOTHER PIONEERING punk band that's broadened its base will be in town next weekend — the Ramones. The New York quartet also has a new ...
X Marks a New Rock Spot at the Greek Theater
Report and Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 8 August 1981
X AT THE Greek Theater? ...
Electric Light Orchestra: Time (Jet FZ 37371)
Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 9 August 1981
E.L.O. FAILS TEST OF TIME ...
The Specials: English Music Scene Like a 'Ghost Town'
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 15 August 1981
This town coming like a ghost town... Bands won't play no more — Too much fighting on the dance floor... Why must ...
Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters: Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon: Roxy, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 12 September 1981
WATERS SHORTAGE ...
U2: October (Island ILPS9680).
Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 1 November 1981
U2 FOLLOW-UP STALLS OUT ...
Adam & the Ants: Prince Charming (Epic ARE37615)
Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 5 December 1981
Adam and Ants Back as 'Prince Charming' ...
Wall of Voodoo: Dark Continent (I.R.S. SP 70022)
Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 17 January 1982
WALL OF VOODOO'S EERIE LANDSCAPE ...
Van Dyke Parks: McCabe's Guitar Shop, Santa Monica CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 1982
ESOTERICA FROM VAN DYKE PARKS ...
Report and Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 1982
IS THE phonograph record on its deathbed? Neil Cooper, who runs a record company that doesn't sell records, thinks so. "Within five years, vinyl will ...
Richard and Linda Thompson: Let There Be Lights
Profile and Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 1982
RICHARD AND Linda Thompson opened their show at the Roxy Thursday night with 'A Man in Need', and followed it with 'Walking on a Wire', ...
The Clash: Combat Rock (Epic FE 37689)
Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 1982
CLASH ON THE BATTLEFIELD ...
Kid Creole & The Coconuts: Roxy, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 1982
KID CREOLE & THE COCONUTS MAKE A DIZZYING, DAZZLING ROXY DEBUT ...
The Weavers: The Warp and Woof of the Weavers' Decade
Profile and Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 1982
THE QUARTET came out of nowhere early in the decade and turned popular music around, taking over the Top 10 with a fresh sound that ...
Van Halen: From Tahiti to the 7-11
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 5 September 1982
"SUMMERTIME BLUES HIT CONCERT BUSINESS." bemoaned the headline in a recent Billboard magazine survey of America's troubled pop-music promoters. ...
Cheryl Lynn, Luther Vandross: Luther Vandross, Cheryl Lynn: Greek Theater, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 28 October 1982
VANDROSS — A STAGGERING POTENTIAL ...
Michael Jackson: Thriller (Epic QE 38112)
Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 12 December 1982
JACKSON GOES OVER THE WALL ...
Grace Jones: Living My Life (Island 90018)
Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 15 January 1983
GRACE NOTES FROM A CULT QUEEN ...
Malcolm McLaren: McLaren: Svengali or Superpro?
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 25 January 1983
SEVEN YEARS ago, boutique owner and fashion designer Malcolm McLaren propelled four hostile London youths on one of rock's most tumultuous chapters. As manager of ...
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 7 February 1983
STREET ART AT LINGERIE: L.A. TAKES THE RAP FROM N.Y. MOVEMENT ...
The Clash, Allen Ginsberg: Ginsberg Finds Poetry in Punk
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 1983
WHEN THE Clash decided it wanted "the voice of God" in its last album, the group turned to Allen Ginsberg. The 56-year-old poet with the ...
Report and Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 1983
MOST ROCK bands send out photos and press clippings with their records. But inside the new album Everything Went Black is a copy of a ...
Cameo, Dazz Band: Greek Theatre, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 1983
CAMEO GENERATES PARTY-TIME SPIRIT ...
Elvis Costello & the Attractions: Punch The Clock (Columbia FC38897)
Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 7 August 1983
COSTELLO CLOCKS OUT ...
Marianne Faithfull: Palace Theatre, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 17 October 1983
KEEPING FAITH AFTER MANY TEARS AND YEARS ...
Michael McDonald: Universal Amphitheatre, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 28 October 1983
McDonald dodges the spotlight ...
The Blasters, X: Language: Thick Malt, Weird Cream
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 13 November 1983
NOTED SONGWRITERS Tom Waits and Leonard Cohen contribute liner notes to the album, but they don't sing on it. The two records feature members of ...
The Cramps: Cramps Rocks 'N' Rolls Out Of An Early Grave
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 16 November 1983
A DISPUTE with their label kept them from releasing a record for more than two years. ...
The Beach Boys, Dennis Wilson: Ironic Loss In Saga Of Beach Boys
Report by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 30 December 1983
THE IRONY IS heavy and inescapable: Dennis Wilson, who introduced the Beach Boys to surfing, died in the Pacific Ocean, the ultimate source of the ...
Van Halen: 1984 (Warner Bros. 1-23985)
Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 15 January 1984
VAN HALEN'S 1984 CLEARS COBWEBS ...
The Clash: Long Beach Arena, Long Beach CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 26 January 1984
CLASH LEAVES A LOT OF QUESTIONS UNANSWERED ...
Cyndi Lauper, the Three O'Clock: Beverly Theatre, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 29 February 1984
CYNDI LAUPER: DAFFY BUT ENDEARING SPECIAL DATE ...
Adam & the Ants: Universal Amphitheatre, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 27 April 1984
THE LOST INNOCENCE OF POUTY ADAM ANT ...
Van Halen: Forum, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 1984
VAN HALEN ACHIEVES INTIMACY ON HUGE SCALE ...
Black Flag: The Flag Is Up For Henry Rollins
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 1984
SUNDAY AFTERNOON, Henry Rollins will work himself into a frenzy as he leads L.A. punk kingpins Black Flag in a special matinee performance at West ...
Fishbone, The Neville Brothers: The Neville Brothers, Fishbone: Palace Theater, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 27 August 1984
CLASSY NEVILLES ...
Sheila E.: Palace Theater, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 27 September 1984
SHEILA E. IN LOCAL BOW AT PALACE ...
Joneses, The (punk), The Minutemen: The Minutemen, the Joneses: Music Machine, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 8 October 1984
Minutemen Surpass the Joneses With Engaging Mix of Rock, Jazz, Folk ...
Sam Moore, Sam & Dave: Sam Moore: The Soul Man Makes A Comeback From Heroin
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 26 October 1984
IN THE late '60s, Sam & Dave were right up there with Otis Redding as stars of Memphis' legendary Stax Records. Singles like 'Hold On, ...
Frankie Goes to Hollywood: Welcome To The Pleasuredome (Island)
Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 18 November 1984
FRANKIE GOES TO EXTREMES ...
Michael Jackson, The Jacksons: The Jacksons: Dodger Stadium, Elysian Park, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 3 December 1984
JACKSONS FALL SHORT OF A CLEAR-CUT VICTORY ...
Prince: The Forum, Los Angeles
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 20 February 1985
FOR PRINCE'S CONCERT It's A Reign Of Rock When a rock artist makes a movie, it's usually to express things that can't be conveyed in mere ...
Richard Thompson, Richard and Linda Thompson: Richard Thompson: A Rock Veteran's New Beginning
Profile and Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 17 March 1985
RICHARD AND Linda Thompson, whose 10-year marriage and musical partnership ended in 1982, were a decidedly low-profile couple by rock standards. In fact, they were ...
The Replacements: Palace Theatre, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 13 April 1985
CALL IT indulgent, call it self-destructive, even chaotic, but the Replacements' show at the Palace on Thursday was one that eyewitnesses aren't likely to forget. ...
Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 1985
FEW BANDS can claim a better pedigree than New Order. The English quartet is the offspring of Joy Division, the influential group whose name is ...
Eugene Chadbourne: Chadbourne Country: A Rake 'N' Roll Hybrid
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 1985
"PEOPLE HAVE said to me, 'You could be as good on guitar as Al Di Meola if you quit screwing around,'" says Eugene Chadbourne. "Well, ...
Mötley Crüe: Inglewood Forum, Inglewood CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 26 August 1985
ROCK GROUP RIPE FOR A CRÜE-SADE? ...
9.9, Five Star, Nona Hendryx: Nona Hendryx, 9.9, Five Star: Palace Theatre, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 29 August 1985
RCA RECORDS SHOWCASES THREE ACTS ...
Bruce Springsteen... More Than Just Words?
Report by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 30 September 1985
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN closes his 15-month world tour tonight and Wednesday at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum as more than just the biggest star in rock. ...
Divine: Palace Theatre, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 5 November 1985
AS A SINGER NOW, DIVINE ISN'T QUITE AS DIVINE ...
Grace Jones: Slave To The Rhythm (Manhattan)
Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 1 December 1985
GRACE: EGO TO GO ...
The Five Blind Boys of Alabama: Fountain, Five Blind Boys Spout The Gospel
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 14 December 1985
"ACTING? IT'S nothing complicated. All you have to do is remember your lines," Clarence Fountain was saying. "I can talk — that's my job, talkin', ...
The Long Ryders: Griffin, Long Ryders Set To Go The Distance
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 19 December 1985
WHEN SID Griffin talks about his "family" these days, he doesn't just mean his folks back in Kentucky. He's referring to the Los Angeles musical ...
Sade: Universal Amphitheatre, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 21 December 1985
Sade Seeks to One-Yup the Competition With Its Sultry Yet Sedate Approach ...
Blancmange, Timbuk3: Roxy, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 12 February 1986
BLANCMANGE DEBUT STILL IN ITS MOLD ...
Dwight Yoakam: the Roxy, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 20 March 1986
YOAKAM'S CONSERVATIVE COUNTRY ...
Hüsker Dü: Candy Apple Grey (Warner Bros.)
Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 23 March 1986
HÜSKER HURLS A CHANGE-UP ...
Prince & the Revolution: Parade: Music From The Motion Picture Under The Cherry Moon (Paisley Park)
Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 30 March 1986
THE PURPLE ONE'S FLOWER POWER ...
The Bangles: Local Girls Make Good
Profile and Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 1986
FOUR WAYS to tell when you've made it, courtesy of the Bangles: Drummer Debbi Peterson: "It's so amazing, standing on the corner — this happened ...
Run-DMC: Run-D.M.C.: Raising Hell (Profile)
Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 1986
RUNNING ON FULL ...
Charlie Sexton: The Roxy, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 1986
CHARLIE SEXTON'S UPS 'N' DOWNS ...
Art of Noise, Duane Eddy: Palace Theatre, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 1986
DUANE EDDY ROCKS LIFE INTO ART OF NOISE ...
Phranc, The Smiths: The Smiths, Phranc: Universal Amphitheatre, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 27 August 1986
MORRISSEY SPILLS HIS SOUL FOR FANS ...
Phranc, The Smiths: The Smiths, Phranc: Universal Amphitheatre, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 27 August 1986
MORRISSEY SPILLS HIS SOUL FOR FANS ...
Nanci Griffith: McCabe's Guitar Shop, Santa Monica CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 7 October 1986
GRIFFITH SINGS AND STRUMS COUNTRY ...
Timbuk3's Hit Twosome: Their Future's Bright
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 8 November 1986
"THE ONLY thing we've got that's been kind of weird is people offering endorsements, people wanting to use the song 'Shades' to endorse their products." ...
Fela Kuti: Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 17 November 1986
KUTI IN HIS OWN GROOVE ...
The Smithereens: Success Dawns for the Smithereens
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 22 November 1986
"I THOUGHT I would like the desert, going through Arlzona," said the Smithereens' lead singer Pat DiNizio. "But it scared me more than anything." ...
Jesse Johnson: Shockadelica (A&M)
Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 23 November 1986
JESSE: PEDESTRIAN CROSSING ...
The Knack Rises Out Of The Ashes
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 25 December 1986
REMEMBER THE Michael Jackson backlash? You think Madonna and Sean are facing one now? Those are nothing compared to the greatest rock backlash of them ...
The BoDeans: Odd Match, Hot Harmony
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 4 January 1987
THE EVERLY Brothers. Buddy Holly. Ritchie Valens. Chuck Berry. ...
Cyndi Lauper: Universal Amphitheatre, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 5 February 1987
HEARTFELT MOMENTS OF LIVE LAUPER ...
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 9 February 1987
BEASTIE BOYS BAPTISM ...
Freddie Jackson: Universal Amphitheatre, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 16 March 1987
FREDDIE JACKSON: SURPRISES, CONTROL ...
Shirley Murdock, Luther Vandross: Luther Vandross, Shirley Murdock: Inglewood Forum, Inglewood CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 17 April 1987
VANDROSS JUST DOESN'T GO THAT EXTRA DISTANCE ...
Tom Waits: Franks Wild Years (Island)
Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 30 August 1987
WAITS: DREAMLIKE, DISTANT ...
Anita Baker, Perri: Anita Baker: Greek Theater, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 5 September 1987
BAKER PLAYS IT LOOSE AT THE GREEK ...
Ry Cooder Charts His Own Course
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 28 October 1987
RY COODER'S atmospheric film scores, eclectic albums and collaborations with prestige performers like Randy Newman and John Hiatt have created an image of the musician ...
The Clash, Joe Strummer: Strummer on Man, God, Law – and the Clash
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 31 January 1988
HAS JOE STRUMMER lost his ambition and drive? It was strange last month to see one of rock's all-time most involving performers serving simply as ...
David Sylvian: Sylvian Gives the People What He Wants
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 5 April 1988
SAY YOU'VE come under the melancholy spell of David Sylvian's richly atmospheric music — an autumnal wash of strings and electronics, with the singer's low, ...
Sinead O'Connor: The Pluck of the Irish
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 7 August 1988
"DO RICH people live there?" asked Sinead O'Connor, gazing at the hillside homes opposite her Hollywood hotel room. ...
Laura Nyro Returns for a Soulful Connection
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 11 August 1988
IN THE YEAR of the comeback, the touted returns of Brian Wilson and Patti Smith are no more startling than the re-emergence of Laura Nyro, ...
The Replacements: Palladium, Hollywood CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 1989
Replacements Aren't Replaceable at Palladium ...
Big Daddy Kane, De La Soul, Rodney-O & Joe Cooley: Celebrity Theatre, Anaheim CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 1989
Dislocated Metaphysics of De La Soul ...
24-7 Spyz: Spyz Call Their Tune and 'Go for the Throat'
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 1989
JIMI HAZEL got hooked on the guitar when he was 6 years old and his brother took him to see Jimi Hendrix at the 1970 ...
Phranc: Folk Singer Enjoys Being Phranc at Last
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 22 July 1989
'I ENJOY Being a Girl' is the title song of Phranc's new album, and when she sings the 1958 Rodgers & Hammerstein show tune it ...
K.T. Oslin, Randy Travis: Randy Travis, K.T. Oslin: Universal Amphitheatre, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 10 August 1989
Travis, Oslin's Smooth and Easy Outing ...
10,000 Maniacs: The Queen of Nostalgia Gets Real
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 13 August 1989
10,000 Maniacs' Natalie Merchant puts focus on the here and now ...
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 3 September 1989
At the height of his band's success, Robert Smith decides to pack it all in. ...
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 21 October 1989
Guns N' Roses Shows Some Mettle ...
The Jesus & Mary Chain: The Jesus and Mary Chain: Automatic
Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 12 November 1989
THE BROTHERS REID have made an art form of abrasiveness: a first album that dragged you through thickets of distortion to reach the sweetness at ...
Joe Strummer: The Coach House, San Juan Capistrano CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 22 November 1989
Strummer: Crying and Rocking at Coach House ...
Soundgarden: Whisky a Go Go, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 9 December 1989
Moody Soundgarden Gets a Lift From Cornell's Voice at Whisky ...
The Red Hot Chili Peppers: Chili Peppers Taste Success at Last
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 7 January 1990
After seven long years, L.A.'s loony punk-funk band finally gains respect for its music as well as its off-stage antics ...
The Residents Keep an Eye on Their Secret Identities
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 26 January 1990
San Francisco's visionary underground musicians will surface tonight with a unique take on Elvis. ...
The Residents Keep an Eye on Their Secret Identities
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 26 January 1990
Pop music: SanFrancisco's visionary underground musicians will surface tonight with a unique take on Elvis. ...
Ice Cube: AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted (Priority) **
Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 1990
LIKE HIS new cohorts Public Enemy, Ice Cube is fueled by persecution. The rapper's first solo album since leaving N.W.A. opens with the sounds of ...
Digital Underground: Palace Theater, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 1990
Digital Underground Can't Get Over the Humpt ...
Vic Chesnutt: And a Singer Grows
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 1990
"I AIN'T NO fashion plate," singer Vic Chesnutt conceded when asked about the price tag on the collar of his thrift-shop Western shirt. "I just ...
Mazzy Star: She Hangs Brightly (Rough Trade) ***½
Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 1990
Mazzy Star Debut a Fine Fix of Country Blues ...
The Breeders: A New Breed of Women in Rock
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 1990
TAKE A PIXIE, add a Muse, throw in a Perfect Disaster and you've got the Breeders. ...
The Melvins, Mudhoney: Mudhoney, the Melvins: Hollywood Live, Hollywood CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 24 July 1990
Mudhoney's Roar of Confusion ...
Mazzy Star: Club Lingerie, Hollywood CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 27 August 1990
Hipster Hypnotists at the Lingerie ...
Perry Farrell, Jane's Addiction: An Offbeat Addiction
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 2 September 1990
Perry Farrell inflames passions and plays for high stakes as he leads Jane's Addiction in its quest for importance ...
The Replacements: All Shook Down (Sire)
Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 23 September 1990
IN WHICH Paul Westerberg completes the progression from unruly rocker with a tender heart to tender-hearted tunesmith given to rock spasms. All Shook Down erupts ...
The Pixies, Clarence Reid (aka Blowfly): The Pixies, Blowfly: Universal Amphitheatre, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 15 December 1990
Pixies Play Nice and Rough ...
The Replacements: Palladium, Hollywood CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 21 January 1991
The Replacements Face Their Future ...
Megadeth, Slayer: Megadeth: "Titans" Aim to Alter Metal's Image
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 1991
WHEN THEY named the concert tour "Clash of the Titans," they didn't know how right they were. ...
The La's: Henry Fonda Theatre, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 1991
The La's: Tuneful, Fiat-Footed at the Fonda ...
Chris Whitley: His Moody Blues Burn at Candlelight Sessions
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 18 August 1991
WHEN SINGER-guitarist Chris Whitley talks about house, he's not referring to the neo-disco dance style known as house music. He means the New Orleans home ...
Primus: Palace Theater, Los Angeles Ca
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 24 August 1991
Primus Plies Primo Art-Funk at Palace ...
Soundgarden: Fertile Ground: Soundgarden
Profile and Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 25 August 1991
MIXING ENGINEER Ron St. Germain stands at a tape machine in a Tarzana studio, twisting the reels by hand until he creates the perfect space ...
Soundgarden: Badmotorfinger (A&M)
Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 13 October 1991
Soundgarden Stomps and Soars ...
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 28 October 1991
A Potent 'Rock for Choice' at Palace ...
Donald Fagen, Steely Dan: Donald Fagen: Return of the Nightfly
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 3 November 1991
Steely Dan co-creator Donald Fagen resurfaces after nearly a decade of silence, with new works and a new outlook on life. ...
John Mellencamp: 10 Questions: John Mellencamp
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 10 November 1991
ROCK STAR and grandfather, oil paint and electric guitar, proud and self-deprecating, cynical and idealistic... At 40, John Mellencamp remains a feisty bundle of contradictions. ...
Queensrÿche: Guns N' Roses They Ain't
Profile and Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 12 December 1991
For a heavy-metal group, Seattle's Queensrÿche is positively low-profile — yet its albums sell in the millions. ...
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 1992
YOU CAN TELL a lot about your view of Roger Waters by your reaction to those terms. As the creative force of Pink Floyd from ...
Chuck Berry, Johnnie Johnson: Johnnie Johnson: From 'Johnny B. Goode' to Johnnie B. Bad
Profile and Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 25 January 1992
LOTS OF musicians would consider it a career highlight to play with a musical legend, but pianist Johnnie Johnson has done it at opposite ends ...
Lyle Lovett: Roxy, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 1992
Lovett and Band Stretch Beyond Country's Borders ...
The Pixies: The Pixie Perspective
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 1992
Off stage, the band's Black Francis is a regular Joe who bears the cult-rocker's burden of mythology with a shrug and a smile. ...
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 25 July 1992
WHEN EVAN Dando came to L. A. to record the latest album with his two partners in the sort of Boston-based band, the Lemonheads, the ...
Clint Black: Gone Hollywood? "I Don't Worry About It"
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 17 September 1992
CLINT BLACK looked like the country star of the '90s when his debut album, Killin' Time, was released in 1989, spawning five No. I country ...
Toad the Wet Sprocket: Toad Album Springs Back With 'All I Want'
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 19 September 1992
The single is a lighter work than the controversial song 'Hold Her Down'. ...
Courtney Love: Bohemian Women's Political Alliance benefit, Club Largo, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 30 September 1992
Benefit a Reminder of Courtney Love's Potential ...
R.E.M.: Automatic for the People (Warner Bros.) ***½
Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 4 October 1992
Playfulness, Profundity From a Rusticated R.E.M. ...
Trisha Yearwood: Crazy Horse, Santa Ana CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 14 October 1992
Trisha Yearwood Blossoms Under the Spotlight's Glare ...
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 1 November 1992
Etta James has sung and lived the blues, but these are good times for the R&B matriarch bound for the Rock and Roll Hall of ...
The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy: Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy: Whisky a Go Go, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 6 November 1992
Sensitive Rap From Heroes of Hiphoprisy ...
Rage Against the Machine: A Pair of Rant 'n' Rollers
Profile and Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 14 November 1992
Zack de la Rocha, who grew up in Irvine, and Tom Morello take Rage to the Coach House on Sunday. ...
Babes in Toyland: Year of the Kat
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 15 November 1992
Kat Bjelland's penchant for purging her emotions brings Babes in Toyland to the brink of alternative rock stardom ...
Reba McEntire: Inglewood Forum, Inglewood CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 7 December 1992
A Confusing Set From Reba McEntire at Forum ...
Ween: The Ween Machine Wants It All
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 1993
They look like a classic case of basement-genius novelty, but the real joke is they may turn out to be the second coming of Billy ...
The Lemonheads: It's Not So Tough Being Beautiful
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 7 November 1993
Yes, Evan Dando, head Lemonhead, was one of People magazine's 50 most beautiful people. That's no reason to pity him, because his band is burning ...
Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine: the Roxy, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 18 March 1994
Carter's Words Get Lost in Aural Barrage ...
James, Morrissey: Morrissey, the Ever Marketable
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 27 March 1994
Feeling neglected in the U.S., the uncompromising singer courts a larger audience but vows to stay true to himself-and those who've deified him ...
Henry Rollins: Rollins Band: Weight (Imago)
Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 10 April 1994
Rollins Finds a New Voice in Weight ...
Beck: One Foot in the Grave (K) ***
Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 1994
Minimalist Hootenanny From Independent Beck ...
Luscious Jackson: Girls Just Want to Have Funk
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 21 August 1994
Luscious Jackson's four females play the game their way, incorporating New York's vibrant soundtrack of punk and hip-hop, jazz and soul. ...
Vince Gill: Dedicated to Just Plain Foik
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 25 September 1994
How has Vince Gill's success changed his life? Well, if you ask him, he says he's just an ol' guitar player who likes people. (Oh, ...
Reverend Horton Heat: Palace Theatre, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 1 October 1994
Rockabilly Power ...
Ween: Viper Room, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 8 October 1994
Ween: Making Fun of One and All ...
American Music Club: Roxy, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 24 November 1994
American Music Club Takes Sad Songs to Upbeat Levels ...
Travis Tritt: Q&A with Travis Tritt: "I've Put a Lot Into This"
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 2 February 1995
TRAVIS TRITT is a study in contradictions. ...
Trisha Yearwood: Thinkin' About You (MCA)
Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 12 February 1995
Crossover Queen Is on the Move Again With her latest album, Trisha Yearwood shows that her inner fire is burning anew. ...
Alison Krauss: A Hit From One of Country's Kinfolk
Profile and Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 25 March 1995
Bluegrass's most prominent figure makes her way into the Top 10. But even Alison Krauss can't explain it. ...
Des'ree: House of Blues, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 31 March 1995
Some Starry-Eyed Idealism From Des'ree ...
Reba McEntire: "I Don't Like to Be Corralled or Fenced In"
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 1995
WYNONNA, TRISHA, Pam — they keep coming in waves, but no one has been able to dislodge Reba McEntire from her position as country music's ...
Thurston Moore: Psychic Hearts (DGC) **½
Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 1995
IT'S NOT as if Sonic Youth's co-leader has used his first solo album to purge some foreign or unfulfilled music from his system. This is ...
Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 1995
The Voice of Future Past ...
Mary J. Blige: Universal Amphitheatre, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 9 August 1995
Blige Is Solid but Elusive Hip-Hop Queen ...
Collin Raye, Trisha Yearwood: Trisha Yearwood, Collin Raye: Universal Amphitheatre, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 28 August 1995
Yearwood Needs Faith ...
Sheryl Crow: Greek Theatre, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 8 September 1995
There's Nothing Much to Crow About at the Greek ...
Emmylou Harris: Wrecking Ball (Elektra/Asylum) ***
Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 24 September 1995
ARE FANS of the Sweetheart of the Rodeo ready for EmmyloU2? ...
k.d. lang: All You Can Eat (Warner Bros.) **
Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 10 October 1995
Lang Delivers Torch Music Without Fire ...
Smashing Pumpkins: The Smashing Pumpkins: Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness (Virgin)
Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 22 October 1995
"I'M RUNNING out of sound," sings Billy Corgan, seemingly determined to display every one he can think of during this sprawling swan song for the ...
Son Volt: Troubadour, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 6 December 1995
Son Volt's Engaging but Not Deep at the Troubadour ...
Trisha Yearwood: Q&A with Trisha Yearwood: "My Nature Is... to Know Exactly What's Going On"
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 13 December 1995
TRISHA YEARWOOD isn't the biggest-selling female artist in country music, and she's not the most critically acclaimed, but none of her peers can claim a ...
Patty Loveless: Trouble With the Truth (Epic/Nashville)
Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 20 January 1996
FOLLOWING HER best-album honors at last fall's Country Music Assn. Awards, this most reliable of today's female country singers offers another solid but unspectacular showcase ...
Aimee Mann: the Roxy, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 24 February 1996
Mann's Stylized Concert Leaves No Room for Intimacy ...
Bo Diddley: He's Fighting Mad and Mad That He Has to Fight
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 27 February 1996
Q&A with Bo Diddley ...
Emmylou Harris: Singing With a Voice That's Always True to Her Heart
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 11 April 1996
EVEN WHEN Emmylou Harris was a fixture on the country charts for a decade starting in 1975, her music was marked by an uncommon sense ...
Rage Against The Machine: Evil Empire (Epic)
Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 14 April 1996
RAGE AGAINST the Machine's second album barges into an alternative rock world where discontent is routinely channeled into introverted abstraction and metaphor rather than a ...
Tom Verlaine: Viper Room, Los Angeles
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 1996
LIKE ITS SPIRITUAL forbearer, the Velvet Underground, the New York band Television was vastly more influential than the brevity and low commercial showing of its ...
Vince Gill: High Lonesome Sound (MCA)
Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 1996
Gill Takes 'Sound' Into Pop Mainstream ...
The Geraldine Fibbers: EL Rey Theatre, Los Angeles
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 1996
IN A BIT OF SYMBOLIC TIMING, the Geraldine Fibbers' tour-ending, homecoming concert at the El Rey Theatre on Friday took place the same week that ...
Me'Shell Ndegéocello: Whisky a Go Go, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 1996
Outsider 101. Teacher: Ndegeocello. At the Whisky, the singer embraces the essence of what it's like to live as a target. ...
Profile and Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 1996
Beck casts aside the label or slacker savant — who needs all that alternative angst, anyway? — and lets out a yelp or sonic joy ...
Paul Westerberg: El Rey Theatre, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 16 September 1996
Westerberg Adds New Depth to His Passion for Playing ...
BR5-49: LunaPark, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 19 September 1996
BR5-49 Gives Off Mixed Vibes as an Alternative Presence ...
The Lemonheads: Troubadour, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 20 November 1996
Dando Turns Inward, Leaves Bridge-Building to Others ...
Sleater-Kinney: An All-Grrrl Band at Heart
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 16 March 1997
In true, independent Riot Grrrl fashion, the Sleater-Kinney trio is getting heard far and wide (No. 3 in Village Voice) without abandoning its community. ...
Blur: Palace Theatre, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 21 March 1997
Blur Strays From Its Roots in Palace Show ...
Was (Not Was), Hank Williams: Don Was: What Was Was and What Was Is
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 23 March 1997
After years as a top producer and bandleader, Don Was lost his creative vision. Then Francis Ford Coppola and Hank Williams gave him an idea. ...
Ani DiFranco: Living in Clip (Righteous Babe)
Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 20 April 1997
YOU DON'T need stacks of amps to be larger than life, not when you have a persona as outsized as Ani DiFranco's. That's more than ...
Björk: Homogenic (Elektra) ***½
Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 21 September 1997
Björk's Quirks Give Way to a Enchanting Vision ...
The Rolling Stones: Bridges to Babylon (Virgin)
Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 28 September 1997
The Stones Babylon and On... ...
Everclear: Attitude Adjustment
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 9 November 1997
Success has wrought some changes in Art Alexakis. Everclear's newest album shows a broader range — and hints at hopefulness. ...
Beck: El Rey Theatre, Los Angeles CA
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 21 November 1997
Beck's Acoustic Outing Is Quirky, Rewarding ...
Garth Brooks: Sevens (Capitol) ***
Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 23 November 1997
"LIFE IS only therapy — real expensive and no guarantees," Brooks sings in 'You Move Me'. Well, leave it to Brooks to take his cure ...
MC5, The Stooges: From The Vaults: A Look Back at Bad-Boy Pioneers MC5, Stooges
Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 25 March 2000
RECORDINGS OF THESE TWO MIDWEST REBEL BANDS REVEAL THE HUGE INFLUENCE THEIR LANGUAGE AND SOUND HAVE HAD ON CURRENT ACTS. ...
Elvis Costello: Classics and Newer Tunes, a Full-Circle Mix by Elvis Costello
Live Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2002
Elvis Costello: UCLA Ackerman Grand Ballroom, Los Angeles ...
Rodney Bingenheimer: L.A.'s own Mayor Zelig
Profile and Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 21 March 2004
A new film follows Rodney Bingenheimer's journey from a torn childhood to hanging with the hip bands of the music scene. ...
Tom Waits: A Cluttered Harmony
Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 26 September 2004
THE LITTLE AMSTERDAM sits incongruously in the rolling expanse of Sonoma County farmland, a low white building adorned with a Dutch windmill - a "fake" ...
Anohni (Antony & the Johnsons): Antony and the Johnsons: I Am a Bird Now (Secretly Canadian)
Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 20 March 2005
IN ALL OF pop music, only jazz singer Jimmy Scott has a voice remotely like this – ethereal and otherworldly, clenched and tremulous, a supple ...
Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2005
EVERYONE COMPLAINS that the record business, desperate for quick hits, no longer gives bands the time they need to develop. Well, here's a classic test ...
Babyshambles: The Blinding (Capitol)
Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 3 December 2006
WHEN Rough Trade Records released Babyshambles’ debut album, Down in Albion, early this year, it was a natural pairing: a maverick U.K. independent label of ...
The Good Bad & The Queen: The Good, the Bad & the Queen: The Good, the Bad & the Queen
Review by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 17 January 2007
"STROPPY LITTLE ISLAND full of mixed up people.... " That's how Damon Albarn memorably sums up England in this latest chapter of his ongoing chronicle ...
Obituary by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 21 January 2008
Folk patriarch recorded California Bloodlines ...
Report and Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2008
"THEN YOU find you're back in Vegas with a handle in your hand" goes a memorable line from Steely Dan's debut hit, 'Do It Again'. ...
Profile and Interview by Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 24 February 2009
ESCONDIDO — J.J. Cale is enjoying his lunch in a corner booth at Olive Garden, cloaked in the anonymity he's taken pains to cultivate throughout ...
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