Into the Mystic
A microphone, a sharp suit, and that unmistakable Belfast voice rising out of a rhythm and blues storm — Van Morrison turned raw feeling into some of radio’s most enduring records.
Latest Posts
A Wry Little Plea — the making of Todd Rundgren’s first chart breakthrough
Here’s what made Todd Rundgren’s first hit such a winning radio record: a smart lyric, a bright piano hook, and the sound of a future studio master revealing himself in plain sight. Still upbeat and charming, it remains one of those early-1970s singles that tells a bigger story every time you hear it.
How Jim Croce Made Every Song Feel Personal
A Jim Croce record still feels like a friend settling in to tell you a story. In just a few short years, he moved from coffeehouses and working jobs to creating some of the most loved and enduring songs in classic hits radio.
Needle Drop: Paul Simon
The red studio light flickers on, a guitar lands softly in the mix, and suddenly Paul Simon is right there in the room. His songs have been brightening radio for decades, but the real story is how one of music’s sharpest writers kept finding new sounds, new questions, and new ways to connect.
Todd Rundgren — the studio wizard with a pop heart
Why do we still play Todd Rundgren? Because few artists could pack so much heart, melody, and studio magic into a three-minute song, while quietly shaping some of rock’s biggest records behind the scenes.
How Neil Sedaka Kept the Hits Coming
One line everyone still shouts is “Breaking up is hard to do,” but Neil Sedaka’s story goes far beyond a single immortal chorus. Behind the bright hooks is a classically trained songwriter who survived changing fashions, wrote for others, and staged one of pop’s happiest comebacks.
A Melody in a Los Angeles Studio: Neil Diamond’s Song Sung Blue
Soft, modest, and impossible to forget, Song Sung Blue proved that a whisper could beat a shout in 1972.
Neil Diamond lit up every room he sang in
Neil Diamond brought drama, warmth, and unforgettable melodies to popular music, creating songs that still fill dance floors, car radios, and concert halls with pure joy. This upbeat look behind the scenes traces his journey from Brooklyn songwriter to one of classic hits radio’s most enduring voices.
A Piano in Brooklyn and a Jingle That Changed Everything
From Brooklyn piano student to hitmaking master, Barry Manilow built a career on melody, drama, and heartfelt connection. His songs still light up classic hits radio with the same warmth, polish, and emotional lift that made them unforgettable in the first place.