The AnswerBank Articles

Who was Stuart Adamson, who died recently aged just 43

Q. How will people remember Stuart Adamson A. Anyone who remembers the 1980s will know the music made by Adamson and his band, Big Country. Their trademark was a guitar sound which critics and00:00 Mon 24th Dec 2001

What does the expression "If it ain't Stiff ..." mean

A. Thats one of the phrases used to advertise the Stiff Records label, shining beacon in the world of independent record labels. The final section of the phrase being " ...It ain't worth a (expletive00:00 Mon 17th Dec 2001

What does the phrase "If it ain't Stiff ..." mean

That's one of the phrases used to advertise the Stiff Records label, shining beacon in the world of independent record labels. The final section of the phrase being ''It ain't worth a (expletive00:00 Mon 17th Dec 2001

Is Nat 'King' Cole best remembered as a pianist or a singer

A. For both, but in effect Cole enjoyed two distinct, and overlapping careers in his relatively short life. Q. How was that achieved A. Although remembered by most fans as a wonderful baritone00:00 Mon 17th Dec 2001

What's the greatest pop album of the 1980s

A. Obviously a subjective question, but the upper echelons of most people's lists would include Dare by The Human League. Q. Is that based on sales, or chart success, or influence A. All of00:00 Mon 10th Dec 2001

What does Awopbopalubopalopbamboom actually mean

A. It means that rock-and-roll is probably the most primal, energising and pure up-and-at-it style of music ever recorded; that its originator, Little Richard, has made some of the greatest records00:00 Mon 10th Dec 2001

I've heard a record described as 'northern soul', what does that mean

A. Northern Soul is a style of music that genuinely deserves the term 'underground'. As a direct result of the craze for American soul and r 'n' b music imported from The States during the Mod era00:00 Mon 10th Dec 2001

Is Never Mind The Bollocks considered an important album

A. Probably less so on its own, but in context, this album can be seen as the single formal recorded statement of The Sex Pistols, a band who single-handedly changed the face of popular music with00:00 Mon 03rd Dec 2001

How big an impact have The Beach Boys had on popular music

A. In terms of musical output and influence, it is difficult to overestimate the impact of The Beach Boys as a musical phenomenon. Q. How can they be so important A. You only have to examine the00:00 Mon 03rd Dec 2001

For what will the world remember George Harrison

A. First and foremost it will be his musical contribution to The Beatles, whose impact on music and culture will probably never be equalled. Q. Were The Beatles really that important A. They00:00 Mon 03rd Dec 2001

How important is MTV these days

A. MTV is as important today as it has ever been, because it has encouraged the concept of mass marketing for music and youth culture. Q. Is that a good thing A. That really depends on your00:00 Mon 26th Nov 2001

Why are boy bands so popular these days

A. It's not so much these days - if you check back, you can see that the concept of 'boy bands' has been around in almost the same format, since modern pop began. Q. How far back can we go with00:00 Mon 26th Nov 2001

Is it really 10 years since Freddie Mercury's death

A. It is - 22 November 1991 was the day that Freddie Mercury succumbed to bronchial complications, a result of his HIV infection which he had kept secret from the world until just days before his00:00 Mon 26th Nov 2001

Who is Mutt Lange and why is he famous

A. Robert John 'Mutt' Lange is a song-writer and musician, but he is famous for two things. He is married to country superstar Shania Twain, and he is one of the most prolific album composers ever,00:00 Mon 19th Nov 2001

Will Guns 'n' Roses ever top Appetite For Destruction

A. The informed opinion on Guns 'n' Roses is that the band has managed to enjoy their stardom in reverse. Having struggled as penniless wannabes, one of dozens of LA hard rock bands out there00:00 Mon 19th Nov 2001

How did Tamla Motown Records start

A. Possibly the most famous record label in the world was started by one man - Berry Gordy Jnr. Back in 1958, with a loan of $800. Originally two separate labels, - the Tamla label was named after00:00 Mon 19th Nov 2001

What's the story behind the Country Music Awards

A. The 35th annual Country Music Awards took place last week at the Grand Ole Oprey House in Nashville Tennessee, and as always, it was an opportunity for the Country Music Association to award its00:00 Mon 12th Nov 2001