It was 64 years go this month that the US, in its then simmering Cold War with the Soviet Union, achieved one of its most startlingly and surprising victories. All it involved was a yearly, Russian-sponsored music contest and an unassuming young piano virtuoso from Texas named Van Cliburn and his skilled beyond-his-years interpretation of […]
Today is the day! The Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry announced its 25 newest titles earlier this morning! Joining the ranks of this esteemed list are, among others, Bonnie Raitt, Journey, Queen, Ernest Tubb, Ricky Martin, and A Tribe Called Quest! For a full list and interviews and clips, click here.
You may not know the name Irna Phillips (1901-1973), but you know her work and influence. She pioneered the soap opera genre in radio and is widely regarded as a key creative figure in radio and television serialized entertainment. Phillips was the creator (and, for years, the primary scriptwriter) of “As the World Turns,” “Guiding […]
Sixty-three years ago this month was the day the music died. On February 3, 1959, a small airplane carrying rock stars Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper (i.e. J.P. Richardson, Jr.), along with its pilot, crashed in a cornfield near Clear Lake, Iowa, killing all three. The tragedy, which, of course, inspired Don […]
Ninety-five years ago today–February 4, 1927–Frankie Trumbauer and his Orchestra with Bix Beiderbecke headed into the studio to lay down their classic “Singin’ the Blues.” “Blues” was added to the Library of Congress’s National Recording Registry in 2005. In the essay below, the Library’s own David Sager recounts the making of a legendary recording. “Singin’ […]
Like much of the world, the Library of Congress is very saddened to hear of the passing of the great Stephen Sondheim. Mr. Sondheim passed away on Friday at age 91. While already missing him, we take comfort in all that he left behind for us. Not surprisingly, Mr. Sondheim is well represented on the […]
For many, it has become as much of a Thanksgiving tradition as turkey and dressing. Arlo Guthrie’s immortal recording “Alice’s Restaurant Massacre” was added to the Library of Congress’s National Recording Registry in 2017. Not long after, music journalist Hank Reineke kindly wrote about it for the Library. In honor of this holiday, we share […]
Like most people, we were very saddened to hear of the passing of the great Mort Sahl last week at the age of 94. About 10 years ago, Sahl’s landmark comedy album, “At Sunset” (1955), was added to the Library’s National Recording Registry. In 2017, the Library was able to sit down with Sahl to […]
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE BOSS! In honor of Bruce Springsteen’s birthday today, author Tyler Hayes pays tribute to Springsteen’s legendary album “Born to Run,” added to the National Registry in 2003. Two albums into his career, Bruce Springsteen’s music trajectory was not set to contain notoriety. He was on a path that would soon see […]
The Library of Congress is very saddened to hear of the passing of Sarah Dash, powerhouse vocalist, true diva and onetime member of the group Labelle. Earlier this year, after Labelle’s legendary “Lady Marmalade” was added to the Library’s National Recording Registry, the LC spoke with Ms. Dash about her remarkable hit and career. Our […]