With his big hat and catchy tunes, George Strait was my gateway drug into what the old joke calls my two of my favourite types of music – country and western. (more…)

I’ve got to be honest: I find Glen Campbell’s life story much more interesting than his music, which I always found bland and middle-of-the-road. (more…)

If you asked me what category to file this song under, I’m not sure I would know where to pigeonhole it. That’s probably what made it such a huge hit, topping charts all over the world and turning Billy Swan into a one-hit wonder in early 1975. (more…)

The venerable denim-clad 12-bar boogie merchants of Status Quo have had a record-breaking 60 hit singles, but only one number one, in January 1975. This is it. (more…)

I had never thought to look up the pop chart on the day I was born. Until now. So it is with great joy that I discover the best-selling single as I was popping out in a hospital in Newtownards, County Down, was Great Balls Of Fire. (more…)

Once upon a time The Eagles were an acoustic group singing country-folk harmonies. (more…)

This is the third and final song in a trilogy that always come to my mind together: The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face, Killing Me Softly With His Song and Help Me Make It Through The Night. (more…)

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I’m not sure I know a single other song by blues rockers Ten Years After but their only hit single has stayed in my mind, thanks to Alvin Lee’s memorable guitar riff.
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