Dave Swanson is a writer and musician from Cleveland, Ohio. He has spent a lifetime obsessed with all things Rock & Roll. Dave has written for a variety of publications including Shindig!, Bucketful Of Brains, The Cleveland Scene and The Cleveland Plain Dealer. He hosts his own radio show, has promoted concerts and played in several bands including, but not limited to, Rainy Day Saints, New Salem Witch Hunters, The Cynics, Chamber Strings, Guided By Voices, Death Of Samantha, and Captain Groovy & His Bubblegum Army. Favorite bands-Cheap Trick, The Monkees, Sparks, Motorhead, Beach Boys, Rockpile, XTC,Van Der Graaf Generator, Sweet, Bob Dylan,etc. Favortie color- paisley. Sign-Scorpio. Favorite Movies-Love And Death, Don't Look Back & Beyond The Valley Of The Dolls. Political party-Mod & Rocker. Religion-Rock & Roll. His biggest regret is having no regrets. If not playing, writing, reading about, listening to, or discussing music, he is most likely dead.
Dave Swanson
How the Stooges’ Debut Set the Stage for Punk
This album opened the door for everything loud, hard and heavy that followed.
How Guns N’ Roses Revitalized Rock ‘n’ Roll With Their Debut Album, ‘Appetite for Destruction’
Before all the drama, Guns N' Roses were a kick-ass little rock 'n' roll band.
55 Years Ago: Grateful Dead Look Forward With ‘Anthem of the Sun’
Their debut was a casserole of folk, rock, blues and psychedelia, but it didn't quite capture the live experience.
When Jimi Hendrix Joined the Monkees Tour For Some Reason
Result: A frustrated guitarist, a disappointed band and a bewildered and confused audience.
When Manfred Mann Hit No. 1 With ‘Do Wah Diddy Diddy’
Paul Jones found an earlier version in his record collection, and Manfred Mann transformed it into a breakthrough smash.
How the Smash Hit ‘My Sharona’ Doomed the Knack
Loathed by critics and written off as a novelty act, they were actually a genuine rock 'n' roll band.
Why Two Rockpile Albums Were Disguised as Solo Records
The professional musical adventures of Dave Edmunds and Nick Lowe date back to the mid-'60s.
How a Soundtrack Brought Woodstock to the World
Ironic festival had been experienced eight months earlier by a crowd that was "half a million strong," as the song goes.
The Day Paul Simon Launched His First Solo Tour
He was initially somewhat tentative, fearing that a tour without Art Garfunkel would be a flop.
When Buffalo Springfield Performed Their Final Concert
They were always a house of cards caught in a hurricane.
The Day the Who Played Their First Concert With Kenney Jones
He later admitted that the very idea of anyone replacing Keith Moon was ludicrous.
How Sweet Finally Broke Out With ‘Sweet Fanny Adams’
Unfortunately, this album was never released in the U.S.