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Here's my May Pang interview for @al.com. We talked John Lennon, Beatles, David Bowie, May's great photography of John, and much more.
www.al.com/life/2025/05...

John Lennon’s ‘Lost Weekend’ girlfriend May Pang is much more than that

May Pang bringing exhibit of her John Lennon photos to Huntsville arts center Lowe Mill

www.al.com

May 23, 2025 at 1:50 PM

mattwake.bsky.social

@mattwake.bsky.social

Four years ago today, the great Muscle Shoals drummer Roger Hawkins passed on, Here's our 2019 @al.com feature on Roger. Was super cool to talk music with him.
www.al.com/.../swampers....

May 20, 2025 at 3:29 PM

mattwake.bsky.social

@mattwake.bsky.social

Lucky me. Got to interview the great May Pang today. What a gal, what a life. We talked photography, Lennon, McCartney, Bowie, Jagger, Nillson, Oasis and much more. Interview will publish next week.

May 17, 2025 at 12:27 AM

mattwake.bsky.social

@mattwake.bsky.social

When British rock mag Kerrang published a “United States of Punk," they picked The Knockabouts to represent Alabama. For the first time, all the band's classic era recordings are being officially released. Wrote about it for @al.com. www.al.com/life/2025/05...

May 16, 2025 at 1:41 PM

mattwake.bsky.social

@mattwake.bsky.social

Enjoyed this NYT piece on how Japan's helped define the sound of popular music, from Jimi Hendrix's Shin-Ei Uni-Vibe guitar pedal to Kendrick Lamar's Roland 808 drum machine.
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/22/t...

What Would Pop Music Be Without 808 Drums?

www.nytimes.com

May 7, 2025 at 12:33 PM

mattwake.bsky.social

@mattwake.bsky.social

A new story I wrote for @al.com about The Neckbones, the first rock band signed to acclaimed blues label Fat Possum Records back in the '90s. The Mississippi band's guitarist, Alabama native Dave Boyer, also toured with blues legend R.L. Burnside.
www.al.com/life/2025/05...

A mighty rock band from the South (but isn’t ‘Southern rock’) returns

The Neckbones, with Alabama's Dave Boyer on guitar, were first rockers signed to renown blues record label.

www.al.com

May 3, 2025 at 2:08 PM

mattwake.bsky.social

@mattwake.bsky.social

For SPIN, five years ago I wrote: How Entering Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Financially Impacts Artists.
www.spin.com/2020/11/rock...

How Entering Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Financially Impacts Artists

They get a statuette, Wikipedia update and maybe even a legacy boost. But does being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall actually help artists financially?

www.spin.com

April 28, 2025 at 4:47 PM

mattwake.bsky.social

@mattwake.bsky.social

Jam-band fans annoyed by Phish's Rock Hall snub: Welcome to the world of hard-rock/metal fans.

April 28, 2025 at 4:38 PM

mattwake.bsky.social

@mattwake.bsky.social

For @al.com, wrote about 5 must-see up-and-coming bands this year at my hometown's signature local festival, Panoply.
www.al.com/life/2025/04...

April 23, 2025 at 7:19 PM

mattwake.bsky.social

@mattwake.bsky.social

For @al.com, had a great chat with Tracii Guns about L.A. Guns, the '80s Los Angeles rock scene, Guns N' Roses, what's next and much more.
www.al.com/life/2025/04...

Guitar hero Tracii Guns on his band’s surprising resurgence: ‘We have a second career’

Tracii Guns talks new L.A. Guns album, Guns N' Roses backstory, missing out on Rick Rubin.

www.al.com

April 17, 2025 at 5:02 PM

mattwake.bsky.social

@mattwake.bsky.social

For @al.com, great to hang with rap legend Too $hort
, and chat about getting another vintage Cadillac like one on iconic "Born to Mack" album cover.
www.al.com/life/2025/03...

The story behind legendary rapper Too $hort’s Cadillac reunion

West Coast rap icon Too $hort is back in the Cadillac El Dorado Biarritz game.

www.al.com

March 18, 2025 at 9:30 PM

mattwake.bsky.social

@mattwake.bsky.social

With the SEC Basketball Tournament underway, for
@al.com I put together a list of 15 famous singers and musicians who went to schools currently in the SEC.
www.al.com/life/2025/03...

The SEC rocks: 15 famous singers and musicians from current SEC schools

List includes notable names from rock, country, pop and beyond.

www.al.com

March 13, 2025 at 7:26 PM

mattwake.bsky.social

@mattwake.bsky.social

For @al.com, I wrote about how a ‘90s Southern rocker's road to redemption led him to Muscle Shoals.
www.al.com/life/2025/03...

‘90s Southern rock singer’s road to redemption led to Muscle Shoals

Grammy-winner Mike Farris cut his new solo album at FAME Studios.

www.al.com

March 6, 2025 at 11:21 PM

mattwake.bsky.social

@mattwake.bsky.social

One of the stars of ABC/Hulu dating show "Muslim Matchmaker," Yasmin Elhady, grew up in my Alabama hometown. Had a great chat with Yasmin for
@al.com.
www.al.com/life/2025/02...

Muslim dating show host talks Alabama roots: ‘You can’t hate up close'

Yasmin Elhady on "Muslim Matchmaker," growing up in Huntsville

www.al.com

February 28, 2025 at 1:49 PM

mattwake.bsky.social

@mattwake.bsky.social

Super cool YouTube stuff for VH fans here 👇
youtube.com/@JamesTVega

February 27, 2025 at 3:33 PM

mattwake.bsky.social

@mattwake.bsky.social

For @al.com, wrote about unsung Muscle Shoals music great Junior Lowe, who died recently. Junior played on classic hits by Percy Sledge, Wilson Pickett, Etta James, Bobbie Gentry, and others.
www.al.com/life/2025/02...

Muscle Shoals mourns Alabama musician who played on many classic songs

Junior Lowe played on hits by artists like Percy Sledge, Wilson Pickett, Etta James and more.

www.al.com

February 20, 2025 at 11:34 PM

mattwake.bsky.social

@mattwake.bsky.social

Ahead of SNL 50, I wrote the Katie Britt and Kate Hudson blurbs for @al.com's "Alabama’s most iconic Saturday Night Live moments"
www.al.com/life/2025/02...

Alabama’s most iconic Saturday Night Live moments

The show is celebrating its 50 year anniversary, so let's look back.

www.al.com

February 16, 2025 at 2:30 AM

mattwake.bsky.social

@mattwake.bsky.social

For @al.com, wrote about my top 10 underrated Led Zeppelin songs. Stuck to one song each from the band’s eight studio albums, '76 concert release “The Song Remains The Same,” and '82 outtakes collection “Coda."
www.al.com/life/2025/02...

Led Zeppelin’s top 10 underrated songs

Iconic rock band's "Becoming Led Zeppelin" documentary is in theaters now.

www.al.com

February 13, 2025 at 11:02 PM

mattwake.bsky.social

@mattwake.bsky.social

With the recent leaking of "Hawk Tuah Girl" Haliey Welch's first interview since her crypto scandal, wrote about her connection to Alabama for @al.com. I'm a fan. She's down to earth, funny, and has used her fame to help charities that help animals.
www.al.com/life/2025/02...

‘Hawk Tuah Girl’ Haliey Welch’s Alabama connection

Internet star recently broke her silence after crypto crash scandal.

www.al.com

February 12, 2025 at 3:08 PM

mattwake.bsky.social

@mattwake.bsky.social

For @al.com had a great chat with Warren Haynes about his new solo album/tour, Warren's time with the Allman Brothers, how Dickey Betts changed his life, jamming with Slash, and offers to join other big-name bands.
www.al.com/life/2025/02...