The AnswerBank Articles

You ain't seen nuthin' yet!

Q. Why did a musical about Al Jolson appear in London a few years ago A. Al Jolson was a massively popular American showman, possibly the original 'superstar' entertainer. The idea of recreating00:00 Mon 04th Mar 2002

Ow-wow-wow unbelievable!

Q. When did Kate Bush begin recording A. The debut album by Kate Bush, The Kick Inside, is approaching its quarter-century; it was released in February 1978. Q. So Kate wasn't very old when00:00 Mon 25th Feb 2002

Country boy

Q. Why is country star Waylon Jennings known as 'the outlaw' A. Country legend Waylon Jennings, who died last week from complications caused by diabetes, was one of the first country artists to00:00 Mon 25th Feb 2002

From the Beatles to Jedi music

Q. Are the famous Abbey Road Studios going to be sold A. It's a possibility. Record company EMI, which owns the studios and the building in which they are housed, are suffering from severe00:00 Mon 25th Feb 2002

One for the money, two for the show

Q. What do rock stars do when they're too old to rock A. It appears from an increasing trend, that they turn to the stage, and compose musicals. Q. Musicals as in Annie Get Your Gun, that kind00:00 Tue 19th Feb 2002

It's been a long time

Q. How has Cliff Richard remained a major star for so long A. It's a question of knowing the market, picking the right material, staying out of trouble, and staying alive - all items Cliff00:00 Tue 19th Feb 2002

Take a walk on the wild side

Q. Which album would make a good introduction to Lou Reed A. Lou Reed has released a steady stream of solo albums since his days with The Velvet Underground, and all have maintained his00:00 Tue 19th Feb 2002

The Devil in disguise ...

Q. Who was the first musician to attract fame, fortune and bad habits A. That would be violinist Niccolo Paganini, who led an unusual life, including all of the above. Q. What was unusual00:00 Mon 11th Feb 2002

If you see me walkin' down the street ...

Q. My dad says Burt Bacharach is the greatest pop composer, is he right A. He’s got a good case, Bacharach has enjoyed a career spanning over forty years, and he has co-written some of the00:00 Mon 11th Feb 2002

You should be dancing ...

Q. What's the best selling soundtrack album ever A. It's Titanic, and that beat The Bodyguard, but for a long time the Saturday Night Fever album held the honour. Q. Yes, the Bee Gees album.00:00 Mon 11th Feb 2002

No synthesisers

Q. What's the best Queen album for new fans to listen to A. Probably the third album, Sheer Heart Attack, which saw a swerve in musical direction that was to become a trademark of the band. They00:00 Mon 04th Feb 2002

I'll name that tune in one

Q. Who writes the best film music A. On the basis of popularity, that would be John Williams. Q. The classical guitarist A. No, the 'other' John Williams - the American composer whose work00:00 Mon 04th Feb 2002

There may be trouble ahead

Q. Is it true The Archies are making a comeback A. Yes and no. The fact is, The Archies have never actually been away, it's their musical incarnation that is set to be revived. Q. I'm00:00 Mon 04th Feb 2002

Let's get ready to rumble

Q. What is the enduring appeal of the musical West Side Story A. There are a number of elements that combine to make West Side Story one of the most enduring stage musicals ever written, and the00:00 Mon 28th Jan 2002

Ant Rap becomes Ant trap

Q What's going on with Adam Ant A. Adam Ant - Stuart Goddard to his family - was arrested outside a London pub a few days ago. He was charged with firearms offences, and assault, and has been00:00 Mon 28th Jan 2002

Shakespeare in New York

Q. What is the enduring appeal of the musical West Side Story A. There are a number of elements that combine to make West Side Story one of the most enduring stage musicals ever written, and the00:00 Mon 28th Jan 2002

Five minutes Ms. Engstrom

Q. Who was Norma Deloris Engstrom A. The baby with the Scandinavian roots went on to fortune and fame as Peggy Lee, world-renowned singer who died last week at the age of 81. Q. Didn't Peggy00:00 Mon 28th Jan 2002

Paging Ms. Engstrom!

Q Who was Norma Deloris Engstrom A. The baby with the Scandinavian roots went on to fortune and fame as Peggy Lee, world-renowned singer who died last week at the age of 81. Didn't Peggy Lee have00:00 Mon 28th Jan 2002

Bela Lugosi's dead - just don't tell the Goths

Q. What exactly is Goth A. If it's true that Rhythm And Blues had a baby and they called it Rock And Roll, then the argument expands to allow Punk Rock to have a baby, and call it Goth. It's one00:00 Mon 21st Jan 2002