The AnswerBank Articles

What's the greatest pop album of the 1980s

A. Obviously a subjective question, but the upper echelons of most people's lists would include Dare by The Human League. Q. Is that based on sales, or chart success, or influence A. All of00:00 Mon 10th Dec 2001

What does Awopbopalubopalopbamboom actually mean

A. It means that rock-and-roll is probably the most primal, energising and pure up-and-at-it style of music ever recorded; that its originator, Little Richard, has made some of the greatest records00:00 Mon 10th Dec 2001

I've heard a record described as 'northern soul', what does that mean

A. Northern Soul is a style of music that genuinely deserves the term 'underground'. As a direct result of the craze for American soul and r 'n' b music imported from The States during the Mod era00:00 Mon 10th Dec 2001

Is Never Mind The Bollocks considered an important album

A. Probably less so on its own, but in context, this album can be seen as the single formal recorded statement of The Sex Pistols, a band who single-handedly changed the face of popular music with00:00 Mon 03rd Dec 2001

How big an impact have The Beach Boys had on popular music

A. In terms of musical output and influence, it is difficult to overestimate the impact of The Beach Boys as a musical phenomenon. Q. How can they be so important A. You only have to examine the00:00 Mon 03rd Dec 2001

For what will the world remember George Harrison

A. First and foremost it will be his musical contribution to The Beatles, whose impact on music and culture will probably never be equalled. Q. Were The Beatles really that important A. They00:00 Mon 03rd Dec 2001

How important is MTV these days

A. MTV is as important today as it has ever been, because it has encouraged the concept of mass marketing for music and youth culture. Q. Is that a good thing A. That really depends on your00:00 Mon 26th Nov 2001

Why are boy bands so popular these days

A. It's not so much these days - if you check back, you can see that the concept of 'boy bands' has been around in almost the same format, since modern pop began. Q. How far back can we go with00:00 Mon 26th Nov 2001

Is it really 10 years since Freddie Mercury's death

A. It is - 22 November 1991 was the day that Freddie Mercury succumbed to bronchial complications, a result of his HIV infection which he had kept secret from the world until just days before his00:00 Mon 26th Nov 2001

Who is Mutt Lange and why is he famous

A. Robert John 'Mutt' Lange is a song-writer and musician, but he is famous for two things. He is married to country superstar Shania Twain, and he is one of the most prolific album composers ever,00:00 Mon 19th Nov 2001

Will Guns 'n' Roses ever top Appetite For Destruction

A. The informed opinion on Guns 'n' Roses is that the band has managed to enjoy their stardom in reverse. Having struggled as penniless wannabes, one of dozens of LA hard rock bands out there00:00 Mon 19th Nov 2001

How did Tamla Motown Records start

A. Possibly the most famous record label in the world was started by one man - Berry Gordy Jnr. Back in 1958, with a loan of $800. Originally two separate labels, - the Tamla label was named after00:00 Mon 19th Nov 2001

What's the story behind the Country Music Awards

A. The 35th annual Country Music Awards took place last week at the Grand Ole Oprey House in Nashville Tennessee, and as always, it was an opportunity for the Country Music Association to award its00:00 Mon 12th Nov 2001

Where have this new band The Dandy Warhols sprung from

A. The Dandy Warhols have come from Portland Oregon, but they are anything but new. The hit single Bohemian Like You has been lifted from their third album the intriguingly titled Thirteen Tales00:00 Mon 12th Nov 2001

Who is the opera star they are calling The Fourth Tenor

A. That accolade is being bestowed on Andrea Bocelli, a star who has managed to create a dual career as both an opera and a pop star. Q. What's the story A. Andrea Bocelli was born in 1958 in00:00 Mon 12th Nov 2001

Who is Paul Oakenfold

A. Paul Oakenfold is probably the justified holder of the title 'Best DJ In The World'. Q. How did he get that sort of accolade A. Just about everyone knows that the music of choice in the UK00:00 Mon 05th Nov 2001

Is it really 40 years since The Rolling Stones formed

A. It's actually longer than that - but 12 July 2002 will be the 40th anniversary of the band's first performance at the legendary Marquee Club in London, and the band propose to mark with occasion00:00 Mon 05th Nov 2001

Why are novelty records so successful

A. Novelty records are like Europop records, only more so. Everyone goes on holiday in the summer, hears the latest Euro hit, comes home and buys it, and by early September, that year's Euro smash00:00 Mon 05th Nov 2001

What is the history of Karaoke

A. The concept of Karaoke originated in Japan in the late 1970's. Although it has spread around the world, the thinking behind the concept is particularly Japanese, and this entertainment form has00:00 Mon 29th Oct 2001

Why do some bands have only three members

A. There are a variety of reasons why some bands stick to three people, instead of the more conventional four or five, but the difference in band relationships can make the group dynamic more00:00 Mon 29th Oct 2001