Before Simply Red: The Punk Roots of Mick Hucknall and The Frantic Elevators

Long before Mick Hucknall achieved international stardom with Simply Red, he fronted the gritty Manchester punk band The Frantic Elevators. Formed in 1976, the group featured Hucknall on vocals, Neil Smith on guitar, Brian Turner on bass, and Kevin Williams on drums. They became known locally for their urgent, emotional sound and socially charged lyrics, carving out a small but passionate following during the height of the UK punk and post-punk movements.

Between 1979 and 1982, the band officially released four singles on vinyl, including Voice in the Dark, You Know What You Told Me, Searching for the Only, and Holding Back the Years (No Waiting) — the latter of which featured an early version of the song that would later become a global hit when re-recorded by Simply Red.

But The Frantic Elevators’ discography extends beyond those four singles. Their sessions with the BBC, live performances, and demo recordings reveal a broader catalogue of songs that never made it to commercial release but circulated through fan recordings and rare pressings. Some compilations and retrospective releases — particularly the 1990s CD The Frantic Elevators 1978–1983 — have helped bring lesser-known tracks to light, showcasing a band that was evolving well beyond its punk origins.

Despite their creative output, mounting internal tensions and a lack of mainstream breakthrough led to their split in 1982. Hucknall soon formed Simply Red, bringing a more polished soul-pop sensibility to the spotlight, while his former bandmates briefly carried on under the name The Elevators before disbanding.

If you've never heard them before, check out these tunes! ♪♫

Original recording of "Holding Back the Years" in The Frantic Elevators era:



It’s just so strange to hear Mick Hucknall singing punk, because I’ve always known him as the smooth, soulful voice behind Simply Red. But it’s fascinating to look back and see where his musical journey began — gritty, raw, and full of edge.

Brian Wilson, Architect of the California Sound, Passes Away at 82

The music icon helped define the "California sound" with the American rock 'n' roll boy band he formed with his family members and a friend.

Brian Wilson, the pop music genius and singer who co-founded the Beach Boys, has died. He was 82.

The musician's family announced his death on Wednesday, June 11 in an Instagram post featuring a recent photo of the star smiling on a bench. Wilson's Beach Boys bandmate Al Jardine confirmed to PEOPLE that he died in the early morning of June 11.

"We are heartbroken to announce that our beloved father Brian Wilson has passed away," the statement read. "We are at a loss for words right now. Please respect our privacy at this time as our family is grieving. We realize that we are sharing our grief with the world. Love & Mercy."

Described by PEOPLE in 1975 as the "formative genius of the group," Wilson served as the rock band's songwriter and co-lead vocalist and also played bass guitar and keyboard alongside brothers, Dennis and Carl Wilson, cousin Mike Love and friend Al Jardine, who all were part of the original lineup.

For the full story, please click the link below.

Source: https://people.com/brian-wilson-dead-82-beach-boys-singer-co-founder-8548234

The song that should have been a radio hit...

Great rhythm, catchy chorus, it had the hook! “Every Time I See Her” is one of those feel-good songs that makes you tap the steering wheel or turn the volume up just a bit higher when it comes on. It’s a pop-rock gem wrapped in shimmering guitar work and Dave Edmunds’ effortlessly cool vocal delivery. So, what was the problem back in 1990?

Well—timing, for one. By the time Closer to the Flame dropped, the musical landscape had shifted. The early '90s were a strange time for traditional rock and roll artists like Edmunds. Hair metal was fading, alternative and grunge were on the rise, and radio playlists were beginning to favor newer, moodier sounds. An upbeat, rootsy pop-rock track—no matter how infectious—suddenly felt out of sync with what was selling.

Then there’s promotion. Capitol Records released Closer to the Flame with minimal fanfare. Edmunds had taken a few years off from studio albums before this one, and there wasn’t a strong marketing push to reintroduce him to a U.S. audience. Even with its clean production and accessible tracks, the album didn’t make a splash on the charts.

And let’s not forget the genre pigeonhole. Edmunds was (and still is) beloved by fans of rockabilly and roots rock, but he never fully broke into the mainstream pop world. Songs like “Every Time I See Her” had commercial potential, but without a major radio hit or MTV visibility, it just didn’t get the momentum it deserved. In short, “Every Time I See Her” was a perfect example of the right song at the wrong time.

In 1990, “Every Time I See Her” was swimming against the current. Charts were dominated by glossy pop like Paula Abdul’s “Opposites Attract” and Madonna’s “Vogue,” while rock was turning heavier with Bad Company’s “Holy Water” or drifting into moodier territory with Depeche Mode’s “Enjoy the Silence” and Midnight Oil’s “Blue Sky Mine.” Even classic rock veterans—Tom Petty with “Free Fallin’,” George Harrison’s “Cheer Down,” and the Traveling Wilburys—were finding success with a similar rootsy sound, but with more label muscle and high-profile collaborations behind them. Edmunds’ bright, feel-good rocker was radio-ready, but the industry’s spotlight was shifting fast, leaving songs like his in the shadows.

Apple TV+ announces “Snoopy Presents: A Summer Musical” premiering July 18

Apple just announced the first new musical Peanuts special in more than three decades. The new instalment entitled ‘Snoopy Presents: A Summer Musical’ will stream on Apple TV+ on July 18.



The special hails from Apple’s deal with WildBrain, where TV+ is the streaming home of all classic Peanuts specials as well as new originals. A feature-length animated Snoopy movie is also currently in development.

The new special coming in July celebrates the summer season, with Snoopy and the gang gathering around the campfire.

Charlie Brown loves camping, but his favorite camp is shutting down. With it being his last year, he is determined to make it special. Meanwhile, Snoopy and Woodstock find a treasure map and embark on a wild adventure in the woods. They find valuable treasure, which they use to buy what they need to host a concert and save the camp’s future.

The special features original music by Emmy award-winning composers Jeff Morrow and Ben Folds. Its release marks the first new Peanuts musical in 35 years.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of Snoopy, and Apple TV+ has plenty of content to enjoy to commemorate the occasion.

To read the full story, please click the link below.

Source: https://9to5mac.com/2025/05/20/apple-tv-peanuts-special-summer-musical/

Peanuts and Ben Folds--what could be better?! It's exciting and I'm looking forward to seeing it in July. <3

Jim Morrison’s Parisian Funerary Bust Recovered After Nearly 40 Years

A sculpture of the late American singer and poet Jim Morrison that went missing from his gravesite in Paris almost four decades ago has been found, according to French police.



“After 37 years of absence, the bust of Jim Morrison, stolen in 1988 from the Père Lachaise cemetery, has been found,” wrote the Paris Regional Judicial Police Directorate in an Instagram post on Friday.

It added that “this iconic symbol for the singer’s fans was recovered” during an investigation conducted by the Financial and Anti-Corruption Brigade, under the authority of the Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office.

“This was a chance discovery made during a search ordered by an examining magistrate at the Paris court,” the prosecutor’s office told CNN in a statement Tuesday.

Jeff Jampol, manager of the Jim Morrison Estate, told CNN in a statement Tuesday that they were “happy to hear” of the statue’s rediscovery, adding: “Obviously it’s a piece of history, and one Jim’s family wanted there on his grave, so it’s gratifying to see that it’s been recovered.”

To read the full story, please click the link below.

Source: https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/20/style/jim-morrison-grave-bust-found-intl-scli

Broadcasting Freedom: R.E.M.’s New EP Honors 75 Years of Radio Liberty

Four decades after sparking college-radio airwaves and launching R.E.M.'s career, "Radio Free Europe" broadcasts a new message. R.E.M. proudly announces Radio Free Europe 2025, a five-track benefit EP led by Jacknife Lee's never-before-released 2025 remix. The release celebrates the 75th anniversary of the "OG" Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), and arrives just ahead of World Press Freedom Day on May 3.

75 years ago, the United States established Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, which broadcasts news and information in 27 languages to 23 countries where free press is either banned or threatened. RFE/RL has been a lifeline to the outside world for people living under extreme censorship throughout the Cold War and into the present day.

Members of R.E.M. say this mission of promoting free expression has always resonated with the band:

“Whether it’s music or a free press – censorship anywhere is a threat to the truth everywhere. On World Press Freedom Day, I’m sending a shout-out to the brave journalists at Radio Free Europe,” says Michael Stipe, lead singer and founding member of R.E.M.

“Radio Free Europe’s journalists have been pissing off dictators for 75 years. You know you’re doing your job when you make the right enemies. Happy World Press Freedom Day to the ‘OG’ Radio Free Europe,” says Mike Mills, bassist and founding member of R.E.M.

A limited-edition 10-inch orange-vinyl pressing — available for pre-order now exclusively via the official R.E.M. store (https://ffm.link/remrfe-official) and independent record stores (https://ffm.link/remrfe-indies) — lands September 12. Proceeds from all vinyl sales will go to RFE/RL.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_rshoUeixk

Link to full YouTube playlist for Radio Free Europe 2025:

Collector's 30,000 vinyl records up for auction

A collector's 30,000-record vinyl collection is set to go up for auction in Surrey with an expected combined price of more than £80,000.

The sale, run by auctioneers Ewbank's in Send, will be held on Wednesday and Thursday.

The unnamed deceased collector had been buying records for more than 60 years and vinyl specialist John Silke said the collection was "jaw-dropping."

"This has been the biggest single cataloguing job of my career – an extraordinary experience," he added.



To read the full story, please click the link below.

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c74z0wwp8eyo

Owning 30,000 records makes me wonder who the collector is. Did he/she have any connection to music? Did they work in radio, a record store, or produce music? Certainly not a casual listener, but a music lover nonetheless! I would have a hard time remembering which album went where and where the albums I wanted to listen to were. Their collection may have been alphabetized. Cool story anyhow. Imagine exploring that massive vinyl collection. 🤔