michael gallucci

The Best 30 Albums of 1986 In 1986, music blossomed with a mix of metal, pop, and world sounds, largely thanks to MTV, which helped artists like Bon Jovi and Paul Simon soar to fame.

Forty years ago, world music, metal, art-rock and old-fashioned rock 'n' roll converged at the 1980s' midpoint: ultimateclassicrock.com/top-albums-1...

The Best 30 Albums of 1986 In 1986, music blossomed with a mix of metal, pop, and world sounds, largely thanks to MTV, which helped artists like Bon Jovi and Paul Simon soar to fame.

i wrote about some albums that came out 40 years ago

The Beach Boys, 'We Gotta Groove: The Brother Studio Years': Review The compilation "We Gotta Groove" reveals the Beach Boys' struggles in the late '70s, highlighting Brian Wilson's creativity and challenges during a tumultuous time.

there's a new beach boys box set out friday. here's my review

The Best 25 Albums of 1966 In 1966, rock and pop music took a bold turn, with iconic albums that pushed boundaries and set the stage for the psychedelic sounds of the late '60s.

Rock and pop LPs found new ways of expression during the year. A revolution was right around the corner: ultimateclassicrock.com/top-albums-1...

The Best 25 Albums of 1966 In 1966, rock and pop music took a bold turn, with iconic albums that pushed boundaries and set the stage for the psychedelic sounds of the late '60s.

i wrote about the best albums from 60 years ago: ultimateclassicrock.com/top-albums-1...

David Bowie's 'Station to Station' Bridges Soul and Avant-Garde In 1976 In 1976, David Bowie's "Station to Station" emerged from his battle with addiction, blending European influences and laying the groundwork for his iconic Berlin Trilogy.

Coming off his first No. 1 single and in the middle of a nasty cocaine addiction, David Bowie made one of his best albums: ultimateclassicrock.com/david-bowie-...

Brian Wilson's Comeback Captured in 'We Gotta Groove' Box Set In the mid-70s, Brian Wilson returned to the Beach Boys, leading to a fascinating era captured in the upcoming box set, "We Gotta Groove," highlighting his creative resurgence and struggles.

"The Beach Boys Love You," "15 Big Ones" and (finally!) "Adult/Child" sessions on 3-CD/3-LP box: ultimateclassicrock.com/beach-boys-w...

The Top 40 Songs of 1986 In 1986, the music scene shifted dramatically, featuring hits from Slayer to The Smiths, marking a blend of genres that shaped the future of popular music.

selected by the ucr staff, written by me: ultimateclassicrock.com/top-songs-19...

Bob Dylan's 'Desire' Brings Stories of Hope and Struggle to Life Bob Dylan's 'Desire,' released in 1976, features striking narratives and a tight band, highlighted by the powerful opener "Hurricane' and the evocative storytelling of "Joey," marking a significant mo...

Like many albums in Bob Dylan's extensive discography, this one didn't start the way it ended up: ultimateclassicrock.com/bob-dylan-de...

The 40 Best Songs of 1966 In 1966, music took a bold turn with artists like The Beatles and Bob Dylan, forever changing the pop and rock scene.

i wrote about some great old records ultimateclassicrock.com/iconic-songs...

The Best 40 Albums of 1976 In 1976, classic rock legends like Led Zeppelin and Paul McCartney pushed creative boundaries while fresh faces like the Ramones hinted at the punk revolution, reshaping the music scene.

As the decade turned a midpoint corner 50 years ago, some of the biggest artists of the '70s reached their stride: ultimateclassicrock.com/top-albums-1...

The Best 40 Albums of 1976 In 1976, classic rock legends like Led Zeppelin and Paul McCartney pushed creative boundaries while fresh faces like the Ramones hinted at the punk revolution, reshaping the music scene.

starting the new year by writing about the best albums from 50 years ago ultimateclassicrock.com/top-albums-1...

Ranking Captain Beefheart's Albums Captain Beefheart, the eclectic rock pioneer, carved a unique musical path alongside friend Frank Zappa, blending blues with surrealism before transitioning to visual art in his later years.

Fifteen years ago, rock 'n' roll lost one of its most singular voices. Don Van Vliet, better known as Captain Beefheart, died on Dec. 17, 2010. UCR looks back at his magic career with a rundown of all of his albums: ultimateclassicrock.com/captain-beef...

The Story Behind David Bowie's 'Hunky Dory' and Its Lasting Influence David Bowie's 'Hunky Dory' redefined his career, blending pop and glam, and introducing the iconic Spiders From Mars, setting the stage for an artist reshaping music and identity.

On this day in 1971, David Bowie released the album that set the stage for David Bowie, the legend: ultimateclassicrock.com/david-bowie-...

Reissue Roundup: The Best Archival Releases From the Last Months of 2025 This holiday season is a treat for music fans, with reissues from icons like the Rolling Stones and Neil Young bringing hidden tracks and expanded stories back into the spotlight.

The best archival collections, deluxe box sets and expanded editions of classic albums from the past three months: ultimateclassicrock.com/music-reissu...

Ranking Every Rainbow Album Rainbow, the band formed by Ritchie Blackmore, had a dynamic journey from heavy metal roots to a renaissance in the 80s, maintaining its influence through lineup changes.

Ritchie Blackmore picked up the pieces after Deep Purple, with a new band and a new outlook: ultimateclassicrock.com/rainbow-band...

The Top 15 Reissues of 2025 The best reissues of 2025 highlight artists like Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell, offering fresh perspectives on their careers and inviting fans to rediscover their timeless music.

From lavish box sets to deluxe editions of classic albums, the year's best archival releases explore the past from new perspectives: ultimateclassicrock.com/best-music-r...

The Top 15 Reissues of 2025 The best reissues of 2025 highlight artists like Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell, offering fresh perspectives on their careers and inviting fans to rediscover their timeless music.

i wrote about my favorite reissues of the year ultimateclassicrock.com/best-music-r...

A Look Back at the Rolling Stones' Album 'December's Children' From 1965 The Rolling Stones released 'December's Children' on December 4, 1965, mixing hits and covers to satisfy U.S. fans, capturing a pivotal moment in the band’s evolution between blues and rock.

The Rolling Stones' "December's Children (And Everybody's)" was released 60 years ago today! Read the story of the album: ultimateclassicrock.com/rolling-ston...

Steve Cropper, Stax Records and Blues Brothers Guitarist, Has Died at 84 Steve Cropper, the legendary guitarist who shaped soul music at Stax Records, has died at 84, leaving behind a legacy of unforgettable hits and collaborations with iconic artists.

Hall of Fame session musician played on dozens of hits, ranging from Sam & Dave to Otis Redding to the Blues Brothers: ultimateclassicrock.com/soul-music-l...

The Top 20 Rock Albums of 2025 From classic rock icons to newer artists making their mark in the field, the year's best albums carried on tradition.

UCR's Top 20 Rock Albums of 2025! ultimateclassicrock.com/top-rock-mus...

The 50 Best Title Tracks From Classic Albums A list of the best title tracks from classic albums.

The best title tracks don't just anchor the classic albums they come from; they also become enduring favorites: ultimateclassicrock.com/best-title-t...

Donald Trump could have just kept his mouth shut about Jamal Khashoggi.

But to smear a dead journalist, while sitting with the person accused of orchestrating his murder is just vile.

Every time this administration hits rock bottom, a trap door seems to open.

Cretin behavior.

Ranking Supertramp Albums Explore the evolution of Supertramp, their key albums and how the band's contrasting songwriting styles shaped their iconic sound.

British prog rockers, formed in 1970, hit it big with an LP about America at the end of the decade. But there's more to their story: ultimateclassicrock.com/supertramp-a...

Cheap Trick's 'All Washed Up' Album Review Cheap Trick’s new album 'All Washed Up' showcases their enduring sound and creativity after five decades in the music industry.

Cheap Trick's new album comes out Friday! Read UCR's review: ultimateclassicrock.com/cheap-trick-...

The Top 40 Funk Songs That Shaped Music History Uncover the journey of funk music, showcasing its rhythmic roots and the top funk songs that illustrate its lasting cultural impact.

Featuring greasy soul, sticky R&B and the deepest, fattest grooves known to mankind: ultimateclassicrock.com/top-funk-son...

The Top 40 Funk Songs That Shaped Music History Uncover the journey of funk music, showcasing its rhythmic roots and the top funk songs that illustrate its lasting cultural impact.

my latest project was a fun one to work on: ultimateclassicrock.com/top-funk-son...

Some selections from our ranked list of every classic-era Fleetwood Mac song. Can you guess what's No. 1? ultimateclassicrock.com/best-fleetwo...