Ed Ward

Rock historian Ed Ward continues his look back at rock's evolution over the decades. In 1963, while the genre flourished in England, American audiences listened mostly to pop music -- some great, some not so much.

Rock historian Ed Ward remembers the R&B-fueled year which preceded the coming rock and roll revolution.

Rock historian Ed Ward tells us about a series of Christmas singles the Beatles made in the 60s. If you were a member of their fan club, you got one each year.

Rock historian Ed Ward concludes his profile of the pop and soul record label, founded on a whim by Florence Greenberg.

Rock and roll historian Ed Ward gives us the first part of a two part history of Scepter Records, which--led by Florence Greenberg--discovered and produced the Shirelles and Dionne Warwick, and helped bring black music into the mainstream.

Our rock historian Ed Ward has a profile of Sleepy John Estes. He was one of the trailblazers whose songs become American classics. After years of subsistence farming following his initial success, Estes was rediscovered, and made a good living playing in and around Chicago.

Rock historian Ed Ward tells us about the infamous "riot" on Sunset Strip and how it galvanized and inspired Los Angeles bands.

Rock historian Ed Ward looks back at the Troggs, who celebrate their 26th anniversary in the rock and roll business this year. He says they were "a bunch of incompetent goofballs" -- and that made them good.

Rock historian Ed Ward fills us in on the whereabouts of the eccentric musician Arthur Brown, known for his sole hit, "Fire." Brown just happens to live in the same Austin neighborhood as Ward.

Rock and roll historian Ed Ward profiles The Falcons, a Detroit band who, despite making excellent music, came at the wrong place and time.