Nick DeRiso is UCR's assistant managing editor, and author of 'Journey: Worlds Apart.' He has been named columnist of the year five times by the Associated Press, Louisiana Press Association, and Louisiana Sports Writers Association, and previously oversaw a daily newspaper section that was named Top 10 in the nation by the AP.
Nick DeRiso
50 Years Ago: ‘Wattstax’ Movie Expands on a Huge Cultural Moment
Unfortunately, the producers had a problem when it came to the industry's rating system.
30 Years Ago: Sting Changes Gears With ‘If I Ever Lose My Faith in You’
His last non-soundtrack Top 20 hit showed that some truths were easier to get at than others.
Why You Misheard That Word on Manfred Mann’s ‘Blinded by the Light’
Song had initially disappeared into obscurity after its release on Bruce Springsteen's debut album.
Neil Young Remembers Happier Times With David Crosby
They'd long been estranged when his former CSNY bandmate died this week.
2023 New Music Releases
Metallica's surprise lockdown-recorded LP and a huge tour got the new year off to a fast start.
Why Robert Plant Can’t Wait So Long For the Next Alison Krauss LP
'Raise the Roof' has earned three Grammy nominations, following 2007's platinum-selling 'Raising Sand.'
35 Years Ago: Pink Floyd Softens Stance With ‘On the Turning Away’
Hit single displayed an ardent optimism that Roger Waters had struggled to inhabit.
Stevie Nicks Just Learned Christine McVie Was Ill Last Weekend
"See you on the other side, my love," she says. "Don't forget me."
35 Years Ago: ‘Less Than Zero’ Soundtrack Confronts Music’s New Landscape
Newer, more aggressive sounds were pushing aside so-called classic rock, and Rick Rubin was standing at the nexus of it all.
November 2022 New Music Releases
Another Record Store Day brings exciting new releases, but November has lots more to offer.
How 100 of Rock’s Biggest Acts Got Their Names
Certain trends emerge as you explore how rock's 100 biggest bands got their names.
40 Years Ago: ‘Back on the Chain Gang’ Gives Purpose to Grieving Pretenders
They'd just been forced to fire their bassist when the band's guitarist died.
50 Years Ago: The Band Boldly Reshapes With ‘Rock of Ages’
If it all sounded a little nervy and off the cuff, that's because it was.
Journey Albums Ranked Worst to Best
Some Journey lineups were respected but low-selling, while others were bestsellers who got critically ignored. But which one was best?
35 Years Ago: ‘The Lost Boys’ Resets the Vampire Genre
Joel Schumacher's film smashed Hollywood's tired Transylvanian tropes with a dirt biker's chortle.
50 Years Ago: Paul McCartney’s Next Band Takes Flight on Wings Over Europe Tour
His main goal was to slip out from behind the Beatles' long shadow.
Jeff Beck Announces Album-Length Collaboration With Johnny Depp
"This Is a Song for Miss Hedy Lamarr" advances 13-track LP.
June 2022 New Music Releases
Look for a massive new album series and some equally massive reissue packages.
50 Years Ago: David Bowie Gives ‘All the Young Dudes’ to Mott the Hoople
"I told them I'd write them a hit single," he later said, "and I did."
50 Years Ago: Billy Preston Pioneers Rock Shows at Radio City Music Hall
Rising crossover star was moving to the world's biggest stages after working with the Beatles and Rolling Stones.