Courtney E. Smith

35 Years Ago: Los Lobos’ ‘La Bamba’ Returns Ritchie Valens to Spotlight
They weren’t an obvious choice to turn this cover into one of the songs of the summer in 1987.

When Steve Miller Found ’80s Pop-Rock Success With ‘Abracadabra’
Album's title track led the way, even though his record label hated it.

40 Years Ago: Stevie Nicks Conquers Her Fears at First Solo Shows
Nervous about how Fleetwood Mac fans might feel, Nicks embarked on her first-ever run of solo shows.

How the Go-Go’s Became MTV Darlings With ‘Our Lips Are Sealed’
Song's cheaply made video helped put the band "on the map."

25 Years Ago: Depeche Mode’s Dave Gahan Briefly Dies
Singer "flatlined for a couple of minutes" before paramedics brought him back to life.

What Nearly Everyone Got Wrong About ‘Thelma and Louise’
Depending on whom you ask, 1991 classic is a cowboy movie, an outlaw film or a man-hating revenge story of feminism gone way too far.

50 Years Ago: Carole King Releases Breakup Song ‘It’s Too Late’
Moody breakup track became fan favorite on singer-songwriter's landmark second LP, 'Tapestry.'