The Beatles‘ unique blend of rock and pop, tinged with psychedelic vibes, often leads listeners down intriguing paths of interpretation. One song in particular, ‘Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds,’ sparked years of speculation despite John Lennon’s clarification of its origins.

Lennon revealed that the song’s inspiration came from a simple moment with his son Julian, who brought home a drawing of his friend Lucy with stars in the sky, titled ‘Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds.’ This innocent gesture sparked Lennon’s creativity, leading to the creation of the song.

However, the song’s title, with its initials spelling LSD, led many to assume it was about drugs. Lennon denied this, but even Paul McCartney acknowledged the obvious nod to drugs in the title.

Despite the speculation, ‘Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds’ held personal significance for Lennon. As The Beatles faced internal conflicts and the pressures of fame, Lennon’s relationship with the song evolved. Performing it during the band’s breakup brought about feelings of anxiety and guilt, especially as some lyrics seemed to foreshadow his future relationship with Yoko Ono.

The song’s remastered version captures the essence of this turbulent period in The Beatles’ history.

Robert Plant isn’t just another classic rock star; he’s a trailblazer who redefined what it meant to be a frontman in the rock world. With his iconic long hair, incredible vocal range, and unique stage presence, Plant set the bar high when he joined Led Zeppelin. He didn’t just sing; he transported audiences to mystical realms with his poetic lyrics inspired by mythology and literature.

What sets Plant apart isn’t just his musical talent; it’s his wit and clarity when sharing his views. Unlike other outspoken rock stars of his time, like John Lennon or Mick Jagger, Plant combines honesty with humor, making his voice stand out in a sea of loud opinions. He knows he’s on a different path and embraces it fully.

Reflecting on Led Zeppelin’s legacy, Plant doesn’t dwell on past glories. Instead, he acknowledges their impact while focusing on his solo career. In interviews, he shares candidly about the band’s popularity and the challenges of staying relevant in a changing music scene.

One band that caught Plant’s attention for their respectful homage to Led Zeppelin is Let’s Active, led by Mitch Easter. Despite Let’s Active having a different sound, Plant appreciates their subtle nods to the past with “gentility and taste,” recognizing the art of looking back without copying outright.

So, while Plant’s influence on music is undeniable, he’s also open to appreciating others who draw inspiration from the past while forging their own path forward.

Pink Floyd had a clear vision every time they entered the studio. Their approach was all about crafting immersive experiences, not just settling for average songs. Richard Wright noted that Roger Waters pushed the boundaries too far on The Final Cut.

Waters had taken charge since Syd Barrett‘s departure, with David Gilmour contributing stellar guitar work and songs. However, Waters was driving every aspect of their projects, culminating in The Wall.

But Waters couldn’t let go of that concept. He wanted to revisit it, resulting in an album that felt like scenes from an unfinished play. Even Gilmour questioned the inclusion of songs that seemed better suited for deletion.

While Gilmour had issues with the songs, Wright’s struggle was more personal. He felt sidelined during The Final Cut, playing parts assigned by others. “I didn’t like it, but I might be biased due to my situation,” he admitted.

Wright believed Waters’ ego had grown too large, leading to conflicts and ultimately Waters leaving the band. The power imbalance caused lasting rifts.

Despite criticism, The Final Cut didn’t end Pink Floyd; The Wall did. Waters’ dominance led to a fractured band dynamic they never fully recovered from.

While Gilmour’s albums had highlights, they lacked Waters’ lyrical depth. Even Wright’s contributions felt incomplete without Waters.

Even today, Gilmour and Waters clash over the Pink Floyd name, politics, and song usage. Their best work happened when they worked together, but their post-split bitterness remains palpable.

Trent Reznor recently talked about his first thoughts on Johnny Cash‘s cover of Nine Inch Nails’ ‘Hurt’ in an interview with GQ.

‘Hurt’ originally appeared on the band’s 1994 album ‘The Downward Spiral.’ Cash’s rendition came out in 2002 on ‘American IV: The Man Comes Around,’ after producer Rick Rubin got Reznor’s approval. Reznor shared:

“Rick Rubin, who’s a friend, asked if they could try this song. I said, ‘Sure!’ It felt odd, like they might be trying lots of songs.”

When he heard the recording later, it hit him differently: “That’s my song! It felt strange. I was working on ‘The Fragile’ and thought, ‘I’m not ready to process this right now. It’s cool, though.'”

The NIN Frontman Admired Cash’s Version

Johnny Cash’s ‘Hurt’ video won awards at the Grammy and CMA Awards in 2004. Reznor grew to appreciate it after seeing the video:

“The song, something so personal, connecting to someone with a huge personality, then becoming a kind of farewell for him, filmed by an amazing director—it shows music’s power and importance.”

Cash passed away six months post-release. ‘American IV’ became his last studio album due to his declining health and hospitalizations during recording.

Despite Cash’s health struggles, ‘Hurt’ got six MTV VMA nods in 2003, winning for best cinematography. Reznor later said to Alternative Press that the song “isn’t just mine anymore.”

Brian May, the co-founder and guitarist of Queen, grew up in an era deeply shaped by The Beatles’ musical revolution. Their debut album 1963 marked a turning point in music history, sparking a movement Brian witnessed as a teenager. In 1970, as The Beatles disbanded, Brian embarked on his own musical journey with Queen.

Despite The Beatles primarily featuring John Lennon and Paul McCartney as songwriters, George Harrison’s contributions were notable. Brian May, a huge admirer of Harrison’s work, revealed his favorite Harrison song: “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.” This track, from The Beatles’ “white album,” showcases Harrison’s songwriting prowess and emotional depth.

Harrison’s talent extended beyond The Beatles, earning acclaim for his solo career. Brian May, deeply inspired by Harrison’s courage and gentle approach, considers him an inspiration in the music world.

In 2013, Brian May and singer Kerry Ellis released a live album titled “Acoustic by Candlelight,” featuring covers and original songs. Their rendition of “Something,” another classic by George Harrison, highlighted May’s admiration for Harrison’s quiet yet profound contributions to music.

Despite his admiration for The Beatles, Brian May never had the opportunity to see them live. His parents, viewing pop concerts skeptically, never allowed him to attend, a regret he shares but also acknowledges the magical influence The Beatles had on his teenage years and the music of the ’60s.

Eddie Van Halen stands as a guitar legend, a rare talent in a league of his own. Back in the era dominated by Jimi Hendrix’s legacy, Eddie emerged as a unique force, crafting guitar licks that seemed to invent a new language on the instrument. His mastery of scale shapes, especially the blues scale, formed the basis of his iconic style, later enhanced by his groundbreaking tapping techniques.

This innovation shook the music world, inspiring awe and, at times, frustration as imitators sought to replicate his genius. Amidst this fervor, Joe Satriani, already a guitar virtuoso in his own right, stood out. Teaching in California and shaping future talents like Kirk Hammett of Metallica, Satriani’s prowess was undeniable.

When the opportunity arose, Satriani joined forces with Sammy Hagar to form the supergroup Chickenfoot. Despite the whimsical name, their musical prowess was no joke, with Satriani’s blazing leads complementing Hagar’s vocals and Chad Smith’s rock-solid grooves.

Hagar, no stranger to guitar legends having worked with Van Halen, praised Satriani as possibly the world’s best guitarist and a prolific songwriter. Satriani’s ability to churn out timeless tracks without the backing of a Van Halen or Hagar-like frontman speaks volumes about his talent and creativity.

Satriani’s admiration for Eddie’s influence is evident, even as he expands upon it in pieces like ‘Midnight,’ showcasing his own unique approach to guitar mastery. Yet, Satriani’s reverence for Van Halen’s legacy remains, acknowledging the debt owed to Eddie’s groundbreaking contributions to rock and roll.