Monthly Archives: April 2023

Ann-Margret: Born to be Wild

By Steve Beard The legendary entertainer Ann-Margret, now 81, just released an album of early rock and roll and pop hits. The New York Times correctly observes that she “has always spoken in a voice that falls somewhere between a … Continue reading

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Remembering Bettie Page

By Steve Beard Ah, those jet-black Bettie Page bangs. Sixty-five years after they were immortalized on a pin-up icon, you still occasionally see them on the pale hipsters with the cat-eyed glasses. That’s just one of the lasting manifestations of … Continue reading

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The next generation of hula

By Steve Beard You know you’re in a truly enchanted location when the television evening news on Maui closes out the broadcast with a graceful troupe of hula dancers. It’s not a marketing ploy. Instead, it’s part of cultural preservation … Continue reading

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Father Damien: Right Hand of a Saint

By Steve Beard Looking across the shades of aqua blue water from the northwest coast of Maui, there are two Hawaiian islands seen in the distance. One is Lanai, once home to the largest pineapple plantation in the world. Today, … Continue reading

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When Johnny Loved Nora: Till Death Do Us Part

By Steve Beard When the notorious Johnny Rotten (aka John Lydon) appeared on the fledgling punk rock scene decades ago as the front man for the Sex Pistols, he didn’t appear as a likely candidate for being fully committed to … Continue reading

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Happy Birthday Brian Setzer!

By Steve Beard Sending the grandest Happy Birthday wishes to Brian Setzer. Most well-known for his hair “piled high” and shredding on a vintage Gretsch guitar, he played a monumental role in reintroducing young punks like me around the globe … Continue reading

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Happy Birthday Mike Ness

Happy Birthday to Mike Ness, legendary frontman for Social Distortion – the pride of Orange County punk rock from the early 1980s and way beyond. About the same time that Social Distortion was getting ready to explode, my friends and … Continue reading

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Mike Ness: Punk Rock’s Miracle Boy

Happy Birthday to Mike Ness, the legendary leader of Social Distortion. In honor of his birthday, enjoy this 2007 interview conducted by our colleague Troy M. Meier, my former bandmate in The Belvaderes. Cheers. By Troy M. Meier While members … Continue reading

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