A Pop Life

In 1985 The Cure (finally) reaches a huge audience. The combination of pop and doom works like a charm and saves Pinkpop. A look back! Read the full article: The Cure breaks through in 1985 with The Head On The Door . (this article was published by A Pop Life - My life with music )

In 2006 The Cure's The Head On The Door was re-released, with extra songs and beautifully written liner notes. Read them here! Read the full article: The Cure – The Head On The Door – Reissue liner notes . (this article was published by A Pop Life - My life with music )

In 1985 Red Hot Chili Peppers released their second album, Freaky Styley. The story of funk, punk, drugs and George Clinton! Read the full article: Red Hot Chili Peppers and George Clinton work together, Freaky Styley was the funky result . (this article was published by A Pop Life - My life with music )

EMI America developed a "Wanted" ad campaign to promote the Red Hot Chili Peppers album Freaky Styley. See the full campaign here! Read the full article: Red Hot Chili Peppers – Freaky Styley – “Wanted” ad campaign . (this article was published by A Pop Life - My life with music )

In 2003 Red Hot Chili Peppers' Freaky Styley was re-released, with extra songs and beautifully written liner notes. Read them here! Read the full article: Red Hot Chili Peppers – Freaky Styley – Reissue liner notes . (this article was published by A Pop Life - My life with music )

In 1982 the first ever WOMAD festival takes place. The full first Peter Gabriel concert on that festival is available, now. A look back! Read the full article: Peter Gabriel – Live AT WOMAD 1982 . (this article was published by A Pop Life - My life with music )

On July 31, 2025, Brian Eno announced Together For Palestine, a concert on September 17, 2025, to take place at the OVO Arena Wembley in London, England. A wonderful initiative I wholeheartedly endorse. If you’re able to: go, help, send love, show solidarity, be human! The website: Together For Palestine. Read the full article: News: Brian Eno announces Together For Palestine! . (this article was published by A Pop Life - My life with music )

In 2010 I was eagerly awaiting the third Arcade Fire album. The story of an indie classic. The Suburbs: veni vidi vici! Read the full article: Arcade Fire and the album I was waiting for, The Suburbs . (this article was published by A Pop Life - My life with music )

In Memoriam: George Kooymans 1948-2025 Read the full article: In Memoriam: George Kooymans 1948-2025 . (this article was published by A Pop Life - My life with music )

In memoriam: Ozzy Osbourne 1948-2025 Read the full article: In memoriam: Ozzy Osbourne 1948-2025 . (this article was published by A Pop Life - My life with music )

1985 is already 40 years old. A great occasion for compiling a list of 40 singles that helped shape that year! Read the full article: 1985 is 40 years ago: 40 singles that gave the year its color . (this article was published by A Pop Life - My life with music )

3½:5: Kendrick Lamar was fantastic, SZA mediocre. A unique concert in a great venue in Paris with my sons! Read the full article: Kendrick Lamar and SZA, 07/15/2025 . (this article was published by A Pop Life - My life with music )

4/5: Day 3 of the greatest festival in The Netherlands: North Sea Jazz. The day of Jacob Collier, WAR, Kamasi Washington and Diana Ross. Read the full article: North Sea Jazz Festival, 07/13/2025 . (this article was published by A Pop Life - My life with music )

4/5: Day 1 of the greatest festival in The Netherlands: North Sea Jazz. The day of Ghost-Note, Celeste and Steam Down. Read the full article: North Sea Jazz Festival, 07/11/2025 . (this article was published by A Pop Life - My life with music )

In 2010 Prince released the album 20Ten. It coincided with a show in Werchter, Belgium. The story of July 10, 2010! Read the full article: Prince and 20Ten, the story of the Purple Yoda . (this article was published by A Pop Life - My life with music )

5/5: I finally got to witness St. Vincent live. She was everything I hoped she would be, and more. A truly masterful concert! Read the full article: St. Vincent, 07/07/2025 . (this article was published by A Pop Life - My life with music )

In memoriam: Ennio Morricone 1928-2020 Read the full article: In memoriam: Ennio Morricone 1928-2020 . (this article was published by A Pop Life - My life with music )

4½:5: A beautiful goodbye to Gang Of Four. The last show ever was moving, sounded fantastic and was filled with fire and passion! Read the full article: Gang Of Four, 07/05/2025 . (this article was published by A Pop Life - My life with music )

The story of the excellent Extended Version of Prince's final Around The World In A Day maxi-single America! Read the full article: Prince and the America Extended Version! . (this article was published by A Pop Life - My life with music )

In memoriam: Dany Lademacher 1950-2025 Read the full article: In memoriam: Dany Lademacher 1950-2025 . (this article was published by A Pop Life - My life with music )

5/5: Neil Young in Groningen, The Netherlands. A fantastic show in the scorching heat if the Stadspark. Read the full article: Neil Young, 07/01/2025 . (this article was published by A Pop Life - My life with music )

Queen heralded the 1980s with a disappointing album. The Game was poppier than before and contained too much fillers. A look back. Read the full article: Queen disappoints with The Game . (this article was published by A Pop Life - My life with music )

2/5: Black Uhuru at Paradiso, Amsterdam, the story of an uninspired evening in a half empty venue. Left early... Read the full article: Black Uhuru, 06/23/2025 . (this article was published by A Pop Life - My life with music )

Two years after recording it, Tonight's The Night was released in 1975. A heavy, initimate, depressive, yet beautiful album. A look back. Read the full article: Neil Young wrestles death, addiction and guilt on Tonight’s The Night . (this article was published by A Pop Life - My life with music )

The full liner notes, inlays and insert texts off the Neil Young album Tonight's The Night! Read the full article: Neil Young – Tonight’s The Night – Extras . (this article was published by A Pop Life - My life with music )

In 2018 Neil Young (finally) released live recordings of the September 1973 Roxy shows where he played 6 Tonight's The Night shows in 3 days. Read the full article: Neil Young – ROXY Tonight’s The Night Live . (this article was published by A Pop Life - My life with music )

In 1995 Alanis Morissette conquered the world with Jagged Little Pill. A look back at one of the best selling albums of all time. Read the full article: Alanis Morissette – Jagged Little Pill . (this article was published by A Pop Life - My life with music )

In memoriam: Brian Wilson 1942-2025 Read the full article: In memoriam: Brian Wilson 1942-2025 . (this article was published by A Pop Life - My life with music )

4/5: Cat Power plays (yet another) great concert. This time she performed the entire (in)famous 1966 Bob Dylan show. Read the full article: Cat Power, 06/10/2025 . (this article was published by A Pop Life - My life with music )

In memoriam: Sly Stone 1943-2025 Read the full article: In memoriam: Sly Stone 1943-2025 . (this article was published by A Pop Life - My life with music )

Little Simz released her sixth album on June 6, 2025, and it's arguably her best yet. A review of a masterpiece! Read the full article: Little Simz – Lotus . (this article was published by A Pop Life - My life with music )

In 1985 Bryan Ferry released Girls And Boys, an unexpected hit for the former Roxy Music front man. A look back! Read the full article: Bryan Ferry translates sadness into beauty on Boys And Girls . (this article was published by A Pop Life - My life with music )

And then there was Loose Talk, an album that sees almost 80 year old Bryan Ferry going into new directions yet again. Original, moody and beautiful! Read the full article: Bryan Ferry & Amelia Barratt – Loose Talk . (this article was published by A Pop Life - My life with music )

In 1995 TLC released the beautiful Waterfalls, one of the best songs coming out of the 1990s. The story of a classic! Read the full article: TLC and the exquisite Waterfalls . (this article was published by A Pop Life - My life with music )

In 1980 The Beat released their debut album I Just Can't Stop It, filled with great songs. A look back at a ska-revival classic. Read the full article: I Just Can’t Stop It: The Beat’s debut album . (this article was published by A Pop Life - My life with music )

Het "Beat girl" logo is gebaseerd op een foto uit 1964. Het verhaal van de twistende Brigitte Bond lees je hier! Read the full article: Brigitte Bond: the story of the “Beat girl” . (this article was published by A Pop Life - My life with music )

Springsteen vs Trump. Criticism on the administration from Bruce Springsteen is followed by childlish reactions (and lies) from the White House. Read the full article: Springsteen vs Trump . (this article was published by A Pop Life - My life with music )

In 1980 Paul McCartney released his second solo abum. Misunderstood and too far ahead of its time, the album was trashed. A look back. Read the full article: Paul McCartney experiments on his second solo album . (this article was published by A Pop Life - My life with music )

In 1980 Wings were to tour Japan for the very first time, but Paul McCartney was caught on possession of cannabis and put in a Japanese cell. The complete story! Read the full article: Paul McCartney in Japan 1980: drugs, jail, deportation . (this article was published by A Pop Life - My life with music )

In 1985 New Order released their second classic 12-inch: The Perfect Kiss. Even better than Blue Monday? A look back! Read the full article: New Order’s second classic 12-inch: The Perfect Kiss . (this article was published by A Pop Life - My life with music )

2½/5: Gaye Su Akyol in Paradiso - Tolhuistuin on May 11, 2025. A reasonable show containing a few highlights. Read the full article: Gaye Su Akyol, 05/11/2025 . (this article was published by A Pop Life - My life with music )

In memoriam: Betty Wright 1953-2020 Read the full article: In memoriam: Betty Wright 1953-2020 . (this article was published by A Pop Life - My life with music )

On May 6, 2025, André 3000 released an EP: 7 piano sketches. A good description of what the EP entails. A review. Read the full article: André 3000 – 7 piano sketches . (this article was published by A Pop Life - My life with music )

In 2015 Van Hunt released his genius The Fun Rises, The Fun Sets., a modern old-school funk and soul album. A look back! Read the full article: Van Hunt and the story of his irresistible album The Fun Rises, The Fun Sets. . (this article was published by A Pop Life - My life with music )

The debut album by Chaparelle is a pleasant surprise, country in the best possible form: authentic, classic and beautiful songs. Read the full article: Chaparelle – Western Pleasure . (this article was published by A Pop Life - My life with music )

In 1990 World Party released their second (and best) album. The story of World Party and the Goodbye Jumbo album! Read the full article: World Party release highlight Goodbye Jumbo in 1990 . (this article was published by A Pop Life - My life with music )

3/5: Enthusiasm was huge, the performances were not that great, but The Family was outstanding! Read the full article: The Purple Jam, 04/21/2025 . (this article was published by A Pop Life - My life with music )