Ryan Book

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  • Billboard Hot 100 vs. Official Charts Company: 2Pac, Wiz Khalifa and 40 Years of No. 1s

    Few people realize just how different the music across the pond is from that we listen to in America, that the Hot 100 doesn't exist in the UK, and that its equivalent to our singles chart doesn't just feature a whole bunch of American artists with even more One Direction and Ellie Goulding tracks.Music Times is looking back at the last five decades of music, and at the no. 1 hits on April 2 every ten years on the spot, going back to 1975. The ultimate contest, of course, is which country has better taste. Last month the win went to the UK in the best-of-five showdown. This month features Wiz Khalifa, Carrie Underwood, 2Pac and more in the field.

  • What Performers Have Played Historic Venues Most? Carnegie Hall, Red Rocks, More

    Billy Joel made history at one of the most acclaimed music venues in the world this week when he played his 65th concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The total helped him to surpass that of friend Elton John, giving him the most appearances at the historic Manhattan venue. There are many music venues the world over that are adored by performers and fans alike, but unfortunately not many have done much work in attempting to figure out what performers have played there the most. Of course, many—such as The Troubadour in Los Angeles—probably didn't foresee themselves lasting as long as they have. Music Times has done our best to figure out what musicians have played the most gigs at some of the world's most vaunted performance spaces.

  • Breaking Benjamin, Tori Kelly, and Kacey Musgraves Top Albums Chart

    This week's albums chart wasn't too much of a shakeup from the Billboard 200, except that all of the records that dropped in the Top 10 of the latter managed to move up a few places on the former. Breaking Benjamin, Tori Kelly and Kacey Musgraves took the top three spots, respectively, once again.

  • The Libertines Confirm New Album 'Anthems For Doomed Youth' for September

    The Libertines have made good on the promise of a new album during 2015, announcing that Anthems For Doomed Youth will drop on September 4. The band signed to Harvest Records/Virgin EMI during 2014 with the aspirations for a new record this year and it seems that the group has come through. This marks the first album in more than a decade for the rockers and, believe it or not, only the band's third album overall. Issues and disagreements caused the band to go on a lengthy hiatus following 2004's self-titled record.

  • Billboard's 50 Acts for 50 States: Taylor Swift, Eminem, More Rep Hometowns

    Billboard came up with a fun project for the July 4th holiday, assigning a music performer that best represents each of the 50 states. According to the site, final decisions were largely based on sales results from its charts, but a performer's deception to their home state via its lyrics also made a difference. Check out what performer made it for your state and let us know if Billboard chose well.

  • Jerry Garcia's Daughter Says Grateful Dead Considered Hologram for 'Fare Thee Well'

    All the talk surrounding the Grateful Dead's "Fare Thee Well" concerts in hometown Santa Clara was the rainbow that appeared vividly over Levi Stadium over the weekend. Many suggested that the weather event was more than coincidental, and that perhaps the high price of tickets to the show was used to create a miraculous special effect. Music Times reported on the event this week and suggested that perhaps the band would play alongside a hologram of deceased founding guitarist Jerry Garcia when the concert series moves to Chicago this weekend. Trixie Garcia, his daughter, told Billboard this week that the idea was, in fact, considered.

  • Debbie Harry by Decade: Celebrating the Blondie Frontwoman's 70th Birthday

    The year 1945 was an astounding one for music history, giving us Eric Clapton, Bob Seger, John Fogerty and Carly Simon. Add another big 70th birthday to the year, as July 1 marks the near-diamond anniversary of Blondie frontwoman Debbie Harry. Music Times is celebrating the big day by looking back over her four decades in music and choosing our favorite track from each of the ten-year spans she's spent in business.

  • Greece, Colonel Tom Parker, Allen Klein and Other Bad Money Managers

    Odds are, if you're reading Music Times right now, you aren't all that interested in the current financial crisis of Greece, or the fact that the nation failed to pay the 1.5 billion euros it owed the International Monetary Fund as its bailout expired. It's a big—and very complicated—deal, but we're not going to take up your time explaining the sticky situation it puts both the Mediterranean nation and the European Union in. Instead, we figured we'd show you some of the worst money management issues in music...or more specifically, the managers that ran their clients through the cleaners worst. Performers such as Elvis Presley, Beyoncé and NSYNC get hosed.

  • Breaking Benjamin Breaks Sales Mark with New Album; Tori Kelly + Kacey Musgraves Follow

    Apparently the waiting only makes desire stronger, or at least that's what Breaking Benjamin learned with its most recent release, 'Dark Before Dawn.' The band had gone more than six years without a new album but the new release debuted with 141,000 equivalent copies sold (and 135,000 actual copies, marking the group's highest sales week ever). It's also the band's first no. 1 album on the Billboard 200. Kacey Musgraves and Tori Kelly also dropped new albums.

  • Prince Releases New Song 'HARDROCKLOVER'; Shades Sade and Babyface?

    Many would consider Prince to be among them most influential R&B performers ever, and the music he produced within that genre as some of the sexiest of all time. The Purple One himself has taken a very different attitude in his new song however, declaring during "HARDROCKLOVER" that he's just what the title suggests.

  • Dave Grohl, Foo Fighters WILL Perform in Washington D.C. on July 4th

    Music Times reported earlier this week that the Foo Fighters could be in quite a bit of financial trouble if frontman Dave Grohl isn't able to bounce back quickly from the leg fracture he suffered a few weeks ago...but it seems our fears are assuaged as the band has hinted that he'll be back at the fore for the band's July 4th concert in Washington D.C.

  • Producer Destroyed Demos for Amy Winehouse 'Back To Black' Follow-Up

    The new documentary shining light on the life of Amy Winehouse has generated both raves and controversy, but there's at least one bit of news that nearly everyone can agree is good: The final demos that the vocalist created before her death have been destroyed, ensuring that Drake won't come along and try to release them.

  • Thom Yorke Albums on Apple Music...Despite Unadulterated Hatred for Streaming

    Taylor Swift has become the figurehead of the anti-streaming movement in the last year thanks to pulling '1989' and the rest of her discography from Spotify during 2014, but Radiohead's Thom Yorke has hated the concept longer and more deeply than anyone. Yet Stereogum (as well as the rest of the world) was shocked to find that the frontman's solo discography was ready for streaming on Apple Music.
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