NYS Music 202​0

Tag: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

  • Pepsi Welcome Notorious B.I.G. into Rock Hall with Freestyle Challenge

    In honor of hip hop icon The Notorious B.I.G.’s induction into the Rock Hall of Fame, Pepsi released the remastered version to his one-of-a-kind Pepsi freestyle from 1997. The brand-new audio sparked online conversation about whether or not it was meant to be an ad. Nonetheless, the marketing tool was a success and brought attention to the fallen legend’s upcoming ordainment into the Rock Hall.

    Furthermore, Pepsi have doubled down on their celebration of the “Juicy” rapper with a newly announced “BIG Pepsi Freestyle Challenge.” Partnering with flagship New York radio station, Hot 97 — where B.I.G.’s original freestyle was recorded – Aspiring recording artists will have an opportunity to showcase their lyrical prowess with the ability to earn numerous prizes in the process. Using a beat provided on Hot 97’s website, entrants are to deliver their best freestyles mentioning Pepsi along with posting it on their social media outlets using the hashtags #BIGPepsiFreestyle & #Hot97Contest. A winner will be named a Champion plus four free nights of studio recording time and one week of digital market on Hot 97. Freestyles must be submitted by Friday, November 6 at 11:59 p.m., while official contest rules can be found here.

    Pepsi
    NEW YORK – JULY 23: Rappers Tupac Shakur, The Notorious B.I.G. aka Biggie Smalls (Christoper Wallace) and Puff Daddy (sean Combes) perform onstage at the Palladium on July 23, 1993 in New York, New York. (Photo by Al Pereira/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

    Known for his mind-blowing freestyling, songwriting, intricate rhyme schemes and off-the-cuff delivery, The Notorious B.I.G.’s Rock Hall of Fame indication comes as no surprise. He will headline the 35thannual class of Rock Hall inducteeswith the likes of Whitney Houston, Nine Inch Nails, The Doobie Brothers, amongst others. With a short career spanning only four years (he debuted in 1993 and was shot and killed in 1997), The Notorious B.I.G was able to transcend pop culture with his debut LP, Ready to Die, along with his posthumous diamond double-disc album, Life After Death. With hit records such as “Juicy,” “Hypnotize,” “Mo Money Mo Problems,” the Brooklyn bred emcee set a standard for lyrical competence combined with stylish bravado, leaving many following in his footsteps.

  • Universal Preservation Hall to Reopen July 26 with Interactive Exhibit “Part of the Machine: Rock and Pinball”

    Saratoga Springs, home of the new Universal Preservation Hall, will open the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame exhibit “Part of the Machine: Rock & Pinball.” This interactive exhibit, presented by the Adirondack Trust Company, will have a two-month run showcasing rock-themed pinball machines paired with merchandise and rock & roll artifacts displaying the artistic expression of the featured artists.

    A partner in the Proctors Collaborative, UPH has made advance tickets available at universalpreservationhall.org, rates are currently $20 for adults and $10 for students, with day of tickets being $25 for adults and $15 for students. Your purchased ticket will buy you a 90-minute block of time in the exhibit, with blocks starting at 10 a.m., 2 p.m., and 4 p.m. each day. Hours will be extended to include two additional blocks at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. The capacity for each time block will initially be set to 20 guests and the event will conclude on Saturday, Sept. 26. 

    “It wasn’t clear when COVID-19 came along that we could hold the event but now that museums are reopening in the state we are proceeding with our plans,” said Teddy Foster, director at UPH. 

    In compliance with CDC and New York State guidelines each visitor, staff person, and volunteer will be required to bring and wear a face mask as well as wear provided gloves while playing the pinball machines. All individuals will also be required to maintain proper social distancing. UPH staff will also take and record each individual’s temperature and procure proper tracing information. Before and after each time block all surfaces including handrails, light switches, elevators, exhibit pieces, restrooms, and common surfaces will be sanitized.

    pinball machine exhibit

    “Rock and roll and pinball have a lot in common. Loud, colorful and rebellious, it was inevitable that the two would combine to celebrate rock’s icons,” said Karen Herman, Vice President of Collections and Curatorial Affairs, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. “A number of artists and bands have been immortalized in pinball games. It gives fans another way to experience the energy and power of rock and uniquely connect with their favorite artists.”

    Making its debut as part of the exhibit is Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee and shock rock pioneer Alice Cooper’s newest pinball machine – Alice Cooper’s Nightmare Castle. The classic horror adventure game is narrated by Cooper himself and features a number of songs spanning Cooper’s career and a working guillotine set piece. 

    Fans can also view pioneering pinball machines of their favorite musicians such as Captain Fantastic (1976), based on the album by Elton John and his character in Tommy, and Beat Time (1967), one of the oldest rock and roll tables, which capitalizes on Beatlemania, featuring several mop-topped musicians and a drumhead emblazoned with “The Bootles.”

    Other rare and sought-after playable machines in the exhibit pay tribute to the Rolling Stones, Dolly Parton, Guns N’ Roses, Elvis, Metallica, KISS, and AC/DC. From Peter Criss of KISS’ drum set to Dolly Parton’s dress that inspired the backglass for the DollyParton pinball machine, fans will find other artifacts on display as they learn more about the popular pinball and rock subculture.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFrDpx7zLtA

  • Rock Legend Little Richard Dies at 87

    Rock and R&B legend Little Richard died on May 9th, 2020 at the age of 87. The legend sold more than 30 million records worldwide and was widely recognized as the “architect of rock ‘n’ roll.” Pastor Bill Minson, a close friend of Little Richard’s, told The Associated Press that Little Richard died Saturday morning. The rock icon’s agent Dick Allen later confirmed he was suffering from bone cancer.

    Richard Wayne Penniman, more commonly known as Little Richard, was born in Macon, Georgia. He grew up during the Great Depression and was one of 12 children. As a child he didn’t conform to typical gender expression norms and suffered a small deformity where his right leg was shorter than his left, making him a bit of an outcast.

    He had multiple successful hits including “Tutti Frutti” which made it into the Top 40 and “Lucille,” “Keep A Knockin’,” “Long Tall Sally” and “Good Golly Miss Molly” which were all foundations of rock music according to the New York Times.

    Little Richard was one of the original inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which opened in 1986, alongside Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis, Sam Cooke and others. Little Richard is known for saying, “I am the architect of rock ‘n’ roll! I am the originator!” during the 1988 Grammy Awards due in part to being a founding member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

    He announced his retirement from live performing back in August of 2002 but still could be seen performing the occasional show or on commercials like his appearance in a 2006 commercial for GEICO insurance.

    Little Richard is known for being an influence on many musicians and  claimed he paved the way for Elvis, provided Mick Jagger with his stage moves and conducted vocal lessons for McCartney according to the New York Times. Bruno Mars is known for saying Little Richard was a big influence for him.

    We mourn his loss and send our condolences to his family and friends.

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