Topic: Music

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Bob Dylan: 20 best lyrics on his birthday

For legendary singer-songwriter Bob Dylan's birthday, here are our picks for his 20 best lyrics of all time.
Bob Moog: 6 artists influenced by his work

On what would have been Moog's 78th birthday, here are 6 musicians whose work was influenced by his groundbreaking technologies.
10 great books about cycling

Whether you ride a bike or not, summer is the perfect time to pick up a book about cycling.
12 parenting advice tips from Bruce Springsteen lyrics

Setting out to prove that Bruce Springsteen’s lyrics are not only about cars and being on the run; but can provide great inspiration for being a good parent.
Facebook stock: 6 intriguing investors

Facebook stock will make many people suddenly wealthy when it begins trading this Friday. The company is expected to be valued somewhere around $100 billion, with stock expected to sell anywhere between $34 and $38 per share. Here are six of the more unexpected people set to make a killing with initial public offering of Facebook stock, including a rock star, a graffiti artist, and pair of Mark Zuckerberg’s enemies.

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Doc Watson, innovative guitarist and 'positive icon' for Appalachian region

Doc Watson, who passed on Tuesday, developed a signature style of guitar picking, elevating the instrument to frontline status and influencing guitarists of every genre.
Decoder Wire
Bob Dylan awarded Medal of Freedom. What does that say about US? (+video)

Why did Bob Dylan look so strained during the Medal of Freedom ceremony at the White House Tuesday? Perhaps because his musical insurgency was being memorialized.
Modern Parenthood
Charlize Theron: diapers, dogs, adoption, and some life lessons

Charlize Theron, on the "Snow White and the Huntsman" publicity trail, brings us today’s celebrity mom inferiority complex – but with some thoughts actually worth pondering on diapers, dogs, adoption, and life lessons.
Doc Watson: North Carolina's blind guitar picker extraordinaire

Doc Watson, one of America's greatest folk musicians, passed on Tuesday. Doc Watson won eight Grammy Awards and influenced a generation of guitar players.
Carole King

Carole King's memoir is short on musical details, but long on the artist's personal saga.
President Obama smoked pot in high school. Why is he against legalizing marijuana?

A new biography details Barack Obama's use of marijuana in high school and college, not unusual for a young man at that time. As president, Obama has taken a tougher line on drug use, including marijuana for medical reasons.
Reader recommendation: Sex and the River Styx

Monitor readers share their favorite book picks.
Top Picks: Paul Rishell's old country blues, a new novel on the Tudors, and more

Ronald Reagan offers advice for all bridegrooms, PBS airs the documentary about soldiers on the battlefield and at home, 'Hell and Back Again,' and more top picks.
American Idol crowns Phillip Phillips in talented, funny, bizarre finale (+video)

American Idol: After months of competition, American Idol aired its finale on Wednesday night and anointed Phillip Phillips as the winner of Season 11.
Bob Dylan: 20 best lyrics on his birthday

For legendary singer-songwriter Bob Dylan's birthday, here are our picks for his 20 best lyrics of all time.
Bob Moog: 6 artists influenced by his work

On what would have been Moog's 78th birthday, here are 6 musicians whose work was influenced by his groundbreaking technologies.
Horizons
Bob Moog: How he changed music forever

A Google doodle today honors the legacy of Bob Moog, the creator of a famous line of synthesizers, and the grandfather of electronic music. 
Are celebrity judges ruining American Idol and other talent shows?

Killing the Golden Goose? By relying on Jennifer Lopez (American Idol) and Britney Spears (The X Factor), are talent shows putting celebrities ahead of discovering new talent?
10 great books about cycling

Whether you ride a bike or not, summer is the perfect time to pick up a book about cycling.
12 parenting advice tips from Bruce Springsteen lyrics

Setting out to prove that Bruce Springsteen’s lyrics are not only about cars and being on the run; but can provide great inspiration for being a good parent.
American Idol: Joshua Ledet learns that three's a crowd (+video)

American Idol: Though not a shocking elimination, the loss of Joshua Ledet was an unfortunate choice by voters. That leaves Jessica Sanchez and Phillip Phillips in next week's American Idol finale.
Jennifer Lopez: Leaving 'American Idol' or stalling for more money?

Jennifer Lopez has not signed on for a third season on American Idol. Her children, a world concert tour, are cited as why she might leave. Is Jennifer Lopez too busy or negotiating for more than $20 million a year.
Donna Summer remembered as 'Queen of Disco' (+video)

Donna Summer personified the 1970s disco era. But Donna Summer's music career outlived disco. Summer, born in Boston, passed away in Florida on Thursday.
American Idol: Steven Tyler predicts a Jessica Sanchez win (+video)

American Idol: The final three contestants each performed three songs Wednesday night. After her first performance, Steven Tyler predicted that Jessica Sanchez would take home the American Idol title. Did he speak too soon?
Modern Parenthood
Jay-Z music break for baby Blue reflects new daddy nurturer trend

Jay-Z takes a music break to "hang out" with his new baby Blue Ivy Carter. He reflects a new trend as daddy nurturer – most white collar men polled ina a new study want to spend more time at home with their new babies.
Facebook stock: 6 intriguing investors

Facebook stock will make many people suddenly wealthy when it begins trading this Friday. The company is expected to be valued somewhere around $100 billion, with stock expected to sell anywhere between $34 and $38 per share. Here are six of the more unexpected people set to make a killing with initial public offering of Facebook stock, including a rock star, a graffiti artist, and pair of Mark Zuckerberg’s enemies.
Culture Cafe
'Follies' and 'La Boheme' take Los Angeles by storm

'La Boheme' makes a classic new again, while Sondheim's 'Follies' is a show only now being hailed as a masterwork.
Keep Calm
Good Reads: on the politics of language, Genghis Khan, and the Beastie Boys

This week's reading list includes a book review on how we use and abuse language, leadership tips from Genghis Khan, and a tribute to the late hip hop master and peace activist, Adam Yauch. 
American Idol: Phil Phillips sizzles with Damien Rice hit 'Volcano' (+video)

American Idol Top 4: With only two weeks left, Phil Phillips delivers a breakthrough performance of "Volcano." But American Idol judges reserve their standing ovations for Joshua Ledet and Jessica Sanchez.
Who won 'The Voice'? Jermaine Paul, no longer a 'backup singer' (+video)

'The Voice' winner, Jermaine Paul, gets a $100,000 and a recording contract. Justin Bieber also appeared on the The Voice stage Tuesday night. Jermaine Paul was once a backup singer for Alicia Keys.