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As I mentioned a couple months ago, Debbie Gibson was a significant part of the late 1980s pop music experience of a lot of Generation Xers like me.  It doesn’t seem so long ago that the then-17-year-old Gibson was reaching the top 5 with her first four singles.  Yet, today, Debbie (who now goes by Deborah) Gibson, turns 40 years old.  Still performing, as her official Web site notes, Gibson will end a run in a Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy at MGM Foxwoods in Connecticut tomorrow.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNN0PypXflQ

Walking On A Thin Line is one of Huey Lewis and the News’ most underrated songs. This tune was originally released off the Sports album and received minor success. Thanks to Ray for inspiring this entry.

At the 1981 Grammy Awards, Christopher Cross took home the bank. He became the first solo artist to win the “Big 4″ Grammies (Best Record, Best Song, Best Album, Best New Artist) in one show.  (Norah Jones would equal the feat in 2003.)  Cross’s Best Song and Best Record awards came for “Sailing,” which spent one week at the top of the Hot 100 exactly 30 years ago today.  In the years since, “Sailing” has been remade by a number of artists, perhaps most prominently by ‘N Sync in 1998.

Christopher Cross is still making music and performing today.  You can check out more at his official website.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=22RNJLPCDyg

Katy Perry’s sophomore effort “Teenage Dream” spawned the single “California Girls” which was the big hit of the summer. Now she’s back with another strong single, the title track off her most recent release, called “Teenage Dream”. Is Katy the new pop princess?

Regardless of what any of us think of the Iraq War, it is currently in the process of coming to an end, with the removal of all combat troops scheduled to be finished by the end of the month.  Coincidentally (or perhaps not; one can never know how much politicians realize these things), today also marks the 40th anniversary of Edwin Starr’s “War” hitting the top of the Hot 100 to begin a three-week stay.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDf0j3SEseU

What happens when you mix the Police and Dire Straits? Listen to this video combining the Police’s “I Can’t Stand Losing You” and Dire Straits’ “Sultans of Swing”. Do you think these two artists sound good together?

Twenty years ago today I was in my very first week of college.  Just out of high school, I was developing my identity as a rock ‘n’ roll musician and music history afficionado.  I didn’t know a lot about Stevie Ray Vaughan, but I did know who he was.  In years to come, I would come to gain a deep appreciation of him as one of the greatest blues guitarists ever.  Unfortunately, the overwhelming majority of that appreciation came after his death.  Twenty years ago today, Vaughan was killed at the age of 35 in a helicopter crash after performing at a concert alongside the likes of Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy, and Robert Cray.  I can still vividly remember watching news reports of the event in the lounge on my dormitory floor.  Indeed, I can’t think of the opening days of my college life without also thinking of Vaughan.

Rolling Stone magazine is releasing a book today that counts down the top 100 Beatles songs of all-time. The book was complied solely by the writers of Rolling Stone, so your list may vary.

Here are the top ten Beatles songs:
01. A Day in the Life
02. I Want to Hold Your Hand
03. Strawberry Fields Forever
04. Yesterday
05. In My Life
06. Something
07. Hey Jude
08. Let It Be
09. Come Together
10. While My Guitar Gently Weeps

What’s your top ten Beatles song list?

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/photos/28431/194023

If you’re interested in good indie metal, you might check out King of the Monsters records.  Started by Mike Genz and Tawna Hannifan, the Arizona-based record label has been producing music since 1994.  While they’ve got a lot of good stuff, I’ve personally really been digging Misery Strengthened Faith by Unruh, whom you can see performing in the clip above.

For more on King of the Monsters records, check out their website.  You can also order from them here.