MTV Newsroom › Birthday

Bob Dylan Turns 70 And He's Still Rocking Like A Rolling Stone

Posted 5/24/11 4:36 pm EST by in Music


By Zachary Swickey

It's hard to believe that one of our rock's most revered singer/songwriters of all time, Bob Dylan, turned 70 today. Although the living legend hardly acts his age — he's been on the appropriately titled Never Ending Tour since 1988, which currently counts more than 2,300 shows.

There are very few senior citizens of rock who can still perform more than 100 shows a year (and keep the crowds coming), but Dylan's an artist that has stood the test of time: still producing critically acclaimed albums and winning awards. We have Bob to thank for inspiring a mass of modern bands and songwriters. Seems like an appropriate time to look back on some of his biggest moments in the new millennium.

2000 Academy Award for Best Original Song

Dylan recorded a new song, "Things Have Changed," for the Chris Hanson-directed Wonder Boys, a movie about a creative-writing professor played by Michael Douglas. The tune would go on to garner Dylan his first Academy Award, and also won Best Original Song at the 2001 Golden Globes.

Dylan's Memoirs, Part I

In 2004, Dylan released the first part of his planned, three-volume memoirs. The book has been lauded for its depth and found itself on The New York Times best-seller list for several months. In it, Dylan credits the first time he heard Robert Johnson as one of the main inspirations behind his interest in songwriting. Volume 1 was released nearly seven years ago, but there's still no word on when we can expect the next two. Read More...

Tags ,

Happy Birthday, Angus Young Of AC/DC!

Posted 3/31/11 12:30 pm EST by in Music


Today's birthday wishes go out to Angus Young of AC/DC, and though he is now 56 years old, the guy really is forever young. It isn't just because of his trademark school boy uniform (though that's certainly a big help), but it's also because of his lively concert performances and almost juvenile take (in the best way possible) on rock and roll.

AC/DC formed way back in 1973 when he was only 18 years old, and Young has been the group's lead guitarist since its inception. They instantly became huge in their native Australia, and it was mainly because of Young's incredible approach to music. He took blues riffs and melted them down, bent them in half, twisted them around and knocked them back out again with an incredible balance of power and grace. Those riffs helped turn giant slabs of proto-metal like "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap," "Highway to Hell," "Let There Be Rock" and "Back in Black" into huge hits and genre staples.

Though they've been playing music together for nearly 40 years, AC/DC remain an incredible presence in rock and roll. Their last studio album, 2008's Black Ice, was a big seller, and their accompanying world tour was extremely well-received. A lot of that has to do with Young's remarkable guitar work and manic energy (he still bounds around the stage like a crazed animal, still kicking and spinning better than any other rock star walking). AC/DC sort of had some lost years in there, but albums like 1995's Ballbreaker and 2000's Stiff Upper Lip have some gems — including "Satellite Blues," which comes from the latter album.


Tags , , ,

Happy Birthday, Perry Farrell!

Posted 3/29/11 10:30 am EST by in Music


Frost the cupcakes and get the trick candles ready, because it's time to wish dynamic rock frontman and Lollapalooza godfather Perry Farrell a very happy birthday. The diverse rocker is now 52 years old and is still going strong as the frontman of seminal band Jane's Addiction. But on this special day, it's time to look back at one of his more underrated projects.

When it came time for Jane's Addiction to call it quits, Farrell staged the first Lollapalooza as a farewell tour for the band in the summer of 1991 (that tour also featured Siouxsie and the Banshees, Nine Inch Nails, Living Colour, Ice-T and Body Count, Butthole Surfers, Rollins Band, Violent Femmes and Fishbone). With the band in his rearview, Farrell formed a new combo called Porno for Pyros (which also featured Jane's Addiction drummer Stephen Perkins). The group released its first self-titled album in the spring of 1993 to big sales, mostly on the back of the heavy-rotation single "Pets" (a fantasy narrative about aliens visiting Earth and keeping humans captive as house pets). The band toured extensively and also notched a high-profile slot at Woodstock '94 (that was the one with the mud, not the one with the bonfires).

Their second album Good God's Urge was even more eclectic and envelope-pushing, and it also rocked a little bit harder than the debut. Released in the spring of 1996, Good God's Urge dove deep into darker sonic soundscapes and found Farrell focusing even more of his lyrical energy on mythology and the supernatural. The single "Tahitian Moon" is emblematic of Good God's Urge, as it features a blistering guitar riff, some island grooves and Farrell's ethereal voice. It's a killer song with a great video, and it's a perfect way to celebrate Farrell's birthday.


Tags , , , , ,

Happy Birthday, Lady Gaga!

Posted 3/28/11 1:00 pm EST by in Music


If today feels a bit more celebratory, that's probably because it's time for Stefani Germanotta — the woman known to the universe as Lady Gaga — to commemorate her birth. The international pop sensation is 25 years old today, and she has managed to accomplish quite a bit in her quarter century (including three chart-topping singles).

But what has she accomplished in comparison to Madonna, her clearest antecedent, when she was 25? The Material Girl turned 25 in 1983, just after releasing her debut self-titled album. She was already starting to build up her following, and the singles "Holiday," "Lucky Star" and "Borderline" were about to help her bust out of the clubs and onto mainstream radio. When she was 25, she also recorded and released her second album Like a Virgin, released the hit single of the same name (which became her first chart-topping single) and performed said song on the very first MTV Video Music Awards.

Gaga had a bit of a head start, as her debut album broke out slightly earlier than Madonna's. As stated above, Gaga already has three chart-toppers and not only has performed on the MTV Video Music Awards but has also taken home a handful of trophies. Gaga also has five Grammy awards to her name (Madonna didn't win her first until 1992, and that was for Best Long Form Video).

So at age 25, that puts Gaga slightly ahead of Madonna on the cards. She has a lot to maintain over the next few decades if she is going to match Madge's resumé, but she already seems to be on the right track. In fact, she has proven herself to be a top-shelf collaborator, as she not only teamed up with Beyoncé on her own "Telephone" and also on B's "Video Phone."


Tags , ,

Happy Birthday, Billy Corgan: Wake-Up Video

Posted 3/17/11 10:30 am EST by in Music


It's a little bit ironic that Billy Corgan, perhaps the gloomiest Gus of the alternative rock era, celebrates his birthday on a day typically reserved for unbridled celebration. Corgan turns 44 years old on this St. Patrick's Day, so celebrate with a double-frosted cupcake and some green streamers.

Corgan is best known as the frontman and mastermind behind Smashing Pumpkins, one of the definitive alternative rock bands from the '90s. Founded in Chicago, the Pumpkins first got some attention with their debut album Gish (which was produced by Butch Vig only a few months before he twiddled the knobs for Nirvana's classic Nevermind). The Pumpkins went from underground favorites to mainstream juggernauts with Siamese Dream, which contained signature hits like "Cherub Rock," "Disarm" and "Today," all of which became instant radio staples and have scarcely left heavy rotation since.

Smashing Pumpkins continued to evolve, expand and contract like a living organism, and they eventually split so Corgan could pursue other avenues (which included a solo album and a sorta-supergroup called Zwan). But he eventually came back to the place — and the songs — that he loved, and Smashing Pumpkins reformed in 2006 (though at the time, the only members of the "classic" lineup included Corgan and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin; only Corgan remains today). The band picked up right where it left off, grinding out savage slabs of white-hot beauty powered by Corgan's masterful guitar playing and unique voice. His work with the Pumpkins remains his best, though the one album produced by Zwan remains something of an underrated gem. So in honor of Corgan's birthday, play "Honestly" extra loud.


Tags , , , ,

Happy Birthday, Mark McGrath!

Posted 3/15/11 4:00 pm EST by in Music


Pick up some extra shiny Mylar balloons and fill the pinata with Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, because it's Mark McGrath's birthday. The Sugar Ray singer, "Don't Forget the Lyrics!" host and current "The Celebrity Apprentice" contestant is 43 years old today.

McGrath first introduced himself to the greater pop culture universe as the voice behind "Fly," Sugar Ray's 1997 breakout hit. Since the video for "Fly" was in ultra-heavy rotation back in '97, McGrath became an instant star, and his natural charisma carried over in the band's other videos, during interviews and on stage. Though they had "One Hit Wonder" written all over them, Sugar Ray managed to continue one-upping themselves with their subsequent albums, including 1999's 14:59 (which featured the hits "Every Morning," "Falls Apart" and "Someday") and 2001's Sugar Ray (which spawned the hit "When It's Over").

That same charisma that made him a great frontman also made McGrath a natural talent on television, which is how he ended up as the co-host of "Extra," a much-loved contestant on "Rock and Roll Jeopardy" and the ringmaster of "Don't Forget the Lyrics." He can currently be found on "The Celebrity Apprentice" as a teammate of Meat Loaf, Lil Jon, Gary Busey and a handful of other like-minded stars earning money for charity (McGrath represents the Save the Music Foundation, which helps provide money for music programs in schools). He is an early favorite on the show and could easily win (if he can outlast Star Jones, of course).

But McGrath will always have Sugar Ray, his first and greatest love. In honor of his birthday, check out the video for "Answer the Phone," which contains a boatload of classic clips and images from the band's early days.


Tags , , ,

Happy Birthday, Joel And Benji Madden!

Posted 3/11/11 2:30 pm EST by in Music


Not only is today the birthday of MTV Movies Blog editor Josh Wigler, but it's also the double-dip birthday of Joel and Benji Madden, the dynamic duo who make up the core of Good Charlotte. The twins turn 32 years old today.

The Madden brothers grew up in suburban Maryland under the last name Combs, but when their father left they both legally changed their surname to Madden (which was their mother's maiden name). The roots of Good Charlotte began when the brothers were still in high school, but their public life began with the release of their self-titled debut in 2000. Anchored by the single "Little Things," Good Charlotte became a minor hit in the Warped Tour universe.

But the band really found success with their second album The Young and the Hopeless, which landed in the fall of 2002. That album featured some of the band's best-known tunes, including "Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous," "The Anthem," "Girls & Boys" and "Hold On" (the latter of which was accompanied by an amazing anti-suicide video that ranks as one of the most intense, underrated clip of the past 10 years). The Young and the Hopeless went on to sell over three million copies and turned Good Charlotte into headliners.

Since then, the group has experimented both within the confines of the band and outside on their own. The brothers launched their own clothing label and formed a production team called Dead Executives, and Joel became something of a tabloid regular after getting together and having children with Nicole Richie. Meanwhile, Benji Madden has provided support to a number of other bands and is also a member of a side project called Taintstick.

In honor of the Madden brothers' birthday, crank up their 2010 hit "Like It's Her Birthday," from the band's fifth album Cardiology.


Tags , , , ,

Happy Birthday, Carrie Underwood!

Posted 3/10/11 10:30 am EST by in Music


It's time to bust out the good sparkling wine and rent out a roller rink for the day, because today is country sensation Carrie Underwood's birthday. The winner of the fourth season of "American Idol" turns 28 today, and she'll undoubtedly be celebrating in style.

Underwood grew up on a farm in the small town of Checotah, Oklahoma. She grew up singing, performing in church and at local events, and she was even close to signing a record deal when she was only 13 years old. But it took the exposure offered by "American Idol" to turn her into a star. The fourth season of the show is remembered as being one of the most anti-climatic in the competition's history, mostly because Underwood seemed destined to win from the start. At no point over the course of the season was she ever in the bottom three, and along the way she dialed in some of the greatest "Idol" performances in the history of the show, including her run through Heart's "Alone" and her take on Elvis Presley's "Trouble."

Since her victory, Underwood has churned out three albums that adhere far more to traditional Nashville country than they do pop music (she's way more old school than Taylor Swift, for example). Just about every single she releases tops the Billboard Country chart (she already has 10 chart-toppers to her name, including her breakout single "Jesus, Take the Wheel" and the crossover hit "Cowboy Cassanova"). In honor of Underwood's big day, fire up her video for "Before He Cheats," one of her big breakout hits from her smash debut Some Hearts.


Tags , ,

Happy Birthday, Bow Wow!

Posted 3/9/11 9:30 am EST by in Music


Fill up the pinata with Fun Size Snickers and break out the good champagne, because today we celebrate the birthday of Shad Moss — better known to the universe as Bow Wow. The rapper and actor is only 24 years old, but when you sign your first recording deal at age 11 and drop your debut album at 13, you can cram in a pretty full career by your mid 20s.

Bow Wow was first introduced to the music world as Lil Bow Wow. He was rapping as early as age six, using the name Kid Gangsta and busting out relatively hardcore rhymes for a child. He attracted the attention of Snoop Dogg, who gave him the name Bow Wow. Later, he took that moniker to record producer Jermaine Dupri, who helped construct Bow Wow's debut album Beware of Dog. It's a particularly engaging and accomplished release, and it proved that despite his youth, his skills were pretty sharp. He followed that release up with 2001's Doggy Bag and dropped the "Lil" from his name for 2003's Unleashed.

By then, Bow Wow had already dipped his toe into the film world, scoring a starring role in the family basketball comedy "Like Mike." Over time, he has become as known for his acting as he has been for his rapping, and his starring role in "Lottery Ticket" and his stint on the HBO series "Entourage" (where he played an up-and-coming stand-up comedian) are both excellent accomplishments. (He also turned in a memorable performance in a classic episode of the Ashton Kutcher prank show "Punk'd.")

But must remains his first love, and the latter half of the last decade was filled with smash albums for Bow Wow (including 2005's Wanted, 2006's The Price of Fame and 2009's New Jack City II). He has another album scheduled to hit the streets later this year, but in honor of his birthday, crank up "Fresh Azimiz," one of his highest-charting hits and a signature tune from Wanted.


Tags , ,

Happy Birthday, James Van Der Beek!

Posted 3/8/11 12:30 pm EST by in Music


Be sure to get some extra frosting for the cupcakes today (assuming you're going out to get your regular Tuesday cupcakes), because it's James Van Der Beek's birthday. The actor turns 34 years old today, and though he is best known as playing the title character on "Dawson's Creek," he has recently been expanding his portfolio and picked up a lot more notoriety in some unusual venues.

Van Der Beek became a star back in 1998 when "Dawson's Creek" premiered on the relatively new network the WB. The role turned him into an instant teen idol and helped define the station (which became a haven for teen shows and laid the groundwork for future hits like "The O.C." and "Gossip Girl"). He also scored an early film hit with "Varsity Blues," which has become a beloved cult favorite.

Actually, much of Van Der Beek's film work exists in the "beloved cult favorite" category. He played the lead role in the 2002 adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis' novel "The Rules of Attraction," and also lead the way in the woefully underrated 2001 Western "Texas Rangers." Lately, he has made his bones dropping in on hit TV shows with instantly memorable performances (his turns on "Criminal Minds," "Robot Chicken" and "Mercy" have been particularly excellent).

More recently, he has become something of an Internet star. The image of him crying during a particularly emotional scene on "Dawson's Creek" became an early photo meme on message boards across the Web, and late last year he parlayed that notoriety into a series of videos on Funny or Die during "Van Der Week" (including a great series of animated gifs and the great "A--hole for Hire"). And his most recent appearance was in Ke$ha's video for "Blow," which stars a playful, dancing Van Der Beek. Crank it up in his honor.


Tags , ,

Page 1 of 712345...Last »
SPONSORS
AD:
©2012 Viacom International Inc. All Rights Reserved. MTV and all related titles and logos are trademarks of Viacom International Inc.