Nick DeRiso
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nickderiso.bsky.social
Nick DeRiso
@nickderiso.bsky.social
Author of 'Journey: Worlds Apart,' Amazon best-selling rock band + pop artist biography. Next: Exploring Bob Dylan and the Band. 17th Ward, New Orleans. www.nickderiso.com
October 2026 promises more huge expanded reissues, new rock albums, books and live recordings. Highlights include a 'Rubber Soul' box from the Beatles, an expanded version of 'Who by Numbers,' new solo music by Tony Iommi and a sequel LP from Rick Wakeman: ultimateclassicrock.com/october-2026...
October 1, 2026 at 4:21 PM
America, New York City, and classic rock were reshaped as the World Trade Center's South Tower collapsed 25 years ago today at 9:59AM, followed by the North Tower at 10:28. Music legends quickly began to push back against this new darkness. Here's how: ultimateclassicrock.com/911-aftermat...
September 11, 2026 at 1:01 PM
September promises to be a reissue-heavy month for classic-rock fans – but there are a few notable new releases, too. For instance, Neil Young will unveil 'Second Song,' a follow-up collaboration album with the Chrome Hearts. Here's my in-depth sneak peek:
ultimateclassicrock.com/september-20...
Every Major Rock Music Release Set to Arrive in September 2026
Here's a look at rock's major releases for September 2026.
ultimateclassicrock.com
September 1, 2026 at 7:11 PM
Sidewalk side at Endymion in 1988. "Wait, was that? IT WAS!"
www.youtube.com/watch?app=de...
August 25, 2026 at 7:41 PM
Best-selling tours are usually summertime affairs, when the weather is nice and rock fans have vacation days to spare. This year is different. More than 80 major acts will appear on stage in September, October and November. Here's my new preview:
ultimateclassicrock.com/fall-2026-ro...
Fall 2026 Preview! Get Ready for More Than 80 Major Rock Tours
Here's a preview of more than 80 of the biggest rock tours scheduled for fall 2026.
ultimateclassicrock.com
August 20, 2026 at 1:48 PM
Time offers new perspective. That certainly was the case with the Rolling Stones' "Start Me Up," which originally had a reggae vibe. The song had undergone a dramatic transformation by the time it finally arrived on this date 45 years ago. Here's how:
ultimateclassicrock.com/rolling-ston...
Why the Rolling Stones' Smash 'Start Me Up' Took So Long to Get Started
The Rolling Stones released 'Start Me Up,' their most recent U.K. Top 10 hit, on Aug. 14 1981.
ultimateclassicrock.com
August 14, 2026 at 7:00 PM
'Who's Next' arrived 55 years ago today with a group of songs that would become among the Who's best-loved – and a cover image once lovingly described by Pete Townshend as "pissing on the obelisk." But it wasn't that simple, actually:
ultimateclassicrock.com/whos-next-al...
The Who's Iconic 'Who's Next' Album Cover Was Almost Ruined – By a Urine Shortage
The Who released 'Who's Next' on Aug. 14, 1971, with an iconic cover image shot by Ethan Russell.
ultimateclassicrock.com
August 14, 2026 at 4:38 PM
The slate of August 2026 rock music releases is highlighted by new albums from members of Heart, Genesis and Marillion. John Fogerty will also expand his best-selling solo project. Here's a look: ultimateclassicrock.com/august-2026-...
What Rock Music Fans Have to Look Forward to in August 2026
Here's a look at rock's major releases for August 2026.
ultimateclassicrock.com
August 2, 2026 at 1:03 PM
Led Zeppelin's "Going to California" was a passion project for Jimmy Page and Robert Plant. "When you're in love with Joni Mitchell," Plant memorably quipped, "you've really got to write about it now and again."
July 22, 2026 at 10:09 PM
Paul McCartney's album-closing songs were sometimes romantic pop asides. They might rock, too. My new ranked list tends to echo McCartney's particular genius in this way. Few could claim such thrilling variation:
ultimateclassicrock.com/paul-mccartn...
The Paul McCartney Album Endings That Still Sound Like Nothing Else
A ranked look back at the final tracks on Paul McCartney's albums.
ultimateclassicrock.com
July 22, 2026 at 1:08 PM
Facts.
July 18, 2026 at 10:02 PM
Linda Ronstadt turns 80 today. She retired after a Parkinson's Disease diagnosis, but not before scoring a string of hits in the '70s. You can also find her stirring vocal contributions on a number of other projects. Here's a look back at the Top 10: ultimateclassicrock.com/linda-ronsta...
Top 10 Linda Ronstadt Collaborations
Linda Ronstadt's Hall of Fame career included duets with Neil Young, Paul Simon, the Eagles, Randy Newman and others.
ultimateclassicrock.com
July 15, 2026 at 12:24 PM
Paul McCartney's latest song with the Rolling Stones has arrived. Here's where "Covered in You" ranks in my new countdown of the 60 best Beatles collaborations: ultimateclassicrock.com/top-beatles-...
July 10, 2026 at 3:40 PM
Classic rock came along in America at the right time, as the album era got underway. So, this historic July 4th felt like a great time to take an in-depth look back – and celebrate it all. Here's UCR's staff-voted ranking of the 250 best American albums: ultimateclassicrock.com/top-250-amer...
July 4, 2026 at 2:44 PM
Amity Island Mayor Larry Vaughn, with a friendly reminder.
July 3, 2026 at 9:44 PM
A remake of 'Supergirl' is set to arrive this weekend. I'm told there will be no action sequence taking place at a Popeyes. So, I'm out.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNCG...
Supergirl - 1984 - [Supergirl To The Rescue]
YouTube video by Generation X
www.youtube.com
June 22, 2026 at 10:52 PM
Two more legendary classic-rock acts return with new music, just weeks after well-received albums by fellow stalwarts Paul McCartney, Peter Frampton and Yes. July 2026 will also see a raft of expanded reissues, hits packages and signature concert recordings:
ultimateclassicrock.com/july-2026-ne...
June 19, 2026 at 3:55 PM
I'll still be chasing the parades.
June 14, 2026 at 6:12 PM
Are legacy bands that undergo radical lineup changes over the years still beholden to what came before? That’s been Yes’ basic conundrum – and they've finally solved it on their new album, 'Aurora.' Here's my review: ultimateclassicrock.com/yes-aurora-r...
June 10, 2026 at 3:55 PM
Reposted by Nick DeRiso
June 9, 2026 at 5:45 PM
Paul Simon probably wouldn't have been allowed to leave without playing favorites like "Slip Slidin' Away" and "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard." But he also made room for "Train in the Distance," "Under African Skies" and "Spirit Voices." Simply transcendent.
Paul Simon's ongoing comeback will be the focus of an upcoming new album and film. Here's how you can check out 'Paul Simon: The Quiet Celebration Concert':
ultimateclassicrock.com/paul-simon-q...
June 4, 2026 at 7:03 PM
He's a troublemaker and a mixer.
June 4, 2026 at 2:25 PM
Rick Danko's solo debut precipitated the first partial studio reunion since the Band completed final tracking for 'Islands' just before taking the stage for 'The Last Waltz' in 1976. He managed another one in the most unlikely of settings: nickderiso.substack.com/p/how-rick-d...
June 3, 2026 at 9:30 PM