Bob Ruggiero

2 weeks ago | houstonpress.com | Bob Ruggiero |Houston Press

click to enlarge Carlos Santana with one of his many signature hats. Photo © Maryanne Bilham It’s only April, but Carlos Santana—one of rock’s most legendary guitarists—is already thinking about Christmas. At least that’s the holiday on his mind when discussing the just-released album, Sentient. “The most accurate way to describe it is like a Christmas tree. And all the ornaments are gratitude, compassion, consideration, mercy, and grace.

3 weeks ago | houstonpress.com | Tom Richards |Vic Shuttee |Bob Ruggiero

Somebody tell DJ Tanner, because actor, singer and New Kids on the Block-er Joey McIntyre is coming to town,However this time, Joey's flying solo, with phase one of his new tour promoting his semi-autobiographical album Freedom. “I haven’t done a full length solo album in 15 years actually,” the entertainer says ahead of his one night only show on April 4 at White Oak Music Hall. “I wanted to do it, and I guess if I’m going to do it, I wanted to be as honest as possible.

3 weeks ago | houstonpress.com | Bob Ruggiero

click to enlarge Book cover Harold Bronson has already garnered the lifelong appreciation of two generations for music nerds for—along with partner Richard Foos—co-founding Rhino Records. Then and now the best label for not only reissuing long-lost bands and records from the ‘60s and ‘70s, but mining vaults for unreleased material (though the pair are no longer involved with the label). But Bronson was also a music journalist, gadfly, and perhaps most importantly, a fan.

3 weeks ago | houstonpress.com | Tom Richards |Bob Ruggiero

It should really come as no surprise that Mike Campbell’s memoir Heartbreaker (448 pp. $32. Grand Central Publishing) is really as much about his bandmate Tom Petty as it is about him. It’s no wonder. For over 40 years, Campbell served as the lead guitarist in Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, collaborating with Petty on most of the band’s songs. While Petty occupied the spotlight and led the band, Campbell kept things running smoothly in the engine room.

1 month ago | houstonpress.com | Pete Vonder Haar |Bob Ruggiero

Tyler, The Creator Toyota Center March 19, 2025I think there are a finite number of times in their life that any given person can listen to any given song. It varies by person and song, but I personally could go the rest of my life without ever hearing "Hotel California" — or "Sweet Child O' Mine" — or "Smells Like Teen Spirit" ever again. It's an entertainment rut, and falling into a rut is — creatively speaking — tantamount to pulling the lid closed on your own coffin.