Bob Ruggiero

Houston

Freelance Writer at Freelance

PR/Propaganda Minister. Music/book journalist. Former comic book guy. Author of "The Classic Rock Bob Reader" & bio on the band WAR. Both Available on Amazon!

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Articles

Carlos Santana's Big (BIG!) Book of Life, Music and Spirituality

5 days ago | houstonpress.com | Bob Ruggiero |Houston Press

click to enlarge Book cover and slipcase As a frequent reviewer of books for The Houston Press—mostly of the musical variety–I’m used to seeing my long-suffering USPS mailman, Joseph, leave the sanctity of his truck to bring bulky padded envelopes and boxes containing tomes to my front doorstep (one reason he always gets a decent Christmas bonus). Same for UPS and FedEx deliverers.
Last Night: Billy Idol and Joan Jett and the Blackhearts at the Woodlands Pavilion

1 week ago | houstonpress.com | Bob Ruggiero |Houston Press

Nevertheless, Idol is currently having a moment: He’s kicked off the “It’s a Nice Day To…Tour Again” run of dates with Joan Jett & the Blackhearts; just released Dream Into It, his first album of new material in more than a decade; and is prepping for the summer release of a career-spanning documentary, cheekily titled Billy Idol Should Be Dead as a nod to his checkered past and seeming nine lives.
Jerry Portnoy on How He "Blew It" with Muddy Waters, Eric Clapton, and More

1 week ago | houstonpress.com | Bob Ruggiero |Houston Press

click to enlarge Book cover As a young man, Jerry Portnoy certainly didn’t expect or plan to have a career as a blues harmonica player. He’d already been on a roulette wheel of life paths: failed college student, airplane-jumping soldier, medical assistant, sometimes pot dealer and pool hall manager. But two unexpected events help to set it all in order.
Things to Do: Read the Last Great Dream by Dennis McNally

1 week ago | houstonpress.com | Bob Ruggiero |Houston Press

click to enlarge Book cover We’ve all heard the Legend of the Hippie. How in the mythical area of Haight-Ashbury in the wonderland of San Francisco in the year of our Lord 1967 there was the “Summer of Love.” Where young people with flowers in their hair flocked to the City by the Bay for an idyllic era of peace, love, flowers, good vibes, great music, free love, and strong pot.
Things to Do: Read the 501 Essential Albums of the 80s by Gary Graff

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

click to enlarge Book cover While the music (and visuals of the music) from the 1980s have both their hardcore proponents and dismissive detractors, there’s one idea that both camps can probably agree upon: It was the most musically diverse decade yet. Pop, Rock, Rap, Hip-Hop, R&B, Country, College, Indie, Metal, Jazz, World Music—it was all on the charts and all moved units unlike anything seen before, making for plenty of happy record company execs.
Allison August is Over the Moon About Her Very Personal New Album

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

click to enlarge Record cover When she starts taking about her family’s professional backgrounds, it’s easy to understand how as a young girl, Allison August thought everybody’s parents were in the music business. Her father was a jazz pianist. Her mother and maternal grandparents were classical musicians, with her grandmother playing drums, viola, and also conducting orchestras. Her grandparents also played with Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Rod Stewart, and the Jackson Five.
Things to Do: Listen to Sentient by Santana and See Them at the Smart Financial Center

1 month 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.
Houston Concert Watch 4/2: Tobe Nwigwe, ZZ Hill and More

1 month 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.
Things to Do: Read Time Has Come Today by Harold Bronson

1 month 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.
Mike Campbell Memoir Examines His Collaborations with Tom Petty

1 month 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.