Ivor Levene

Los Angeles

Writer and Photographer at Freelance

Contributing Editor at Goldmine Magazine

Writer, Photographer, Music lover. Contributing Editor at Goldmine Magazine. https://t.co/K2V6jqkGeZ https://t.co/5EflLdXNwg

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Articles

Bad Company drummer Simon Kirke contemplates Rock Hall status

3 weeks ago | goldminemag.com | Ivor Levene

By Ivor LeveneAs the old saying goes, "In the spring, a young man's fancy lightly turns tothoughts of love." In the spring, quite a few fans turn their thoughts to the baseball season. But there is another thing that happens every spring, and it's been the cause of debate, derision, joy, anger, befuddlement, and both triumph and defeat. I'm talking about the list of nominees for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame; it's a discussion that inflames some and validates others.
Ringo Starr releases an album that's "pure Ringo"

Jan 9, 2025 | goldminemag.com | Ivor Levene

By Ivor LeveneAs you are reading this, Sir Richard Starkey of Liverpool has just released his second album of country music in more than 50 years. I can hear you thinking, "second"? What was the first? Ringo was a Beatle, when did he do Country? September of 1970, and the album was Beaucoups of Blues. Unless you're a fan of Country music, you probably don't know this album, or you know it by title only, because when it was released, there was a wide gulf between Country music and rock and roll.
Elliot Mintz on how to tell the truth

Jan 8, 2025 | goldminemag.com | Ivor Levene

By Ivor LeveneElliot Mintz recently published a book detailing his time spent with John and Yoko (Ono) Lennon, and quite frankly, it is the most honest book detailing the couple's life in the too-short post-Beatle era, from 1971 until John's untimely death in 1980. If you want an unadulterated view into John and Yoko's life, this book is the book we've waited almost half a century to read, and the wait was well worth it.
Elliot Mintz on how to tell the truth

Jan 8, 2025 | yahoo.com | Ivor Levene

Ivor LeveneWed, January 8, 2025 at 10:14 PM UTC37 min readBy Ivor LeveneElliot Mintz recently published a book detailing his time spent with John and Yoko (Ono) Lennon, and quite frankly, it is the most honest book detailing the couple’s life in the too-short post-Beatle era, from 1971 until John’s untimely death in 1980. If you want an unadulterated view into John and Yoko’s life, this book is the book we’ve waited almost half a century to read, and the wait was well worth it.
Building that once housed Morrison Hotel badly burned in fire

Dec 27, 2024 | goldminemag.com | Ivor Levene

By Ivor LeveneThe building made famous by photographer Henry Diltz in 1970 (as it became the cover of The Doors album Morrison Hotel) was badly burned in a fire, possibly providing a catalyst for further development. The building, part of Los Angeles' "Skid Row," had stood vacant for some time and was supposed to have been converted into affordable housing.
Van Morrison lights up The Orpheum in Los Angeles

Nov 5, 2024 | goldminemag.com | Ivor Levene

Photos and review by Ivor LeveneVan Morrison's recent concert in Los Angeles was a mesmerizing and intimate experience, perfectly suited to the cozy theater setting. The venue's intimate atmosphere allowed fans to connect deeply with Morrison's music, making each note feel personal and immediate. As he took the stage, Morrison's unmistakable voice filled the room, rich and soulful, as if he were singing directly to each person in the audience.
Burton Cummings scores a hit with "A Few Good Moments"

Oct 25, 2024 | goldminemag.com | Ivor Levene

By Ivor LeveneBurton Cummings, the best vocalist to come out of Canada, has a new album that's about to drop, and this is a winner. Yes, I referred to Burton as "best vocalist" and you can argue that point all you want, but Burton was the first to kick in the door and put Canada on the musical map. I interviewed him back in 2016 and referred to his songrwriting partnership with Randy Bachman as the "Lennon and McCartney" of Canada, and it's no understatement.
The Beach Boys' Mike Love looks back at Disney+ documentary with positivity and ... love

Oct 15, 2024 | goldminemag.com | Ivor Levene

By Ivor LeveneIn May of this year, Disney+ released a documentary, The Beach Boys, on one of America's most enduring bands. There have been a few documentaries made on the group over the years, but this one was without a doubt the most positive and cohesive documentary on the band that's ever been made. The Beach Boys have been around this writer's entire life and their recorded history predates even The Beatles.
Frank Zappa's 'Apostrophe' gets a mind-blowing boxed treatment

Oct 10, 2024 | goldminemag.com | Ivor Levene

By Ivor Levene Universal Music Group has finally released the 50th anniversary edition of what's arguably Frank Zappa's most commercial and popular album, Apostrophe ('). I've been waiting 47 years for this to happen (I first discovered this album in 1977, not 1974 when it came out). There is so much to unpack here, especially with the CD/BD boxed set; it's loaded with the album in it's original form, it's remastered form and a blu-ray edition, which was given the Dolby Atmos treatment.
"I didn't choose rock photography. It just kind of happened"

Sep 27, 2024 | goldminemag.com | Ivor Levene

By Ivor LeveneHere at Goldmine magazine, we have a tradition of working with music's most prolific photographers, the unsung heroes of the music scene. Without their work, we wouldn't be selling magazines; nobody wants a story without an accompanying photo. In the days before multimedia and social media, the only thing we knew about the look of a band is what rock photographers showed us. Nobody had to imagine what it would have been like to attend, say, a Led Zeppelin concert; we have the photos.