Nick DeRiso is UCR's assistant managing editor, and author of 'Journey: Worlds Apart.' He has been named columnist of the year five times by the Associated Press, Louisiana Press Association, and Louisiana Sports Writers Association, and previously oversaw a daily newspaper section that was named Top 10 in the nation by the AP.
Nick DeRiso
How Led Zeppelin’s ‘Going to California’ Crushed on Joni Mitchell
Robert Plant said this song "might be a bit embarrassing at times lyrically, but it did sum up a period of my life when I was 22."
When Led Zeppelin’s ‘Misty Mountain Hop’ Took Hippies to Tolkien
Robert Plant longed for the freedoms of the rural Welch countryside – or, maybe, Middle-earth.
November 2021 New Music Releases
The Black Friday edition of Record Store Day returns with another round of exclusive goodies for vinyl lovers.
35 Years Ago: David Byrne Celebrates Weirdness in ‘True Stories’
Talking Heads frontman's directorial debut was a salute to every-day oddballs and quaint traditions.
Bruce Springsteen to Release ‘Legendary 1979 No Nukes Concerts’
Full footage of the E Street Band's entire set has never been officially issued.
October 2021 New Music Releases
The month boasts five Fridays, making for an overstuffed slate of notable rock releases.
45 Years Ago: Ringo Starr’s Impressive Solo Run Ends With ‘Rotogravure’
The expiration date for this LP's unifying concept had passed, and there was nothing he could do to save it.
40 Years Ago: The Rolling Stones Rescue ‘Start Me Up’ From Obscurity
Nearly half a decade passed before they wisened up.
Hear Eric Clapton’s Latest Protest Song, ‘This Has Gotta Stop’
He's still frustrated, but new single moves beyond recent lockdown-related complaints.
60 Years Ago: Paul McCartney’s Dad Questions Early Beatles Hit
They took weeks constructing the song, between stops as Roy Orbison's opening act, then hours recording it.