Liner Notes

He started with a Korg synth in Belleville, Michigan, and ended up giving the world techno. We remember Juan Atkins, the visionary behind Cybotron and Model 500.

For more than 50 years he kept the beat for the "little ol' band from Texas," and he was the only one without a beard. We remember ZZ Top drummer Frank Beard.

One song and one music video knocked down the wall between rock and hip-hop. Here's the story of Run-DMC and Aerosmith's "Walk This Way," and why it still matters.

From Black Sabbath and "Crazy Train" to The Osbournes and one last show in Birmingham, we remember Ozzy Osbourne, the Prince of Darkness who helped invent heavy metal.

Prince, Madonna, Judas Priest and Cyndi Lauper on a "most objectionable" list? Here's the story of the Filthy Fifteen, the Senate hearing and the Parental Advisory sticker.

Tangled tape, a pencil to rewind it and the ultimate mixtape: the cassette changed how we listened to music. Here's its story, from 1963 to its surprising comeback.

Remember flipping through the bins and spending every dollar of your allowance? Here's a trip back to record stores in the 1970s and '80s, and why they still matter.

Before playlists, there was the mixtape. Here's a look back at racing the DJ, dubbing on double decks and why a tape made by hand still means so much.

One perfect song and then gone: here are ten of the biggest one-hit wonders in pop history, from "Funkytown" and "Mickey" to "Macarena."

Remember getting a stack of albums for a penny? Here's the story of the record clubs that built millions of collections, and why Columbia House just closed for good.

Ghostbusters, Beverly Hills Cop and Crocodile Dundee ruled the box office, while Caddyshack and Ferris Bueller ruled our VCRs. Here's the decade in comedy.

Some songs sound like love letters until you listen closely. Here are ten rock ballads and slow songs with a genuinely creepy side, from The Police to Pearl Jam.