Erwin Barendregt

Erwin Barendregt, owner of A Pop Life (.nl) blog. Subtitle My life with music show the reason behind blog-subjects. Personal stories and preferences are the main subject for the posts and reviews on this blog. Erwin is a passionate musiclover and can frequently be found in concert venues in Holland, and is a person who lacks the stamina/talent to be a musician himself :-).

Most commented posts

  1. Prince releases the fine album Come (and nobody seems to care) — 48 comments
  2. Lovesexy: Prince’s crowning achievement — 48 comments
  3. 30 years ago, the best show I ever witnessed — 40 comments
  4. Prince is victorious (once again) with Sign O’ The Times — 30 comments
  5. My 10 best Genesis songs — 26 comments

Author's posts

Sep 19 2020

Neil Young’s first masterpiece, After The Gold Rush!

Neil Young - After The Gold Rush - Inner sleeve (snapgalleries.com)

In 1970 Neil Young was part of a world famous quartet and released his third solo album, the masterpiece After The Gold Rush. The story behind the album.

Sep 16 2020

The end of The Waterboys’ ‘big music’ trilogy: This Is The Sea

The Waterboys 1985 (facebook.com)

In 1985 The Waterboys released their third album, This Is The Sea. The album was supposed to deliver on the promise the band had made. Did they succeed?

Sep 10 2020

Kiss makes it big time with Alive!

Kiss - Alive! outtake (fanpop.com)

Early 1975 Kiss and Casablanca had their backs against the wall. Bankruptcy was just around the corner. The band took their last chance with both hands. The gamble paid off, Alive! became a huge success and the band’s career was saved. The story of a double live album that changed everything.

Aug 31 2020

Bob Dylan – The 10 best albums

Bob Dylan goes electric at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965 (billboard.com)

Finally, an overview of Bob Dylan’s best albums. Even though I don’t listen to him very often, Dylan is and always will be required listening for every music lover. His best 10!

Aug 21 2020

Prince and the failed movie adventure, the story of Graffiti Bridge

Prince - Graffiti Bridge - Steven Parke painting (icollector.com)

In 1990 Prince released Graffiti Bridge, the album and the movie. Billed as a sequel to Purple Rain, the movie was a huge failure. The music was fine though. A look back!

Aug 12 2020

The Family, the ultimate Prince satellite project

The Family (analogkidblog.wordpress.com)

In 1985 The Family, a Prince sattelite act, released their debut. The album was and is a great example of the crossroads Prince found himself at. Impressive and innovative!

Aug 07 2020

Deee-Lite’s Groove Is In the Heart

Deee-Lite in The Netherlands 1991 (fanart.tv/apoplife.nl)

On August 7th, 1990, Deee-Lite debuted with their stunning World Clique album. It contained one of the biggest hits of the decade: Groove Is In The Heart. A look back.

Jul 28 2020

Zapp, revolutionary electro funk pioneers

Zapp's classic singles More Bounce To The Ounce & Dance Floor (dutchcharts.nl)

On July 28th, 1980, the influential electro funk band Zapp released their debut album. More Bounce To The Ounce was the start of an interesting and tragic career.

Jul 18 2020

Joy And Pain, the story of Maze

Maze - Joy And Pain (spotify.com)

In 1980 Maze release their fourth album, the exquisite Joy And Pain. A look back at the album and the career of Maze featuring Frankie Beverly!

Jul 13 2020

Live Aid, the day the world cared (and wanted to see music)

Live Aid Posters (apoplife.nl)

On July 13th, 1985, the most important and impressive concert of the 1980s took place in London and Philadephia: the benefit concert Live Aid. A look back.

Jul 04 2020

Sufjan Stevens releases his beautiful and moving Illinois

Sufjan Stevens 2005 (culturemap.com)

In 2005 Sufjan Stevens impresses music lovers around the world with the stunningly beautiful and impressive Illinois. A true masterpiece that will never lose its magic.

Jun 27 2020

My 10 best Joy Division songs

Joy Division - Subway by Anton Corbijn (pinterest.com)

It was about time: my 10 most favorite Joy Division songs. Including a short biography on the band and Ian Curtis and playlist!

Jun 22 2020

Black Lives Matter

Black Lives Matter (blacklivesmatter.com)

A small selection of new music, inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement. Stop racism now!

Jun 20 2020

Emotional Rescue, the forgotten Rolling Stones album

The Rolling Stones - Emotional Rescue vinyl (vinyl-records.nl)

In 1980 The Rolling Stones released the album (and single) Emotional Rescue. The album tends to be overlooked. Unjustly so. The story of a forgotten album.

Jun 12 2020

The first posthumous Joy Division release: Love Will Tear Us Apart

In June 1980 Joy Division was no more. Just one month earlier the future seemed bright, but it all changed on May 18th, 1980. The band’s first release since that date was the haunting Love Will Tear Us Apart.