| Post | Date | Excerpt | | 1984 is 40 years ago: 40 singles that gave the year its color | 07/21/2024 | 1984 is already 40 years old. A great occasion for compiling a list of 40 singles that helped shape that year! |
| Disco Demolition Night | 07/12/2024 | On July 12, 1979. Disco Demolition Night took place. A promotional stunt or a racist, homophobic expression of white resentment? |
| Music For The Jilted Generation, the masterpiece by The Prodigy | 07/04/2024 | In 1994 The Prodigy released their second and highly influential album Music For The Jilted Generation. The story of a true masterpiece! |
| Nothing Compares 2 U: Prince and Sinéad O’Connor | 07/30/2023 | In 1990 the Prince song Nothing Compares 2 U reached out and touched millions because of the emotional interpretation by Sinéad O'Connor. A look back. |
| Wham! – The documentary | 07/28/2023 | The documentary Wham! is the story of 'only' 4 years of world dominance and a true and sincere friendship. |
| The story of a rare flop, the movie Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band | 07/17/2023 | How in the world is it possible to treat the body of work by The Beatles like this? The incredible story of a rare monstrosity. |
| In 1978 Steel Pulse debuts with the impressive Handsworth Revolution | 07/11/2023 | In 1978 Steel Pulse released their debut album Handsworth Revolution. A classic in the (English) reggae. A look back at a flawless album. |
| Sylvian & Sakamoto release the beautiful Bamboo Houses & Bamboo Music! | 07/23/2022 | In 1982 David Sylvian and Ryuichi Sakamoto released their first joint single. Exciting and subtle: Bamboo Houses / Bamboo Music! |
| FM op 5, Prince & A Pop Life | 07/19/2022 | On July 9th, 2022, I was interviewed by Dutch radio giant Felix Meurders. Topic of the day: the best show I ever witnessed! |
| Prince – Planet Earth | 07/16/2022 | In 2007 Prince released Planet Earth. Was the album just as good as the preceding 3121, or was it Musicology part 2? |
| Frank Ocean – channel ORANGE | 07/10/2022 | In 2012 Frank Ocean released his album debut with the beautiful, intimate and original channel ORANGE. The world was able to enjoy pure musical talent again. |
| Sinatra At The Sands | 07/31/2021 | In 1966 Frank Sinatra released his first live album. A definite highlight, the story about Sinatra At the Sands. |
| Roxy Music and the superb Viva! | 07/24/2021 | Following five studio albums in three years, Roxy Music needed a short break, but not without almost thoughtlessly releasing one of the best live albums of all time: Viva! Roxy Music. |
| Disco – The 20 best singles | 07/17/2021 | In 1976 disco really made an impact in The Netherlands. Although it was quickly hated with a vengeance, it was responsible for a huge amount of classics. My best 20! |
| Prince and North Sea Jazz in 2011: three unforgettable nights in Rotterdam | 07/11/2021 | In 2011 Prince performed three nights in a row at the Dutch North Sea Jazz festival. The story of an unforgettable experience! |
| Prince fulfills his contract on Chaos And Disorder? | 07/09/2021 | In 1996 Warner Bros. released the TAFKAPrince album Chaos And Disorder. Was it just filler to fulfill contractual obligations? |
| The musical inspiration from my father (by guest author Timur) | 07/01/2021 | My son wrote an article: today the A Pop Life blog has its 5th anniversary. Thank you Timur for your wonderful story! |
| Thank you all! | 07/01/2021 | 5 years A Pop Life! Thanks to everyone involved in making it a huge success. On to the next 5 years A Pop Life! |
| Zapp, revolutionary electro funk pioneers | 07/28/2020 | 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. |
| Lianne La Havas (by guest author Timur) | 07/22/2020 | My 11 year old son is crazy about Lianne La Havas' music. So much so that he wrote a story about her on his blog. He luckily agreed to publsih it here as well. Have fun! |
| Joy And Pain, the story of Maze | 07/18/2020 | 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! |
| Live Aid, the day the world cared (and wanted to see music) | 07/13/2020 | 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. |
| Sufjan Stevens releases his beautiful and moving Illinois | 07/04/2020 | 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. |
| My 10 favorite soundtracks | 07/26/2019 | Which soundtracks have I listened to the most and are among my favorites? From Saturday Night Fever to Twin Peaks: the world of the soundtrack! |
| Sade seduces the world with Diamond Life | 07/16/2019 | Thirty-five years ago the band Sade release their debut album Diamond Life to universal acclaim. A timeless classic that still sounds fresh today. A look back. |
| The Fatal Flowers were back, for a short while. The story of the best band coming from Holland! | 07/06/2019 | 'Who says the Dutch can't rock?' asked Rolling Stone magazine in a rave review for the debut album by Dutch band The Fatal Flowers. Good question. It was the start of a promising career for the best band Holland has ever had. |
| Smashing Pumpkins – Siamese Dream | 07/27/2018 | Smashing Pumpkins delivered on its promise with the release of Siamese Dream. A rich, heavy and at times moving album. The first of three masterpieces in a row. |
| Anthony Hamilton – Comin’ From Where I’m From | 07/15/2018 | Anthony Hamilton's second official album Comin'From Where I'm From is very successful in the US. In Europe he and his album go by unnoticed, A tribute to a great soul album. |
| Singles from my elementary school days | 07/07/2018 | When I was a boy, singles were the indicator for success and a cheap alternative to the (mega) expensive LP. All singles I received as a present or bought myself during my elementary school days. |
| The musical answer to 9/11: Bruce Springsteen’s The Rising | 07/30/2017 | September 11th 2001: a terrorist attack on the World Trade Center would change the world forever. Bruce Springsteen offered comfort one year later with the release of his phenomenal album The Rising. |
| Arcade Fire – Everything Now | 07/28/2017 | Today the fifth Arcade Fire was finally released. How does it hold up when compared to the albums that preceeded Everything Now? A review. |
| Guns N’ Roses – Appetite For Destruction | 07/21/2017 | The debut by Guns N' Roses from 1987 had some startup issues. After that Appetite For Destruction conquered the rock audience and the world. The story of a breath of fresh air, that was badly needed. |
| Lost and found: my Prince necklace | 07/18/2017 | In 1992 I bought a male/female pin at a Prince show and decided to turn it into a necklace and hand-made pendant. From pin to necklace! |
| Introducing The Hardline According To Terence Trent D’Arby | 07/13/2017 | When Terence Trent D'Arby's debut was released in 1987, it was a sensation. He was very sure of his own self and thought his debut was pure genius. How does it hold up in 2017? |
| Eric B. & Rakim – Paid In Full | 07/07/2017 | Eric B. & Rakim's Paid In Full has been a hip-hop classic for 30 years. An essential link in sampling and intelligent rap. A tribute! |
| RIP, John Blackwell | 07/04/2017 | John Blackwell, the best drummer I ever witnessed, is no more. Today he passed away. He was just 43 years old. A tribute. |
| I Feel Love: the future is here and now! | 07/02/2017 | Donna Summer's I Feel Love is 40 years old. It sounded futuristic then and it still sounds otherworldly. A great dance record, influencing the music of that era and the music of today! |
| A Pop Life: one year old; the best and most read stories! | 07/01/2017 | My blog A Pop Life (My life with music) is one year old already. The best and most read stories of the past year! |
| Best albums, 1966 – 2017: A Pop Life, 1 year anniversary | 07/01/2017 | In honor of the 1-year anniversary of my blog A Pop Life (My life with music), the list of best albums per year from 1966. |
| Frank Zappa’s Joe’s Garage still up to date | 07/29/2016 | How an album from 1979 unfortunately sadly gains actuality. Via the Iranian revolution to the current day and time. |
| The greatest albumcovers | 07/08/2016 | The greatest albumcovers, plus covers selected by visitors. Nice viewing! |
| My favorite music (by guest author Timur) | 07/01/2016 | On July 1st my blog A Pop Life is launched. My son Timur has written a beautiful story about what music means to him and on his first concert: Doe Maar! |
| Concert | Date | Excerpt | | North Sea Jazz Festival, 07/14/2024 | 07/29/2024 | 4½/5: Day 3 of the greatest festival in The Netherlands: North Sea Jazz. The day of Cory Henry, Sampha and Enji. |
| North Sea Jazz Festival, 07/13/2024 | 07/13/2024 | 4/5: Day 2 of the greatest festival in The Netherlands: North Sea Jazz. The day of André 3000, Cisco Swank and Joshua Redman. |
| Gruppo Sportivo, 07/15/2023 | 07/15/2023 | 3½/5: A fun night at the Paradiso at The Spotify Tour Refreshed by Gruppo Sportivo. The Dutch group has a lot of great songs to its name. Success guaranteed! |
| North Sea Jazz Festival, 07/09/2023 | 07/09/2023 | 3½/5: Day 3 of the greatest festival in The Netherlands: North Sea Jazz. The day of Gabriels and Fuensanta & Ensamble Grande. |
| North Sea Jazz Festival, 07/08/2023 | 07/08/2023 | 4/5: Day 2 of the greatest festival in The Netherlands: North Sea Jazz. The day of Naft, Róisín Murphy and Tom Jones. |
| North Sea Jazz Festival, 07/07/2023 | 07/07/2023 | 4/5: Day 1 of the greatest festival in The Netherlands: North Sea Jazz. The day of Van Morrison, Buddy Guy and Little Simz. |
| North Sea Jazz Festival, 07/09/2022 | 07/09/2022 | 4/5: Day 2 of the greatest festival in The Netherlands: North Sea Jazz. The day of Trombone Shorty, Cory Henry and Kristo. |
| Queen, 07/01/2022 | 07/01/2022 | 4/5: Childhood memories abound at the Ziggo Dome. Finally witnessed Brian May and Roger Taylor live. Adam Lambert is a great singer. Great night! |
| North Sea Jazz Festival, 07/14/2019 | 07/14/2019 | 4/5: Day 3 of the greatest festival in The Netherlands: North Sea Jazz. The day of Jungle By Night, Poppy Ajudha, and Robbert Glasper (incl. Ledisi). |
| North Sea Jazz Festival, 07/13/2019 | 07/13/2019 | 4/5: Day 2 of the greatest festival in The Netherlands: North Sea Jazz. The day of My Baby, Mammal Hands, Macy Gray and Masego. |
| North Sea Jazz Festival, 07/12/2019 | 07/12/2019 | 4/5: Day 1 of the greatest festival in The Netherlands: North Sea Jazz. The day of Blood Orange, Joe Jackson and The Internet. |
| Cat Power, 07/10/2019 | 07/10/2019 | 4½/5: Cat Power at the top of her game at Paradiso. Beautiful music in a revered venue performed by a relaxed Cat Power, who sang impeccably. |
| Neil Young, 07/09/2019 | 07/09/2019 | 4/5: Neil Young had a real great time in Antwerp, Belgium and so did I. The phenomenal On The Beach was a definite highlight! |
| Dweezil Zappa, 07/25/2018 | 07/25/2018 | 4/5: Dweezil Zappa and his Choice Cuts tour. Obscure and complex Zappa work in a beautiful impressive concert! |
| North Sea Jazz Festival, 07/15/2018 | 07/15/2018 | 4/5: The third day of the North Sea Jazz Festival 2018, the greatest festival of The Netherlands. The day of Nathaniel Rateliff, Moses Sumney and Sevdaliza. |
| North Sea Jazz Festival, 07/14/2018 | 07/14/2018 | 4/5: The second day of the North Sea Jazz Festival 2018, the greatest festival of The Netherlands. The day of the 'new British jazz invasion' and Anderson .Paak. |
| North Sea Jazz Festival, 07/13/2018 | 07/13/2018 | 3½/5: The first day of the North Sea Jazz Festival 2018, the greatest festival of The Netherlands. The day of Altın Gün and The Roots. |
| U2, 07/29/2017 | 07/29/2017 | 3½/5: The end could have been different/better, but The Joshua Tree performance was great. One Tree Hill was impressive! |
| North Sea Jazz Festival, 07/09/2017 | 07/09/2017 | 4/5: Day 3 of North Sea Jazz 2017: New Power Generation and karaoke-Prince. And the great Jacob Collier and 77 (!) year old Mavis Staples. |
| North Sea Jazz Festival, 07/08/2017 | 07/08/2017 | 4/5: Day 2 of North Sea Jazz 2017: Noname, Gladys Knight and Pink Oculus. But the leader of the pack was Solange. What a great show! |
| North Sea Jazz Festival, 07/07/2017 | 07/07/2017 | 4/5: Day 1 of North Sea Jazz 2017: Grace Jones immediately sets the tone for the rest of the festival! |
| George Clinton & Parliament/Funkadelic, 07/22/2016 | 07/22/2016 | 3½/5: George Clinton's 75th birthday at Paradiso. One big party! |
| Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, 07/13/2016 | 07/13/2016 | 5/5: Iceman and the entire (double) album The River... Unforgettable! |
| North Sea Jazz Festival, 07/10/2016 | 07/10/2016 | 4/5: Dag 3 of North Sea Jazz Festival 2016 with more highlights, and the stunning Jill Scott! |
| North Sea Jazz Festival, 07/09/2016 | 07/09/2016 | 4/5: North Sea Jazz Festival day 2. Lots of great stuff. Two names of the day: Jacob Collier and Anderson .Paak. |
| North Sea Jazz Festival, 07/08/2016 | 07/08/2016 | 3/5: Day 1 of North Sea Jazz Festival 2016: the family day; great day for fun, but musical wise it was not. |
| Cat Power, 07/06/2016 | 07/06/2016 | 4½/5: A phenomenally good concert. Cat Power at the heights of her powers. Moving, sincere and beautiful. Unforgettable evening. |
| Bunny Wailer, 07/21/2015 | 07/21/2015 | 3½/5: Highly entertaining show by the very sympathetic Wailer. Good atmosphere as well at Paradiso. |
| North Sea Jazz Festival, 07/11/2015 | 07/11/2015 | 3½/5: Jett Rebel ok, Michael Kiwanuka good, Paolo Nutini fantastic and Candi Staton moving. |
| North Sea Jazz Festival, 07/10/2015 | 07/10/2015 | 4/5: Typhoon good. Mary J Blige started weak, but midway through she suddenly shined, and how! Highlight! D'Angelo impressive. |
| Kraftwerk, 07/03/2015 | 07/03/2015 | 2/5: Very disappointing Kraftwerk show, particularly with the stunning Paradiso shows in January in the back of my mind. |
| North Sea Jazz Festival, 07/13/2014 | 07/13/2014 | 4/5: Went to the North Sea Jazz to see Outkast and was immediately smitten by the festival. Since then I haven't missed a year. Outkast was phenomenal. Really thankful I had the chance to see them. |
| Smashing Pumpkins, 07/26/2013 | 07/26/2013 | 4½/5: Favorite Smashing Pumpkins in a scorching Paradiso: extremely good! |
| The Who, 07/05/2013 | 07/05/2013 | 3½/5: Nostaliga: The Who. Both Tommy and Quadrophenia were played innumerable times during my childhood years. Still great. |
| Cat Power, 07/02/2013 | 07/02/2013 | 1½/5: Unfortunately Cat Power had a bad day. She truly is one of a kind, but not too reliable, which is a pity. |
| Paul Simon, 07/18/2012 | 07/18/2012 | 3½/5: The Simon & Garfunkel songs were particularly beautiful, The Sound Of Silence being the definite highlight. |
| Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, 07/05/2012 | 07/05/2012 | 5/5: The ultimate Bruce concert: I have never seen him this good. He played a lot of songs off Darkness On The Edge Of Town, so that meant Racing In The Street, at last. Great evening! |
| Prince, 07/26/2011 | 07/26/2011 | 4½/5: Great show, with some very nice and one-time surprises: Gold and Chocolate. |
| Prince, 07/11/2011 | 07/11/2011 | 5/5: A very special evening indeed (Girl!). Top concert by Prince. |
| Prince, 07/10/2011 | 07/10/2011 | 5/5: The day after the disappointing opening show Prince had to make things right and he delivered: opening with Joy In Repetition followed by The Love We Make. A marvellous experience! |
| Prince, 07/09/2011 | 07/09/2011 | 3/5: This concert was the first of three NSJ shows and was marred by real awful, even ugly, sound and an uninspired setlist. |
| Prince, 07/10/2010 | 07/10/2010 | 4/5: Nice show, that took some time to get into full swing. The last encore in particular was great. |
| U2, 07/20/2009 | 07/20/2009 | 4/5: U2 in great form. Definite highlight I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight was stunning! |
| The Joe Jackson Band, 07/02/2003 | 07/02/2003 | 4/5: Joe Jackson and original band at the top of their game. |
| U2, 07/31/2001 | 07/31/2001 | 2½/5: Not a real memorable concert, except the piece of When I Get Home Bono sang as a tribute to Herman Brood, who had died three weeks earlier. |
| U2, 07/19/1997 | 07/19/1997 | 4/5: The tour accompanying my favorite U2 album Pop. I thought the mix of rock and dance was bold and it had turned out perfectly. |
| Prince & The New Power Generation, 07/08/1992 | 07/08/1992 | 4½/5: Best show of the Diamonds And Pearls tour. |
| Prince & The New Power Generation, 07/07/1992 | 07/07/1992 | 4/5: Decent show of the Diamonds And Pearls tour. |
| Prince & The New Power Generation, 07/06/1992 | 07/06/1992 | 4/5: Decent show of the Diamonds And Pearls tour. |
| Prince & The New Power Generation, 07/04/1992 | 07/04/1992 | 4/5: Decent show of the Diamonds And Pearls tour. |
| George Clinton, 07/01/1991 | 07/01/1991 | 3½/5: Good extremely funky show by George Clinton and the P-Funk circus. |
