Rochester pop music expert on guitarist Van Halen’s ‘deep roots in rock’
In an opinion article for CNN, rock historian John Covach writes that behind Eddie Van Halen’s “blistering guitar solos” was an “exceptional musical gift and keen pop intelligence.”
Music scholars come together in Rochester for Abbey Road conference
The University’s Institute for Popular Music and the Eastman School of Music host “Come Together: Fifty Years of Abbey Road,” a three-day symposium to commemorate the Beatles’ landmark work.
Rochester: home to the study of pop music
The “study of pop music is just as serious-minded as studying Beethoven, Bach, and Brahms,” says John Covach, director of Rochester’s Institute for Popular Music in (585) magazine.
‘Fringe allows me to push myself to do things I don’t normally get to do’
Rochester Fringe Festival is one of the fastest growing in the United States, with performances from many University students, faculty, and staff. Six of those performers share what makes Fringe special.
Remembering Tom Petty: ‘A new traditionalist’
John Covach, director of the University’s Institute for Popular Music, remembers the pop and rock values of Tom Petty. “Petty was not a new waver after all, but rather someone moving forward by looking back.”
In the summer of 1967: Sgt. Pepper altered pop music industry
In an op-ed for Newsweek, Professor John Covach marks the 50th anniversary of the iconic album, noting that only the Beatles could have released such a musically adventurous and experimental work.
Sgt. Pepper’s lasting impact, 50 years later
“Ironically, an album that might not strictly speaking have been a concept album ended up being the most influential concept album in the history of rock music,” says John Covach, professor of music and director of the University’s Institute for Popular Music.
Prog rockers belong in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Friday’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony will welcome one of the most musically diverse class ever. John Covach, director of the University’s Institute of Popular Music, walks us through this year’s inductees and—with the help of his guitar—the Yes hit Roundabout.
The core of Chuck Berry’s legacy
Rock ‘n roll legend Chuck Berry died on March 18 at the age of 90. In this essasy in Macleans, rock historian John Covach remembers what made Berry iconic in a era of song stylists, covers, and lyric sanitization.
Much more than a teen idol: George Michael the musician
John Covach, rock historian and director of the University’s Institute for Popular Music, summarized Michael’s impact on and influence in an essay for CNN.