HowStuffWorks Newsletter
The Music Channel teaches us about the industry, the instruments and the genres. These articles explain why music is such an important fabric of our collective soul.
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MIDI (musical instrument digital interface) allows musicians to combine their musical instruments with computer technology. Learn more about how MIDI works in this article.
By Dave Roos
What do tags and turntables have in common? They're both part of the cultural movement known as hip-hop. And while rapping most often takes center stage, movement and style are key cultural elements, too.
Dixieland ... swing ... bebop ... acid jazz ... hard bop ... fusion -- we call them all "jazz" -- but why? What is it that makes jazz "jazz"?
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The Grand Ole Opry made Nashville the country music capital of the world. Check out our list of 14 notable Grand Ole Opry performers to take the stage at Ryman Auditorium, including Patsy Cline Porter Wagner and Elvis.
Some bands don't even need to be real to produce a hit song! See our list of 9 fictional bands with hit songs, including The Blues Brothers and The Chipmunks.
Madonna is one of the top-selling artists in pop music history. See our list of Madonna's 25 most popular songs including 'Material Girl' and 'Like a Virgin.'
Woodstock is possibly the most famous concert of all time -- the capstone of an era and a highlight in music history. See our list of all 32 bands that performed at Woodstock including Jefferson Airplane, Janis Joplin, and Sly and the Family Stone.
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It's not easy to sell albums in the very competitive music industry. See our list of the 25 best-selling albums of all time, including "Thriller" and "Back in Black."
Elvis Presley is rightly known as 'The King of Rock 'n' Roll.' See our list of Presley's top 30 songs, including "Love Me Tender," "Hound Dog" and "Heartbreak Hotel."
Millions of Americans tune in to watch the Super Bowl halftime performance each year. Check out our list of 17 notable Super Bowl halftime shows, featuring performances by New Kids on the Block and Prince.
U2 songs are famous for having powerful messages that can take on many different meanings. See our list of the stories behind 29 U2 songs including 'Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own' and 'Sunday Bloody Sunday.'
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Elvis Presley's death on August 16, 1977, saddened the world. After a long battle with health problems, the king of rock 'n' roll had fallen.
There have been a number Elvis Presley collectibles produced throughout his life that reflected the stages of his career. Elvis's manager, Colonel Tom Parker, used collectibles as a way to market his client. Learn about Elvis collectibles.
By Susan Doll
Meet the man behind the mystique -- read our collection of honest and down-to-earth quotes from Elvis Presley. Learn about his life, opinions and experiences in this article.
By Susan Doll
In this Elvis Presley biography you can follow the King from his birth to his untimely death. Elvis's humble beginnings allowed him to gain acceptance with his fans as "one of them." Learn about the life and times of Elvis Presley.
By Susan Doll
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John Lennon is best known as a member of the Beatles, but his life was defined by much more than that. He grew to become one of the most influential musical artists the world has ever known. Learn about the life of John Lennon.
Elvis Presley revolutionized the way we thought about music, movies, and the price of celebrity. Three decades after his death, Elvis continues to influence American pop culture. Learn about the life, songs, and films of Elvis.
By Susan Doll
From 'Love Me Tender' to 'Jailhouse Rock,' Elvis Presley's recordings have become an integral part of American culture. You can hear his songs everywhere from parties and weddings to your local grocery store. Read the stories behind the songs.
Elvis Presley starred in over 31 movies. There has been no other actor that is less appreciated than Elvis. Learn about his early, serious acting attempts and how his film career evolved to focus on musical comedies.
By Susan Doll
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Music licensing is something that happens constantly. The music you hear on the radio in a restaurant or in a department store is all licensed. Find out when and why we have to pay to play.
If you grew up listening to Casey Kasem’s Top 40, you probably waited with bated breath to find out which song made it to No. 1 that week. Well, the Top 40 is still around. Learn how a song makes it into that elite list.
Your band's hitting it big in the clubs, you've got a demo and you're ready to shop for a record label. Find out what record labels can do for you and learn about the differences between the big guys and the indies.
The last time you bought a CD did you wonder how much of the sticker price was actually going to the artist who performed? How does a Platinum-selling musician end up broke? Find out what musicians are actually being paid.
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Ready to kick out the jams? To make your songs resonate like you know they can, you’ll need the right equipment. Instruments and amps are just the beginning -- public venues require special audio equipment to make sure things sound the way they should. Read this before you rock.
We've all heard the stories - artist "x" suing label "y" over some unfair clause in a contract and label "y" suing artist "x" over some contract breach... How complicated can this stuff be? Find out.