The mere mention of Judas Priest undoubtedly stirs a shiver in any rock fan who came of age in the previous decade. The cheesy double-guitar onslaught of K.K. Downing and Glenn Tipton, the grade-school lyrics of devils/testosterone/domination, and the band’s snarling leather-daddy ringleader, Rob Halford: All have left an indelible......

VARIOUS ARTISTS Live at Raji’s 1987 (TON) Musty, dark, smoky, with an inescapable stench of stale beer, sweat and passion, Hollywood Boulevard rock pit Raji’s was, for mid-’80s postpunk music fans and rock & roll aspirants alike, the ultimate home away from home. Manager-booker Dobbs, doorman Bernie and beertender Autumn......

JOHN SCOFIELD A Go Go (Verve) John Scofield might have laughed if you told him his project with groovemen Medeski, Martin & Wood was going to be his best album ever. The jazz-guitar generalissimo probably figured he’d double-park outside the studio, blow through a few tunes to show the kids......

English Frank was a true friend, and one of the most misunderstood people I’ve ever known. Those close to him, however, knew how thoughtful and considerate he really was. Maybe because he was adopted and an only child, he never took friendship for granted. Born Francis Reginald Kennington in Ealing,......

Though it would make it easier for me, I won’t try to glamorize his death into an art statement. Rozz Williams hanged himself in his West Hollywood apartment on April Fools’ Day. Best known as the founder and front man of seminal goth band Christian Death, Williams played and recorded......