Nick DeRiso is UCR's assistant managing editor. He was named columnist of the year five times by the Associated Press, Louisiana Press Association and Louisiana Sports Writers Association during a lengthy career in the newspaper industry, and previously oversaw a daily section that was named Top 10 in the nation by the AP.
Nick DeRiso
50 Years Ago: Sly and the Family Stone Splinter on ‘Family Affair’
This was their first new song in almost two years and their third No. 1 single. What it wasn't, however, was a family affair.
40 Years Ago: Foreigner Change Gears With ‘Waiting for a Girl Like You’
No. 2 smash ballad altered their career trajectory forever.
Bruce Springsteen to Release ‘Legendary 1979 No Nukes Concerts’
Full footage of the E Street Band's entire set has never been officially issued.
October 2021 New Music Releases
The month boasts five Fridays, making for an overstuffed slate of notable rock releases.
45 Years Ago: Ringo Starr’s Impressive Solo Run Ends With ‘Rotogravure’
The expiration date for this LP's unifying concept had passed, and there was nothing he could do to save it.
50 Years Ago: ‘Columbo’ Does More Than Debut a Crafty Sleuth
'Murder by the Book' was written and directed by a pair of youngsters who would alter the landscape of TV and film.
40 Years Ago: The Rolling Stones Rescue ‘Start Me Up’ From Obscurity
Nearly half a decade passed before they wisened up.
Hear Eric Clapton’s Latest Protest Song, ‘This Has Gotta Stop’
He's still frustrated, but new single moves beyond recent lockdown-related complaints.
Beatles’ Dashed-Off ‘She Loves You’ Was Actually Carefully Made
They took weeks constructing the song, between stops as Roy Orbison's opening act, then hours recording it.
Doobie Brothers Albums Ranked Worst to Best
They remain an intriguing dichotomy of a band.
September 2021 New Music Releases
There have been periods during the pandemic with little or no new music. This is not one of those months.
50 Years Ago: Paul McCartney Breaks Every Rule on ‘Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey’
His first solo No. 1 single actually hearkened back to the way he worked toward the end of his time with the Beatles.