Bryan Wawzenek is a freelance journalist who writes for Diffuser.fm and Ultimate Classic Rock. He learned more from a three-minute record than he ever learned in school. His mind is racing, as it always will. Don't start him talking, he could talk all night. The sunshine bores the daylights out of him. Don't touch him, he's a real live wire. Most things he worries about never happen anyway. But he's been smiling lately, thinking about the good things to come.
Bryan Wawzenek
U2 Goes Minimalist on ‘With or Without You’: The Story Behind Every ‘Joshua Tree’ Song
U2 almost got sick of 'With or Without You' before Bono helped rescue the slow-building song from the trash heap. It became the band's first No. 1 U.S. hit.
In Defense of… R.E.M.’s ‘Shiny Happy People’
For years, R.E.M. has been dragged through the M.U.D. over this pop hit. We defend the song's place in the band's rich catalog.
30 Years Ago: Sinéad O’Connor Channels Rage Into Her Debut Album, ‘The Lion and the Cobra’
As a young woman, Sinéad O’Connor was running towards a career in music as much as she was running away. She wrote, recorded and produced her debut LP in 1987.
20 Years Ago: Bill Berry Leaves R.E.M.
After a health scare and a rough tour, R.E.M.'s drummer announced that he had lost his passion for the band and retired from the quartet in October 1997.
35 Years Ago: Prince Combines Sex, Synths and Doomsday on ‘1999’
The multi-talented artist's fifth album was largely created via sonic experimentations in his home studio. His 1982 LP would become his breakthrough release.
Michael Stipe Wrestles with Writer’s Block to Complete ‘Man on the Moon’
The song was ready. Everything was there: Bass, drums, guitars. There was only one slight problem. It didn’t have a title, or lyrics, or vocals.
R.E.M. Show Some Soul on ‘Everybody Hurts’: The Story Behind Every ‘Automatic for the People’ Song
R.E.M.'s R&B-influenced ballad took an uncharacteristically direct approach to the subject of suicide.
30 Years Ago: Wendy & Lisa Go From Sideshow to Stars
After Prince disbanded the Revolution, Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman formed a musical duo, releasing their debut album in 1987.
Prince’s Bandmates: Where Are They Now?
From the Revolution to 3rdeyegirl, Prince shared his stage with dozens of musicians. We're looking at where they are today.
35 Years Ago: Thomas Dolby (Eventually) Breaks Through With “The Golden Age of Wireless’
There are, in fact, no less than six versions of Thomas Dolby's The Golden Age of Wireless.