Nick DeRiso is UCR's assistant managing editor, and author of 'Journey: Worlds Apart.' He has been named columnist of the year five times by the Associated Press, Louisiana Press Association, and Louisiana Sports Writers Association, and previously oversaw a daily newspaper section that was named Top 10 in the nation by the AP.
Nick DeRiso
40 Years Ago: U2 Become Arena-Rockers on ‘Under a Blood Red Sky’
A lot of things went wrong before this live project helped made them one of the '80s' biggest concert acts.
Rock Music’s 25 Craziest Conspiracy Theories
Which stories are true, and which aren't? Let's count them down.
Neil Young Leaves Twitter Over Elon Musk’s Controversial Comments
He joins a growing list of boycotters, including Apple and Disney.
How ZZ Top Began Their ’80s Transformation
'Deguello' was their last album of the '70s – and in more ways than one.
How Fans Actually Shaped ‘100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can’t Be Wrong’
This gold-selling collection didn't just name-check his most ardent followers. They were part of the process.
Potential Collaborators for Rush’s Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson
Who's to say that they would stick with the tried-and-true trio format?
December 2023 New Music Releases
Music industry engines usually begin to idle each December, but this year is a bit different.
Geddy Lee Can’t Decide Which Rush Album Is the Worst
Selecting their best album came easier – as did his favorite project by someone else.
Rock Legends Who Never Had a No. 1 Single
They had plenty of success by any other measure.
How Genesis Began an Exciting New Era on ‘Nursery Cryme’
This served more as a signpost for future breakthroughs than a stand-alone accomplishment.
The Hidden Talents of Your Favorite Rock Stars
Their main aptitude is often plainly obvious. The others, not so much.
55 Years Ago: The First Led Zeppelin Show
Oh, and Robert Plant also got married.