Mental Floss

MUSIC HISTORY

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If you think the wholesale pilfering of songs began when Vanilla Ice swiped the bass line from David Bowie and Queen’s song “Under Pressure” for “Ice, Ice Baby,” think again.

Ethan Trex
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On April 5, 1994, the music world mourned the death of Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain, who died by suicide at the age of 27.

Roger Cormier




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The recorder doesn’t have a reputation for being the coolest instrument in the world, but everyone from William Shakespeare to Paul McCartney has turned to it for inspiration.

Michele Debczak












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It’s hard to say exactly how many concert-goers attended Woodstock, but some low counts estimate at least 400,000 were there—which is great when it comes to peace and love, but a little less so when it comes to adequate food and drink for the masses.

Stacy Conradt








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Bob Dylan—the legendary artist formerly known as Robert Zimmerman—has spent the past 50-plus years trying to keep a low profile.

Roger Cormier, Erika Wolf