Theodore Thimou

Before he became the "Piano Man," Billy Joel was a scrappy kid from Long Island dreaming of landing a major label record deal and breaking through as a solo artist. The two-CD Legacy Edition of 'Piano Man' commemorates that nascent talent and serves as a reminder of many people's first introduction to Joel's hit-making power...

What is the sound of a homecoming? If you're Slash -- who recorded his 'Made in Stoke 24/7/11' double-disc concert set earlier this year in his English birthplace of Stoke on Trent -- it's beautiful, bestial and bombastic...just like the man himself!

When it comes to pioneering jam metal bands, few artists can compete with Rainbow and their legendary penchant for stretching out straightforward rock songs into exercises in instrumental abandon. The 35th anniversary reissue of 'Live in Germany 1976' -- an unsung companion piece to the band's better known 1977 double concert album 'On Stage' -- showcases guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, singer Ronni

Long before he became a metal master, Ronnie James Dio fronted a blues-based band called the Elves that cranked out traditional rock with a hint of folksy acoustic jams and prog-rock tendencies.