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Follow the Music

Fred Bronson has been called "America's foremost chart journalist" by the editor of Billboard magazine. He is best known for his appearances on American Idol, the weekly "Chart Beat" column in Billboard magazine, and as the author of books related to #1 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

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Fred Bronson with Thelma Houston
Live Interview Series

Fred Bronson Talks to Thelma Houston

An intimate afternoon with Grammy-winning vocalist Thelma Houston, hosted by legendary music journalist Fred Bronson.

Saturday, April 4, 2026

1:00 PM – 2:30 PM

The Velvet Martini Lounge at Vitello’s • Studio City / Los Angeles

Get Tickets

Step inside the conversation. “Fred Talks To…” is Fred Bronson’s live celebrity interview series, bringing audiences face-to-face with the icons and storytellers who shaped entertainment history.

For this kickoff event, Thelma Houston reflects on her remarkable career, from her early breakthrough and Motown years to television appearances, global performances, and unforgettable personal stories. Guests will also be invited to join a live audience Q&A.

Music Videos

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4552 Pop Goes The World Videos From 104 Countries My favorite songs from all over the world. Some in English and some not.

Sám Sebou (Slovakia) & Lucie Vondráčková (Czech Republic)
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181 Idol Videos From 23 seasons American Idol has produced more stars than any other TV talent competition series.

Gabby Samone
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Large Spotify Logo Enjoy listening to the music with these Spotify playlists I've created
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Crossing genres.
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Songs about...well, radio! And records!
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When couples sing.
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It was a very good year.

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Here's what happened when these artists changed labels.
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Celebrating the holidays all over the world.
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Just like it used to be.
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These song titles are also titles of motion pictures.
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Counting them down from 100 to 1.
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You might feel foolish listening to this playlist.
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26 007 songs.
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Journey through the rock era, one year at a time: 1955-2025.
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You just gotta laugh.
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The King recorded many cover songs.
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Songs from stage musicals that were adapted for the movies.
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International artists translate English-language hits into their own language.
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The fab four recorded an amazing number of cover songs.
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Many British artists have covered American pop songs from the '50s and '60s.
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Some of Broadway's best songs are heard in Act 2
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Some songs just demand a sequel.
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Women remaking songs first recorded by men and vice-versa.
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The sound of the '50s, '60s and early '70s.
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The title says it all.
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Peggy March made it famous and many others have recorded this song, which originated in France.
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They built the modern Broadway era.
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And here's to you, Mr. Robinson, and the album tracks you composed for many Motown artists.
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Are you hungry for some tasty music?
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Surf songs: it's a sub-genre!
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The best runs of three outstanding consecutive singles on the U.S. charts.
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One of our greatest composers.
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Songs that sound like tunes your mother should indeed know.
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The Academy Award winners for Best Song, in chronological order.
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It's an honor just to be nominated.
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A different take on your favorite ESC songs.
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From the top of the Hot Country Songs chart.
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Country music from beyond the U.S. borders.
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Paying tribute to one of the architects of rock 'n' roll.
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The dance sensation that shook the nation.
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Comedy tonight.
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Artists who have stood the test of time.
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Songs in sets of 5.
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The best folk-pop songs of the rock era.
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But still worth a listen! (Based on the Hot 100)
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Broadway's best opening numbers. What a way to start the show!
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The Guinness World Records holder for the most covered song of all time.
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The best music from artists who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community.
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The sequel to my playlist of one-word song titles.
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Female vocalists shine in songs from 2001-2024.
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Gone but not forgotten.
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The answers to all your questions.
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We really name these tunes.
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Kindly step into my wayback machine.
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Just the words.
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Artists I have interacted with. Some were interviewed. Some shared meals. Some I worked with. Some were very brief but memorable encounters. Some are close friends.
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Stars on 45 and beyond.
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Paired to compare. Some surprises!
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Disco was stayin' alive.
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It was a Gee, Oh Physical year!
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There are no adults in this room.
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Good things come in threes.
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Nothing Orwellian about it.
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Save this one for a rainy day. Or listen while the sun is shining.
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Every career had to start somewhere.
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Opening songs on some of the greatest albums of all time.
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The husband and wife team responsible for so many classic hits.
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Another British invasion.
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When we loved rock and roll.
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The greatest team-ups of rock and roll.
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The very best of Berry Gordy's legendary label.
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The greatest J-Pop girl group and a personal favorite.
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The brothers and sisters of rock and roll.
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Out of the studio and onto the stage.
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The companion soundtrack to the new book Rockin' The Kremlin by David Junk with Fred Bronson. All of these artists are referenced in the book. Learn all about it here.

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These solo artists were also in groups or duos.
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The '60s are a hard act to follow.
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One of the best decades for music.
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A #1 hit for the Fleetwoods in 1959. Hear all of the many cover versions.
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In honor of the Chic co-founder being named a Laureate of the 2024 Polar Music Prize.
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They came, they SAW, they conquered the charts.
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Simply the best.
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Musical hues.
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Non-Motown artists sing Motown's greatest hits.
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Call it a family affair.
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The husband-and-wife team wrote many hits, especially for the Everly Brothers and Roy Orbison.
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Left and right, good and bad, night and day -- you get the idea.
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The hits you know, but not sung in English.
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Words, words, words.
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The best songs from 1940-1949.
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The hits from 1950-1955.
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You know them best in their instrumental forms.
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The greatest group of all time, alphabetically.
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The really big holiday playlist, with over 7,000 songs. Suggest you listen on "shuffle."
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Over 1,100 of my favorite holiday songs.
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The softer, more traditional side of holiday music, perfect to play at family gatherings this December.
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The best music from the Walt Disney Company.
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The lost and found songs of Berry Gordy's legendary label.
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Holiday songs from 22 seasons of American Idol finalists.
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Curating this playlist was as easy as
1-2-3.
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The fifth and final look at the Hot 100 by the numbers.
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Fourth in a series.
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Music with a sci-fi, fantasy or horror twist.
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An alphabetical journey through seven decades of the fabulous Cher.
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Every artist has a beginning. These songs all marked first entries on the Billboard singles chart.
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Paying tribute to the great Elton John
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The recent discovery of a parallel Earth in an alternate universe came with a surprise -- their music is almost like ours, but not quite.
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Tennant and Lowe, alphabetically.
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They almost made it to #1. And #2.
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It was over 60 years ago but the music still sounds great today.
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The British Charttoppers.
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An alphabetical journey through the music of the Queen of Pop.
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The most popular music on Earth right now is from South Korea.
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The solo works of ABBA's two great vocalists.
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A Supreme review of her career, in alphabetical order.
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Relive the music with all of the songs from Season 1 and Season 2 of the brilliant series.
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Music, geographically.
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Ever since my first trip to Japan in 1993, I have been a fan of their pop music. Here are some of my favorites.
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You'll love the harmonies, the doo-wop and the memories.
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Songs inspired by really real people.
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Artists love having No. 1 singles. But then they have to follow them up.
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When rock was young.
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The runners-up of rock and roll.
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Barry & Cynthia wrote many of the rock era's greatest songs, together and separately. In loving memory of Cynthia.
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A-sides are great, but don't forget about the B-sides.
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Songs that were never released as the A-side of a single in the USA.
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From a more innocent time.
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Words get in the way.
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Songs from the musical theatre.
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From 1956 to 2023, these artists went to Eurovision -- but not with these songs.
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Based on The Billboard Book Of Number One Hits, as seen on "The Last Of Us."
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Motown's early years and just before the Beatles in America.
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An alphabetical journey through the songs of Taylor Swift
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Singling out another great year for music
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You know him as a legendary artist; he is also one of the greatest songwriters of the rock era.
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An alternate take on the Pop Goes The World playlist, featuring just the danceable hits.
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They went from stage, screen and TV into the recording studio.
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For your next drive, hit the road, Jack, with this potpourri of songs.
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The Solo Years.
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Some songs are so great they have to be recorded again and again.
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It all started with "I Will Follow Him" in 1963.
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You might be surprised how many pop hits were composed by the great Bob Dylan.
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The California composer writes about surfing, cars, girls and vibes.
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The greatest songs of one of the most brilliant artists of our time. In alphabetical order.
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Raving on with the songs of a music legend.
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Ain't nothin' like the summer
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ABBA -- with all of their songs in alphabetical order
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The greatest songs that originated on television shows including theme songs, numbers from musical episodes and more.
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A deep dive into one of the greatest songwriters of our time
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The greatest hits from one of the greatest years for music.
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Celebrating the 50th anniversary of Tapestry with an in-depth look at the songs written by Carole
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From 65 years of the biggest music event on Earth, the best Eurovision songs.
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Songs and artists inspired by one of Sweden's biggest exports.
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Soundtrack hits from your favorite films.
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The hits you know by the artists who wrote them.
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Female singers from the 1920s to the 1970s.
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The best Beatles songs -- but not by the Beatles!
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Pop, country and R&B artists sing the best of Broadway.
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Boy Meets Girl and then they sing!
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My favorite pop songs from all over the world. Many in English, many not!
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Here's your holiday playlist, great to listen to in December or any month.
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Like the title says, songs -- sung in French.
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You're Invited to the Disco Ball.
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The Brits love Motown. Maybe that's why they have covered so many Motown songs.
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It's My Party" and beyond!
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Elvis Covers.
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Finalists from many seasons of Idol sing their post-Idol tunes as well as songs they performed on the show.
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The very best of one of the best singers of the rock era
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The hits you know by the artists who recorded them first.
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Motown artists sing the hits -- that other Motown artists made famous
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Decades of Diane's greatest songs
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Motown artists recorded many non-Motown songs. Here are some of the best (and maybe a couple of Motown covers, too).
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ABBA's best songs, as recorded by others.
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Music from the creative genius behind many of Broadway's greatest shows.
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1964 - The year that changed everything.
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I get week.
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1956-2025
Articles by Fred Bronson
by FRED BRONSON - 3/06/2026 Image of Billboard logo
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Ryan Seacrest, Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood & Luke Bryan Talk Season 24 of ‘American Idol’
by FRED BRONSON - 2/16/2026 Image of RollingStone logo
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‘I Didn’t Like Myself’: David Archuleta on Shame, Stardom, and Salvation
by FRED BRONSON - 2/09/2026 Image of Billboard logo
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‘American Idol’ Showrunner Megan Michaels Wolflick Previews What’s to Come on Season 24
by FRED BRONSON - 12/19/2025 Image of Billboard logo
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30 Best Christmas Songs by ‘American Idol’ Finalists: Critic’s Picks
by FRED BRONSON - 7/24/2025 Image of Billboard logo
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Jamal Roberts Shares How His Life Changed Since Winning ‘Idol’ & Why He Never Wants to Leave ‘Mississippi’
by FRED BRONSON - 7/16/2025 Image of Hollywood logo
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‘American Idol’ Family Mourns Death of Show’s Music Supervisor, Robin Kaye
by GAIL MITCHELL, FRED BRONSON - 7/15/2025 Image of Billboard logo
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Thelma Houston Revisits Her Musical Roots at Museum Show: ‘Never Thought I’d Have an Exhibit About My Life’
by FRED BRONSON - 5/27/2025 Image of Billboard logo
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Here’s What Happened at the Royal Swedish Ceremony That Honored Queen’s Brian May & Roger Taylor and Herbie Hancock
by FRED BRONSON - 4/28/2025 Image of Billboard logo
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Meet 2025’s ‘American Idol’ Top 12 Contestants
by FRED BRONSON - 4/11/2025 Image of Billboard logo
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Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, Jelly Roll, Josh Groban, Ashanti & Ryan Seacrest Open Up About ‘American Idol’ In Hawaii
by FRED BRONSON - 4/04/2025 Image of Billboard logo
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Jelly Roll Says ‘American Idol’ Hollywood Week Is ‘Even More Chaotic Than What You See on TV’
by FRED BRONSON - 12/20/2024 Image of Billboard logo
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30 Best Christmas Songs by ‘American Idol’ Finalists: Critic’s Picks
by FRED BRONSON - 9/17/2024 Image of Billboard logo
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Remembering Tito Jackson In His Own Words: ‘I Think I Was Put Here to Do Music’
by D. JUNK, F. BRONSON - 7/02/2024 Image of Billboard logo
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The Inside Story of How t.A.T.u. Captured the World’s Attention: ‘Rockin’ the Kremlin’ Book Excerpt
by FRED BRONSON - 5/31/2024 Image of Billboard logo
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Pat Boone at 90: Six Things You Didn’t Know About One of the Rock Era’s Most Successful Artists
by FRED BRONSON - 5/21/2024 Image of Billboard logo
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Nile Rodgers & Esa-Pekka Salonen Celebrated as 2024 Laureates at Sweden’s Polar Music Prize
by FRED BRONSON - 5/11/2024 Image of Billboard logo
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French Singer Halts Eurovision 2024 Rehearsal Performance to Deliver Peace Statement
by FRED BRONSON - 5/11/2024 Image of Billboard logo
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Sweden’s Benjamin Ingrosso Takes a Star Turn at Eurovision 2024
by FRED BRONSON - 5/11/2024 Image of Billboard logo
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Eurovision 2024: Switzerland Defies the Odds to Win With Nemo’s ‘The Code’
by FRED BRONSON - 5/10/2024 Image of Billboard logo
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Two-Time Eurovision Champion Loreen Says She ‘Practiced Even More’ for Her 2024 Victory Lap Performance
by FRED BRONSON - 5/10/2024 Image of Billboard logo
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From Fan to Power Player: How Eric Lehman Brought Luxembourg Back to Eurovision After a 31-Year Gap
by FRED BRONSON - 5/10/2024 Image of Billboard logo
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Netherlands’ Joost Klein Disqualified From Eurovision Amid Investigation
by FRED BRONSON - 5/09/2024 Image of Billboard logo
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Switzerland, Georgia, Israel & 7 More Countries Qualify for Grand Final of Eurovision 2024
by FRED BRONSON - 5/08/2024 Image of Billboard logo
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Marcus & Martinus at Eurovision: The Identical Twins Say They’re the ‘Most Competitive’ Act in 2024
by FRED BRONSON - 5/08/2024 Image of Billboard logo
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Angelina Mango’s ‘La Noia’ Advances Italy’s Odds to Win Eurovision 2024
by FRED BRONSON - 5/07/2024 Image of Billboard logo
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After ‘American Idol,’ This Singer Is Moving to an Even Bigger Stage: Eurovision 2024
by FRED BRONSON - 5/07/2024 Image of Billboard logo
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Luxembourg, Ireland & 8 More Countries Advance to Eurovision 2024 Grand Final
by FRED BRONSON - 5/03/2024 Image of Billboard logo
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5 Things to Watch Out for at Eurovision 2024, According to the Song Contest’s Executive Supervisor
by FRED BRONSON - 4/30/2024 Image of Billboard logo
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Alyona Alyona & Jerry Heil Want People ‘To Feel Empathy for Ukraine’ With Their Eurovision 2024 Song
by FRED BRONSON - 4/29/2024 Image of Billboard logo
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Mandisa’s Friends & Fellow ‘American Idol’ Alumni Talk Tribute to Late Singer: ‘Christian Music Lost Its No. 1 Cheerleader’
by FRED BRONSON - 4/22/2024 Image of Billboard logo
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Meet 2024’s ‘American Idol’ Top 10 Contestants
by FRED BRONSON - 4/05/2024 Image of Billboard logo
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‘American Idol’ Hits Hawaii: Behind the Scenes With the Judges, Jelly Roll, Iam Tongi & Tori Kelly
by FRED BRONSON - 3/28/2024 Image of Billboard logo
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Eurovision 2024: Showrunner Per Blankens Previews What to Expect, From ABBA to the Runtime
by FRED BRONSON - 3/12/2024 Image of Billboard logo
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Nile Rodgers and Esa-Pekka Salonen Named 2024 Polar Music Prize Laureates
by FRED BRONSON - 5/23/2023 Image of Billboard logo
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Chris Blackwell, Angélique Kidjo and Arvo Pärt Celebrated as Laureates at Sweden’s Polar Music Prize