Journalist, Author & Syndicated Columnist
The Artist Formerly Known as Prince has nothing on the Roots’ Ahmir Khalib-Thompson. Since the band formed 10 years ago, the drummer has billed himself as ?uestlove and B.R.O. the R. ?uestion, before settling on his first name (which not only sounds better than the other monikers, but also is less confusing).
Sarah McLachlan knew it was time to start a music festival that celebrated female artists when she discussed the possibility of having Paula Cole open for her and a promoter told her that two women on the same bill would be too . . . well, you know . . . female.
Despite the paradoxical name of the Gin Blossoms’ current album, “Congratulations, I’m Sorry,” the five-man band from Tempe, Ariz., has no reason to apologize. “Congratulations” is as good as the Blossoms’ 1992 breakthrough CD, “New Miserable Experience” – something many critics predicted wouldn’t be possible after the suicide of original member Doug Hopkins, who wrote many of the group’s hits.