Matt Trzcinski’s career in journalism began in high school when he started writing for local newspapers. He’s been a film critic since 2012 and joined the Showbiz Cheat Sheet team in 2019 where he specializes in classic rock and pop music. He loves the larger-than-life personalities in both genres, which provide ample fodder in books and interviews for behind-the-scenes information our readers want to know. Matt has expertise in acts such as The Beatles and The Monkees.
Matt is a Tufts University graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Film and Media Studies. In his free time, he participates in the Boston Horror Society, a group devoted to horror films. He also enjoys reading the work of critics including Roger Ebert and Chuck Klosterman and authors J.D. Salinger, Edgar Allen Poe, and Franz Kafka. See more of Matt’s work on Screen Rant, Cinema Axis, Taste of Cinema, American Songwriter, and his Muck Rack profile.
Britney Spears wrote a short essay about Madonna for Rolling Stone. She revealed she's a huge Madonna fan and asked whether she could hug the Queen of Pop when they first met.
Nick Cave of Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds watched the documentary 'This Is Elvis.' He was deeply moved by the scene that used Elvis Presley's "An American Trilogy." "An American Trilogy" was a minor hit in the United States and a big hit in the United Kingdom.
Paul McCartney gave a song called "Girlfriend" to Michael Jackson and Jackson returned the favor by writing "The Girl Is Mine" for 'Thriller.' Jackson and Quincy Jones felt "The Girl Is Mine" had to be the lead single from 'Thriller' because of the talent involved. The track became a hit.
Ahmir Thompson, a.k.a. Questlove of The Roots, spent his lunch money on Prince's album '1999.' He became a huge fan of Prince. '1999' was a success in the United States and the United Kingdom.
Ben Gibbard named Death Cab for Cutie after the song of the same name by Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band. The song appeared in The Beatles' movie 'Magical Mystery Tour.' Gibbard regrets the name of his band.
Elvis Presley was the subject of the documentary 'This Is Elvis.' The scene where the King of Rock 'n' Roll sang "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" traumatized Nick Cave. "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" was a massive hit.
Mick Jagger said some critical things about The Rolling Stones' album 'Between the Buttons.' He liked one of the songs on the album: "Ruby Tuesday." 'Between the Buttons' and "Ruby Tuesday" were hits.
Gwen Stefani let other people write songs for an album she scrapped. She changed the title of one of the songs meant for that album from "Baby Don't Cry" to "Baby Don't Lie." The song was not a hit.
No Doubt ended a long break from recording to release 'Push and Shove,' an album inspired by British bands. The title track is supposed to sound like Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody," which was more popular than "Push and Shove."
Mick Jagger considers "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" to be The Rolling Stones' signature song He said The Beatles paved the way for the song's success. He praised the song's riff and topicality. "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" became a huge hit.
Elvis Presley influenced many artists, including Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds. One of Cave's fans organized an Elvis-themed funeral for his father. Cave wants Elvis' "Kentucky Rain" and "How Great Thou Art" played at his funeral.
Joan Jett faced sexism in the music industry. She wishes more women were in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong was honored to be inducted into the Hall of Fame the same night as Joan Jett & the Blackhearts.
Mick Jagger originally wrote lyrics about a plague for The Rolling Stones' "Living in a Ghost Town." He changed the lyrics because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The song was a minor hit.
Marilyn Manson made an album called 'We Are Chaos' with country musician Shooter Jennings. Jennings said the guitar playing on the album's title track recalled the music of Elvis Presley and Jeff Lynne. The track was not a hit.
Pete Townshend inducted The Rolling Stones into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. He poked fun at The Rolling Stones and said the speech was genuine. Mick Jagger joked his speech may have ended their friendship.
Songwriter Tommy Boyce wrote hits for The Monkees. He briefly had the opportunity to produce for Paul Revere & the Raiders, but he lost the opportunity without explanation. He felt Paul Revere & the Raiders were like The Rolling Stones.
The Rolling Stones' Mick Jagger enjoys David Bowie's "Let's Dance" because it reminds him of spending time with Bowie in clubs. Bowie felt the song hurt his public image. "Let's Dance" was an international hit.
Katy Perry sometimes thought about the possibility of attractive men living on other planets. She channeled this idea into "E.T." The beat of the song was written for the Three 6 Mafia. "E.T." was an international hit.
Mick Jagger and David Bowie were close friends. They recorded a cover of "Dancing in the Street" and filmed the music video in a day. Jagger cherishes his memory of that day. The song was a hit.
Alice Cooper admires The Beach Boys' Brian Wilson. Wilson told Cooper and Iggy Pop that "Shortnin' Bread" is the best song ever written. The Beach Boys covered that song.