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.
Elvis Presley wanted 'Wild in the Country' to be better than his other movies. He and his co-star, Millie Perkins, didn't like one of its scenes. The movie still produced a hit song, also called "Wild in the Country."
Barbra Streisand recorded a version of "Rainbow Connection" for her son. She forgot about the song only to release a new version of it with vocals from Jim Henson in character as Kermit the Frog.
Steven Spielberg helped David Lean see if he could get the rights to the book 'Empire of the Sun.' Lean lost interest in the project. Spielberg ultimately directed the film version of the book.
Barbra Streisand recorded songs by Stephen Sondheim for 'The Broadway Album.' Her label wanted her to record pop songs instead. Regardless, 'The Broadway Album' was a huge success.
John Lennon's son, Sean Lennon, recorded vocals for a Lana Del Rey song called "Tomorrow Never Knows" with a microphone used by Johnny Cash. Sean loved the song. The public seemed less impressed.
Elvis Presley and Ann-Margret really clicked because of music. They once performed a classic song together in a comical way. Elvis later performed the song during one of the most famous moments of his career.
George Harrison was making an album with his son, Dhani Harrison, but the former Beatle died before he finished it. Dhani completed the album with Jeff Lynne, Dhani didn't want the album to sound like Lynne's music.
Some people felt 'Saving Private Ryan' was "too Hollywood," but Steven Spielberg went out of his way to avoid that. Ultimately, the film was a huge critical and commercial success.
Steven Spielberg indulged himself during the making of '1941'. He later took a more austere approach to 'Raiders of the Lost Ark'. The latter film was more acclaimed and popular.
One of The Monkees wrote "Different Drum" but the band wasn't allowed to record it. Later, Linda Ronstadt and two of The Monkees each recorded versions of the song.
Steven Spielberg said 'The Color Purple' was more character-driven than his previous movies. The film didn't perform as well at the box office or the Academy Awards as 'Jaws'.
Mick Jagger didn't like The Rolling Stones' "Tumbling Dice." Later, Linda Ronstadt covered it. The world reacted differently to the two versions of the song.
Paul Simon's "Mother and Child Reunion" was his attempt to write a reggae song. A personal tragedy and his love for his wife helped him write the classic track.
Linda Ronstadt liked The Rolling Stones' Mick Jagger and some punk rock musicians, but not the Ramones. She called them out for a very specific reason. Here's how The Rolling Stones performed on the charts compared to the Ramones.
U2's "Pride (In the Name of Love)" was about Ronald Reagan before Bono rewrote the lyrics to be about his hero, Martin Luther King. Bono explained why King meant so much to him,
John Lennon's album 'Imagine' connected with U2's Bono. He really loved one of its songs, "Oh My Love." Later, Yoko Ono said there was a major connection between Bono and John.
Priscilla Presley had mixed feelings about the prospect of motherhood. She later told Elvis Presley of her pregnancy. He had strong feelings about their daughter.
U2's Bono had a difficult childhood. As a teenager, The Who's "Behind Blue Eyes" resonated with him. Pete Townshend opened up about the song's meaning.
The Monkees' Peter Tork and Davy Jones weighed in on the Sex Pistols, a band who covered "(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone." Here's how Americans and Brits reacted to different versions of the song.
The Rolling Stones' Keith Richards had a hard time perfecting "Street Fighting Man" but he really liked it and the British public seemed to like it as well.