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 has been mentioned in countless songs. In fact, his '68 Comeback Special — and some commemorative stamps — inspired Patty Loveless' "I Try to Think About Elvis."
Kiss' Gene Simmons had a revelatory experience that made him want to be one of The Beatles. His initial interest in the Fab Four had little to do with music.
Kiss showed off their more sensitive side with the ballad "Beth." The track has a riff that sounds like it came from a certain psychedelic Beatles tune.
One of the defining songs of the 1980s was the Eurythmics' "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)." Marilyn Manson made the dark side of its lyrics that much more obvious.
George Harrison came into his own as a rock star with 'All Things Must Pass'. It took a shocking number of acoustic guitars to get the record just right.
George Harrison had hit songs after The Beatles broke up, but his best one didn't hit No. 1. His greatest tune was supposed to sound like The Beatles' "Penny Lane
Paul McCartney wrote hit songs without The Beatles — he just struggled to write good hit songs without The Beatles! Only one of his solo No. 1 singles is genuinely worthwhile.
Paul McCartney appeared on a divisive track from Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'. In retrospect, Paul revealed his feelings on 'Thriller' and some of Jackson's other music.
One Paul McCartney song is a disjointed mess about water and food and freedom. Here is how the track in question compares to Paul's other post-Beatles hits.
Elvis Presley's songs were just as big in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s as Taylor Swift's are now. Interestingly, a star wrote tracks for Elvis and Swift.
On Elvis Presley's birthday, it's a great time to look back at his catalog. After "Blue Suede Shoes," blue became the rock star's color in many of his songs.
The Beatles' "Helter Skelter" is a famous song that will never shake its association with Charles Manson. Is it tasteful for artists to continue to cover the song?