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.
Some Beatles fans might be surprised to know that John Lennon's mother, Julia Lennon, did not raise him. Instead, he was raised by his aunt, Mimi Smith.
The Beatles' "Strawberry Fields Forever" is fantastical, but it was actually a personal statement from John Lennon. The track became a hit again when a synth-pop group covered it.
Paul McCartney said The Beatles’ "When I'm Sixty-Four" was inspired by old-school songs he and John Lennon appreciated so much. John said he never could have written "When I'm Sixty-Four."
Elvis Presley's "Don't Cry Daddy" was written by a country musician who wrote songs for numerous other stars. "Don't Cry Daddy" appeared on one of the singer's most important records.
Elvis Presley's "A Little Less Conversation" remains one of his most beloved songs. The country star who wrote it wasn't a big fan of Elvis’ take on it.
Yoko Ono spoke of The Beatles in supernatural terms, saying they were like mystics who could conjure ghosts. She also explained why the Fab Four had such chemistry.
In an oddball metaphor, John Lennon compared The Beatles to flags on top of a boat. However, he said the Fab Four weren't the ones getting the boat to move.
Elvis Presley's "Don't Cry Daddy" doesn't sound like a political song. However, it was inspired by a dark day in American history, specifically an event from the Vietnam War.
Elvis Presley's "In the Ghetto" is one of his most famous songs. The writer of the song revealed why he thought the track would have worked for Sammy Davis Jr.
Elvis Presley wouldn't have been the King of Rock 'n' Roll without the musical pioneers who came before him. John Lennon said as much and discussed The Beatles’ predecessors too.
Everyone basically agrees that John Lennon and Kurt Cobain are two of the biggest names in rock. Yoko Ono had no interest in those comparisons — but Cobain himself did!
Elvis Presley's "In the Ghetto" is one of the King of Rock 'n' Roll's more haunting songs. The writer of the song said the tune is about "a vicious circle."