Rancid　

One of the cornerstone bands of the ’90s punk revival, Rancid’s unabashedly classicist sound drew heavily from the Clash’s early records, echoing their left-leaning politics and fascination with ..more

Riot　

The long-lived New York-based heavy metal band Riot was formed in 1976 by guitarist/songwriter Mark Reale, who recruited vocalist Guy Speranza, guitarist L.A. Kouvaris, bassist Jimmy Iom ..more

Richard Thompson　

For years, Richard Thompson resided in relative obscurity, while at the same time garnering vast critical praise for his magnificent guitar work and the dark wit and richness of his extraordinary s ..more

REO Speedwagon　

Three bands were the undisputed arena rock kings of the early ’80s -- Styx, Journey, and REO Speedwagon -- yet all weren’t overnight success stories (in fact, each group began pursuing dif ..more

REBECCA　

Red Garland　

Red Garland mixed together the usual influences of his generation (Nat Cole, Bud Powell, and Ahmad Jamal) into his own distinctive approach; Garland’s block chords themselves became inf ..more

Renaissance　

The history of Renaissance is essentially the history of two separate groups, rather similar to the two phases of the Moody Blues or the Drifters. The original group was founded in 1969 by ex ..more

Ramones　

The Ramones were the first punk rock band. Other bands, such as the Stooges and the New York Dolls, came before them and set the stage and aesthetic for punk, and bands that immediately follo ..more

Ramsey Lewis　

Pianist and composer Ramsey Lewis has been a major figure in contemporary jazz since the late 1950s, playing music with a warm, open personality that’s allowed him to cross over to the pop and R＆B ..more

Rage　

The German heavy metal outfit, Rage, originally formed in the early ’80s, and although the group has issued albums on a steady basis ever since, lead singer/bassist Peter Peavey Wagner is t ..more

Ry Cooder　

Whether serving as a session musician, solo artist, or soundtrack composer, Ry Cooder’s chameleon-like fretted instrument virtuosity, songwriting, and choices of material encompass an incredibly ec ..more

Rory Gallagher　

For a career that was cut short by illness and a premature death, guitarist, singer, and songwriter Rory Gallagher sure accomplished a lot in the blues music world. Although Gallagher didn’t ..more

Roxy Music　

Evolving from the late-’60s art-rock movement, Roxy Music had a fascination with fashion, glamour, cinema, pop art, and the avant-garde, which separated the band from their contemporaries. ..more

Radiohead　

Hailed as the most influential rock band of ’90s, Radiohead returned in 2003 with their sixth studio album ’Hail To The Thief’. The set seems to cover all of their musical aspects, mixing the furious ..more

Ringo Starr　

Ringo Starr, born Richard Starkey, was the drummer in the Beatles from 1962 to 1970 and thus became one of the most famous musicians of the ’60s. Though the least prominent member of the quar ..more

R.E.M.　

R.E.M. marked the point when post-punk turned into alternative rock. When their first single, Radio Free Europe, was released in 1981, it sparked a back-to-the-garage movement in the American und ..more

Rena Matsui　

Ringo Shiina　

Rick Wakeman　

Born in Perivale, Middlesex, England, Rick Wakeman’s interest in music manifested itself very early, and from the age of seven on he studied classical piano. At the age of 14, he joined a local ..more

Red Hot Chili Peppers　

Red Hot Chili Peppers was once called a mixture-rock band for its diversity of music styles. Fusing rock, funk, punk and rap into one, the pioneering modern rock band looks set to go on with its 20 ..more