Erica Banas: Writing Samples

Erica Banas: Writing Samples

Specializing in rock/classic rock news coverage and commentary, with experience in wrestling, TV and film.

93.3 WMMR •

'Metallica' & 9 Other Best-Selling Albums During the SoundScan Era

Metallica released their self-titled fifth studio album on August 12, 1991. Affectionately known as "The Black Album," the LP became a game-changer for the band. It also had a massive impact on the music industry at large thanks to the game-changing technology then known as SoundScan, which premiered on March 1, 1991.Per a feature piece from Billboard, "SoundScan, which is now known as MRC Data, measured album sales as they happened — stores scanned bar codes at the checkout register — and over...
105.7 WROR •

Aerosmith Needs to Get the Back To The Beginning Treatment

The rock world is still basking in the afterglow of Back To The Beginning, the July 5 all-star concert that saw the final performance of the original lineup of Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne as a solo artist. It's hard to imagine any other event or moment in 2025 topping it. It was truly that impressive and moving. Here's hoping it inspires a similar event for Aerosmith.Back To The Beginning came about in large part because Ozzy was forced to cancel his farewell tour due to various health issue...
WRIF Rocks Detroit •

Oasis Tour Kickoff & Black Sabbath’s Final Show: A Back-to-Back Return/Farewell for Rock Fans Everywhere

For months now, I've been looking forward to this July 4th weekend. No, it's not because of the patriotic holiday. Instead, it's because of England.In August 2024, Oasis announced a series of reunion shows in their native U.K. A month later, they announced a series of shows in North America. (This tour has since expanded to include shows in Asia, Australia, and South America.)Similar to the 2016 "Not in This Lifetime..." tour from Guns N' Roses, this is really the first time I'll get to see Oasi...
93.3 WMMR •

'Use Your Illusion': Fantasy Track Listing If It Weren't a Double LP

Guns N' Roses' double album Use Your Illusion I & II was released on September 17, 1991. Use Your Illusion was one of the most anticipated albums not just in 1991, but ever. The album dropped at midnight on its first day of release. This resulted in late-night lines at record stores all across the country.GN'R may have staved off fans with 1988's GN'R Lies, but the adoring masses were eager for something to really sink their teeth into following the smash success of 1987's Appetite for Destructi...
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