Remembering Billy Steinberg: Hitmaker, farm kid and Palm Springs original
From “Like a Virgin” to “True Colors,” Steinberg shaped pop history — but in Palm Springs, he was a rock rebel and loyal friend who never forgot his roots.
Bruce's Latest Articles
When the bass steps into the spotlight
At the Palm Springs International Jazz Festival, an instrument long consigned to the background becomes the through line of a century of jazz history — from New Orleans parades to fusion, funk and the future.
Don McLean brings a lifetime of song to the Plaza Theatre
Ahead of his Palm Springs show, the “American Pie” songwriter reflects on six decades of music, creative independence and why he’s still performing at 80.
2025 In Memoriam Part 2: Looking back on politicians, entertainers, cultural pioneers we lost
From mayors and philanthropists to adventurers and acclaimed actors, the Coachella Valley said goodbye to remarkable individuals in 2025 whose contributions continue shaping our desert communities and cultural identity.
2025 In Memoriam Part 1: Looking back on artists, entertainers and cultural pioneers we lost
From a pioneering police novelist to a game show legend and a rock icon, Bruce Fessier looks back as the desert community mourned the passing of luminaries who shaped our cultural landscape.
Clive Davis, Barry Manilow reveal stories behind five decades of hit records during Plaza Theatre benefit
The legendary music mogul and the iconic singer-songwriter shared memories of career-defining moments, from the discovery of Whitney Houston to the creation of "Mandy," during a fundraising event Friday evening.
Film Festival highlights surge in music documentaries, reveals industry insights
A showcase of music biographies at the festival sheds light on the intertwined relationships between music publishers, filmmakers, and subjects in crafting the content and securing song rights.
2024 In Memoriam Part 2: Concluding our look back on local luminaries we lost
In the second and final part of his series running during the final days of 2024, Bruce Fessier remembers six more well-known people with local ties we lost in the past year.
2024 In Memoriam Part 1: Looking back on local luminaries we lost in the past year
In the first of a two-part series running during the final days of 2024, Bruce Fessier remembers musicians, athletes, and others who had significant connections to the desert.
Jack Jones, legendary singer and desert Icon, dies at 86
Renowned for his versatile voice and captivating performances, Jones leaves behind a legacy of music and community involvement in the Coachella Valley.
2023 In Memoriam Part 2: Concluding Bruce Fessier’s look back on local luminaries we lost in the past year
In the second of a two-part series running during the final weekend of 2023, Bruce Fessier remembers a former colleague, the leader of a local nonprofit, and a pair of actresses who reinvented themselves.
2023 In Memoriam Part 1: Looking back on local luminaries we lost in the past year
In the first of a two-part series running during the final weekend of 2023, Bruce Fessier remembers musicians, athletes, and others who had significant connections to the desert.