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A California man has confessed to sending a bogus ransom demand connected to Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance.

Derrick Callella, 42, of Hawthorne, pleaded guilty Thursday, July 2, to two counts of harassment using a telecommunications device, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Arizona announced in the official press release. Prosecutors say Callella called and texted Guthrie's family on February 4, just days after the news of Nancy's disappearance was made public, asking about a bitcoin transfer.

According to KOLD, Callella texted Nancy's oldest daughter, Annie, and her son-in-law, Tommaso Cioni. Investigators said the texts landed just moments after the Guthrie family released their first video message pleading with the alleged kidnappers for proof of life. "Callella acknowledged that he knew an earlier ransom demand had been made," the U.S. Attorney's Office said in its release.  "Callella also admitted that his actions were meant to harass the family by seeking information about the investigation into the missing person's disappearance." 

According to NBC News, Court records show he used a VOIP, or internet-based, phone line to send the message: "Did you get the bitcoin were (sic) waiting on our end for the transaction."

Inside the Plea Deal: Derrick Callella's Sentencing and Penalties

Under the plea agreement, Callella is expected to receive two concurrent five-year probation terms when he's sentenced September 10.  He also faces a maximum possible penalty of two years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both, according to Reuters. The plea comes as investigators continue sorting fact from fiction in the broader case. 

Australian-born presenter, Savannah Guthrie poses for a photo before hosting NBC's "Today Show" live from Australia at Sydney Opera House on May 4, 2015 in Sydney, Australia.

Photo by Don Arnold/WireImage

Callella's sentencing comes just one day after the FBI's Phoenix office issued a new statement, saying the case has drawn "several ransom notes" throughout the investigation, calling some 'potentially legitimate'. 

The statement read: "Some have been deemed to be extortion attempts without legitimacy," the bureau said. "Other ransom demands may potentially be legitimate and are still being investigated as such."

Statement on Guthrie Investigation pic.twitter.com/zTUKcjPfsv

— FBI Phoenix (@FBIPhoenix) July 1, 2026

The FBI's update followed a June 30 Reuters report claiming that an FBI source had called the notes fake. The case remains open as a kidnapping-for-ransom investigation.

Nancy, the 84-year-old mother of Today co-host Savannah Guthrie, was reported missing on February 1 after vanishing from her Tucson-area home the night before. Despite multiple rounds of searches around her property and several rounds of DNA testing, no suspect has been publicly named, and no breakthrough has emerged.

Anyone with information related to Nancy Guthrie is asked to call Tucson’s 88-Crime hotline at 1-520-882-7463 or the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI.

When a rock song from the '70s kicks off with a cowbell, you know you're in for a good time. Case in point: Nazareth's 1975 classic, "Hair of the Dog." One of the Scottish band's biggest hits (along with "Love Hurts"), "Hair of the Dog" definitely made an impression on listeners, including many who would go on to become rockers themselves. The song made a huge resurgence during the hair metal era, when bands including Warrant, Britny Fox and Guns N' Roses covered the track (Axl Rose was such a huge fan of the band, he reportedly asked them to perform at his wedding). But none of those versions can hold a candle to the original...which, as it turns out, almost had a very different title.

As bassist Pete Agnew told Classic Rock in 2009, "Hair of the Dog" was originally supposed to be called "Son of a Bitch." This makes sense, of course, given the epic chorus ("Now you're messing with a son of a bitch!"). Alas, the powers-that-be decided that wasn't going to fly.

“The record company flipped when we told them our intended title,” Agnew recalled. “We argued that it was okay because John Wayne used the same phrase all the time, but they wouldn't buy it.”

First, "Son of a Bitch" evolved into "Heir of the Dog," which then became "Hair of the Dog" (inspired, of course, by the traditional hangover cure).

“It had absolutely no meaning at all!” Agnew admitted with a laugh. “And nothing to do with the content of the song!”

Indeed. "Hair of the Dog" isn't about how to rebound from a night of drinking. It's more about how to rebound from a toxic love affair:

Heartbreaker, soul shaker
I've been told about you
Steamroller, midnight shoulder
What they been sayin' must be true

Red hot mama, velvet charmer
Time's come to pay your dues

According to Agnew, the chorus came about as a sort of surprise from vocalist Dan McCafferty. The song was mostly composed in rehearsals, he explained.

“It was based on a riff that Manny [Charlton, guitarist] had been messing around with,”he said. “Everyone else joined in and mucked around with it, adding the stops and starts.”

When the time came to record the vocals, McCafferty simply smiled and told his bandmates he "had something up his sleeve."

“When we heard Dan singing the chorus we all thought: ‘This should do well,'" Agnew quipped, adding, "Such language is nothing to the stuff you hear on records these days, but back then it was considered outrageously risqué.”

Watal Asanuma/Shinko Music / Getty Images

Risqué or not, "Hair of the Dog" was, obviously, a big success: It peaked at #17 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became a live concert highlight...although it did stir up some trouble in one country.

“We were playing two nights in Chile back when [military dictator] General Pinochet was still in power," Agnew said. "It was a televised thing that went out to about 100 million people. On the first night, we finished as usual to 'Hair of the Dog' and Dan got the audience to sing the chorus back at him. It created such a furor that it made the next day’s newspapers."

“Before the second show the Lady Mayoress came backstage with an entourage and gave us an attitude. Somebody translated what she had said and it was: ‘Tonight you will not finish with that song. Do you understand?’" he continued.

McCafferty's reaction was pure rock and roll rebellion.

“Dan kept nodding away and told her: ‘Aye, no problem.’ When she left the room I asked him: ‘What the hell are you talking about?'" Agnew remembered, adding, "And he replied: ‘We’re not gonna close the show with that song. We’re gonna open with it.’”

It's safe to say Guns N' Roses didn't have to deal with any of that by the time they covered "Hair of the Dog" almost two decades later. As for Agnew, he seemed less than impressed with the band's cover, released on The Spaghetti Incident? album.

“Their version was a bit of a copycat thing; they didn’t try to make it their own,” Agnew said. “We always try to add our own personality to our covers, but that was never the point with them — Axl had always wanted to sing 'Son Of A Bitch.' He wanted to sound like Dan.”

Well, you can't blame Axl for that.

Related: 1968 Party Anthem, Banned From High School Dances Across America, Topped the Charts Twice in 20 Years

Fresh off Supercharged, Dexter Holland returns with another blast of punk-fueled alt-rock. This time, The Offspring frontman has teamed with Billy Morrison on the fiery new single “Never Gonna Change,” out now as the latest preview of Morrison’s forthcoming solo album, Hollow.

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Hollow arrives Aug. 7. Previous singles Morrison has shared are “Becoming,” which features Godsmack’s Sully Erna and Extreme’s Nuno Bettencourt, as well as the title track. According to Consequence, Chuck D., B Real, Duff McKagan, and more feature on the project.

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Written by Morrison and Jacob Dunton, “‘Never Gonna Change’ is one of those perfect pop punk slices of rebellion that hopefully spans a couple of generational gaps,” Morrison said, via the outlet. “Teenagers will always feel the same—misunderstood—and Dexter has been one of the most vital voices of teenage angst and rebellion since The Offspring hit the world running in 1984.”

“Billy Morrison has a great track record and is a good guy, so when he sent me ‘Never Gonna Change’ for a collab, it was an immediate ‘I’m in,’” Holland added. “The song is just the right amount of angst, rebellion, and fun. A summer banger if you ask me.”

An animated lyric video was released to go with the single (see below).

Morrison began his career in the U.K.'s alternative rock scene, playing with bands including Into a Circle before fronting Stimulator in the mid-1990s. In 2001, he joined The Cult as the band's touring bassist, performing for more than a year before relocating to Los Angeles. Since 2010, Morrison has served as a rhythm guitarist in Billy Idol's touring band alongside Steve Stevens, while also co-writing much of Idol's recent music.

As for Holland, he co-founded his first punk band, Manic Subsidal, in California in 1984. The band became The Offspring a year later, with mainstream success following their landmark album, Smash, in 1994.

More than four decades later, Holland continues to front the band, with The Offspring still touring and releasing new music today.

Related: 1996 Film That Inspired One of Alternative Rock’s Most Haunting Ballads Became a Cult Classic

It is rare that a novel leaves as profound an emotional impact on readers as A Thousand Splendid Suns.

Since its publication in 2007, Khaled Hosseini's sweeping story of friendship, resilience and survival has become one of the defining works of contemporary fiction. Its enduring popularity has now been reflected once again with a place on Goodreads' "Best Books Ever" list, a ranking determined by votes from the site's global reading community.

The novel marked a second major milestone for Hosseini.

Already an international literary sensation following the success of The Kite Runner, the Afghan American author turned his attention to the lives of women in Afghanistan across several turbulent decades. Through the intertwined stories of Mariam and Laila, Hosseini explored love, sacrifice, family and hope against the backdrop of war, political upheaval and profound social change.

"Writing a second novel is much more difficult," Hosseini told the San Francisco Examiner. "I had chosen a storyline that was much more complex. The story spanned 30 years and it was a woman's story so I had to be very careful to make sure that I had the correct characterizations."

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Readers responded immediately.

A Thousand Splendid Suns became an international bestseller upon its release, spending weeks on bestseller lists while earning widespread praise for its emotional depth and richly drawn characters.

"I think the two main female characters in A Thousand Splendid Suns were kind of inspired by my collective sense of what women in Afghanistan went through, particularly since the withdrawal of the Soviets and the breakout of anarchy and extremism and criminality," Hosseini told TIME in 2008.

Critics and readers alike applauded Hosseini's ability to combine intimate personal stories with sweeping historical events, creating a novel that felt both deeply personal and universally relatable.

Its influence has only grown over time.

The book has become a staple of book clubs, including Dua Lipa's Service95 book club, classrooms and community reading programs around the world, introducing millions of readers to Afghan history and culture through an unforgettable human story. It has also inspired a stage adaptation, bringing Mariam and Laila's journey to audiences beyond the page while continuing to spark conversations about resilience, compassion and the strength of human connection.

The continued success of A Thousand Splendid Suns has further cemented Hosseini’s reputation as one of the most widely read authors of the 21st century. Alongside The Kite Runner and And the Mountains Echoed, the novel remains one of the cornerstones of his remarkable literary career.

"I feel that my books talk about issues that shape people's lives, that shape society and that are important," Hosseini told TIME. "I see it as my duty to parlay my own personal success and blessings [into benefits for] Afghanistan and to try to hopefully make a meaningful impact there."

Its inclusion among Goodreads' "Best Books Ever" reflects the lasting bond readers have formed with the novel. Nearly 20 years after its publication, A Thousand Splendid Suns continues to move new generations with its unforgettable portrait of courage, friendship and enduring hope, securing its place as one of the most beloved modern novels of all time.

Related: Best-Selling Author’s Classic Novel Ranked Among ‘Most Read Books’ in United States on Goodreads

Singer-songwriters are often asked to write music for a movie. But it's rare to hear that the music is released without the movie ever being made. Neil Young revealed which 1970 song was inspired by a movie we may never see.

What Inspired Neil Young's 'After the Gold Rush'?

"After the Gold Rush" lyrics paint a picture of a medieval world full of nature. "Well I dreamed I saw the knights in armor/comin'/Sayin' something about a queen/There were peasants singin' and drummers/drummin'" it starts.

The verse ends bringing the scene back to the current day. "Look at Mother Nature on the run/In the 1970s/Look at Mother Nature on the run/In the 1970s," Young sings.

Actor Dean Stockwell is no stranger to time travel and sci-fimovies. TheQuantum Leap actor wrote a script called After The Gold Rush in hopes that Dennis Hopper would help get it produced.

"In Peru, Dennis very strongly urged me to write a screenplay, and he would get it produced," Stockwell, 85, said, according to Louder Sound. "I came back home to Topanga Canyon [in the mountains outside LA href="https://parade.com/1327266/michelleparkerton/mountain-quotes/"] and wrote After The Gold Rush. Neil was living in Topanga then too, and a copy of it somehow got to him."

The Dune actor claimed that Young had writer's block, but the screenplay inspired him to write the album for the movie in three weeks. The disaster movie focuses on California going into the ocean after the gold rush.

Related: Why Joni Mitchell Wrote ‘The Circle Game’ for Neil Young

The Song Was Used in Another Movie

A 2001 movie used the song instead of its intended purpose. Hal (Jack Black) keeps pursuing women based on their looks. A man gives him the ability to see women for their inner beauty instead of their looks. He then falls for Rosemary, who looks like Gwyneth Paltrow to him, but is very different to everyone else in Shallow Hal.

Young was nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Song for "Philadelphia" in Philadelphia. Andrew Beckett (Tom Hanks) asks a small-time lawyer named Joe Miller (Denzel Washington) to handle his wrongful dismissal case after Andrew's law firm fired him for having HIV.

The movie made history for being one of the first to address homophobia and discrimination to people who are HIV positive. Director Jonathan Demme said it was his idea to have Young involved with the movie.

"We're cutting the movie together and I'm like, [snaps his fingers], I've got such a great idea," he said, according to CBC. "We're going to reach out to Neil Young to see if he would like to do a 'Southern Man'-type anthem to start this movie, 'cause that will send such a strong, reassuring message to testosterone-fuelled men, which is our target audience. It's like, 'Well if Neil's down with it,' you know?"

The song lost to Bruce Springsteen's "Streets of Philadelphia" for the same movie. Young's music has an interesting history with unreleased and released movies.

Related: How Neil Young and Funk Legend Crossed Paths Before Solo Fame

Before Katherine Heigl, there was Anne Hathaway booked as the "knocked up" lead opposite Seth Rogen back in the 2000s.

Judd Apatow's acclaimed rom-com features a rather graphic sequence once it's time for the main characters of Knocked Up (2008) to welcome their baby girl. And Rogen, 44, just indicated that said sequence might have been what steered the Devil Wears Prada star, 43, away from sticking with the role ultimately.

"It could have been a hundred million things. That was what I remember being told," Rogen tells Olivia Wilde in a new episode of The A24 Podcast — given that Wilde, 42, had auditioned for the part that ultimately went to Heigl, 47. "Crowning is a tough one. [Hathaway] didn’t want the crowning of the baby to be visually representative. Even though it wasn’t going to be hers..."

Rogen continues, per Variety Australia, "It’s obviously not real. But she didn’t even want…she felt that it was not her brand. Part of me also… we had started rehearsing the movie… maybe she was just like, ‘I don’t know if this is for me.’ I don’t know. I will take what she said at face value, which was the crowning.”

A24 paired up Wilde with Rogen for its latest podcast episode they star together in The Invite, which the company distributes. Fans of The Studio might recall that the Don't Worry Darling helmer also guest-starred in a standout episode of the Apple TV series, which was co-created by Rogen and will return for a second season.

Per A24, other topics covered in the episode include:​

• saying bad things about famous people
• first meeting at Wilde's table read for Knocked Up
• G-rated bisexuality on The O.C.
• the craziest audition of Rogen's life
• constantly being mistaken for a courier, anti-gravity
• The Invite’s origins as a play

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With longer days and cheerful sunny weather, summer is the perfect season for outdoor gatherings. From weekend brunches to sunset book clubs, all these events could use some provisions and refreshments. If you’re looking for an elegant way to serve drinks to your guests, you can’t go wrong with a cohesive glassware set, like this 4-Piece Lilypad Coupe Glasses Set at Anthropologie.

There’s no better time to snag this chic glassware set because it’s currently on sale for an extra 50% off during Anthropologie's Summer Sale event. Normally retailing for $80, this set is now on sale for just $33 for a limited time. You can snag it in either a clear white version or a transparent yellow style. 

4-Piece Lilypad Coupe Glasses Set, $33 (was $80) at Anthropologie

Courtesy of Anthropologie

Shop at Anthropologie

Handcrafted with a nature-inspired design, these coupe glasses ooze with cottagecore charm. Capturing the whimsical essence of the aesthetic, the foot of the glass features a lilypad silhouette in a rich green hue with two curved indents that give it that signature look. The foot effortlessly transitions into the stem with the same green hue. 

Adding a charming summer-ready vibe, the bowl boasts a floral silhouette that slightly flares out. The rim is wavy with soft curves, creating a ruffled look that feels sweet and playful. Whether you’re hosting a garden party, an al fresco dinner, or anything in between, these glasses will make all your gatherings feel elevated with a touch of whimsy. Shoppers absolutely adored the style of these glasses, describing them as “adorable, cute, and so whimsical.” 

These coupe glasses are made of borosilicate glass, giving them a delicate appearance with great clarity. However, they’re more durable than they look. The glass has great thermal shock resistance, meaning that it can withstand quick temperature changes. If you rinse them under hot water or chill them in the freezer, they’re less likely to crack or shatter than regular glass. While they’re sturdy and durable, you should handwash them to ensure that they remain in pristine condition for long-term use. 

4-Piece Lilypad Coupe Glasses Set, $33 (was $80) at Anthropologie

Courtesy of Anthropologie

Shop at Anthropologie

Borosilicate glass is also lightweight, allowing you to pick these glasses up and drink from them with ease. The long stem makes these glasses ideal for summer hosting. It’ll prevent your hands from touching the bowl and transferring body heat, keeping your drinks chilled for a longer period of time. 

Measuring 6 inches tall with a 4.3-inch diameter, these glasses have a wide bowl that can hold around 7.6 ounces. They’re ideal for wine and cocktails, including martinis, daiquiris, and Manhattans. You can also get creative with these glasses and use them as a stylish vessel for appetizers and desserts, like shrimp cocktail, sorbet, and even individual servings of cake. 

Shop More Deals

• Sports Icon Juice Glass, $7 (was $16) at Anthropologie
• Poolside Juice Glass, $7 (was $16) at Anthropologie
• Esther 4-Piece Acrylic Wine Glass Set, $15 (was $48) at Anthropologie

Related: Walmart’s 'Super Cold' $190 Portable Air Conditioner Triples as a Fan and Dehumidifier, and It's 47% Off Right Now

Add some cottagecore charm to every summer gathering with the 4-Piece Lilypad Coupe Glasses Set. Be sure to grab it at Anthropologie while it’s still on sale for just $33 during its Summer Sale event! 

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Fans of beloved singer and talk show host Kelly Clarkson just got some amazing news. The 44-year-old surprised fans by revealing that she has a brand-new song on the way, the first in over a year.

She cheekily wrote on Instagram, "New Single? 👀 #IdBeLyin," alongside a photo of herself that looked to be the cover art for the track. She also gave fans a specific date to look forward to, adding, "Pre-save link in bio! #July17."

Clarkson didn't add any further information about the new music, such as whether fans can expect more songs or an album in the near future.

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Fans were instantly hyped up about the big news, commenting in excitement on Clarkson's post. "MOTHER IS BACK," declared one such fan, as more replied, "YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS IM SO EXCITED," and "THE DROUGHT IS OVER."

Even the official account for Wayfair chimed in, writing, "July 17th is officially a national holiday." Other responses included, "Slap me!?!?! Is this real? Yay!!!," "Coming to save 2026," and "Yasssssss I’m always ready for new music from my girl!"

Quite a few people took the title to use in their comments, like, "I’d be lyin’ if I said I didn’t just jump out of my seat," and "I’d be lyin’ if I said I wasn’t obsessed with this song already."

Related: Kelly Clarkson Fans Can’t Believe Her "Crazy" Vocals in Duet With Hit Boy Band

There was also a lot of discussion about what specific genre the song might be and whether an album and tour would follow. Some lucky fans got to hear the song early at the taping for a The Kelly Clarkson Show episode and praised the tune.

The song "I'd Be Lyin'" is set to be released on the first day of her upcoming Las Vegas residency, which includes 10 shows between July 17 and Aug. 15. Fans attending the residency can likely expect to see Clarkson perform the song there.

Related: One of the 'Best Country Love Song Duets' Gets 'Incredibly Sad' Reimagining by Kelly Clarkson

Nearly 30 years after forming in South Florida, Nonpoint has announced its 11th studio album, The Last Word. The hard rock and alternative metal band confirmed that the record will arrive on Sept. 18, 2026, through its own label, 361 Degrees Records.

The announcement came on Instagram, where the band also revealed that fans can now pre-save the album and order limited-edition supporter bundles.

The album marks Nonpoint's first full-length release since 2018's X. Since then, the band has released the Ruthless and Heartless EPs while continuing to tour and release new music independently through 361 Degrees Records.

At the same time as the album announcement, Nonpoint released the official music video for the lead single, "Is It." The song first arrived digitally in April and has already gained momentum at Active Rock radio. According to the band, the track became the No. 1 most-added song upon release before climbing into the Top 50 of the Mediabase Active Rock chart.

Rock band Nonpoint poses at the Lincoln Theater for the East Coast Premiere of Miami Vice on July 25, 2006 in Miami Beach, Florida.

Photo by Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images

Frontman Elias Soriano said the album title reflects the band's determination to keep moving forward instead of slowing down after decades in music, per Lambgoat.

"In a world that sometimes wants to put a timestamp on creativity, 'The Last Word' is our way of saying we're just getting started. We're pushing back against expectation and pushing forward into our own next chapter,” Soriano said.

“This album cover tells a piece of our story. After years of making music, we feel more aligned than ever, musically, visually, and creatively. We're writing some of the strongest material of our career, our live shows are as powerful as they've ever been, and the band feels focused and energized,” he added.

Earlier this year, Soriano described the upcoming album as heavier than previous releases while introducing new textures and songwriting ideas. He also said the record would stay true to the band's signature sound while exploring fresh musical elements.

Nonpoint was formed in 1997 by vocalist Elias Soriano and drummer Robb Rivera. Since then, the band has built a career around heavy riffs, energetic live shows and songs including "Bullet With a Name," "What a Day," "Breaking Skin" and "Generation Idiot."

Over the years, Nonpoint has released ten studio albums, beginning with Statement in 2000 and most recently X in 2018. In 2021, the group launched its own independent label, 361 Degrees Records, opening a new chapter in its career.

The Last Word will become the band's 11th studio album and includes ten tracks:

1. “Failing The Conversation”
2. “Is It”
3. “Crowd Control”
4. “The Last Word”
5. “Shoreline”
6. “Dial Tones”
7. “Off The Hook”
8. “Red Yeti”
9. “Fine Print”
10. “Settled”

To support the new release, Nonpoint will begin The Even More Outta Control Tour on July 23 in Menahga, Minnesota. The U.S. run continues through early September, giving fans a chance to hear new music before the album arrives. Several dates will feature support from Spineshank, (hed)p.e., Soil and other special guests.

The announcement follows a busy year for the veteran band. Earlier in 2026, Nonpoint reunited onstage with former bassist Ken MacMillan during a performance of "Bullet With a Name" at Welcome to Rockville, marking his first appearance with the group in more than 15 years.

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Nearly three decades after forming, Nonpoint is preparing to release another full-length album while continuing to tour across the U.S.

Related: ’70s Rock Band Announces New Dates for 2027 Tour

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Who says you need a wedding or anniversary to pop a bottle of bubbly? That unmistakable pop of a cork immediately makes any moment feel a little more festive. A backyard barbecue feels like a bigger celebration, and a quiet evening on the patio feels a bit more special with a glass of sparkling wine in hand. Sometimes, the best reason to celebrate is simply because you can.

This year, though, there's an extra excuse to raise a glass. As America marks its 250th birthday, Fourth of July feels like the perfect time to toast with something made right here at home. While Champagne may get most of the attention, California has spent decades producing world-class sparkling wines that can easily hold their own.

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If you're planning a Fourth of July gathering—or just looking for a delicious way to commemorate America's milestone birthday—there are two California sparkling wines that absolutely deserve a spot on your table.

Korbel Brut, $11.19 at Total Wine Korbel California Bruit

Total Wine

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First up is Korbel Brut, which even has a limited-edition 750 ml bottle to celebrate the 250th. Total Wine carries it for just $11.19, which is kind of a steal.

It's a blend of Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, French Colombard and Pinot Noir grapes, making it approachable, bright and fruit-forward. And if you're considering how well it will play with your Fourth of July spread, it goes with everything from cheese boards and seafood to fried appetizers and barbecue.

Related: Aldi’s Beautiful Blue 5-Piece Cookware Set Has a Genius Space-Saving Feature for Small Kitchens

Gloria Ferrer Brut, $17.99 at Total Wine Gloria Ferrer Brut

Total Wine

Next up, you have another bubbly out of California's Sonoma County—Gloria Ferrer Brut, which retails for $17.99 at Total Wine. Incidentally, the brand is celebrating its own 40th birthday this year and boasts a wide range of sparkling wines, from this super accessible brut to bottles that cost upward of $150.

The Gloria Ferrer Brut is 88 percent Pinot Noir and 12 percent Chardonnay, which means it leans very rich and elegant, offering creamy bubbles, vibrant red berry flavors and just enough citrusy brightness to keep every sip crisp and balanced. The Pinot Noir gives it depth and body, while the Chardonnay adds freshness. It tastes more like what you might consider a traditional French Champagne than a lot of other sparkling wines made in the United States.

What Does Brut Mean in Sparkling Wine Terms, Anyway?

Simply put, a brut sparkling wine is dry, but not bone dry. It contains a small amount of added sugar (called dosage) after fermentation—just enough to balance the wine's natural acidity. Fermentation is the process that turns grape juice into wine. Not to get too scientific here, but essentially yeast eats the natural sugars in grape juice and converts them into alcohol and carbon dioxide. That small amount of sugar afterward creates a crisp, refreshing style that ultimately makes brut the most popular category of sparkling wine.

So, this Fourth of July, raise a glass with one of these California-made brut options. They're bound to be crowd-pleasers at any party.

Related: IKEA Is Selling Pretty Cordless Tabletop Lights That Offer an Ambient Glow With Retro Style

Former High School Musical star Ashley Tisdale is celebrating her 41st birthday with some exciting news. The actress’s “toxic mom group” essay published in The Cut almost instantly went viral. Not only did it resonate with parents, but speculation about the identities of the other mothers grew to a frenzy. 

After fans assumed (based on pics posted on social media) that fellow celebs Mandy Moore, Hilary Duff, and Meghan Trainor were the subjects of her expose, Tisdale’s rep toldTMZ that her words were meant to spotlight an experience, not a specific group of famous faces. 

A month before publishing The Cut article, Tisdale wrote ‘You’re Allowed To Leave Your Mom Group,’ a post on her By Ashley French website. Like the other essay, this one also deals with her own experiences dealing with her peers: “But here’s the thing nobody prepared me for: Mom groups can turn toxic. Not because the moms themselves are toxic people, but because the dynamic shifts into an ugly place with mean-girl behavior.”

In February, Hilary Duff opened up toAlex Cooperon the ‘Call Her Daddy’ podcast, sharing her thoughts on Tisdale’s essay: “I felt really sad. I honestly felt really sad.” She continued, “I was pretty, pretty taken aback.” Duff added, “I think I was just like, whoa, it sucks to read something that’s like not true. And it sucks on behalf of six women and all of their lives.”

Duff’s husband, Matthew Koma, fueled the fire, posting a photoshopped pic on his Instagram Stories of his head on Tisdale’s body with The Cut’s logo and the faux headline, “When You’re The Most Self Obsessed Tone Deaf Person On Earth, Other Moms Tend To Shift Focus To Their Actual Toddlers” and the subhead, “A Mom Group Tell All Through A Father’s Eyes.” 

Now the mom of two (she shares daughters Jupiter and Emerson with husband Christopher French) is working on a new project for Netflix based on her essays, aptly titled Toxic Moms. According to Deadline, Tisdale is collaborating with Sabrina Jalees andAli Wongon the half-hour comedy series. 

While the show will reportedly follow a sleep-deprived new mom who becomes part of a competitive clique of ‘cool’ mothers, it also digs into darker themes, such as isolation. 

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Tisdale recently posted a photo of Deadline’s story on Instagram with the caption, “I guess we can all be a little toxic.” Fans and friends flocked to her post, applauding the actress and her big news, “Wow! That’s amazing, Ashley. Your mum was right when she said life gives you lemons, you just work it out.” Other commenters praised the birthday girl, writing, “Iconic mother”, “Don’t mess with Sharpay Evans, y’all bunch of Gabriellas,” and “It’s your birthday, but we got the gift.” 

From the Eagles to Fleetwood Mac to the Beatles and so many more, it's no secret that the members of rock bands often disagree. Sometimes bands end up breaking up over these differences; other times, they're able to come to a compromise. A perfect example? The story behind one of Uriah Heep's most beloved songs ever, "Lady in Black."

The fourth track on Uriah Heep's 1971 album Salisbury, "Lady in Black" was never released as a single in the U.S., but fans fell in love with the ballad just the same, and it ended up becoming one of their most popular live tunes. As guitar player Ken Hensley explained in a 2018 interview with Songfacts, it all started with a supernatural encounter.

"All my songs start with the lyric which, when completed, begin to 'speak' to me in terms of melody and rhythm," Hensley said, adding, "This is partly because I started writing poetry when I was very young and had not yet learned to play an instrument and, much later, because Heep used to tour so much I had to write 'on the run' and finish a song whenever I could get to an instrument!"

In the case of "The Lady in Black," Hensley was inspired by a ghostly vision of an actual woman in black.

"t's true, I did see this young lady and she was dressed in black and her hair was blowing around in the 'mid-winter wind,' but she wasn't 'coming to me,' she was just walking up the street outside of my hotel in northwest England during a tour," he said.

"I just picked up my guitar and let my over-active imagination run with this vision and, as is often the case, let the lyric go wherever it wanted to go."

Usually, Uriah Heep's songs were sung by David Byron. But according to Hensley, Byron disliked the song so much that he refused to sing on it. So, at the suggestion of producer Gerry Bron, Hensley sang it himself, to great theatrical effect:

She came to me one morning, one lonely Sunday morning
Her long hair flowing in the mid-winter wind
I know not how she found me, for in darkness I was walking
And destruction lay around me, from a fight I could not win

She asked me, 'Name my foe then'
I said, 'The need within some men
To fight and kill their brothers
Without thought of love or God'
And I begged, 'Give me horses to trample down my enemies'
So eager was my passion to devour this waste of life

All these years later, fans are still connecting with this musical tale of a soldier in search of redemption, as the comments on the above YouTube video prove (for example: "Ken Hensley is the best!!! Uriah Heep forever!!!" "Timeless song, and lifts me when I'm down!").

In the same Songfacts interview, Hensley addressed the inspiration behind another seemingly supernatural Uriah Heep song, "The Wizard." Fans wondered for years about whether the sorcerer of the title was Gandalf, or Merlin, or perhaps someone else entirely, but as it turns out, none of those guesses were true.

"Actually, this song came from a dream that I had persistently over a week and, when I decided to write it, I just followed what I had seen in the dream, along with a little amateur philosophy," Hensley explained.

One thing's for sure: Byron must have liked "The Wizard" better than "Lady in Black," because he agreed to sing lead on the former.

Related: '70s Rock Icon to Miss First Shows in 57 Years on 2026 Farewell Tour Amid Health Struggles

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A soft, cozy glow can completely transform the feel of a room, which is exactly why shoppers are gravitating toward this corner shelf from Amazon. The Edishine 5-Tier Corner Shelf Lamp blends warm ambient lighting with display space for your favorite décor, books, and keepsakes — and right now, it’s more than 40% off.

If you're looking for an easy way to add both ambiance and storage in one compact piece, this  triangular lighted shelf is on sale for $50, down from $90. It tucks neatly into corners, which makes it especially handy for small or awkward spots in a bedroom, living room, or home office. Shoppers are fans, with one calling it "the best corner shelf I've ever had."

Edishine 5-Tier Corner Shelf with Light, $50 (was $90) at Amazon

Courtesy of Amazon

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The built-in LED lighting is the standout feature. It offers five color settings, from warm and cozy to bright white, plus preset modes for different moods. You can use it for reading, relaxing, or entertaining. Additionally, the light bars rotate 360 degrees, so you can direct the light where you want it. “The lights are bright and soft. Perfect for a bedroom,” one reviewer shared. Another said it created “a beautiful ambiance” for their living space.

It’s designed with everyday convenience in mind. The shelf comes with a remote that lets you adjust the lighting from up to 65 feet away, making it easy to change the mood of a room without getting up. There's also a foot switch, which makes it even more convenient — you can turn the light on or off with just a quick tap of your foot. 

The shelf itself features five glass tiers for books, plants, photos, or décor, all softly highlighted by the built-in light. It has a sturdy base for stability and a slim profile that fits easily into corners. “This [light] was worth every penny and more,” one shopper wrote.

Assembly is quick, too. One Amazon reviewer said it’s “very beautiful and easy to assemble,” while another noted that putting it together took about 30 minutes.

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Related: Amazon's $24 Linen Tripod Table Lamp Is the 'Cutest Little Lamp Ever' and Comes in 8 Styles

At just $50, the Edishine 5-Tier Corner Shelf with Light at Amazon is an easy way to add both functional storage and a warm ambiance to your space. If you’ve been eyeing it, now’s the time to grab it while it’s still in stock and on sale!

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On July 1, 1978, Dallas’ infamous Cotton Bowl welcomed some of rock and roll’s greatest artists to kick off the Fourth of July weekend with the Texxas World Music Festival. There was Heart, Head East, Van Halen, Journey, and more. But one of the most memorable sets of the night came courtesy of headliner Aerosmith.

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Entertaining a crowd of more than 100,000 in boiling-hot temperatures, Steven Tyler, JoePerry, and company performed radio hits including “Walk This Way,” “Sweet Emotion,” and “Toys in the Attic.” They even welcomed Ted Nugent onstage for a fan-favorite encore featuring “Milk Cow Blues.”

But smack in the middle of the band’s set, the energy shifted as the band stripped things down and delivered an unexpectedly emotional performance of what would arguably become their greatest ballad of all time: “Seasons of Wither.”

Under the sweltering night air, Tyler’s voice cut through the stadium with thousands of fans responding in kind. A stark, haunting turn from the night’s high-octane rockers, the 1974 deep cut slowed the pace and demanded the attention of the massive crowd.  

The performance was fitting, considering the song’s unlikely origins. Written months before Aerosmith broke through nationally, “Seasons of Wither” began in the winter of 1973, when Tyler was frustrated with his place in life.

“Getting mad helps me write,” he said in the Aerosmith autobiography Walk This Way, via Songfacts. “So one night I went down to the basement where we had a rug on the floor and a couple of boxes for furniture and took a fun Tuinals and a few Seconals and I scooped up this guitar Joey gave me, this dumpster guitar, and I lit some incense and wrote 'Seasons of Wither.'”

Related: ’90s Rock Ballad Trilogy That Saved Its Band From Obscurity Ends With This Iconic Hit

Out of that frustration came one of Aerosmith’s most enduring and often-deemed most underrated songs. Released on the band’s second studio album, Get Your Wings, "Seasons of Wither" was never issued as a commercial single, meaning it never had the chance to climb the charts. Still, over the decades, it has become one of Aerosmith’s most celebrated deep cuts and—in Joe Perry’s eyes—the band’s “greatest ballad,” according to Far Out.

“Of all the ballads Aerosmith has ever done, ‘Wither’ was the one I liked best,” said the legendary guitarist, who hated recording ballads and wanted the band to take a turn into heavier rock, rather than the blues-rooted, swaggering rock Tyler had in mind. “I never thought Aerosmith should do ballads at all. My philosophy was that the only thing a hard rock band should play slow was a slow blues.”

Perry may have resisted ballads, but Aerosmith eventually built one of classic rock’s strongest catalogs of them. Before “Seasons of Wither,” there was “Dream On,” and after, they had “You See Me Crying,” “Angel,” and “What It Takes,” before rewriting the rules of rock with their standout Alicia Silverstone trilogy comprising "Amazing," "Crazy," and "Cryin’."

Despite producing some of rock’s finest ballads, chart dominance remained elusive. It wasn’t until 1998’s “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing,” written for Michael Bay’s blockbuster Armageddon, that Aerosmith finally earned its first No. 1song and No. 1 ballad.

More than 50 years after Tyler picked up that dumpster guitar, “Seasons of Wither” continues to stand apart—not because of chart success or lack thereof, but because it brought together hundreds of thousands of fans one summer and became the ballad Aerosmith fans, even Perry, ultimately cherish most.

Related: 1977 Rock Hit, Ranked Greatest Jock Jam Ever, Became a Timeless Power Anthem

While some hit tracks have simple backstories, Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf's 1978 song "Bat Out of Hell" had multiple inspirations and ideas behind its iconic sound that made it a rock staple.

There are a lot of interesting details to go through when it comes to the creation of "Bat Out of Hell." It was released as part of the album of the same name in 1977 before it was picked as the second single to be released in 1978. Like most of the songs on the album, Steinman took inspiration from a childhood classic and his stage production, Peter Pan and Neverland, with the hopes of it being a "rock 'n roll sci-fi version."

Steinman would also take heavy inspiration from teenage tragedy songs, a style of sentimental ballads focused on tragic teen death scenarios. It's no surprise that the composer looked to Shangri-Las 1965 motorcycle tragedy track “Leader of the Pack," "Terry," and "Tell Laura I Love Her" for creative ideas.

"There is something so thrilling to me about that operatic narrative that involves a cataclysmic event, especially one so perfectly intune with a teenager's world, and rock and roll, as a car or motorcycle crash," he said in an episode of Meat Loaf: Bat Out of Hell documentary.

Critics called the track "heavy metal thunder" that only landed at No. 96 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart upon its initial release. It gained attention for its unique take on its creation, with Meat Loaf having explained that the song was constructed from a scene from Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho. The track was often misinterpreted as being related to Bruce Springsteen's "Thunder Road" song and the subsequent album, with Meat Loaf explaining the horror film was the real inspiration.

"Bat Out of Hell" also became known as a "motorcycle crash song," seeing as its lyrics deal with the aftermath of a horrific accident. Steinman was initially angered when producer Tom Rundgren didn't include the sound of a motorcycle in the track, but it led to its iconic guitar solo in its place.

It was also reported that both Rundgren and Meat Loaf were angered with Steinman when he refused to keep developing the track after hitting a 6-minute runtime. Their need to include the fatal crash scene made it a 10-minute-long track.

The song's infamy led it to hold many titles among fans, tagged as an arena-rock anthem, a driving staple, and an overall rock anthem. While Meat Loaf and Steinman had their disputes over copyright of the title years later, they remained friends until the composer died in 2021. The singer commented that while "Jim wrote it," the 1978 track "became my song."

Related: 1971 Soft Rock Classic, Inspired by a Dog, Became a Breakthrough Radio Anthem

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If there is anyone on this planet who absolutely knows how to upgrade your table settings, it is 100 percent Martha Stewart. The legendary home and hospitality expert is known for her high-quality homewares, including this pretty porcelain 12-piece dinnerware set. Even better, you can order it on Target's website. It is giving major garden party vibes.

Martha Stewart's 12-Piece White Dinnerware Set is utter floral perfection. Each set of dishes features a pretty flower-themed design in four stunning color schemes, including white, green and pink; taupe; and blue or sage green, giving you a few options to choose from. If you want a more bold look, go with the blue style. If you lean more traditional, the sage green or taupe are great choices. And if you prefer a romantic aesthetic, the white, green and pink variety is perfect.

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Each one has a striking, glossy glaze that looks super elegant and will elevate any tablescape. Every piece in the dinner set looks hand-painted, giving them an artisan feel that is so special and unique. While you can use these for daily dining, they're pretty enough for special occasions as well.

Martha Stewart 12-Piece White Dinnerware Set, $69.99 at Target

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Each set comes with 12 pieces total, including four 10.5-inch dinner plates, four nine-inch dessert plates, and four six-inch cereal bowls, serving four people. You could purchase multiple sets if you need to serve more people, however.

Made from sturdy, durable porcelain, these dishes are built to last without sacrificing style. What's more, this dinnerware is both dishwasher- and microwave-safe, making them practical for everyday use. From reheating leftovers to serving up a tasty weeknight meal, these dishes have you covered across the board.

Related: Martha Stewart's Chic New 6-Piece Stoneware Meal Prep Set at Target Is a Home Cook's Dream Come True

So far, this Martha Stewart dinnerware set has earned an average rating of five stars on Target's website. You can purchase these dinnerware sets on Target.com for $69.99. It's not sold in stores.

If you are interested in other dishes, be sure to check out Dolly Parton's charming 12-piece stoneware dinnerware set at Target or this vibrant option from Costco that will transport you to the Sicily Coast.

Related: Dolly Parton's 5-Section Stoneware Serving Platter at Target Is Made for Summertime Hosting

Keith Mitchell, one of the standout linebackers behind Texas A&M's legendary "Wrecking Crew" defense, has died. He was 51. Texas A&M athletics confirmed his death to KBTX on Thursday. No details surrounding the cause have been released.

Word of Mitchell's death sparked an outpouring of grief from fans and former teammates alike. "Omg... My favorite. May his soul rest in peace," one person wrote. Another added, "The older I get, the more these headlines hit differently. RIP."

A fellow Aggie shared a personal connection, writing, "Man, we went to Texas A&M together at the same time. R.I.P."

Others reflected on the full arc of his life. "REST IN PEACE TO A TRUE WARRIOR! From tearing it up as an All-Pro caliber linebacker to completely transforming lives through mindfulness and yoga, Keith Mitchell lived with pure purpose. Legacy secure forever!" another fan wrote. 

Another echoed the sentiment: "Rest in peace Keith Mitchell. A fierce linebacker on the field and a true inspiration off it with his wellness journey. Gone far too soon at just 51. My thoughts are with his family."

2000 NFC Divisional Playoff Game - St. Louis Rams v New Orleans Saints

(Photo by Joseph Patronite/Getty Images)

One tribute captured what many seemed to feel. "An incredible football player and an even better human being. The way Keith Mitchell pivoted from a career-ending injury into teaching mindfulness and helping others heal was truly inspiring. Rest in peace."

One tribute stood out for its personal weight. "Love you brother, I got a call from your mom yesterday, and she told me that you spoke to her that morning about me. I'm grateful to have known you. I wish we could've met sooner, much love to you and your family," a close friend wrote.

Keith Mitchell's Journey From the Aggies to the NFL

Mitchell suited up for the Aggies from 1993 to 1996, anchoring a defense that helped carry the team to the 1993 Southwest Conference championship.  He went on to a seven-year NFL career with the New Orleans Saints, Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars, earning a Pro Bowl selection with the Saints in 2000, as per NBC Sports. Across 94 career games, he recorded 19.5 sacks, according to Pro Football Reference.

Overcoming Life-Changing Injury: Keith Mitchell's Path to Wellness View this post on Instagram

His NFL career came to an abrupt end following a spinal injury he suffered during a 2003 game, one that threatened his mobility altogether, according to CBS. He ultimately fought through it and recovered. Despite the challenges, Mitchell earned one of Texas A&M’s top honors in 2015 when he was named to the Athletics Hall of Fame.

After retiring, Mitchell turned to wellness and yoga, later saying the practice helped save his life.

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He went on to teach mindfulness around the world and released his book, "The Mindfulness Mastery Playbook," late last year.

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Lighting is one of those design details that rarely gets the credit it deserves. Most people notice the sofa, paint color or artwork first, but it's often the lighting that pulls everything together. A flickering candle on the dining table or a soft light on a patio after the sun goes down can make a setting feel warmer, calmer and far more inviting. You don't always notice when it's there, but you definitely notice when it's missing. Without those little pools of light, a space can feel flat or unfinished.

Thankfully, there's portable, rechargeable or battery-operated lighting in all different styles and shapes. Instead of being limited by the nearest outlet, you can add light exactly where you want it—whether it's brightening a bookshelf, making an outdoor dinner feel more intimate or adding a cozy glow to a bedside table. It's a simple upgrade that can really change the atmosphere.

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SNÖRPTRÅDLED Table Decoration, $8.99 at IKEA SNÖRPTRÅD LED Light

IKEA

That's exactly what makes IKEA's battery-operated tabletop lights so appealing. These little lights basically take the place of votive candles on a table, which are bound to burn out or, even worse, get knocked over somehow. The fluted clear candle holder has retro appeal, and the brass base looks so elegant for the price.

You even have a couple of modes to choose from, despite the light's small size. With the push of a button, you can either have it look like a flickering flame or hold a steady glow. There's also a timer function included.

Related: This Beloved 1943 Board Game Was Just Immortalized as a 'Soft and Silky' Throw Blanket at Sam's Club

These lights require two AA batteries, which aren't included. You'll have to purchase those separately.

And when I say the lights are small, I am not exaggerating. They're only about 3 inches tall and 4 inches in diameter. Still, put a few out on a table during dinner, and just watch how nicely they set a calm, relaxed mood.

An IKEA shopper in Germany gave the SNÖRPTRÅD five stars, and actually uses the light for an entirely different reason than dinner ambience.

"It sits on my vanity table and also makes a perfect nightlight," they wrote in their review.

While you're at IKEA checking out the SNÖRPTRÅD lights, don't miss out on the retailer's other recent releases. It just introduced a round take on its iconic utility cart in the loveliest blue shade, and there's a pastel pink glass cabinet that is such a playful piece of storage, you'll want to make room for it in your home as soon as you lay eyes on it. Head to IKEA soon if you're looking to add an ambient glow or extra storage to your home this summer.

Related: Dollar Tree Shoppers Say These Cheerful $1.25 Sip-and-Snack Water Bottles Are 'Amazing for the Money'

Deftones is hotter than ever these days, and they have the data to prove it.

Formed in Sacramento, California in 1988, the alternative metal band took off in the '90s and has kept busy ever since, with their latest album hitting the shelves as recently as last year.

Forbes calls Deftones' work "some of the best, catchiest and most inventive alternative, hard rock and metal music" of the last 30+ years. It's no surprise, then, that the group appears on multiple charts this week, including several that focus on only one style or another.

This time around, two different Deftones albums have soared back to the Billboard rankings, most notably Around the Fur from 1997 (a top performer for the group in general, Forbes noted on Wednesday, July 1). The rock outfit's sophomore LP is back on the Top Alternative Albums chart, where it breaks back in at No. 21.

Fans also rocked out — and then some — to White Pony, the full-length Deftones released three years after Around the Fur. More than 25 years later, Billboard's Top Hard Rock Albums chart features the fan-favorite album once again.

The band's recent chart success may have something to do with their upcoming Dia De Los Deftones festival, whose seventh edition will take place at San Diego’s Petco Park on Nov. 7. Deftones recently unveiled the lineup, which consists of themselves as well as:

• AFI
• The Neighbourhood
• Converge
• Jehnny Beth
• Bktherula
• Ladrones
• Lip Critic

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Previous lineups of the Dia De Los Deftones festival have included Doja Cat, Future, Sunny Day Real Estate, Paris Texas, 2hollis, Rico Nasty and more.

Dia De Los Deftones is an annual music festival curated by the Deftones that celebrates the band’s diverse musical influences and connection to their fan community. The event debuted in 2018 at Petco Park and was conceived as a destination festival that blends heavy music with artists spanning the hip-hop, electronic, alternative and indie genres.

Some of rock's greatest songs never appear on the charts at all.

That has certainly been the case for Van Morrison's "Into the Mystic." Released in 1970 on the landmark album Moondance, the soulful ballad never charted, not because audiences overlooked it, but because it was never released as a single. Despite having zero chart history, the song has become one of Morrison’s most cherished recordings and a perennial favorite on classic rock and adult album alternative radio more than five decades later.

The song captured Morrison at a creative peak.

Written by Morrison, "Into the Mystic" blended folk, Celtic influences, blues and soul into a deeply spiritual meditation on love, longing and homecoming. Its gentle acoustic arrangement, evocative lyrics and unmistakable vocal performance helped distinguish it as one of the emotional centerpieces of Moondance, an album widely regarded as one of the greatest singer-songwriter records ever made.

"'Into The Mystic' evolved from several ideas including the Mystic Boatyard – a boatyard on the east coast of the US," Morrison told Record Collector. "I'd been reading about mysticism. And there was Mystic River Bridge, which is outside Boston and was in a movie later on that Clint Eastwood made called Mystic River [2003]. So, all those elements. I’d also done Mystic Eyes [1965 Them single] before that, if you remember."

Although radio listeners embraced other singles from the album, including "Come Running" and "Blue Money," "Into the Mystic" quietly built its reputation as fans discovered it through the full record. Without the benefit of a commercial single release, the song instead spread through album-oriented rock radio, where it became one of Morrison's most requested and enduring tracks.

Its influence only expanded over time.

“Into the Mystic" has since appeared in numerous films, television shows and commercials, while also becoming a favorite choice for weddings, memorial services and other meaningful life moments. The song has been covered by a wide range of artists, including the likes of Michael McDonald, Johnny Rivers, Marc Cohn, Glen Hansard, Joe Cocker, and Bob Dylan, a testament to its universal themes and timeless melody.

"Later on, [David] Bowie told me he was doing 'Into The Mystic'," recalled Morrison. "It might have been when he was in Dublin. I got on the phone, and somebody said, 'Hi, this is Dave.' He told me he was rehearsing it or something."

For Morrison, Moondance marked the album that established him as one of rock's premier songwriters. Alongside classics such as "Crazy Love," "Caravan" and the title track, "Into the Mystic" helped define a sound that blended poetic lyricism with roots music in a way few artists had achieved before or since.

"The [Moondance] record was three- or four-minute songs, but the actual performances were much more stretched out, there was more going on," Morrison told The Guardian of performing the record live. "I had a band of musicians who got what I was doing. It just sort of clicked, because to me it was my version of gospel, but it wasn't about Jesus."

More than 50 years after its release, "Into the Mystic" remains one of Van Morrison's defining achievements. It was never released as a single, yet its enduring popularity proves that a song's legacy isn’t measured by chart positions alone. Thanks to decades of radio airplay and generations of devoted listeners, the beloved ballad has become one of classic rock's most treasured anthems.

Related: 1976 Rock Classic, Reimagined 48 Years Later, Became a Fourth of July Anthem