Allen Toussaint Reclaims Rock Hall Statue Lost in Katrina

Legendary New Orleans producer and songwriter Allen Toussaint lost the statue recognizing his 1998 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame when Hurricane Katrina destroyed his home last year. So he brightened up our Monday morning and stopped by the New York office of the Rock Hall (located in the same building as Rolling Stone) to pick up a replacement. After graciously acknowledging RS for our coverage of the plight of New Orleans (pat ourselves on the back much?), Toussaint urged all of the media types present not to let the story drift into the background. That applies to you too, readers!

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Song Stories

“The A Team”

Ed Sheeran | 2011

This debut track from the then-20-year-old British singer-songwriter has a dark story behind it. Sheeran says he culls songwriting inspiration from "viewing other people's situations," which, for the heroine in "The A Team," involves drug addiction and prostitution that began as a teen. Sheeran paints the woman's trials with haunting imagery such as "But lately her face seems/Slowly sinking, wasting/Crumbling like pastries." "I did a gig at a homeless shelter, [and the song] is about one of the women there. It's her story," he said.

More Song Stories entries »

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