Christian Hoard breaks down Taylor Swift’s death grip on the chart’s Number One spot and Guns n’ Roses denial that the band will be touring in 2009 (our sources say otherwise!). Plus a glance back at the biggest rock news stories of 2008 and two of Rolling Stone’s favorite exclusive live sessions: Deerhunter on a Brooklyn street corner and Love as Laughter in the Smoking Section.

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[Video: Eric Helton]