Kickin' in Your Stall: That time Carl Gustafson was partially eaten alive. Every road hazard has a lesson

Influences: Soul and R&B wouldn't be the same without Steve Cropper, and surf music and metal might not exist without Dick Dale. Turn that guitar UP!

Pet Sounds: "If You're Going to San Francisco" lose the song and look up these new bands

On The Record: Gov't Mule calls it By A Thread, but the album could hang the Golden Gate Bridge. Peter Holsapple & Chris Stamey return after a lengthy absence, while newbie Diane Birch delivers old-time feelin'. Faux band Spinal Tap reappears, and the very real Ian Hunter goes Overboard—did you expect less?

Re.Issues: The most influential band you never heard of, Big Star: they released three albums, await a four-CD box set and are reuniting with nary a hit to their name. Jefferson Airplane, reissuing their Woodstock Experience, can say none of the above, along with Creedence, Chuck, Santana, Bo and other Big Stars we know on a firstname basis

Get A Grip: Cleveland used to be the butt of jokes, then came the Rock Hall. Now, it's not so funny

What'd I Say: Bayou Fever. Dr. Hynes says it gets in your blood

Also Appearing: Review Chief Al Wiseman attends his dream festival but nobody's jealous because ours were great, too. Films on greats Bill Graham, Muddy Waters and John Lennon, with a cameo by Jimi Hendrix. Oh—and books on guitars

Collecting: One of the seminal California bands, Canned Heat was best enjoyed live, but second choice is vinyl. Arnie Goodman identifies the must-haves