Jon Bream
Critic / Reporter
Pop MusicBream has interviewed such music royalty as the King of Pop (Michael Jackson), the Queen of Soul (Aretha Franklin) and Prince as well as Bob Dylan, U2, three Beatles, four Rolling Stones and all of Maroon 5. He has performed with Alice Cooper, jogged with Willie Nelson and walked the streets of New York with Bruce Springsteen. A longtime voter for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Bream has also written for the Los Angeles Times, Billboard, Vibe and other publications. He has a journalism degree from the University of Minnesota, where he established the Jon Bream Scholarship for Arts Criticism.
Latest from Jon Bream
Billboard ranks best R&B artists of all time, and guess who’s No. 1
Prince rates No. 7, his favorite number.
June 19, 2025
The Big Gigs: 10 top concerts to see in the Twin Cities this week
Highlights for June 19-25 include Twin Cities Jazz Festival, Juneteenth celebrations, Winstock, the Head and the Heart and Lost Bayou Ramblers.
June 18, 2025
Review: Chatty James Taylor showers the people in St. Paul with heartwarming songs and dad jokes
The singer-songwriter acknowledged the hardships the Twin Cities face after Saturday’s shootings of lawmakers.
June 18, 2025
Review: The Weeknd uplifts Minneapolis music fans on a dark and gloomy day
The Canadian megastar filled U.S. Bank Stadium with pop bops, disco bangers and blinding lights.
June 15, 2025
Minnesota musician dads remember their kids’ first concert
From Springsteen to Taylor to Kendrick, these kiddos had great intros to live music.
June 14, 2025
Our critic remembers musical genius Brian Wilson — and his Minnesota connections
Jon Bream recalls an uncomfortable elevator ride and pleasant phone calls with the Beach Boys legend, whose mom was from Minneapolis.
June 11, 2025
The Big Gigs: 10 top concerts to see in the Twin Cities this week
Highlights for June 12-18 include the Weeknd, James Taylor, Gary Clark Jr., I’m With Her, Sandra Bernhard and Lowertown Sounds.
June 11, 2025
Prince Celebration 2025: The good, the bad and next year
Purple fans loved the concert movies and unreleased music but they want more.
June 9, 2025
Review: Rain and cold can’t dampen Alison Krauss at Ledge Amphitheater
The bluegrass band and her superb pickers had the right mix of sad songs and good humor.
June 9, 2025
As fans sparred with the Prince estate, word came of a jukebox musical film
Purple devotees met officials at an annual fan convention in Minneapolis.
June 8, 2025
The Big Gigs: 10 top concerts to see in the Twin Cities this week
Highlights for June 5-11 include Thee Sacred Souls, Dwight Yoakam, Alison Krauss, Samia, Prince Celebration and Surly’s 19th anniversary.
June 4, 2025
Pepé Willie, mentor to Prince and Morris Day, dies at 76
The ever-smiling godfather of the Minneapolis Sound helped musicians for love, not money.
June 3, 2025
![Pepe Willie stood for a portrait outside the Capri Theater, which is undergoing a major renovation, in Minneapolis. ] Shari L. Gross • shari.gross@startribune.com Photo shoot with Pepe Willie, who helped put together Prince's first professional concert at the Capri Theater and is author of new book about his six decades in music biz, including his years w Prince, Little Anthony & Imperials and others.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/4TPIVGPZLESDCIL3ZJ4J4T4ZDU.jpg?&w=252&ar=3:2&fit=crop)