x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

Booked On Rock

Conversations with authors, musicians, and insiders revealing the stories behind classic rock"s greatest songs, albums and artists.

music music history

All Episodes

65:45

The Smashing Pumpkins Story: From Chicago Roots to...

Booked On Rock ·

2026/03/26

What does it take to go from Chicago club gigs to becoming one of the defining bands of the 1990s?In this episode of Booked On Rock, I’m joined by author Greg Prato to dive into I Am One: The Smashing Pumpkins Story, 1988–1994—a deep look at the band’s formative years, creative breakthroughs, and the relentless drive of Billy Corgan.We explore the making of Gish, the explosion of Siamese Dream, and how The Smashing Pumpkins carved out their place in the alt-rock boom alongside grunge giants—while

en

53:13

The CBGB Conspiracy: Murder in New York ’77 [Episode...

Booked On Rock ·

2026/03/23

New York City, summer of 1977. A city on the edge. Crime is soaring, the Son of Sam is terrorizing the streets, and a massive blackout has pushed Gotham into chaos.In the middle of it all, a young poet in the downtown scene is found dead in his East Village apartment—ruled an accidental overdose. Case closed… or so it seems.But when suspicions of murder begin to surface, an unlikely investigator emerges from the heart of the CBGB scene. What follows is a deep dive into a shadowy world where punk

en

47:04

Inside Stereolab: Their Story Told in 20 Essential...

Booked On Rock ·

2026/03/20

Stereolab didn’t just make music—they built a world of sound. Blending krautrock rhythms, vintage electronics, lounge influences, and radical ideas, the band carved out one of the most distinctive catalogs in modern music.In this episode, we explore the story of Stereolab through 20 essential songs, tracing their evolution from underground innovators to one of the most influential alternative acts of their era. Along the way, we uncover the creative philosophy, sonic experimentation, and cultural

en

71:24

Inside the World’s Most Extensive Marshall Amplifier...

Booked On Rock ·

2026/03/18

Step inside a world where volume meets legacy. In this episode, we explore Collecting Loud History, a stunning 600-page book documenting the world’s most extensive Marshall amplifier collection.Featuring an in-depth interview with authors Peter Margolis and Brian Ranks—a former road manager and guitar tech—this episode goes beyond the gear to uncover the stories behind the sound. From rare, one-of-a-kind amplifiers to the evolution of Marshall’s iconic tone, this is rock history told through the

en

1:26

Steve Perry: The AOR Blueprint [Highlight From...

Booked On Rock ·

2026/03/15

Why did so many AOR singers sound like Steve Perry? Because he set the template.In this highlight from Booked On Rock, author Paul Rees (Raised on Radio: Power Ballads, Cocaine & Payola – the AOR Glory Years 1976–1986) explains how the Journey frontman’s soaring vocals, emotional delivery, and arena-ready style became the gold standard for AOR frontmen throughout the late ’70s and ’80s. From power ballads to radio dominance, Perry helped define the sound of an era.Listen to Episode 364 - FM

en

1:48

If You Could Ask Axl Rose One Thing About 'Chinese...

Booked On Rock ·

2026/03/14

If you could ask Axl Rose just one question about the making of Guns N’ Roses’ Chinese Democracy, what would it be?Author James Greene Jr. shares the one question he’d most want answered about the legendary album’s long, chaotic 15-year recording saga. Listen to Episode 363 - Chinese Democracy: The Album That Took 15 Years🛒 Old Glory - Iconic music and sports fan merch💰 Get 15% OFF | Promo Code: BOOKEDONROCKhttps://oldglory.com/discount/BOOKEDONROCK----------Booked On Rock is part of The Boneless

en

66:46

'2112' at 50: How Rush Defied the Music Industry...

Booked On Rock ·

2026/03/12

In 1976, Rush released '2112', a daring, side-long science fiction epic that nearly didn’t happen. Facing pressure from their record label after the commercial disappointment of Caress of Steel, the band doubled down on their progressive rock vision instead of playing it safe. The result was '2112'—an album that not only saved Rush’s career but helped define the sound and ambition of progressive rock for decades to come. In this episode, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of '2112' and explore the

en

39:37

FM Radio’s Golden Decade: The Rise of AOR [Episode 364]

Booked On Rock ·

2026/03/10

AOR’s golden age is one of the most electrifying eras in rock history.From 1976 to 1986, album-oriented rock dominated FM radio, filling arenas and airwaves with massive hooks, soaring power ballads, and legendary bands. But behind the music was a wild world of record label power, payola scandals, larger-than-life personalities, and an industry fueled by excess.In this episode of Booked On Rock, Eric Senich sits down with Paul Rees, author of Raised on Radio: Power Ballads, Cocaine & Payola –

en

44:49

Chinese Democracy: The Album That Took 15 Years...

Booked On Rock ·

2026/03/06

Few albums in rock history have had a journey quite like Chinese Democracy. What started as the next chapter for Guns N' Roses turned into one of the most infamous and expensive recording sagas ever. Delays, lineup changes, studio experiments, and years of rumors turned the album into a legend long before it was finally released in 2008.In this episode, author James Greene Jr. joins the show to discuss his book Magnum Opus: The Unbelievable 15-Year Saga of Guns N' Roses' Chinese Democracy. Greene

en

8:39

This Isn’t a Nostalgia Tour – Rik Emmett on Triumph...

Booked On Rock ·

2026/03/03

Rik Emmett says the upcoming Triumph Reloaded Tour is not a nostalgia tour. In this highlight, he explains why Triumph’s 50th anniversary celebration is about evolution — not simply looking back.Instead of recreating the past, the band plans to present their classic songs in a refreshed, updated way. Hear Rik break down the vision behind Triumph Reloaded and what fans can expect from this new chapter.Listen to Episode 361 - Triumph Turns 50: Rik Emmett on the Anniversary Tour and His Latest Poetry

en

59:55

Donnie Iris: The Hit You Know, The Career You Don’t...

Booked On Rock ·

2026/03/01

Rock fans know “Ah! Leah!” — but there’s so much more to the story.In this episode, I’m joined by D.X. Ferris, author of The Story of Donnie Iris and The Cruisers, for a deep dive into the career of Donnie Iris — from his early days with The Jaggerz and Wild Cherry to his breakout success with The Cruisers and the timeless power-pop anthem “Ah! Leah!”We explore how Iris crafted one of the most recognizable hooks in rock radio history, why his music still resonates decades later, and the perseverance

en

58:00

Triumph Turns 50: Rik Emmett on the Anniversary Tour...

Booked On Rock ·

2026/02/27

In this episode, I’m joined by Rik Emmett, legendary guitarist, vocalist, and founding member of Triumph.Rik celebrates the band’s 50th anniversary as we look back at Triumph’s legacy, the music that defined arena rock, and the lasting connection fans still feel decades later. He also discusses his brand-new poetry book, revealing a more personal and reflective creative side beyond the guitar.From “Lay It On the Line” and “Magic Power” to the present day, this is a thoughtful conversation about

en

2:38

The Album Cover That Made KISS Legends: Destroyer’s...

Booked On Rock ·

2026/02/21

Long before you heard a note of Destroyer, you saw it.In this episode highlight, acclaimed rock historian Martin Popoff, author of Kiss ’76: Twelve Months That Defined the Hottest Band in the Land, breaks down the importance of KISS’s iconic Destroyer album cover and why it became such a pivotal moment in the band’s rise.More than just artwork, the legendary painting helped cement KISS as larger-than-life superheroes and elevated their image to match the ambition of the music. We explore how the

en

5:11

How Bob Ezrin Turned 'Destroyer' Into KISS’s...

Booked On Rock ·

2026/02/21

Producer Bob Ezrin didn’t just record KISS — he reshaped them. With orchestration, choirs, sound effects, and strict studio discipline, Destroyer became the album that pushed the band beyond their live reputation and into true superstardom.In this audio highlight, author Martin Popoff explains how Ezrin’s production approach elevated the band’s songwriting, performances, and overall ambition — creating one of the most important albums of the 1970s.Listen to Episode 360 - 1976: The Year KISS Took

en

2:55

The Yoko Ono Myth: Who Really Broke Up The Beatles?...

Booked On Rock ·

2026/02/20

For decades, many fans have pointed to Yoko Ono as the reason The Beatles broke up — but history tells a far more complex story. In this audio highlight, author Madeline Bocaro (In Your Mind: The Infinite Universe of Yoko Ono) explains how the narrative took hold and what was really happening inside the band during their final years. Sometimes the loudest story isn’t the truest one.Listen to Episode 359 - Yoko Ono at 93: Art, Sound, and the Legacy Revisited🛒 Old Glory - Iconic music and sports fan

en

42:42

1976: The Year KISS Took Over the World [Episode 360]

Booked On Rock ·

2026/02/18

In 1976, everything changed for KISS.After years of grinding it out on the road, the band suddenly exploded into a full-blown phenomenon — sold-out arenas, the rise of the KISS Army, merchandising everywhere, and a level of fan hysteria rock had rarely seen. This wasn’t just success… it was a takeover. The question is: why did it all happen in that one year?In this episode, we break down the perfect storm — 'Destroyer', 'Rock & Roll Over', non-stop touring, the mythology, the image, and the

en

5:20

Two Stories, One Band — The Quiet Riot Origin Mystery...

Booked On Rock ·

2026/02/17

Before the platinum records… before Metal Health changed heavy metal forever… there was a beginning — and not everyone remembers it the same way.In this episode, original bassist Kelly Garni tells his firsthand account of how Quiet Riot actually formed in early-70s Los Angeles. But the story longtime frontman Kevin DuBrow shared publicly over the years paints a very different picture. So which version is true?We dig into the conflicting origin stories, the friendships, the ambitions, and the

en

29:53

Yoko Ono at 93: Art, Sound, and the Legacy Revisited...

Booked On Rock ·

2026/02/16

As Yoko Ono approaches her 93rd birthday, the conversation around her is changing.With new exhibitions and Beatles films putting her back into the cultural spotlight, we take a deeper look at the artist behind the headlines. Often reduced to myth and controversy, Yoko Ono has spent decades shaping avant-garde art, experimental music, and the language of performance itself.This episode features an interview with Madeline Bocaro, author of In Your Mind: The Infinite Universe Of Yoko Ono. A new

en

1:14

Geezer Butler’s Secret Session with Plant, Jones &...

Booked On Rock ·

2026/02/15

Imagine Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin colliding in one room — and someone actually hit record.In this episode highlight clip, Denny Somach, author of Get the Led Out: How Led Zeppelin Became the Biggest Band in the World, shares the incredible story of the jam session where Geezer Butler played with Robert Plant, John Paul Jones, and Tony Iommi — a moment fans would consider impossible… except it happened. The musicians even jokingly dubbed it “Black Zeppelin.”Here’s the twist: the session was

en

2:46

He Could’ve Joined Led Zeppelin — But Said No...

Booked On Rock ·

2026/02/14

In this audio highlight, the spotlight turns to one of rock’s greatest unsung heroes: Nicky Hopkins — the legendary session pianist who played on iconic recordings by The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Kinks, and countless others.But here’s the twist: Hopkins once had the opportunity to become a member of Led Zeppelin — and turned it down. In this clip, Denny Somach, author of Get the Led Out: How Led Zeppelin Became the Biggest Band in the World, shares the fascinating story behind that

en

488 results

Similar Podcasts

Inside the Milky Way - A Look at Early Alternative Music

ITMW Music

Shout It Out Loudcast

Shout It Out Loudcast

Word In Your Ear

Mark Ellen, David Hepworth and Alex Gold

Booked On Rock

Eric Senich

Music History Today Network

Music History Today Podcast Network