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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

67:59

[EP 404] How “Touch of Grey” Changed the Grateful...

Booked On Rock ·

2026/08/16

The Grateful Dead spent decades building one of the most devoted followings in rock history without ever needing a conventional hit single. Then came “Touch of Grey.” In 1987, the song became the band’s first—and only—Top 40 hit, introducing the Dead to MTV and an entirely new generation of fans.Author John Brackett joins Booked On Rock to discuss his book Touch of Grey, or How the Grateful Dead Became Pop Stars. We explore the song’s long evolution before it reached the studio, Jerry Garcia’s

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139:57

[EP 403] Terry Kilgore: Eddie Van Halen, David Lee...

Booked On Rock ·

2026/08/13

Terry Kilgore has spent decades as one of Southern California’s most respected guitarists, coming up in the same Pasadena-area scene as Eddie Van Halen and later playing and writing with David Lee Roth. In this episode, Terry shares firsthand stories about his friendship and friendly rivalry with Eddie, the origins of the finger-tapping technique that became synonymous with Van Halen, and his experiences working with Roth on albums including Your Filthy Little Mouth and DLR Band.Terry also opens up

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66:37

[EP 402] Who Really Wrote “Morning Dew”? John...

Booked On Rock ·

2026/08/07

Bonnie Dobson wrote the haunting folk classic “Morning Dew” in 1961, inspired by the fear of nuclear annihilation. The song would go on to be recorded by the Grateful Dead, Jeff Beck, Robert Plant, Nazareth, Devo and countless others—but along the way, singer Tim Rose claimed co-writing credit, beginning a decades-long struggle for Dobson to reclaim recognition for the song she wrote.Author John Einarson joins Booked On Rock to discuss his new biography, Take Me For A Walk In The Morning Dew: The

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89:43

[EP 401] Neil Young: The Many Sides of a Rock Legend...

Booked On Rock ·

2026/08/01

Neil Young has never followed the rules—and that's exactly what made him a rock legend.In this episode of Booked On Rock, legendary rock journalist and author Sylvie Simmons joins me to discuss the updated and revised edition of her acclaimed biography, Neil Young: Reflections in Broken Glass. We trace Neil's remarkable journey from driving a hearse from Canada to Los Angeles to becoming one of the most influential artists in rock history.We explore Buffalo Springfield, Crazy Horse, Harvest, the

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53:02

[EP 400] The Story of Violent Femmes' Debut: How...

Booked On Rock ·

2026/07/30

How did Blister in the Sun go from an underground college radio favorite to one of the most recognizable songs in America?In this episode of Booked On Rock, author Nic Brown (33 1/3: Violent Femmes) explores the remarkable story behind the Violent Femmes' groundbreaking 1983 debut album. Discover how three Milwaukee outsiders created a sound unlike anything before it, why Blister in the Sun was never intended for the band, how The Pretenders helped launch their career, and why the album became one

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64:10

[EP 399] The History of the Velvet Underground with...

Booked On Rock ·

2026/07/25

The Velvet Underground may not have sold millions of records during their early years, but few bands have had a greater impact on the history of rock music. In this episode of Booked On Rock, author Richie Unterberger discusses his new book, Do What You Fear Most: The History of the Velvet Underground, exploring the band's remarkable journey from New York's underground art scene to becoming one of the most influential groups of all time.We dive into Lou Reed's songwriting, John Cale's avant-garde

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53:53

[EP 398] Battle Axes: Sean Kelly on the History of...

Booked On Rock ·

2026/07/23

From the Gibson Flying V and Explorer to the Jackson Randy Rhoads, Dean ML, B.C. Rich Warlock, and Ibanez RG, pointy guitars helped define the look and sound of hard rock and heavy metal. But how did these outrageous designs go from being dismissed as oddities to becoming some of the most iconic instruments in rock history?Author and musician Sean Kelly joins Booked On Rock to discuss his new book, Battle Axes: A Hard Rockin' History of Pointy Guitars. We explore the stories behind the guitars, the

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53:18

[EP 397] The Story of April Wine: Tim Durling...

Booked On Rock ·

2026/07/19

Few bands have been as consistently successful in Canada—or as underrated outside of it—as April Wine. From early classics like "Fast Train" to arena rock staples including "Roller," "I Like to Rock," "Just Between You and Me," and "Sign of the Gypsy Queen," the band built a remarkable catalog spanning more than three decades.Author Tim Durling joins me to discuss his new book, On Record: The April Wine Album Review, an album-by-album journey through all 16 studio albums. We explore the band's

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71:14

[EP 396] The Jeff Beck Story: Brad Tolinski & Chris...

Booked On Rock ·

2026/07/16

Jeff Beck wasn't just one of the greatest guitarists of all time—he was one of rock's most fearless innovators.In this episode of Booked On Rock, I welcome Brad Tolinski and Chris Gill, authors of Blow By Blow: The Jeff Beck Story, for an in-depth conversation about the legendary guitarist's remarkable life and career. We explore Jeff's groundbreaking work with the Yardbirds, the Jeff Beck Group, 'Truth', 'Blow by Blow', his friendship with Jimmy Page, his collaborations with Stevie Wonder and

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63:07

[EP 395] The Rise & Fall of Men at Work with Greg Prato

Booked On Rock ·

2026/07/12

What really happened to Men at Work?In this episode of Booked On Rock, returning guest Greg Prato discusses his new book, Down Under: The Men at Work & Colin Hay Story, and explores the remarkable rise of one of the biggest bands of the MTV era—and the surprising reasons behind their rapid breakup.We dive into the stories behind classics like "Down Under," "Who Can It Be Now?," "Overkill," and "Be Good Johnny," the band's early days in Melbourne, the creative partnership between Colin Hay and

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45:12

[EP 394] The Story Behind Nirvana's 'In Utero' with...

Booked On Rock ·

2026/07/10

What really happened during the making of Nirvana's 'In Utero'?Author Robert Boyd joins Booked On Rock to explore the creation of Nirvana's groundbreaking third and final studio album, separating fact from fiction while uncovering the stories behind one of rock's most influential records.We discuss Kurt Cobain's decision to work with Steve Albini, Geffen Records' reaction to the original mixes, the truth behind the "fixed" album myth, the meanings behind songs like "Heart-Shaped Box," "Pennyroyal

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4:37

[HIGHLIGHT] Why XTC Needed Todd Rundgren to Make...

Booked On Rock ·

2026/07/05

Was Todd Rundgren exactly what XTC needed to create 'Skylarking'?In this highlight from my conversation with Alfredo Marziano, author of XTC's Skylarking: A Life in a Day, we explore the legendary creative clash between Andy Partridge and Todd Rundgren. Their personalities couldn't have been more different, yet that tension helped shape one of the most acclaimed albums of the 1980s. Was the friction the secret ingredient behind XTC's masterpiece?Listen for the story behind one of rock's most

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66:48

[EP 393] What If Elvis Had a Secret Son? | Joseph...

Booked On Rock ·

2026/07/04

What if Elvis Presley had a secret son? That's the fascinating premise behind The Prince of Memphis, the latest novel from author Joseph Coulson. In this episode, Joseph joins me to discuss the inspiration behind the book, creating the unforgettable characters of Aron Beale and Odelia, the real song "Midnight Candy," Elvis's enduring legacy, and why this story explores far more than rock 'n' roll—touching on identity, race, love, memory, and the myths that shape our lives.The Prince of Memphis will

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3:03

[HIGHLIGHT] When Mick Jagger Mistook Talcum Powder...

Booked On Rock ·

2026/07/01

One of the funniest Rolling Stones stories you'll ever hear!In this special Booked On Rock highlight, author Richard Lefkowitz shares an unforgettable backstage tale involving Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood, Mick Jagger, and a bottle of talcum powder that led to one hilarious misunderstanding.It's just one of the many incredible stories Richard recounts from his memoir, Welcome to Fabulous Angeles: The Rock 'n' Roll Adventures of a Wayward Westside Teen, chronicling his adventures growing up in 1970s

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6:53

[HIGHLIGHT] How a Camera Accident Created Beatles...

Booked On Rock ·

2026/06/30

What if one of the most iconic scenes in A Hard Day's Night happened by accident?In this Booked On Rock highlight, author and broadcaster Samira Ahmed reveals how a camera battery running low accidentally created the distinctive look of the Beatles' famous "Can't Buy Me Love" sequence. She also explains why director Richard Lester recognized the magic of the moment and left it in the film—creating one of the most memorable scenes in music movie history. 🎧 Watch & listen to the full

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51:13

[EP 392] Before the Rock Stars: The Story of Harry...

Booked On Rock ·

2026/06/29

Before Buffalo became a stop for legendary rock acts like Sly & the Family Stone, the Bob Seger System, Deep Purple, Cactus, and Arthur Brown, one man helped build the city's entertainment scene.In this episode of Booked On Rock, author Susan Fenster discusses her fascinating new book, Harry Altman: Buffalo's Master Showman. Discover the remarkable story of Harry Altman, the visionary promoter behind the legendary Town Casino and Glen Casino, and how his influence paved the way for iconic venues

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62:27

[EP 391] I Partied with The Rolling Stones: Richard...

Booked On Rock ·

2026/06/25

What was it really like growing up in 1970s Los Angeles?Author Richard A. Lefkowitz joins Booked On Rock to discuss his memoir, Welcome to Fabulous Angeles: The Rock 'n' Roll Adventures of a Wayward Westside Teen. Richard shares incredible firsthand stories of partying with members of The Rolling Stones, experiencing the rise of Van Halen, roaming the legendary Sunset Strip, and witnessing the golden age of FM rock radio.Along the way, we explore the friendships, first love, and deeper life lessons

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47:18

[EP 390] The Story Behind The Beatles' A Hard Day's...

Booked On Rock ·

2026/06/20

More than 60 years after its release, The Beatles' A Hard Day's Night remains one of the most influential music films ever made.In this episode, author and broadcaster Samira Ahmed discusses her BFI Film Classics book on the landmark 1964 film. We explore Richard Lester's groundbreaking direction, the explosion of Beatlemania, the famous "Can't Buy Me Love" sequence, the film's influence on modern music videos, and why A Hard Day's Night continues to captivate audiences decades later.We also discuss

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5:35

[HIGHLIGHT] The Phil Collins Mystery Behind 'Press To...

Booked On Rock ·

2026/06/18

Did Phil Collins contribute more to Paul McCartney's Press To Play than many fans realize?In this highlight from my conversation with author Luca Perasi, we explore the fascinating connections between Phil Collins and McCartney's 1986 album Press To Play. From Phil's officially credited performances to the possibility that his influence may be heard elsewhere on the record, this is one of the most intriguing stories behind one of McCartney's most misunderstood albums.Listen to the full interview

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52:05

[EP 389] XTC's Skylarking: The Story Behind A Pop...

Booked On Rock ·

2026/06/15

XTC's 1986 album Skylarking is widely regarded as one of the greatest albums of the decade, but its creation was anything but smooth.Author Alfredo Marziano joins me to discuss his book XTC: Skylarking – A Life in a Day: The Making of a Pop Classic. We explore the legendary creative clash between Andy Partridge and producer Todd Rundgren, the stories behind songs like "Dear God," "Grass," and "Earn Enough for Us," the album's controversial artwork, and how a record born from tension became a beloved

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488 results

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