Booked On Rock

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 n...

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...

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 boo...

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 Apr...

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...

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," a...

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, th...

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 fric...

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—...

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:...

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—creatin...

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 promote...

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 go...

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 moder...

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 mos...

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 "Ea...

When Stevie Nicks joined Fleetwood Mac, some critics dismissed her as frivolous, overly romantic, and lacking substance. In this highlight from my conversation with author Rachel Brodsky, we explore the sexist criticism Stevie faced early in her career, why her songwriting was often misunderstood, and how she ultimately proved her doubters wrong to become one of rock's most enduring and respected...

Was 'Press to Play' really a failure—or is it one of Paul McCartney's most misunderstood albums? In this episode of Booked On Rock, I sit down with author Luca Perasi to explore the fascinating story behind McCartney's 1986 album Press to Play. Drawing from extensive research and interviews with key figures involved in the project, Luca examines the album's ambitious blend of cutting-edge 1980s pr...

What can Stevie Nicks teach us about creativity, love, independence, spirituality, resilience, and survival? Author Rachel Brodsky joins me to discuss her book Lessons & Lace: Everything I Know About Dreams, Heartbreak, and Magic I Learned from Stevie Nicks. We explore the wisdom Stevie gained throughout her remarkable life and career—from her early days chasing musical dreams, to overcoming a...

Could The Clash have reunited? In this Booked On Rock highlight, author Pat Gilbert discusses why he believes a Clash reunion may not have been far off when Joe Strummer passed away in 2002. As the author of Passion Is a Fashion: The Real Story of The Clash, Gilbert spent years researching the band and interviewing its members, giving him a unique perspective on the group's final chapter. Was the...

The Clash exploded onto the London music scene in 1976 and quickly became one of the most influential bands in rock history. But behind the revolutionary songs, political passion, and global success was a story filled with creative tension, personal conflict, and difficult choices that ultimately changed the band's future. In this episode of Booked On Rock, author Pat Gilbert discusses the expande...

Wilko Johnson wasn't just a guitarist—he was a force of nature. Long before punk exploded in the late 1970s, Wilko Johnson and Dr. Feelgood were tearing up stages with a raw, high-energy sound that would influence countless musicians. With his distinctive choppy guitar attack, intense stare, and relentless stage presence, Wilko created a style that was entirely his own. In this episode highlight,...

Pub rock may not be as well-known as punk or new wave, but its impact on rock history is impossible to ignore. Emerging in the UK during the early 1970s, pub rock rejected the excesses of glam and progressive rock in favor of a raw, back-to-basics approach that brought musicians and audiences closer together. In this episode of Booked On Rock, author Mark Wilkerson discusses his book Pub Rock (Gen...

Why is Live Evil still one of the most controversial live albums in heavy metal history? In this highlight from Booked On Rock, author Chris Sutton breaks down the legendary tension surrounding Live Evil and the collapse of the original Dio-era lineup of Black Sabbath. From accusations of secret late-night remixing sessions to criticism over the album’s production and crowd sound, Chris explores h...

What happens when Ozzy Osbourne leaves the biggest heavy metal band in the world? In this episode highlight, author Chris Sutton explores the uncertain period when Ronnie James Dio stepped into Black Sabbath and completely changed the band’s future. Chris discusses his first impressions of the Dio lineup, whether Sabbath could have survived without Ozzy, and the long-running debate over whether To...