Behind The Song: Classic Rock Chronicles

In 1994, Stone Temple Pilots hit #1 with Purple , but behind the scenes, the band was fracturing. In this episode of Behind The Song , Janda breaks down the STP classic "Vasoline." It’s the story of a band at their creative peak, even as their frontman Scott Weiland began a very long, sad goodbye.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19....

Why did Aerosmith’s "You See Me Crying" never top the charts? How did a musical genius like Lowell George of Little Feat miss out on a solo smash? Janda is joined by WDRV Brand & Content Director Keith Hastings (her boss!) for a deep dive into the "should've beens" of rock and roll. From the hair-metal transition of Kip Winger to the bluesy hooks of the Arc Angels and the shifting sounds of Ge...

In the new episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda sits down for a no-filter conversation with musicologist Christian James Hand to break down the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class of 2026. The duo dive into the singular career of Phil Collins, who now enters the rarified air of two-time inductees, and expand into what else the Rock Hall got right this year.  See Privacy Policy at https:...

In the early 1980s, David Bowie was an artist’s artist, but he wasn’t yet a blockbuster hitmaker in America. Fresh off the experimental depths of his Berlin Trilogy, Bowie decided it was time to step out of the shadows and onto the dance floor. In this episode of Behind The Song , Janda explores the seismic shift that occurred when the Starman traded his avant-garde roots for a truly knockout hit...

It’s one of the most recognizable sounds in rock, but how did it get there? In this bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda tracks the evolution of the cowbell! Follow along and discover how this humble piece of farm equipment became a secret weapon in rock ‘n roll, and how the Saturday Night Live moment turned a studio quirk into a cultural phenomenon. See Privacy Policy at https://ar...

What really happened at the Ambassador East Hotel in Chicago after a late-night dinner at the Pump Room in 1969? It has been whispered in certain circles for decades that Jimmy Page made musical history with Joe Walsh in Room 6 with nothing more than two guitars, a pizza box, and a four-track recorder. Join Janda on this special Behind The Song podcast exclusive as she traces that night and the or...

Who are you? Who who, who who…. In this episode of Behind The Song, Janda dives into wild night that inspired Pete Townshend to write “Who Are You,” the title track to The Who’s eighth album. From the spiritual meanings in the last verse of the song to the eerie warning on the album cover that preceded Keith Moon’s passing, get into the story of one of The Who’s biggest anthems - f-bombs and all!&...

Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs is one of the best one-and-done albums by any classic rock group, but the cost of making it was staggeringly high.  In this episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda digs into "The Curse" of Derek and the Dominos. From Eric Clapton’s unrequited love that fueled the sessions to the tragic fates of Duane Allman and Jim Gordon, the story behind this album...

In the new episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda digs into the life of the "Architect of Irish Rock," Rory Gallagher.  From his roots in 1960s Cork to the legendary moment he turned down The Rolling Stones to do his own thing, Rory was the ultimate "working man" of the Irish-soul blues. Find out why your favorite guitar legends looked up to this man - who famously played the same Stra...

Before he was a solo superstar and a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominee, Billy Idol was a punk rocker at a crossroads in his career. In this episode of Behind The Song , Janda tells the story of how "White Wedding" helped break him into his icon era. Subscribe for more classic rock stories! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#d...

On the new episode of The Behind the Song Podcast , Janda is joined by Oscar-winning director Morgan Neville to talk about his new documentary, Man on the Run. Listen to hear how Neville accessed Paul McCartney’s massive personal archive to weave the story of McCartney’s life and creative surge in the decade following the Beatles’ breakup.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and...

Before there was the "Experience," there was Lithofayne. Lithofayne Pridgon wasn’t just a muse; she was the Queen of Harlem who gave a struggling Jimi Hendrix a place to live, a connection to the music scene, and the inspiration for "Foxey Lady." In this bonus episode of Behind The Song, dig into the story of the mysterious woman who stood toe-to-toe with James Brown, managed the chaos of Sly Ston...

How do you write one of the most beautiful songs ever recorded in just 30 minutes? For Christine McVie, it was a midnight miracle that came in a dream. In this episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda gets into the magic creation of "Songbird" and how it kept Fleetwood Mac together when everything else was breaking apart. 🎹✨ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Pri...

Everyone knows the chart-toppers, but sometimes the real magic is buried in the album. In this bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda breaks down classic rock deep cuts that really strike a chord, even if they weren’t big hits. From Queen to Fleetwood Mac, this is a list of underrated love songs that you don’t want to miss. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Californi...

They say creative tension leads to great art—but sometimes it just leads to a lawsuit and a nasty interview in Rolling Stone . In the latest bonus episode of Behind The Song , Janda explores the thin line between partnership and "bad blood” with a look at 10 legendary feuds. From the friction between Roger Waters and David Gilmour to the sibling rivalry that defined the Black Crowes, these stories...

Think twice before you add R.E.M.’s "The One I Love" to your romance playlist. While it reached #9 on the Billboard charts and even became a favorite at weddings, Michael Stipe himself calls the track "downright brutal." Get into the story of this often-misunderstood song in the new episode of the Behind The Song podcast with Janda Lane. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Californ...

The wait is over! In this special bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda sat down with Mike Levine and Gil Moore from Triumph to talk about their massive 50th Anniversary tour, their induction into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, and why they decided now was the time to hit the road again. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://...

Before they were legends, they were "The Tea Set," "The Warlocks," and even "Soft White Underbelly." In this bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda uncovers the weird, accidental, and sometimes hilarious ways 13 classic rock bands landed on their names—from Led Zeppelin to Foghat! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privac...

Did you know "Here I Go Again" was originally released 5 years before it became a hit? This week on the BehindTheSong podcast, Janda breaks down the evolution of Whitesnake's signature tune—from its bluesy origins to its chart-topping 1987 reinvention. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

 In this bonus episode of Behind The Song , Janda dives into five songs where David Bowie offered something more than just music—he offered hope. From Ziggy Stardust’s final anthem to the graceful goodbye of “Lazarus,”  Bowie’s messages of connectivity and faith are like a light in the dark. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.co...

In the new bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda is checking us into the infamous accommodations that became as legendary as the bands that trashed them! We're talking about the places where history was made, TVs were thrown, and the accountants were always on call. From Led Zeppelin riding motorcycles down the halls of the "Riot House" in Los Angeles to the love affair between Kurt...

Did you know Tom Petty wrote just one Christmas song? In this episode of the Behind The Song podcast, find out how the gift of a ukulele from George Harrison inspired “Christmas All Over Again,” a song that required over 20 musicians to get the wall-of-sound vibe that Petty wanted for his rockin’ holiday tune. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https:/...

In this bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda dives into the sonic evolutions of artists whose debut albums sound like they were recorded by a completely different group. Trace the changes in bands like Pink Floyd, Fleetwood Mac, and the Scorpions! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

In the new bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda revisits Arlo Guthrie’s “Alice’s Restaurant Massacree.” Listen in on how a ridiculous (and hilariously true) littering incident became an 18 minute Thanksgiving classic for generations of fans!  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Stevie Nicks wrote the hit "Dreams" in about 10 minutes as the drama with Lindsey Buckingham was peaking during the Rumours sessions. It’s the only Fleetwood Mac song to ever go to #1 when it was released, and it keeps entering the charts as the decades go on! Get into this hit that just won’t quit in this episode of the Behind The Song podcast with Janda Lane.  See Privacy Policy at https://...