My Rock Moment

Some songs become classics because of a great melody. Others become classics because they capture a moment in time. The songs we're talking about in this episode managed to do both. In this episode of My Rock Moment, I’m joined by LA historian and creator of Instagram's Lost Canyons LA, Emmeline Summerton, as we explore six of the most influential protest songs of the 1960s and '70s. Together, we...

Legendary bassist Leland Sklar has played on more than 2,000 albums, performed with some of the biggest names in music, and helped create the soundtrack of the last five decades. But behind the credits is a fascinating story of talent, timing, friendship, and an unwavering love of music. In this episode of My Rock Moment, Leland reflects on his remarkable journey…from growing up in Los Angeles, to...

Bobby Watman is the creator of the iconic ’70s-themed nightclub chain Polly Esther’s and the voice behind Polyester Fiesta and 70s on 7 on SiriusXM. Long before stepping behind the microphone, Bobby helped turn '70s nostalgia into a national phenomenon, expanding Polly Esther’s into 35 locations across the country. In our conversation, he shares incredible stories from the worlds of nightlife, mus...

In this episode of My Rock Moment, I’m joined by legendary album cover artist Larry Vigon, whose work has helped define the visual identity of some of the most iconic albums in rock history. With more than 200 album covers to his name, Larry has worked with Fleetwood Mac, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and Bonnie Raitt, Eric Clapton, Chicago and Counting Crows. He's also in the Album Cover Hall o...

Steve Binder is one of the most influential figures in music television, even if you don’t know his name. From The T.A.M.I. Show to Elvis Presley’s ’68 Comeback Special, his work created moments that changed music history. In this episode, Steve shares how he went from the mailroom at KABC to directing icons like Frank Sinatra, The Allman Brothers, and The Rolling Stones, and what it was like to b...

In this episode of My Rock Moment, I’m joined by Jenny Boyd, author of Jennifer Juniper: A Journey Beyond the Muse, whose life placed her at the center of some of the most defining cultural and musical moments of the 1960s and 70s. We talk about her childhood between England and Kenya, and how those early experiences shaped her independence, identity, and the relationships she would later be drawn...

Before rock history hardens into legend, someone has to sit across from the people who lived it and ask the right questions. In this episode of My Rock Moment, Amanda Morck sits down with Andy Greene, senior writer at Rolling Stone. He's been with the magazine since 2004 and is one of the most trusted long-form interviewers. For two decades, Andy has documented the voices behind the music — from g...

Freddie Mercury is one of the most written-about figures in rock history — and one of the most misunderstood. In this episode of My Rock Moment, Amanda Morck speaks with acclaimed rock journalist Lesley-Ann Jones about her most intimate book yet, Love, Freddie: Freddie Mercury’s Secret Life and Love. Built around private journals Freddie Mercury entrusted to someone very close to him — his daughte...

Genny Schorr is a guitarist, songwriter, stylist, and a defining voice of the LA punk scene — and now she’s chronicling it all in her new book, All Roads Lead to Punk. In this episode, Genny shares the wild, candid story of her path through 1970s Los Angeles: from forming Backstage Pass — one of the first female punk bands in the city — to launching Straight Jacket, the LA boutique that became a s...

Love, lust, and heartbreak are the secret soundtrack of the LA canyons. In this episode of My Rock Moment we welcome Emmeline Summerton of Instagram's Lost Canyons LA, a historian of the LA Canyons and former writer of the New Topanga Times. Together we trace that soundtrack through eight songs — uncovering the romance, the messiness and the broken hearts behind the lyrics. We start with “Guinneve...

In this episode of My Rock Moment, I sit down with veteran music journalist Steve Rosen — author of Tonechaser: Understanding Edward: My 26-Year Journey with Edward Van Halen — to uncover the untold story of the man behind the legend: Eddie Van Halen. For more than two decades, Rosen wasn’t just a journalist covering Van Halen, he was a close friend, confidant, and witness to the creative fire tha...

Before becoming a rock ‘n’ roll frontman, Michael Des Barres was making his mark on screen—starring alongside Sidney Poitier in the 1967 classic To Sir, With Love. But it wasn’t long before he traded the film set for the stage, forming glam rock outfit Silverhead in the early ’70s before moving on to Detective, one of the few bands signed to Led Zeppelin’s legendary Swan Song label. Hanging with P...

Some folks grow up dreaming of meeting their heroes—Steve Postell just grabbed his guitar and did it. Born and raised in New York City, Steve is a guitarist, songwriter, producer, and composer whose career has been nothing short of a musical odyssey. A classically trained guitarist, he went on to collaborate with legends like David Crosby, and after Crosby’s passing, carried that legacy forward by...

My Rock Moment had the extraordinary privilege of catching up with Blondie Chaplin, a true legend whose musical journey reads like a who's-who of rock history. Born in Durban, South Africa, he first made waves as a teen with The Flames, eventually catching the attention of Carl Wilson, who helped bring him into the Beach Boys family in the early 1970s. During our conversation, Blondie took me back...

He’s jammed with Freddie Mercury after Live Aid, written songs with Beach Boys royalty, and once found himself shooting guns in a backyard with KISS guitarist Ace Frehley…while on Quaaludes. I’m talking about musician, songwriter, and producer Larry Dvoskin. Over the years, Larry has collaborated with legends like Robert Plant, Sammy Hagar, Sean Lennon, Robin Zander, Bad Company, Al Jardine, and M...

Fred Mollin has done it all—from scoring film & cult TV classics to producing chart-topping ballads and lullabies for Disney. But behind his long list of credits is a winding, wild journey through the music industry that’s anything but ordinary. In this episode, Fred joins My Rock Moment to talk about his new memoir Unplugged and the moments that defined his career. He shares stories of leaving sc...

In this very special episode of My Rock Moment, host Amanda Morck welcomes Beach Boys founding member Al Jardine for an intimate and heartfelt conversation—just a week after the passing of his lifelong friend and bandmate, Brian Wilson. As fans around the world reflect on the legacy of the Beach Boys, Al shares personal memories of his journey with Brian, the creative magic they built together, an...

What happens when rock gods go off the rails—and the music still slaps? In this episode of My Rock Moment, we sit down with Jake Brennan, the creator and voice behind the wildly popular podcast Disgraceland. Known for blending true crime and music history, Jake explores the wild, dark, and often unbelievable stories behind some of rock’s most iconic figures. We dive into the legends—and the contro...

In this episode of My Rock Moment, we’re diving deep into one of rock and roll’s most legendary what-could-have-beens… and what-finally-was. Back in 1966, fresh off the groundbreaking success of Pet Sounds, Brian Wilson set out to create his magnum opus: Smile. With poet and lyricist Van Dyke Parks at his side, the project promised to be a revolutionary leap forward—a kaleidoscopic, avant-garde al...

Jude Warne is a rock biographer and music columnist. Jude joined the show a few years back to discuss her book America the Band - An Authorized Biography - an episode I highly recommend. Now she’s back with a new book, Lowdown: The Music of Boz Scaggs. ​If you're a Boz Scaggs fan—or just someone who appreciates a deep dive into music history—Jude Warne's book is a must-read. It's a comprehensive e...

​Shep Gordon, the legendary talent manager, producer, and author, joins My Rock Moment from his home in Maui. He shares captivating stories from his 50-plus-year career in the music industry—a journey that began unexpectedly when he took a wrong turn in Los Angeles traffic. We delve into how he masterminded the rise of Shock Rock, the ingenious marketing strategies that propelled Alice Cooper to f...

Lisa Law’s still, movie and video images have chronicled decades of social and cultural changes in America. And her film, ‘Flashing On The Sixties,’ was described by actor-director Dennis Hopper as “the most compelling, moving documentary of the Sixties”.  In 1966, Lisa and her husband resided in the renowned "Castle" in Los Feliz, Los Angeles, a hub that welcomed numerous prominent musicians, inc...

Ringo Starr once said, “He's David Wild - he knows everyone.” David is a writer, producer and journalist. He had a decades-long career at Rolling Stone Magazine as a contributing editor, he writes for the Grammys, and maybe you’ve heard his podcast Naked Lunch with co-host Phil Rosenthal of Everybody Loves Raymond and Somebody Feed Phil. In this episode, David will share memorable moments with Pau...

The Canyons have long called to the bohemians and artists of Los Angeles. While Laurel Canyon is renowned for its role as a hub of rock history in the 1960s and '70s, Topanga Canyon has its own rich tapestry of stories. In this episode of My Rock Moment, we welcome Emmeline Summerton from the Instagram account Lost Canyons LA, a historian of the LA Canyons and former writer for the New Topanga Tim...

Chris O'Dell might very well hold the title of the world's first female rock 'n' roll tour manager. O'Dell has led a fascinating life; one that planted her firmly in rock royalty's inner circle in the 60s and 70s. Befriending Derek Taylor in LA, she soon found herself working for the Beatles' Apple Corps in London. While there she was present for the recording of The White Album, Abbey Road, Let i...