Rock n Roll History & Culture: Rock Talk Studio

The second annual books and docs of the year award show! All the best rock n roll books and documentaries of 2024. Awards for Best Rock n Roll Book About a Band, Best Rock n Roll Book About a Band member, Best Rock n Roll Book that I Learned The Most From and Best Rock n Roll Book Not About A Band or Band Member. Plus the Best Rock n Roll Book of The Year!! Awards for Rock n Roll Documentaries go...

Win the new Robyn Hitchcock memoir 1967-How I Got There and Why I Never Left  simply by signing up for the free monthly email BLAST!! The BLAST!! keeps you on top of the world of rock n roll books and documentaries and serves as an extra layer of coverage to the podcast. Shoot me an email at info@rocktalkstudio.com to enter! Nicky Hopkins: Session Man finally exposes who was behind some of the mos...

This is a first for the podcast, not only do you get a review of a recommended title, one lucky winner is going to get a copy of this new slick coffee table style book - Rush at 50. How do you get in on the drawing for next months free book - Robyn Hitchcock's memoir 1967? Just send me an email at info@rocktalkstudio.com Support the show email Big Rick at: info@rocktalkstudio.com

Win the new Robyn Hitchcock memoir 1967, and the new Rush book- Rush at 50, simply by signing up for the free monthly BLAST!! Shoot me an email at info@rocktalkstudio.com to enter! Rock n Roll Book and Documentary news this month features projects from: The Beatles, Joni Mitchell, Mike Campbell, The J.Geils Band, Nicky Hopkins and The Bangles to name a few.  Support the show email Big Rick at: inf...

Win the new Robyn Hitchcock memoir 1967, and the new Rush book- Rush at 50, simply by signing up for the free monthly BLAST!! Shoot me an email at info@rocktalkstudio.com to enter! Today’s episode looks at how the partnership between The Grateful Dead’s lyricist Robert Hunter and Jerry Garcia started. This lost manuscript, written in 1961, has finally been unearthed, giving us a look at the first...

The most highly anticipated rock n roll book of the year is out. Alex Van Halen's memoir is a love letter to his brother Ed. Did it live up to the hype? And did the 240 pages tell the whole story? *Sign up to win the new Rush book: Rush at 50 It's easy- just send me an email and say, "Big Rick, send me that killer new Rush book," and I will enter you in the drawing! US resident...

The band has been together for close to 50 years. They haven't toured in 6 years. Why is this set list so important? Road Diary-Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band is a rock n roll documentary that incapsulates everything that makes a Springsteen show so powerful. This is on the list of the top 5 Rock Docs of the year!  Support the show email Big Rick at: info@rocktalkstudio.com

Here's all the latest book buzz and documentary news you don't want to miss! Projects from The Beatles, Bachman Turner Overdrive, The Tragically Hip, Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band and Elton John to name a few are featured on this month's BONUS EPISODE.  Plus, your chance to win the new Rush book "Rush at 50!"  Support the show email Big Rick at: info@rocktalkstud...

Is there really anything more to learn about John Lennon and Yoko Ono? Mind Games the book answers that questions with the inclusion of never before seen essays, documents, hand written lyrics, and over 750 photos. This definitive exploration is made up of Lennon and Ono's thoughts during the making, producing, and releasing of the album, plus contributions from people who were there.  ** Sig...

The oddest, interesting, quirky, unique rock n roll book I have ever read. EVER? Yes! 1967: How I Got There and Why I Never Left by Robyn Hitchcock is a delightful read that takes you back to a special time in rock n roll history. Hitchcock writes his life story from his early teens persona as he discovers the life altering power of rock n roll.  Support the show email Big Rick at: info@rocktalkst...

This book is a treasure. Author Paul Zollo got a chance in 2004 and 2005 to sit and talk with Tom Petty, discussing his life and music. This book is a record of these conversation. We are so lucky to have a document like this that so deeply explores not only Tom Petty's craft, but the many chapters of his life and career.  Support the show email Big Rick at: info@rocktalkstudio.com

The latest news from Alex Van Halen's memoir "Brothers" plus news on projects from Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen, Rush, Yoko Ono and Paul McCartney to name a few. Catch up on all the book buzz and documentary news for the month of September! Support the show email Big Rick at: info@rocktalkstudio.com

This book was a little outside of the usual rock n roll books I review. But I took a chance. And because of the unique storytelling and interesting personal path author Ann Powers took to tell the story, I found myself engaged throughout. This is not a Joni Mitchell biography. This is the life of Mitchell questioned, examined, and presented with the myriad of avenues Joni Mitchell and author Ann P...

The iconic music doc and album, Joe Cocker's Mad Dogs and Englishmen, gets a well deserved follow up in this new documentary "Learning To Live Together: The Return of Mad Dogs and Englishmen" 50 years later the Tedeschi Trucks band put together a massive tribute to the Mad Dogs and Englishmen legacy, reuniting 12 member of the original band to play the LOCKN Festival in Arrington Vi...

Is the Stone Pony the most iconic rock n roll bar in America? I dive into the oral history of this still standing Asbury Park New Jersey landmark that uses quotes from Bruce Springsteen, Steven Van Zant, Patti Smith, Zack Wylde, Tom Morello and a cast of a hundred more artists to tell this tale.  Support the show email Big Rick at: info@rocktalkstudio.com

There is only one movie of this immense caliber that was inspired by songs that served as the soundtrack for the movie. And there was only one Prince. This beautifully put together coffee style book does the legacy of the Purple One justice by leaving nothing left to explore about the groundbreaking Purple Rain album and movie.  Support the show email Big Rick at: info@rocktalkstudio.com

David Lee Roths' crazy manic muse is unmatched in rock n roll. There are very few who can keep up to his always on personality and this book does it best to track down anyone who tried. This episode digs into the DLR Book - How David Lee Roth Changed The World by Darren Paltrowitz.  Support the show email Big Rick at: info@rocktalkstudio.com

One of the greatest concerts of all time that most know very little about. This new doc, Revival 69 - the Concert That Rocked The World, brings unprecedented live footage and a story like no other to finally expose this amazing moment in rock n roll history. This episode also includes all the latest rock n roll book buzz and documentary news on projects about The Tedeschi Trucks Band, Leon Russell...

Chris Stein tells the other side of the Blondie story in his new memoir. Gritty New York City tales from the 70's and 80's bring you right into the CBGB scene.  This episodes also includes book and doc news about new projects featuring John Lennon and Yoko Ono, Eric Clapton, Chuck Berry, The Doors, and Melissa Etheridge to name a few. Support the show email Big Rick at: info@rocktalkstud...

Stevie Van Zant Disciple documentary needs over two hours to tell the story of one of rock's most accomplished careers. Guest appearances by Paul McCartney, Jackson Browne, Peter Wolf, and of course Bruce himself take this doc over the top. It's one not to miss.  This episode also includes book and doc news about projects featuring The Grateful Dead, Robert Hunter, Jerry Garcia, Prince,...

For 13 days he was a Beatles. He actually saved the Beatles first world tour. He was 24 years old.  And then he was gone. And most people don’t even know his name. How is it possible that drummer Jimmie Nicol could simply vanish after playing with the Beatles? The new book "The Beatle Who Vanished" finally solves the mystery of what happened to Nicol. This episode also includes the lates...

King Curtis played with Buddy Holly. Jimi Hendrix joined King's band. He opened for the Beatles at Shea Stadium. One of his best friends was Duane Allman. There is a ton of rock n roll tales told in the new book Soul Serenade: King Curtis and his Immortal Saxophone.  I am really glad I looked passed King Curtis's R&B and Jazz resume because there was so much to be learned about this...

I already saw the Peter Jackson masterpiece “Get Back” why should I watch the film “Let It Be?” “Let It Be” the 1970 film has been remastered and is finally released in it’s original state, I look at it’s significance and give it a rating I have never given any documentary I have ever reviewed in the year in a half of the Rock Talk Studio podcast. Plus updates on new projects about Journey, Moby G...

Anita Pallenberg was a major influence on the Rolling Stones; so much so that it jeopardized her career, family and life.  I explore the depth of her story in the new doc Catching Fire. Plus, big news on three new documentaries just announced featuring Led Zeppelin, Los Lobos, and Little Steven Van Zant.  Support the show email Big Rick at: info@rocktalkstudio.com

“Carlos” the documentary delivers a look at one of rock’s greatest guitarist. How personal does it get, is it deep enough? And yes, the Woodstock experience is explained. Plus! Details on a new Grateful Dead book -easily the most unique book I have ever read about the band. And news on upcoming projects from The Rock n Roll Nightmare series, John Lennon, Chris Stein of Blondie, and Anita Pallenber...