Rock N Roll Story Guys

The guys discover how a particular 80's earworm found success nearly a decade after release - and the story of the unlikely managers and their bad behavior that derailed the group from finding chart dominance and financial reward for years. Support the show on Patreon See the show on YouTube Visit the show on Instagram Visit the show on Facebook Sign up for Brian's daily FIVE SONGS email ! (It's f...

The guys get into what drives some bands into "cult" status by exploring the story of Alex Chilton and Big Star - and the big scandal that kept their first two records from reaching the masses. Support the show on Patreon See the show on YouTube Visit the show on Instagram Visit the show on Facebook Sign up for Brian's daily FIVE SONGS email ! (It's free!) SHOW NOTES: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki...

Brian and Murdock take a listener's cue to explore the short but influential career of Sting, Andy, and Stewart as a unit called The Police - and the island recording session that signaled their demise. Support the show on Patreon See the show on YouTube Visit the show on Instagram Visit the show on Facebook Sign up for Brian's daily FIVE SONGS email ! (It's free!) SHOW NOTES https://en.wikipedia....

Brian and Murdock explore the story behind the Quiet Beatle's reconciliation with the six-string, the song it produced, and the solo it bequeathed on the world decades later via a totally different artist. Support the show on Patreon See the show on YouTube Visit the show on Instagram Visit the show on Facebook Sign up for Brian's daily FIVE SONGS email ! (It's free!) SHOW NOTES: https://en.wikipe...

Brian and Murdock unpack the partnership that birthed one of the greatest holiday tunes of all time - and the rumor, innuendo, hurt feelings, and younger diva who broke it all apart. Support the show on Patreon See the show on YouTube Visit the show on Instagram Visit the show on Facebook Sign up for Brian's daily FIVE SONGS email ! (It's free!) SHOW NOTES https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_I_Want_...

Brian and Murdock break down the history of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Faith No More, and Mr Bungle and try to figure out if Mike Patton and Anthony Kiedis actually hate each other as much as they seem to want us to think they do. Support the show on Patreon See the show on YouTube Visit the show on Instagram Visit the show on Facebook Sign up for Brian's daily FIVE SONGS email ! (It's free!) SHOW...

Brian and Murdock unravel another story-behind-the-song, following one of the great guitar gods through his cocaine 70s, alcohol 80s, and loss + redemption 90s. Support the show on Patreon See the show on YouTube Visit the show on Instagram Visit the show on Facebook Sign up for Brian's daily FIVE SONGS email ! (It's free!) SHOW NOTES: https://www.thisisdig.com/feature/tears-in-heaven-eric-clapton...

The guys look into the story behind that legendary female vocal performance - and learn a lot about Pink Floyd, their reputation, and their history. Support the show on Patreon See the show on YouTube Visit the show on Instagram Visit the show on Facebook Sign up for Brian's daily FIVE SONGS email ! (It's free!) SHOW NOTES: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pink_Floyd https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/john...

Brian and Murdock dig into one of the most well-known rock n roll rumors and try their darndest to figure out which Hollywood face (or faces) "You're So Vain" is actually about. Support the show on Patreon See the show on YouTube Visit the show on Instagram Visit the show on Facebook Sign up for Brian's daily FIVE SONGS email ! (It's free!) SHOW NOTES: You’re So Vain lyrics: https://genius.com/Car...

Brian and Murdock explore the legions of lawsuit and bunches of bad luck that plagued Creedence Clearwater Revival and their front man John Fogerty for a big chunk of the 1970s and 80s. Support the show on Patreon See the show on YouTube Visit the show on Instagram Visit the show on Facebook Sign up for Brian's daily FIVE SONGS email ! (It's free!) SHOW NOTES: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creeden...

A listener letter leaves Brian and Murdock discussing their love for Thin Lizzy and following the story of their illustrious frontman - Irishman Phil Lynott- and the bad habits that took him away from the stage far too soon. Support the show on Patreon See the show on YouTube Visit the show on Instagram Visit the show on Facebook Sign up for Brian's daily FIVE SONGS email ! (It's free!) SHOW NOTES...

Brian and Murdock get a letter from a fan of the show asking for the story behind Peter Frampton's long-time lost love - a very particular Gibson Les Paul guitar. Support the show on Patreon See the show on YouTube Visit the show on Instagram Visit the show on Facebook Sign up for Brian's daily FIVE SONGS email ! (It's free!) SHOW NOTES: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humble_Pie https://en.wikipedi...

Brian and Murdock work to verify a story about some creatively stolen master tapes, and simultaneously learn to tell the difference between a Jefferson Airplane, a Jefferson Startship, and just a plain 'ol Starship. Support the show on Patreon See the show on YouTube Visit the show on Instagram Visit the show on Facebook Sign up for Brian's daily FIVE SONGS email ! (It's free!) SHOW NOTES: https:/...

Brian and Murdock hunt down a newspaper ad from 1980 to corroborate a listener story involving a Deep Purple show that was campaigned against by... Deep Purple. Support the show on Patreon See the show on YouTube Visit the show on Instagram Visit the show on Facebook Sign up for Brian's daily FIVE SONGS email ! (It's free!) SHOW NOTES: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_Purple https://en.wikipedia...

Brian and Murdock explore the King of Pop's long-running fascination with the theatrical - and the movie roles he ALMOST got to take. Support the show on Patreon See the show on YouTube Visit the show on Instagram Visit the show on Facebook Sign up for Brian's daily FIVE SONGS email ! (It's free!) SHOW NOTES: https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-news/michael-jackson-wanted-to-play-jar-j...

Brian and Murdock go looking for the history on why one of the most successful rock bands ever simultaneously seems to be hated. Support the show on Patreon See the show on YouTube Visit the show on Instagram Visit the show on Facebook Sign up for Brian's daily FIVE SONGS email ! (It's free!) SHOW NOTES: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eagles_(band) Klosterman essay on The Eagles: https://ew.com/art...

The guys get into the early history of the Van Halen brothers - and the already-rockstar who almost stalled things out before they started. Support the show on Patreon See the show on YouTube Visit the show on Instagram Visit the show on Facebook Sign up for Brian's daily FIVE SONGS email ! (It's free!) SHOW NOTES: Van Halen Rising by Greg Renoff - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/van-halen-rising...

The fellas field a question about the guys who once took on the nasty name "Kingdom Clone" in the music press, and discuss why sounding like Led Zep is just not allowed by a certain type of rock n roll fan. Support the show on Patreon See the show on YouTube Visit the show on Instagram Visit the show on Facebook Sign up for Brian's daily FIVE SONGS email ! (It's free!) SHOW NOTES: https://pitchfor...

The guys go looking for songs that bands wrote about being mad at their managers and record labels and come back covered in Southern rock, British bombast, and a little punk attitude. Support the show on Patreon See the show on YouTube Visit the show on Instagram Visit the show on Facebook Sign up for Brian's daily FIVE SONGS email ! (It's free!) SHOW NOTES: https://www.npr.org/2019/11/15/77975381...

Brian and Murdock follow the story of Fleetwood Mac from album 5 through 9, tracing the path of infights, sexual liaisons, and imposters that led to Mick Fleetwood finally meeting Lindsey Buckingham. Support the show on Patreon See the show on YouTube Visit the show on Instagram Visit the show on Facebook Sign up for Brian's daily FIVE SONGS email ! (It's free!) SHOW NOTES: The Mark Blake book: ht...

Brian and Murdock go way back to start breaking down the details of who and what made up Fleetwood Mac for the seven years before Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham showed up. Support the show on Patreon See the show on YouTube Visit the show on Instagram Visit the show on Facebook Sign up for Brian's daily FIVE SONGS email ! (It's free!) SHOW NOTES The Mark Blake book: https://www.simonandschust...

Brian and Murdock chronicle Bruce's struggle to breakthrough to the mainstream at the end of the 1970s- and the hits he gave away along the way. Support the show on Patreon See the show on YouTube Visit the show on Instagram Visit the show on Facebook Sign up for Brian's daily FIVE SONGS email ! (It's free!) SHOW NOTES https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Springsteen https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R...

Brian and Murdock dig into the history of MTV's unlikely smash hit that resurrected careers and created a new revenue line for loud bands willing to turn down the volume. Support the show on Patreon See the show on YouTube Visit the show on Instagram Visit the show on Facebook Sign up for Brian's daily FIVE SONGS email ! (It's free!) SHOW NOTES: I WANT MY MTV - The Book: https://www.penguinrandomh...

Brian and Murdock dig at the roots of "Mrs. Robinson" only to end up on a journey through 70s cinema, childhood friendships, and especially petty songwriting. Support the show on Patreon See the show on YouTube Visit the show on Instagram Visit the show on Facebook Sign up for Brian's daily FIVE SONGS email ! (It's free!) SHOW NOTES https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Nichols https://en.wikipedia.o...

Brian and Murdock answer a letter asking for the backstory on what went down between the two big personalities inside The Smiths - Steven Morrissey and Johnny Marr. Support the show on Patreon See the show on YouTube Visit the show on Instagram Visit the show on Facebook Sign up for Brian's daily FIVE SONGS email ! (It's free!) SHOW NOTES https://consequence.net/2025/06/johnny-marr-smiths-reunion-...