The Age Old Question: A Podcast for Music Fans

This week, Rich and Clint look back at the first 40 episodes and share some of their highlights of the first 18 months of the show. Highlights include "Can You Write A Masterpiece After The Age of 40?", "What Makes The Beatles The Best Band of All-Time?", "Is D Minor The Saddest of All Keys?", "What Happened To The Sax Solo?" and many more. #TheBeatles #VanMorrison #PhilCollins #saxophonesolos The...

In this episode, Rich and Clint ask the age old question — would you be Elton John (the star in the spotlight) or Bernie Taupin (the artist behind the scenes)? Lots of laughs, lots of incredible music and enlightening discussion about an odd and incredible collaboration that has produced some of the greatest songs in music history. Rich and Clint also discuss a similar songwriting partnership, Jer...

In this episode, Rich and Clint make the case that "Free As A Bird," which the Beatles released in 1995, is, in fact, the band's most impressive hit. After years of acrimony and discord, after the tragic murder of John Lennon, the Fab Four were able to work together again on a "new" song. And who made it possible to bring the band back together? Yoko. Here's the story of how the song emerged and w...

This week, Rich and Clint discuss the greatest (and most hilarious) misheard lyrics of all-time. From Hendrix's "excuse me while I kiss this guy" to Bon Jovi singing "it doesn't make a difference if we're naked or not," this episode is for anyone who has ever thought "ohhh, that's what the lyric is?!" With guest appearances from Tony-winner Kelli O'Hara, Rich's bandmates in The Sweet Remains Greg...

This week, Rich and Clint ask: What is the greatest year in music history? 1967? 1973? 1985? Some argue that not only is 1991 the best year, but that Sept 24th, 1991 is the single most epic day in music history. The guys discuss why, as they explore which year gave us the most greatness. Special guest Jeff Symonds weighs in on the debate. The Age Old Question is part of Pantheon Podcasts. Artists...

This week, Rich and Clint join forces with the "50 Years Of Music With 50 Year Old White Guys" podcast (Jeff, Ben and Tim) for a crossover episode about creating the ultimate mixtape for a crush — it's a draft format...five picks, five chances to create the best mixtape but with a very specific framework — it is January, 1990. Artists discussed include Bob Dylan, REO Speedwagon, Dire Straits, Phil...

This week, Rich and Clint explore whether lyrics really matter after all. Some massive hits in popular music have some of the most insanely stupid lyrics, which reveals that lyrics might not be a critical component of a great song. Artists and bands discussed include John Cougar Mellancamp, Beyonce and Jay Z, The Black Eyed Peas, John Lennon, Cheap Trick, Beck, Pink Floyd and more. Special guest t...

This week, Rich and Clint discuss the phenomenon of "classic rock radio" in the US. Every city in America has a classic rock station, and they all have their "countdown to the greatest songs" playlist. Even though the songs to choose from haven't changed in decades, these top 10 lists change from year to year and differ significantly by region. Why is that? Why do the top classic rock songs of all...

This week, Rich and Clint discuss the mystery, magic and alchemy of songwriting. Where does a song come from? Drawing inspiration from the amazing Peter Jackson documentary on the Beatles, "Get Back" as well as Malcolm Gladwell's new audiobook about Paul Simon's creative process, Rich and Clint explore where songwriters go to pull songs into existence. Happy New Year from The Age Old Question. The...

This week, Rich and Clint discuss the greatest Christmas songs and who does them best and why most of the songs we sing this time of year come from the "golden era" of Christmas songwriting. With special guests Emily Voorhees, Brian Chartrand, Stephen Kellogg, Kelli O'Hara and Jeff Symonds. Happy Holidays from The Age Old Question. The Age Old Question is part of Pantheon Podcasts Learn more about...

This week, Rich and Clint discuss the greatest drum fills of all-time. There are some you know and some you might not know you know — the great ones becomes you sing or play on the steering wheel in your car. Beginning with Phil Collins and "In The Air Tonight," Rich and Clint examine the definitive drum fills that are portals to another dimension. With special guests Jeff Symonds and the legendar...

This week, Rich and Clint debate one of the epic "age old questions" — is it better to burn out than fade away? In 1979, Neil Young famously sang those words, and Kurt Cobain quoted them in his suicide note. Was Neil right? And what did he really mean? With special guest Jeff Symonds. The Age Old Question is part of Pantheon Podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Rich and Clint explore the magic of music made between siblings. Whether it's the precision of "blood harmony" or the innate chemistry, sibling bands can often discover musical bonds other bands can't find. But they also can flame out in spectacular fashion. What is the greatest sibling band of all-time? Rich and Clint discuss siblings like the Allmans, the Robinsons, the Everlys, the G...

In honor of Charlie Watts, the late great drummer of the Rolling Stones, this week's episode is about the role of the drummer in making a really good band...great! The episode asks: Why is the drummer the backbone of every great band? Rich and Clint explore the drummer as the secret weapon for the great bands — drummers like John Bonham, Keith Moon, Stewart Copeland and more. With special guests J...

All things being equal, the thing that can make or break an evening of music...is the set list. This week, Rich and Clint explore the art and science of making a set list and how bands come at it in different ways. With special guests Brian Chartrand and Jeff Symonds. The Age Old Question is part of Pantheon Podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Rich and Clint answer another one for the ages — what's the greatest one hit wonder? Through the decades, there have been bands and artists that have exploded into cultural awareness and then never came close again. Which did it once the best? Special guest director Eric Heimbold, who was the creative force behind the legendary music video of "Who Let The Dogs Out," a candidate for "Gre...

After a short summer hiatus, Rich and Clint are back to explore another "age old question." This week's question: which decade was the greatest in popular music history? With the help of special guests Emily Voorhees, Josh Panda, Will Evans, Brian Chartrand, Todd Chuba, Jeff Kerestes, Jack Gauthier and Stephen Kellogg, the guys answer: what is the greatest decade for music. The Age Old Question is...

This week, Rich and Clint explore the greatest collaborations in music history — the short-lived but transcendent partnerships that produced magic. From Queen and Bowie to Run DMC and Aerosmith, with some unexpected nominees. As Louisa May Alcott said: it takes two flints to make a fire. This episode celebrates the great collaborations when sparks really flew. The Age Old Question is part of Panth...

This week, Rich and Clint explore the fine line between inspiration and theft. In music, there's a long tradition of borrowing from past masters. While some spin inspiration into totally original artistic expressions...others are just imitating. The guys discuss Chuck Berry and the Beach Boys, Radiohead and The Beatles, The Clash and John Cougar Mellencamp, Sam Smith and Tom Petty, Marvin Gaye and...

This week, Rich and Clint explore the greatest of the "Greatest Hits." Some artists produced exceptional albums - works of art that stand alone as complete creative expressions. Some artists created greatness that spread across their career. And for many of us, the "greatest hits" became the sampler platter that invited us to take a closer look at a band or artist, the way in to the original album...

One episode to settle on the greatest singer of all-time was crazy. But two...that sounds about right. In part 2, Rich and Clint jump back into this debate, and the discussion includes Stevie Wonder, Frank Sinatra, Steve Perry, Joni Mitchell, Sting and many more. The guys talk to Dave Lory, manager of the late great Jeff Buckley and who also worked with legends like Gregg Allman and Robert Plant....

A great vocal can shake you to the core - through its sheer power, expressivity, nuance, soul, pure and unique character. But who has the best? Another impossible question, but this week, Rich and Clint explore the great ones and who should be considered the greatest. This is part one of that exploration, featuring special guest Jeff Symonds on why Bob Dylan should be in the conversation. The Age...

Part 2 of Rich and Clint's deep dive into the songs that are now inextricably linked to the movies in which they were used. In this episode, Rich and Clint get help from the show's go-to guest, Jeff Symonds. The Age Old Question is part of Pantheon Podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Music is often an essential element in movie storytelling, and a song can become inextricably linked to a particular movie and a specific moment in a character's journey (think Tiny Dancer in Almost Famous, Bohemian Rhapsody in Wayne's World...). In this episode, Rich and Clint explore the songs that were used to greatest effect in films and will forever and always be linked to those cinematic mom...

For some, the Grateful Dead is transcendent. For others, the devotion and subculture that sprung up around the band is baffling. What's the deal with the Grateful Dead? This week, Rich and Clint explore the reasons the Dead should be considered one of the greats of all-time. In this epic episode, special guests include award-winning author and renowned Deadhead Steve Silberman, Grahame Lesh (membe...