The Imbalanced History of Rock and Roll

For the Imbalanced Brothers, Carole King's "Tapestry" is one of those albums that impacted their lives, albeit from different angles! It shows the evolution of the artist, who started young, as one half of a famous songwriting duo, but who through divorce became a solo act, encouraged by her new friends in Laurel Canyon. The impact of the album goes well-beyond the music. It empowered other women,...

Whew! 2025 was a helluva year of loss for Rockers all around the world! But the year also brought back some artists to active duty (Gaps), and as usually happens, some artists have hung up the touring game, or the music, completely (Wraps) in this past year. There's a personal side to this week's episode as well. Here's to a brighter (and healthier) new year for our Rock heroes, who are aging as w...

When Jimmy Cliff passed away November 24, 2025, it was a bit of a shock to most people. He'd been busy, producing music, and making future plans before a fall changed everything. Markus & Ray are both major fans, rushing this episode to "the front of the line." Thank you, Jimmy, for all you gave us, especially your indomitable spirit! Fly free! Email us your thoughts at imbalancedhistory@gmail.com...

Markus and Ray have done this before, but somehow it always comes out different! But this is repeat #2 of this great Xmas episode! The boys are promising a fresh take in 2026! The Imbalanced Boys have covered 5 Fave Rock n’ Roll Christmas songs, as well as 5 Fave Heavy Metal Xmas songs, (and a couple other related passes) a few times in their almost 7 years as a podcast! Nothing beats listening to...

Rather than just list them all, Mark and Ray dance through this era-focused topic, guitars in hand, for an episode of Game Changers! Starting with a brief history of the Fender Strat, and a brief side road about "the two Jimmys," the "Imbalanced Ones" cram as much '70s axe action into this one as possible! The 1970s didn't arrive fully formed, so the discussion has to include those Sixties players...

We can't tell the story any better than this annual repeat episode about one of our favorites, John Lennon! John meant the world, to most people, and definitely to both of us. His music, his message, and his fun way of spreading it, attracted so many to him. One wicked soul saw things differently than most. He took John's life on 12/8/1980... Forgiveness is a virtue, but forgive us for being less...

Learn about the immense cast of characters who ARE Deep Purple, and find about some near misses that might surprise you! Unexpected twists can be so much fun, and we unearthed a few in this episode! Before you break out that old guitar and plug-in for some rust-knocking with that classic riff (you know which one), dig in for some fun with the guys...all of them! Take time to learn stuff about stuf...

This Massacrepreat of our original episode from 2024 is dedicated to our dearly departed brother, Pierre Robert, as well as Alice Brock, the story's central figure, who passed away last year just before Thanksgiving. The roasting of the bird! The sharing of the bounty! A tradition that goes back to the earliest days of America. The Imbalanced Boys get into that, but mainly they discuss the modern...

This week, the Imbalanced Boys explore the birth and life (so far) of Pearl Jam. They were formed by Seattle stalwarts after the death of Andrew Wood, the singer for Mother Love Bone. The episode includes a brief discussion of Wood's death, as Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament moved on and found an incredible Rock & Roll life. The boys discuss the arrival of Eddie Vedder, and the various drummers who'v...

They learn as they go, but despite best efforts, this is the only set of Birthday Triplets the Imbalanced Boys have unearthed, so far. Born on November 10th, 1947: Greg Lake, Progressive Rock founder/innovator (King Crimson/ELP) Glen Buxton, lead guitarist of the Alice Cooper Band Dave Loggins, Hall Of Fame singer/songwriter They're all gone now... They'd be 78 today... Learn more about your ad ch...

The Rock & Roll world lost a major figure when "Ace" Frehley succumbed to his injuries, sustained in a fall in his studio, on October 16... His impact and influence on the music world is clear, and Kiss fans feel the loss heavily... Ray and Markus discuss their own feelings, and impressions of the man, and his band, in this upbeat memorial. Since then, the guy's immediate world has been rocked to...

For your scaring, and other frightening affairs, we Re-Present, (but for the first time ever since it came out on 10/26/20 - we swear), The Return Of Hollow Weenie Roast One!!! All of the scary! All of the hairy!!! All of the only marginally improved) by production advancements in the last 5 years) original "seasonal ep!" You can also listen to other previous Hollow Weenie Roasts here: Hollow Ween...

People joke about lost albums or icons, but this week Markus and Ray discuss one such thing that is very real: the long, forgotten re-issue of an album that didn't get enough love in its own time. Buckingham Nicks, was the duet debut by two of the most important ingredients in Fleetwood Mac since 1974! Friends since high school, Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks set out together to take on the R...

Word got out about tour dates and plans, just as Markus & Ray were about to sit down with Jim McCarty and Annie Haslam to discuss their unique upcoming short run of shows featuring their own music, and that of their shared love, the band Renaissance! Jim tells us about his plan for his part in this upcoming words and music celebration, and together they fill us in the rest! Turns out, this is thei...

We feel that Punk ethos embodies our humanity, and reflects our attitude in this world today. Find yours and get to it! ⁠Here's the link to that Reddit thread⁠ that helped sparked this episode! You might also want to read the full ⁠Why America Still Needs Punk Rock ⁠article! whatculture.com posted their ⁠21 Best Punk Rock Albums Of The 21st Century⁠, and the Imbalanced Ones dissect it! Find all of...

The story of Iggy Pop goes back to his Michigan roots, and his role in the groundbreaking Proto-Punk band The Stooges! Markus and Ray go through the years and the evolutions of his music, including his association with David Bowie. But through it all, Iggy, the man, the legend, the icon endures! Enjoy this episode about the roots of #PunkRock! All of our Punk episodes are here: imbalancedhistory.c...

Markus and Ray have talked about 5 Favorites in this area, but this time, they break out the wider topic of ALL Blues guitarists, not just the favored electric side of things! Send us your 5 Faves! Email us at imbalancedhistory@gmail.com! All episodes are on your favorite podcast app, or right here via our web site: imbalancedhistory.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoi...

The Grateful Dead's Europe '72 was both an incredible ground-breaking live album, and the fulfillment of the band's dream of playing over there! Find out about the roots of "the plan," as the Imbalanced Boys dig into this 3-piece vinyl live monster! Ray mentions an article in SF Gate in the discussion. Check out that article here! Add your comments in the episode on Spotify, or by emailing us at i...

The recent passing of Golden Earring co-founder George Kooymans, succumbing to ALS, caught both of our attention, as "kids" of the Golden Earring era! His lifelong partnership with his neighbor and brother-in-law, Marinus Gerritsen alone is a great tale. The guys share a lot of what they learned along the way. Plus, the music...ahhh their music! Learn more about ALS, and support their efforts to c...

When approaching a discussion as vast as the music of Frank Zappa, the question is, "Where to begin?" The answer is: The Mothers, naturally. Markus and Ray talk about that incredible period, and the wealth and variety of music it gave us. Give us your Mothers Moment via email: imbalancedhistory@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Frank White and Alan Tecchio co-wrote the book, Jersey Metal, smash success! Frank stops for some great stories, an update on the pair's projects plus a surprise or two, all inside this episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Glen E. Friedman joins the guys for a discussion about his newest book, Fearless Vampire Killers, focused on his photos of Bad Brains! While the conversation veers wildly, and includes some of his other work, the Imbalanced Boys focus on this new book, and its subject! Check out his web site, it links to everything!!! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When they dig, they learn! What they learn, they share! The details, the locations, and the truth, when it is out there. Also, like so many episodes, the Imbalanced Ones get a surprise or two in this journey into and through Kiss' legendary Alive album. A true #GameChanger! Email us your Kiss Alive story at: imbalancedhistory@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Movies and Rock n' Roll! Two things that have gone together since the 1950s! In this episode of 5 Favorites, the Imbalanced Brothers discuss those amazing films that rocked their era! These are the films that the guys felt the most. That's why it's called Five Favorites! Kick back and enjoy, then email us your 5 Faves at imbalancedhistory@gmail.com!!! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaph...

This #SummerVacay25 episode is a repeat of our dive into the world of Steely Dan! With a passion for their music and the times, one of the Imbalanced Brothers had more "prime exposure" to the band, but both of them show their understanding and love for this amazing band! Sure, it's a story about Donald and Walter, but it's also a look inside the studio sessions, and more! If you want to add to the...