The Rock Pod

From new wave cool to Lennon’s big leap, this week in rock is stacked with milestones. The Cars’ Benjamin Orr celebrates a birthday, John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band step onstage in Toronto for a post-Beatles turning point, and MTV launches the very first VMAs—complete with Madonna’s unforgettable “Like a Virgin” moment. Elvis lands on TV Guide , Eddie Cochran signs his big deal, and the beat...

In this brutally honest, fully loaded deep dive, Jimmy takes you into the heart of grunge’s darkest, heaviest chapter: Alice In Chains . From their hair-metal origins to haunting harmonies and heroin-fueled heartbreak, this episode covers it all—Layne Staley’s tortured genius, Jerry Cantrell’s crushing riffs, the platinum rise of Facelift and Dirt , the legendary MTV Unplugged performance, and the...

Get ready to shred, scream, and split-kick your way through rock history as The Rock Pod dives deep into the electrifying story of Van Halen — the band that redefined arena rock and guitar heroics. From backyard parties in Pasadena to sold-out stadiums around the world, this episode covers it all: Eddie’s genre-smashing guitar wizardry, David Lee Roth’s high-flying antics, Sammy Hagar’s era of cha...

From Beatles anthems to Doors demos, this week in rock history is stacked. Hey Jude stormed the charts in 1968, Traffic played their swan song, and Stevie Ray Vaughan’s friends and heroes gathered for a tearful tribute. The Grateful Dead funked things up with Shakedown Street , Tom Waits turned weird with Swordfishtrombones , and The Doors cut their first-ever demo. Plus, George Harrison gave us W...

Rockers, buckle up — The Rock Pod Season 2 is about to crank it to eleven! This season we’re spotlighting legends and icons — Cheap Trick, Metallica, Smashing Pumpkins, AC/DC, Huey Lewis, Mötley Crüe, Pantera, Alice In Chains, Nirvana… and oh yeah, so, so many more. We’re bringing you deep dives, wild backstories, and for the first time ever — some epic panel discussions with really cool people wh...

From stadium-shaking anthems to festival chaos, this week was a monster for rock ’n’ roll history. Bruce Springsteen released Born to Run and changed the game, Boston unleashed their record-breaking debut, and Canada Jam packed in 110,000 fans. Bob Dylan dropped Highway 61 Revisited , Nirvana said farewell to the UK at Reading, and then stormed back with “Heart-Shaped Box.” Plus, Gene Simmons and...

This week in rock is packed with game-changing firsts and legendary moments. Ringo Starr makes his live debut with The Beatles, Queen begins the epic recording of “Bohemian Rhapsody,” and Rancid drops …And Out Come the Wolves , igniting the ’90s punk revival. Plus, The Beatles launch their first North American tour, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young hit Woodstock for only their second public show,...

"ROCK FANS! It’s time to settle the debate once and for all… WHAT is the greatest guitar riff in rock history?! We want YOUR pick — head to TheRockPod.com/RiffFest and make your voice heard! And don’t forget to LIKE and FOLLOW The Rock Pod wherever you get your podcasts… because soon, we’re dropping the ultimate countdown to crown the riff of all riffs! This… is… RIFF FEST! " !!!VOTE NOW!!! #TheRo...

It’s almost time! The Rock Pod Season 2 drops September 2nd — louder, deeper, and with even more rock ‘n’ roll mayhem. But hey… while you’re waiting, why not crank up one of our 34 killer episodes from Season 1 ? We’ve covered legends, one-hit wonders, and all the stories your high school history teacher definitely didn’t tell you. So plug in, press play, and let’s keep the volume up until Septemb...

From Elvis to Woodstock, this week in rock history is loaded with game-changing moments. We revisit August 15, 1965, when The Beatles made stadium concert history at Shea Stadium, relive the counterculture explosion of Woodstock in 1969, and crank it up at the very first Monsters of Rock festival in 1980. Plus, milestones from The Rascals, Deep Purple, and a key early Beatles gig in Hamburg that h...

Take a ride through rock’s time machine as we rewind to the week of August 4–10! From The Beatles changing the game with Revolver to Oasis breaking UK sales records, from Jerry Garcia’s final bow to Pat Benatar’s powerhouse Crimes of Passion — we’ve got the milestones, the music, and the madness. Plus, a roll call of rock star birthdays including The Edge of U2 and Rikki Rockett of Poison. Whether...

Special Episode – The Rock Pod They brought distortion to devotion and worship to the wall of sound—this is the story of Kutless . From their early days in Portland’s college scene to worship chart-toppers like Strong Tower and Carry Me to the Cross , Kutless walked the line between rock band and ministry with unapologetic energy. In this fully scripted, 3-hour deep dive, Jimmy unpacks: The band's...

SEASON 2 IS COMING! The Rock Pod returns September 2nd with more stories, more riffs, and the same Jimmy you know and tolerate. While you wait, binge one of 33 wild episodes from Season 1—featuring rock gods, misfit anthems, and bands that exploded (sometimes literally). Available everywhere you stream podcasts. Or head to TheRockPod.com Drop your favorite Season 1 episode in the comments! #TheRoc...

What do you get when you mix the powerhouse voice of Lou Gramm, the guitar fire of Vivian Campbell, a rock-solid rhythm section, and zero label support? Shadow King — the ‘90s supergroup that lit a spark and disappeared almost overnight. In this deep dive episode, Jimmy breaks down the origins, only album, one live show, and sudden disappearance of one of hard rock’s greatest “what could’ve been”...

On this episode of The Rock Pod , Jimmy dives a little further into the life, music, and myth of Tom Petty—America’s reluctant rock ‘n’ roll rebel. This part 2 episode is packed with backstories, personal battles, and the sheer stubborn brilliance that made Petty a rock icon. Visit TheRockPod.com for more information! Theme music: "Walk" by Silvertrip (used by permission) #TheRockPod #NoRulesJustR...

On this episode of The Rock Pod , Jimmy dives deep into the life, music, and myth of Tom Petty—America’s reluctant rock ‘n’ roll rebel. From his Florida roots and early heartbreaks to taking on the music industry and crafting a legacy of anthems that defined generations, this part 1 episode is packed with backstories, personal battles, and the sheer stubborn brilliance that made Petty a rock icon....

From his bat-biting antics to reality TV stardom, Ozzy Osbourne’s journey has been anything but ordinary. In this 3-hour deep dive, Jimmy explores the chaotic, hilarious, and legendary life of the Prince of Darkness. We’re talking Black Sabbath, solo triumphs, The Osbournes TV years, and the wild, unapologetic legacy of one of rock’s most iconic figures. Whether it’s his legendary riffs, his chaot...

NEW EPISODE: “Beck: The Art of Being a Loser and Loving It” Get ready for a sonic journey through the life and legacy of Beck , the shape-shifting legend who turned weird into wonderful. From “Loser” to Sea Change , Odelay to Hyperspace , we’re breaking down the man, the myth, the master of genre-hopping madness. Hosted by Jimmy, packed with deep cuts, backstories, and laughs. Two turntables. One...

They came, they rocked, they vanished. In this episode of The Rock Pod , Jimmy dives headfirst into the loud, weird, and unforgettable world of '90s rock one-hit wonders . From Marcy Playground’s dreamy weirdness to Chumbawamba’s pub-punk revolution, we unpack the stories behind the songs that burned bright and disappeared faster than a Tower Records sticker. Get the behind-the-scenes tales, surpr...

This week on The Rock Pod , Jimmy grabs his slide guitar and dives deep into the blues-soaked, boogie-fueled legacy of Foghat —the British rockers who turned American barrooms into rock arenas. From their roots in Savoy Brown to their meteoric rise with "Slow Ride" , we unpack the hits, the heartbreaks, the hell-raising tours, and the unsung influence they've had on rock 'n roll. It’s three hours...

Strap in and crank it up as Jimmy takes you on an epic, amp-blasting journey through the story of Foreigner —the transatlantic powerhouse that blended soul, synth, and searing riffs to dominate the rock charts for decades. From the formation by guitar wiz Mick Jones , to the unforgettable vocals of Lou Gramm , we break down the band’s meteoric rise, legendary albums, behind-the-scenes drama, and t...

They may not get the critical accolades of some of their peers, but they’ve earned a place in the hearts of millions. The soaring keyboards, sing-along choruses, and emotional lyrics continue to fill arenas, drive radio playlists, and soundtrack countless life moments. From sweaty college bars in Illinois to sold-out arenas worldwide, REO Speedwagon ’s journey is a testament to sticking with it an...

Strap in for a deep dive into the razor-sharp world of Elvis Costello — the bespectacled wordsmith who defied genres, rattled the establishment, and carved out one of the most fascinating careers in modern music. Host Jimmy takes you from Costello's London upbringing to his explosive debut, through his punk-tinged anger, his many reinventions, collaborations with legends, personal controversies, a...

Strap on your leather jacket, lace up those battered Chucks, and hit the Bowery with Jimmy as The Rock Pod takes a full-throttle deep dive into the wild world of The Ramones — the misfits who accidentally invented punk rock. In this fully loaded episode, we’ll blast through: Their humble beginnings in Queens, NY The legendary CBGB scene The creation of their iconic debut album The insane Phil Spec...

She kicked down every door. Told every label “screw you.” And made rock 'n' roll hers. 🎤 The Rock Pod dives headfirst into the badass life of Joan Jett — from teenage punk breaking the rules with The Runaways to owning the stage with The Blackhearts. This episode is pure rebellion, raw riffs, and zero apologies. Leather jacket on. Volume maxed. 👉 Hit play — and let Joan remind you how it’s done....