Our story today follows the tale of an American Rock and Roller and songwriter named Del Shannon. Now hopefully you already know who this man is and assuming you do, im sure you already know his song Runaway. One of the greatest songs of all time. But - do you know anything else about Del Shannon?
Monday, July 31, 2023
Friday, June 30, 2023
Episode 19: Hanging On The Telephone - Jack Lee/The Nerves
Earlier this month, it was announced that at the end of last month, another rock and roll legend left us and ascended to the rock and roll heavens.
While this legend may fall into the often overlooked category we like to focus so much on here, it doesn’t make him any less of a legend. In fact, I think it makes him even more of a legend because he has that cool air of mystery floating about him. Jack Lee penned many great songs over his musical career, and while not all of them were big commercial successes, his songwriting and music styling have been hugely influential on many who have come after him.Featured:
Bob Dylan - I Was Young When I Left Home
The Nerves - Hanging on the Telephone
Scott Mckenzie - San Francisco
The Nerves - When You Find Out
Blondie - Hanging on the Telephone
Paul Collins - Many Roads to Follow
The Nerves - Many Roads to Follow
Extras:
Monday, May 29, 2023
EPISODE 18: Rock Island Line - Lead Belly/Lonnie Donegan/The Beatles
Our story today will highlight a song that is ingrained in the DNA of rock and roll. It may even fall into the often overlooked category because, these days, it seems people have forgotten this song.
That’s strange to someone like me or you, but when you look around, it's easy to see that this style has sadly fallen by the wayside. But I guess the times they are a changing... Anyway, this song played a massive role in shaping rock and roll as we know it today, and so it should be celebrated. This little diddy is known as
"Rock Island Line."
Lead Belly |
Featured:
Kansas City - Mr. Guitar Billy Strange
Rock Island Line - John Lomax And the Prison Gang
Lonnie Donegan |
Rock Island Line - George Melly
The King Is Still In London - Sam Brown
Frankie and Johnny - Ken Cooke
Isle of Capri - Ken Colyers Jazzmen
Live Instrumental - Lonnie Johnson
South Side Shake - Dan Burley & His Skiffle Boys
John Lennon Playing Skiffle With The Quarrymen |
Rock Island Line - Lonnie Donegan
Rock Island Line - Johnny Cash
Rock Island Line - Lennon/McCartney
Friday, April 14, 2023
EPISODE 17: Hitsville USA - Motown/Berry Gordy
Today's episode is about the tale of how one of the most important record labels in not only rock and roll history, but all history came to be. In fact, I think it’s pretty safe to say that this just might be Thee very top top most important label of all time.
This label produced hit after hit and launched the careers of some of the most iconic artists of all time this label also transformed the music industry and left an indelible mark on popular culture. The label I’m talking about, of course, is Motown.
Tuesday, March 21, 2023
EPISODE 16: Rumble - Link Wray
Todays story follows the tale a Native American Man, who by wielding an electric guitar managed to roughen up the course of rock and roll history by making the genre dangerous, sexy and even more notorious than ever before.. And he did it by only strumming 3 simple little guitar chords. Amazing right?
Garage Rock, Punk rock, heavy metal all the rocks all the metals all owe this man their respect and beer..a man named Link Wray and the big little song he came up with called
RUMBLE
Featured:
Merle Johnston - If I Had My Way
Mike Scott - Will The Circle Be Unbroken
Thomas Ramsay - If I Had A Hammer
Curtis Gordon - Mobile Alabama
Link Wray - Aint That Lovin You Baby
Eastwood Guitar Blog - Legend of Link Wray
Vinyl Me Please - Link Wray Went to the Chicken Shack
Guardian - Rumble: The Story of Link Wray
Classic Rock on MV - Interview
Extras:
The Diamonds on American Bandstand
Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked The World
Monday, February 6, 2023
EPISODE 15: Shattered - King Louie Bankston
Todays episode will be slightly different than our regularly scheduled programming.Yes Todays show is A different flavor….maybe even Tony Cacheres flavored as Today we are Honoring the life of King Louie Bankston! 1 Year since his passing..I am aware that many of you might not be familiar with who King Louie is, or why he’s Cajun flavored, but that is precisely why I decided to do this episode today. If you love or care about ..or even just enjoy rock and roll, then you should certainly know about this dude. Royal Pendletons, Persuaders, Bad, Times, Jay Reatard, Exploding Hearts..Its All in here!
RIP King Louie!
Monday, January 2, 2023
EPISODE 14: Podcast B. Goode REDUX
This being the First episode of the New and Improved Series, I can’t think of a better place to start than with this standard classic. This song is the Epitome of Rock and Roll. The sound and style of this number, would go on to shape rock and roll music and change the way people not only play guitar but even the way they LOOK at a guitar!
It’s an absolute game changer..
This song I’m talking about.. is of course.. none other than...JOHNNY B. GOODE by the one and only.. Chuck Berry.
THE TRUE KING OF ROCK AND ROLL
Featured:
Bo Diddley/Chuck Berry - Chucks Beat
Guitar Training Method - Flying Home (Charlie Christian)
Charlie Christian - Swing to Bop
The Hit Co. - Maybelline (Instrumental)
Johnny B. Goode (Alternate Takes 2 & 3)
Louis Jordan - Aint that Just Like a Woman (1946)
T-Bone Walker - Strollin' With Bones
Chuck Berry - Wee Wee Hours (Instrumental)
Chuck Berry - Johnny B. Goode
Bo Diddley, Little Richard, Chuck Berry - Hail Hail Rock and Roll
References:
The Story of Johnny B. Goode - The Guardian
The Johnny B. Goode Sessions - Dietmar Rudolph
The Original King of Rock and Roll
Factual America - John Brewer interview
Chuck Berry - The Autobiography
Extra:
Great Interview of Chuck Berry
First recording of Chuck Berry - Joe Alexander and the Cubans