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?
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.
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:
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."
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| Lead Belly |
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| Lonnie Donegan |
Featured:
Kansas City - Mr. Guitar Billy Strange
Rock Island Line - John Lomax And the Prison Gang
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
Rock Island Line - Lonnie Donegan
Rock Island Line - Johnny Cash
Rock Island Line - Lennon/McCartney
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| John Lennon Playing Skiffle With The Quarrymen |
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 tip 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
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
References:
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
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!
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| He's a One Man Band! |
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
Todays episode takes place in the 1930s on a dark, foggy road Deep down south in mississippi. At a place where two dirt roads meet. a place known as the Crossroad. Culturally throughout time a Crossroad represents a place of ambiguity. To some, its a portal between two realms, “a place that’s neither here nor there”.
This tale follows a young man by the name of
Robert Johnson
He is a legendary guitar player, known as one of the originators or the Delta Blues sound. According to legend one day the young mr. Johnson took himself on down to one of these crossroads and As Legend has it, he met The Devil Himself and made a deal to sell his soul in exchange for some ripping guitar skills that could melt the faces off everyone down on the river delta.
Featured:
Raymond Walker - Mississippi Dippy
Document Records - Mississippi Blues
Koki Nitobe - Terraplane Blues
Jelly Roll Blues Band - Red Hots
Symbolic Meanings of the Crossroads
Howstuff works: The Devil and Robert Johnson
Polyphonic: The Truth about the Devil and the Crossroads
Amazing Robert Johnson Documentary Hosted by DANNY GLOVER!
OpenCulture: Legend of Bluesman Robert Johnson
Featured:
Robert Johnson - Sweet Home Chicago
Billy Joe & The Checkmates - Percolator (Twist)
Camden Mckimm - Surfin' Safari
The Easybeats - Friday On My Mind
Extras:
Produce Like a Pro - Full Interview
Like the Show? Comment Below!
Today's Episode follows the story of another Often Overlooked Woman in Rock and Roll History. A Musician. A Legend. Carol Kaye. Another name that you should all know, but if you don't. After this episode it will be a name you will never forget since you have most definitely heard - and most definitely love, many of the hits she’s played on.
Johnny Ramone - Viva Las Vegas
Tommy Dorsey - Sentimental Over You
Bobby Crosby Orchestra - Zoot Suit
Charlie Christian - Poor Butterfly
Ronettes - Walking in the Rain (Instrumental)
Nancy Sinatra - These Boots (Instrumental)
Extras:
Alka Seltzer / Wrigleys - Commercials
Carol Kaye - Sessions Legend Full Interview
Batlemania Speaks! - Podcast Interview
Midnight Lightning - Podcast Interview
Like the Show? Comment Below!
“Brill Building Pop”
What the hell is that!?!? .. I must admit, I’d never really heard of the genre and I'm almost embarrassed to say I wasn’t sure what it was.. but as I dug into it I found out I was very familiar without even knowing it. My guess is you are too.. It turns out that I loved so much of this “ Brill Building Sound” that I decided to look up what a “brill building” was and then my mind exploded!
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| Rock and Roll GOD Neil Sedaka |
Featured:
Oh Neil - Carole King (1.25 speed)
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow - David Snell
Then He Kissed Me - Stephen Weir (1.25 Speed)
Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) - Sing King
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| Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil, and Carole King |
Walk on By Episode 4 (Producer Pop)
Always Magic in the Air: The Bomp and Brilliance of the Brill Building Era - By: Ken Emerson
History of Rock - Brill Building
This is Pop - The Brill Building in 4 Songs - Netflix
Like the Show? Comment Below!
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| Probably the guitar and bed he wrote "To Know Him" on |
Jumping Someone Else's Train - Philippe Mrowka
Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah - Johnny Mercer
Dont You Worry My Little Pet - The Teddy Bears
To Know Him is to Love Him - The Teddy Bears (The Perry Como Show 1958)
Be My Baby - The Ronettes (Backing Track w/ sweet pic of Hal Blaine)
California Sun (Instrumental) - Ramones
Do You Remember Rock and Roll Radio? - Ramones
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| Dee Dee isn't taking any of this dudes crap |
Groovy History - Ramones vs. Phil Spector