The second annual books and docs of the year award show! All the best rock n roll books and documentaries of 2024. Awards for Best Rock n Roll Book About a Band, Best Rock n Roll Book About a Band member, Best Rock n Roll Book that I Learned The Most From and Best Rock n Roll Book Not About A Band or Band Member. Plus the Best Rock n Roll Book of T…

Tiffany Murray grew up at Rockfield Studios after her Mum was appointed chef - she tells us about meeting Black Sabbath & Ozzy Osbourne, David Bowie, Queen, Iggy Pop, Motorhead, Simple Minds, The Teardrop Explodes, Echo & The Bunnymen, Adam & The Ants, Siouxsie Sioux, Lemmy's parents, Showaddywaddy, Rush & Bauhaus. It takes anything from 5 to 40 ho…

Win the new Robyn Hitchcock memoir 1967-How I Got There and Why I Never Left simply by signing up for the free monthly email BLAST!! The BLAST!! keeps you on top of the world of rock n roll books and documentaries and serves as an extra layer of coverage to the podcast. Shoot me an email at info@rocktalkstudio.com to enter! Nicky Hopkins: Session M…

Join us on our first trip to Seattle for part 1 of our conversation with Steve Turner from Mudhoney - Steve's book Mudride is out now on Omnibus Press. It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so…

This is a first for the podcast, not only do you get a review of a recommended title, one lucky winner is going to get a copy of this new slick coffee table style book - Rush at 50. How do you get in on the drawing for next months free book - Robyn Hitchcock's memoir 1967? Just send me an email at info@rocktalkstudio.com Support the show email Big …

This week we are joined by ex The Fall drummer Simon Wolstencroft AKA Funky Si - after meeting Ian Brown & John Squire at Altrincham Grammar School he & John follow The Clash around the UK travelling to gigs as far away as Bristol & London. In addition to a huge interest in The Sex Pistols & The Clash, other bands they follows as teens included The…

Win the new Robyn Hitchcock memoir 1967, and the new Rush book- Rush at 50, simply by signing up for the free monthly BLAST!! Shoot me an email at info@rocktalkstudio.com to enter! Rock n Roll Book and Documentary news this month features projects from: The Beatles, Joni Mitchell, Mike Campbell, The J.Geils Band, Nicky Hopkins and The Bangles to na…

Introducing DETOURS - occasionally we come across something which does not fit directly into our Music Map but we think our listeners will like anyway - this week we are joined by James Brown, founder of Loaded Magazine, NME features editor (at age 22), fanzine creator & originator of the GQ Man of The Year. Changing the landscape of the publishing…

Jakko Jakszyk joins us to take us on a tour through his wide ranging career encompassing his current role as singer of King Crimson, stints in The Lodge, Level 42, solo albums on Stiff Records & Chiswick Records, working with Tom Robinson, remix work for the likes of Emerson Lake & Palmer, Jethro Tull & Yes. Briefly being a member of The Kinks, a s…

Win the new Robyn Hitchcock memoir 1967, and the new Rush book- Rush at 50, simply by signing up for the free monthly BLAST!! Shoot me an email at info@rocktalkstudio.com to enter! Today’s episode looks at how the partnership between The Grateful Dead’s lyricist Robert Hunter and Jerry Garcia started. This lost manuscript, written in 1961, has fina…

Join us on a trip to Zanzibar by way of India & Feltham as we trace the early years of Freddie Mercury. It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: ko-fi.com/musicmaps It is hugely …

The most highly anticipated rock n roll book of the year is out. Alex Van Halen's memoir is a love letter to his brother Ed. Did it live up to the hype? And did the 240 pages tell the whole story? *Sign up to win the new Rush book: Rush at 50 It's easy- just send me an email and say, "Big Rick, send me that killer new Rush book," and I will enter y…

Kathy Valentine joins us to talk about her career, her new book, her time with The Go-Go's, her induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame & more. It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at …

The band has been together for close to 50 years. They haven't toured in 6 years. Why is this set list so important? Road Diary-Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band is a rock n roll documentary that incapsulates everything that makes a Springsteen show so powerful. This is on the list of the top 5 Rock Docs of the year! Support the show email Bi…

Join us as we present our first live episode - recorded at one of our live events here in Walthamstow, East London - talking all things Britpop & the 90's with Miranda Sawyer & Sian Pattenden. Including Suede, Blur, Elastica, Sleeper, Pulp, Oasis, The Verve, Robbie Williams, Tricky, Glastonbury & a lot more. It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to …

Here's all the latest book buzz and documentary news you don't want to miss! Projects from The Beatles, Bachman Turner Overdrive, The Tragically Hip, Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band and Elton John to name a few are featured on this month's BONUS EPISODE. Plus, your chance to win the new Rush book "Rush at 50!" Support the show email Big Ric…

The 1989 album is 10 years old on October 27th 2014 - so we thought we'd take a deep dive into the story behind this iconic record. It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: ko-fi…

Is there really anything more to learn about John Lennon and Yoko Ono? Mind Games the book answers that questions with the inclusion of never before seen essays, documents, hand written lyrics, and over 750 photos. This definitive exploration is made up of Lennon and Ono's thoughts during the making, producing, and releasing of the album, plus cont…

Bella Union label founder Simon Raymonde joins us this week to talk us through his time with the Cocteau Twins. It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: ko-fi.com/musicmaps It is…

Join us to take a deep dive into the life & career of LBGTQ icon Dusty Springfield - starting with her early life first in West Hampstead in London & then briefly in High Wycombe, Dusty attended a convent school but reinvented herself after leaving school into the glamorous blonde icon she became famous as. It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to p…

The oddest, interesting, quirky, unique rock n roll book I have ever read. EVER? Yes! 1967: How I Got There and Why I Never Left by Robyn Hitchcock is a delightful read that takes you back to a special time in rock n roll history. Hitchcock writes his life story from his early teens persona as he discovers the life altering power of rock n roll. Su…

Steve Wynn joins us to tell us all about his time with the Dream Syndicate, the formation of the band & the Paisley Underground scene. Steve's new book is out now on Jawbone Press & his latest record Make It Right is out on Fire Records. It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contributio…

This book is a treasure. Author Paul Zollo got a chance in 2004 and 2005 to sit and talk with Tom Petty, discussing his life and music. This book is a record of these conversation. We are so lucky to have a document like this that so deeply explores not only Tom Petty's craft, but the many chapters of his life and career. Support the show email Big…

Featuring exclusive clips from Jah Wobble, Stewart Lee, Caroline Catz & Richard Norris sharing their memories of the Scala Cinema - documentary makers Jane Giles & Ali Catterall join us to share the history of the cinema from its original Soho location & its 2nd home in Kings Cross in London. It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each epi…

The latest news from Alex Van Halen's memoir "Brothers" plus news on projects from Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen, Rush, Yoko Ono and Paul McCartney to name a few. Catch up on all the book buzz and documentary news for the month of September! Support the show email Big Rick at: info@rocktalkstudio.comPor Your Host: Big Rick

Clem Cattini tells us about the birth of British rock & roll - Clem has played on over 40 number 1 singles, including Shakin’ All Over by Johnny Kidd & The Pirates & of course Telstar with his band the Tornados, the first British band to top the charts in America. It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d…

This book was a little outside of the usual rock n roll books I review. But I took a chance. And because of the unique storytelling and interesting personal path author Ann Powers took to tell the story, I found myself engaged throughout. This is not a Joni Mitchell biography. This is the life of Mitchell questioned, examined, and presented with th…

Part 2 of our chat with Prince biographer Matt Thorne picks up where we left off with the release of his debut album For You in 1977 on Warner Bros. It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at…

The iconic music doc and album, Joe Cocker's Mad Dogs and Englishmen, gets a well deserved follow up in this new documentary "Learning To Live Together: The Return of Mad Dogs and Englishmen" 50 years later the Tedeschi Trucks band put together a massive tribute to the Mad Dogs and Englishmen legacy, reuniting 12 member of the original band to play…

Join us as we chart Prince's formative years in Minneapolis, Minnesota with biographer Matt Thorne. It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: ko-fi.com/musicmaps It is hugely impo…

Is the Stone Pony the most iconic rock n roll bar in America? I dive into the oral history of this still standing Asbury Park New Jersey landmark that uses quotes from Bruce Springsteen, Steven Van Zant, Patti Smith, Zack Wylde, Tom Morello and a cast of a hundred more artists to tell this tale. Support the show email Big Rick at: info@rocktalkstud…

Pulp Part 1 - Nick Banks joined Pulp in 1986 after seeing an ad outside Sheffield Leadmill & as a fan of the local band already decided to audition, making his live debut at the Adelphi Hotel in Hull shortly after. It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the …

Join us to take a deep dive into the little known history of Joy Division right here on our home turf in Walthamstow, East London. Find out from a first hand source how the band came to play 2 gigs here in 1979 - how it came about, how many people were there, what happened & more. It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Musi…

There is only one movie of this immense caliber that was inspired by songs that served as the soundtrack for the movie. And there was only one Prince. This beautifully put together coffee style book does the legacy of the Purple One justice by leaving nothing left to explore about the groundbreaking Purple Rain album and movie. Support the show ema…

Join us on our first trip to Scotland, Edinburgh to be precise to retrace the history of on elf post-punk's most iconic bands, Josef K. It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: k…

David Lee Roths' crazy manic muse is unmatched in rock n roll. There are very few who can keep up to his always on personality and this book does it best to track down anyone who tried. This episode digs into the DLR Book - How David Lee Roth Changed The World by Darren Paltrowitz. Support the show email Big Rick at: info@rocktalkstudio.com…

We welcome Jah Wobble to tell us about his time with PiL (Public Image Limited). It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: ko-fi.com/musicmaps It is hugely important for us to get…

One of the greatest concerts of all time that most know very little about. This new doc, Revival 69 - the Concert That Rocked The World, brings unprecedented live footage and a story like no other to finally expose this amazing moment in rock n roll history. This episode also includes all the latest rock n roll book buzz and documentary news on pro…

Biographer Lesley-Ann Jones joins us to talk about Paul McCartney's time in Scotland living on High Park Farm near Campbeltown. It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: ko-fi.com…

Carrying on our chat with Tim Booth we continue on the early years of James with the recording of their first demo, signing to Factory Records & making their debut release with the Jimone EP in November 1983. It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs …

Chris Stein tells the other side of the Blondie story in his new memoir. Gritty New York City tales from the 70's and 80's bring you right into the CBGB scene. This episodes also includes book and doc news about new projects featuring John Lennon and Yoko Ono, Eric Clapton, Chuck Berry, The Doors, and Melissa Etheridge to name a few. Support the sh…

Tim Booth joins us this week to talk about his new book 'When I Died For The First Time' out now on Constable (imprint of Little Brown). It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: …

Helen O'Hara joins us as we talk through her early career from getting a knock on the door to play with Kevin Archer's The Blue Ox Babes to later joining Dexys Midnight Runners. It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episo…

Stevie Van Zant Disciple documentary needs over two hours to tell the story of one of rock's most accomplished careers. Guest appearances by Paul McCartney, Jackson Browne, Peter Wolf, and of course Bruce himself take this doc over the top. It's one not to miss. This episode also includes book and doc news about projects featuring The Grateful Dead…

This week we make our first visit to Birmingham to trace the history & early years of Dexys Midnight Runners It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: ko-fi.com/musicmaps It is hu…

For 13 days he was a Beatles. He actually saved the Beatles first world tour. He was 24 years old. And then he was gone. And most people don’t even know his name. How is it possible that drummer Jimmie Nicol could simply vanish after playing with the Beatles? The new book "The Beatle Who Vanished" finally solves the mystery of what happened to Nico…

FIXED AUDIO - sorry the original audio was the previous episode with Thurston Moore, meaning anyone who had already downloaded before we fixed it cannot update to the new audio. So here is a new version for anyone with the wrong audio. Join writer John Niven to have a chat about Bob Dylan & the Band & the time they spent in Woodstock. It takes anyt…

Join writer John Niven to have a chat about Bob Dylan & the Band & the time they spent in Woodstock. It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: ko-fi.com/musicmaps It is hugely imp…

Thurston Moore returns for the 2nd part of our chat. It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: ko-fi.com/musicmaps It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star rat…

King Curtis played with Buddy Holly. Jimi Hendrix joined King's band. He opened for the Beatles at Shea Stadium. One of his best friends was Duane Allman. There is a ton of rock n roll tales told in the new book Soul Serenade: King Curtis and his Immortal Saxophone. I am really glad I looked passed King Curtis's R&B and Jazz resume because there wa…