Guns n Roses at 40 is a hardcover beast—sleek, embossed, and packed with full-color photos, gatefold timelines, and handmade Sunset Strip flyers. It’s pure class with just the right amount of dirt under the nails. *This episode is sponsored by Motorbooks—one of my favorite sponsors because they always hook up the Rock Talk Studio audience with a chance to win great books! And with this sponsorship, they’re taking it one step further by giving away two copies of Guns N' Roses at 40 . All you need...
Jun 24, 2025•10 min•Ep. 74
Buzz Me In: Inside The Record Plant Studio chronicles how two men (with a little help from Hendrix) built the go-to recording hub of the decade. Over-the-top partying, tight deadlines, all-night sessions, and egos the size of hotel suites — this is the 1970s music scene in full throttle. *This episode is sponsored by Thames & Hudson - the world's great publisher of illustrated books on Art, Architecture, Design, Photography, Fashion, Lifestyle, Music, History. *Authors David Goggin and Marti...
Jun 17, 2025•10 min•Ep. 73
Looking for a great new rock n roll documentary to check out? Here's the Top 5 rock n roll docs that have been released so far in 2025. This episode is sponsored by Thames & Hudson Publishing, who were kind enough for hooking one lucky reader up with a free copy of the new book Buzz Me In: Inside The Record Plant Studio. *This episode is sponsored by Thames & Hudson who is sending me over a new book to give away!! Want to win a free copy of the new book Buzz Me In: Inside The Record Plan...
Jun 10, 2025•12 min•Ep. 72
Looking for a new great rock n roll book to check out? Here's the Top 5 rock n roll books that have been released so far in 2025. *This episode is sponsored by Thames & Hudson who is sending me over a new book to give away!! Want to win a free copy of the new book Buzz Me In: Inside The Record Plant Studio? It's easy, just send me an email to sign up. You can find a link to my email address below. *Reminder this is for US citizens only* Support the show email Big Rick at: info@rocktalkstudio...
Jun 03, 2025•13 min•Ep. 71
The last genre that truly changed everything? Author Rob Janicke’s book Slacker tells how grunge didn’t just change music—It changed people. *This episode is sponsored by Thames & Hudson who is sending me over a new book to give away. Want to win a free copy of the new book Buzz Me In: Inside The Record Plant Studio? It's easy, just send me an email to sign up. You can find a link to my email address below. *Reminder this is for US citizens only* Support the show email Big Rick at: info@rock...
May 27, 2025•11 min•Ep. 70
Celebrating all the great Rock n Roll podcasts! Here's the top recommendations for a bunch of great shows to check out. *Want the latest in Rock N Roll Book and Documentaries news sent to your inbox? Sign up for the Monthly BLAST!! the newsletter that comes out on the last Friday of the month that features book buzz and doc news, recently released titles, top 5 lists, and more. Just shoot me over an email at the address below and say Big Rick, send me over that Blast!! Support the show email Big...
May 21, 2025•10 min•Ep. 69
Richard Manual's biography finally does justice to one of rock’s most heartbreaking and beautiful voices. Author Stephen T. Lewis paints a vivid, deeply human portrait of Richard Manuel: gentle, complicated, and quietly unraveling. * Want to win a free copy of Queen & A Night At The Opera: 50 Years? It's easy, just send me an email to sign up. You can find a link to my email address below. *Reminder this is for US citizens only* *Want the latest in Rock N Roll Book and Documentaries news sen...
May 13, 2025•15 min•Ep. 68
SMiLE was an album that never came out. Not in the ’60s when it was made. Not after Pet Sounds. Brian Wilson made an album-when he was 24- that was so visionary it nearly broke him. And this tremendous book gives you everything you ever wanted to know about how SMiLE became myth, then obsession, then burden, and then finally against all odds- triumph! * Want to win a free copy of Queen & A Night At The Opera: 50 Years? It's easy, just send me an email to sign up. You can find a link to my em...
May 06, 2025•15 min•Ep. 67
One rehearsal in the summer of ’68 lit the fuse— Becoming Led Zeppelin captures the raw formation of a band that would change music forever. With newly unearthed John Bonham audio and exclusive interviews from Page, Plant, and Jones, this doc is pure voltage—no critics, no fluff, just Zeppelin, and a ton of great music, in their own words. * Want to win a free copy of Queen & A Night At The Opera: 50 Years? It's easy, just send me an email to sign up. You can find a link to my email address ...
Apr 29, 2025•10 min•Ep. 66
This isn’t just a book. It’s a front-row seat to the moment Queen became immortal. Queen & A Night at the Opera: 50 Years by Gillian G. Gaar is a lavish, photo-packed look into the album that changed everything. With over 250 stunning images, behind-the-scenes stories, and rare insights, this book captures the chaos, craft, and brilliance behind Queen’s boldest leap. Built like a coffee table book, packed like a vault — this is the ultimate Queen fan artifact. * Want to win a free copy of Qu...
Apr 22, 2025•9 min•Ep. 65
In 1983, Cameron Crowe — still early in his career — picked up a camera and quietly captured something incredible. The result? A grainy, gutsy, joy-fueled snapshot of a band still hungry, and still trying to figuring it all out. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers in their hungry years. MTV aired it once in the middle of the night, then shelved it for being too raw. Now it’s restored, with 20 extra minutes, There’s no script, no polish — just raw moments, backstage vibes, late-night jam sessions. It...
Apr 15, 2025•10 min•Ep. 64
From McCartney, The Stones, Creedence Clearwater Revival and Bob Dylan, to Live Aid, farewell tours, tribute acts and Cherry Garcia ice cream. This book by David Hepworth, documents how and why rockers have made it this long, and looks at the pivotal moments that pushed their careers, whether they liked it or not, into the future. * Want to win a free copy of Mike Campbell's memoir Heartbreaker? It's easy, just send me an email to sign up. You can find a link to my email address below. *Reminder...
Apr 08, 2025•13 min•Ep. 63
Perry Farrell's vision transformed a chaotic farewell tour into one of the most influential music festivals, blending diverse acts and cultures in a groundbreaking way. This book features over 200 interviews from artists, promoters, and crew, on how Lollapalooza reshaped the music industry and became a cultural phenomenon. * Want to win a free copy of Mike Campbell's memoir Heartbreaker? It's easy, just send me an email to sign up. You can find a link to my email address below. *Reminder this is...
Apr 01, 2025•15 min•Ep. 62
The Who at two very different stages of their career is presented not only visually (this book has over 500 pictures!) but also with an engaging narrative. Teenage Wasteland: The Who at Winterland, 1968 and 1976 is an innovative approach. One that succeeds because it found a way of delivering all these pictures with comprehensive coverage of The Who during a pivotal time in the bands career. * Want to win a free copy of Mike Campbell's memoir Heartbreaker? It's easy, just send me an email to sig...
Mar 25, 2025•12 min•Ep. 61
Sly Stone invented a sound and style that took the world by storm. It's safe to say there would be no Prince if it weren't for Sly. So why did it come to such a crashing end? Questlove directs a documentary that goes right after the challenges that ruined Sly's music and life while celebrating his genius. BIG NEWS ABOUT THIS MONTH"S GIVEAWAY!! *Want to win a free copy of Mike Campbell's new memoir Heartbreaker ? It's easy, just send me an email to sign up. You can find a link to my email address...
Mar 18, 2025•14 min•Ep. 60
Peter Wolf ex lead singer of The J.Geils Band delivers 35 chapters on his encounters with the most unusual, and extremely interesting people who came into his life. Alfred Hithcock, Muddy Waters, Bob Dylan, David Lynch, Julia Child, Norman Rockwell, Van Morrison, John Lee Hooker and Faye Dunaway all play a significant part in this story. And that is just a few of the names!! This is one of rock n roll's most unique memoirs. ******This week's SHOUT OUT goes to Mad Music Radio Mad Music Radio is a...
Mar 11, 2025•15 min•Ep. 59
Mike Campbell's memoir Heartbreaker , written with Ari Surdoval, is going to blow the minds of every Tom Petty fan. This book includes stories never told and a depth that is rare in a memoir. It is chock full of stories never told and uncovers the inner workings of Mike's relationship with Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers. ******This week's SHOUT OUT goes to Mad Music Radio Mad Music Radio is a small cluster of five internet-only non-commercial radio stations bringing you fantastic music 24 hours...
Mar 04, 2025•11 min•Ep. 58
All the latest book buzz and doc news from artists like: Led Zeppelin, Bob Dylan, Brian Wilson, Tom Petty, Genesis, The Cars, Peter Wolf of The J.Geils Band and many more. Find out the news on all the upcoming titles. *Want to stay on top of the world of Rock N Roll Book and Documentaries? That's also easy. Sign up for the Monthly BLAST!! the newsletter that comes out on the last Friday of the month that features book buzz and doc news, recently released titles, top 5 lists, and more. Just shoot...
Feb 18, 2025•12 min•Ep. 57
How did one man create a guitar shop where Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Tom Petty, Slash, Joe Bonamassa, Melisa Ethridge and Kiefer Sutherland all felt as comfortable as a regular customer? This documentary Norm's Rare Guitars looks at the story behind one of the most iconic guitar shops in the world. *Want to win a free copy of Chris Stein of Blondie's memoir Under A Rock ? It's easy, just send me an email to sign up. You can find a link to my email address below. *Reminder this is for US citize...
Feb 11, 2025•13 min•Ep. 56
Cheap Trick is one of rock's most quirkiest bands with a mid career triumph that launched the band into stardom. How did that all come about, and how did they manage a career that has lasted over 50 years? It's all in the book Cheap Trick American Standard from the Bars to the Budokan and Beyond by Ross Warner. *Want to win a free copy of Chris Stein of Blondie's memoir Under A Rock ? It's easy, just send me an email to sign up. You can find a link to my email address below. *Reminder this is fo...
Feb 04, 2025•10 min•Ep. 55
Can a huge Bob Dylan fan for over 40 years really give the movie A Complete Unknown a fair review? Here comes my best shot. And, I even own up to why A Complete Unknown didn't win any of my year end awards for best documentaries of 2024. *Want to win a free copy of Chris Stein of Blondie's memoir Under A Rock ? It's easy, just send me an email to sign up. You can find a link to my email address below. *Reminder this is for US citizens only* *Want to stay on top of the world of Rock N Roll Book a...
Jan 28, 2025•13 min•Ep. 54
The Beatles have arrived in New York City! Here's a story most rock n roll fans know really well. But this doc, produced by Martin Scorcese, opens up the vaults and puts together an encompassing look at a bunch of different perspectives on the first wave of Beatlemania. *Want to win a free copy of Chris Stein of Blondie's memoir Under A Rock ? It's easy, just send me an email to sign up. You can find a link to my email address below. *Reminder this is for US citizens only* *Want to stay on top o...
Jan 21, 2025•10 min•Ep. 53
True magic was worked in "The Name Of This Band Is R.E.M." as author Peter Ames Carlin came up with an absolutely engaging way to weave the four band members personal stories into the broader presentation about the band. His writing just made you feel like you were right there. And REM’s humble beginnings was a great way to get an up close feel for the four members of the group and their untraditional rise to crazy stardom. This Month's SHOUT OUT goes to - Long Live The ABB Newsletter Allman Bro...
Jan 14, 2025•11 min•Ep. 52
Here comes the Top 10 of 2024's best rock n roll documentaries! If you are looking for the next great doc to check out, here' my list of the best of the best. Springsteen, Joe Cocker, John Lennon, Santana, Nicky Hopkins, and Stevie Van Zandt are just a few artists that released note worth docs in 2024. Which one was the best? Join me for some great viewing recommendations and the best titles of 2024. Want to win a free copy of the number two best book of the year, Robyn Hitchcock's memoir 1967? ...
Jan 09, 2025•18 min•Ep. 51
Join me for the countdown of 2024's best rock n roll books of the year! If you are looking for the next great rock n roll book to check out, here' my list of the best of the best. There are a wide range of great books to choose from including memoirs, oral histories, autobiography's, biographs and a top ten book that took the author 20 years to write. Want to win a free copy of the number two best book of the year? It's easy, just send me an email to sign up. You can find a link to my email addr...
Jan 07, 2025•20 min•Ep. 50
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 The Year!! Awards for Rock n Roll Documentaries go out to Best Doc about A Band, Best Doc About A Band Member, and Best Doc Not About A Band or Band Me...
Dec 17, 2024•24 min•Ep. 49
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 [email protected] to enter! Nicky Hopkins: Session Man finally exposes who was behind some of the most iconic rock 'n' roll piano lines in Rolling Stones, The Kinks, The Beatles and The Who songs. Find ...
Dec 10, 2024•9 min•Ep. 48
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 [email protected] Support the show email Big Rick at: [email protected]...
Dec 03, 2024•8 min•Ep. 47
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 [email protected] 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 name a few. Support the show email Big Rick at: [email protected]...
Nov 26, 2024•12 min•Ep. 46
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 [email protected] 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 finally been unearthed, giving us a look at the first days of this legendary friendship. This month’s SHOUT OUT goes to the Zappagram. The Zappagram is th...
Nov 19, 2024•11 min•Ep. 45
