From music to hairstyles to the very fabric of pop culture, The Beatles changed everything. Having interviewed several Beatles himself, guest best-selling author Bob Spitz, (The Beatles: The Biography) shares astonishing, never-before-heard insights into their journey, influence, and the untold stories that shaped the most influential band of all time. Don’t miss this deep dive into Beatlemania like you’ve never heard before! You'll learn:The Beatles’ extremely difficult childhoods—and how it affected their personalitiesThe fateful meeting that sparked John and Paul’s teenage friendship The wild tour debauchery they kept hidden—until nowThe unexpected influences that shaped their soundThe Beatles & Bob Dylan’s game-changing impact on each otherThe "biggest mistake that led to their breakup", according to insider Bob SpitzJohn Lennon’s near-tragic spiral into hard drugs and its effect on the groupHow a rock-n-roll outsider created The Beatles’ image Guest Bio:Bob Spitz is a journalist and author of the million-selling book The Beatles: The Biography. Early in his career, Bob was a rock insider as manager for Bruce Springsteen and Elton John. He also authored a New York Times best-seller on Led Zeppelin and joined us as a guest on our Story of Led Zeppelin episode. Want to learn more music history? Subscribe to our bonus Garage to Stadium content across our social + web channels
A top 5% of podcasts in the world, Garage to Stadiums is a podcast for true music fans — the ones who want more than just headlines and hype. This show is for listeners who care about the full story behind the artists: their childhoods, musical influences, early gigs, personal battles, journey to stadium-level fame and the drama in between. Why are we different? In each episode host Dave Anthony features guests who know their stuff and bring real insights from their time with the performers — from respected rock journalists to documentary filmmakers.If you want smarter music commentary and behind-the-scenes stories you won’t hear anywhere else, subscribe now and get your backstage pass to music history.
Travel back to the political protests and civil unrest of the late 1960s that spawned the legendary Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young — America’s first supergroup comprised of members of previously successful bands. The result: clashing egos, legendary breakups, wild lives, yet timeless harmonies that stunned audiences and influenced The Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, Jackson Browne, and many more that followed. You'll learn:1. The very different upbringings & personalities of each of the four members 2. How they played their first ever gig in front of 500,000 people 3. Their incredible creation of a powerful protest song only 3 weeks after an American tragedy 4. The often bitter in-group rivalries that challenged their very existence 5. How one member committed serious federal offences and was jailed Want to learn more interesting music history? Subscribe to our bonus Garage to Stadium content across our social + web channelsGuest Biography for this episodeDavid Browne is the author of Crosby Stills, Nash and Young: The Wild, Definitive Saga of Rock's Greatest Supergroup. David is a senior writer at Rolling Stone magazine and a former music critic at Entertainment Weekly. He's profiled legends like Bob Dylan, The Grateful Dead and Sonic Youth. He joined us from New York.
Experience one of music's big bang moments when 19-year-old Mick Jagger, carrying a handful of RnB albums, ran into Keith Richards on a train platform. Together, they would overcome tragedy, addictions, death and mayhem of all sorts to make it to the top and stay there. This isn't just the tale of a band, it's the saga of survival, reinvention and rebellion, and at its core, it's the story of two kids from Dartford, Mick and Keith, who led The Stones to became undisputed icons of rock and roll. In Part 1 you'll learn. How fate intervened to bring all of The Stones together as a bandWho really founded The Stones and the strange origins of the band name The role that two women played in influencing their music About one of the first famous deaths in rock The financial mayhem they faced & the role of a mysterious Prince Some of the factors that drove their dark songs like Gimme Shelter & Sympathy for the DevilWant to learn more music history? Subscribe to our bonus Garage to Stadium content across our social + web channelsGuest BioChristopher Sanford is the author of The Rolling Stones: 60 years, he's written acclaimed biographies of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Paul McCartney, Sting and Kurt Cobain, as well as books on John F Kennedy and Roman Polanski. For more than two decades, he's written about music and film for major media outlets on both sides of the Atlantic. Rolling Stone magazine has called him "the preeminent author in his field".
In Part 2, we journey through the 1970s and ’80s, to experience how The Rolling Stones navigated financial ruin, courtroom battles, and drug-fueled chaos. Their survival and evolution forged their legend—every scar a jewel in the crown they wear today. In Part 2 you'll learn:How financial problems led to one of their finest albums About their legendary debaucherous 1972 tour That the chaos of 1970s New York City played a key role in their sound evolution Why Mick and Keith's relationship almost came to an endHow one of their most famous tunes started as a reggae songThe innovation The Stones brought to the concert touring modelWant to learn more music history? Subscribe to our bonus Garage to Stadium content across our social + web channelsGuest BioChristopher Sanford is the author of The Rolling Stones: 60 years, he's written acclaimed biographies of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Paul McCartney, Sting and Kurt Cobain, as well as books on John F Kennedy and Roman Polanski. For more than two decades, he's written about music and film for major media outlets on both sides of the Atlantic. Rolling Stone magazine has called him "the preeminent author in his field".
Hop on the wild ride of Led Zeppelin that swings between euphoric triumphs and gut-wrenching tragedies. Delve deep into the Led Zeppelin story with Bob Spitz, the author of Led Zeppelin: The Biography, who sheds light on the band's journey from their humble beginnings in 1968 to their premature demise in 1980. In this episode, learn:How the founder of Zeppelin was a stellar studio musician seeking a new career challengeHow the lead singer had the same background as the Peaky Blinders How two famous members of the band were unknowns playing in bar bands How Led Zep tours reached levels of sexual debauchery not seen before or since How Zeppelin transformed music styles and concert economics for all artistsHow a 300-pound former wrestler created their innovative marketing strategyThat one of its members was studying to be an accountantHow several tragic events changed the band forever Led Zeppelin wasn't just a band but a powerhouse of talent. Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones weren't your average musicians—they were session legends, popping up on more records than you can shake a drumstick at. From The Who and The Kinks to classical orchestra songs to commercial jingles, these guys played on all of them, bringing a wealth of musical experience to Led Zep recordings. Jimmy Page even seemed destined for prodigy status when, as a 13-year-old guitar player, he appeared on the BBC. Guest Bio:Bob Spitz is a journalist and author of the best-selling book Led Zeppelin: The Biography. Early in his career, Bob worked as a manager for Bruce Springsteen and Elton John. He also authored a New York Times best-seller on the Beatles. Follow Garage To Stadiums (GTS) on social channels For more music history check out all our social channels Share this episode with this linkFollow GTS on Apple or Spotify podcastsSign up for the Garage to Stadiums e-newsletter to get more bonus contentBonus Content:Download the Official Garage to Stadiums Led Zeppelin playlist on Apple Music or SpotifyVisit GaragetoStadiums.com for bonus content on Led Zeppelin, including concert footage, transcripts and other interesting facts.Led Zeppelin's journey was a whirlwind of highs and lows, triumphs and tragedies. Their musical prowess, unmatched charisma, and savvy marketing propelled them to the pinnacle of rock 'n' roll success. Led Zeppelin left an indelible mark on music history, from sold-out stadiums to groundbreaking albums. Zep even teased everyone with a stellar performance in 2007 reunification in London featuring the three core members plus the son of their deceased drummer. Air date: 2024Host: Dave Anthony
Step into the whirlwind journey of Fleetwood Mac, where relationships intertwine, songwriting flourishes, and musical evolution knows no bounds. We delve deep into the band's captivating narrative. In this rollicking episode, you'll learn:The origins of the band in England in the 1960s as a blues band featuring a very different lineup How the founder suffered a severe mental health decline that altered the course of the bandHow the aristocratic son of a Royal Air Force commander went from a window cleaner to Fleetwood Mac leaderHow one band member left the band to join a cultHow a trip to the grocery store led to the discovery of soon-to-be superstars Stevie Nicks and Lindsey BuckinghamThe revealing true meaning of 5 of their most famous songs based on Mark Blake's interviews with the band Join host Dave Anthony and Fleetwood Mac author Mark Blake for the fascinating story behind Fleetwood Mac's journey from the pubs of England to become a US and global phenomenon. Picture this: a plot straight out of a gripping soap opera, where band members forge romantic connections, battle with addiction, weather breakups, and witness a revolving door of musical talent. And at the heart of it all lies Fleetwood Mac, a band synonymous with drama and musical brilliance.Guest Bio:Mark Blake is the author of the soon-to-be-released Dreams: The Many Lives of Fleetwood Mac and has interviewed each member of Fleetwood Mac several times over the decades. He has also written books on Queen, Led Zeppelin, The Who, and Pink Floyd. Follow Garage To Stadiums (GTS) on social channels All social channels for Garage to StadiumsShare this episode with this linkFollow GTS on Apple or Spotify podcastsBonus Content:Download the Official Garage to Stadiums Fleetwood Mac playlist on Apple Music or Spotify Visit GaragetoStadiums.com for bonus content on Fleetwood Mac, including concert footage, transcripts and other interesting facts.In this episode, you will experience the sights and sounds of the mid-1960s London scene version of Fleetwood Mac, typified by this performance on the BBC from the era. Blake reveals the incredibly random way Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham were discovered and went from a folk performing duo on their first album to becoming additional band members, contributing powerful songwriting, vocal harmonies, and Buckingham's blazing guitar. These two were directly responsible for massive hits like Rhiannon, which was seen HERE in a scorching live performance in 1976 on NBC’s music show Midnight Special. Fleetwood Mac's journey had its share of challenges amid the musical triumphs. Mark Blake paints a vivid portrait of the band's dynamic personalities, fueled by passion, breakups, tension, drug use and the occasional thrown drink. Yet, from this cauldron of creativity emerged an album born from chaos yet etched into the annals of music history as one of the Top 10 albums of all time.Original Air Date: 2024Host: Dave Anthony
Travel back to early 1960s Motown when an 11-year old child prodigy mysteriously appeared on the scene. Stevie Wonder rose from deep poverty, a fractured home and a significant physical disability to become one of the most influential musicians of all time. As you will hear, he was also a master of innovating new sounds, producing hits across many musical genres - soul, R'n'B, rock, reggae, pop, funk and more. In this episode you'll learn:The incredible story of Stevie's birth and difficult family life How Motown records was formed by an unexpected source, and then discovered StevieThe ultimatum by a young Stevie that changes his economic situation How a knock on a random door in New York resulted in Stevie's greatest albumsHow a terrible accident changed Stevie forever About his diverse set of hits from various genresWant to learn more music history? Subscribe to our bonus Garage to Stadium content across our social + web channelsGuest Bio - Paolo Hewitt has followed Stevie's career for decades. Paulo was a writer for UK music magazines, New Musical Express and Melody Maker, where he both interviewed Stevie Wonder and reviewed several of his albums. Paulo has also written extensively about the hiphop scene and has authored books on several artists. He appeared on two very popular Garage to Stadiums episodes to discuss the careers of David Bowie and Oasis.
Summer's here, time to crank some guitar riffs like only AC/DC can create. We're revisiting one of our most electrifying episodes: The Story of AC/DC. From gritty Sydney pub gigs to conquering stadiums worldwide, AC/DC's rise is one of rock’s most powerful journeys. Along the way: tragedy, reinvention, and some of the most iconic riffs ever recorded. This episode dives deep into the real story behind the band’s rise, with song clips from every era. You'll discover:The fascinating origins of the band name AC/DC How The Rolling Stones played a role in developing AC/DC’s soundHow a boyband singer helped evolve AC/DC’s musicWhy guitarist Angus Young created his trademark schoolboy outfitHow tragedy has impacted and evolved the bandWho helped the band create one of the Top 5 selling albums of all timeWhether you're a lifelong fan or just cranking "Back in Black" on your summer road trip, this episode hits all the right notes. Guest Bio:Martin Popoff has written more record reviews than anybody in the history of music. That number, incredibly, currently stands at 7900 reviews. He has authored 120 books on hard rock, classic rock, and punk. Martin is a sought after researcher having contributed to the various rock documentaries broadcast on VH1. This interview is based on his recent book AC/DC at 50.Follow Garage To Stadiums' social channels Share this episode with this linkFollow GTS on Apple or Spotify podcastsFollow GTS on Instagram Follow GTS on LinkedIn Sign up for the Garage to Stadiums e-newsletter to get more bonus contentBonus Content:Download the Official Garage to Stadiums AC/DC playlist on Apple Music or SpotifyVisit GaragetoStadiums.com for bonus content on AC/DC, including concert footage, transcripts and other interesting facts.Original Air Date: 2024Host: Dave Anthony
One of our most beloved episodes returns—an unforgettable journey into the life of a legend. Discover how Bob Marley rose from the streets of Trenchtown, one of Jamaica’s poorest neighborhoods, to become a global icon whose music and message continue to inspire millions.Renowned reggae historian John Masouri, author of Simmer Down: Marley-Tosh-Livingston, joins us to trace Marley’s extraordinary path. From the birth of reggae to his fearless political activism. Tune in to hear his music forever changed the world. You’ll learn:The shocking age gap between Bob Marley’s white father and Black mother — and how being mixed-race shaped Bob’s fight for identity in Jamaica.Bob didn't start with reggae — discover the surprising genre he first chased.How reggae fused American R&B, ska, and island rhythms into a revolutionary new sound.Why gunmen tried to silence Bob — and how he survived an assassination attempt with gunshot wounds.The unexpected African emperor who inspired Bob’s Rastafarian faith — and the dreadlocks that became his signature.The Bob Marley album TIME magazine crowned the greatest music of the 20th century — and why it still resonates today.Bob Marley is an international superstar who has reached the top of the musical and political worlds. Incredibly, he has won a UN humanitarian award for his political efforts and one of his albums was voted the best album of the 20th Century.Guest BioJohn Masouri is a distinguished reggae historian and the author of several books on the genre including the definitive text on Bob Marley's life Simmer Down: Marley-Tosh-Livingston. John is a highly acclaimed author and music journalist specializing in reggae and dancehall genres for more than 35 years. John's work has appeared in Music Week, The Guardian Observer and New Musical Express (NME). But his incredibly productive life did not begin this way. Nor did his music career begin with reggae. To hear more about Bob Marley's surprising and uplifting story, listen to this engaging episode to understand how and why he achieved his international superstar status. Follow Garage to Stadiums (GTS) on social channels Share this episode with this linkFollow GTS on Apple or Spotify podcastsDownload our official killer playlists for each performer on Apple or Spotify Follow GTS on Instagram Follow GTS on LinkedIn Sign up for the Garage to Stadiums e-newsletter to get more bonus content
It's the summer of 2025 & Bruce Springsteen has just released 7 - yes, seven - new albums containing 83 unreleased songs! And he's on a global tour. Learn his incredible backstory from our classic episode from our archives. Experience his hardscrabble New Jersey childhood to becoming what Bono of U2 called the "John Steinbeck" of music with his lyrics on life in working class towns and the hopes, dreams and struggles of everyday people. Our guest was Peter Ames Carlin, author of the New York Times bestselling book Bruce and the upcoming book Jungleland, the story of the making of the classic Bruce album Born to Run. In this episode, you'll hear: How Bruce grew up poor in a dysfunctional family with significant mental health issuesThe proto-metal music that he played in a previous bandHow his record label threatened to cut him unless he delivered a hit - resulting in one the top albums of the 1970'sHow a Rolling Stone writer not only changed his destiny but became his managerHow the characters in his town infused his many poignant songsHow he played a vital role in both AIDs awareness and New York's 9/11 recovery Guest Bio:Peter Ames Carlin is a journalist, critic and author of the New York Times best-seller called Bruce and is working on an upcoming book on the 50th anniversary of Bruce Springsteen's Born to Run album. His work has been published in the New York Times Magazine, the Los Angeles Times Magazine, and the Times in the UK. Follow Garage to Stadiums (GTS) on social channels Share this episode with this linkFollow GTS on Apple or Spotify podcastsFollow GTS on Instagram Follow GTS on LinkedIn Sign up for the Garage to Stadiums e-newsletter to get more bonus contentBonus Content:Download the Official Garage to Stadiums Bruce Springsteen playlist on Apple Music or SpotifyVisit GaragetoStadiums.com for bonus content on Bruce Springsteen, including concert footage, transcripts and other interesting facts.Written from the everyday person's perspective, Springsteen songs like Born to Run, Thunder Road, Promised Land and Hungry Heart are mini-movies that put you squarely inside the main character's mind as they navigate life. As Bono of U2 said when he inducted Bruce into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999, "if John Steinbeck could sing…".The themes are as familiar as the American fabric: racing cars, highways, run-down factories, failed relationships, hopeful dreams, desperation, and redemption. Bruce helped create the American songbook of the ordinary person facing life milestones and challenges. As you will hear, his songwriting was driven home with legendary concert performances that leave audiences in awe, lasting at least three hours and sometimes stretching to four. Bruce's philosophy seems to be: if hard-working people are going to spend hard-earned dollars to see me play, I'll make sure they get their money's worth. His work ethic on stage fits his working-class image. Or, as our guest, Peter Ames Carlin calls him, "a blue-collar troubadour". Peter also describes in detail the impact of Bruce's father's mental health challenges on the family, which affected the family's finances and reputation in the community. He also outlines Bruce's later mental health struggles, as Bruce describes in this interview.
Incredibly 40 years ago this week in July 1985, Queen and Freddie Mercury astonished a global audience at the Live Aid concerts for African famine relief. An all star cast of the world's greatest bands performed that day, yet this was the moment that Freddie Mercury and crew blew everyone away and demonstrated that they remained one of the best live bands ever. As part of our summer programming, we are dropping some of our classic episodes and The Story of Queen is one of them. Hear the incredible story of how Queen was started by a refugee immigrant and his new English friends and went from college band to stadium juggernaut selling 300 million albums worldwide. This versatile band moved effortlessly across genres like heavy rock, sumptuous ballads, funk & dance sounds, and even pop sounds. In this episode: How a family desperately fleeing an African revolution brought the future lead singer to EnglandHow a astronomer, dentist and engineer each wrote multiple hit songs for the bandWhen Freddie's early voice was compared to a "bleating sheep" by a fellow band memberHow Queen was duped into a questionable management contract and the vicious hit song that resulted How one of their biggest hits resulted from a chance encounter with a famous studio visitorThe backstory of the legendary performance at the 1985 Live Aid concertThe details of why Freddie Mercury acted as an emergency roadie for David Bowie early in Bowie's career Guest Bio - Mark Blake, journalist & authorAuthor and music journalist Mark Blake is the author of several books on Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and The Who. He is an authority on the band Queen spending countless hours interviewing members of the band for his books Is this the Real Life: The Untold Story of Queen and Magnifico: The A to Z of Queen. About Garage to StadiumsOne of the Top 5% podcasts in the world, Garage to Stadiums is a podcast for true music fans — the ones who want more than just headlines and hype. This show is for listeners who care about the full story behind the artists: their childhoods, musical influences, early gigs, personal battles, journey to stadium-level fame and the drama in between. Each episode features guests who know their stuff and bring real insights from their time with the performers — from respected rock journalists to documentary filmmakers. If you want smarter music commentary and behind-the-scenes stories you won’t hear anywhere else, subscribe now and get your backstage pass to music history.Follow Garage to Stadiums (GTS) on social channels Want more music history? Subscribe to our bonus Garage to Stadium content across our social + web channelsBonus Content:Download the Official Garage to Stadiums The Doors playlist on Apple Music or SpotifyVisit GaragetoStadiums.com for bonus content including concert footage, transcripts and other interesting facts.
As Oasis hits the road for their global ‘Oasis Live ‘25 Tour’ we revisit the chaos, charisma, and culture-shifting moments of their original rise with this 2024 episode from our archives. Our guest is music journalist and author Paolo Hewitt, who had a front-row seat—literally and figuratively—on Oasis’ 1994–1996 world tour. He didn’t just cover the story; he lived it. As Noel Gallagher put it, “Paolo is the only person to speak about what it was like on the road with us because he’s been there. He’s been there, he’s seen it, he’s done it.” Paolo takes us behind the scenes of the band’s meteoric ascent, sharing what it was really like to be caught in the whirlwind of Noel and Liam Gallagher's unpredictable energy, backstage madness, and the making of rock 'n' roll history. In this episode, you'll hear:The incredible challenging childhood that the brothers overcame The secret formula that allowed Oasis to attract fans across several genres of musicHow 80's acid house dance music influenced the Oasis soundHow they became the hottest band in a matter of months leading the way for the rise of "Britpop" Insider tales from our guest who witnessed their infamous tours and legendary brother-on-brother arguments Subscribe for more music history Subscribe for more compelling music history with our bonus Garage to Stadium content across our social + web channels Guest Bio - Paolo Hewitt, author & journalistAuthor and music journalist Paolo Hewitt is the author of 26 books covering a variety of subjects, from music to football to fashion. Two of his biggest sellers are Getting High: The Adventures of Oasis when he spent considerable time with the band during the 1994 to 1996 period and Forever The People, his account of the band's notorious Be Here Now tour in 1997-98. He was even asked to write a poem that appears on the inner sleeve of the (What's the Story) Morning Glory? that sold 22 million copies. Oasis has sold an incredible 75 million albums internationally and is now gearing up for its triumphant return to touring. Oasis is notorious for for its brashness, antics and swagger. However their talent is clear in the creation of their Britpop sound which was inspired by the music of The Beatles, David Bowie and The Who and more modern influences like The Stone Roses and The Smiths. The result: memorable, melodious stadium-ready songs that dominated the charts, and sound just as current today.
This is a popular show from our archives. We are re-dropping it because on this week in 1971 (on July 3) Jim Morrison was found dead in mysterious circumstances at age 27. As a tribute to Morrison & The Doors and given that it is July 4th week, we are re-broadcasting the story of one of the most influential American bands in history. You will taken from the mid-1960s through the early ‘70s Los Angeles, when a band would emerge that changed all of the rules of music. Jim Cherry, author of The Doors Examined joins us to tell the mesmerizing story of a band fronted by an electrifying, handsome poet named Jim Morrison. The Doors relentlessly challenged, confronted and inspired fans with their provocative songs and performances. In this episode you'll learn:1) About a shocking highway incident that changed the lead singer forever2) The strange origins of how The Doors formed in Venice, California 3) The incredible secret that nobody knew about the Vietnam War and Jim Morrison4) Why The Doors were banned from radio and concert appearances in several US states 5) The reasons for the arrest of a key member of the band during various concert performances6) How the band played a key role in the punk music movementWant more music history? Subscribe to our bonus Garage to Stadium content across our social + web channelsBonus Content:Download the Official Garage to Stadiums The Doors playlist on Apple Music or SpotifyVisit GaragetoStadiums.com for bonus content on The Doors, including concert footage, transcripts and other interesting facts.Guest BioJim Cherry is the author of The Doors Examined and was formally a columnist for the Rants, Raves and Rock and Roll Magazine radio show. He is also a novelist, having written several novels, short stories and poems.While other 1960's bands warbled on about peace and love, The Doors explored the dark side of human nature with songs like People are Strange, The End, LA Woman, and Strange Days. They also possessed one of the most electrifying figures in rock history, Jim Morrison, their lead singer who was an incredibly well-read individual, and also a poet. Morrison possessed an intoxicating blend of charisma, good looks and a curiosity for the dark side of life that combined with the band's mesmerizing music, often forcing audiences to straddle that fine balance between jubilation and mayhem. Accordingly, Morrison became the very embodiment of 1960's rebellion. The Doors have sold over 100 million albums worldwide, and have been the inspiration for many bands that followed in various genres like alternative rock and punk.
Happy Canada Day week to our Canadian listeners! Learn the fascinating story of Canadian band Rush made its journey as Canadian teenagers in a bar band to global phenomenon with our guest Sam Dunn, director of the documentary Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage. In the episode you’ll hear:How an incredible event launched Rush from a bar band to an opening act for Kiss How did diabetes lead Rush to discover one of the best drummers in rock historyWhat major rock stars think of Rush’s place in music historyThe story behind Geddy Lee’s and guitarist Alex Lifeson's real namesThe incredible story of Geddy's parents as survivors of the HolocaustThe influences on Rush’s music evolution from early days to later albumsRush has sold the most consecutive gold/platinum albums behind only The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. Sam’s documentary features an array of rock luminaries praising Rush: Gene Simmons of Kiss, Kirk Hammett of Metallica, Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails, Billy Corgen of The Smashing Pumpkins and Taylor Hawkins of The Foo Fighters. Guest Bio:Sam Dunn owns Banger Films, the award-winning documentary producer of Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage, which debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival and earned the Audience Award. The film was also nominated for Best Long Form Music Video at the 53rd Grammy Award and features an array of rock luminaries commenting on the band Rush. Sam has also won the prestigious 2016 Peabody Award and International Emmy Award for his work on the Netflix original series Hip Hop Evolution. Follow Garage to Stadiums (GTS) on social channels Share this episode with this linkFollow GTS on Apple or Spotify podcastsFollow GTS on Instagram Follow GTS on LinkedIn Sign up for the Garage to Stadiums e-newsletter to get more bonus contentBonus Content:Download the Official Garage to Stadiums Rush playlist on Apple Music or SpotifyVisit GaragetoStadiums.com for bonus content on Rush, including concert footage, transcripts and other interesting facts.
Explore one of the most influential figures in modern music history - Brian Wilson leader of The Beach Boys. Known for layered orchestrations and an innovative approach to studio recording, Brian influenced artists like The Beatles, Elton John, Queen, The Eagles and more. Incredibly, Brian created one of rock’s great lost albums - Smile begun in 1966 - but it was shelved for 37 years. Decades later... our guest today, David Leaf, helped bring it to the world. You'll learn: 1) Brian's abusive upbringing and how it shaped him and his music2) How 5 teenagers went to global stardom 6 months after forming3) How Brian influenced The Beatles musical direction4) The incredible story of how Brian overcame a corrupt psychologist controlling his life5) How our guest helped rescue a "lost album" long anticipated in rock historyWant more music history? Subscribe to our bonus Garage to Stadium content across our social + web channelsGuest BioDavid Leaf is the author of Smile: The Rise, Fall, and Resurrection of Brian Wilson, chronicling Brian Wilson’s lost album masterpiece which was shelved for 37 years before release. He also directed the Brian documentary Beautiful Dreamer and teaches music history at UCLA. David has won a Peabody award for powerful and intelligent story-telling.
Billy Joel is the fourth best-selling solo artist in U.S. history, yet most fans aren’t familiar with the extremely challenging and fascinating journey he took from little Jewish boy piano prodigy on Long Island to rock and pop icon of the 1970s and ’80s. In this episode: How Billy's broken home challenged his childhoodHis intense battles with mental illness and addiction The part-time job that led to one of his biggest hitsHow his wife became a key part of charting his careerOvercoming a corrupt manager that threatened his livelihoodThe resurrection of his career with one of the most successful set of gigs everSubscribe for more music history Subscribe for more compelling music history with our bonus Garage to Stadium content across our social + web channelsGuest BioFred Schruers, author of Billy Joel: The Definitive Biography interviewed extensively a variety of people in Joel's circle to create a compelling and honest portrait of the man. Fred is a long-time feature writer for such publications as Rolling Stone and the LA Times.
Tom Petty has one of the most popular and recognizable song catalogs and a legion of fans of all ages. Hear how Tom climbed his way to the top despite a difficult childhood, a series of heartbreaking music failures, and even a lawsuit that ended up changing the entire music industry forever. In this episode: How Tom overcame a difficult childhood in Florida How Tom participated in events as a teenager with Lynryd Skynryd and the Allman BrothersThe details behind the groundbreaking Petty lawsuit that changed the music industry forever Why Tom was chosen by Bob Dylan & George Harrison into a supergroupHow Tom's relationship with Stevie Nicks turned into a successful music formula The interesting second career as a cartoon voice on a popular show The details behind Tom's battle with a heroin addictionFor more music history, subscribe to our bonus Garage to Stadium content across our social + web channelsGuest Bio - Warren ZanesWarren is the author of Petty: The Biography, a New York Times bestseller. He is also an Oscar-winning and Grammy-nominated producer of music documentaries. Earlier in his career, Warren was a member of the Del Fuegos rock band, recording three albums with Warner Brothers. The band served as an opening act for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers on a few tours.After his time in music, Warren earned a PhD in Visual and Cultural Studies and now teaches at NYU. He has also served as Vice President of Education at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He was a producer on the Oscar-winning documentary 20 Feet from Stardom, which explores the lives of backup singers. His book on Bruce Springsteen's Nebraska album is the basis for an upcoming biopic starring Jeremy Allen White, where Warren also serves as a producer.
From music to hairstyles to the very fabric of pop culture, The Beatles changed everything. Having interviewed several Beatles himself, guest best-selling author Bob Spitz, (The Beatles: The Biography) shares astonishing, never-before-heard insights into their journey, influence, and the untold stories that shaped the most influential band of all time. Don’t miss this deep dive into Beatlemania like you’ve never heard before! You'll learn:The Beatles’ extremely difficult childhoods—and how it affected their personalitiesThe fateful meeting that sparked John and Paul’s teenage friendship The wild tour debauchery they kept hidden—until nowThe unexpected influences that shaped their soundThe Beatles & Bob Dylan’s game-changing impact on each otherThe "biggest mistake that led to their breakup", according to insider Bob SpitzJohn Lennon’s near-tragic spiral into hard drugs and its effect on the groupHow a rock-n-roll outsider created The Beatles’ image Guest Bio:Bob Spitz is a journalist and author of the million-selling book The Beatles: The Biography. Early in his career, Bob was a rock insider as manager for Bruce Springsteen and Elton John. He also authored a New York Times best-seller on Led Zeppelin and joined us as a guest on our Story of Led Zeppelin episode. Want to learn more music history? Subscribe to our bonus Garage to Stadium content across our social + web channels
Rewind to the early 1990s, when a high school dropout from Aberdeen, Washington, turned his angst into anthems. This is the story of Nirvana—a band that took Seattle-based grunge from garage floors to global stages - with a rebellious yet melodic sound that resonated with a generation. In this episode, we uncover:How Kurt Cobain felt like a fish out of water in his small-town upbringing The two legendary bands that inspired Nirvana’s signature sound A hidden clue about Kurt in the Smells Like Teen Spirit video you likely missed...A previous surprising clue about Kurt in their first-ever demo single Bassist Krist Novoselic’s unheralded backstage role in the band's success How Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl became Nirvana’s seventh—and final—drummer Who the hit song About a Girl was really written for....About our GuestMichael Azerrad is the author of The Amplified Come as You Are: The Story of Nirvana, an extensively illuminated version of his classic 1993 Nirvana biography Come as You Are, named as one of the 50 greatest rock books ever written by the UK's prestigious music magazine Q. Michael was also a former contributing editor for Rolling Stone, and he wrote the famous Rolling Stone cover story on Nirvana from 1992 in which Kurt wears a homemade T-shirt that says "Corporate Magazines Still Suck". Garage to Stadiums resources & bonus coverage: Experience our bonus Garage to Stadium content across a variety of social + web channels