Staci welcomes author Peter Aaron, the author of the new book "Moving in Stereo," for a deep dive into the life and legacy of Ric Ocasek—enigmatic frontman, visionary songwriter, and the cool center of The Cars’ sleek, synth-driven storm. From Ric’s early partnership with Ben Orr and the bands that fizzled before The Cars finally clicked, to the creative tensions that came with skyrocketing success, Peter—himself a seasoned music journalist and frontman of the punk band Chrome Cranks—brings fresh insight into the man behind the shades. We’ll explore the research that shaped this biography, the personal relationships that defined Ric’s world, and the meaning behind the book’s title. Buckle up for the revelations, the resonance, and yes, the rock and roll nightmares that haunted and fueled one of rock’s most enduring architects.
Evan Husney, co-creator of Vice's "Dark Side of the Ring" and the upcoming Hulu series "Into the Void," joins Staci to discuss his deep dive into metal music's darkest chapters. Husney explains his fascination with the genre's tragic figures and shares insights into the show's impressive roster of subjects, from guitar virtuoso Randy Rhoads to punk pioneer Wendy O. Williams. The conversation explores the mysterious Kurt Struebing (NME) case and its chilling parallels to other music industry tragedies, while Husney discusses the series' innovative blend of traditional documentary interviews with dramatic recreations. He reveals which story from season one surprised him most during production and explains how the show's unique visual approach brings these haunting tales to life in ways that straight documentary footage cannot.
Director Bill Fishman joins Staci Wilson on "Rock & Roll Nightmares" to discuss his legendary career behind the camera for some of rock's biggest names. From directing music videos for The Ramones, Georgia Satellites, and Good Charlotte to helming the cult films "Tapeheads" and "My Dinner with Jimi Hendrix," Fishman has captured decades of rock and roll history. Fishman shares behind-the-scenes stories from video sets, discusses the challenge of directing rock legends, and reveals details about his latest project, the Marlon Brando biopic "Waltzing with Brando" starring Billy Zane. The episode wraps with Fishman's own personal rock and roll nightmare - a hilarious tale from his years in the music industry trenches (spoiler alert: it involves The Grateful Dead... and this is not the first time that band has shown up in guests’ nightmares!).
Join Staci as she sits down with veteran journalist and author Ray Van Horn, Jr. For more than sixteen years, Ray covered the worlds of music and film for outlets like Blabbermouth, Metal Maniacs, Noisecreep, and many others. His blog, The Metal Minute, even earned Metal Hammer’s award for Best Personal Blog. Ray is also the author of the rock‑fueled novel Coming of Rage—and he’s got plenty more exciting projects in the pipeline. Tune in for behind‑the‑scenes stories, rock‑and‑roll history, and a glimpse at what’s next from one of the scene’s sharpest voices.
On today’s show, Staci welcomes Tim Kirk, author of the brand‑new “what if?” novel All His Damned Mother’s Sons. This gripping alternate history dares to imagine a world where Elvis Presley died during his time in the German army—and launches readers on a high‑octane ride from 1959 to 1973, where fateful roads lead toward a deadly collision. Beyond his novel, Tim is also the producer of two unforgettable documentaries—Room 237, a deep dive into The Shining, and Nightmare, the chilling exploration of sleep paralysis. Don’t miss this episode, packed with eerie twists, cultural insights, and rock‑and‑roll mystery.
Broadcaster and author Steve Blacknell is on the show to talk about his memoir, “Tales From the Bedroom Wall.” Known to a generation of fans for the mid-1980s MTV staple London Calling, Blacknell chronicles a whirlwind life of fame, lost fortunes, and everything in between. From first love Kate Bush to crossing the Atlantic on the Concorde with Phil Collins, and interviews with music’s biggest names, the memoir brims with rock’n’roll excess, Hollywood heartbreak, addiction, and redemption. Joining from London, Blacknell dives into the tales behind the pages--and shares his own personal "rock & roll nightmare," which involves Bruce Springsteen.
Author Daniel Bukszpan returns to Rock & Roll Nightmares to discuss not one but two titles. Previously on the show to talk about “Rush at 50” — a timely visit as host Staci had just finished Geddy Lee’s autobiography — Bukszpan now revisits “Ozzy at 75,” a conversation made newly relevant by the recent passing of the Prince of Darkness. He also previews his forthcoming book, “Iron Maiden at 50,” due out in September of 2025.
Authors Martin Porter and David Goggin (aka Mr. Bonzai) join the podcast to unpack their collaborative book, “Buzz Me In: Inside the Record Plant Studios.” Staci spotlights the book’s expansive deep dive into the storied studios that shaped so many iconic 1970s rock albums. With locations in New York, Los Angeles, and Sausalito—and a legendary fleet of remote recording trucks—Record Plant’s influence spanned every corner of the music world, and Porter and Goggin share the stories behind it.
Historian of pop culture, film, and music, John Harrison, joins Staci on Rock & Roll Nightmares to discuss his latest project: a comprehensive, 676-page book on KISS titled Creatures of the Screen. Unlike any other book on the band, John’s work is an immersive exploration of KISS’s presence onscreen, covering their films, TV appearances, and notable music videos. The book also delves into other shows and media inspired by—and exploiting—the band’s visual imagery, popularity, and cultural impact. John Harrison shares insights from his deep dive into the world of KISS and their enduring influence on pop culture.
This episode features Jake Sumner, director of the music documentary Ron Delsener Presents. The film explores the life and legacy of legendary music impresario Ron Delsener, with insights from an impressive roster of interviewees including Billy Joel, Patti Smith, Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon, Art Garfunkel, and Bette Midler. As the son of Sting (of The Police), Jake brings a unique perspective to the project, having known Delsener personally and wanting to uncover the story behind his iconic status. Jake discusses how the documentary came together during the pandemic and shares some of the wild stories featured in the film.
In this episode, Rock & Roll Nightmares welcomes author and Professor of Literature Jarret Keene, whose work first caught Staci’s attention with the release of his novel, Hammer of the Dogs. Now, Jarret returns with his newly released short story collection, Gateways to Annihilation—a book packed with wild, rock and roll-infused tales that are as twisted as they are entertaining. Tune in as he discusses his latest work as well as his takes on the future of writing with AI, and the nurturing of creative talent in the face of governmental budget cuts to national arts programs.
Colin Blunstone, lead singer of the iconic psychedelic rock band The Zombies, joins Staci on "Rock & Roll Nightmares" to discuss "Hung Up on a Dream," the first-ever feature-length documentary about the band. Despite hits like "She's Not There" and "Time of the Season" and their Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction, the band's story hasn't been fully documented until now. Colin shares insights into the film's collaborative process, along with entertaining stories about career mishaps, his brief stint as an insurance salesman, and his time recording as a solo artist under a pseudonym.
In this mini-episode, Staci welcomes Robert Schwartzman—accomplished musician, member of the renowned Coppola filmmaking family, and director of “Hung Up on a Dream,” the new documentary about psychedelic rock legends The Zombies. Robert discusses his creative approach to condensing the band's remarkable 60-year career into a compelling 90-minute film, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how he brought their story to the screen.
Author Jennifer Banash joins Staci on "Rock & Roll Nightmares" to discuss her novel "The Rise and Fall of Ava Arcana," a twisty mystery about a Rolling Stone reporter uncovering a famous rock star's dark secret. Jennifer reminisces about her experiences in New York's club scene during the early 2000s and shares the surprising inspiration behind her main characters. She also offers a glimpse into her upcoming works—two books inspired by Elizabeth Bathory and the world of witchcraft, respectively.
Staci welcomes writer-director Kirsten Foe to discuss her rock and roll cautionary tale "Off the Record." What begins as a romance movie between two musician lovers takes a dark turn, putting the microscope on the Svengalis of the music industry. Kirsten shares insights about her impressive cast featuring Rainey Qualley, Ryan Hansen, Rebecca De Mornay, and ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons. She reveals the challenges of filming during the pandemic and two Hollywood union strikes, her collaborations with Jim Irsay and Tenacious D's Kyle Gass, and her inspiration for creating a drama set in the rock and pop music world.
Staci welcomes Gillian G. Gaar, an accomplished rock author and journalist whose work has appeared in Mojo, Rolling Stone, and Goldmine. With previous titles including "She's a Rebel: The History of Women in Rock & Roll," "Entertain Us: The Rise of Nirvana," and "Bruce Springsteen at 75," Gaar discusses her newest publication - the beautifully crafted hardcover "Queen: A Night at the Opera 50."
Today’s episode features an interview with Angie Moon, founder of The Diversity of Classic Rock (found at CrazyOnClassicRock.com). As a music historian and author, Moon discusses her new nonfiction true crime book "Crime of the Century" along with insights from her work celebrating diverse voices in classic rock music.
1991 wasn’t just another year—it was a musical and cultural earthquake. Grunge went from the underground to the mainstream, changing rock music and an entire generation’s outlook along the way. Staci’s guest, Rob Janicke, has written a book, Slacker: 1991, Teen Spirit Angst, and the Generation It Created, which explores the movement’s impact, the key players, and why the world embraced it so fiercely. Rob is also the founder of Generation Riff. On this episode he talks about the continuing relevance of bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Alice in Chains, to name a few. He also discusses the narrowing gap between Gen X and Gen Z rock music fans and how that keeps this vintage music vital in our lives.
What’s it like to get a guitar lesson from Keith Richards, sword-fight Bruce Dickinson, or launch a Pink Floyd airship? For legendary rock promoter Paul Rappaport, it was all just part of the job. In this episode of Rock & Roll Nightmares, host Staci talks with Paul about his memoir, Gliders Over Hollywood, which pulls back the curtain on the wild world of rock promotion.With a career spanning decades at Columbia Records, Paul was instrumental in shaping the success of artists like Bruce Springsteen, Judas Priest, and Bob Dylan. He shares incredible behind-the-scenes stories, from the golden age of rock radio to the creative (and sometimes chaotic) world of marketing music’s biggest legends. Tune in for an unforgettable ride through rock history!
David Bowie was the ultimate musical chameleon, but his transformation after Let’s Dance in 1983 led to one of the most unexpected chapters of his career. In this episode of Rock & Roll Nightmares, host Staci Layne Wilson welcomes author Don Klees to discuss his book On Track, which takes a deep dive into Bowie’s later years—from the Tin Machine experiment to his haunting farewell, Blackstar.Staci and Don explore Bowie’s shifting artistic identity, his response to the rise of New Wave and New Romantic, and his often-overlooked but intriguing albums like Black Tie, White Noise. Don also shares his personal experiences seeing Bowie live and reflects on the icon’s continued relevance even as music trends evolved around him. Tune in for a fascinating conversation about one of rock’s most enigmatic figures.