Booked On Rock

Neil Young has never followed the rules—and that's exactly what made him a rock legend.

In this episode of Booked On Rock, legendary rock journalist and author Sylvie Simmons joins me to discuss the updated and revised edition of her acclaimed biography, Neil Young: Reflections in Broken Glass. We trace Neil's remarkable journey from driving a hearse from Canada to Los Angeles to becoming one of the most influential artists in rock history.

We explore Buffalo Springfield, Crazy Horse, Harvest, the emotionally devastating Doom Trilogy, Rust Never Sleeps, Trans, Harvest Moon, his influence on Pearl Jam and the grunge movement, and the stories behind his most daring creative decisions. Sylvie also shares what she learned from interviewing Neil over four decades, including the brand-new Neil Young: Unfiltered interviews featured in this expanded edition.

If you're a lifelong Neil Young fan—or you're just discovering one of rock's most uncompromising artists—this is a conversation you won't want to miss. 

Purchase a copy of Neil Young: Reflections in Broken Glass (Updated and Revised)

Visit Sylvie Simmons' website

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The Booked On Rock Music: “Whoosh” by Crowander / “Last Train North” & “No Mercy” by TrackTribe

How did Blister in the Sun go from an underground college radio favorite to one of the most recognizable songs in America?

In this episode of Booked On Rock, author Nic Brown (33 1/3: Violent Femmes) explores the remarkable story behind the Violent Femmes' groundbreaking 1983 debut album. Discover how three Milwaukee outsiders created a sound unlike anything before it, why Blister in the Sun was never intended for the band, how The Pretenders helped launch their career, and why the album became one of alternative rock's greatest slow-burn success stories.

We also discuss Gordon Gano's songwriting, the band's unconventional instrumentation, the mystery behind the lyrics, the recording sessions that captured lightning in a bottle, and how Blister in the Sun became a fixture at sporting events, in movies, and throughout popular culture. 

Purchase a copy of Violent Femmes' Violent Femmes (33 1/3)

Vist Nic Brown's website

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🎧 Listen Ad-Free on Patreon
Support Booked On Rock and get every new episode completely commercial-free with the Backstage Pass.
Join here: https://www.patreon.com/cw/BookedOnRock

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💰 Get 15% OFF | Promo Code: BOOKEDONROCK
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Booked On Rock is part of The Boneless Podcasting Network
 
BookedOnRock.com
 
The Booked On Rock Store
 
The Booked On Rock YouTube Channel
 
Follow The Booked On Rock with Eric Senich:
BLUESKY
FACEBOOK
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Find Your Nearest Independent Bookstore
 
Contact The Booked On Rock Podcast: thebookedonrockpodcast@gmail.com
 
The Booked On Rock Music: “Whoosh” by Crowander / “Last Train North” & “No Mercy” by TrackTribe

The Velvet Underground may not have sold millions of records during their early years, but few bands have had a greater impact on the history of rock music. In this episode of Booked On Rock, author Richie Unterberger discusses his new book, Do What You Fear Most: The History of the Velvet Underground, exploring the band's remarkable journey from New York's underground art scene to becoming one of the most influential groups of all time.

We dive into Lou Reed's songwriting, John Cale's avant-garde influence, Andy Warhol's real role in the band's success, Nico's place in the group, the groundbreaking 'Velvet Underground & Nico', 'White Light/White Heat', 'Loaded', and the band's enduring legacy. If you're a fan of Lou Reed, classic rock, punk, alternative music, or the Velvet Underground, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.

Purchase a copy of Do What You Fear Most: The History of the Velvet Underground

Visit Richie Unterberger's website

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🎧 Listen Ad-Free on Patreon
Support Booked On Rock and get every new episode completely commercial-free with the Backstage Pass.
Join here: https://www.patreon.com/cw/BookedOnRock

🛒 Old Glory -  Iconic music and sports fan merch
💰 Get 15% OFF | Promo Code: BOOKEDONROCK
https://oldglory.com/discount/BOOKEDONROCK

Booked On Rock is part of The Boneless Podcasting Network
 
BookedOnRock.com
 
The Booked On Rock Store
 
The Booked On Rock YouTube Channel
 
Follow The Booked On Rock with Eric Senich:
BLUESKY
FACEBOOK
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TIKTOK
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Find Your Nearest Independent Bookstore
 
Contact The Booked On Rock Podcast: thebookedonrockpodcast@gmail.com
 
The Booked On Rock Music: “Whoosh” by Crowander / “Last Train North” & “No Mercy” by TrackTribe

From the Gibson Flying V and Explorer to the Jackson Randy Rhoads, Dean ML, B.C. Rich Warlock, and Ibanez RG, pointy guitars helped define the look and sound of hard rock and heavy metal. But how did these outrageous designs go from being dismissed as oddities to becoming some of the most iconic instruments in rock history?

Author and musician Sean Kelly joins Booked On Rock to discuss his new book, Battle Axes: A Hard Rockin' History of Pointy Guitars. We explore the stories behind the guitars, the builders who created them, and the legendary players—including Randy Rhoads, Michael Schenker, Eddie Van Halen, Billy Gibbons, Paul Stanley, Twisted Sister, ZZ Top, Def Leppard, and more—who turned these instruments into rock icons. 

🎸 Topics include:
The surprising origins of the pointy guitar
Why the Flying V was initially a failure
How Dean Guitars exploded during the MTV era
The influence of Randy Rhoads and Grover Jackson
Twisted Sister, B.C. Rich, Ibanez, Kramer & ESP
Sean Kelly's pick for the greatest pointy guitar ever made
Purchase a copy of Battle Axes: A Hard Rockin' History of Pointy Guitars

Follow Sean Kelly: 
Facebook
Instagram

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🎧 Listen Ad-Free on Patreon
Support Booked On Rock and get every new episode completely commercial-free with the Backstage Pass.
Join here: https://www.patreon.com/cw/BookedOnRock

🛒 Old Glory -  Iconic music and sports fan merch
💰 Get 15% OFF | Promo Code: BOOKEDONROCK
https://oldglory.com/discount/BOOKEDONROCK

Booked On Rock is part of The Boneless Podcasting Network
 
BookedOnRock.com
 
The Booked On Rock Store
 
The Booked On Rock YouTube Channel
 
Follow The Booked On Rock with Eric Senich:
BLUESKY
FACEBOOK
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TIKTOK
X
 
Find Your Nearest Independent Bookstore
 
Contact The Booked On Rock Podcast: thebookedonrockpodcast@gmail.com
 
The Booked On Rock Music: “Whoosh” by Crowander / “Last Train North” & “No Mercy” by TrackTribe

Few bands have been as consistently successful in Canada—or as underrated outside of it—as April Wine. From early classics like "Fast Train" to arena rock staples including "Roller," "I Like to Rock," "Just Between You and Me," and "Sign of the Gypsy Queen," the band built a remarkable catalog spanning more than three decades.

Author Tim Durling joins me to discuss his new book, On Record: The April Wine Album Review, an album-by-album journey through all 16 studio albums. We explore the band's fascinating origins, the misread letter that changed their future, Myles Goodwyn's songwriting brilliance, their breakthrough in the U.S., the albums every fan should hear, and why April Wine remains one of classic rock's most overlooked bands.

Whether you're a lifelong fan or discovering April Wine for the first time, this is the ultimate guide to one of Canada's greatest rock bands.

🎸 Topics include:
The story behind April Wine's formation
Myles Goodwyn's lasting legacy
The making of Stand Back, Harder... Faster, and The Nature of the Beast
Why "Roller" changed everything
April Wine's biggest hits and hidden gems
Why the band deserves far more recognition
Purchase a copy of ON RECORD: The April Wine Album Review

Visit Tim's Vinyl Confessions Linktree page for more

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🎧 Listen Ad-Free on Patreon
Support Booked On Rock and get every new episode completely commercial-free with the Backstage Pass.
Join here: https://www.patreon.com/cw/BookedOnRock

🛒 Old Glory -  Iconic music and sports fan merch
💰 Get 15% OFF | Promo Code: BOOKEDONROCK
https://oldglory.com/discount/BOOKEDONROCK

Booked On Rock is part of The Boneless Podcasting Network
 
BookedOnRock.com
 
The Booked On Rock Store
 
The Booked On Rock YouTube Channel
 
Follow The Booked On Rock with Eric Senich:
BLUESKY
FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM
TIKTOK
X
 
Find Your Nearest Independent Bookstore
 
Contact The Booked On Rock Podcast: thebookedonrockpodcast@gmail.com
 
The Booked On Rock Music: “Whoosh” by Crowander / “Last Train North” & “No Mercy” by TrackTribe