MODERN MUSICOLOGY

The legendary Paul McCartney has a very busy time lately, with a new album (The Boys of Dungeon Lane), appearances on Saturday Night Live and the final Stephen Colbert show, a new exhibition at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and a recent book and documentary. Rob and Alan talk all about McCartney's goings on and review the new album, and get a little melancholy about aging and memory. 

First, though, we talk about Sonny Rollins, who passed away on May 25, 2026.

What did you think of the new McCartney album? Let us know! Drop us a line at modernmusicology1@gmail.com or just leave a comment on our socials or whatever podcast platform you're listening to us. 

Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ModernMusicology 

Check us out on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modernmusicologypodcast/ 

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ModrnMusicology 

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk-MlcGy5u3fK1j4bVty1Kw 

Modern Musicology is part of the ESO Podcast Network. https://esonetwork.com/ 

Find more about us:

Rob Levy: https://kdhx.org/shows/show/juxtaposition 
Stephanie Seymour: www.therearebirds.com  
R. Alan Siler: www.kozmiccreative.com  
Anthony Williams: https://watchers4d.podbean.com/

Saturday Night Live has concluded its most recent seasons on both sides of the pond! Both SNL US and UK broadcast their finales on May 16, which means it's time to find out what the best musical performances were on both shows. I'll count down my Top 10 selections from SNL Season 51 and the Top 5 from SNL UK Season 1, and play clips from some of the highlights from each season. 

Before that, though, I'll share some of the highlights from my visit to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to see the SNL 50 exhibit! 

What did you think of the performances this year? Let me know! Drop me a line at modernmusicology1@gmail.com or just leave a comment on our socials or whatever podcast platform you're listening to us. 

Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ModernMusicology 

Check us out on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modernmusicologypodcast/ 

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ModrnMusicology 

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk-MlcGy5u3fK1j4bVty1Kw 

Modern Musicology is part of the ESO Podcast Network. https://esonetwork.com/ 

Find more about us:

Rob Levy: https://kdhx.org/shows/show/juxtaposition 
Stephanie Seymour: www.therearebirds.com  
R. Alan Siler: www.kozmiccreative.com  
Anthony Williams: https://watchers4d.podbean.com/

We continue our examination of the year 1986 by talking about the albums that were released in the second half of the year. Metal and rap were reigning supreme with releases from Iron Maiden, Megadeth, Slayer, and The Beastie Boys, but pop and rock offered up some really strong records as well with major releases from Bon Jovi, Cyndi Lauper, Berlin, The Pretenders, REM, Huey Lewis and the News, and Sparks. Even The Monkees made a huge comeback for their 20th Anniversary!

What's your favorite albums from the second half of 1986? Let us know! Drop us a line at modernmusicology1@gmail.com or just leave a comment on our socials or whatever podcast platform you're listening to us. 

Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ModernMusicology 

Check us out on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modernmusicologypodcast/ 

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ModrnMusicology 

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk-MlcGy5u3fK1j4bVty1Kw 

Modern Musicology is part of the ESO Podcast Network. https://esonetwork.com/ 

Find more about us:

Rob Levy: https://kdhx.org/shows/show/juxtaposition 
Stephanie Seymour: www.therearebirds.com  
R. Alan Siler: www.kozmiccreative.com  
Anthony Williams: https://watchers4d.podbean.com/

We’re diving headfirst into the first six months of 1986! Join us as we rewind to January through June and relive the music that made 1986 one of the most memorable years of the decade. It was a time when rock and rap were colliding, metal was still reigning supreme, the Minneapolis funk sound was coming into its own, and pop soundtracks were turning lesser-known bands into superstars! 

We cover juggernaut releases like Janet Jackson's Control, Peter Gabriel's So, Van Halen's 5150, and Metallica's Master of Puppets, as well as albums by The Bangles, Ozzy, Elvis Costello, Depeche Mode, Judas Priest, Prince, Run D.M.C., and many others, plus soundtracks such as Pretty in Pink, Labyrinth, and Krush Groove.

As always you can follow along and listen to all the music we discuss with our Spotify Playlist for this episode. 

What's your favorite albums from the first half of 1986? Let us know! Drop us a line at modernmusicology1@gmail.com or just leave a comment on our socials or whatever podcast platform you're listening to us. 

Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ModernMusicology 

Check us out on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modernmusicologypodcast/ 

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ModrnMusicology 

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk-MlcGy5u3fK1j4bVty1Kw 

Modern Musicology is part of the ESO Podcast Network. https://esonetwork.com/ 

Find more about us:

Rob Levy: https://kdhx.org/shows/show/juxtaposition 
Stephanie Seymour: www.therearebirds.com  
R. Alan Siler: www.kozmiccreative.com  
Anthony Williams: https://watchers4d.podbean.com/

This week we have the privilege of being visited by Giles Moon, the head of music curation at Julien's Auctions, who gives us the inside scoop of the upcoming Music Icons auction, which takes place May 29-30 at the Hard Rock Cafe Times Square in New York City. The sale features nearly 700 items from icons such as Johnny Cash (the guitar he played at his Grand Ole Opry debut in 1956), Ace Frehley (many items including his main Les Paul), Elvis Presley (a stage-used microphone), many Beatles items (including a table and chair set owned by Ringo Starr), a large collection of original paintings by Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood, and many more rare and iconic items. 

To learn more about Rock Icons, or to register to bid or watch the livestream of the event, visit the Julien's website.

What did you think of this episode? Drop us a line at modernmusicology1@gmail.com or just leave a comment on our socials or whatever podcast platform you're listening to us. 

Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ModernMusicology 

Check us out on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modernmusicologypodcast/ 

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ModrnMusicology 

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk-MlcGy5u3fK1j4bVty1Kw 

Modern Musicology is part of the ESO Podcast Network. https://esonetwork.com/ 

Find more about us:

Rob Levy: https://kdhx.org/shows/show/juxtaposition 
Stephanie Seymour: www.therearebirds.com  
R. Alan Siler: www.kozmiccreative.com  
Anthony Williams: https://watchers4d.podbean.com/