Music Maps Podcast

Епизоде

• 
  Adam & The Ants with Marco Pirroni 14.09.2026 39мин

  Marco Pirroni joins us to talk us through his huge success with Adam & The Ants - Marco’s new book Your Money Or Your Life is out now. It all starts with a note through Marco’s door which simply says ‘Call Me, Adam’. The next day Marco & Adam Ant meet & before long they are recording together at Rockfield Studios. Drummers Chris Hughes, Terry Lee & bassist Kevin Mooney soon round out the lineup giving the band its unique 2 drummer sound. Their first gig takes place at the Electric Ballroom & the band are soon signed to CBS, preferring a major to an indie label. Kings of the Wild Frontier is the bands breakthrough & the album which follows featured some unorthodox recording techniques including creating giant ant noises & recording fire extinguishers. Early gigs are marred by chaos & occasional crowd trouble as Dog Eat Dog becomes another success, bringing the band their first appearance of Top Of The Pops. Stand & Deliver & Prince Charming both reach number 1 with their quirky & groundbreaking music videos becoming a key part of the bands marketing. Prince Charming is the subject of a plagiarism claim from Rolf Harris while Diana Dors appears in the video. Gary Tibbs formerly of Roxy Music joins Adam & The Ants & they undertake their biggest tour to date, the Prince Charming Revue. However Marco dislikes touring & stops playing live with the band, although he continues use to write & record with Adam. The band breaks up shortly after as Adam launches a solo career. It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: ko-fi.com/musicmapsIt is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. You can see our upcoming live events here: https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/eventsInstagram: @rocknrollbookclube17X: @simonmusicmapsFacebook: E17rockbookclubHosted, Produced & Edited by Simon CardwellMusic by Andy Maxwell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  132 - When UK Punk Went Pop - The Jam, Madness, Fanzines, The Face & more 07.09.2026 46мин

  Tony Fletcher joins us to talk about his new book POW!: When UK Punk Went Pop, 1980-84.Starting with his Jammin’ fanzine at age 13, by the time he is 14 Tony writes a letter to Paul Weller & receives a reply. He is invited to RAK Studios in London whereThe Jam are making what becomes All Mod Cons.He begins a relationship with The Jam & amongst other tales nearly ends up with the famous WHAM! Roy Lichtenstein guitar from the Start! video, his band Apocalypse open for the band air their final gigs at Wembley Arena & in Brighton. Concurrently Tony is also writing for The Face magazine & is dispatched to Nottingham with Madness, the thinking being they may open up to a 16 year old rather than an established music writer. Tony puts on early gigs for his band Apocalypse along with other bands including The Birthday Party at The Africa Centre in Soho. He has a ringside seat for the end of The Jam & shortly after Paul Weller simply gives him the Jamming record label they had founded together. It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: ko-fi.com/musicmapsIt is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. You can see our upcoming live events here: https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/eventsInstagram: @rocknrollbookclube17X: @simonmusicmapsFacebook: E17rockbookclubHosted, Produced & Edited by Simon CardwellMusic by Andy Maxwell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  131 - Elliott Smith with Jamie Fisher 31.08.2026 47мин

  Elliott Smith is our focus this week & we are joined by Jamie Fisher whose new book - Nobody Broke Your Heart: An Intimate Biography of Elliott Smith is out now in the UK & the US. What differentiates Jamie’s book from others about Elliott Smith is the people who she spoke to when writing it - the Smith family were involved & talked to her at length. Elliot Smith’s formative influences included Bob Dylan, Hank Williams Jr. & the Beatles & he started to write songs early in life, often holding onto melodies for years before finalising them into songs. Elliott Smith’s parents separated when he was young & tensions with his stepfather led to his relocation to Portland, Oregon. While there he formed Heatmiser with Neil Gust, Tony Lash & Jason Hornick. All the while he was writing his own softer, gentler material but was hesitant to pursue it out of respect for his band mates. The recordings that become his debut solo album Roman Candle are made for around $20 & despite never being intended for release, do come out on local label Cavity Search Records. Elliott moved to the Kill Rock Stars label after meeting label founder Slim Moon & his self-titled follow up appeared in 1995, featuring Needle In The Hay, his best known work to date. In 1997 film director Gus Van Sant becomes enamoured with Elliott’s music & approaches him to contribute music to his next film, Good Will Hunting, written by & starring Matt Damon & Ben Affleck. Four of Elliott’s songs from the Either/Or album ultimately appear on the soundtrack & lead to an appearance at the 1998 Academy Award Ceremony, wearing a now legendary white suit, performing Miss Misery which closes the movie. Elliott Smith sings with DreamWorks & now has a bugger budget & access not available to him before, his next album Figure Eight follows. Despite the label being happy with the records sales, Elliott was not, constantly comparing himself to The Beatles & Bob Dylan. Elliott passes away on August 6th 2003 & his final recordings, From a Basement on the Hill is released posthumously in 2004. It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: ko-fi.com/musicmapsIt is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. You can see our upcoming live events here: https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/eventsInstagram: @rocknrollbookclube17X: @simonmusicmapsFacebook: E17rockbookclubHosted, Produced & Edited by Simon CardwellMusic by Andy Maxwell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  130 - Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young with Rolling Stone's David Browne 24.08.2026 52мин

  Our first episode focusing on Crosby, Stills Nash & Young with Rolling Stone’s David Browne.David’s book is out now or on audio if you prefer. David also has a regularly updated substack you can subscribe to with lots of his music writing. CSNY comes together after David Crosby, Stephen Stills & Graham Nash all leave their previous bands (Crosby from The Byrds, Stills from Buffalo Springfield & Nash from British group The Hollies). They meet in Los Angeles & informally play together. Cass Elliot encourages them to form a group & the rest is history. Initially they travel to London to audition for The Beatles’ Apple label but ultimately sign with Atlantic Records back in the US following a complex arrangement to release them from their prior labels. They self-produce their debut album which is an immediate success but shortly after they add Neil Young & become a four piece. Neil brings his wealth of material to the band but is a headstrong individual, changing the dynamic. Their second public performance takes place at Woodstock with Neil not appearing in any of the footage leader featured in the Woodstock film. It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: ko-fi.com/musicmapsIt is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. You can see our upcoming live events here: https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/eventsInstagram: @rocknrollbookclube17X: @simonmusicmapsFacebook: E17rockbookclubHosted, Produced & Edited by Simon CardwellMusic by Andy Maxwell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  129 - Pub Rock, Ian Dury, Joe Strummer, The Sex Pistols, Dr. Feelgood, Nick Lowe & more with Mark Wilkerson 17.08.2026 47мин

  In the early 1970s the music scene is dominated by prog rock concept pieces, synth solos & overblown tours. The societal backdrop in Great Britain is one of labour & coal strikes, riding inflation & unemployment & a struggling economy. In the background of this upheaval an American band named Eggs Over Easy begin to play gigs at The Tally-Ho in Kentish Town in North London. Another band who come on the scene is Brinsley Schwartz featuring Nick Lowe who goes on to become a key part of the story. Along with The Tally-Ho others key venues include the Hope & Anchor ins Islington, the Lord Nelson & the Kensington. Pub rock received positive coverage in the music press of the day & Ian Dury enters the scene after several good reviews for his band Kilburn & the High Roads. Dr. Feelgood become the first band from the pub rock scene to attain a degree of commercial success including a number 1 album. The short-lived outfit The 101ers come to an end when Joe Strummer departs to make heavier, punkier music inspired by The Sex Pistols who they share a bill with at The Nashville in West London. Stiff Records is another key part of the story & Nick Lowe produces a number of early releases including the Damned’s first album & debut single New Rose, often credited as the first punk single in the UK. He also produces other offshoots from the pub rock scene including Graham Parker & Ian Dury’s debut albums & Elvis Costello’s My Aim Is True. The scene fizzles out once punk arrives. It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: ko-fi.com/musicmapsIt is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. You can see our upcoming live events here: https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/eventsInstagram: @rocknrollbookclube17X: @simonmusicmapsFacebook: E17rockbookclubHosted, Produced & Edited by Simon CardwellMusic by Andy Maxwell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  128 - Jimi Hendrix with Jimi's roadie Eric Barrett 10.08.2026 43мин

  Our first episode about Jimi Hendrix & we are joined by Jimi’s former roadie Eric Barrett. Eric ran into Mitch Mitchell & Noel Redding, bassist & drummer in The Jimi Hendrix Experience in a club & received a phone call shortly after asking him to fly to Milan to work his first gig with Jimi. Eric had met them on a previous tour working for a band named The Koobas who had opened for The Jimi Hendrix Experience. It proves a baptism of fire as Eric is expected to learn how to work with Jimi during a gig almost instantly. Eric attended the famous Saville Theatre show where Hendrix opened with Sgt. Pepper with several Beatles in the audience. The band live in a house together with Eric in Benedict Canyon in Los Angeles, where they race sports cars, survive drug busts & more. Electric Lady Studios opens in New York & Jimi’s focus turns to recording, but not before his most iconic gig takes place at Woodstock in August of 1969. Eric tells us about this legendary gig & his role in it along with Jimi’s performance at the Isle of Wight festival the following year. It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: ko-fi.com/musicmapsIt is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. You can see our upcoming live events here: https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/eventsInstagram: @rocknrollbookclube17X: @simonmusicmapsFacebook: E17rockbookclubHosted, Produced & Edited by Simon CardwellMusic by Andy Maxwell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  127 - Raised On Radio - Power Ballads, Cocaine & Payola: The AOR Glory Years 1976-1986 with Paul Rees 03.08.2026 51мин

  This week we take a deep dive into the AOR scene of the 1980s, re-appraising some often overlooked bands & music. We start with the story of Boston, where an MIT graduate named Tom Scholz spends 7 years practicing & making demos before coming up with ‘More Than a Feeling’ & achieving huge success. Meanwhile Ann & Nancy Wilson form the female fronted band Heart - scoring several number 1 singles.Journey are put together in a different way, assembled by manager Herbie Herbert. Initially there is resistance from the existing band embers when Herbert brings in lead singer Steve Perry, finding him working on a turkey far in California. But that stance softens once commercial success appears. Meanwhile in the midwest of the US bands such as REO Speedwagon & Styx are forging their own path based largely on work ethic - playing a lot of gigs & building a local following. Toto come together via the Los Angeles session musician scene & have previously played on Michael Jackson’s Thriller amongst hundreds of sessions. The producers are significant part of AOR, specifically Mutt Lange who brings Def Leppard to prominence & is instrumental in Foreigner’s huge fourth album. Bands like Van Halen & Bon Jovi are on the periphery but manage to sustain their success beyond some of the others as the scene fades once drugs, changing fashions, song doctors & a well worn formula bring one end to the glory days of AOR. In 2007 David Chase chooses ‘Don’t Stop Believin’ to close the final episode of The Sopranos, opening the song & the genre open t a whole new audience. As of today the track has 2.9 billion streams on Spotify. Toto also find a new audience via the track Africa appearing in Stranger Things. It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: ko-fi.com/musicmapsIt is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. You can see our upcoming live events here: https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/eventsInstagram: @rocknrollbookclube17X: @simonmusicmapsFacebook: E17rockbookclubHosted, Produced & Edited by Simon CardwellMusic by Andy Maxwell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  126 - Bruce Springsteen's Nebraska with Warren Zanes 27.07.2026 1ч 4мин

  Join us for a deep dive into Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska with writer Warren Zanes, author of Deliver Me From Nowhere which was recently made into a Hollywood movie. In late 1981 Bruce Springsteen is coming off his biggest success to date with The River album & tour plus his first hit single, Hungry Heart. But rather than offer more of the same Springsteen offers a curveball - a quiet, almost ghostly sounding record with no hit singles, no tour & not even any interviews to support it. Springsteen had recently relocated to a house in Colts Neck, New Jersey, where he recorded the bulk of the album on the evening of January 3rd 1982 on a TEAC 144 home recorder. Influenced by the films of Terence Malick, specifically Badlands, the writing of Flannery O’Connor & the first couple of Suicide albums, Springsteen recorded what were intended as home demos in a bedroom. Later attempts to re-record the material with the E Street Band proved largely fruitless & they eventually went back to the original water damaged cassette recording, which was released as the finished album. The album proved hugely influential to the likes of Steve Earle & Matt Berninger (The National) & even Johnny Cash recorded two of its tracks.  It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: ko-fi.com/musicmapsIt is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. You can see our upcoming live events here: https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/eventsInstagram: @rocknrollbookclube17X: @simonmusicmapsFacebook: E17rockbookclubHosted, Produced & Edited by Simon CardwellMusic by Andy Maxwell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  125 - Stevie Nicks & Fleetwood Mac with Rachel Brodsky 20.07.2026 51мин

  We are joined by author Rachel Brodsky to talk about the life & career of Stevie Nicks. Rachel’s new book Lessons & Lace is out now. Stevie Nicks was born in Phoenix & moved around a lot as a child, finally settling in Los Angeles. Her grandfather AJ Nicks was a country singer who would take her to saloons her played in as a child. She grew up listening to the likes of the Everly Brothers & Buddy Holly before receiving her first guitar at age 16 & begins to take music more seriously. After meeting Lindsay Buckingham at Menlo-Atherton High School she ends up joining local band Fritz. They achieve a degree of success in the LA area opening for Jimi Hendrix & Janis Joplin. Before long Stevie Nicks & Lindsay Buckingham break off on their own & perform as a duo, releasing one album on Polydor. The album is not a success & they both join Fleetwood Mac shortly after, Mick Fleetwood being the driving force in getting them to join. The strong relationship between Stevie Nicks & Christine McVie becomes the backbone of Fleetwood Mac for decades to come. The first album featuring Buckingham & Nicks is self-titled & becomes a success spawning the hit single Rhiannon. However it is the second album they are a part of Rumours which propels them into the stratosphere & makes Stevie a huge star. Follow up Tusk does not achieve the same level of commercial success but becomes a cult classic over time, meanwhile Stevie embarks on a successful solo career including a hit with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers. Tango In The Night is another success with Fleetwood Mac & there are various reunions, tours, fallouts & dramas over the years. Stevie Nicks continues to be hugely influential today & has appeared with Harry Styles & been name checked by Taylor Swift & Olivia Rodrigo. It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: ko-fi.com/musicmapsIt is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. You can see our upcoming live events here: https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/eventsInstagram: @rocknrollbookclube17X: @simonmusicmapsFacebook: E17rockbookclubHosted, Produced & Edited by Simon CardwellMusic by Andy Maxwell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  124 - Simon Reynolds on Shoegaze, My Bloody Valentine, Cocteau Twins, Sonic Youth, Pavement & more 13.07.2026 59мин

  Simon Reynolds joins us to talk about his new book Still in a Dream: Shoegaze, Slackers and the Reinvention of Rock, 1984–1994. Against a backdrop of Margaret Thatcher’s third term in Downing Street & Stock, Aitken & Waterman’s domination of the pop charts a new scene begins to emerge. Starting with the Cocteau Twins & developing to include My Bloody Valentine & more, a noisy & dream like sound which comes to be known as Shoegaze. At the same a more melodic sound appears represented by the likes of the Smiths, Felt, The Pastels & the C86 scene. Over in America Sonic Youth achieve notable success & are joined by Dinosaur Jr & Pavement amongst others. Grunge arrives in the early 90s while Britpop & Oasis appear in the UK< drawing this period to a close. In recent years the shoegaze sound has reappeared by a sleuth of young bands while many of its originators including Slowdive, Lush & My Bloody Valentine have toured in larger venues than they played originally. It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: ko-fi.com/musicmapsIt is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. You can see our upcoming live events here: https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/eventsInstagram: @rocknrollbookclube17X: @simonmusicmapsFacebook: E17rockbookclubHosted, Produced & Edited by Simon CardwellMusic by Andy Maxwell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  123 - Dolly Mixture, The Jam, Captain Sensible with Debsey Wykes 05.07.2026 46мин

  Join us for a live recording with Debsey Wykes about her book Teenage Daydream: We Are The Girls Who Play In A Band. Debsey’s early musical experiences were centred around Cambridge & her early interests included The Bay City Rollers, Queen & David Bowie. Punk arrived soon after & her tastes developed into The Damned, The Jam & The Stranglers. Her & a couple of friends have the idea to form an all girl band which becomes Dolly Mixture. They draw the attention of John Peel, get a mention in NME after only two months of rehearsals & incredibly play the largest venue in Cambridge, The Corn Exchange on only their fourth gig. After a couple of gigs with U2 & a tour with The Undertones, their debut single Baby Its You is released, a cover of the Bacharach & David track. However they don’t end up signing to Chrysalis Records & their second single is released on Paul Weller’s Respond Records. The Weller family are hugely supportive & the band want Ann Weller to manage them. They later appear on Happy Talk by Captain Sensible which leads to an appearance on Top of the Pops. The only Dolly Mixture album The Demonstration Tapes is released towards the end of the bands lifespan. The band member stayed in touch & their legacy has been kept alive by a documentary by Paul Kelly & various reissues with Bob Stanley. It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: ko-fi.com/musicmapsIt is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. You can see our upcoming live events here: https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/eventsInstagram: @rocknrollbookclube17X: @simonmusicmapsFacebook: E17rockbookclubHosted, Produced & Edited by Simon CardwellMusic by Andy Maxwell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  122 - Elvis Presley & Colonel Tom Parker with Peter Guralnick 28.06.2026 56мин

  We welcome legendary music writer Peter Guralnick as we take a deep dive into the fascinating relationship between Elvis Presley & his manager Colonel Tom Parker. Peter first gained access to Parker’s archives in the mid 1990s & what he found may change your view of Tom Parker & his relationship with Elvis.Parker was born in Breda, Holland in 1909 & came to the US in 1926, renaming himself Tom Parker, he creates an origin story about his life in the US & never returns to Europe. In his early years in the United States he travels as a hobo, works on travelling carnivals before beginning to manage musical artists. Scoring huge success with country stars Eddy Arnold & Hank Snow. In early 1955 Parker first hears about a singer from Tupelo, Mississippi named Elvis Presley after he draws 800 people to a nearby show. Bowled over by what he finds & the hysterical crowd reactions, Parker begins to promote Presley immediately. Parker gets Elvis off Sun Records for a more lucrative deal with RCA, after RCA meet Sun founder Sam Phillips $35,000 number to agree to the deal. His first new recording for RCA is Heartbreak Hotel. We also debunk numerous parts of the relationship between The Colonel & The King including Parker’s part in Presley’s acting career, the lack of foreign touring, the famous 50/50 revenue split & the sale of his master recordings to RCA. Parker never worked with another artist following Presley’s death, turned down a million dollar deal to write a memoir, didn’t give interviews & rarely spoke in public. It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: ko-fi.com/musicmapsIt is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. You can see our upcoming live events here: https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/eventsInstagram: @rocknrollbookclube17X: @simonmusicmapsFacebook: E17rockbookclubHosted, Produced & Edited by Simon CardwellMusic by Andy Maxwell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  121 - The Birth of British Rock & Roll with Brian Bennett (The Shadows) & Clem Cattini (The Tornados) 21.06.2026 49мин

  An episode we have wanted to bring you since before we recorded our first episode - the birth of British rock & roll with 2 legendary drummers, Brian Bennett from The Shadows & Clem Cattini of The Tornados. It starts at the 2i’s Coffee Bar at 59 Old Compton Street, Soho in London. Opened by 2 Iranian brothers (hence the name) the coffee bar is taken over by 2 professional wrestlers - Dr Death Paul Lincoln & Rebel Ray Hunter in April of 1956. Rock & roll bands begin to lay in the dark, sweaty basement, coming together from skiffle bands & word of mouth. For a time it was the only venue to hear original rock & roll in London & Tommy Steele is discovered there shortly after. As word gets around people begin to travel to play at the club including Bruce Welch & Hank Marvin who travel all the way from Newcastle for the chance to play. Brian & Clem go onto play with other bands including Marty Wilde, Joe Meek, Gene Vincent, Eddie Cochran & Billy Fury. Brian Bennett joins The Shadows & co-writes Summer Holiday while Clem Cattini is part of the first band to score a US number 1 single with Telstar, The Tornados. Adam Faith, Ritchie Blackmore, Tony Sheridan, Kris Kristofferson & Georgie Fame, Marc Bolan amongst many more attended or played at the 2i’s during its lifespan, closing in the late 60s. We also hear stories about Ginger Baker, Lulu, Keith Moon, The Beatles & Clem nearly playing with the Fab Four on their Australian tour instead of Jimmie Nicol. Clem also nearly joined Led Zeppelin & Wings but didn’t fancy either, for differing reasons. It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: ko-fi.com/musicmapsIt is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. You can see our upcoming live events here: https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/eventsInstagram: @rocknrollbookclube17X: @simonmusicmapsFacebook: E17rockbookclubHosted, Produced & Edited by Simon CardwellMusic by Andy Maxwell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  120 - The History of the Velvet Underground with Richie Unterberger 14.06.2026 44мин

  We turn our attention to one of the most influential bands of all time, The Velvet Underground for the first time with biographer Richie Unterberger. Lou Reed grew up in suburban Freeport, Long Island listening to the first wave of rock & roll. Later at Syracuse University Reed began to write future Velvet Underground tracks including Heroin & I’m Waiting For The Man, while there he also met future Velvets guitarist Sterling Morrison. Meanwhile in Garnant, Wales a young John Cale was a musical child prodigy, later moving to Goldsmiths College in London & on to New York on a music scholarship. After graduating Lou Reeds ends up at budget record label Pickwick Records writing songs on demand for immediate release. Through Pickwick, Lou Reed & John Cale meet & Lou begins to visit John in his Ludlow Street apartment in Manhattan. Also in New York, Lou coincidentally bumps into Sterling Morrison & he joins them in what becomes The Velvet Underground, all living together in Ludlow Street. The band take their name from a pulp novel by Michael Leigh & drummer Moe Tucker replaces Angus MacLise to complete the classic lineup. It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: ko-fi.com/musicmapsIt is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. You can see our upcoming live events here: https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/eventsInstagram: @rocknrollbookclube17X: @simonmusicmapsFacebook: E17rockbookclubHosted, Produced & Edited by Simon CardwellMusic by Andy Maxwell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  119 - Yoko Ono & the Avante-Garde Diaspora with Paul Morley 07.06.2026 1ч 1мин

  Join us & Paul Morley to hear all about Yoko Ono & the Avant-Garde Diaspora. We hear about her early years in Tokyo, born into an almost aristocratic background via her banker father, before her eventual relocation to New York to enter the art world.Once in New York Yoko goes on to create numerous significant works of art including Cut Piece & Grapefruit before meeting John Lennon in late 1966. Paul also gives us an overview of the avant-garde world prior to Yoko Ono, including The Incoherents, Marcel Duchamp, Fluxus & John Cage. It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: ko-fi.com/musicmapsIt is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. You can see our upcoming live events here: https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/eventsInstagram: @rocknrollbookclube17X: @simonmusicmapsFacebook: E17rockbookclubHosted, Produced & Edited by Simon CardwellMusic by Andy Maxwell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  118 - Glasgow Barrowlands with Alison Irvine 31.05.2026 45мин

  Join us for a deep dive into an iconic gig venue, the legendary Glasgow Barrowland Ballroom. The building was first opened by Maggie McIver on Christmas Eve 1934 & hosts dances for the East End of Glasgow for decades, however once the big band era passes the venue begins to decline & loses popularity following the infamous Bible John murders in the late 1960s. After a brief period as a Roller Disco the venue is revived following Simple Minds filming their Waterfront video in 1983. In 1985 the famous neon sign goes up on the exterior of the building & the venue is still family ran to this day. We hear about what makes the venue so famous from its legendary acoustics, to the ceiling stars & original features & also the famous Barrowlands atmosphere. Some of the famous performances at the Barrowlands include The Pogues debuting Fairytale of New York with Joe Strummer on guitar, Noel Gallagher finishing an Oasis gig solo after Liam Gallagher walks off stage, debuting Whatever on acoustic guitar. Unknown local acts Lewis Capaldi & Rianne Downeyt play early gigs at the venue while Scottish band The Saw Doctors hold the record for the most appearances at the Barrowlands. Others to play the venue include Bob Dylan, David Bowie & dozens more. It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: ko-fi.com/musicmapsIt is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. You can see our upcoming live events here: https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/eventsInstagram: @rocknrollbookclube17X: @simonmusicmapsFacebook: E17rockbookclubHosted, Produced & Edited by Simon CardwellMusic by Andy Maxwell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  117 - Ringo Starr & The Beatles with Tom Doyle 24.05.2026 55мин

  So today we take a deep dive into the early life of Ringo Starr, how he joined the Beatles & their subsequent unprecedented success. After overcoming various serious Illnesses as a child, a young Ringo first develops an interest in drumming while in hospital recovering. His first arrives courtesy of stepfather Harry Graves & before long Ringo is drumming in skiffle bands around Liverpool before moving on to join Rory Storm & the Hurricanes where he comes known as Ringo for the first time.Having met the other Beatles briefly back in Liverpool, Ringo finds himself in Hamburg at the same time as them. After sitting in with the band for the increasingly unreliable Pete Best, Ringo is asked to join the band in 1962.  His first gig with the band takes place at Hulme Hall in Port Sunlight in August of that year. Back at The Cavern some fans take a dislike to Pete’a replacement & some dissent & altercations follow. The Beatles debut album comes out in February of 1963 & features Ringo’s debut vocal performance with the band, Boys. I Wanna Be Your Man follows on With The Beatles but by now the Starkey family home in The Dingle is besieged with Beatle fans, eventually forcing the family to relocate. The Beatles arrive in the US in February of 1964 & Ringo plays a starring role in their debut press conference in New York. Ringo goes on to become the most popular Beatle stateside inspiring a number of novelty releases about him. One of Ringo’s catchphrases becomes the title of the Beatles debut feature film A Hard Days Night later in 1964 & he receives positive reviews for his acting in the film. Other notable Ringo tracks include Act Naturally & What Goes On but it’s 1966’s Yellow Submarine which gives Ringo his first number one. Another memorable Ringo vocal is released the following year on Sgt. Pepper with A Little Help From My Friends. Some of Ringo’s most memorable drum parts appear on Rain, Ticket To Ride & A Day In The Life. It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: ko-fi.com/musicmapsIt is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. You can see our upcoming live events here: https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/eventsInstagram: @rocknrollbookclube17X: @simonmusicmapsFacebook: E17rockbookclubHosted, Produced & Edited by Simon CardwellMusic by Andy Maxwell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  116 - The Coral with James Skelly, Nick Power & James Slater (Hoylake) 17.05.2026 1ч 1мин

  Join us for a very special live episode to mark the release of Dreaming Of You - The Making of the Coral - the new documentary available now to rent or buy. Our starting point is the faded seaside town of Hoylake, on the Wirral Peninsula near Liverpool, where The Coral meet & come together to form the band. Before music James & Ian Skelly live in a fantasy world of Ghostbusters, Transformers, Thundercats & Turtles - aided partly by their Dad’s market stall selling toys in Liverpool. Its drummer Ian Skelly & bassist Paul Duffy who start the band with singer James Skelly eventually joins them & guitarists Bill Ryder-Jones & Lee Southall follow. Nick Power completes the lineup & James stumbles on the name The Coral & it sticks. Early influences include Captain Beefheart, Pink Floyd, The La’s, Echo & the Bunnymen, The Teardrop Explodes, The Beach Boys, Dr. Dre, Peter Green & Oasis. In time this morphs into a love for The Beta Band, Super Furry Animals & Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci. A scene develops in Liverpool around The Zanzibar & The Bandwagon involving Tramp Attack, The Skylarks, The Bandits & The Zutons. The Coral begin to play regularly at The Cavern, entertaining Beatles tourists in a regular Sunday afternoon slot. The band are introduced to Deltasonic founder Alan Wills & not long after release debut single Shadows Fall. Shortly after the band sign to Sony after a gig at Night & Day in Manchester.Ian Broudie comes in as producer for what becomes the debut album which reaches 5 in the charts when released in July 2002. Hit single Dreaming Of You almost doesn’t appear on the album when the band are reluctant to include it, but ultimately have a change of heart. 2nd single Goodbye gets the band on Top Of The Pops & also gives the band the chance to build a full size Wicker Man for the accompanying video. A large headline gig takes place in a big top in New Brighton dubbed A Midsummer Nights Scream with The Libertines, The Bees, The Zutons, The Thrills & The Basements & makes the end of the first chapter of The Coral. It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: ko-fi.com/musicmapsIt is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. You can see our upcoming live events here: https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/eventsInstagram: @rocknrollbookclube17X: @simonmusicmapsFacebook: E17rockbookclubHosted, Produced & Edited by Simon CardwellMusic by Andy Maxwell116 - The Coral with James Skelly, Nick Power & James Slater (Hoylake) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  115 - John Altman on Monty Python, Prince, Muddy Waters, Amy Winehouse & more 10.05.2026 39мин

  AltmanJohn’s Uncles Sid Phillips & Wolf Phillips were big band conductors at the London Palladium so John grew up around the likes of Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong & Jack Benny.At a young age he played with the likes of Fleetwood Mac’s Peter Green, John Martyn, Nick Drake, Bridget St. John & Kevin Ayers.He joined Hot Chocolate & also found time to jam with Jimi Hendrix, have a laugh with Freddie Mercury & have Muddy Waters attend his 21st birthday party. John also had a hand in the music of Monty Python playing a key role in the Life Of Brian spinoff hit Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life. Beatles spoof The Rutles featured John’s work & we hear how he recreated the famous Beatles sound on record. Moving into the world of cinema & John had a hand in the music of Pierce Brosnan’s first turn as James Bond in 1995’s Goldeneye & also in 1997’s Titanic which became the biggest movie of all time up to that point. We hear about a frantic phone call from James Cameron during the making of Titanic. John has also played on an estimated 4000 TV adverts ranging from Sheila’s Wheels to You Can Do It If You B&Q It, working with the likes of John Frankenheimer, Ridley & Tony Scott, Alan Parker, Elliot Erwitt, David Bailey & Terance Donovan. He also worked with Salman Rushdie as a lyricist, but never knew he was also a writer. Fans of Raymond Briggs’s The Snowman can hear about John’s work on Walking In The Air with Aled Jones. In the late 90s, a club in London known as 10 Room was founded, at first it started slowly but picked up once Lionel Richie & Chakak Khan turned up & played. In the coming years it hosted the likes of Nas, Will Smith, Chris Tucker, Kanye West, John Legend, Backstreet Boys, Ja Rule, Wycliffe Jean, Joss Stone & Amy Winehouse. We hear about proposed albums with Amy Winehouse & Dusty Springfield which do not come to fruition. And if that isn’t enough John throws in stories about Prince, Bjork & working on George Michael’s Faith for good measure. It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: ko-fi.com/musicmapsIt is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. You can see our upcoming live events here: https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/eventsInstagram: @rocknrollbookclube17X: @simonmusicmapsFacebook: E17rockbookclubHosted, Produced & Edited by Simon CardwellMusic by Andy Maxwell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  Inside The Gang Of Four with Jon King (Leeds) 03.05.2026 59мин

  Jon King joins us to talk about the early years & formation of the Gang of Four - formed at Leeds University while Jon studied art. Jon was born in South London but moved to a village near Sevenoaks in Kent & while the King household rarely featured music, Jon grew up listening to Motown & Trojan Records before discovering Bob Dylan & the Velvet Underground. Another notable formative experience was bumping into John Lennon on Sevenoaks high street, the Beatles were in the area to film the video for Strawberry Fields Forever. Lennon also purchased the circus poster which inspired Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite on the same visit. Once up in Leeds, Jon blagged a trip to New York under the guise of needing to see Jasper John’s paintings in the flesh. While there he attends CBGBs & sees Richard Hell & the Voidoids, the Dead Boys & the other seminal New York bands. Gang Of Four’s first gig takes place in the basement of the Corn Exchange in Leeds & not long after Buzzcocks manager Richard Boon invited them to open for them on tour. The bands debut single Damaged Goods comes out on Fast Product Records but the band soon sign with EMI. The band’s debut album Entertainment! is released to universal acclaim & leads to a deal with Warner Brothers in the US & similar praise from the likes of Greil Marcus & Jerry Wexler. It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: ko-fi.com/musicmapsIt is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. You can see our upcoming live events here: https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/eventsInstagram: @rocknrollbookclube17X: @simonmusicmapsFacebook: E17rockbookclubHosted, Produced & Edited by Simon CardwellMusic by Andy Maxwell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.