For this episode we're joined all the way from San Francisco by Barry Walters to discuss his new history of LGBTQ music. And in our first recording since the retirement of Mark Pringle, William Pike becomes an official co-host of the RBP podcast...

Barry reflects on his upbringing in Rochester, N.Y., his move to New York City, and his early writing for the Village Voice. We then hear about his years as pop critic for the San Francisco Examiner and the inspiration of gay disco icon Sylvester.

Along the way our guest touches on some of the other artists he writes about in Mighty Real, including the Village People, k.d. lang and Grace Jones. We hear clips from Richard Cook's 1985 audio interview with the amazing Grace and discuss her unique contribution to LGBTQ culture.

After William mentions a recently-added library piece about Ray Davies (1977), prompting a discussion of the Kinks' watershed hit 'Lola', Jasper talks us out with his thoughts on Kylie Minogue (2011) and his deep reverence for Spanish superstar Rosalía (from whose O2 show the previous evening he is still reeling...).

Many thanks to special guest Barry Walters. Mighty Real: A History of LGBTQ Music, 1969–2000 is published by Viking and available now from all good bookshops. Visit Barry's website at barrywalterswriter.com.

Pieces discussed: Grace Jones audio interview (1985), Ray Davies live at Queen Elizabeth Hall, Kylie Minogue: The Albums 2000–2010 and Rosalía: Lux.