Our fourth annual Christmas episode! The holidays are supposed to be the happiest time of the year, but let’s face it – some of us are feeling less holly jolly. In our 4th annual Prisoners of Rock and Roll Christmas episode, we’re celebrating having a blue Christmas by talking about the blues. 

You don’t hear a lot of blues Christmas music on the radio or in the mall these days, but there are some killer versions of Christmas classics as well as some original tunes. 

So whether you’re on Santa’s naughty list or just trying to survive another family gathering, pour yourself some holiday punch, eggnog, or a bourbon, and take a seat down by the fireplace. Let’s rock out and feel a little blue for Christmas. 

By the way, this is a really festive time of year for a lot of people. Most of us are spending a ton of time with friends and family. Heck, you might be listening to us in the car on your way to a Christmas party right now. 

But this time of year can also be overwhelming to a lot of people. Us rock and roll fans need to stick together and take care of ourselves as well as each other. So try to take a few minutes and reach out to a friend or loved one to say hello and see how they’re doing. Just reaching out can have a huge impact on someone. 

And if you’re ever feeling down, help is always just a phone call away. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24 hours a day at 800 273 8255.

We love you guys.

Episode Playlist & Other Stuff

Check out our episode playlist here.

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In this episode of Prisoners of Rock and Roll, we’re taking a walk on the dark side and diving deep into one of the most provocative and iconic songs in rock history: Sympathy for the Devil by The Rolling Stones.

This isn’t just a song; it’s a masterclass in storytelling, where Mick Jagger steps into the shoes of the devil himself to walk us through some of humanity’s darkest moments. It's got congas, swagger, and just the right amount of evil to make you want to turn it up and maybe check over your shoulder.

We’re going to break down the lyrics, dig into the controversy surrounding the song, and talk about how it cemented the Stones' reputation as rock’s bad boys. Was it a critique of human nature, or just a brilliant way to ruffle some feathers? And why does this song still send chills down our spines decades later?

So light the candles, draw your pentagrams—or, you know, just grab a drink—and join us as we get philosophical, a little devilish, and a whole lot of rock and roll with Sympathy for the Devil.

Episode Playlist & Other Stuff

Check out our episode playlist here.

Get In Touch

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Live was one of the most popular bands of the post grunge era. After entering the alternative music scene in 1991 with a spiritual album called Mental Jewelry, they became one of the biggest bands of the mid 90s on the backs of Throwing Copper and Secret Samahdi. 

They had made it! Four friends from high school who became wealthy rock stars who sold millions of albums and landed on the cover of Rolling Stone. And then they crashed and burned in one of the biggest dumpster fires I have ever read about. 

Their relevancy faded quickly as the music industry changed. After breaking up in 2009, three members of the band invested in a series of businesses that turned out to be ponzi schemes. They lost $10 million, their instruments, and even the painting that appears on the cover of Throwing Copper. 

The four original members of the band have sued each other so many times that it is hard to keep track of. How did this band of four guys from the working class town of York Pennsylvania have such a meteoric crash and burn? 

Tune into this episode of Prisoners of Rock and Roll to find out.

Episode Playlist & Other Stuff

Check out our episode playlist here. If you want to hear Live's early Public Affection tape, it's on YouTube. You also have to go on YouTube to hear Live's only album with Chris Shinn.

Rolling Stone published a great article on the lawsuits and bad business deals that helped ruin Live.

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We’re shining a spotlight on one of the last bands standing from the grunge era: Pearl Jam. While so many of their Seattle peers have either burned out or faded away, Pearl Jam’s still out there, rocking stadiums, dropping albums, and staying true to their roots in a world where rock and roll isn’t exactly topping the charts anymore.

We’re going to dig into how Pearl Jam has managed to outlast so many others, their influence on rock and roll, and how they evolved from flannel-wearing grunge pioneers to a band with a legacy that spans over 30 years. Plus, we’ll talk about their legendary battle with Ticketmaster, when they took a stand against corporate greed and the exploitation of fans — a legal fight that still resonates today, especially in a time of sky-high ticket prices.

So throw on your best worn-out band tee, turn up the volume, and join us as we dive into the story of Pearl Jam, a band that’s weathered the storms of the music industry and is still rocking like no other.

Episode Playlist & Other Stuff

Check out our episode playlist here.

Get In Touch

Check us out online, on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube. or drops us an email at [email protected].

Or if you're in Philadelphia, come visit our home base at McCusker's Tavern.

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On this episode of Prisoners of Rock and Roll, we're heading into the dark, twisted world of Ozzy Osbourne and diving deep into two of the most legendary heavy metal albums of all time: Blizzard of Ozz and Diary of a Madman. Make no mistake: these albums kick ass. But, like anything involving the Prince of Darkness, there's more to the story than meets the eye.

Sure, these records gave us unforgettable tracks like “Crazy Train” and “Over the Mountain,” but behind the scenes, things were a total circus. After recording Diary of a Madman, bassist Bob Daisley and drummer Lee Kerslake were kicked out of the band, setting off a firestorm of lawsuits for royalties. And just when you thought things couldn't get any wilder, Sharon Osbourne decided to go back years later and had their parts re-recorded by different musicians — all without really telling anyone. Talk about rewriting history!

So crank up the volume, headbang like you mean it, and join us as we break down the music, the madness, and the mayhem behind Blizzard of Ozz and Diary of a Madman. This episode's going to be a wild ride through two albums that rocked the metal world and stirred up plenty of controversy along the way so put down that bat and open a beer. Let’s hit it!

Episode Playlist & Other Stuff

Check out our episode playlist here.

Check out clips from the Holy Grail tapes on Bob Daisley's website here.

Lastly, take a look at this YouTube video that breaks down all of the different versions of Crazy Train.

Get In Touch

Check us out online, on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube. or drops us an email at [email protected].

Or if you're in Philadelphia, come visit our home base at McCusker's Tavern.

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In this episode of Prisoners of Rock and Roll, we’re cranking up the volume on some of the greatest fictional bands from movies and television shows. Groups that were born on the screen and sometimes even crossed over on the real music charts. 

From the pop sound of Monkees and the Partridge Family, the wild and funky vibes of Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem, and the turned up to 11 metal of Spinal Tap, some of these bands may have started out as make believe but they rocked out so much that they blurred the lines between entertainment and reality. 

So go put on your Gem t shirt or make a note to yourself that its time to rewatch the Blues Brothers. Let’s hit i

Episode Playlists

Check out our episode playlist here.

Get In Touch

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In 1985, a group of musicians came together to raise awareness about the oppressive, racist government in South Africa. 

Organized by Steven Van Zandt, the group calling themselves Artists United Against Apartheid was, according to music critic Dave Marsh, “the most diverse line up of popular musicians ever assembled for a single session” and the list is pretty amazing.” 

Just some of the names include Bono, George Clinton, Peter Gabriel, Lou Reed, Kurtis Blow, Miles Davis, Ringo Star, David Ruffin, Joey Ramone, Run DMC, Keith Richard, Bruce Springsteen, Herbie Hancock, Bonnie Raitt, that dude from Midnight Oil, AND the Fat Boys. 

They jointly refused to ever play at Sun City, a luxury resort in South Africa that symbolized the racial segregation of South Africa, and they released a protest album called Sun City to raise awareness. 

In this episode of Prisoners of Rock and Roll, we’re diving into the history and impact of Artists United Against Apartheid.

Episode Playlists

Check out the Artists United Against Apartheid album here.

Get In Touch

Check us out online, on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube. or drops us an email at [email protected].

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Bob Marley is one of the most famous figures in reggae music. On December 3, 1976, seven gunmen stormed into Bob Marley’s home in Kingstown, Jamaica and opened fire, wounding the singer, his wife, and members of his inner circle. The assassination attempt came just days before Marley was scheduled to perform at a concert in Jamaica that was supposed to calm political violence in the country. 

Shot but not seriously wounded, a defiant Bob Marley performed at the Smile Jamaica concert anyway, and the incident also has a profound impact on his life and music. 

In this episode of Prisoners of Rock and Roll, we’re taking a look at the assassination attempt on Bob Marley: the details of the attack, the mysterious motives behind it, and the impact it had on Marley’s music and message. And of course, we'll pay tribute to Marley's enduring legacy and the powerful message of peace and unity that his music continues to spread.

Episode Playlists

No episode playlist for this one. Most of the songs we played in this episode are on Bob Marley, Legend.

Get In Touch

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Rock and roll got really big in the 1970s. We don’t mean in terms of popularity, although it had that going for it too. We mean the sounds got big. The audiences got big. The performances got big. Arena rock was loose definition for commercial, radio-friendly music designed to be played in big stadiums to tens of thousands of people with singalong choruses and huge stage productions. 

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame calls this era the golden age of hard rock in terms of its commercial airplay, but it also has its critics. People also call it dad rock, old wave, and corporate rock because it was music for mostly middle class white dudes powered by big corporate record labels. 

In this episode of Prisoners of Rock and Roll, we’re going to look at both sides of the argument, talk about bands like Journey, Boston, Foreigner, Kansas, and more. Let’s hit it.

Episode Playlists

Check out all of the songs we discussed in this week's episode here.

Get In Touch

Check us out online, on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube. or drops us an email at [email protected].

Or if you're in Philadelphia, come visit our home base at McCusker's Tavern.

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There are few rock and rollers in the last 40 years more synonymous with the piano than Elton John and Billy Joel. These iconic singer songwriters have sold over 450 million albums, had 90 top 40 hits between the two of them, and played tons of shows together during their Face to Face tours from 1994 to 2010. 

While they are both known for their piano playing, each of them have their own signature styles. Billy Joel is known for writing biographical songs and incorporating pop and doo wop in his music. Elton John is a legendary showman who is just as known for his flashy outfits as his music. 

In this episode of Prisoners of Rock and Roll, it’s the Piano Man versus the Rocket Man. Let’s hit it.

Episode Playlists

Check out all of the songs we discussed in this week's episode here.

Get In Touch

Check us out online, on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube. or drops us an email at [email protected].

Or if you're in Philadelphia, come visit our home base at McCusker's Tavern.

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