Rock's Backpages

In this week's episode, we welcome former Face editor Sheryl Garratt into RBP's Zoomworld to ask her about rave and club culture – and how we got from disco to acid house to 2020's quarantine raves. Sheryl discusses her newly-reissued/revised 1999 classic Adventures in Wonderland and looks back on her journey from the NME to The Observer. Mark, Barney & Jasper ask her about her seminal 1986 Face piece on Chicago's House scene – and about Ecstasy and 1988's "second summer of love". 

Clips from the week's new audio interview, a 2005 conversation between DJ History's Bill & Frank and Shoom/Boy's Own legend Terry Farley, provide the perfect springboard for further reminiscence of House music and the UK's ever-fecund club scene. Sheryl also pitches in on the week's Free On RBP feature about fellow Brummie Mike (The Streets) Skinner, whose classic track 'Weak Become Heroes' was arguably the greatest elegy for the rave era. We hear a clip of Skinner speaking to Gavin Martin in 2002 and celebrate that year's splendid Original Pirate Material album. 

Among the new RBP library additions considered are Hugh Nolan's Disc report on London's psychedelic temple the UFO club (1967), a slightly unlikely 1989 encounter between David Toop and Bakersfield country icon Buck Owens, and Chris Heath's hilarious 1997 Rolling Stone cover story on the Spice Girls. Jasper takes us out with observations on a pointless Tim Buckley tribute album (2000) and an interview with Public Service Broadcasting's amusingly-monikered J. Willgoose , Esquire … 

Many thanks to special guest Sheryl Garratt; buy Adventures in Wonderland on Amazon and visit her website at sherylgarratt.com.

Pieces discussed: House sound of Chicago, Blackpool Weekender, 1988 and all that, Terry Farley audio, The Streets audio, The Streetser, The Streetsest, UFO Club, George Harrison, Al Green, Buck Owens, Neil Kulkarni's letter to MM, Spice Girls, Tim Buckley tribute, Tim Buckley live, James Blood Ulmer, Public Service Broadcasting and Britney Spears.

The Rock's Backpages podcast is proud to be part of the Pantheon podcast network.

In this week's episode, we welcome legendary Rough Trade founder Geoff Travis into RBP's virtual cupboard. Averse to nostalgia though he is, Geoff looks back on the musical odyssey that took him from suburban north London to San Francisco's City Lights bookstore — and then back to Notting Hill Gate, where the Rough Trade story started in 1976. Mark and Barney ask him about the label's many remarkable artists (from the Fall to the Smiths), the Cartel distribution network he set up, and the company's second coming with the early Noughties signings of the Strokes and the Libertines. 

A timely segue takes us into discussion of early Rough Trade postpunks Scritti Politti, whose frontman Green Gartside is heard in clips from a 2006 audio interview by Adam Sweeting. Geoff shares his memories of — and deep respect for — Green, answering questions about the singer's return to Rough Trade after Scritti's major-label successes of the '80s and '90s.

After a passing nod to pieces by RBP's featured writer of the week Pat Blashill — author/photographer of the splendid new Texas is the Reason — Mark leads us gently through his highlights of the week's library additions. Most pleasingly, he welcomes the work of the late Lillian Roxon to RBP in the form of her 1967 report on the new creatures dubbed "Hippies". Other pieces picked out include Isaac Hayes talking about Shaft in 1971 and a 1977 live review of Sylvester performing at San Francisco's Old Waldorf club. Jasper brings the episode to a conclusion by quoting from pieces about Corinne Bailey Rae and North Carolina's electronic duo Sylvan Esso before a final clip of Mr Gartside in full flow takes us out…

Pieces discussed: Rough Trade, Rougher Trade, Roughest Trade, Scritti Politti's Green Gartside audio, Beastie Boys, America's Rave Scene, Photographs of Texas punks, Hippies, Isaac Hayes on Shaft, Sylvester live, Randy Newman, Corinne Bailey Rae and Sylvan Esso.

The Rock's Backpages podcast is proud to be part of the Pantheon podcast network.

In this week's episode, Mark, Barney and Jasper discuss the role music has played in expressing the pain and rage of Black Americans. Touching on such seminal figures as Nina Simone, Curtis Mayfield and the Last Poets, they listen to clips from a 1976 audio interview with the late Gil Scott-Heron, assessing his militant poetics and the albums he made with Brian Jackson. From there, the RBP team considers interviews with Public Enemy's Chuck D in 1992 and, from 2015, Kendrick Lamar. They also discuss a 1971 piece about James Brown by pioneering Black "rock critic" Vernon Gibbs. 

Mark talks us through such highlights of the week's new additions to the RBP library — Philip Elwood's live review of Judy Garland at San Carlos' Circle Star, Roy Carr's interview with New Orleans piano great Professor Longhair, Michael Goldberg's salute to New York electro-punk duo Suicide and David Toop's tribute to '60s pop Svengali Larry Parnes. Barney cites a timely 2011 interview with Harry Belafonte, wherein the singer-actor reflects on his civil-rights activism, after which Jasper wraps up matters by looking at pieces about the boundary-pushing Peaches, the return of Neneh Cherry and the bizarre artist known formerly as Terence Trent D'Arby. 

The Rock's Backpages podcast is part of the Pantheon podcast network.

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Pieces discussed: Gil Scott-Heron audio, Nina Simone, Public Enemy, Kendrick Lamar, James Brown, Indie labels, Judy Garland, Professor Longhair, Suicide, Larry Parnes, Depeche Mode, Charles Brown, Harry Belafonte, Peaches, Alicia Keys, Neneh Cherry and Terence Trent D'Arby.

In this week's episode, we welcome the great Jonh Ingham into RBP's "virtual cupboard". In a fascinating conversation, he revisits the peripatetic childhood that took him to California in the '60s – and to San Francisco's Fillmore West, where in 1971 he reviewed a famous Aretha Franklin show for Creem magazine. Mark & Barney ask him about his return to the UK, where he wrote for NME and then Sounds, championing London's nascent punk scene in early '76 and conducting the first interview with the Sex Pistols. He also reminisces about running the Fake Club in L.A., working in advertising in Tokyo, and ending up as CompuServe's head of content back in the UK. 

After a brief digression on the subject of Stefani "Lady Gaga" Germanotta – with Mark & Jasper almost coming to cultural blows – Jonh offers his thoughts on John Peel, subject of the week's knew audio interview. We hear clips of the beloved DJ talking to Martin Aston in 1989, prompting recall of the great man's self-effacing radio personality and his incalculable impact on all forms of alternative music. Mark talks us through highlights of the week's new library pieces , including Nat King Cole's last-ever interview before his death in 1965 and a 69-year-old Cab Calloway speaking to Philip Elwood in 1976. Jasper concludes matters by discoursing on French quartet Phoenix, Malian master Ali Farka Touré and jazz legend George Russell. 

Many thanks to special guest Jonh Ingham, whose book Spirit of '76 is available online at Blackwell's and all other good bookshops.

The Rock's Backpages podcast is proud to be part of the Pantheon podcast network.

Pieces discussed: Aretha Franklin, Sex Pistols, Punk, Lady Gaga, Lady more Gaga, Lady most Gaga, John Peel audio, Nat King Cole, Hendrix etc., Grateful Dead + Miles Davis, Cab Calloway, Earth, Wind & Fire's Maurice White, Aphex Twin, Phoenix, Ali Farka Touré, Daft Punk and George Russell.

In this week's episode, Mark, Barney & Jasper talk extensively about one of the great record labels — a hallowed home to such groundbreaking acts as Jimmy Cliff, Nick Drake, Roxy Music, (Bob Marley and) the Wailers and, yes, U2. Listening to clips from John Tobler's 1989 audio interview with Island founder Chris Blackwell, RBP's power trio reflect on what made the label such a powerhouse for non-mainstream genres like folk and reggae. Blackwell talks of its transformation after 1967, as well as his first encounter with Marley in 1972.

A neat segue via Lenny Kaye's 1975 overview of the label leads "the team" into a discussion of Sparks, the American art pop duo who've just released their new album, A Steady Drip, Drip, Drip. Mark & Barney reminisce about the Mael brothers' Island years in the '70s, commencing with Kimono My House and its astonishing hit single 'This Town Ain't Big Enough for the Both of Us'. We stay in the '70s, moreover, as the RBP troika considers great Disc pieces — about Lou Reed and Chinnichap — by the splendidly-named Ray Fox-Cumming.

Mark rounds matters off by talking us through new library pieces about Santana, Hamilton Bohannon, John Fahey (1977), Joni Mitchell and N.W.A., while Jasper adds his tuppenceworth on articles about British folk institution Topic Records, the death of the album and Busta Rhymes. And we go out with a clip from Johnny Black's 1995 audio interview with Pretty Things frontman Phil May, who sadly passed away last week...

The Rock's Backpages podcast is proud to be part of the Pantheon podcast network.

Pieces discussed: Chris Blackwell audio, Island Records, Sparks, Ron Mael, Lou Reed, The Sweet, Queen, Santana, Hamilton Bohannon, John Fahey, The Pretenders, Sheena Easton, Roxanne Shanté, NWA: Straight Outta Compton, Robert Johnson, Mark Ronson, The T.A.M.I. Show, Cecil Sharp, Folk field recordings, Death of the album, Busta Rhymes and Phil May audio.

In this week's episode, we welcome special guest James Fox, author of 1982's bestselling White Mischief and the man who, ten years ago, made Keith Richards' Life one of rock's outstanding autobiographies. James talks us through his long and distinguished career as a journalist in Africa, and as a features writer during the golden era of The Sunday Times Magazine. He describes how his friendship with "Keef" was cemented by the pieces he wrote for that publication about the Rolling Stones in 1973 and 1976, answering his hosts' questions about the great man's rhythm guitar playing.

The fantastic Mr. Fox also offers his perspective on Little Richard, whose death last week prompts discussion of the gay black southerner's explosive role in the birth of rock & roll. We hear a clip of the sometime Mr. Penniman speaking in 1985 – as well as one of the late Betty ('Clean Up Woman') Wright owning up to being a shameless show-off in 1978. Handily, James is on hand, too, to reminisce about the importance of Moe Asch's legendary Folkways label – as revisited in the week's new audio interview, a conversation with folk elder Pete Seeger conducted by Tony Scherman in 1987. Clips follow of Seeger talking about Asch and recalling Folkways legends Lead Belly and Woody Guthrie. 

As ever, Mark guides us through his personal library highlights, including pieces about John Coltrane (1965), Deep Purple (1970), Ashford & Simpson (1982) and Billy Idol (1990). Jasper concludes matters with quotes from pieces about Joanna Newsom (2015), JPEGMAFIA (2017) and, erm, James Blunt (2020).

Many thanks to special guest James Fox—visit his website at jamesfox.co.uk.

The Rock's Backpages podcast is proud to be part of the Pantheon podcast network.

Pieces discussed: Keith Richards' guitar playing, Rolling Stones, Papa Wemba, Little Richard, Little Richarder, Little Richardest, Betty Wright, Betty Wrighter, Pete Seeger, John Coltrane Quartet, Velvet Underground and Nico, Kate and Anna McGarrigle, Ashford & Simpson, Billy Idol, Ice-T, Acid House, Joanna Newsom, JPEGMAFIA and James Blunt.

In this week's episode of the RBP podcast, we pay tribute to Kraftwerk cofounder Florian Schneider, along with Afrobeat linchpin Tony Allen and Stranglers keyboardist Dave Greenfield. The excellent Simon Witter joins us to offer essential expertise on Schneider's vital part in making Kraftwerk the hugely influential group they were, with discussion revolving around our guest's epic MOJO retrospective on the electronica godfathers.

RBP's regular triumvirate consider pieces by the week's featured writer Lisa Verrico, commencing with a hilarious 1994 diatribe from the Fall's Mark E. Smith. More-up-to date are her great Sunday Times profiles of cutting-edge stars Billie Eilish and Christine & the Queens, prompting passionate endorsements by "our Jasper" Murison-Bowie. Being a tiny bit older than "our" Jasper, Mark Pringle & Barney Hoskyns steer the conversation towards the week's new audio interview. Clips from John Tobler's 1973 chat with Rick Nelson trigger musings on TV teen Idol Ricky's metamorphosis into a credible rock and roller – and then into the trailblazing L.A. country rocker whose Stone Canyon Band backed him on his wry Top 10 hit 'Garden Party'. 

Finally, Mark walks us through the new library additions that most tickled his interest this week, including Jamie McCluskey III (a.k.a. Eden, a.k.a. Nikki Wine) chatting to the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson in 1965, David Keeps in conversation with Detroit's Was (Not Was) in 1983, and RJ Smith anticipating Trump's America in a prescient 1991 piece about Guns N' Roses. Barney pics Carol Clark's lovely 2001 lament for the inimitable Joey Ramone, while Jasper focuses on – among other items – John Calvert's 2015 dissection of problematic lyrics by Abel "The Weeknd" Tesfaye… 

Many thanks to special guest Simon Witter.

The Rock's Backpages podcast is part of the Pantheon podcast network.

Pieces discussed: Kraftwerk, Kraftwerker, Am Kraftwerksten, Mark E. Smith, Billie Eilish, Christine and the Queens, Rick Nelson audio, Brian Wilson, The Band, Was (Not Was), The D.O.C., Guns N' Roses, Hip Hop in 1998, Joey Ramone, Neil Cowley Trio, The Weeknd and Tame Impala's Slow Rush.

In this week's episode, RBP's very own Terrible Trio are joined by the legendary Jill Furmanovsky for a free-ranging conversation about her long career – and about rock photography in general. Jill describes her lucky 1972 break at London's Rainbow Theatre, talks about shooting Pink Floyd and Bob Dylan, and namechecks fellow snappers Pennie Smith and Barrie Wentzell. Discussion follows about free pieces (on Henry Diltz, Dennis Morris, and Barry Feinstein) by Observer photography critic Sean O'Hagan. 

The first of three clips from a 1975 interview with the late Errol Brown prompts reflections on the delicious Hot Chocolate – and what made Brown such a compelling star of '70s pop. Mark then guides us through new library pieces about Andy Williams (1963), the MC5 (1968), Ringo Starr (1972), and Scritti Politti (1988). Barney spotlights articles on Frankie Goes to Hollywood and the state of music journalism in 2018. Jasper wraps up the episode by considering the post-Velvets careers of Lou Reed, John Cale and co., plus an unlikely 2011 live pairing of Foo Fighters and CeeLo Green… 

Many thanks to special guest Jill Furmanovsky; visit rockarchive.com to see her photography.

We are delighted to launch our exclusive collaboration with Rockarchive at rocksbackpages.com/rockarchive.

The Rock's Backpages podcast is part of the Pantheon podcast network.

Pieces discussed: Jill Furmanovsky's Moment, Jill's Bobquest, Val Wilmer, Dennis Morris, Henry Diltz, Barry Feinstein, Hot Chocolate audio, Andy Williams, The Beatles, MC5, Ringo Starr, Muddy Waters, Scritti Politti, Suede, Fiona Apple, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Music journalism, Life beyond the Velvets, Foo Fighters/CeeLo Green and Zoot Suit riots.

Content warning: This episode contains discussion of assault (1:02:28–1:05:20) that some listeners may find distressing.

In the 70th episode of our podcast, RBP's Zooming triumvirate talk about the Who's Live at Leeds — "the greatest live album ever made," in many people's H.O. — as it reaches its half-century. Referencing Geoffrey Cannon's unabridged Guardian review from May 1970, Mark & Barney relive memories of seeing the Who live and — with Jasper — explore what made the band such a uniquely powerful live unit.

The two other giants of '60s British pop feature in free pieces by KRLA Beat's Nikki "Eden" Wine, who attempts to explain Beatlemania in 1965 and hangs around a Rolling Stones session in Hollywood in 1966. Mark puts "the Beat" ("America's Pop Music NEWSpaper") into historical context and describes how some of its key female contributors wound up on RBP.

A passionate fan of Ron Sexsmith's for 25 years, Barney intros his own 2011 audio interview with the self-effacing Canadian. There are clips of Ron talking about Interscope signing him at the ripe old age of 31; about his and others' songwriting; and about his painful envy of Neil Diamond's onstage confidence. Finally, Mark & Jasper chew over highlights among the week's new library pieces, including interviews with Chicken Shack (1969), Manitas de Plata (1971) and Creation's Alan McGee (1997); a report on the Jacksons' overblown Victory tour of 1984; a review of Childish Gambino's first London gig (2012); and a 2017 report on allegations of sexual abuse against "queer punk" duo PWR BTTM…

The Rock's Backpages podcast is proud to be part of the Pantheon podcast network.

Pieces discussed: The Who: Live at Leeds, Live at Leeds (Super Deluxe!), Paul Entwistle, Beatlemania, Rolling Stones, Marvin Gaye, Ron Sexsmith audio, Doris Day, Chicken Shack, Manitas de Plata, The Jacksons' Victory tour, Metallica, Belly, Alan McGee, Felt, Humphrey Lyttelton joins Radiohead, Donny Hathaway, Childish Gambino and PWR BTTM.

In this week's episode, your regular co-hosts are joined for the second time by RBP's original co-founder Martin Colyer, beamed in from Leyton, to offer his invaluable thoughts on Lucinda Williams and Greil Marcus' classic Mystery Train. 

Williams prompts near-rapturous approval for her 1998 masterpiece Car Wheels on a Gravel Road, with Mark and Barney similarly admiring its southern poetics and Americana-defining country soul. Conversation flows seamlessly into the impact of Marcus' 1975 game-changing book, newly reissued (with lavish illustrations) by the Folio Society. Discussion of the book's chapters on Elvis Presley and The Band takes the RBP team back to Marcus' profound influence on British fans of American music.

Rounding out the episode's American theme, these four horsemen of the rock apocalypse hear clips from Maureen Paton's 2005 phone interview with the ever-amusing Rufus Wainwright, who covers all the topics you might expect from him, following the release of his remarkable Want albums: addiction, AIDS, America and the Wainwright/McGarrigle clans.

As per usual, Messrs. Pringle, Hoskyns & Murison-Bowie sift through some of the new library pieces that most intrigued them, including a Dawn James Rave interview with Small Face Steve Marriott from 1966; Michael Watts' underwhelmed Melody Maker response to Herbie Hancock's 1974 show at Carnegie Hall; Dave Thompson's fascinating 2004 Goldmine piece on the late Alan ('I Love Rock 'n Roll') Merrill's little-known Japanese glam band Vodka Collins; and, from 2006, a terrific Pete Paphides Times profile Gogol Bordello's Eugene Hütz…

Pieces discussed: Lucinda Williams, Lucinder Williams, Lucindest Williams, Greil Marcus sees The Band, Greil on rock'n'roll, Greil in conversation with Andy Beckett, Rufus Wainwright audio, Small Faces, Why does nobody love the Beatles?, Herbie Hancock, The Beastie Boys, Samantha Fox, Andrew Loog Oldham, Vodka Collins, Teenage Fanclub, Gogol Bordello and Toro y Moi.

This show is part of Pantheon Podcasts.