Rock's Backpages

Rock's Backpages

By Barney Hoskyns, Jasper Murison-Bowie, William PikeArtsMusicMusic InterviewsMusic History
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Rock's Backpages episodes

  • E38: Woodstock '69 + Shirley Collins + Mark Anthony Neal

    Content warning: This episode contains references to sexual violence and domestic abuse.

    Following the cancellation of Woodstock 50, regular RBP podcast hosts Mark Pringle & Barney Hoskyns are joined by occasional host Jasper Murison-Bowie to discuss the legacy of those fateful three days in August 1969. RBP's very own power trio considers contemporary reports that paint contrasting pictures: Danny Goldberg's positive story for Billboard, Miller Francis Jr.'s altogether more sanguine account for Atlanta's Great Speckled Bird, highlighting the survivalist nature of attending the festival as a punter.

    Featured writer of the week is Duke University professor Mark Anthony Neal, with pieces on "blue-eyed" soul enigma Lewis Taylor, the demise of Vibe magazine, and the remarkable voice of doomed New Jersey soul singer Linda Jones.

    Los tres hombres hear a clip from a 1991 audio interview with Shirley Collins, wherein the English folk doyenne discusses her 20-year-old No Roses album. Collins talks about the album's recording process and (most of) the 26 musicians who performed on it.

    Mark presents his highlights from the archive, including a report on the controversy that followed Norman Jopling's unfavourable live review of Otis Redding on the 1967 Stax revue; a Roy Carr interview with Tina Turner, and a report on Ecstasy in Holland. Jasper rounds out the selection of archive highlights with a live review of reggae singer Shaggy, aka Mr Boombastic/Mr Lover Lover/Mr Romantic.

    Produced by Jasper Murison-Bowie

    Pieces discussed: Woodstock (Danny Goldberg report), Woodstock (Miller Francis Jr. report), Woodstock '94, Lewis Taylor, Barney on Lewis Taylor, Demise of Vibe, Linda Jones, Shirley Collins audio, The Stax Controversy, "Mert" Hunter, The Kid They Killed at Altamont, Tina Turner, Gene, Ecstasy, Marilyn Manson, Shaggy

    1 hr 10 min
  • E37: Glen Campbell, Jimmy Webb and The Wichita Lineman with Dylan Jones

    Joined by GQ editor (and sometime i-D contibutor) Dylan Jones, Mark and Barney talk about Dylan's new book The Wichita Lineman: Searching in the Sun for the World's Greatest Unfinished Song and celebrate 'Lineman''s composer Jimmy Webb and the song's original singer, the late Glen Campbell. Dylan explains how he came to write the book and the three men enthuse about Webb's ability to tell stories in song and in person.

    After listening to a clip from a 2005 audio interview with Webb himself, wherein he laments the lack of complexity in contemporary pop and discusses his use of harmony and chords, Mark and Barney quiz Dylan about hiring Boris Johnson as car correspondent for GQ magazine. Talk turns briefly to politics as they consider how Dylan's acquaintance David Cameron might now feel about calling the 2016 referendum.

    Mark presents highlights from the week's new library pieces. These include an interview with Robin Gibb shortly after he left the Bee Gees, a report from the Wailers' first trip to London, and a Diana Ross press conference about the album she recorded with Chic's Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards.

    To buy Dylan Jones' The Wichita Lineman, visit the Faber website.

    Produced by Jasper Murison-Bowie

    Pieces discussed: Jimmy Webb, Paul Simon, Bee Gees, Jimmy Page/Led Zeppelin, Todd Rundgren, The Wailers, The Stylistics, Pink Floyd's The Wall, Diana Ross/Chic, Absolute Beginners, Violence in hip-hop/Sleeping Bag Records, Courtney Love/Hole

    1 hr 1 min
  • E36: KLF + Echo & the Bunnymen + Julian Cope with Mick Houghton

    This week, Mark and Barney are joined by Mick Houghton, Let It Rock and Sounds scribe turned beloved publicist for Echo & the Bunnymen, the Teardrop Explodes and the KLF.

    Discussing Mick's new book Fried and Justified, Barney addresses Mick's rage at a bad NME review of Julian Cope's World Shut Your Mouth written by... Barney himself.

    The three of them listen to excerpts from an unwieldy but fascinating conversation between New Orleans R&B legends Dave Bartholomew, Red Tyler and Earl Palmer, in which they discuss what makes the Crescent City so different – and hence so tricky for non-NOLA musicians.

    Finally, Mark presents highlights from the week's new library pieces, including Geoffrey Cannon's live review of Joni Mitchell getting off to a rocky start at the 1970 Isle of Wight festival; Michael Goldberg's report on the John Fogerty/Saul Zaentz "Zanz Kant Danz" lawsuit, and Steven Daly's 1999 interview with the young Britney Spears, which prompts both Mark and Barney to laud the pop genius of '...Baby One More Time' and 'Oops!...I Did It Again'.

    To buy Fried and Justified: Hits Myths, Break-ups and Breakdowns in the Record Business 1978–1998, please visit the Faber website.

    Produced by Jasper Murison-Bowie

    Pieces discussed: Emmylou Harris, the Teardrop Explodes, Earl Palmer, Dave Bartholomew and Alvin "Red" Tyler audio, Jeannie C. Riley, Joni Mitchell @ Isle of Wight Festival, Funkadelic banned from the Lyceum, the Cramps, John Fogerty vs. Saul Zaentz/Fantasy, Talk Talk and Britney Spears

    1 hr 4 min
  • E35: P. Funk Special + Hal David audio with Lloyd Bradley and Tom Vickers

    In this week's episode, Mark and Barney are joined by not one but two guests. Lloyd Bradley and Tom Vickers tell the story of how they first met, Lloyd blagging his way into a singles-reviewing session with George Clinton at Blues and Soul magazine when Tom was Parliament's publicist and self-dubbed "Minister of Information". This gives rise to a lengthy discussion about all things Parliamentary and Funkadelical, with Lloyd explaining how he morphed from sneaking into gigs to a long and illustrious career as a music journalist and author.

    The four men hear a clip from the week's new audio interview, a 1999 conversation with Hal David, the brilliant lyricist for Burt Bacharach's pop masterpieces. Hal reminisces about demo'ing 'Make It Easy on Yourself' with Dionne Warwick – and recalls her subsequent disappointment when the song went to Jerry Butler.

    Mark presents the highlights from the articles added to the archive, including Jimmy Page waxing astrological, Mick Jagger feeling intellectually-limited, and Eminem being booed off stage in London — leading the group to debate whether, and how, hip-hop can be successful in large venues.

    Lloyd Bradley's website is lloydbradley.net, where you can find details of his books Bass Culture and Sounds Like London.

    Tom Vickers' website is tomvickers.com, where you can find information about his writing and excerpts from Tales from the Tour Bus.

    Produced by Jasper Murison-Bowie

    Pieces discussed: George Clinton, Hot House, Soul II Soul's Jazzie B, Hal David audio, Fats Domino, Jimmy Page, Albert Ayler, Barry White, Mick Jagger, Keith Moon R.I.P., Cerys Matthews/Catatonia, Eminem live at the Astoria

    1 hr 6 min
  • E34: Amy Linden on Amy Winehouse + Kanye West + Nico + Bobby Womack

    In this week's episode, Mark Pringle and Barney Hoskyns welcome special guest Amy Linden to reminisce about reading Creem at her local library and falling in with the punk scene in San Francisco in the late '70s... and then about writing for Vibe, Spin and XXL. Amy shares stories of chasing Amy Winehouse and detesting Kanye West.

    The trio listen to excerpts from a 1976 Bobby Womack audio interview in which the maverick soul man – who died five years ago this week – talks about recording at Muscle Shoals with white musicians and tells of how Wilson Pickett's voice replaced his own on early recordings for Atlantic Records.

    Ahead of the opening of Maxine Peake's Nico Project in Manchester, the former Christa Päffgen is featured as artist of the week on RBP, sparking discussion of a late interview in which she claims she'd like to be a farmer – or the captain of a ship.

    Finally, Mark presents archive highlights that include an account of what it's like to play a Rolling Stones gig (supposedly penned by Brian Jones), a Randy Newman interview in which he playfully describes himself as "lovable and friendly and perfect in every way" and a De La Soul interview that prompts Amy to mock Mark's pronunciation of their name mercilessly.

    Find Amy's podcast, ImmaLetYouFinish, on Spotify, Instagram @immaletyoufinishny and Twitter @finishimma.

    Produced by Jasper Murison-Bowie

    Pieces discussed: Amy Winehouse, Kanye West, Bobby Womack, Nico, Lester Bangs on Nico, Nico with the Faraway Eyes, On Stage with the Stones, Delaney & Bonnie, Randy Newman, George Harrison, KISS Pt. 2, Japan, Wham!, De La Soul, Bobby Neuwirth/David Geffen, Dave Bartholomew, Terry Reid

    1 hr 6 min
  • E33: L.A. Special with Chris Campion + Elliot Roberts audio + Little Feat

    In this week's episode, Barney Hoskyns and Mark Pringle are joined by Chris Campion all the way from Pioneertown, California. The subject of Chris' upcoming book, John Phillips of the Mamas and the Papas, leads into a wide-ranging and discursive conversation about L.A. in the '60s and the music and madness of Arthur Lee and Charles Manson.

    Continuing the Southern California theme, the three men hear excerpts from a 1993 audio interview with the late Elliot Roberts in which the legendary manager talks about his client Joni Mitchell's house, the Eagles, and the impact of cocaine on the L.A. scene.

    Finally, in the archive highlights section, Mark selects an interview with Keith Richards' mother, a live review of Jimi Hendrix playing London's Bag O'Nails club in 1967 and – returning to the L.A. theme – a 1972 interview with Elliot Roberts' managerial/Asylum Records partner David Geffen.

    Produced by Jasper Murison-Bowie

    Pieces discussed: Inside Grime, Papa John Phillips, Arthur Lee, Devendra Banhart, Elliot Roberts, Little Feat, Fear and Loathing in Little Feat?, Lowell George, The Rolling Stones/Keith Richard's mum, Rik Gunnell, Jimi Hendrix @ Bag O'Nails, David Geffen, Talking Heads on Eno, Merle Haggard, Lenny Waronker and George Michael

    1 hr
  • E32: Go-go in D.C. + Anita Ward audio + Felix Dennis and the Oz Trial

    For this week's episode, Mark, Barney and Jasper look back at Go-Go, the funk 'n' roll sound of Washington, D.C.. Discussing its influences on Swing Beat and its intersections with hip-hop, they revisit classic Go-Go articles by the NME's Richard Grabel (1984) and Simon Witter (1987), plus Don Snowden's tribute to "Go-Go godfather" Chuck Brown.

    Your hosts then hear a clip from an 2016 audio interview with Memphis disco queen Anita Ward, who discusses life as a one-hit-wonder – and 'Ring My Bell', the No. 1 smash in question. Barney, Mark and Jasper mark five years since the death of Felix Dennis, reflecting on his experiences in the Oz Trial and his subsequent incarnation as a crack-smoking media magnate.

    Rounding up highlights in the new RBP library additions, Mark starts with Mike Nesmith of the Monkees, moves on to the Grateful Dead live in Europe in 1972 Europe 72 and considers an NME Gram Parsons interview conducted not long before the country-rock icon's death in 1973. Jasper enthuses about the live sound of Oxford band Foals.

    Produced by Jasper Murison-Bowie

    Pieces discussed: Go-Go and Angel Dust, Go-Go not gone, Remembering Chuck Brown, Anita Ward, Led Zeppelin: Led Zeppelin, John Lennon, Felix Dennis, Mike Nesmith, Rev. Gary Davis, The Grateful Dead, Gram Parsons, Bob Dylan: The Rolling Thunder Revue, KISS, U2, Peter Andre, Radiohead: Hail to the Thief, Baxter Dury and Foals

    57 min
  • E31: Bernard Fowler's Life in Music + Dr. John audio + Andy Gill R.I.P.

    Hosts Barney Hoskyns and Mark Pringle are joined by special guest Bernard Fowler to discuss his life in music, from the Peech Boys at the Paradise Garage to working with Mick Jagger on She's the Boss and commencing a 30-year relationship with the Rolling Stones. He also regales the chaps with tales of recording a disco cover of Pink Floyd's 'Another Brick in the Wall' and explains how growing up in New York City influenced his new album of Stones covers Inside Out.

    Barney enthuses about Martin Scorsese's new Rolling Thunder Revue, a film about Bob Dylan's mid-'70s tour of America, before paying tribute to NME/Q/Independent writer Andy Gill – noting pieces he wrote about Cabaret Voltaire (and Andy's native Sheffield), Frank Zappa and the man for whom he was often mistaken: Gang Of Four guitarist Andy Gill.

    The three hombres then listen to clips from Andy Schwartz's 1994 audio interview with Dr. John, wherein the man born Malcolm Rebennack remembers being ripped off by labels in his early recording career – and his struggle to get clean.

    Finally, Mark presents highlights from the week's other additions to the RBP archive, including a 1956 interview with Alexis Korner about British skiffle, Labelle shaking up the male-dominated music industry in 1974 and Barbara Ellen's report of having a truly miserable time at the Glastonbury festival.

    For details about Inside Out and The Bura, please visit bernardfowler.com/music.

    Produced by Jasper Murison-Bowie

    Pieces discussed: Bernard Fowler, The Peech Boys, Scorsese's Rolling Thunder Revue, Andy Gill meets Andy Gill, Cabaret Voltaire, Frank Zappa, Dr. John audio, Skiffle or Piffle?, Mick Farren, Sly Stone, Labelle, Rod Stewart, The Specials, Crass, William Burroughs, Glastonbury, Lisa Robinson, Eagles of Death Metal and Kinky Friedman and the Texas Jewboys.

    58 min
  • E30: Dawn James on The Beatles + Roky Erickson R.I.P. + Neil Young audio

    Content warning: This episode contains a description of sexual assault that some listeners may find distressing.

    Mark Pringle and Barney Hoskyns are joined by queen of Rave magazine Dawn James to hear about her wild life as a '60s pop feature writer. She remembers her friends the Beatles, reveals the identity of her most difficult interview and astonishes Mark 'n' Barney by confessing her love for ELP. She also talks about her sister Twinkle, whose career as a pop singer-songwriter is celebrated on Twinkle: Girl In A Million, a new compilation on RPM records.

    Paying tribute to Roky Erickson of the 13th Floor Elevators, Barney and Mark discuss his huge influence on punk rock and psychedelia. They then move on to a lengthy and fascinating 1985 audio interview with Neil Young, including a clip in which he talks about rock 'n' roll being "a young person's game".

    Lastly, Mark presents the highlights from the articles added to the library, including interviews with Nancy Sinatra about being in her father's shadow, James Brown wanting to see the Queen and the President "get down" to soul music, and Flaming Lip Wayne Coyne's desire to struggle with the "insane beast" that is rock music.

    To buy Twinkle: Girl In A Million, please visit http://cherryred.co/TwinkleGirlMillion. You can find more information via the Facebook page.

    Produced by Jasper Murison-Bowie

    Pieces discussed: Who is the Funniest Beatle?, Françoise Hardy, Jimi Hendrix, Psychedelic Punks, Roky Erickson, Lenny Kaye's Nuggets, Neil Young audio, Eric Burdon of the Animals, Nancy Sinatra, Mungo Jerry, James Brown, The Runaways, West Coast Punk, Joy Division, Imagination, The Flaming Lips and Yngwie Malmsteen

    1 hr 7 min
  • E29: Rickie Lee Jones + Harry Doherty + Rory Gallagher audio

    In this week's episode, Barney Hoskyns and Jasper Murison-Bowie hold the fort in Mark Pringle's absence as he enjoys the sunny shores of Crete. Back in muggy London, Rickie Lee Jones is the free feature on RBP, ahead of the release of new covers album Kicks. Barney and Jasper take a look at pieces about Jones' unexpected success with 1979's 'Chuck E's in Love', as well as her drug problems and wild days with boyfriend Tom Waits.

    The two of them then consider pieces by Melody Maker mainstay Harry Doherty, who died five years ago: a report from a 1977 Queen/Thin Lizzy tour; an interview with the young Kate Bush; and a 1976 interview with Irish blues guitar hero Rory Gallagher. By editorial design, the week's audio interview is also with Gallagher, this time from 1978 and with Cliff White. Barney and Jasper hear a clip in which Rory talks about recording live.

    Despite his absence, Mark has selected highlights from the week's library load, including an interview with the Beatles before they embark on their 1964 tour of the U.S., plus an interview with Pete Townshend in which he slags off Paul McCartney's song 'Yesterday'. A brilliant Steven Wells polemic about homophobia sparks discussion of Morrissey's far-right views – and of whether or not bad people can make good music. Pieces on Gnarls Barkley and Christine and the Queens/Chris round out the episode.

    Pieces discussed: Rickie Lee Jones, Pirates, Rickie Lee Retrospective, Queen/Thin Lizzy, Kate Bush, Rory Gallagher, Rory Gallagher audio, The Beatles look ahead, Pete Townshend, The Gospel of Rock according to Van Halen, Homophobia in music, Oasis @ Earl's Court, Tony Bennett, Gnarls Barkley and Why Christine and the Queens makes me feel like I'm ten years old and climbing a tree.

    59 min

About Rock's Backpages

From the publisher's feed

Tales from the world's largest archive of music journalism: entertaining interviews with luminaries such as Neil Tennant, Billy Bragg, Pamela Des Barres, Gary Kemp, Vashti Bunyan, Midge Ure, Nick Hornby and Robyn Hitchcock. Thoughtful and informative conversations about all aspects of popular music history, interspersed with clips from exclusive audio interviews that date back to the mid-'60s.

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