Send us Fan Mail

Van Halen loses David Lee Roth, and the world starts writing the obituary. Then Sammy Hagar walks in—and everything changes.

We go record by record through the Sammy years: 5150, OU812, For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge, and Balance—four albums, four #1s, and millions of records sold.

But behind the hits were tensions, relentless touring, personal strain, lyric disputes, the death of manager Ed Leffler, and the events that ultimately led to Sammy’s 1996 departure.

How does a band at the top of the world come apart?

Was Sammy pushed out—or did he walk?

That’s the story on this episode of The Ben Maynard Program.

#TheBenMaynardProgram #VanHalen #SammyHagar #DavidLeeRoth #EddieVanHalen #AlexVanHalen #MichaelAnthony #5150 #OU812 #ForUnlawfulCarnalKnowledge #Balance #VanHalenFans #VanHalenNation #ClassicRock #ClassicRockMusic #80sRock #90sRock #RockAndRoll #RockMusic #HardRock #HeavyRock #GuitarRock #RockHistory #MusicHistory #RockLegends #EddieVanHalen #SammyHagarFans #80sMusic #90sMusic #AlbumHistory #RockPodcast #MusicPodcast #Podcast #TheRedRocker

Support the show

Thanks for listening! Follow me on Instagram: benmaynardprogram 
and subscribe to my YouTube channel: THE BEN MAYNARD PROGRAM
I also welcome your comments. email: [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

You can watch 9/11 footage any day you want, but it still doesn’t recreate what it felt like when the second plane hit and an entire country realized the truth at the same time. We go back to Tuesday morning, September 11th, 2001, tracing the timeline from the first impact at the World Trade Center to the Pentagon attack and the moment the United States grounded civilian aircraft and the skies went eerily quiet.

Along the way, we focus on the human stories that turn history into something real: firefighters, police officers, paramedics, and dispatchers moving toward danger; civilians helping strangers through smoke and stairwells; and the rare perspective of filmmaker Jules Naudet capturing the chaos as it unfolds. We also spend time with Flight 93, where passengers, after learning what was happening through phone calls, chose to fight back and changed the outcome at the cost of their lives.

Then we talk about what happened after the towers fell: the nearly 3,000 victims whose names cannot be reduced to a number, the volunteers and blood drives, the flags on houses and cars, and the brief season when Americans put differences aside to help Americans. That’s where the conversation turns to patriotism, not as perfection or politics, but as care, sacrifice, and responsibility to each other.

If “never forget” still means something, it has to mean remembering people and passing the story on to the generations who weren’t old enough, or weren’t born yet. Subscribe to the show, share this episode with someone younger, and if it moved you, leave a review and tell us what you remember most.#thebenmaynardprogram #tellyourstory #neverforget #nypd #nyfd

Support the show

Thanks for listening! Follow me on Instagram: benmaynardprogram 
and subscribe to my YouTube channel: THE BEN MAYNARD PROGRAM
I also welcome your comments. email: [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

1986 isn’t just a year in music history, it’s a whole ecosystem: MTV turning videos into rocket fuel, labels chasing crossover singles, and artists trying to evolve without losing the thing that made them great. I’m back with part two of my albums turning 40 countdown, and while I planned on a full 20, you’re getting 17 records today with plenty of stories, chart facts, and personal reactions along the way.

We jump across genres and moods on purpose, because that’s how 1986 actually felt. I talk through Queen’s A Kind Of Magic and why it played differently in the US than the UK, the Georgia Satellites’ lightning-in-a-bottle debut, and the Bangles breaking huge with Different Light. From Lionel Richie’s polished pop dominance to the Fabulous Thunderbirds bringing Texas blues into the mainstream, you can hear how “radio-friendly” didn’t have to mean “soulless.”

Then things get even more fun: Tina Turner’s second-wave peak, Stryper’s unlikely glam-metal crossover, ELO and Iron Maiden leaning into synth-era textures, and the Beastie Boys kicking the door open with Licensed To Ill. I also spend real time on Journey’s Raised On Radio, my favorite of the bunch, because the success, the lineup turmoil, and the glossy sound all collide in a way that still hits hard 40 years later.

If you love classic rock, 1980s pop, hair metal, early hip-hop, and music anniversary deep dives, hit play, subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find it. What’s the one 1986 album you still play front to back? #thebenmaynardprogram #classicrock #classicalbums #raisedonradio

Support the show

Thanks for listening! Follow me on Instagram: benmaynardprogram 
and subscribe to my YouTube channel: THE BEN MAYNARD PROGRAM
I also welcome your comments. email: [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

One ordinary walk out of the Dakota turned into a memory Laurie Kaye has carried for decades. Laurie is the author of Confessions Of A Rock And Roll Name Dropper, and she joins me to trace the wild, funny, heartbreaking path that led to December 8, 1980, when she co-conducted what tragically became John Lennon’s last interview.

We get into the radio origin story first, because that’s the spine of everything: transistor radios as survival, AM and FM legends, KMET contests, and the thrill of winning your way into the front row. Laurie shares how those moments pushed her from superfan to working journalist, including her breakout at KFRC in San Francisco and the relentless schedule behind producing ambitious audio. If you care about broadcasting history, 1970s rock radio, and music journalism, the details are gold, especially her work writing and co-producing the 17-hour Beatles radio special The Beatles From Liverpool To Legend.

Then we go where the memoir leads: meeting John Lennon and Yoko Ono, the rules she was given going in, what Lennon was like in the room, and the devastating hours that followed. We avoid giving extra attention to the killer, and instead focus on the human cost, the grief, and the long shadow of guilt that can follow a witness.

Listen, then subscribe, share this with a music lover, and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. #thebenmaynardprogram #tellyourstory #lauriekaye #confessionsofarocknrollnamedropper #thebeatles #johnlennon #paulmccartney #georgeharrison #elvispresley

Support the show

Thanks for listening! Follow me on Instagram: benmaynardprogram 
and subscribe to my YouTube channel: THE BEN MAYNARD PROGRAM
I also welcome your comments. email: [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

Vinyl is back, CDs are creeping up again, and streaming still pays less than most fans realize. So what does it actually take to run a successful independent record label right now without turning into a faceless upload machine? We sit down with Charlie Calv, president of Deko Entertainment and keyboardist for Angel, to get the real-world playbook behind modern label growth, premium reissues, and artist-first service.

Charlie walks us through how Deko relaunched, why distribution partnerships matter, and how the label balances licensing deals, direct distribution, and hands-on label services for newer acts. We dig into the collector side too: why 180-gram vinyl, strong jackets, great liner notes, and artist involvement are not “extras,” they are the product. He also shares a surprisingly common reality that reframes the vinyl resurgence: a huge chunk of vinyl buyers do not even own a turntable, they are buying the experience, the art, and the connection to the music.

Then we shift to life on stage with Angel, including how Charlie joined the band, what touring is really like at this level, and why the current lineup refuses to phone it in. We talk setlists, new music, diehard fans who travel across the world for a single show, and what the so-called farewell touring cycle could mean going forward. If you care about vinyl reissues, indie label strategy, music distribution, and the future of legacy rock done right, this one is for you.

Subscribe to the Ben Maynard Program, share this with a music friend, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show. #thebenmaynardprogram #tellyourstory #musiccommentary #classicrock #dekoentertainment #charliecalv #angelbandofficial

Support the show

Thanks for listening! Follow me on Instagram: benmaynardprogram 
and subscribe to my YouTube channel: THE BEN MAYNARD PROGRAM
I also welcome your comments. email: [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

He walked away from a dead-end lab job, flew to India for 40 days of yoga teacher training, and came home with a new relationship to music, purpose, and faith. Musician Anson Corsair joins us for a long-form conversation that starts with albums you can actually hold in your hands and quickly turns into the deeper story behind the songs.

We unpack “Just One,” a 13-track project shaped by the last 10 years of life, including grief, responsibility, and the pressure to keep going when nothing feels simple. Anson opens up about losing his mom, stepping into full-time caregiving for his blind and disabled brother Michael, and why certain songs are dedicated to specific people. We also dig into the creative side: the “self-consciousness is the enemy of creativity” mindset, how one small moment can change someone’s heart, and what it takes to build a sound that feels clean, open, and honest.

Then we get into the next chapter: “Return To Roots,” the darker themes that come from real experience, the hard lessons of DIY music production, and how sobriety and a 12-step program helped him find a new level of freedom. If you care about singer-songwriter craft, indie rock storytelling, spiritual growth, and live music in Southern California, you’ll get a lot out of this one.

Subscribe to the show, share it with a friend who needs a lift, and leave a review so more people can find these conversations. #thebenmaynardprogram #ansoncorsair #justone #startthechange #returntoroots #indierock #tellyourstory

Support the show

Thanks for listening! Follow me on Instagram: benmaynardprogram 
and subscribe to my YouTube channel: THE BEN MAYNARD PROGRAM
I also welcome your comments. email: [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

One wrong answer and you’re chewing a jelly bean that tastes like wet dog. That’s the deal we make on a live Friday night, and it somehow becomes the perfect way to talk about what really matters: consistency, craft, and showing up when it would be easier to tap out.

We start with a real look at podcast longevity and why most shows fade after 10 to 12 episodes. Raul talks about how guesting on podcasts flips a switch for him and leads to his own upcoming show, Hard Hats And Humor, built around job site stories, leadership lessons, and the kind of safety truths you only learn in the trades. We also get practical about the behind-the-scenes grind: microphones, editing software, and why I’d rather publish fast with an honest, unedited feel than spend hours polishing away the human parts.

Then we go full 80s nerd: International Beer Day, Purple Heart Day, Live Aid, USA for Africa, Billboard chart math from sales to streaming, and the early days of MTV with its first batch of music videos. Along the way, we chase the fun question of who was “cooler” in high school, why some celebrities can cross from acting to music, and what the trades still offer that AI can’t replace: skilled hands building real things.

If you like podcasts about the creative process, construction culture, leadership, and music nostalgia, this one hits all of it. Subscribe to The Ben Maynard Program, share it with a friend, and leave a review with your most infamous Bean Boozled flavor. #thebenmaynardprogram #tellyourstory #fridaynightlive #hardhatsandhumor #raulortega #classicrock #80smusic

Support the show

Thanks for listening! Follow me on Instagram: benmaynardprogram 
and subscribe to my YouTube channel: THE BEN MAYNARD PROGRAM
I also welcome your comments. email: [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

You can fake a lot online, but you can’t fake a band that actually sounds right in the room. We sit down with vocalist Hugo Valenti and guitarist Adam Holland to talk about the real journey behind a Journey tribute band that’s built on musicianship, not costumes and tricks. From a couple of Long Island kids chasing club gigs to navigating record label chaos, they lay out what it takes to keep your identity intact when the music industry keeps moving the goalposts.

We get into the Valentine years, why the “hair metal” label still misses the point, and how the 90s shift and executive turnover can derail even strong records. Hugo also shares the behind-the-scenes story of his solo work and the Hugo Ramos collaboration, plus the practical reality of singing in the stratosphere and staying healthy enough to do it night after night.

Then we go deep on what “live” means in 2026: in-ear monitors, silent stages, why front-row phone videos can sound weird, and why Hugo posts raw vocals with zero polishing. We also talk setlists, deep cuts versus the big hits, what makes a crowd great, and why nostalgia works best when it’s played honestly. Subscribe to The Ben Maynard Program, share this with a fellow music nerd, and leave a review if you want more conversations like this. #thebenmaynardprogram #70smusic #80smusic #classicrock #journeymusic #classichits #deepcuts #hugotheultimatejourneytribute

Support the show

Thanks for listening! Follow me on Instagram: benmaynardprogram 
and subscribe to my YouTube channel: THE BEN MAYNARD PROGRAM
I also welcome your comments. email: [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

A bronze statue on a bench sounds simple until you hear what it takes to make it real and why it changes the feel of a town. I’m joined by Pam Lewis, founder of PLA Media and a true music and media insider, to talk about how she gifted “Ben on the Bench,” a Benjamin Franklin statue in Franklin, Tennessee, and how that single act ties into legacy, civic pride, and the kind of giving back that actually lasts. Along the way we get honest about time, goals, discipline, and the fight to stay grounded in a world built to distract you. 

Pam also brings Franklin to life in a way that feels surprisingly current. We dig into why she calls him “America’s first rock star,” from self-education and invention to influence, humor, and contradictions. We talk about her two books, including a kid-friendly story and an adult read that uses quotes, culture, and even colonial recipes to make American history approachable. If you’re searching for Benjamin Franklin fun facts, Franklin Tennessee history, or ideas for meaningful community projects, this conversation gives you plenty to take home. 

Then we turn the volume up. Pam shares behind-the-scenes stories from the earliest days of MTV, when the channel didn’t even have major-city carriage and had to hustle journalists just to watch “air checks.” We also get into David Bowie, the pressure to play Black artists, the Michael Jackson turning point, and the chaotic magic of that era with voices like JJ Jackson shaping what the world heard next. 

If you enjoyed this one, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, share it with a friend who loves history or music, and leave a review so more people can find the show.

Support the show

Thanks for listening! Follow me on Instagram: benmaynardprogram 
and subscribe to my YouTube channel: THE BEN MAYNARD PROGRAM
I also welcome your comments. email: [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

You can hear the moment a fan becomes a historian, and that’s exactly what happens when my longtime friend Mario Rodriguez sits down across the table with a lifetime of Beatles knowledge. Mario takes us back to 1968 when he’s three years old, his dad drops the needle on Meet The Beatles, and one song “This Boy” flips a switch that never turns off. From harmonies to groove, we dig into what made the Beatles feel different right away, and why Ringo Starr’s so-called “simple” drumming is actually elite musicianship built around serving the song.

Then we zoom out to the part of Beatles history most people only half-know: the Liverpool roots, the brutal Hamburg club schedule, and how that grind forged their repertoire, stage presence, and confidence long before the Ed Sullivan explosion. We untangle the US versus UK album confusion, the role of Capitol Records and Vee-Jay, and how American fans were often hearing a reshuffled version of the Beatles’ real catalog. If you’re a vinyl person, you’ll love the collector talk, from album jackets to pressing details to the hidden “Phil + Ronnie” clue tied to Let It Be and Phil Spector’s production.

One of the most unique pieces of this conversation is Mario’s eight-year Beatles tribute collage, built from thousands of images and designed to include the forgotten corners of the story: Pete Best, Stu Sutcliffe, the parents, the influences, and the moments that shaped everything. We also get into the private Beatles meeting with Elvis Presley, why it’s still mostly a black box, and the late-era questions that always spark debate like Abbey Road versus Let It Be and what really changed when touring stopped and the studio took over.

If you love Beatles history, classic rock storytelling, vinyl collecting, or just hearing two music nerds chase the truth behind the legend, hit play, subscribe wherever you get podcasts, and share this with a friend who still argues Beatles versus Stones. After you listen, leave a review and tell us: what’s the one Beatles song you never skip?

Support the show

Thanks for listening! Follow me on Instagram: benmaynardprogram 
and subscribe to my YouTube channel: THE BEN MAYNARD PROGRAM
I also welcome your comments. email: [email protected]