Rock n Roll Book and Documentary Reviews: Rock Talk Studio
Rock 'n' Roll books and documentaries from classic rock music legends are reviewed, previewed, and most importantly recommended. Join host Big Rick as he spotlights all the new rock 'n' roll books and docs from the most iconic rock bands in history and points out where to go for the good stuff. The Allman Brothers, Rush, Bruce Springsteen, Cheap Trick, The Beatles, Van Halen, REM, The Grateful Dead, and Bob Dylan are just a few artists with must read, must see, new projects out. Tune in every Tuesday for all the best recommendations on where to spend your time and money.
Episodes
70 episodes
Slacker: 1991, Teen Spirit Angst, and the Generation It Created: Book Review
The last genre that truly changed everything? Author Rob Janicke’s book Slacker tells how grunge didn’t just change music—It changed people.*Want to win a free copy of the new book Buzz Me In: Inside The Record Plant Studio? ...
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Episode 70
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11:16
Rock n Roll Podcast Day 2025
Celebrating all the great Rock n Roll podcasts! Here's the top recommendations for a bunch of great shows to check out. *Want the latest in Rock N Roll Book and Documentaries news sent to your inbox? Sign up f...
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Episode 69
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9:57
Richard Manuel: His Life and Music, from the Hawks and Bob Dylan to The Band
Richard Manual's biography finally does justice to one of rock’s most heartbreaking and beautiful voices. Author Stephen T. Lewis paints a vivid, deeply human portrait of Richard Manuel: gentle, complicated, and quietly unraveling. ...
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Episode 68
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14:33
Smile: The Rise, Fall, and Resurrection of Brian Wilson- Book Review
SMiLE was an album that never came out. Not in the ’60s when it was made. Not after Pet Sounds. Brian Wilson made an album-when he was 24- that was so visionary it nearly broke him. And this tremendous book gives you everything you ever wanted ...
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Episode 67
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14:34
Becoming Led Zeppelin Documentary Review
One rehearsal in the summer of ’68 lit the fuse—Becoming Led Zeppelin captures the raw formation of a band that would change music forever. With newly unearthed John Bonham audio and exclusive interviews from Page, Plant, and Jones, th...
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Episode 66
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9:36
Queen & A Night at the Opera: 50 Years Book Review
This isn’t just a book. It’s a front-row seat to the moment Queen became immortal.Queen & A Night at the Opera: 50 Years by Gillian G. Gaar is a lavish, photo-packed look into the album that changed everything. With over 250 stunning...
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Episode 65
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9:13
Tom Petty's Heartbreakers Beach Party- Documentary Review
In 1983, Cameron Crowe — still early in his career — picked up a camera and quietly captured something incredible. The result? A grainy, gutsy, joy-fueled snapshot of a band still hungry, and still trying to figuring it all out. Tom Petty...
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Episode 64
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9:48
I Hope I Get Old Before I Die: Book Review
From McCartney, The Stones, Creedence Clearwater Revival and Bob Dylan, to Live Aid, farewell tours, tribute acts and Cherry Garcia ice cream. This book by David Hepworth, documents how and why rockers have made it this long, and looks at the p...
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Episode 63
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12:44
Lollapalooza: The Uncensored Story of Alternative Rock's Wildest Festival: Book Review
Perry Farrell's vision transformed a chaotic farewell tour into one of the most influential music festivals, blending diverse acts and cultures in a groundbreaking way. This book features over 200 interviews from artists, promoters, and crew, o...
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Episode 62
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14:39
Teenage Wasteland: The Who at Winterland, 1968 and 1976 Book Review
The Who at two very different stages of their career is presented not only visually (this book has over 500 pictures!) but also with an engaging narrative. Teenage Wasteland: The Who at Winterland, 1968 and 1976 is an innovative approa...
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Episode 61
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11:35
Sly Lives! aka The Burden of Black Genius Documentary Review
Sly Stone invented a sound and style that took the world by storm. It's safe to say there would be no Prince if it weren't for Sly. So why did it come to such a crashing end? Questlove directs a documentary that goes right after the challenges ...
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Episode 60
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14:07
Peter Wolf: Waiting on The Moon Book Review
Peter Wolf ex lead singer of The J.Geils Band delivers 35 chapters on his encounters with the most unusual, and extremely interesting people who came into his life. Alfred Hithcock, Muddy Waters, Bob Dylan, David Lynch, Julia Child, Norman Rock...
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Episode 59
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14:49
Mike Campbell Heartbreaker Book Review
Mike Campbell's memoir Heartbreaker, written with Ari Surdoval, is going to blow the minds of every Tom Petty fan. This book includes stories never told and a depth that is rare in a memoir. It is chock full of stories never told and u...
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Episode 58
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11:12
Rock n Roll Book and Documentary News for February 2025
All the latest book buzz and doc news from artists like: Led Zeppelin, Bob Dylan, Brian Wilson, Tom Petty, Genesis, The Cars, Peter Wolf of The J.Geils Band and many more. Find out the news on all the upcoming titles. *Want to stay ...
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Episode 57
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12:25
Norm's Rare Guitars Documentary Review
How did one man create a guitar shop where Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Tom Petty, Slash, Joe Bonamassa, Melisa Ethridge and Kiefer Sutherland all felt as comfortable as a regular customer? This documentary Norm's Rare Guitars looks at ...
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Episode 56
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12:32
Cheap Trick: American Standard Book Review
Cheap Trick is one of rock's most quirkiest bands with a mid career triumph that launched the band into stardom. How did that all come about, and how did they manage a career that has lasted over 50 years? It's all in the book Cheap Trick A...
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Episode 55
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10:24
A Complete Unknown Movie Review
Can a huge Bob Dylan fan for over 40 years really give the movie A Complete Unknown a fair review? Here comes my best shot. And, I even own up to why A Complete Unknown didn't win any of my year end awards for best documen...
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Episode 54
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13:23
Beatles 64 Documentary Review
The Beatles have arrived in New York City! Here's a story most rock n roll fans know really well. But this doc, produced by Martin Scorcese, opens up the vaults and puts together an encompassing look at a bunch of different perspectives on the ...
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Episode 53
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10:25
The Name Of This Band Is R.E.M. Book Review
True magic was worked in "The Name Of This Band Is R.E.M." as author Peter Ames Carlin came up with an absolutely engaging way to weave the four band members personal stories into the broader presentation about the band. His writing just made y...
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Episode 52
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10:32
Top 10 Rock n Roll Documentaries of 2024
Here comes the Top 10 of 2024's best rock n roll documentaries! If you are looking for the next great doc to check out, here' my list of the best of the best. Springsteen, Joe Cocker, John Lennon, Santana, Nicky Hopkins, and Stevie Van Zandt ar...
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Episode 51
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17:33
Top 10 Best Rock n Roll Books of 2024
Join me for the countdown of 2024's best rock n roll books of the year! If you are looking for the next great rock n roll book to check out, here' my list of the best of the best. There are a wide range of great books to choose from including m...
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Episode 50
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19:55
Best Rock n Roll Books and Docs of 2024
The second annual books and docs of the year award show! All the best rock n roll books and documentaries of 2024. Awards for Best Rock n Roll Book About a Band, Best Rock n Roll Book About a Band member, Best Rock n Roll Book that I Learned Th...
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Episode 49
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23:36
Nicky Hopkins: Session Man Documentary Review
Win the new Robyn Hitchcock memoir 1967-How I Got There and Why I Never Left simply by signing up for the free monthly email BLAST!! The BLAST!! keeps you on top of the world of rock n roll books and documentaries and serves as an extra l...
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Episode 48
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9:20
Rush at 50 Book Review and Give Away!
This is a first for the podcast, not only do you get a review of a recommended title, one lucky winner is going to get a copy of this new slick coffee table style book - Rush at 50. How do you get in on the drawing for next months free book - R...
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Episode 47
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8:14
Rock 'n' Roll Book and Documentary News for November 2024
Win the new Robyn Hitchcock memoir 1967, and the new Rush book- Rush at 50, simply by signing up for the free monthly BLAST!!Shoot me an email at info@rocktalkstudio.com to enter!Rock n Roll Book and Documentary news this mon...
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Episode 46
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12:22