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
82 episodes
The Rock n Roll Almanac Book Review
It’s 70 years of rock n roll packed into 366 days. A virtual time machine for fans. What if every day came with its own slice of rock history? That’s exactly what this book does. It’s 366 days, 400+ albums, 2,700+ stories. ...
•
Episode 82
•
10:33
Garland Jeffreys: The King of In-Between Documentary Review
Bruce Springsteen said that Garland Jeffreys was on par, as a songwriter, with Bob Dylan and Neil Young!!! Wow!This doc is an interesting exploration of success, while making sure to explain and introduce probably to a lot of peopl...
•
Episode 81
•
8:16
Tonight In Jungleland: The Making of Born To Run Book Review
Want to win some great Outlaw Music Festival merchandise? Have you seen the beyond cool gear they put together to celebrate Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Billy Strings, Lucinda Williams, Wilco and more? Just send me an email at the address below an...
•
Episode 80
•
11:52
Billy Joel: And So It Goes Documentary Review
Want to win some great Outlaw Music Festival merchandise? Have you seen the beyond cool gear they put together to celebrate Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Billy Strings, Lucinda Williams, Wilco and more? Just send me an email at the address below an...
•
Episode 79
•
10:56
Loud and Clear: The Grateful Dead’s Wall of Sound and the Quest for Audio Perfection- Book Review
This book is equal parts technical chronicle and counterculture memoir dives deep into the Grateful Dead, and the massive, brain-bending machinery used to build their iconic sound system- The Wall of Sound. *This episode is spons...
•
Episode 78
•
11:09
Sharing In The Groove: The Untold Story of the 90's Jam Band Explosion Book Review
When you think of rock ‘n’ roll hotspots, Princeton, New Jersey probably doesn’t make the list. But according to Sharing in the Groove, maybe it should.This episode dives into the surprising and sprawling history of the jam band mo...
•
Episode 77
•
10:33
The Whyte Python World Tour: Book Review
The book is equal parts parody and love letter to the excess’s of 1980s music culture. I've never reviewed a book like this on the podcast, but now that I have, I am glad I did!
•
Episode 76
•
7:49
Bono: Stories of Surrender Documentary Review
Looking for a doc that is artsy, gutsy and very real. A doc that is meaningful, clever, and deep. Bono does something in 86 minutes that most documentaries struggle to do-he grabs your attention, sparks your emotion and delivers on a very high ...
•
Episode 75
•
9:55
Guns N' Roses at 40 Book Review
Guns n Roses at 40 is a hardcover beast—sleek, embossed, and packed with full-color photos, gatefold timelines, and handmade Sunset Strip flyers. It’s pure class with just the right amount of dirt under the nails. ...
•
Episode 74
•
9:30
Buzz Me In: Inside The Record Plant Studios Book Review
Buzz Me In: Inside The Record Plant Studio chronicles how two men (with a little help from Hendrix) built the go-to recording hub of the decade. Over-the-top partying, tight deadlines, all-night sessions, and egos the size of hotel sui...
•
Episode 73
•
10:03
Top 5 Rock n Roll Documentaries of 2025 - So far
Looking for a great new rock n roll documentary to check out? Here's the Top 5 rock n roll docs that have been released so far in 2025.This episode is sponsored by Thames & Hudson Publishing, who were kind enough for hooking one luck...
•
Episode 72
•
12:22
Top 5 Rock N Roll Books of 2025 - So far
Looking for a new great rock n roll book to check out? Here's the Top 5 rock n roll books that have been released so far in 2025.*This episode is sponsored by Thames & Hudson who is sending me over a new book to give away!! Want t...
•
Episode 71
•
12:38
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.*This episode is sponsored by Thames & Hudson who is sending me over a new book t...
•
Episode 70
•
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...
•
Episode 69
•
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. ...
•
Episode 68
•
14:33
Brian Wilson Book Review - Smile: The Rise, Fall, and Resurrection of Brian Wilson
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 ...
•
Episode 67
•
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...
•
Episode 66
•
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...
•
Episode 65
•
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...
•
Episode 64
•
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...
•
Episode 63
•
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...
•
Episode 62
•
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...
•
Episode 61
•
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 ...
•
Episode 60
•
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...
•
Episode 59
•
14:49