Experience one of music's big bang moments when 19-year-old Mick Jagger, carrying a handful of RnB albums, ran into Keith Richards on a train platform. Together, they would overcome tragedy, addictions, death and mayhem of all sorts to make it to the top and stay there. This isn't just the tale of a band, it's the saga of survival, reinvention and rebellion, and at its core, it's the story of two kids from Dartford, Mick and Keith, who led The Stones to became undisputed icons of rock and roll. In Part 1 you'll learn.

1. How fate intervened to bring all of The Stones together as a band
2. Who really founded The Stones and the strange origins of the band name
3. The role that two women played in influencing their music
4. About one of the first famous deaths in rock
5. The financial mayhem they faced & the role of a mysterious Prince
6. Some of the factors that drove their dark songs like Gimme Shelter & Sympathy for the Devil

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Guest Bio
Christopher Sanford is the author of The Rolling Stones: 60 years, he's written acclaimed biographies of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Paul McCartney, Sting and Kurt Cobain, as well as books on John F Kennedy and Roman Polanski. For more than two decades, he's written about music and film for major media outlets on both sides of the Atlantic. Rolling Stone magazine has called him "the preeminent author in his field".

In Part 2, we journey through the 1970s and ’80s, to experience how The Rolling Stones navigated financial ruin, courtroom battles, and drug-fueled chaos. Their survival and evolution forged their legend—every scar a jewel in the crown they wear today. In Part 2 you'll learn:

1. How financial problems led to one of their finest albums
2. About their legendary debaucherous 1972 tour
3. That the chaos of 1970s New York City played a key role in their sound evolution
4. Why Mick and Keith's relationship almost came to an end
5. How one of their most famous tunes started as a reggae song
6. The innovation The Stones brought to the concert touring model

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Guest Bio
Christopher Sanford is the author of The Rolling Stones: 60 years, he's written acclaimed biographies of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Paul McCartney, Sting and Kurt Cobain, as well as books on John F Kennedy and Roman Polanski. For more than two decades, he's written about music and film for major media outlets on both sides of the Atlantic. Rolling Stone magazine has called him "the preeminent author in his field".

Hop on the wild ride of Led Zeppelin that swings between euphoric triumphs and gut-wrenching tragedies. Delve deep into the Led Zeppelin story with Bob Spitz, the author of Led Zeppelin: The Biography, who sheds light on the band's journey from their humble beginnings in 1968 to their premature demise in 1980. In this episode, learn:

• How the founder of Zeppelin was a stellar studio musician seeking a new career challenge
• How the lead singer had the same background as the Peaky Blinders
• How two famous members of the band were unknowns playing in bar bands
• How Led Zep tours reached levels of sexual debauchery not seen before or since
• How Zeppelin transformed music styles and concert economics for all artists
• How a 300-pound former wrestler created their innovative marketing strategy
• That one of its members was studying to be an accountant
• How several tragic events changed the band forever

Led Zeppelin wasn't just a band but a powerhouse of talent. Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones weren't your average musicians—they were session legends, popping up on more records than you can shake a drumstick at. From The Who and The Kinks to classical orchestra songs to commercial jingles, these guys played on all of them, bringing a wealth of musical experience to Led Zep recordings. Jimmy Page even seemed destined for prodigy status when, as a 13-year-old guitar player, he appeared on the BBC.

Guest Bio:
Bob Spitz is a journalist and author of the best-selling book Led Zeppelin: The Biography. Early in his career, Bob worked as a manager for Bruce Springsteen and Elton John. He also authored a New York Times best-seller on the Beatles.

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1. Download the Official Garage to Stadiums Led Zeppelin playlist on Apple Music or Spotify
2. Visit GaragetoStadiums.com for bonus content on Led Zeppelin, including concert footage, transcripts and other interesting facts.

Led Zeppelin's journey was a whirlwind of highs and lows, triumphs and tragedies. Their musical prowess, unmatched charisma, and savvy marketing propelled them to the pinnacle of rock 'n' roll success. Led Zeppelin left an indelible mark on music history, from sold-out stadiums to groundbreaking albums. Zep even teased everyone with a stellar performance in 2007 reunification in London featuring the three core members plus the son of their deceased drummer.

Air date: 2024
Host: Dave Anthony

Step into the whirlwind journey of Fleetwood Mac, where relationships intertwine, songwriting flourishes, and musical evolution knows no bounds. We delve deep into the band's captivating narrative. In this rollicking episode, you'll learn:

• The origins of the band in England in the 1960s as a blues band featuring a very different lineup
• How the founder suffered a severe mental health decline that altered the course of the band
• How the aristocratic son of a Royal Air Force commander went from a window cleaner to Fleetwood Mac leader
• How one band member left the band to join a cult
• How a trip to the grocery store led to the discovery of soon-to-be superstars Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham
• The revealing true meaning of 5 of their most famous songs based on Mark Blake's interviews with the band

Join host Dave Anthony and Fleetwood Mac author Mark Blake for the fascinating story behind Fleetwood Mac's journey from the pubs of England to become a US and global phenomenon. Picture this: a plot straight out of a gripping soap opera, where band members forge romantic connections, battle with addiction, weather breakups, and witness a revolving door of musical talent. And at the heart of it all lies Fleetwood Mac, a band synonymous with drama and musical brilliance.

Guest Bio:
Mark Blake is the author of the soon-to-be-released Dreams: The Many Lives of Fleetwood Mac and has interviewed each member of Fleetwood Mac several times over the decades. He has also written books on Queen, Led Zeppelin, The Who, and Pink Floyd.

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1. Download the Official Garage to Stadiums Fleetwood Mac playlist on Apple Music or Spotify
2. Visit GaragetoStadiums.com for bonus content on Fleetwood Mac, including concert footage, transcripts and other interesting facts.

In this episode, you will experience the sights and sounds of the mid-1960s London scene version of Fleetwood Mac, typified by this performance on the BBC from the era. Blake reveals the incredibly random way Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham were discovered and went from a folk performing duo on their first album to becoming additional band members, contributing powerful songwriting, vocal harmonies, and Buckingham's blazing guitar. These two were directly responsible for massive hits like Rhiannon, which was seen HERE in a scorching live performance in 1976 on NBC’s music show Midnight Special.

Fleetwood Mac's journey had its share of challenges amid the musical triumphs. Mark Blake paints a vivid portrait of the band's dynamic personalities, fueled by passion, breakups, tension, drug use and the occasional thrown drink. Yet, from this cauldron of creativity emerged an album born from chaos yet etched into the annals of music history as one of the Top 10 albums of all time.

Original Air Date: 2024

Host: Dave Anthony

A top 5% of podcasts in the world, Garage to Stadiums is a podcast for true music fans — the ones who want more than just headlines and hype. This show is for listeners who care about the full story behind the artists: their childhoods, musical influences, early gigs, personal battles, journey to stadium-level fame and the drama in between.

Why are we different? In each episode host Dave Anthony features guests who know their stuff and bring real insights from their time with the performers — from respected rock journalists to documentary filmmakers.

If you want smarter music commentary and behind-the-scenes stories you won’t hear anywhere else, subscribe now and get your backstage pass to music history.

Travel back to early 1960s Motown when an 11-year old child prodigy mysteriously appeared on the scene. Stevie Wonder rose from deep poverty, a fractured home and a significant physical disability to become one of the most influential musicians of all time. As you will hear, he was also a master of innovating new sounds, producing hits across many musical genres - soul, R'n'B, rock, reggae, pop, funk and more. In this episode you'll learn:

1. The incredible story of Stevie's birth and difficult family life
2. How Motown records was formed by an unexpected source, and then discovered Stevie
3. The ultimatum by a young Stevie that changes his economic situation
4. How a knock on a random door in New York resulted in Stevie's greatest albums
5. How a terrible accident changed Stevie forever
6. About his diverse set of hits from various genres

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Guest Bio - Paolo Hewitt has followed Stevie's career for decades. Paulo was a writer for UK music magazines, New Musical Express and Melody Maker, where he both interviewed Stevie Wonder and reviewed several of his albums. Paulo has also written extensively about the hiphop scene and has authored books on several artists. He appeared on two very popular Garage to Stadiums episodes to discuss the careers of David Bowie and Oasis.

Summer's here, time to crank some guitar riffs like only AC/DC can create. We're revisiting one of our most electrifying episodes: The Story of AC/DC. From gritty Sydney pub gigs to conquering stadiums worldwide, AC/DC's rise is one of rock’s most powerful journeys. Along the way: tragedy, reinvention, and some of the most iconic riffs ever recorded. This episode dives deep into the real story behind the band’s rise, with song clips from every era. You'll discover:

• The fascinating origins of the band name AC/DC
• How The Rolling Stones played a role in developing AC/DC’s sound
• How a boyband singer helped evolve AC/DC’s music
• Why guitarist Angus Young created his trademark schoolboy outfit
• How tragedy has impacted and evolved the band
• Who helped the band create one of the Top 5 selling albums of all time

Whether you're a lifelong fan or just cranking "Back in Black" on your summer road trip, this episode hits all the right notes.

Guest Bio:
Martin Popoff has written more record reviews than anybody in the history of music. That number, incredibly, currently stands at 7900 reviews. He has authored 120 books on hard rock, classic rock, and punk. Martin is a sought after researcher having contributed to the various rock documentaries broadcast on VH1. This interview is based on his recent book AC/DC at 50.

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Bonus Content:

1. Download the Official Garage to Stadiums AC/DC playlist on Apple Music or Spotify
2. Visit GaragetoStadiums.com for bonus content on AC/DC, including concert footage, transcripts and other interesting facts.

Original Air Date: 2024

Host: Dave Anthony

One of our most beloved episodes returns—an unforgettable journey into the life of a legend. Discover how Bob Marley rose from the streets of Trenchtown, one of Jamaica’s poorest neighborhoods, to become a global icon whose music and message continue to inspire millions.

Renowned reggae historian John Masouri, author of Simmer Down: Marley-Tosh-Livingston, joins us to trace Marley’s extraordinary path. From the birth of reggae to his fearless political activism. Tune in to hear his music forever changed the world. You’ll learn:

1. The shocking age gap between Bob Marley’s white father and Black mother — and how being mixed-race shaped Bob’s fight for identity in Jamaica.
2. Bob didn't start with reggae — discover the surprising genre he first chased.
3. How reggae fused American R&B, ska, and island rhythms into a revolutionary new sound.
4. Why gunmen tried to silence Bob — and how he survived an assassination attempt with gunshot wounds.
5. The unexpected African emperor who inspired Bob’s Rastafarian faith — and the dreadlocks that became his signature.
6. The Bob Marley album TIME magazine crowned the greatest music of the 20th century — and why it still resonates today.

Bob Marley is an international superstar who has reached the top of the musical and political worlds. Incredibly, he has won a UN humanitarian award for his political efforts and one of his albums was voted the best album of the 20th Century.

Guest Bio
John Masouri is a distinguished reggae historian and the author of several books on the genre including the definitive text on Bob Marley's life Simmer Down: Marley-Tosh-Livingston. John is a highly acclaimed author and music journalist specializing in reggae and dancehall genres for more than 35 years. John's work has appeared in Music Week, The Guardian Observer and New Musical Express (NME).
But his incredibly productive life did not begin this way. Nor did his music career begin with reggae. To hear more about Bob Marley's surprising and uplifting story, listen to this engaging episode to understand how and why he achieved his international superstar status.

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