There’s a tucked-away place in Hollywood where rock stars have lived, disappeared, let loose, and made history since the 60s. This episode digs into the new documentary If These Walls Could Rock, the wild stories behind the legendary Sunset Marquis, and why this place became one of rock n roll’s true clubhouses.

Want to win a copy of Metallica: Album by Album by Martin Popoff? This killer hardcover is packed with more than 200 photos and a deep dive into Metallica’s catalog with musicians and industry insiders who know the music. Sign up for the free Rock Talk Studio newsletter to enter to win! Enter here

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Martin Popoff’s new book Metallica: Album by Album takes a different approach to one of metal’s most analyzed catalogs. With insight from Kim Thayil (Soundgarden) Frank Bello (Anthrax) , Richie Faulkner (Judas Priest), Brian Slagel (Metal Blade Records) and others, the book digs deep into the songs, albums and evolution that made Metallica one of rock’s biggest bands.

*WIN THE METALLICA BOOK!!

Want to win a copy of Metallica: Album by Album by Martin Popoff? This killer hardcover is packed with more than 200 photos and a deep dive into Metallica’s catalog with musicians and industry insiders who know the music. Sign up for the free Rock Talk Studio newsletter to enter to win! Enter here

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email Big Rick at:
info@rocktalkstudio.com

Robyn Hitchcock has written a rock memoir unlike anything else I’ve read. His new book, Stranded in the Future, takes us through 1968–1978 in a strange, funny, surreal trip through songwriting, first crushes, musical obsession, and the beginnings of the Soft Boys. I also go back to Hitchcock’s first memoir, 1967: How I Got There and Why I Never Left, and explain why these two books are best experienced together.

*Want the latest in Rock N Roll Book and Documentaries news sent to your inbox? New editions come out on the last Friday of the month featuring all the book buzz and doc news, recently released titles, top 5 lists, and entry into ALL giveaways and more. Enter here

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Roland Orzabal of Tears for Fears has written one of the most unusual rock memoirs I’ve ever read, one built around his lifelong fascination with astrology. I dig into Welcome to Your Life and whether the book works even if astrology isn’t your thing. Plus, a new Neil Peart documentary is coming featuring Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, Stewart Copeland, Chad Smith, Danny Carey and more paying tribute to the legendary Rush drummer.

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In this episode of Rock Talk Studio, I break down the three things that finally made Elvis "click" for me:

• The Colonel and the King: Why understanding the mysterious and relentless Colonel Tom Parker provided the context I was missing.
• EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert: How seeing these rehearsals and concert footage revealed the raw work ethic behind the spectacle.
• Elvis Presley: Conversations With Scotty Moore: A look at the new book by Jim Berkenstadt that gives a first-hand account of Elvis’s early career through the eyes of his legendary guitarist.

Whether you're a die-hard Elvis fan or a skeptic like I was, this is a story about how the right history can make you reconsider an artist you thought you had all figured out.

Special shout out to listener Vaughan M. for the encouragement to dive deeper!

*Want the latest in Rock N Roll Book and Documentaries news sent to your inbox? New editions come out on the last Friday of the month featuring all the book buzz and doc news, recently released titles, top 5 lists, and entry into ALL giveaways and more. Enter here

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email Big Rick at:
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This week on Rock Talk Studio, Big Rick reviews Jesse Malin’s Almost Grown and counts down some of the greatest New York City rock books ever written. From Patti Smith and Jim Carroll to Please Kill Me, discover the books that best capture the music, the people, and the spirit of New York rock ’n’ roll.

*Want the latest in Rock N Roll Book and Documentaries news sent to your inbox? New editions come out on the last Friday of the month featuring all the book buzz and doc news, recently released titles, top 5 lists, and entry into ALL giveaways and more. Enter here

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Rock n roll books usually follow a predictable path, but these five books go somewhere completely different. Today's show explores some of rock’s most unusual reads, featuring Robyn Hitchcock, Peter Wolf, a forgotten Beatle, a CIA-recruited hair-metal drummer, and one author’s deeply personal journey through the music and life of Joni Mitchell.

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Did the Rolling Stones, now in their 80's, just release on of their top 10 studio albums of all time? No way right? Let's count them down and see.

*Want the latest in Rock N Roll Book and Documentaries news sent to your inbox? New editions come out on the last Friday of the month featuring all the book buzz and doc news, recently released titles, top 5 lists, and entry into ALL giveaways and more. Enter here

Support the show

email Big Rick at:
info@rocktalkstudio.com