Rock N Roll Archaeology
Rock N Roll Archaeology
Pantheon Media
Rock N Roll Archaeology (RNRA) is more than a podcast; it’s an immersive, carefully researched and produced audio documentary. RNRA explores the history of Rock Music, and then goes a step further. We contextualize Rock N Roll; we place it within the cultural, political, and technological landscapes of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. With storytelling, commentary, and a dash of musicology, we explore how music, culture, and technology interact and affect each other—how they ARE each other.
Shorts: Celebrating Country Soul
A little about Country, a little about Soul, and more about how they are really just the same thing. And why it’s not at all surprising that a big Pop-Soul star like Beyoncé is releasing a Country album. For this RNRA Short, we tapped the expertise of Professor Charles Hughes of Rhodes College in Memphis, author of “Country Soul: Making Music and Making Race in the American South.” We’ll look at the origins of the Alt Country Revolt, and name-check some great artists working very loudly and deliberately outside the Nashville Pop Country machine. Y’all keep up the rockin’ now, hear? Producer and Host: Christian Swain Head Writer: Richard Evans Sound Designer: Jerry Danielsen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 25
30 min
Shorts: Swifties - Beyond Beatlemania?
To mark the 60th anniversary of The Beatles' inaugural performance on U.S. soil, we decided to do a quick compare-and-contrast. We’ll revisit that watershed moment in music and culture, and talk about something recent that actually comes close to matching that moment: the ongoing Eras Tour from Taylor Swift. Not “Bigger THAN The Beatles,” but in our not-so-humble opinion, “Biggest SINCE The Beatles.” Listen in and let us know what you think! www.rocknrollarchaeology.com/listen Producer and Host: Christian Swain Head Writer: Richard Evans Sound Designer: Jerry Danielsen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 7
30 min
Episode 24: The Wonder Years
The Soul of the 1970s. First, Marvin Gaye kicked the door open with “What’s Going On,” and then Stevie Wonder barged in. The Wonder Years spanned 1971 to 1976; when the transcendent, diverse talent of Stevie Wonder was in its fullest flower. That five-album span is one of the most successful and impactful creative runs in the history of recorded music. Our podcast offers immersive storytelling, insightful commentary, and a stellar musical playlist. Join us as we delve deep into the lives and musical genius of these iconic Soul-Music luminaries. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7s4Vyw1FLb4XpJnANduFPs?si=14746e9dd53049b1 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 25, 2023
1 hr 18 min
Shorts: Celluloid Heroes
Welcome back to Rock N Roll Archaeology! Got another RNRA Short Podcast for you. This one is named after the Kinks song “Celluloid Heroes.” Rock N Roll goes to the movies (and television) in this one. We’ll take a look at three shows that feature fictional Rock bands: the movies “Almost Famous” and “This Is Spinal Tap,” and the television miniseries “Daisy Jones & The Six.” Visit our website for more about this and all our other podcast episodes, and for links to our Patreon and Social Media. Keep up the Rockin’! Dramatis Personae Kellen Reiche played Danny Failson Lynly Ehrlich played Liz Limer Jerry Danielsen played Joe Conrad Courtney M. Anderson played Heller Joseph Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 21, 2023
42 min
Shorts: Disco Demolition!
RNRA Shorts: Disco Demolition!  Take us back to the Distant Days of Disco, Summer of 1979. Steve Dahl, a brash young DJ at WLUP- FM (“Chicago’s Best Rock!”), has declared war on Disco.  On July 12, 1979, he took the fight to Comiskey Park, in between games of a doubleheader between the home-team Chicago White Sox and the Detroit Tigers. Things…got out of hand.  Since then, the “Disco Demolition” at Comiskey has achieved no small amount of notoriety, and at least according to Steve Dahl, it was a turning point, the beginning of the end for Disco.  Was it really? Well, yes and no. In our view, the Disco trend was already on the decline; it had pretty much run its course. But there was a powerful backlash to Disco, that’s undeniable. What motivated that backlash? And what was the fallout from the actual event?  Let’s discuss! For sources and show notes, visit rocknrollarchaeology.com ! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 7, 2023
34 min
Episode 23: Radio, Radio
We want the airwaves, baby! Chapter 23 of Rock N Roll Archaeology tunes into radio and radio culture in America and elsewhere. There was a brief moment in the 70s and early 80s where FM Rock Radio was something pretty special.So what was that like, and where have all the good times gone? Some storytelling in this one, but it’s a little heavier on the commentary…and of course we’re featuring some killer songs, because that’s how we roll. “Begin the day with a friendly voice, a companion unobtrusive, Plays that song that’s so elusive” For full show notes and to support Rock and Roll Archaeology visit www.rocknrollarchaeology.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 3, 2023
57 min
Shorts: Diamond Dust (A Tribute to Jeff Beck)
Remembering the late great Jeff Beck, the guitarist’s guitarist. An innovator and an iconoclast with a bold experimental spirit, Jeff left his unique stamp on hundreds of great songs. Songs Jeff Beck: “Diamond Dust,” from Blow By Blow Jeff Beck: “Blue Wind,” from Wired The Yardbirds: “Stroll On,” from the soundtrack to Blow Up Jeff Beck with Bones UK: “The Revolution Will Be Televised” from Loud Hailer Jeff Beck: “Freeway Jam,” from Blow by Blow Bill Haley and The Comets: “Rock Around the Clock,” single released 1955 Commander Cody and the Lost Planet Airmen: “Hot Rod Lincoln” from Lost in the Ozone Stevie Wonder: “Looking for Another Pure Love,” from Talking Book Jeff Beck, “Thelonius,” from Blow by Blow Jeff Beck, “Cause We’ve Ended as Lovers,” from Blow by BlowCredits Author Dennis Hartley voiced by Doug Herzog In Memoriam Chip Isaac tribute charity: Bay Area Border Relief. https://www.bayareaborderrelief.org/ Podcasts Rock N Roll Archaeology, Chapter 21: Guitarmageddon Rock N Roll Archaeology, Chapter 8: Meet the Beatles, Part 2 Deeper Digs in Rock: Bones UK Books Martin Power, Hot Wired Guitar:The Life of Jeff Beck, 2014 Online Sources The Alchemist: RIP Jeff Beck – Digby's HullabalooJeff Beck's favourite guitar solos How Jeff Beck made Stevie Wonder go No. 1 with 'Superstition' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jan 17, 2023
25 min
Shorts: RNRA Horror Podcast Short
Examining–and reconsidering–The Rocky Horror Picture Show. At the time, it was transgressive, outrageous; but now it seems a little bit tame. And…a bit problematic, when taken in a modern context. But it's still the ultimate midnight movie, and it's still…just a jump to the left!  Songs: RHPS Cast: “There’s a Light,” from the soundtrack album RHPS Cast: “The Time Warp,” from the soundtrack album Tim Curry: “I Do The Rock,” from Fearless RHPS Cast: “Sweet Transvestite,” from the soundtrack album Frank Zappa and the Mothers: “Cheepnis,” from Roxy & Elsewhere RHPS Cast: “Science Fiction Double Feature,” from the soundtrack album RHPS Cast: “Hot Patootie - Bless My Soul,” from the soundtrack album RHPS Cast: “Rose Tint My World,” from the soundtrack album RHPS Cast: “Super Heroes,” from the soundtrack Online Resources: First, we want to give a warm and appreciative shoutout to the blogger Alex Mell-Taylor; we leaned heavily on their post for this chapter:     Gently Ripping Apart ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ | by Alex Mell -Taylor Here’s a link to more by Alex Mell - Taylor at Medium.com. The Rocky Horror Wiki How I learned to stop worrying and love the Rocky Horror Picture Show Rock's Back Pages: It's only a movie The 50 Best Sci Fi Movies of the 1970s Golden Age of Science Fiction Books: 11 of the Era's Most Influential Titles Tim Curry The Rocky Horror Picture Show: A Cult Classic that Challenged Sexual Mores | The Artifice Rocky Horror Picture Show – a How-To Guide for Audience Participation We Live in the World ‘Rocky Horror’ Created Written by Richard Evans and Christian Swain Produced and hosted by Christian Swain Sound Design by Jerry Danielsen Partners: Rock's Backpages Voice Actors: Drew H as Alex Mell-Taylor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 30, 2022
29 min
Shorts: Secrets From A Saucer
Bands in the van, and a band at the crossroads. In this episode of RNRA Shorts, we’ll get into the early days of Pink Floyd, and the latest from a Pink Floyd member: Nick Mason’s 2022 Saucerful of Secrets tour.  Written by Richard Evans and Christian Swain, Sound Design by Jerry Danielsen.   Sponsors and Partners Nick Mason's Saucerful Of Secrets Rock’s Backpages Songs Pink Floyd, “Echoes,” from Meddle Pink Floyd, “See Emily Play,” from Piper at the Gates of Dawn Pink Floyd, “Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun” from A Saucerful of Secrets Pink Floyd, “Interstellar Overdrive,” from Piper at the Gates of Dawn Pink Floyd, “Bike,” from Piper at the Gates of Dawn Pink Floyd, “Fearless,” from Meddle Pink Floyd, “One of These Days,” from Meddle Pink Floyd, “Jugband Blues,” from A Saucerful of Secrets Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets: “Arnold Layne,” from Live at the Roundhouse Books Mason, Nick. Inside Out: A Personal History of Pink Floyd Chronicle Books LLC. Kindle Edition. Cutler, Sam. You Can't Always Get What You Want: My Life with the Rolling Stones, the Grateful Dead and Other Wonderful Reprobates . ECW Press. Kindle Edition. Films, Documentaries, and TV Shows “What Drives Us,” Directed by Dave Grohl, 2021 "Omnibus" Syd Barrett: Crazy Diamond (TV Episode 2001) - IMDb Pink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon (Short 1973) - IMDb Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets: Live at the Roundhouse (2020) - IMDb Online Sources Pink Floyd | Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Why Pink Floyd’s Nick Mason Finally Went Solo at 75 – Rolling Stone How Pink Floyd Carried on With 'A Saucerful of Secrets' Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets Concert Setlist at Zagrebački velesajam - Paviljon 9, Zagreb on May 31, 2022 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 23, 2022
31 min
Shorts: The Art of the Steal
Content warning: Here at RNRA, we don’t hide our views. At all. But when it comes to politics, we try not to be in-your-face about it either. Our little slogan is “Just tell the story, and the point will get made.”This time though, we’re a little more overt, we’re letting it rip just a little bit. This particular burr has been under our saddle for a while now.Now: on with the show.  Summer Time is Shorts Time! RNRA Shorts, that is! So…here’s a thing. Sometimes we visit Right Wing World online, that’s usually how it starts.On these expeditions we’ll sometimes run into some whinging about “Woke Progressives” cancelling right wing culture and entertainment, or just griping in general about perceived left/liberal bias in popular culture.They’re not totally wrong about that. They’re right, just for the wrong reasons, and we’ll explain why.It’s not just complaining they do. We also see a lot of co-opting and outright stealing. And when they take Rock music and culture and dishonestly try to repurpose it, try to make it serve the conservative agenda, well…unintentional hilarity ensues.So we’ll do some roasting, but we’ll also do some thinking out loud, talk a little about the how and why, and even delve into the deeper history of…the Art of the Steal. Enjoy! Sponsors and Partners BetterHelp Rock’s Backpages Boldfoot Songs Parliament Funkadelic: “One Nation Under A Groove” Thomas Dolby: “Pulp Culture” Ted Nugent: “Stranglehold” Ted Nugent: “Hey Baby” They Might Be Giants: “Your Racist Friend” Neil Young: “Rockin’ in the Free World” Woody Guthrie: “This Land is Your Land” Trey Parker and Matt Stone: “America, Fuck Yeah” Toby Keith: “Courtesy of the Red White and Blue” Living Colour: “Cult of Personality” Stevie Wonder: “He’s Misstra Know It All” Green Day: “American Idiot” Sources Apocalypse Now: “Mangoes and Tigers” Scene (Retrieved from YouTube) Roy Edroso Breaks it Down Substack (Paywalled. Roy writes a lot about this issue, and we think he’s really astute–and hilarious.) The Five Most Repellent Things Ted Nugent Has Ever Done | Rocks Off Music News: Why can't musicians get politicians to stop playing their songs? The President’s Shock at the Rows of Empty Seats in Tulsa - The New York Times American Cringe: Why can’t the contemporary right make art? Episode 5: The Ballad of Bob and J.R. — Pantheon Podcasts A Defence of Poetry Voice Talent  Darryl Alber as blogger Cameron Summers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 11, 2022
27 min
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