I Love Rock & Roll Podcast

Singer songwriter Ben Kweller makes his ILRR debut and brings the heat! He talks about starting his first band at twelve, dropping out of the ninth grade so he could sign to a major label and tour the world at fifteen, getting the call to go on tour with Evan Dando, joining Foo Fighters on a record and on stage, and what it was like break out of the early 2000s NYC rock scene, alongside the Strokes and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

Writer/director Kieran Turner returns to the show, alongside legal expert Nic, to discuss predatory pop songs. Why were so many Seventies artists so obsessed with underage girls? Which songs are open to interpretation, and which feel more like confessions? Who is Benny Mardones, and why did he make the creepiest, cringiest video of all-time? All this and more on a brand new ILRR!

Comedian KP Burke joins Ken and his daughter to convince Lyla of the greatness that was the Band. How did a group comprised almost entirely of Canadians become the quintessential American band? What did Dylan see in them that made him risk his career to tour with them? Why was The Last Waltz truly the end of touring for the original lineup? When Lyla saw Kidz Bop live, did they pay tribute to Robertson? All this and more on a brand new ILRR!

Comedians Jenny Saldana and Mike Sicoli join Ken to talk about the career and legacy of one of the all-time best selling artists, Michael Jackon. They discuss his groundbreaking videos, his abusive father, the lasting impact of his music, and of course, those pesky allegations. Give it a listen!

Singer and Producer Rachel Burns joins the show to promote her hilarious new EP "What a Nasty Woman" and talk about surviving cancer, surviving Trump, playing in an eleven piece band with her best friends and husband, and channeling her grandmother through song. It's a funny and moving episode! Listen up!

Drummer Alvin Taylor returns to pay tribute to his dear friend and former boss Tina Turner. He talks about recording the classic "Nutbush City Limits", what Ike was really like behind the scenes, seeing his friend become the first black female rock star to play to stadiums, and helping to set the "Private Dancer" album in motion. Tune in!!

Johnny Goodtimes returns to the show to talk about one of the original Kings of Rock and Roll, Little Richard. How did he switch back and forth between gay icon and conservative Christian his whole life? Why was he so underappreciated by the very industry he helped to create? What tricks did he employ to make it tough for Pat Boone to sing his songs? He liked to read WHAT at orgies? Tune in and find out!

Recorded live in front of an audience at the Red Bank Comedy Festival, Ken and Chip are joined by Brian O'Halloran and KP Burke to discuss actors turned musicians, including Jared Leto, Steven Seagal, Corey Feldman and more. Why do so many actors try their hand at music, and why so many of them so, so bad at it? This one was an absolute blast to record! Have a listen!

Ken, Chip and Kahuna are joined by Ken's seven year old daughter Lyla. She talks about her love of the Gorillaz. De La Soul, Sub Urban and Melanie Martinez. She explains how kids her age find new music these days, schools Kahuna on Michael Jackson, Huey Lewis and Ghostbusters, and reacts to the songs that were big when Ken and Chip were seven.

Kahuna, Chip and Ken take a look at some of the wildest stories in rock history, from Ozzie Osbourne snorting a line of fire ants to Eddie Van Hal showing up in a tank to reclaim equipment Fred Durst stole from him, from Steven Tyler adopting a 14-year-old girl so he could date her, to Christ Bearer cutting off his own... well, you'll just have to listen and find out.

Billy Amendola (Drum Channel) drops in to talk about the tragic story of Jim Gordon, the recently deceased legendary session drummer who succumbed to the voices in his head and murdered his own mother. He also left behind a staggering body of work that can't be denied and we take a deep dive into some of the all-time classics he played on. How did his mental health go unchecked for so long, and how much more amazing music could he have brought into the world with the proper diagnosis and treatment? Give it a listen and find out!

Writer/director Kieran Turner (Jobriath AD) drops in to give the history of the most maligned category in the most maligned awards show, the Best New Artist Grammy. How have they so consistently gotten it wrong over the years? A Taste of Honey beat out whom?? Why was Mili Vanilli stripped of their Grammy when the academy had a history of nominating KNOWN lip-synching acts? How did so many of these winners shine brightly for a short time and then disappear just as fast? It's a fun one! Listen in!

Creem Magazine is back, and original editor Jaan Uhelszki (1970-1979) and current CEO John Martin join the show to talk about Creem's wild sex, drugs and rock n roll past, and their unlikely 2020s comeback. Why did the magazine move from the slums of Detroit to a commune in the middle of nowhere? What was it like to work and live with your colleagues 24/7? What made Lester Bangs such a wildcard? What's it feel like for a rock journalist to don the KISS makeup and perform with them on a sold-out show? Iggy Pop did WHAT to end an interview early? And lastly, why is Creem Magazine needed now more than ever, and how did they pull off their own resurrection? It's a wild one! Tune in!

Rapper Reef the Lost Cauze, writer and producer John Morrison, and comedian Darin Patterson join Ken to pay tribute to the greatest rap group of all-time, De La Soul. Why was their image as the "hippies of hip-hop" so misguided and wrong? How was their music in the Library of Congress but not available on Itunes for over twenty years? How did three childhood friends from Long Island, with only one platinum album to their name and zero presence on digital platforms, end up as one of the most influential groups of all-time? Listen in and find out!

Comedian and host of the "TV Guidance Counselor" podcast Ken Reid stops by to talk about being the teenage lead singer of Boston area punk band "30 Seconds Over Tokyo", the stories behind some of TV's most well known theme songs, and the best musical guest stars in television history.

Comedian Aaron Hertzog pops in to talk about Rolling Stone Magazine's recently updated Top 200 Singers List. Who did they get right? Who did they get wrong? Who was snubbed? Listen in and find out!

East Brunswick, NJ Natives Ed Guarnieri and John Matthews join fellow EBHS Alum Ken in breaking down ginker culture, which only seemed to exist in this one town for a period of 20-30 years. What exactly was a ginker, and why were most students scared of them? How big a factor was the music ginkers listened to? What was about them that seemed so scary it prompted John Matthews to write the only known ode to the lost lifestyle? And what, exactly, was Holly Rock? Strap in for our most inside-baseball episode yet

Journalist and author Anna Goldfarb drops by to share her love of legendary NYC rap and punk group, The Beastie Boys. How did their first album, which was supposed to be a joke, both sell over ten million copies and nearly end their careers? How did they follow up with a masterpiece second album that hardly anyone at the time even heard? What made them so undeniably cool in the Nineties? Listen in!

Trews guitarist John-Angus MacDonald joins Ken and guest co-host Max Antonucci to talk about touring in the time of Covid, what it's like to be in the same band for over twenty years with your brother, his love of the Black Crowes, opening for the Stones in a tiny club, jamming with Springsteen, and why Canada so consistently churns out amazing comedians.

Rapper Reef the Lost Cauze stops by to discuss the career of Luther Campell and 2 Live Crew. How did a block party DJ become first a hip hop pioneer and then a champion of free speech? Why was he willing to go to prison for his beliefs? Why did Bruce Springsteen allow Luther to sample "Born in the USA" at a time when he was famous for never licensing his music? Reef's mom likes WHICH 3 Live Crew song the most? Listen up!

Author Barbara Bellisi Zito drops in to promote her excellent debut novel "Lucky Stiff" and to discuss her lifelong love of Boy George and Culture Club. How did Boy George go from club kid to one of the biggest pop stars on the planet in the space of a year or so? How was he able to hide his romantic relationship with drummer Jon Moss for so long? Why did America freak out after he called himself a drag queen at the Grammys? All this and more on a brand new ILRR!

"Clerks III" star Brian O'Halloran and comedian Pat House return to the show to remember all the musicians we lost in 2022. It's sad and funny all at once, like a McDLT of emotions.

Found Footage Festival creator Joe Pickett joins Ken and Chip to discuss the seminal Christmas song "Do They Know It's Christmas" by British super group Band Aid. How was Bob Geldof able to assemble so many rock superstars so quickly? Is it the cringiest holiday song ever written? Did the money raised really end up in the hands of Russian arms dealers? Listen in and find out!

David Weitzman, Publishing Partner for Primary Wave Music, drops in to discuss his decades long career which includes being part of Sublime's original mgmt. team, working with the Black Crowes, being in charge of music supervision for Jackass, and his current work for Primary Wave, where he is part of the team that helped to sell Julian Casablancas, Huey Lewis, and Joey Ramone's publishing rights. What does any of this even mean? You have to listen to learn! This one is for the real music nerds!

Legendary Miami Horns trumpet player Tony Pallagrosi stops by the studio to talk about recording with Southside Johnny in the early days, touring with Bruce Springsteen, starting Concerts East, getting involved with the Light of Day Foundation, and how to date a model on $150 a week.

Bryn and Alex from rock band Bang Camaro join Ken and guest co-host Mike Sicoli to talk about forming in Boston in 2005 as kind of a goof but quickly grabbing national attention, playing legendary venues, having ten lead singers, and how a call from someone representing James Gunn landed their music in the hit show "Peacemaker" and paved the way for their first new music in over a decade!

"Jobriath AD" director and unofficial third co-host Kieran Turner drops in to tell the story of Latina powerhouse singer, Irene Cara. Why did a singer/actress with an Oscar, Grammy and Golden Globe disappear as quickly as she arrived on the scene? How did she score a "Best New Artist" nom at the Grammys despite not having an album out? Did her label hold her back, or was she difficult to work with? And can that "Jesus Christ Superstar" story possibly be true? Listen in!

Drummer Matt Sorum (Guns N' Roses, Velvet Revolver, The Cult, Kings of Chaos) joins Ken and guest co-host Don Jamieson (That Metal Show) to talk about his amazing new book, "Double Talkin' Jive", the hilarious text exchange when Lemmy asked him to do a tour with Motorhead. why Axl sometimes had to delay GNR shows for hours, getting Iggy Pop to recite lyrics on an answering machine for Billie Joe Armstrong, idolizing Keith Moon for the wrong reasons, and his excellent new single "Judgement Day".

Rick Allen and Lauren Monroe return to promote their amazing 12 Drummers Drumming auction and are joined by Shannon Larkin (Godsmack), Billy Amendola, Alvin Taylor, Matt Starr (Ace Frehley, Mr. Big), Larry Broughton (former Green Beret) to talk about the healing power of music, why it's impossible to have a great band with a bad drummer, and how when Rick Allen throws up the Bat Signal, everyone answers.

J&R Music World (1971-2014) owner Rachelle Friedman makes her ILRR debut to discuss owning and operating a NYC institution for the better part of five decades. How did a five hundred square foot electronic store that was only supposed to help pay some extra bills turn into a three hundred thousand square foot compound that took up an entire city block? What made Joe Walsh's in-store performance so special? Why did Michael Jackson use a different voice when conducting business? This one is for real music nerds!

Toadies and Bowling for Soup frontmen Vaden Lewis and Jaret Reddick join Ken and Chip for their 100th episode. The four discuss the magic behind The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, their love of Willie Nelson, their respect of Townes Van Zandt, Kanye, The Jerky Boys, the vulnerability of putting down the guitar and just singing, Diff'rent Strokes, and much much more!

Ghost Hounds bassist Bennett Miller returns to talk about the extraordinary life of The Rolling Stones bass player, Darryl Jones. How did playing with Miles Davis help secure him a job with the World's Greatest Rock and Roll Band? Why, after thirty years, isn't he a full-fledged member? What exactly is a pocket and the art of weaving? Bennett breaks it all down for us! Give it a listen!

Drummer Alvin Taylor makes his ILRR debut to talk about joining Little Richard's band at the age of thirteen, being the opening act for Elvis in Vegas and meeting kings, queens and presidents, recording with George Harrison and Stevie Wonder, and having Ronnie Wood name an album after him. Alvin has led an amazing life and stayed humble through it all! These stories are not to be missed!

Comedian Bonnie McFarlane joins Chip and Ken to talk about the turbulent life and career of Sinead O'Connor. Why did controversy seemingly follow her at every turn? Why did she consider tearing up a picture of the pope on SNL a triumph when everyone said it was career suicide? How come she refused to have the National Anthem played before a concert in NJ? Why did Prince insist on feeding her soup when they first met? Listen up!

Musician Joe Moore stops by to talk about the strange history of the quintessential Halloween novelty song, "Monster Mash". How did a struggling TV actor write and record a number one hit in less than thirty minutes? Why was a novelty song about monsters dancing bannedin the UK? What's his connection to the Beach Boys and Eddie Van Halen? Listen in and make sure to check out Joe's album of Halloween novelty songs, "The Mummy Forgot the Chips".

Ken and guest co-host Chris Covert welcome glam rocker Jimmy Maddon to the show all the way from the UK to talk about releasing his self-titled 2020 debut album in the height of the pandemic, his love of Queen, why America is still mecca for musicians, and who he would recruit to form a supergroup.

Comedian and author Doogie Horner stops by to talk about one of the most prolific artists in rock history, Neil Young. Why did he retreat from the massive success of "Harvest" and record "the Ditch Trilogy"? How come Geffen Records sued him shortly after signing him to a huge contract? What was behind his feud with Donald Trump, and why were some Trump supporters trying to have him canceled? How did the man who wrote "Ohio" end up stumping for Ronald Reagan? It's a good one! Listen up!

Musician and producer Dave Brandwein makes his ILRR debut to discuss forming the band Turkuaz with his friend in college and taking the funk band all the way to Red Rocks and Bonnaroo, the fallout of their very public breakup, rising up from the ashes with not one but two excellent new projects, playing a Paul McCartney and Wings set with original Wings member Denny Lane at Jazzfest, his love of Talking Heads and stand up comedy, and much more!

Comedian and Elvis superfan Mike Sicoli joins Kahuna and Ken to trade the wildest Elvis stories you never heard. How did Elvis stop a plane from taking off with nothing but a phony badge? Who were the Memphis mafia and what is a time consultant? Who was Scatter and how did he meet his untimely death? Does Mike Sicoli have an actual scarf signed by the King? No, no he does not. This was a wild one!

Podcaster Steve Cooper makes his ILRR debut to talk about The Police. How did a band that only lasted for seven years land four of their five records in Rolling Stone's top 500 albums? How did the biggest band in the world at the time break up with no one knowing? Did Sting ever really want to be in a group? Listen in and find out!

Comedian Rich Vos joins ken and guest co-host John Moses to talk about the dumpster fire that was Woodstock '99. Rich, who was an MC for the festival on the west stage, compares how the performers were treated versus how the attendees, which included Ken and John, were treated. Why were bottles of water but not drugs confiscated? Why were the promoters, twenty years on, still trying to blame the performers for their mistakes? What do Rich and James Brown have in common? It's a fun one! Listen in!

For the first time in ILRR history, Ken and Chip turn hosting duties over, as director Kieran Turner (Jobriath AD) takes the lead on a tribute to Olivia Newton-John. Why was she loved by country fans, shunned by country artists, and then ultimately embraced by Nashville. Why was "Grease" the only movie that ever really worked for her? What song was deemed far too sexual for airplay in Utah and got banned from the radio? She sold HOW MANY albums? It's a great one! Tune in!

No new episode this week so here's one from the ILRR vaults. Comedian Sean Donnelly stops by to talk about all things Monkees. Did Mike Nesmith basically invent MTV? Did they even play their own instruments? Do they get too little, or too much respect from other musicians? Recorded the day Mike Nesmith died, enjoy this never before heard episode!

Shuli Egar makes his ILRR debut to discuss the legendary all-time great Pink Floyd and founder Roger Water's troubling (for some) politics. Is it easy to separate the art from the artist? Should Jews consider boycotting his concerts? Was the Syd Barret era actually any good? Just HOW good a guitar player is Dave Gilmour? All this and more! Check it out!

Roxx Revolt of the great new rock band Roxx Revolt and the Velvets makes her show debut to discuss her love of glam rock, why she thinks it's poised to make a comeback, coming to America to chase her dreams, trying to find a band in the open mic circuit, and why being an opener is an uphill battle.

Musician Matt O'Ree returns to the show to talk about his love of blues legend Stevie Ray Vaughn. How did a fourteen year old kid catch the attention of ZZ Top? Exactly how close was he to forgoing a career in the blues to become David Bowie's sideman? How did he wind in the helicopter instead of Eric Clapton on the day he died? Listen in and go see Matt at The Vogel in Red Bank NJ on July 28th!

Comedian Kevin Gootee drops in to talk about the wild career of all-time great American band Guns N Roses. How did they set out to make the best-selling debut of all-time and actually accomplish it? What's the real reason Izzy Stradlin left the band at the height of their fame? Why did Axl always insist on being late to gigs, even if it meant causing riots? What was at the root of the alleged racism and homophobia behind the song "One in a Million"? Listen in and find out!

Menudo super fans Kyle Ocasio and Jenny Saldana come on to talk about their love of the original boy band, explain just how much their music meant to thousands of bi-lingual teen age girls in 1980s NYC and shine some light on just how much of a monster founding promoter Edgardo Diaz was.

Comedian Erik Bergstrom joins the show to talk about the early years of David Bowie, Why isn't his first album considered canon? What was he really trying to say about Andy Warhol and Bob Dylan? What was his obsession with the occult? Check it out!

Actor, playwright and musician Vincent Pastore makes his ILRR debut to talk about his days managing rock clubs, hanging out with Dion and Bono, running on stage with Bruce Springsteen, and why the music in The Sopranos was always so impeccable.

Comedian James Hesky joins the show to talk about one of the original fathers of rock and roll, the Killer, Jerry Lee Lewis. How was he able to survive the career suicide of marrying his thirteen year old cousin? Why did Elvis have him arrested at the gates of Graceland? How did he convince his bass player to rejoin his band after shooting him in the chest, twice? Did he murder at least one of his seven wives and get away with it? It's a wild one!