Serious Rock Talk Podcast

The state of radio airplay is puzzling. Are stations contractually constrained, or simply playing it safe with the same 18-song rotation hour after hour? What happened to the deep cuts and lesser-known album tracks that used to surface when listeners dug through crates of vinyl? Radio analyst Kennedy examines this evolving landscape and shares his perspective.

So Much Good Music, So Little Time.  On Kennedy's Corner, T-Bone Terry guest hosts a discussion about the wealth of great heavy metal music and the bands that deserve induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

So Much Music, So Little Time. In an exclusive one-on-one interview, Serious Rock Talk's Kennedy sits down with T-Bone Terry, the lead singer of the rock band Ranamers. Delve into T-Bone's journey, from his early days in the rock and metal music scene to his acclaimed career with his former band, Eudoxis.

The Tale of Phil Spector: Violence Covered in Sugar and Candy   Brilliant and abusive. Cruel and kind. A genius, A murderer. Music producer Phil Spector functioned on many levels, one of which led him down a very dark, sinister path. Dr. Clarke helps to illuminate the man's career, talent, demons and the terrible act that sent him to prison.   #philspector #thebeatles #leonardcohen #truecrime #murder #losangeles #producer #rock #music #podcast

Jimi Hendrix: What Happened on September 18, 1970?   Few rock personalities command as much recognition and respect as Jimi Hendrix. But popularity breeds conspiracies—and the death of Jim Hendrix is shrouded in confusion, distortion and deceit. Join Dr. Ian Clarke as he examines the evidence and opinions, identifying the bogus, condemning the criminals, and celebrating the facts!   #jimihendrix #guitar #death #ericclapton #jeffbeck #jimmypage #theexperience janisjoplin #jimmorrison #brianjones #rock #music #podcast #truecrime

The death of rocker Bobby Fuller is an enduring riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma. Who did it? Why? Where? And when? Everything was going Bobby's way. He was set to explode into international stardom. But suddenly out of nowhere... Listen in as Dr. Clarke leads you down a dark, winding path to arrive at one of rock's most bizarre deaths.

Rock Stars of Italian Descent. Who Knew?   Be prepared for an explosion of surprises. In this episode, Ferris Kennedy—he of Italian background—takes great delight in confusing Dr. Clarke by listing the many rock musicians of Italian descent—people you have no idea had roots in  Il Bel Paese!. This is a special chance to be entertained by pretty cool insights. È fantastico!

What Happened to The Beatles after They Broke Up?   The Beatles' career is well known. But what happened to the lovable mop tops after the best rock band in the world broke up? Kennedy and Clarke have you covered. The post-Beatle careers of John, Paul, George, and yes, even Ringo, are discussed, condemned, and celebrated.

The Men that Made Nirvana Successful   We know that you like/love Nirvana. That means you're interested in behind-the-scenes revelations about exactly who helped them along. Which band mates left, and who remained to ascend the stairs to rock stardom? Ferris Kennedy is jacked as he kicks it with a discussion of a great band with eternal vibes.

Foo Fighters: What's Next?   Hey, the Foos have been through a lot. And they're still around—still selling out stadiums, still bringing garage rock to the masses. But what's next? Ferris Kennedy amps it up as he plots a path for Dave Grohl and the boys. You don't want to miss this inaugural episode of Kennedy's Corner.

Sam Cooke: Motel Money Murder Madness Much has been written about the strange circumstances surrounding the tragic death of Sam Cooke, one of the greatest soul and pop singers/composers of the early 1960s. In this episode, Dr Clarke discusses conspiracies and carefully evaluates the circumstances which led to Cooke's murder in a $3-dollar-a-night motel in south-central Los Angeles.  

Is Rock Music Soon to be Extinct? Classic bands are aging. Radio is dying. New music formats are flourishing. Has rock music really strummed its last chord? In this episode we review the tell-tale facts, consider the trends, and deliver entertaining, persuasive conclusions that will just about make your day!  

Are Rock Lists Goofy or Great? Listeners of Serious Rock Talk know our mixed emotions about 'Greatest Songs/Bands/Guitarists/Singers/Etc.' lists. In this episode, we make a temporary truce with those that perpetuate lists (Rolling Stone Mag et. al.) and we come out the other end with a lot of laughs. Listen up and enjoy original insights and random observations about rock lists and our incessant need to rate.... everything!  

New Year's Eve Show 2024 2024 was an amazing year for rock—and dare we say an outstanding year for the Serious Rock Talk Podcast. We thank you all for lending us an ear, sending emails, and making suggestions. Listen in as Dr. Clarke, Steven Wheeler, and Ferris Kennedy sum it all up for you. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride. 2025—here we come!

Aerosmith: 54 Years and No More Counting  They say there are five stages of grief. When Aerosmith announced that the band was no longer touring or recording, Kennedy began his dark, lonely trek across the stages. O yes, he loves his Aerosmith, This episode is therapeutic for Kennedy, and he enriches us all with his sorrow. Listen in while he praises the Boys from Beantown, the Toxic Twins—Aerosmith, one of the greatest bands of all time.

What's Motown All About?   How does a $800 investment attain a $61-million value in twenty years? The Motown story is a tale of ambition, talent, timing and tragedy. From Diana Ross to Boyz ll Men, Motown produced an astounding roster of incredible performers. Listen in as we take you on a mini-march through the halls of this incredible company.  

The Inevitable Murder of John Lennon   Death is inevitable, but murder isn't. With the help of Professor Joseph Campbell's book The Hero with a Thousand Faces, Dr Ian Clarke tries to make sense of Mark David Chapman's senseless act of violence. 

Jake & Jackie: Exclusive Interview with the Country Folk Duo. It's not often that we are lucky enough to speak with artists at the beginning of their careers: the dynamic duo of Jake & Jackie gave us an exciting opportunity. They are country, folk, rock and more. All of you musicians and music lovers, listen in. . This is the sound of talented, dedicated and unique talents about to quickly climb the steps of opportunity. This is special.

To invert a bit of Hamlet, it's a tale told by a master storyteller, full of drums and guitars, signifying a lot. In 1964, Jimmie Nicol was a Beatle for two weeks, and then… what happened? Jim Berkenstadt, a rock and roll detective, follows Jimmie's trail around the world. Jimmie's story is exciting, surprising, inspiring and perplexing. Dr. Clarke and Jim Berkenstadt discuss Jimmie Nicol's sixty-year odyssey and let you decide how it all turned out.

Nickelback: Canada's Greatest Band... or What Love 'em. Hate 'em. There doesn't seem to be a middle ground for Nickelback. Why? Often the band is celebrated as Canada's greatest rock export. Ferris Kennedy has had enough!  He makes a strong case that you—and your friends—should give Nickelback another listen. So go ahead, fire up this episode and begin the journey.

The Mysterious Death of Rolling Stone Brian Jones. Aside from founding perhaps the world's greatest rock band, Brian Jones was a brilliant musician. He was also a very troubled young man. In this episode of Serious Rock Talk Crime, Dr. Clarke investigates the circumstances of Brian Jones's death, and how he joined that most infamous of all groups, The 27 Club.

He is part of Canadian punk rock history as the notorious frontman for The Action, possibly Canada's first punk Band. He opened for The Stranglers and toured with The Ramones. From L.A. to Europe and beyond, he's been everywhere—and he's never stopped. Ted knows the music business—and he has fantastic tales to tell. Listen now to our exclusive interview with the legendary Count of Rock.

Our Favorite Albums by Year 1956-2024   An album that is packed—end to end—with great songs is incredibly rare. Where do you find them? No sweat. We have already done the heavy lifting. Call us audio explorers. Join in as we begin at the beginning. Get your pencils ready and prepare to make a list of great albums that made a lasting difference.

Alice Cooper: The Bizarre Making of a Rock God Once labelled "a skinny nerd with a wimpy voice" by a school friend, Vincent Damon Furnier put on leather gloves and makeup, grew his hair, and started singing about teenage angst. Changing his name to Alice Cooper didn't hurt. Dr Clarke leads Kennedy and Wheeler through this most unlikely success story. It is a tale told by a music lover, full of sound and fury, signifying rock and roll.  

Here's Ozzy. All About the Prince of Darkness. He's been called many things, but never boring. Arguably, Ozzy is the most influential figure in metal/hard rock music. Kennedy and Wheeler do some heavy head banging in order to solve the dark mystery of of the Ozz-Man. Don't miss it.

Who Are Rock's Best Bass Players? The answer? Well. you will have to listen in. We make cases for the prosecution and the defense. And we take no prisoners. As a bonus, Steven Wheeler power gulps energy drinks and really guns it.

And now for something completely different... It was our pleasure to speak with Chad Vice, host of ParaVice City, a weekly syndicated 80s rock radio show that explores hard rock tunes by big, small and obscure artists. Get exposure to an exciting genre of music, led by the master himself, Chad Vice.

Forget it. You won't find all these names on your average Top 10 list. That's because we're looking at influence, not celebrity. Get ready for an entertaining, engaging discussion that could open new sonic vistas.

What do the Beatles and Stones have in common with N'SYNC and Backstreet Boys? Actually (uncomfortably) a lot. Take a ride from the mid-50s up to the present day as Regina Bianca joins us in a lively celebration of all that is boy bands.

It's been said the best rock & roll is played on a stolen guitar. Not that we support theft, but we do support youthful exuberance, those who regard the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a mausoleum and would use a Grammy award as a doorstop. They know what garage rock is all about. Listen in as we discuss the mother lode of rock rebellion.

Best Hard Rock Albums Since 1970 Dr. Clarke isn't a big fan of lists, but even he thought this one worth exploring. Check out the best hard rock album every year beginning in 1970. Plenty of room for debate, praise and rage.

Grunge: What is It & Where Did It Go? Grunge music never had a bigger fan than Ferris Kennedy. Listen in for a roller coaster ride through this brief but influential genre, taking a deep dive into Pearl Jam and making salient points again and again. This is special.

Outstanding Hosers of Canadian Rock. Now is the time to have some fun. Sit back, listen, and smile  knowingly as we do the heavy lifting, exposing the mullet-driven influence of hoser-ism throughout Canadian rock music.

On one side you have Charles Manson, perpetuator of a series of horrific murders that shocked America. On the other, the Beach Boys, squeaky-clean California guys that sang about surfing. In 1968, these two forces met—and the outcome was definitely Bad Vibrations. Join Dr. Clarke as he ventures down the foggy ruins of time.

The Traveling Wilburys. A Fake Group or What? Who were the Wilburys? At least the Monkees used their real names... George Harrison always wanted to be in another band. Is that why he created the Wilburys? Kennedy and Clarke provide engaging insights, both roasting and celebrating one of most bizarre supergroups ever.

Serious Rock Talk Productions Presents: Masters of Rock Talk The songwriter, de facto leader of 60s/70s rock giant The Band. Robertson has left us, but his music remains strong and relevant.  Dr. Clarke delivers a heartfelt appraisal of this rare, enduring talent.

How Rock Music Changed Our Lives w/special guest Regina Bianca: In your life, there are those special albums, songs, and performers that groomed and inspired your musical tastes. It's time to talk about it. Dr. Clarke and Mr. Kennedy are joined by Regina Bianca, the outstanding singer and multi-instrumentalist who provides a very contemporary take on musical influences. Listen in and relate!  

Serious Rock Talk Productions Presents: Masters Of Rock Talk. Everyone has their own thoughts about the RRHF. In the end, it is what it is. But there are bands that somehow, someway, got overlooked. It's time to raise some flags. Join Kennedy and Clarke as they take to the streets

Serious Rock Talk Productions Presents: Masters of Rock Talk If ever there was a destiny's child, it was Ringo. He has to be among the most unlikely superstars in the history of our blue planet. But miraculously, incredulously, he did it. How? We offer a few insights about the Beatles incredible drummer.

Serious Rock Talk Productions - We bring you the Masters of Rock Talk Series, one platform two shows, you decide. We get it, some' given names' must be abandoned on the road to stardom, not to mention awkward surnames. But sometimes the new names are so mind-numbingly awful that the whole thing shudders to a stop. Yes, we are merciful, handling fragile egos with care.

Serious Rock Talk Productions Presents: Masters of Rock Talk. Two giants very different men and musicians are gone.  Jeff Beck and David Crosby. We have a lot to say. Find out why they had such significant impacts.

What We Talk About When We Talk About Canadian Rock: Dr. Clarke offers a primer on the genesis and growth of Canadian rock. That's not easy. You try it. Ferris Kennedy garnishes lightly with a look at specific Canadian bands throughout the decades. A wonderful primer that will set you in the right direction.

Snoop Dogg, Snoop Lion, The Doggfather, The Snooper, & Calvin Broadus. A key artist to emerge from the early 90's gangsta-funk era, Snoop Dogg evolved beyond his rap beginnings to become a lovable pop culture fixture.  How is that even possible?  What range.  It's Frank Sinatra singing death metal.  Lend an ear as Kennedy & Clarke raid the Dogg Pound to see what's inside.

A Serious Rock Talk Exclusive - Regina Bianca performs her cover version of Bed of Roses, done in Regina Bianca Fashion.  Recorded at the Joni Saddler Studio in Ottawa Ontario Canada.  Listen to Ottawa's own Regina Bianca.

An Exclusive Interview with singer Regina Bianca. There are few voices that can melt your heart. Kennedy and Clarke had the unique privilege of interviewing Regina Bianca, a singer and multi-instrumentalist who knows her way around a ballad—and so much more. She even surprised us with a live version of a great pop song. Find out about her life, career, musical influences, and a serious appreciation for Johnny Depp!

  Rock Goes to the Movies. What makes a great rock movie? Is it possible to define what a rock movie really is? We offer entertaining examples, looking at over 60 years of rock in films—some bad, other good, a few brilliant. This is a keeper.

In terms of success and acclaim, Taylor Swift seems to float in the rarefied ether of Beatlemania. She is a one-person powerhouse who has blown the doors of the recording industry and reinterpreted what it means to have a successful tour. So how did it all happen? Kennedy and Clarke knock down a few doors of their own, applying Colombo-like intuition, evaluating, appraising, and explaining the phenom that is Taylor.

In Memoriam 2023: Rockers We Lost. The title says it all...

What is the Future of Rock's Biggest Bands?: 2023 saw some of rock's biggest bands Beatles, Stones, Aerosmith, come to life and, well, start to lower the flag. The three amigos have a round table on what you can expect this year from the bands you know and love.

2023 End of the Year Podcast: The three amigos sum up a truly turbulent year in rock. Everything from new Beatles' music to classic reissues. The personalities. The events. It's all in one place for your listening pleasure.  

This time it's personal. Dr. Clarke and Kennedy make their own lists of rock's greatest front men/women. Sometimes they agree, but it's rare. Come join us for the fireworks!