Episode 121: “The Leader of the Pack” by the Shangri-Las

A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
Episode 121: "The Leader of the Pack" by the Shangri-Las
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The Shangri-Las

Episode one hundred and twenty-one of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “The Leader of the Pack”, the rise and fall of Red Bird Records, and the end of the death disc trend. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more information, and a transcript of the episode.

Patreon backers also have a ten-minute bonus episode available, on “California Sun” by the Rivieras.

Tilt Araiza has assisted invaluably by doing a first-pass edit, and will hopefully be doing so from now on. Check out Tilt’s irregular podcasts at http://www.podnose.com/jaffa-cakes-for-proust and http://sitcomclub.com/

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Episode 95: “You Better Move On” by Arthur Alexander

A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
Episode 95: "You Better Move On" by Arthur Alexander
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Arthur Alexander

Episode ninety-five of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “You Better Move On”, and the sad story of Arthur Alexander. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more information, and a transcript of the episode.

Patreon backers also have a ten-minute bonus episode available, on “Mother-In-Law” by Ernie K-Doe.

Tilt Araiza has assisted invaluably by doing a first-pass edit, and will hopefully be doing so from now on. Check out Tilt’s irregular podcasts at http://www.podnose.com/jaffa-cakes-for-proust and http://sitcomclub.com/

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PLEDGE WEEK: “Black Denim Trousers and Motorcycle Boots” by the Cheers

A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
PLEDGE WEEK: "Black Denim Trousers and Motorcycle Boots" by the Cheers
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Welcome to the sixth in the Pledge Week series of episodes, putting up old bonus episodes posted to my Patreon in an attempt to encourage more subscriptions. If you like this, consider subscribing to the Patreon at http://patreon.com/join/andrewhickey .

This one is about “Black Denim Trousers and Motorcycle Boots” by the Cheers, one of the first Teen Tragedy records, and Leiber and Stoller’s biggest hit. Content warning — contains mentions of deaths in accidents, and of false rape accusations. Click the cut to view a transcript of this episode:

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Episode 83: “Only The Lonely” by Roy Orbison

A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
Episode 83: "Only The Lonely" by Roy Orbison
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Roy Orbison

Episode eighty-three of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Only the Lonely” by Roy Orbison, and how Orbison finally found success by ignoring conventional pop song structure. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more information, and a transcript of the episode.

Patreon backers also have two bonus podcasts — part one of a two-part Q&A and a ten-minute bonus on “Walk Don’t Run” by the Ventures.

Tilt Araiza has assisted invaluably by doing a first-pass edit, and will hopefully be doing so from now on. Check out Tilt’s irregular podcasts at http://www.podnose.com/jaffa-cakes-for-proust and http://sitcomclub.com

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Episode 82: “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” by Elvis Presley

A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
Episode 82: "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" by Elvis Presley
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Elvis Presley in 1960

Episode eighty-two of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” by Elvis Presley, and the way his promising comeback after leaving the Army quickly got derailed. This episode also contains a brief acknowledgment of the death of the great Little Richard, who died just as I was recording this episode. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more information, and a transcript of the episode.

Patreon backers also have a ten-minute bonus episode available, on “Muleskinner Blues” by the Fendermen.

Tilt Araiza has assisted invaluably by doing a first-pass edit, and will hopefully be doing so from now on. Check out Tilt’s irregular podcasts at http://www.podnose.com/jaffa-cakes-for-proust and http://sitcomclub.com/

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Episode 72: “Trouble” by Elvis Presley

A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
Episode 72: "Trouble" by Elvis Presley
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Elvis Presley in uniform, with his mother Gladys

Episode seventy-two of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Trouble” by Elvis Presley, his induction into the army, and his mother’s death. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more information, and a transcript of the episode.

Patreon backers also have a ten-minute bonus episode available, on “When” by the Kalin Twins.

Tilt Araiza has assisted invaluably by doing a first-pass edit, and will hopefully be doing so from now on. Check out Tilt’s irregular podcasts at http://www.podnose.com/jaffa-cakes-for-proust and http://sitcomclub.com/

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Episode Sixty-Four: “Reet Petite” by Jackie Wilson

A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
Episode Sixty-Four: "Reet Petite" by Jackie Wilson
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Jackie Wilson

Episode sixty-four of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Reet Petite” by Jackie Wilson, and features talent contests with too much talent, the prehistory of Motown, a song banned by the BBC, and a possible Mafia hit. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more information, and a transcript of the episode.

Patreon backers also have a ten-minute bonus episode available, on “Get a Job” by the Silhouettes.

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Episode 62: “Jailhouse Rock” by Elvis Presley

A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
Episode 62: "Jailhouse Rock" by Elvis Presley
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Elvis in Jailhouse Rock

Episode sixty-two of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Jailhouse Rock” by Elvis Presley, and at his relationships with Colonel Tom Parker, Leiber and Stoller, his band members, and the film industry. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more information, and a transcript of the episode.

Patreon backers also have a ten-minute bonus episode available, on Santa Claus is Back in Town, also by Elvis, which ties in more than most to this episode.

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Episode 61: “That’ll Be the Day” by The Crickets

A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
Episode 61: "That'll Be the Day" by The Crickets
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The Crickets

Episode sixty-one of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “That’ll Be the Day” by The Crickets. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more information, and a transcript of the episode.

Patreon backers also have a ten-minute bonus episode available, on “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” by Gene Autry

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Episode 60: “You Send Me” by Sam Cooke

A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
Episode 60: "You Send Me" by Sam Cooke
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Sam Cooke smoking a cigarette and playing a guitar

Episode sixty of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “You Send Me” by Sam Cooke Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more information, and a transcript of the episode.

Patreon backers also have a ten-minute bonus episode available, on “Little Darlin'” by The Gladiolas.

Also, an announcement — the book version of the first fifty episodes is now available for purchase. See the show notes, or the previous mini-episode announcing this, for details.

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