Episode 91: “The Twist” by Chubby Checker

A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
Episode 91: "The Twist" by Chubby Checker
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Chubby Checker dancing the Twist

Episode ninety-one of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “The Twist” by Chubby Checker, and how the biggest hit single ever had its roots in hard R&B. 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 “Viens Danser le Twist” by Johnny Hallyday, a cover of a Chubby Checker record that became the first number one for France’s biggest rock star.

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/

Also, people have asked me to start selling podcast merchandise, so you can now buy T-shirts from https://500-songs.teemill.com/. That store will be updated semi-regularly.

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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.

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

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

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

Episode 22: “The Wallflower” by Etta James

A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
Episode 22: "The Wallflower" by Etta James
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Etta James

Welcome to episode twenty-two of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs. Today we’re looking at “The Wallflower” by Etta James. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more information, and a transcript of the episode.

Also, remember I’m halfway through the Kickstarter for the first book based on this series.

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Episode 13: “Mama He Treats Your Daughter Mean” by Ruth Brown

A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
Episode 13: "Mama He Treats Your Daughter Mean" by Ruth Brown
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Ruth Brown, with tambourine

Welcome to episode thirteen of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs. Today we’re looking at “(Mama) He Treats Your Daughter Mean” by Ruth Brown. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more information, and a transcript of the episode.

Continue reading “Episode 13: “Mama He Treats Your Daughter Mean” by Ruth Brown”