Episode 169: “Piece of My Heart” by Big Brother and the Holding Company

A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
Episode 169: "Piece of My Heart" by Big Brother and the Holding Company
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Big Brother and the Holding Company

Episode 169 of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Piece of My Heart” and the short, tragic life of Janis Joplin. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more information, and a transcript of the episode.

Patreon backers also have a half-hour bonus episode available, on “Spinning Wheel” by Blood, Sweat & Tears.

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 69: “Fujiyama Mama” by Wanda Jackson

A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
Episode 69: "Fujiyama Mama" by Wanda Jackson
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Wanda Jackson with an unidentified Japanese woman, both wearing kimonos

Episode sixty-nine of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Fujiyama Mama” by Wanda Jackson, and the first rock and roller to become “big in Japan” 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 “Purple People Eater” by Sheb Wooley.

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Episode 67: “Johnny B. Goode”, by Chuck Berry

A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
Episode 67: "Johnny B. Goode", by Chuck Berry
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Chuck Berry and Alan Freed

Episode sixty-seven of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Johnny B. Goode” by Chuck Berry, and the decline and fall of both Berry and Alan Freed. 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 “Splish Splash” by Bobby Darin.

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Episode 66: “Great Balls of Fire” by Jerry Lee Lewis

A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
Episode 66: "Great Balls of Fire" by Jerry Lee Lewis
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Jerry Lee Lewis

Episode sixty-six of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Great Balls of Fire” by Jerry Lee Lewis. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more information, and a transcript of the episode. This one comes with a bit of a content warning, as while it has nothing explicit, it deals with his marriage to his thirteen-year-old cousin.

Patreon backers also have a ten-minute bonus episode available, on “Rumble” by Link Wray. Continue reading “Episode 66: “Great Balls of Fire” by Jerry Lee Lewis”

Episode 59: “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” by Jerry Lee Lewis

A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
Episode 59: "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" by Jerry Lee Lewis
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Jerry Lee Lewis at the piano

Episode fifty-nine of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” by Jerry Lee Lewis. 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 “So Long I’m Gone” by Warren Smith.

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Episode 57: “Flying Saucers Rock ‘n’ Roll” by Billy Lee Riley and the Little Green Men

A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
Episode 57: "Flying Saucers Rock 'n' Roll" by Billy Lee Riley and the Little Green Men
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Billy Lee Riley

Episode fifty-seven of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Flying Saucers Rock ‘n’ Roll” by Billy Lee Riley and the Little Green Men, and at the flying saucer craze of the fifties. 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 “Silhouettes” by the Rays, and the power of subliminal messages.

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Episode 51: “Matchbox” by Carl Perkins

A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
Episode 51: "Matchbox" by Carl Perkins
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Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley, and Johnny Cash

Episode fifty-one of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Matchbox” by Carl Perkins, and at the session that turned into the historic Million Dollar Quartet jam session. 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 “Blue Yodel #9” by Jimmie Rodgers.

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