Serious Rock Talk Podcast

From his roots in the heartland to his induction in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, John Mellencamp's journey is a testament to resilience. As an artist, Mellencamp serves as a voice for everyday Americans, Join Kennedy as he explores Mellencamp's life, highlighting early struggles that shaped his path to international success.

Monkees: Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd. (Rhino High Fidelity) After years of being knocked as the 'pre-fab four', the Monkees are being rediscovered for the fantastic pop band that they were—and are. 'Wheels',our resident vinyl reviewer, discusses the outstanding Rhino reissue of (what is arguably) their greatest album, Listen in now. It's time well spent.

Beachboy Dennis Wilson: Surfing Too Close to the Edge Dennis Wilson smashed through life with a Keith Moon-like ferocity. Forget about dreamy California, sun-drenched harmonies of the Beach Boys. His life was one of shadows and darkness, Dr. Clarke follows Dennis down some pretty dark tunnels - and emerges to deliver a full report.

Ringo's First Four LPs No hiss. No static. Just pure magic...Steven Wheeler was feeling generous, reviewing four vinyls at once. Discover what's so special about Ex-Beatle Ringo Starr's first four records, and why the re-releases make them that much better.

The Essential Albums of the 1990s: Have you ever walked into a record store or engaged in a discussion with a vinyl aficionado? It's a common experience, but have you ever pondered how they determine their essential albums? Is it shaped by personal influences, life experiences, or simply a matter of preference? Kennedy has taken the initiative to share his curated list of must-have albums from the 1990s, organized year by year and accompanied by intriguing pop culture trivia to enhance your understanding. Tune in to discover what gems are in Kennedy's personal collection and whether you agree with his selections as essential listening from that iconic decade.

Fifty Albums that Turned 50 in 2025! 1975—a year that offered us a clutch of great albums, a handful of mediocre releases, and some stuff that didn't get over the fence. The three amigos do their best to separate the wheat from the chaff, adding great trivia and humor to the mix. Listen In

Mutt Lange: Exceptional Producer When considering artists such as AC/DC, Nickelback, Shania Twain, Foreigner, Bryan Adams, and Def Leppard, along with the Cars, do you ever think of the producers behind them? Does the term "Unique Wall of Sound Vocal Harmonies" resonate with you, or perhaps the four seemingly nonsensical words "Gunter, Gleiben, Glauchan, Globen"? Fortunately, for Kennedy, this signifies one individual: Mutt Lange, the Exceptional Producer. Tune in to Kennedy's Corner to explore Lange's career.

Less a Crime Than a Tragedy:The Death of Marvin Gaye Talented and troubled, Marvin Gaye's life never followed a standard narrative. Neither did his death. The Motown star's murder is shrouded under mystery and mayhem. Serious Rock Talk Crime offers up time lines and evidence. The question is not what happened to Marvin Gaye, but why?

End of Year Show: Goodbye 2025! So long 2025—and hello 2026! The SRT amigos take a look at the past year in rock, highlighting the highlights and and downplaying the deadbeats. Get prepared for 2026 with a podcast that's still growing after a record-setting eight years! We thank you all—and let's continue this wonderful journey together.

The Enduring Mystery of Jim Morrison's Death The Doors' front man is among the biggest tourist draws in Paris. And he has been dead for over fifty years. What is it about Jim Morrison that continues to fascinate people? And why is his death still shrouded in mystery? Dr. Clarke sorts through mounds of evidence and—having visited Morrison's grave twice—offers engaging insights to the questions.

About Radio: What Will the Future Sound Like? Did video kill the radio star? No, it didn't. But it faces many other threats. Check out the solutions. Ferris Kennedy considers the required therapies for radio to rule again.

Rolling Stone Magazine: 100 Greatest Artists of All Time - Part 2 Listen up and we guarantee some buried treasures. Uncover riches that lay just beneath the sands of time. We do the heavy lifting. You turn up the volume.

Rolling Stone Magazine: 100 Greatest Artists of All Time - Part 1 You owe us one! Kennedy and Clarke endured both pain and pleasure with this list. It takes mucho guts and endurance to make it entertaining and engaging and sensible. So please, good people, listen in!

Kennedy's Corner - Oh No Canada: Failure of the 2025 Junos Our own Ferris Kennedy has a deep, passionate love for Canadian music. That's why the 2025 Juno Awards sent him down a deep well of depression. But he's okay now — tanned, pumped and ready to relate just what went terribly wrong.

Janis Joplin: I Met a Girl Who Sang the Blues Immortalized in songs, films and musicals, Janis Joplin burned bright in a brief career. The manner of her untimely death—though not wrapped in the same confusion as some others in 'The 27 Club'—nonetheless continues to raise questions. Join Dr. Clarke as he delves into the life and demise of 'the girl who sang the blues' (a nod to Don McLean). #janisjoplin #jimmorrison #haightashbury #stevemiller #woodstock #montereypop #mercedesbenz #crime #music #podcast #seriousrocktalk #donmaclean #americanpie #jimihendrix #losangeles

Gram Parsons: Dark Death of the Cosmic Cowboy Few musicians have started a genre—but that's what Gram Parsons did. He is the reigning pioneer of country rock—a huge influence on bands that came after, most notably, The Eagles. However, fate pays little attention to achievement, and Gram's life is clouded with a gothic darkness, culminating in the sordid details of his demise. Dr. Clarke takes you back in time to Joshua Tree. It's 1973. Let the tale unfold.

Rock Trios: When Three is Not a Crowd Usually a rock band has at least four members. Why would anyone settle for just three? Oh, there are many good reasons, and in this episode you're going to experience the liberation of those who claim, 'the fewer, the better'. Maybe it is. You decide. Listen in.

The Real Roll of Sex in Rock Like birds of a feather, sex and rock go together. Buy why? You don't find this corporeal attachment in jazz or classical. Why rock? Dr. Clarke, diplomatically and with an unnerving sense of purpose, confronts the facts and figures straight on. Tune in. Turn on. But don't drop out.

The short answer is that no one really knows for sure. But we have a pretty good idea. We address one of the great questions of the universe—unafraid, energetic, and always entertaining. So listen in.

Robert Johnson: Was the Devil at the Crossroads? One moment he could barely play the guitar. Six months later, Robert Johnson became the most important blues guitarist of all time. How is it possible? Who, or 'What', did he meet at the Crossroads? Dr. Clarke unravels a devilish mystery that won't go away—a dark, foreboding tale that shaped the blues and rock n' roll.