Let It Roll

"Let it Roll" is a podcast about the history of popular music from the 19th Century to the 21st. Proud part of Pantheon - the podcast network for music lovers.

Music History
Music Commentary
Music Interviews
301
Technoroll 11: Larry Levan Kept the Dance Music...
Hosts Nate Wilcox and Ryan Harkness continue their discussion of “Last Night A DJ Saved My Life - The History of the Disc Jockey” by Bill Brewster and Frank Broughton. This week’s episode focuses on Larry Levan, his club the Paradise Garage and the post-disco genre named for it. Let It Roll is proud to be part of Pantheon Podcasts.
55 min
302
Technoroll 10: Afrika Bambaataa Distils Electro...
Today Nate and Ryan are joined by hip-hop ringer Steve Juon continue their discussion of “Last Night A DJ Saved My Life - The History of the Disc Jockey” by Bill Brewster and Frank Broughton. This week’s episode focuses on hip hop’s transition to records with the Sugarhill Gang, Afrika Bambaataa’s epic “Planet Rock” and how hip hop morphed from music for dancing and parties into a new form of album and concert music. Let It Roll is proud to be part of Pantheon Podcasts.
55 min
303
Technoroll 9: Kool Herc, Grandmaster Flash, & A...
Nate and Ryan get back to their discussion of “Last Night A DJ Saved My Life - The History of the Disc Jockey” by Bill Brewster and Frank Broughton. This week’s episode focuses on the birth of hip-hop in the Bronx and the Holy Trinity: DJ Kool Herc, Grandmaster Flash and Afrika Bambaataa. Let It Roll is proud to be part of Pantheon Podcasts.
56 min
304
Technoroll 8: Before Hip-Hop Disco DJ's Like Gr...
Today Nate and Ryan pause their discussion of “Last Night A DJ Saved My Life - The History of the Disc Jockey” by Bill Brewster and Frank Broughton to welcome a special guest, hip hop writer Steve Juon. Together, they take a look at the documentary “Founding Fathers of Hip Hop” which fills in some important gaps in the story -- namely what were straight black DJs doing in the outer boroughs of NYC during the early days of disco and hip hop? Let It Roll is proud to be part of Pantheon Podcasts.
55 min
305
How The Memphis That Spawned Elvis & Stax Also ...
In this episode, author Robert Gordon and host Nate Wilcox discuss Memphis music in the 1960s, the cultural collisions that produced so much amazing music, Chips Moman and American Sound Studios, Dan Penn, Alex Chilton, the Box Tops and Big Star. Let It Roll is proud to be part of Pantheon Podcasts.
57 min
306
Technoroll 7: Hi-NRG Kept the Dance Going In th...
Hosts Nate Wilcox and Ryan Harkness continue their discussion of “Last Night A DJ Saved My Life - The History of the Disc Jockey” by Bill Brewster and Frank Broughton with a look at how Hi-NRG, the sound that emerged in the post-disco backlash club scenes of London, San Francisco and New York, spawned the most successful production/songwriting team of all-time and provided a soundtrack for tragedy. Let It Roll is proud to be part of Pantheon Podcasts.
49 min
307
How Jerry Lee Lewis, Howlin' Wolf, & Col. Tom P...
This week host Nate Wilcox welcomes author Peter Guralnick to discuss his newest book, "Looking To Get Lost: Adventures in Music & Writing." In this episode, Peter and Nate discuss the nature of creativity, the democratic nature of art, legends Peter has known like Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Howlin Wolf and Col Tom Parker as well as Dick Curliss, a relatively unknown country singer who strongly impacted Peter’s life. Let It Roll is proud to be part of Pantheon Podcasts.
58 min
308
Technoroll 6: Disco Blows Up in the Late 70's
Today Nate and Ryan continue their discussion of “Last Night A DJ Saved My Life - The History of the Disc Jockey” by Bill Brewster and Frank Broughton with a look at the high water mark of disco -- Studio 54, Saturday Night Fever, the Bee Gees and the backlash. Let It Roll is proud to be part of Pantheon Podcasts.
53 min
309
Young Frank Sinatra Polarized Wartime America
In this episode, author James Kaplan and host Nate Wilcox discuss the youth of Frank Sinatra, his childhood and parents, his early struggles, his rise to fame singing for Harry James and Tommy Dorsey, his tenure as the teen idol of the War era, how it all fell apart, Ava Gardner, From Here to Eternity and his amazing come back. Let It Roll is proud to be part of Pantheon Podcasts.
62 min
310
Technoroll 5: Disco Begins In New York
Nate Wilcox and Ryan Harkness continue their discussion of “Last Night A DJ Saved My Life - The History of the Disc Jockey” by Bill Brewster and Frank Broughton. Today's topic is the early days of disco in New York when an innovative wave of DJs like David Mancuso and Francis Grasso created a dancer’s utopia in Manhattan. Let It Roll is proud to be part of Pantheon Podcasts.
55 min
311
Megaforce Records Brought Metallica, Anthrax, M...
Today author Harold Claros-Maldonado joins Nate to discuss his book “Heavy Tales: The Metal. The Music. The Madness. As lived by Jon Zazula.” In this episode, Harold and Nate discuss Jon Zazula’s career as the manager of Metallica and Anthrax, his label Megaforce Records and its bands Manowar, Raven, Testament, King’s X and more. Let It Roll is proud to be part of Pantheon Podcasts.
57 min
312
Technoroll 4: Jamaica's Sound System Culture Bi...
Nate Wilcox and Ryan Harkness continue their discussion of “Last Night A DJ Saved My Life - The History of the Disc Jockey” by Bill Brewster and Frank Broughton. Today Nate and Ryan take a look at Jamaica’s unique sound system scene which spurred the creation of ska, reggae and dub and directly influenced the creation of hip-hop. Let It Roll is proud to be part of Pantheon Podcasts.
46 min
313
Motown's Power Came From the Funk Brothers
Author Allan “Dr Licks” Slutsky joins Nate to discuss his book “Standing in the Shadows of Motown: The Life and Music of Legendary Bassist James Jamerson.” In this episode, Allan and Nate discuss the Funk Brothers -- the legendary session band that played on hundreds of hits for Motown Records, their leader bassist James Jamerson, the great drummer Benny Benjamin, how they worked with the great songwriter producers of Hitsville such as Smokey Robinson, Berry Gordy, Holland Dozier Holland and more. Let It Roll is proud to be part of Pantheon Podcasts.
52 min
314
Technoroll 3: UK DJ Culture Develops With North...
Nate Wilcox and Ryan Harkness continue their discussion of “Last Night A DJ Saved My Life - The History of the Disc Jockey” by Bill Brewster and Frank Broughton. In this episode, Nate and Ryan discuss the uniquely British dance culture called Northern Soul where the kids of the British rust belt just wouldn't let go of their favorite up-tempo 60s soul and kept the style alive into the 1980s. Let It Roll is proud to be part of Pantheon Podcasts.
43 min
315
The Bee Gees Rose, Fell, Rose Again, Fell Again...
Author David N. Meyer returns to discuss his book "The Bee Gees: The Biography" with host Nate Wilcox. Dave and Nate discuss the Brothers Gibb's Australian apprenticeship, their sudden rise in late 60's London, their breakup and fall from popularity, their disco rebirth, second fall and Barry Gibb's behind the scenes role in the creation of modern pop. Let It Roll is proud to be part of Pantheon Podcasts.
59 min
316
Technoroll 2: The First DJs On the Radio and In...
Nate Wilcox and Ryan Harkness continue their discussion of “Last Night A DJ Saved My Life - The History of the Disc Jockey” by Bill Brewster and Frank Broughton. In this episode, Nate and Ryan go way way back to the beginnings of the 20th Century and discuss the very first radio DJs -- including Sybil True the first female radio DJ who started in 1913 -- and the first club DJs including the now-infamous Jimmy Savile. Let It Roll is proud to be part of Pantheon Podcasts.
59 min
317
Freddie Mercury and Queen Earned Rock Immortality
Author Mark Blake returns to tell host Nate Wilcox about his books “Is This the Real Life?: The Untold Story of Queen” and "Freddie Mercury: A Kind of Magic." In this episode, Mark and Nate discuss Queen and their brilliant lead vocalist Freddy Mercury, how they conquered the world of classic rock in the 70s, how they fell out of favor in the US in the 1980s, Freddie’s tragic death and more. Let It Roll is proud to be part of Pantheon Podcasts.
60 min
318
Technoroll: The History of DJ-Based Music - Reg...
Today hosts Nate Wilcox and Ryan Harkness are joined by producer Stephie Haynes to introduce the series and our main source book “Last Night A DJ Saved My Life - The History of the Disc Jockey” by Bill Brewster and Frank Broughton. In this episode, Nate, Ryan and Steph discuss their personal history with dance music and the introductory chapter of "Last Night A DJ Saved My Life", the connection it makes between DJs and shamans, DJs and conductors and DJs and musicians.Let It Roll is proud to be part of Pantheon Podcasts.
42 min
319
New Edition & New Kids On The Block Perfected I...
Host Nate Wilcox speaks with Maria Sherman author of "Larger Than Life: A History of Boy Bands from NKOTB to BTS" for a discussion of the history of Boy Bands from Franz Listz, Frank Sinatra, The Beatles and the Jackson 5 to K-Pop. Most of the conversation focuses on Maurice Starr's 80's groups New Edition and New Kids on the Block and Lou Pearlman's *NSYNC and The Backstreet Boys. Let It Roll is proud to be part of Pantheon Podcasts.
54 min
320
Jimmy Page Before Led Zeppelin: Session Man & Y...
By the time he formed Led Zeppelin in 1968, Jimmy Page was a rock and roll veteran with years of touring, gigs as a hired gun session man and a member of The Yardbirds under his belt. He applied the lessons he learned in the trenches to form the mightiest band of the rock era. Host Nate Wilcox discusses Jimmy Page with author Brad Tolinski, who has interviewed Page more than anyone else alive. Let It Roll is proud to be part of Pantheon Podcasts.
56 min
321
How Willie Nelson, Doug Sahm, Stevie Ray Vaugha...
Host Nate Wilcox welcomes back author Joe Nick Patoski to tell us how musicians like Doug Sahm, Willie Nelson, Stevie Ray Vaughan and the Butthole Surfers kicked off the transformation that turned a sleepy college town into ATX, the home of Austin City Limits and South by Southwest. Let It Roll is proud to be part of Pantheon Podcasts.
110 min
322
Chess Records Brought Chicago Blues, Rock & Rol...
Host Nate Wilcox welcomes Nadine Cohodas author of "Spinning Blues Into Gold: The Chess Brothers and the Legendary Chess Records" to discuss the storied label. They cover the Chicago Blues and Rock and Roll that earned the label much of its fame but focus much of their attention on Etta James, Fontella Bass and other legends of soul music who cut for Chess in the 50s and 60s. Let It Roll is proud to be part of Pantheon Podcasts.
63 min
323
Gram Parsons' Disastrous Career Made Him a Legend
Host Nate Wilcox welcomes Gram Parsons biographer David N. Meyer to discuss Parsons' tragic life and innovative music. Nate and David discuss Gram's unique family circumstances, his beginnings as a teen rocker, transition to wannabe folkie, the International Submarine Band, the Byrds & Sweetheart of the Rodeo, the Flying Burrito Brothers, Emmylou Harris and Parson's tragic death. Let It Roll is proud to be part of Pantheon Podcasts.
60 min
324
Wu-Tang Clan, Nas and Notorious B.I.G. Brought ...
Host Nate Wilcox and his cohorts Alexei Auld and Eugene S. Robinson discuss season 2, episode 4 of Hip-Hop Evolution "A New York State of Mind" which covers Nas, the Wu-Tang Clan and Biggie Smalls aka The Notorious B.I.G. This is the last episode of our first mini-series on Hip-Hop Evolution. Eugene and Alexei will be back to discuss the 3rd and 4th seasons with Nate later in 2021. Let It Roll is Proud to be a part of the Pantheon Podcast Network.
55 min
325
Tribe Called Quest & De La Soul Led the Native ...
Host Nate Wilcox and his cohorts Alexei Auld and Eugene S. Robinson discuss season 2, episode 3 of Hip Hop Evolution "Do The Knowledge" which returns to New York to cover The Bridge Wars and Native Tongues groups like De La Soul and Tribe Called Quest. Let It Roll is Proud to be a part of the Pantheon Podcast Network.
63 min