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
326
America Awaited the Beatles
Host Nathan Wilcox speaks to cultural historian and "Can't Buy Me Love: The Beatles, Britain, and America" author Jonathan Gould about the America the Beatles found in 1964 and the whys and hows of their nearly instant mass popularity. This show is part of Pantheon Podcasts.
73 min
327
Electronic Music From the Avant Garde to Top of...
Today, music historian David Stubbs joins Nate to discuss his book “Future Sounds: The Story of Electronic Music from Stockhausen to Skrillex.” The discussion ranges from the first conceptual beginnings of electronic music in the European avant-garde to Stevie Wonder’s pioneering use of synths in the 70s to the conquest of the music world by EDM in the 21st Century. This show is part of Pantheon Podcasts.
62 min
328
The Tragic Legend of Little Willie John
The most gifted of the original generation of soul singers, covered by Elvis and the Beatles, Little Willie John couldn't get out of his own way. Host Nate Wilcox gets the tragic tale from biographer Susan Whitall. This show is part of Pantheon Podcasts.
65 min
329
The Rise & Fall of Phil Spector
In our first ever two hour episode, host Nate Wilcox interviews Mick Brown to get the story of Phil Spector, a man who had reached the pinnacle of the music world by age 23, went on to produce the Beatles and is now rotting in prison. This show is part of Pantheon Podcasts.
121 min
330
Rod Stewart & the Faces: A Complicated Alliance
From 1970 to 1975 the Faces were a top touring act in America, packing theaters, then arenas and even stadiums but they were fated to lose their competition with Rod Stewart's solo career. This show is part of Pantheon Podcasts.
61 min
331
The Songs Jazz is Built On
In this episode, host Nate Wilcox and jazz enthusiast Ted Gioia review the quintessential artists and records in American jazz music and discuss the dynamic evolution of jazz with respect to other genres.
58 min
332
The Rolling Stones Road to Altamont
In this episode, author Stanley Booth and Nate Wilcox discuss Booth's experience with the Rolling Stones on their 1969 tour in the U.S., including their infamous concert at Altamont.
57 min
333
The Indie Underground of the 80's from Black Fl...
In this episode, Nate and author Michael Azerrad discuss hardcore punk and its popularity in the U.S. despite the genre's famed indifference to mass appeal and commercial success; this and other elements of the '80s underground indie scene are detailed in Azerrad's book, "Our Band Could Be Your Life".
56 min
334
The Cool: A 20th Century Phenomenon
In this episode, Nate and author Ted Gioia discuss the rise and reign of the concept of The Cool in American music over the course of the twentieth century.
51 min
335
Robert Christgau on the Role of the Rock Critic
Host Nate Wilcox and author and music critic Robert Christgau discuss the development and current role of rock criticism and talk about important American musical influences, as well as the streaming-era criticism of music.
55 min
336
Screamin Jay Hawkins Put a Spell On the Music Biz
In this episode, host Nate Wilcox and author Steve Bergsman discuss the life, career, and death of singer Screamin' Jay Hawkin as detailed in Bergsman's book, "I Put A Spell On You: The Bizarre Life of Screamin Jay Hawkins."
56 min
337
House of the Rising Sun Before Bob Dylan And Af...
Nate and author Ted Anthony discuss the conception of the song that came to be known as "House of the Rising Sun"; the song's full history is detailed in this episode and in Anthony's book, "Chasing the Rising Sun".
51 min
338
Writing the Life Stories of Ray Charles, Marvin...
In this episode, Nate and author David Ritz take a look at American gospel and R&B while discussing the faith that inspired some of the genres' most significant artists and contributors.
58 min
339
Barney Ales Helped Berry Gordy Build the Motown...
In this episode, Nate Wilcox and author Adam White discuss Motown Records executive Barney Ales and his contributions to the legendary record label as outlined in White's book, "Motown: The Sound of Young America”.
48 min
340
We Dig Mike Judge's Tales From The Tour Bus: In...
In this episode, Nate and Justin Bankston cap off the Tales from the Tour Bus miniseries with an exclusive interview with one of the show's producers, Jeff Feuerzeig.
36 min
341
Which One's Pink (Floyd)?
Host Nate Wilcox and author Mark Blake discuss the rise and lasting influence of legendary progressive rock band Pink Floyd.
59 min
342
Blaze Foley: We Dig Mike Judge's Tales From The...
In this episode, host Nate Wilcox and Justin Bankston discuss Blaze Foley, a relatively little-known country singer who was based in Austin, Texas.
38 min
343
Time Warner Can't Handle The Ice-T Cop Killer B...
In this episode, Nate and returning guest author Dan Charnas discuss the rise of West Coast hip-hop and the controversy surrounding the genre sparked by particular artists like Ice-T.
48 min
344
Waylon Jennings: We Dig Mike Judge's Tales From...
The latest episode of the Let It Roll mini-series on Mike Judge's Tales from the Tour Bus features Nate and Justin discussing the show's episode on country legend Waylon Jennings.
48 min
345
James Brown Hits The One
In this episode, author RJ Smith and Nate Wilcox discuss James Brown's rise to musical success and his lasting influence on funk and popular music.
56 min
346
Billy Joe Shaver: We Dig Mike Judge's Tales Fro...
In this episode, host Nate Wilcox and returning guest Justin Bankston discuss Billy Joe Shaver, the infamous country songwriter.
37 min
347
John, Paul, George & Ringo Couldn't Escape The ...
In this Episode, returning guest Peter Doggett and host Nate Wilcox discuss the alluring circumstances surrounding the Beatles' careers after their breakup
57 min
348
George Jones & Tammy Wynette: We Dig Mike Judge...
In this episode of Let it Roll: Tales from the Tour Bus, host Nate Wilcox and Justin Bankston discuss country legends Tammy Wynette and George Jones and the circumstances between them.
46 min
349
The Grateful Dead Builds Psychedelic America
Nate Wilcox and returning guest author Jesse Jarnow discuss the Grateful Dead and the culture surrounding psychedelia after to '60s as detailed in Jarnow's book, “Heads: A Biography of Psychedelic America”.
66 min
350
Jerry Lee Lewis: We Dig Mike Judge's Tales From...
In the second episode discussing Mike Judge's Tales From the Tour Bus, Nate Wilcox and Justin Bankston talk about the complicated yet charming Jerry Lee Lewis and his career as a musician.
51 min