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
401
How 19th Century American Music Got Hot
In this episode, host Nate Wilcox and author David Wondrich discuss the origins of American music and its connection to African music, highlighting key artists and musical developments in the 19th century amidst the racist environment within the United States and slavery era.
56 min
402
The First Recording Stars: Enrico Caruso, Al Jo...
Continued from last episode, Peter and Nate discuss the substantial historical developments in both music technology and the music business detailed in Peter's book, "Electric Shock: From the Gramophone to the iPhone – 125 Years of Pop Music".
59 min
403
Edison's Phonograph vs. the Gramophone
In this episode, host Nate Wilcox and author Peter Doggett explore the advent of recorded music, the technological circumstances surrounding the proliferation of music in the 19th century, and how musicians were permanently affected by it.
53 min
404
The Death of Nirvana's Kurt Cobain Changed The ...
In this episode, host Nate Wilcox and author Adam Caress explore the commodification of music through the lens of controversial yet popular "alternative" acts from the 1960s to the 21st century and discuss how Nirvana's legacy has shaped the music industry.
65 min
405
How the Beatles Destroyed Rock and Roll
In this episode, host Nate Wilcox and author Elijah Wald discuss how various outstanding musicians such as the Beatles drastically changed the trajectory of rock and roll and American popular music in the 20th century, as detailed in Wald's book, "How the Beatles Destroyed Rock 'n' Roll: An Alternative History of American Popular Music".
60 min
406
Robert Johnson: Escaping the Delta
In this episode, host Nate Wilcox and author Elijah Wald discuss Robert Johnson, the pioneer of Mississippi Delta Blues, and explore his career and history as detailed in Wald's book, “Escaping the Delta: Robert Johnson and the Invention of the Blues”.
41 min
407
Legends Of Memphis Music From Charlie Feathers ...
In this episode, host Nate Wilcox and author Robert Gordon about his book, "Memphis Rent Party: The Blues, Rock & Soul in Music's Hometown".
52 min
408
Willie Nelson Superstar
This episode is the finale of a 3-part series where Nate Wilcox and Joe Nick Patoski discuss the life and music career of Willie Nelson. In this episode, Nate and Joe Nick talk about Willie's musical expansion in the 1970s, followed by his immense commercial success in the '80s.
63 min
409
Willie Nelson: Nashville's Not Enough
This episode is the second part of Nate Wilcox and Joe Nick Patoski's exploration of Willie Nelson's musical career as detailed in Patoski's book, "Willie Nelson: An Epic Life".
64 min
410
Willie Nelson's Honky Tonk Wilderness Years
In this episode, host Nate Wilcox and author Joe Nick Patoski discuss the life and career of the legendary musician Willie Nelson as portrayed in Patoski's biography ,"Willie Nelson: An Epic Life".
58 min
411
Chasing the Blues Legends John Lee Hooker, Budd...
In this episode, host Nate Wilcox and author Paul Trynka discuss the genre of American blues and its pioneers, all of which are explored in Trynka's book, "Portrait of the Blues".
57 min
412
The Moby Grape Story Part 2
This week's episode is a continuation of Nate Wilcox and Dr. Cam Cobb's discussion centered around Dr. Cobb's book, “What’s Big and Purple and lives in the Ocean - The Moby Grape story”.
67 min
413
The Butthole Surfers & the 80's Underground
In this episode, host Nate Wilcox and author James Burns talk about Burns' book, “Let’s Go to Hell: Scattered Memories of the Butthole Surfers”.
57 min
414
Bob Wills & Western Swing: Ed Ward's History of...
In this episode, host Nate Wilcox and music historian Ed Ward discuss the rising popularity of swing in the 1930s in the southern United States.
50 min
415
The Moby Grape Story Part 1
This episode features guest Dr. Cam Cobb and host Nate Wilcox discussing Dr. Cobb's book, “What’s Big and Purple and lives in the Ocean - The Moby Grape story.”
61 min
416
Rhythm & Blues from Bessie Smith to Louis Jorda...
This episode serves as another prequel to the History of Rock & Roll season, where Ed Ward and Nate Wilcox focus on the roots of blues and jazz in the United States and the genres' unique evolution into swing and eventually Rhythm & Blues; this episode serves as a comprehensive look at how African-American music influenced popular musical styles and trends in the U.S. in the '20s and '30s.
61 min
417
Jimmie Rodgers & The Carter Family: Ed Ward's H...
This episode focuses on developments in music marketing and style within the realm of country music in the late 1920s. Host Nate Wilcox and music historian Ed Ward discuss Jimmie Rodgers, the importance of Ralph Peer, and key elements and practices of country music that influenced both popular and rock and roll music in the United States in the coming few decades.
46 min
418
The Fall of Michael Bloomfield
Continued from last episode, Nate Wilcox and Ed Ward continue the conversation centered around Ward's book Michael Bloomfield: The Rise and Fall of an American Guitar Hero.
44 min
419
The Rise of Michael Bloomfield
Today, Nate Wilcox and music historian Ed Ward discuss Ward's book, titled Michael Bloomfield: The Rise and Fall of an American Guitar Hero.
57 min
420
David Bowie: Starman
In this episode, Nate Wilcox and author Paul Trynka discuss various elements of Trynka's biography of David Bowie, titled Starman.
59 min
421
Iggy Pop: Open Up and Bleed
This week's episode features a discussion between author Paul Trynka and host Nate Wilcox about Trynka's book, Iggy Pop: Open Up and Bleed.
62 min
422
Brian Jones The Making of the Rolling Stones
In this episode, host Nate Wilcox and music author Paul Trynka discuss topics covered in Trynka's book, Brian Jones: The Making of the Rolling Stones.
51 min
423
Rock Pre-History the 1920s & 30s: Ed Ward's His...
A discussion with music historian Ed Ward about his book "The History of Rock & Roll, Volume 1: 1920-1963." This episode looks at 1920-1945.
69 min
424
1963 The British Invasion is Coming!: Ed Ward's...
A discussion with music historian Ed Ward about his book "The History of Rock & Roll, Volume 1: 1920-1963." This episode is the continuation of a look at the year 1963.
54 min
425
1963 Brill Building pop is perfected: Ed Ward's...
A discussion with music historian Ed Ward about his book "The History of Rock & Roll, Volume 1: 1920-1963." This episode focuses on 1963.
47 min