My Rock Moment

My Rock Moment celebrates the golden era of rock music - the 60s, 70s and 80s. Hosted by Amanda Morck—a native Angeleno, longtime Sunset Strip resident, and adjunct instructor of California rock history—the show delves into the personal stories and pivotal experiences that have shaped the world of rock 'n' roll.

Each episode features in-depth interviews with Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees, Grammy-winning producers, renowned music journalists, photographers, DJs, managers, authors, and award-winning directors. They share unforgettable stories about the moments that sparked their love for music, launched lifelong careers, and helped shape rock history.

The podcast offers a nostalgic journey through rock's most influential decades, providing both historical context and personal anecdotes that bring the music to life​​.

My Rock Moment is a proud member of Pantheon Podcasts, the first of its kind, all music-based podcast network.

Music Interviews
Music Commentary
Music History
26
Legendary Session Guitarist Waddy Wachtel on St...
In this episode of My Rock Moment, Waddy discusses his 50 year relationship with Stevie Nicks - from their collaboration on the Buckingham Nicks album released in 1973 to his role as Stevie's musical director and guitarist on her most recent tour. We also dive into his early career with the Everly Brothers, working with Warren Zevon on Excitable Boy and penning the track “Werewolves of London." Waddy's projects and relationships over the decades would ultimately pave the way to his current group, The Immediate Family, a tight knit group of iconic session musicians that are still touring and putting out albums to this day.
62 min
27
Legendary Photographer Henry Diltz on the Eagle...
My Rock Moment has been lucky enough to have legendary photographer Henry Diltz on twice, and in this episode we delve into the 70s, covering everything from the first two Eagles album covers, to meeting Jackson Browne for the first time to shooting James Taylor's Sweet Baby James album cover. Henry also recalls shooting Mama Cass in Palm Springs, Monterey Pop and Woodstock '99, which is getting quite a bit of attention recently due to the Netflix documentary that painted a dark picture of the 3 day festival.
54 min
28
Guy Pratt & Gary Kemp of Nick Mason's Saucerful...
Guy Pratt and Gary Kemp of 'Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets' join My Rock Moment in today’s episode. Guy Pratt is a seasoned session musician who’s worked with Madonna, Michael Jackson, and has toured with David Gilmour’s Pink Floyd since the 1980s. And Gary Kemp was principal songwriter, lead guitarist and backup vocalist for all 23 of Spandau Ballet's hit singles.Aside from their own stellar podcast, ‘The Rockonteurs,’ where they sit down with the who’s who of the rock world, they now play with Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets. Nick formed Saucerful of Secrets a few years back and the band pays homage to the early work of Pink Floyd.Gary and Guy talked with My Rock Moment on the opening day of their Echoes tour in the U.S. to discuss the genesis of the band as well as playing Pink Floyd’s well known early work for an audience with (very) high expectations. They also discuss their memorable rock moments with David Bowie!
32 min
29
Brian Wilson, The Beach Boys & the California M...
David Leaf is an award winning writer, producer and director. David moved to LA in the mid-70s with the intention of writing a book that told the real story of Brian Wilson at a time of much public misunderstanding for the Beach Boy, resulting in his 1978 book "The Beach Boys and the California Myth." The 3rd edition of the book titled "God Only Knows: The Story of Brian Wilson, The Beach Boys and the California Myth" is now available and it celebrates the close friendship David and Brian have cultivated since the first edition, the music Brian created as a solo artist, and it provides that happy ending that the 1st edition could not. We deep dive into Brian Wilson’s solo career and the making and much-anticipated release of the album SMiLE. We’ll also talk about some of his favorite rock moments throughout the years with The Bee Gees, Yoko Ono and Frank Sinatra.
65 min
30
Rock Journalist & Author Harvey Kubernik on The...
Harvey Kubernik has been a noted author, popular music journalist, and record producer for more than forty years. In today's episode Harvey and I discuss what it was like to grow up as an LA kid in the 60s & 70s, experiencing the west coast rock revolution as it happened. He'll share stories of being on the set of The Monkees TV show, his friendships with Andrew Loog Oldham and Charlie Watts of the Rolling Stones, and he'll recount one memorable night with his dear friend Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys. He’ll also explain the cultural shift that was happening in LA in the late 50s and how major league sports played a big role.
55 min
31
Grammy Award Winning Producer and Engineer Val ...
On today’s episode Val talks about his early days as a musician in LA, getting signed by Lou Adler, becoming an engineer at the well known Sound Factory under legendary engineer / producer, David Hassinger, and eventually owning the premiere recording studio in the 80s.We’ll also discuss the making of such iconic albums as Linda Ronstadt’s Heart Like a Wheel, James Taylor’s JT and Kim Carnes’ Mistaken Identity…as well as his recent album with Richie Furay, In the Country.
57 min
32
The Stone Age: Sixty Years of the Rolling Stone...
Today we’ll be hopping across the pond to discuss The Rolling Stones with journalist, broadcaster and best-selling biographer, Lesley-Ann Jones. Jones has written a new book: The Stone Age: Sixty Years of The Rolling Stones, and we discuss the book’s fresh perspective on the band. The Stones are bigger than a band, they are a brand – and their reputation has somehow survived the rumors, indiscretions and drug fueled tales that might bring down lesser known bands. The book aims to look at these seemingly infallible men with the lens of today.
42 min
33
Tom Petty and Me - The story of how Jon Scott p...
Jon Scott is the man credited with making Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers one of the biggest bands in the world. One serendipitous day, as a promo man for ABC Records, a little known album by a little known band landed in his lap…and the rest is rock ‘n’ roll history.
43 min
34
Danny Kortchmar on his work with Carole King, J...
Danny Kortchmar talks to My Rock Moment about his decades long career as a musician, producer and songwriter - working on such notable albums as Carole King's Tapestry, James Taylor's Sweet Baby James, Jackson Browne's Running on Empty and Bon Jovi's Blaze of Glory. We'll also discuss the latest work with his current band, The Immediate Family.
49 min
35
Richie Furay on Buffalo Springfield, Poco and H...
Richie Furay is one of the most well known musicians of our time. As a Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, he is the co-founder of notable bands such as Buffalo Springfield, Poco and Souther-Hillman-Furay Band, and has penned classics like "Kind Woman" and "Pickin' Up the Pieces." He's had quite a successful solo career as well and will be coming out with a new album July 8th called In The Country. The new album pays homage to some of the greatest country and country rock songs of our time.In this episode we'll discuss the new album and its legendary songs as well as hear stories about the serendipitous moments that lead to the formation of Buffalo Springfield. We'll discuss the move to country rock with Poco and he'll reveal the two famous guitarists who almost joined the band...potentially changing the course of rock as we know it! Richie's lead a storied life and we'll discuss it all in this episode!To check out the single from the album, Somebody Like You - click here:https://richiefuray.lnk.to/SomebodyLikeYouAnd for those of you on the east coast this summer, I've provided a list of concert dates. Hope to see you there!Richie Furay on Tour 2022 (more dates to be announced) June 12 – South Orange, NJ @ South Orange Performing Arts Center  June 16 – Nashville, TN @ City Winery June 24 – New York, NY @ City Winery July 6 – Washington, D.C. @ City Winery July 8 – Philadelphia, PA @ City Winery August 12 – Boston, MA @ City Winery 
43 min
36
Director Alison Ellwood on Laurel Canyon, the E...
Alison Ellwood is an Oscar nominated Director and Producer and her list of documentaries include "American Jihad, Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room" and "Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson." But in this episode we focus on her well known music docs including "History of the Eagles, Laurel Canyon - A place In time, Magic Trip: Ken Kesey’ Search for a Kool Place" (which was a 5 year undertaking) and most recently "The Go-Go's." Alison will share some behind the scenes stories and memorable moments including how the Eagles and Go-Go's documentaries mended some broken relationships within the bands. We'll also talk about Alison’s next documentary…as a hint, this artist was known as being “so unusual” in the 80s!You can find Alison Ellwood's music documentaries on Amazon Prime!
52 min
37
The 60s & 70s LA Music Scene with Bassist, Comp...
Peter M. Bernstein has composed, orchestrated and conducted some of the most well known movies of our time (Ghostbusters & Trading Places among them), including other incredible pieces of work like 21 Jump Street and Michael Jackson’s Thriller.  He’s also the son of Elmer Bernstein, the Academy Award winning film composer whose credits include The Man With the Golden Arm, The Ten Commandments, The Magnificent Seven, To Kill a Mockingbird and Ghostbusters, among others! But in 1964, when Peter was a young teen, The Beatles and Bob Dylan entered the scene and for Peter his “whole world changed overnight"...and he decided he wanted to be a bass player. In this episode we discuss his work as a composer, conductor and orchestrator but we also talk about his time as a bass player in LA. As a young musician in the late 60s and early 70s he was part of that famous Laurel Canyon and Hoot Night Troubadour scene, so he has an interesting perspective on that notable time and many stories to share.  If you want to know a bit more about Peter and his work, check out his website here: https://petermbernstein.com/ Part of Pantheon Podcasts
47 min
38
The Band America with Rock Journalist Jude Warne
My Rock Moment chats with rock journalist Jude Warne. Jude wrote the authorized biography on the band America. We'll discuss their meteoric rise, the move from England to LA in the 70s and how they stay one of the most relevant classic rock bands today. If you're a fan of the mellow, California classic rock sound, you'll want to give this one a listen. Information on Jude Warne and where to buy the book can be found here: https://judewarne.com
49 min
39
Pamela Des Barres on Sex, Love and Rock 'n' Rol...
Pamela Des Barres is nothing short of a rock legend. As a native Angeleno, she found herself in the center of the fabled LA rock 'n' roll scene in the 60s and 70s...and she's got the stories to prove it! We discuss memorable moments with Jimmy Page, Mick Jagger, Gram Parsons and Frank Zappa, but we also discuss the term "groupie" within the context of the 60s and how she's reclaiming it today. For those classic rock lovers out there, it's a captivating discussion!Pamela is a best selling author, writing several books, including “I’m with the Band." Her podcast, Pamela's Pajama Party, is a fun, provocative listen with an incredible roster of guests. And if she isn't busy enough, she also hosts writing workshops, LA rock tours and contributes to pleasekillme.com.To check out all things Pamela Des Barres head over to https://www.pameladesbarresofficial.com.Part of Pantheon Podcasts
55 min
40
The Beatles, Dylan, The Byrds, The Doors and th...
Today’s episode is for those rockers out there who geek out on rock history facts. Rock 'n' roll "archaeologist" Christian Swain is our guest today on My Rock Moment. Christian is the founder and CEO of Pantheon Podcasts - an exclusive network of music podcasts. The cornerstone of Pantheon Podcasts is the 'Rock N Roll Archaeology Project' of which Christian is the creator, producer and host. This podcast meticulously deep dives into the history of rock, telling the story of the artists' lives, the historic moments that happened along the way and how the two shaped the culture of the time. Christian brings his rock history knowledge to the table in today's episode where we'll cover the evolution of the Sunset Strip, the musical earthquake that was the Beatles, Dylan, the Byrds, folk rock, the wrecking Crew...and because Christian and I are both LA natives, we'll discuss The Doors and what the band's music meant to us. Check out the Rock N Roll Archaeology: http://pantheonpodcasts.com/rock-n-roll-archaeologyYou can also listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!
43 min
41
Legendary Photographer Henry Diltz on Crosby, S...
In Part Two of my talk with rock photographer Henry Diltz we'll discuss the self-titled Crosby, Stills and Nash album cover, hanging with Neil Young at Broken Arrow Ranch and of course, Woodstock. Henry had an all access pass to the festival that praised peace, love, God's Herb and rock and roll, so he'll be recounting his favorite memories and performances from those mythological 3 days. To check out some of Henry's work - sold exclusively though The Morrison Hotel Gallery in Los Angeles - visit: https://www.morrisonhotelgallery.com
25 min
42
Legendary Photographer Henry Diltz on The Doors...
Today My Rock Moment catches up with legendary rock photographer Henry Diltz. His iconic photos have graced hundreds of album covers and have been featured in books, magazines and newspapers. He's best known for his work with The Doors, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Neil Young and his photo photographic essays of Woodstock and the Monterey Pop Festival.In Part One of our discussion we'll talk about his own musical journey in LA with the Modern Folk Quartet, the move to photography, his work with the Laurel Canyon folk rock scene, and his time working on the Morrison Hotel and Crosby, Stills & Nash album covers. To check out some of Henry's work - sold exclusively though The Morrison Hotel gallery in Los Angeles - visit: https://www.morrisonhotelgallery.com
39 min
43
Executive Producer Ryan Suffern on the "Laurel ...
Ryan Suffern is the Executive Producer of  well known rock documentaries "Laurel Canyon: A Moment in Time" and "McCartney 3,2,1", and many others. On this episode we’ll get his behind the scenes perspective and hear about what went into the making of both documentaries. We'll also get a sneak into his upcoming documentary on "Jazzfest" and discuss the bands and songs that inspired his love for classic rock!
38 min
44
The California sound of the 60s: Surf rock, fol...
My Rock Moment talks with Anuj Rajkumar, rock aficionado and creator of The Legends of Music on instagram. We deep dive into the California sound of the 60s – everything from surf Rock to folk rock to sunshine pop to the psychedelic San Francisco scene. We talk about the history, the music that moved us and our two very different perspectives and backgrounds – growing up on the beaches of LA versus growing up across the world in Dubai. This is another episode for those who love rock history...and that magic that took place in Northern and Southern California in the 1960s!
63 min
45
Music manager & producer Jeff Jampol discusses ...
Jeff Jampol is a Grammy® winning and Emmy® nominated producer and the CEO of Jam Inc, which manages legendary rock artists and bands such as The Doors, Jim Morrison, Jefferson Airplane, Jefferson Starship, Grace Slick, The Mamas and the Papas, and a host of others...and many of his clients are responsible for crafting that California sound - an epoch in rock history. We’ll discuss his road to managing rock legends and his take on the California rock scene in the 60s - The Northern California and Southern California scenes were different in ethos and zeitgeist but they gave birth to bands that changed the face of rock and roll. To find out more about Jeff Jampol and Jam, Inc. check out their website at: https://wemanagelegends.com/
56 min
46
DJ Rita Wilde on her years in LA radio, The Doo...
If you're a native Angeleno and love rock, you know Rita Wilde. She's been a Southern California DJ for the past 4 decades, and her notable voice has graced KLOS, The Sound and KEZY airwaves.  In this episode we'll talk about growing up in Southern California, her love of The Doors and Bruce Springsteen, her radio to radio, the rock moments she'll never forget and her current podcast with co-host CW West, Rock and Roll Confessional. Check out the Rock and Roll Confessional website for more info and episodes here: https://www.rockandrollconfessional.rocks/
45 min
47
Iconic rock photographer Neal Preston talks Led...
Neal Preston is one of the most well respected photographers in the music business. Neal was the official tour photographer for Led Zeppelin, Queen and Bruce Springsteen, photographer for the film "Almost Famous," and has shot for a multitude of world-class magazines including Newsweek, Time, and Rolling Stone. He was also the official American concert photographer for Live Aid in 1985, cementing his status in pop culture. In this episode we’ll discuss why he picked up a camera, surviving LA in the 70s, moments with Cameron Crowe, touring with Zeppelin, shooting Stevie Nicks and the Traveling Wilburys and his book “Exhilarated and Exhausted.”  And if you love rock photography you definitely want to grab this book. Get it here:  https://www.amazon.com/Neal-Preston-Exhilarated-Exhausted/dp/1909526452
72 min
48
Drummer & Comedian Jon Wurster on working with ...
Jon Wurster is the drummer for Superchunk, The Mountain Goats and the Bob Mould band...and he's also a comedian. In part two of our My Rock Moment interview, he'll share stories about working with rock 'n' roll greats like Charlie Daniels and Chrissie Hynde. He'll talk about a memorable night at the historic Dan Tana's in LA and early rock concerts by The Osmonds and The Carpenters that left a lasting impression. Listen now and don't forget to check out Jon's playlist below: Apple; https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/jon-wurster-my-rock-moment-season-2-ep-5/pl.u-76oNl2mTWMRle4 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3nUhyASiFzwFMfo1nHT10Y?si=BSlgNjC9RU-l6u4cxqFokQ 
21 min
49
Drummer & Comedian Jon Wurster talks early infl...
Jon Wurster is the drummer for Superchunk, The Mountain Goats and the Bob Mould band...and he's also a comedian. In part one of my interview with Jon, we talk about picking up the drums as a kid, getting an album deal at 19...and almost getting arrested at London's legendary Wessex Studios (The Sex Pistol's "Never Mind the Bollocks" and The Clash's "London Calling"). It's a hilarious interview with some cringe-worthy rock stories. Listen to the playlist below: Apple; https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/jon-wurster-my-rock-moment-season-2-ep-5/pl.u-76oNl2mTWMRle4 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3nUhyASiFzwFMfo1nHT10Y?si=BSlgNjC9RU-l6u4cxqFokQ 
21 min
50
How Anita Pallenberg inspired The Rolling Stone...
In this edition of Rock Moments to Remember, we will talk about the infamous Rolling Stones muse Anita Pallenberg and how her relationship with Keith Richards and the explicit and controversial indie film "Performance" let to one of the greatest rock songs of all time! We'll also discuss the iconic Fleetwood Mac album "Rumours", but instead of telling the well known tales of Stevie Nicks, Lindsay Buckingham and Mick Fleetwood, we'll highlight Christine McVie's contributions to the album and the stories ( we mean drama!) behind the songs.  Listen now and we'd love it if you would follow, rate or review My Rock Moment! Episode References: “Life,” published by Weidenfeld & Nicholson (UK) and Little, Brown and Company (US) , written by Keith Richards and James Fox https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/music/1248591/Rolling-Stones-Keith-Richards-girlfriend-Anita-pallenberg-Brian-jones-mick-jagger  https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/rolling-stones-gimme-shelter-merry-clayton-story-miscarriage/ https://www.rollingstone.com/feature/fleetwood-macs-rumours-10-things-you-didnt-know-121876/ https://fleetwoodmac.fandom.com/wiki/You_Make_Loving_Fun https://www.uncut.co.uk/features/fleetwood-mac-everybody-was-pretty-weirded-out-the-story-of-rumours-26395/ https://www.ranker.com/list/true-stories-behind-fleetwood-mac-rumours-album/melissa-sartore https://www.thesound.co.nz/home/music/2018/08/10-interesting-facts-you-may-not-know-about-fleetwood-mac.html https://crockpics.com/the-story-behind-fleetwood-macs-you-make-loving-fun/
11 min