Second Book Announcement

Second Book Announcement

Author: Andrew Hickey December 7, 2021 Duration: 0:00
This is just to let everyone know that the second volume of the book based on the podcast should be available by the time you get this episode in your podcast app. It's been a long, long, time coming, because the last year and a bit has been far more difficult, for far more reasons, than I can go into here, but the book is now done. It's called "From the Million Dollar Quartet to the Fab Four", and contains versions of the scripts for episodes fifty-one through one hundred, revised for the book format rather than audio, along with a rewritten version of the Patreon episode on the Big Bopper, an introduction summarising the first book, and a bibliography. The ebook should be available from every major ebook store, though it might take time to filter through to all of them. I'll be including a link in the blog post for this episode which, if you click it, will take you to your preferred ebook store if the book's available there. The paperback is currently only available from Amazon. It should eventually also be available from other retailers, as it will enter all the standard distribution catalogues, but it's self-published through Amazon's service, so those of you who boycott Amazon, completely understandably, might not want to buy that version. The ebook link will also take you to the Amazon page for the paperback. The hardback is available from lulu.com. That too will eventually also be available from other online bookstores, but I make more money, and you get it quicker, if you buy it from Lulu rather than a third party. Again, I'll link that in the notes here. The physical books are relatively expensive -- twenty-five dollars for the paperback, and fifty dollars for the hardback -- but they're *big* books -- six hundred and fifty-three pages counting the indexes -- and paper is expensive right now because of supply chain issues, so I hope you'll consider them good value for money, as they're literally priced as low as I can make them. If money's tight, the ebook is only $5. And speaking of good value for money, for one week only I've reduced the cost of the ebook of the first book to just one dollar. That's a limited-time offer to promote the series, so if you've not got that and want it, now's your chance. Patreon backers at the five-dollar-a-month level and higher have already received copies of the ebook. Those at higher levels will be receiving their copies of the physical books shortly -- they'll be being sent out in waves over the next few weeks. It's because of those backers that I am able to do this podcast at all, and I can't thank them enough for their generosity.See you all in a couple of days, when we'll be looking at the Byrds, and "Eight Miles High".   Links to buy the book: Ebooks (and paperback through Amazon) Hardback Link to buy the first book (only $1 in ebook this week) The ebook for Patreon backers

Andrew Hickey’s A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs is a deep, chronological journey through the sounds and stories that built a century-defining genre. This isn't a simple list of hits; it's a richly detailed narrative that connects musical innovation to its cultural and historical context. Each episode focuses on a single pivotal track, using that song as a lens to examine the artists, producers, technologies, and social movements that made it possible. You'll hear about forgotten pioneers, unexpected influences, and the tangled web of events that led from early blues and country recordings to the dawn of the digital age. Hickey’s approach is both scholarly and accessible, weaving together musical analysis, biographical sketches, and broader historical arcs. Listening to this podcast feels like assembling a massive, interconnected puzzle where every piece-every song-reveals a part of a larger, fascinating story. The series commitment to a full timeline, from 1938 through 1999, provides a unique and comprehensive framework rarely attempted in audio documentary. For anyone curious about how popular music evolves, and why certain songs endure, this extensive project offers an endlessly engaging education. It’s a definitive, ambitious audit of rock's DNA, one carefully chosen song at a time.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
Podcast Episodes
Episode 149: “Respect” by Aretha Franklin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Episode 149 of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Respect”, and the journey of Aretha Franklin from teenage gospel singer to the Queen of Soul. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more…
Episode 148: “Light My Fire” by the Doors [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Episode one hundred and forty-eight of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Light My Fire” by the Doors, the history of cool jazz, and Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Click the full post to read liner notes, li…
Episode 147: “Hey Joe” by The Jimi Hendrix Experience [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Episode one hundred and forty-seven of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Hey Joe” by the Jimi Hendrix Experience, and is the longest episode to date, at over two hours. Patreon backers also have a t…
Episode 146: “Good Vibrations” by the Beach Boys [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Episode one hundred and forty-six of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Good Vibrations” by the Beach Boys, and the history of the theremin. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more inf…
Episode 145: “Tomorrow Never Knows” by the Beatles [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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This week’s episode looks at “Tomorrow Never Knows”, the making of Revolver by the Beatles, and the influence of Timothy Leary on the burgeoning psychedelic movement. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to mor…
Episode 144: “Last Train to Clarksville” by the Monkees [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Episode 144 of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Last Train to Clarksville” and the beginnings of the career of the Monkees, along with a short primer on the origins of the Vietnam War. Click the fu…
Episode 143: “Summer in the City” by the Lovin’ Spoonful [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Episode 143 of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Summer in the City’”, and at the short but productive career of the Lovin’ Spoonful. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more informati…
Episode 142: “God Only Knows” by the Beach Boys [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Episode one hundred and forty-two of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “God Only Knows” by the Beach Boys, and the creation of the Pet Sounds album. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to…
Episode 141: “River Deep, Mountain High” by Ike and Tina Turner [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Episode 141 of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “River Deep Mountain High’”, and at the career of Ike and Tina Turner. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more information, and a trans…
Episode 140: “Trouble Every Day” by the Mothers of Invention [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Episode one hundred and forty of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Trouble Every Day” by the Mothers of Invention, and the early career of Frank Zappa. Click the full post to read liner notes, links…