Booked On Rock with Eric Senich

What if Elvis Presley had a secret son? That's the fascinating premise behind The Prince of Memphis, the latest novel from author Joseph Coulson. In this episode, Joseph joins me to discuss the inspiration behind the book, creating the unforgettable characters of Aron Beale and Odelia, the real song "Midnight Candy," Elvis's enduring legacy, and why this story explores far more than rock 'n' roll—touching on identity, race, love, memory, and the myths that shape our lives.The Prince of Memphis will be available for pre-orders starting August 1, 2026 through the publishing date of September 15, 2026. Visit JosephCoulson.com or D...

One of the funniest Rolling Stones stories you'll ever hear!In this special Booked On Rock highlight, author Richard Lefkowitz shares an unforgettable backstage tale involving Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood, Mick Jagger, and a bottle of talcum powder that led to one hilarious misunderstanding.It's just one of the many incredible stories Richard recounts from his memoir, Welcome to Fabulous Angeles: The Rock 'n' Roll Adventures of a Wayward Westside Teen, chronicling his adventures growing up in 1970s Los Angeles and crossing paths with rock legends.🎧 Watch & listen to the full episode...

What if one of the most iconic scenes in A Hard Day's Night happened by accident?In this Booked On Rock highlight, author and broadcaster Samira Ahmed reveals how a camera battery running low accidentally created the distinctive look of the Beatles' famous "Can't Buy Me Love" sequence. She also explains why director Richard Lester recognized the magic of the moment and left it in the film—creating one of the most memorable scenes in music movie history. 🎧 Watch & listen to the full episode----------Booked On Rock is part of The Bonele...

Before Buffalo became a stop for legendary rock acts like Sly & the Family Stone, the Bob Seger System, Deep Purple, Cactus, and Arthur Brown, one man helped build the city's entertainment scene.In this episode of Booked On Rock, author Susan Fenster discusses her fascinating new book, Harry Altman: Buffalo's Master Showman. Discover the remarkable story of Harry Altman, the visionary promoter behind the legendary Town Casino and Glen Casino, and how his influence paved the way for iconic venues like The Inferno and Gilligan's during the rise of rock 'n' roll.We also explore Buffalo's...

What was it really like growing up in 1970s Los Angeles?Author Richard A. Lefkowitz joins Booked On Rock to discuss his memoir, Welcome to Fabulous Angeles: The Rock 'n' Roll Adventures of a Wayward Westside Teen. Richard shares incredible firsthand stories of partying with members of The Rolling Stones, experiencing the rise of Van Halen, roaming the legendary Sunset Strip, and witnessing the golden age of FM rock radio.Along the way, we explore the friendships, first love, and deeper life lessons that shaped his journey, as well as the darker side of Los Angeles...

More than 60 years after its release, The Beatles' A Hard Day's Night remains one of the most influential music films ever made.In this episode, author and broadcaster Samira Ahmed discusses her BFI Film Classics book on the landmark 1964 film. We explore Richard Lester's groundbreaking direction, the explosion of Beatlemania, the famous "Can't Buy Me Love" sequence, the film's influence on modern music videos, and why A Hard Day's Night continues to captivate audiences decades later.We also discuss the Beatles' return to Liverpool, the role of women in the film, the creation of the title...

Did Phil Collins contribute more to Paul McCartney's Press To Play than many fans realize?In this highlight from my conversation with author Luca Perasi, we explore the fascinating connections between Phil Collins and McCartney's 1986 album Press To Play. From Phil's officially credited performances to the possibility that his influence may be heard elsewhere on the record, this is one of the most intriguing stories behind one of McCartney's most misunderstood albums.Listen to the full interview with Luca Perasi for a deeper dive into the making of Press To Play, the Hugh Padgham collaboration, and...

XTC's 1986 album Skylarking is widely regarded as one of the greatest albums of the decade, but its creation was anything but smooth.Author Alfredo Marziano joins me to discuss his book XTC: Skylarking – A Life in a Day: The Making of a Pop Classic. We explore the legendary creative clash between Andy Partridge and producer Todd Rundgren, the stories behind songs like "Dear God," "Grass," and "Earn Enough for Us," the album's controversial artwork, and how a record born from tension became a beloved masterpiece.Was Todd Rundgren the perfect producer for XTC? How did "Dear Go...

When Stevie Nicks joined Fleetwood Mac, some critics dismissed her as frivolous, overly romantic, and lacking substance.In this highlight from my conversation with author Rachel Brodsky, we explore the sexist criticism Stevie faced early in her career, why her songwriting was often misunderstood, and how she ultimately proved her doubters wrong to become one of rock's most enduring and respected artists.This clip is taken from our discussion of Rachel's book Lessons & Lace: Everything I Know About Dreams, Heartbreak, and Magic I Learned from Stevie Nicks.🎧 Watch & listen to the full episode<br...

Was 'Press to Play' really a failure—or is it one of Paul McCartney's most misunderstood albums?In this episode of Booked On Rock, I sit down with author Luca Perasi to explore the fascinating story behind McCartney's 1986 album Press to Play. Drawing from extensive research and interviews with key figures involved in the project, Luca examines the album's ambitious blend of cutting-edge 1980s production, experimental songwriting, and classic McCartney melodies.We discuss the album's troubled reputation, McCartney's creative partnership with Eric Stewart, the influence of producer Hugh Padgham, the impact of Live Aid and the Mi...

What can Stevie Nicks teach us about creativity, love, independence, spirituality, resilience, and survival?Author Rachel Brodsky joins me to discuss her book Lessons & Lace: Everything I Know About Dreams, Heartbreak, and Magic I Learned from Stevie Nicks. We explore the wisdom Stevie gained throughout her remarkable life and career—from her early days chasing musical dreams, to overcoming addiction, navigating heartbreak, embracing change, trusting intuition, and becoming one of rock's most beloved and enduring icons.Along the way, we discuss Stevie's beliefs about destiny, guardian angels, creativity, truth-telling, independence, and why her lessons continue to re...

Could The Clash have reunited?In this Booked On Rock highlight, author Pat Gilbert discusses why he believes a Clash reunion may not have been far off when Joe Strummer passed away in 2002. As the author of Passion Is a Fashion: The Real Story of The Clash, Gilbert spent years researching the band and interviewing its members, giving him a unique perspective on the group's final chapter.Was the legendary punk band's story truly over, or was a reunion beginning to take shape? Listen as Gilbert explores one of the biggest "what if?" questions in rock...

The Clash exploded onto the London music scene in 1976 and quickly became one of the most influential bands in rock history. But behind the revolutionary songs, political passion, and global success was a story filled with creative tension, personal conflict, and difficult choices that ultimately changed the band's future.In this episode of Booked On Rock, author Pat Gilbert discusses the expanded 50th Anniversary Edition of Passion Is a Fashion: The Real Story of The Clash. Drawing on interviews with all four classic members—Joe Strummer, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon, and Topper Headon—Pat reveals how The Clash rose...

Wilko Johnson wasn't just a guitarist—he was a force of nature.Long before punk exploded in the late 1970s, Wilko Johnson and Dr. Feelgood were tearing up stages with a raw, high-energy sound that would influence countless musicians. With his distinctive choppy guitar attack, intense stare, and relentless stage presence, Wilko created a style that was entirely his own.In this episode highlight, Mark Wilkerson, author of Pub Rock (Genre: A 33 1/3 Series), dives into the story of Dr. Feelgood, one of the most influential bands of the pub rock movement, and examines how Wilko Johnson he...

Pub rock may not be as well-known as punk or new wave, but its impact on rock history is impossible to ignore. Emerging in the UK during the early 1970s, pub rock rejected the excesses of glam and progressive rock in favor of a raw, back-to-basics approach that brought musicians and audiences closer together. In this episode of Booked On Rock, author Mark Wilkerson discusses his book Pub Rock (Genre: A 33 1/3 Series) and the vibrant scene that helped reshape the future of popular music.Mark explores the origins of pub rock, its key artists—including Dr. Feelgood, Brinsley Sc...

Why is Live Evil still one of the most controversial live albums in heavy metal history?In this highlight from Booked On Rock, author Chris Sutton breaks down the legendary tension surrounding Live Evil and the collapse of the original Dio-era lineup of Black Sabbath. From accusations of secret late-night remixing sessions to criticism over the album’s production and crowd sound, Chris explores how mistrust between Ronnie James Dio, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Vinny Appice turned a live album into a full-blown band war.Chris Sutton is the author of Black Sabbath: The Dio Ye...

What happens when Ozzy Osbourne leaves the biggest heavy metal band in the world?In this episode highlight, author Chris Sutton explores the uncertain period when Ronnie James Dio stepped into Black Sabbath and completely changed the band’s future. Chris discusses his first impressions of the Dio lineup, whether Sabbath could have survived without Ozzy, and the long-running debate over whether Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward, and Dio should have continued under the Black Sabbath name at all. The conversation also dives into the impact of Heaven and Hell, the chemistry of the new lineup, and wh...

Don Pyle shares stories about working with legendary producer and engineer Steve Albini on a Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet album and explains why Albini stood apart from nearly everyone else in music. Known publicly for being blunt and sometimes difficult, Albini is remembered by Pyle as an intelligent, thoughtful, and genuinely good person — a rare blend of scientist and artist in the recording studio. This episode is a highlight from the full Booked On Rock interview with Don Pyle, author of Rough Description. Listen to the full episode and more at Booked On Rock.🛒 Old Gl...

What happened when Ronnie James Dio joined Black Sabbath?In this episode of Booked On Rock, author Chris Sutton returns to the show to dive deep into one of the most dramatic and successful reinventions in rock history. From Heaven and Hell and Mob Rules to Dehumanizer, we explore how Dio helped reshape Black Sabbath’s sound with soaring vocals, fantasy-driven lyrics, and a heavier, more epic direction that revitalized the band for a new era.Sutton, author of Black Sabbath: The Dio Years (On Track Shorts), breaks down the albums, songs, musicianship, and legacy of th...

This episode of Booked On Rock features an interview with Don Pyle, drummer and co-founder of cult instrumental legends Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet and author of the memoir Rough Description: Love Letters and Ghost Stories from a Life in Music.Don shares the remarkable story of surviving a near-death childhood experience, discovering punk rock, forming one of Canada’s most beloved cult bands, creating the iconic theme for The Kids in the Hall, and navigating the highs, absurdities, and heartbreaks of life in music. He also reflects on friendship, loss, touring chaos, working with legendary producer St...