We were very saddened to hear of the passing of our former podcast guest Steve Cropper. Steve was one of the great guitarists and songwriters of all time and his key role in the Stax house band, Booker T & The MG's, helped create some of the most legendary music of the last 60+ years. In this newly re-edited episode, originally recorded in 2021 (shortly before Steve's 80th birthday), Steve tells the story of his life and career. RIP Steve Cropper.

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As we get set to release a brand new season of Rock & Roll High School, we're releasing a newly re-edited version of our Season 2 interview with David Coverdale. David recently announced his retirement and we wish him well.

In David's words: “After 50 plus years of an incredible journey with you with Deep Purple, Whitesnake, and Jimmy Page, the last few years have been very evident to me that it's time really for me to hang up my rock and roll platform shoes and my skintight jeans. I thank everyone who's assisted and supported me on this incredible journey. All the musicians, the crew, the fans, the family. It's amazing. But it really is time for me to just enjoy my retirement, and I hope you can appreciate that. I love you with all my heart. Fare thee well.”

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In a newly re-edited version of this episode, originally from Season 3, we revisit our conversation with Justin Hayward. Known principally as the vocalist, lead guitarist and composer for the innovating and trail blazing band Moody Blues, Justin Hayward is an enduring talent that has helped to define the times in which he worked. Over the last forty-five years the band has sold over seventy million albums and in 2018 they were inducted into the legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Sadly, John Lodge, Justin's bandmate and co-lead vocalist from The Moody Blues passed away on October 10th, 2025.

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In a newly re-edited version of our Season 2 finale, we're joined by award-winning singer, songwriter, musician, producer, innovator and Eurythmics co-founder Dave Stewart. Newly inducted into both the Songwriters and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame, Dave talks about how he learned to play guitar while recovering from a soccer injury as a child, living and working with Annie Lennox at the start of their career, and the accidental creation of the opening for their hit “Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This).” Dave also shares the stories about creating and recording the iconic “Sisters Are Doin It For Themselves” with Aretha Franklin, co-writing and co-producing Tom Petty’s “Don’t Come Around Here No More,” his long-time friendships with Mick Jagger and Jimmy Iovine and more. A great episode for anyone who missed its original airing.

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As a key architect of the Eagles’ classic sound and the band's lead guitarist from 1974 - 2001, Don Felder co-wrote and performed on some of rock’s most enduring anthems, including “Hotel California,” “Victim of Love,” and “Those Shoes.” His signature guitar work helped propel the band to worldwide superstardom and earned multiple Grammy Awards. His latest album, The Vault 1975-2025 Fifty Years Of Music, is out now.

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Legendary songwriter Carole Bayer Sager joins us to reflect on a remarkable career that includes co-writing timeless hits like “Nobody Does It Better,” “That’s What Friends Are For,” and “Arthur’s Theme.” A Grammy, Oscar, and Tony winner, Carole shares stories of her collaborations - both personally and professionally - with legends like Burt Bacharach and Marvin Hamlisch—as well as her friendships with icons from Hollywood to Broadway. It’s a candid, inspiring look into the life of one of pop music’s most gifted lyricists.

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You may not know Russ Ballard's name but you certainly know his voice and his songs. From fronting Argent and singing lead on Hold Your Head Up as well as writing and singing lead on“God Gave Rock and Roll to You,” to writing chart-toppers like “New York Groove,” “You Can Do Magic,” “Winning” “I Know There’s Something Going On” and “Since You Been Gone,” Russ has left fingerprints on decades of rock history. His songs have been recorded by everyone from KISS to Santana, America to Rainbow—and his influence spans continents and generations.

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Melissa Manchester is celebrating over 50 years in music and recently joined us in person to discuss her long, successful career. From winning a Grammy in 1982 to having massive hits with classics like “Midnight Blue,”“Don’t Cry Out Loud,” and “You Should Hear How She Talks About You,” Melissa's career is still reaching new heights with the release of her latest album RE:VIEW as well as a new stage show of her life and music, Fifty Threads: An Artist's Journey. From her early days with Bette Midler to writing hits with Carole Bayer Sager, Kenny Loggins and more, Melissa opens up about her creative process, career milestones, and what continues to inspire her after more than five decades in music.

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Stan Lynch is a founding member and longtime drummer of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, a band he played in for close to 20 years. Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Stan's also written and produced for The Eagles, Don Henley and John Mellencamp. His new band, a collaboration with Texas singer songwriter Jon Christopher Davis, is The Speaker Wars who've just released their debut album.

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Our guest this week is a legendary singer songwriter and musician -powerhouse frontman of Grand Funk Railroad: Mark Farner. As one of the original driving forces behind the band, —Mark is the the voice of anthems like “We’re an American Band” and the epic “I’m Your Captain (Closer to Home),” which he also wrote. Other Grand Funk hits include Bad Time/Some Kind Of Wonderful and their #1 cover of Little Eva’s “The Locomotion.”

But Mark’s journey goes beyond the stage. From blazing trails in the heyday of ’70s rock to mentoring emerging artists, and even embracing life as a dedicated farmer, Mark’s story is one of passion, resilience, and reinvention. Mark’s new album, his first full length release in nearly tow decades is “Closer To My Home” — which is available everywere now 

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Little Anthony helped define the sound of early rock and soul—and at the age of 84 years old, he's still going strong. In this revealing conversation, Anthony takes us through his extraordinary life and career—from doo-wop beginnings with The Imperials to stories of his best friends Frankie Lymon and Teddy Randzzo. From Vegas residencies to his Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction, hear firsthand how one of soul and pop’s most distinctive voices has endured and evolved over seven decades.

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