74 episodes
Rock Is Lit Pantheon Plus
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- Fiction
“I really tried to create a band that I would love, if they were real”— Taylor Jenkins Reid, author of Daisy Jones & The Six
Fiction writers have long been seduced by the anarchy, defiance, and raw power of rock ‘n roll, creating stories about music, the people who make it, and the characters who love it with the same intensity as the most ambitious concept albums. But until Rock is Lit first aired in September 2022, there had never been a podcast devoted to this art form—the rock novel—and the show remains a singularity.
In each episode, host Christy Alexander Hallberg, author of the award-winning rock novel Searching for Jimmy Page (Livingston Press, 2021), interviews authors about craft and the musical inspiration behind their work, then brings in music experts, like legendary groupie Pamela Des Barres, to add real-world context to the bands or musical periods featured in the novels. Hallberg has quickly earned a reputation as a meticulous researcher and creative producer, frequently garnering compliments from guests such as Rex Weiner, author of The (Original) Adventures of Ford Fairlane: “You’re so well versed in what I wrote and, of course, your own rock ‘n roll history is pretty terrific.”
The podcast’s growing roster of rock novels includes: Dana Spiotta’s National Book Award-nominated Eat the Document, works by BIPOC authors like Chris L. Terry’s Black Card, metal-centric novels like John Wray’s Gone to the Wolves, YA LGBTQ debuts like Jessamyn Violet’s Secret Rules to Being a Rockstar, Scifi rock novels like Sarah Pinsker’s Nebula Award-winning A Song For A New Day, rock novels adapted to film like Garth Risk Hallberg’s City on Fire, and celebrity rock novels like the legendary Suzi Quatro’s The Hurricane.
Tune in to Rock is Lit and join the mounting number of Lit Listeners on their quest to find the very best rock novels.
Watch the trailer on YouTube.
Find Christy Alexander Hallberg and Rock is Lit on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube: @ChristyHallberg
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Scott Michaels on the Murder of 'Rebel Without a Cause' Actor Sal Mineo
Well this is it, Lit Listeners: the Season 3 finale. Wyatt, the Rock is Lit mascot, and I are thrilled to have you with us as we wrap up another incredible season. We also want to extend a heartfelt thank you to this semester’s amazing interns, Production Intern Cador Jones and Social Media Intern Jenna Rudolph, for their outstanding work. Best of luck in all your future endeavors, Cador and Jenna.
To celebrate the end of Season 3 and gear up for an exciting Season 4 coming this fall, we're launching the Bill Hallberg Rock ‘n’ Roll Short Story Contest. This contest honors the legacy of Bill Hallberg—author, East Carolina University English professor, and my late husband—who had a deep passion for both literature and music. Submissions are due August 1, 2024, and we'll be selecting winners in two categories: undergraduate college students and general submissions. The winners will be announced in the Season 4 premiere episode and invited to read from their stories on a future Season 4 episode. For more information and submission guidelines, email me at christyalexanderhallberg@gmail.com.
Now, on with the show.
If you’re fascinated by true crime, classic Hollywood, and the darker tales of Tinsel Town, you’re in for a treat. In this episode, we dive deep into the murder of ‘Rebel Without a Cause’ actor Sal Mineo, with Scott Michaels as our guide.
Scott Michaels is a renowned expert on celebrity deaths, including the infamous Manson Murders of 1969, and a former tour guide for LA’s Dearly Departed Tours. Dubbed by the ‘LA Times’ as the man who "knows where the bodies are buried," Scott brings a wealth of knowledge and a unique perspective to our discussion. He even consulted for Quentin Tarantino on ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,’ a film that revisits the Manson Family murders.
Scott first joined me in Season 2 to discuss the Manson Murders in a bonus episode inspired by Episode 6, which featured Zachary Lazar’s rock novel, ‘Sway’, a story that includes members of the Manson Family in a fictional setting. I’m thrilled to welcome Scott back to the podcast to explore another Hollywood tragedy: the murder of Sal Mineo.
Feel free to listen to the audio-only version of this episode here, but I encourage you to watch the YouTube video, which includes photos and audio clips of Sal Mineo.
LINKS:
Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451
Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350
Scott Michaels on Rock is Lit talking about the Manson Murders: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzpLvUN0_2E&t=103s
Scott Michaels’ YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@DearlyDepartedTours
Scott Michaels on Facebook: @ScottMichaels
Scott Michaels on Instagram: @iamscottmichaels
Scott Michaels on Twitter: @ImScottMichaels
Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: www.christyalexanderhallberg.com
Christy Alexander Hallberg on Twitter, Instagram & YouTube: @ChristyHallberg
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Kim Wright On Her Novel ‘Last Ride to Graceland’ with Stephanie Myers and Cador Jones On Elvis’s Alleged “Lovechildren"
In the first segment of Episode 53, we're exploring the heart of the South with a literary journey that’s as soulful as it is adventurous. Joining us is the award-winning author Kim Wright, whose novel ‘Last Ride to Graceland’ takes us on a road trip filled with mystery, music, and the enduring legacy of Elvis Presley.
In ‘Last Ride to Graceland’, blues musician Cory Beth Ainsworth is barely scraping by after her mother’s death when she discovers a priceless piece of rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia hidden away in a shed out back of the family’s coastal South Carolina home: the car Elvis Presley drove the day he died.
A backup singer for the King, Cory’s mother, Laura “Honey” Berry, was at Graceland that fateful day in August 1977. She quickly returned home to Beaufort and married her high school sweetheart. Yearning to uncover the secrets of her mother’s past—and possibly her own identity—Cory decides to drive the car back to Memphis and turn it over to Elvis’s estate, retracing the exact route her mother took thirty-seven years earlier. As she winds her way through the sprawling deep south, the burning question in Cory’s mind—is Elvis Presley my father?—takes a backseat to the truth she learns about her complicated mother.
Kim and I delve into the inspiration behind ‘Last Ride to Graceland’ and the fascinating journey of research and discovery that brought the book to life.
In the final segment of the episode, Stephanie Myers of Songfacts Podcast and Stephanie & Stephanie Talk Tunes joins Rock is Lit Season 3 Production Intern Cador Jones and me for a chat about some of the real-life folks who have claimed to be Elvis’s “lovechildren.”
Catch Stephanie Myers talking about actual kidnapping plots against Elvis in Season 1 Episode 3 of Rock is Lit.
Catch Cador Jones talking about rock stars who have gone missing in Season 3 Episode 50 Part 2.
PLAYLIST
“Promised Land” by Elvis Presley
Closing Vamp from Elvis Presley’s 1970s concerts
Rock is Lit theme music
[Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop”
Royalty-free rockabilly music
Elvis Presley Fan Reactions 1950s/”Blue Suede Shoes”
“That’s All Right” by Elvis Presley
“Mystery Train” by Elvis Presley
“Kentucky Rain” by Elvis Presley
“Graceland” by Paul Simon
“Poor Boy” by Elvis Presley
Clip from Elvis press conference, June 9, 1972, New York Hilton
“Burning Love” by Elvis Presley
“Jailhouse Rock” by Elvis Presley
“Game On!” by Aqours
“Suspicious Minds” by Elvis Presley
“Love Me” by Elvis Presley
“Heartbreak Hotel” by Elvis Presley
“Always On My Mind” by Elvis Presley
“Moody Blue” by Elvis Presley, Elvis: “Thank you very much”, Closing Vamp from Elvis Presley’s 1970s concerts/“Elvis has left the building”
LINKS:
Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451
Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350
Kim Wright’s website: http://www.kimwright.org/
Kim Wright on Twitter: @Kim_Wright_W
Kim Wright on Instagram: @kimwiley55
Stephanie Myers on Facebook: @StephanieRenee
Songfacts Podcast website: https://www.songfacts.com/blog/podcast
Cador Jones on Instagram: @bluecadorade
Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: www.christyalexanderhallberg.com
Christy Alexander Hallberg on Twitter, Instagram & YouTube: @ChristyHallberg
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Rock Queen Writers: A Panel Discussion on Writing About Musicians in Fiction, with Jessamyn Violet, Mallory Smart, Claire Hopple, Kirsti MacKenzie
*Listen to the audio-only episode here, or watch the video version on YouTube, which may make putting voices with faces easier since there are five people in the interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkCdyH7Y_YM
*The audio-only episode was taken directly from the video without further editing.
I’m so excited about this special episode of Rock is Lit. It’s a first for the podcast, actually: a panel discussion, with four amazing women rock novelists, hailing from Canada to Chicago to LA and back to my neck of the woods here in Asheville, NC.
Kirsti MacKenzie, Mallory Smart, Claire Hopple, and Rock is Lit veteran Jessamyn Violet are joining me to talk about our experiences and thoughts about writing fiction about musicians.
Jessamyn Violet is a writer and musician out of Venice Beach, CA. Her debut novel, ‘Secret Rules to Being a Rockstar’, was published in April 2023 by Three Rooms Press. Short fiction can be found in ‘Ploughshares’, ‘Lit Angeles’, ‘805 Art + Lit Journal’, and more. She is also the drummer for the psych rock band Movie Club.
Mallory Smart is a Chicago-based writer and Editor-in-Chief of Maudlin House. Some people even call her ‘The Only Living Girl in Chicago’. Mallory is the host of the podcast Textual Healing, where she dives into the fusion of literature and music, and co-hosts That Horrorcast with Dmitry Samarov where they get lost in the weird world of horror films. Her latest book, ‘I Keep My Visions To Myself’, just came out from With an X Books.
Kirsti MacKenzie is the author of ‘Better to Beg’, as well as editor in chief of ‘Major 7th Magazine’. Her work has been published in ‘HAD’, ‘Rejection Letters’, ‘trampset’, ‘Autofocus’, ‘Maudlin House’, ‘Identity Theory’, and elsewhere.
Claire Hopple is the author of six books and the fiction editor at XRAY. Her stories have appeared in ‘Wigleaf’, ‘Vol. 1 Brooklyn’, ‘Forever Mag’, and others. She grew up in the woods of Pennsylvania and currently lives in Asheville, NC. Her next book, ‘Take it Personally’, is forthcoming from Stalking Horse Press in February 2025.
Each of these four talented authors brings a unique perspective to the conversation. From the creative sparks that ignite our own work to the cultural impacts of rock novels in general, we'll navigate the winding paths of character development and uncovering the challenges of breathing life into fictional musicians while honoring the essence of their real-life counterparts. We'll delve into the stigmas surrounding rock novels, dissecting perceptions and stereotypes to reveal the nuanced portrayals crafted by these talented authors.
And of course, no discussion on writing fiction about musicians would be complete without reflecting on current trends and the evolution of the genre, including the explosive success of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s rock novel ‘Daisy Jones & The Six’.
So, tune in and turn up the volume as Rock is Lit takes you on a journey through the pages of rock literature, where every word is a chord and every story a kickass concert.
LINKS:
Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451
Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350
Rock is Lit Episode 26, Jessamyn Violet: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislitpodcast/jessamynvioletwithlinalecaro
Jessamyn Violet’s website: https://jessamynviolet.com/bio
Jessamyn Violet on Instagram and Twitter: @jessamynviolet
Movie Club’s website: https://www.movieclubtheband.com/about
Kirsti MacKenzie on Twitter: @KeersteeMack
Mallory Smart’s website: https://mallorysmart.com/
Mallory Smart on Twitter and Instagram: @malsmart
Claire Hopple’s website: https://clairehopple.wordpress.com/bio/
Claire Hopple on Twitter and Instagram: @clairehopple
Christy Alexander Hallberg’s -
Exploring Jewish Identity, The Holocaust, and the Healing Power of Music in Jason Warburg’s Novel ‘Home Was a Dream’
In Episode 51, Jason Warburg delves into the intricacies of his new novel, the third in his Tim Green series, ‘Home Was a Dream’, where themes of Jewish heritage, identity, and the haunting legacy of the Holocaust intertwine with the healing power of music. Jason shares insights into his personal connection to Jewish culture and history, revealing how these influences shaped the characters’ journeys in the novel. Through the lens of characters grappling with their Jewish identity, Jason explores the profound repercussions of the Holocaust on a generation haunted by loss and trauma. Against this backdrop, music emerges as a potent force, offering solace and connection amidst the turmoil. Through an engaging discussion, Jason illuminates the ways in which music serves as a conduit for healing and understanding, weaving together the threads of personal and collective memory in a tale that resonates with emotional depth and resonance.
PLAYLIST
No Copyright Music/Classic Rock
Rock is Lit theme music
[Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop”
“Oh Very Young” by Cat Stevens
“Wiegala” by Ilse Weber
“Ich wandre durch Theresienstadt Wiegala” by Ilse Weber
Gorecki Symphony
“Night Moves” by Bob Seger
“Make Me Smile” by Chicago
“Cover Me Up” by Jason Isbell
“Games People Play” by The Spinners
“Your Song” by Elton John
No Copyright Music/Classic Rock
Rock is Lit theme music
LINKS:
Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451
Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350
Rock is Lit Episode 33, Jason Warburg ‘Believe in Me’: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislitpodcast/jasonwarburg
Rock is Lit Episode 40, Jason Warburg ‘Never Break the Chain’: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislitpodcast/jasonwarburganduglyamericanwerewolfinlondonrockpodcast
Jason Warburg’s website: https://www.jasonwarburg.com/
Jason Warburg on Twitter: @JasonWarburg
Jason Warburg on Instagram: @jason_warburg
Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: www.christyalexanderhallberg.com
Christy Alexander Hallberg on Twitter, Instagram & YouTube: @ChristyHallberg
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Exploring Real-Life Musician Disappearances with Nathan D. Duvall, Inspired by Jeff Jackson’s Novel ‘Mira Corpora’
In Part 1 of Episode 50, we delved into the mesmerizing world of author Jeff Jackson and his acclaimed novel ‘Mira Corpora’, in which enigmatic underground rockstar Kin Mersey mysteriously disappears. Now, in Episode 50 Part 2, Nathan D. Duvall (host of the Lucid show on 103.3 Asheville FM) and this semester’s Rock is Lit intern, Cador Jones, join me to talk about actual musicians who, like the rockstar in Jeff’s novel, vanished without a trace, including Richey Edwards, Jim Sullivan, Connie Converse, Christina “Licorice” McKechnie, and more.
PLAYLIST
“Lithuania” by Julian Calendar
Rock is Lit theme music
[Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop”
Avant-Garde Sound Collage/Experimental Electronica/Royalty Free Background Music (8-mindemo Mix)
“This Road” by Julian Calendar
“4st 7lb” by Manic Street Preachers
“How Sad, How Lovely” by Connie Converse
“U.F.O.” by Jim Sullivan
“I Know You” by The Incredible String Band, with Christina “Licorice” McKechnie
“When the Music’s Over” by The Doors
“Jerome” by Jim Sullivan
Julian Calendar Medley: “Stolen Eyes,” “King Blank”
Rock is Lit theme music
LINKS:
Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451
Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350
Rock is Lit Episode 1 featuring Jeff Jackson (‘Destroy All Monsters’) with Nathan D. Duvall: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislitpodcast/jeffjackson-nathandduvall
Jeff Jackson’s website: http://deathofliterature.com/
Jeff Jackson on Instagram: @deathofliterature
Jeff Jackson on Twitter: @DeathofLit
Julian Calendar on Bandcamp: https://juliancalendar.bandcamp.com/
Trailer for ‘Mira Corpora’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upTakZdScwY
Nathan D. Duvall’s website: http://nathandduvall.com/
Nathan D. Duvall’s Lucid show on 103.3 Asheville FM: https://ashevillefm.org/show/lucid/
Nathan D. Duvall on Instagram: @nathandduvall
Cador Jones on Instagram: @bluecadorade
Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: www.christyalexanderhallberg.com
Christy Alexander Hallberg on Twitter, Instagram & YouTube: @ChristyHallberg
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Jeff Jackson on Music, Memory, and Myth in His Novel ‘Mira Corpora’
In Part 1 of Episode 50, we delve into the mesmerizing world of author Jeff Jackson and his acclaimed novel ‘Mira Corpora’. Join us as we explore the intersection of music and literature, unraveling the enigmatic narrative of the book. From the mysterious disappearance of underground rockstar Kin Mersey to the surreal journey of the runaway teenage protagonist, we uncover the depths of this dark and compelling tale. Jeff shares his creative process, artistic influences, and the thematic underpinnings of his work. Get ready for a captivating discussion of music, memory, and myth as we examine the haunting landscapes of ‘Mira Corpora’. Throughout the episode, you’ll hear songs by Jeff’s band, Julian Calendar, all of which you can download from Bandcamp. Check the episode playlist below.
In Episode 50 Part 2, Nathan D. Duvall and this semester’s Rock is Lit intern, Cador Jones, join me to talk about actual musicians who, like the rockstar in Jeff’s novel, mysteriously disappeared.
PLAYLIST—ALL SONG BY JULIAN CALENDAR UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED
“In Your Love”
Rock is Lit theme music
[Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop”
“Blue Boys” (Rock is Lit mix)
“The Deep End”
“Men Are Canceled”
“No Kingdom”
“Back Door Man”
“The Drowned Boy”
“Property is Theft”
“Game On!” by Aqours
Julian Calendar Medley: “Language Lessons,” “Stolen Eyes,” “King Blank”
Rock is Lit theme music
LINKS:
Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451
Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350
Rock is Lit Episode 1 featuring Jeff Jackson (‘Destroy All Monsters’) with Nathan D. Duvall: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislitpodcast/jeffjackson-nathandduvall
Jeff Jackson’s website: http://deathofliterature.com/
Jeff Jackson on Instagram: @deathofliterature
Jeff Jackson on Twitter: @DeathofLit
Julian Calendar on Bandcamp: https://juliancalendar.bandcamp.com/
Trailer for ‘Mira Corpora’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upTakZdScwY
Nathan D. Duvall’s website: http://nathandduvall.com/
Nathan D. Duvall’s Lucid show on 103.3 Asheville FM: https://ashevillefm.org/show/lucid/
Nathan D. Duvall on Instagram: @nathandduvall
Cador Jones on Instagram: @bluecadorade
Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: www.christyalexanderhallberg.com
Christy Alexander Hallberg on Twitter, Instagram & YouTube: @ChristyHallberg
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices