GARAGE TO STADIUMS Music History Podcast

Dave Anthony
  • 4.4 (7)
  • Music Commentary
  • Updated Semiweekly

Garage to Stadiums is now of the Top 3% of podcasts in the world. From the bars to the arenas, learn the fascinating stories of how our biggest rock music legends made the leap. Each episode reveals the stories, songs and little known facts of the journey from obscurity to fame of one of rock music’s biggest stars. Join us on Garage To Stadiums as host Dave Anthony teams up with an author of a rock biography or director of a rock documentary to explore that journey, their early years, the stories behind the scenes, their top songs, and their place in music history. Learn about the passion, talent, luck and even scandal that often came together to propel these stars from obscurity to household names.

  1. Oct 1

    The Story of Santana: how Latin rhythms created a new rock sound

    In chaotic Tijuana, Mexico a young violinist, Carlos Santana, is pushed into music by his demanding Mexican band leader father.  He secretly discovers blues and R&B guitarists and changes his instrument. After moving to San Francisco's explosive late-1960s rock scene, Carlos fusing those influences with his native Latin rhythms .  Then an unlikely opportunity places his unknown band on an unimaginable stage and changes everything, introducing audience to a sound that was powerful, hypnotic, and deeply melodic.  In this episode you'll learn: The painful childhood secret Carlos carried for decadesHow his demanding father shaped the musician he becameHow an unexpected industry legend changed his destinyWhy Santana risked success by repeatedly reinventing their soundHow Santana achieved one of music’s most improbable comebacksGuest bio:Our guest is Ashley Kahn, a Grammy-winning American music historian, author, professor, and producer who co-wrote Carlos Santana's autobiography, The Universal Tone: Bringing My Story to Light, which won the prestigious American Book Award. Ashley teaches at New York University's Clive Davis Institute for Recorded Music and is a producer of the 2023 documentary on Carlos Santana that is available on many streaming platforms. Follow the Show / Receive bonus content: Follow GTS on Apple or Spotify podcasts to be alerted when our next episode dropsFollow Garage to Stadiums (GTS) on social channels  Download the Official Garage to Stadiums playlists for each episode on Apple Music or SpotifyVisit GaragetoStadiums.com for bonus content on Santana including concert footage, transcripts and other interesting facts.

  2. Season 1 Trailer

    What is Garage to Stadiums? - trailer for the show

    Now rising to the top 3% of all podcasts in the world, Garage to Stadiums is a podcast for true music fans — the ones who want more than just headlines and hype. This show is for listeners who care about the full story behind the artists:  their childhoods, musical influences, early gigs, personal battles, journey to stadium-level fame and the drama in between.  Why are we different? In each episode host Dave Anthony features guests who know their stuff and bring real insights from their time with the performers — from respected rock journalists to documentary filmmakers. If you want smarter music commentary and behind-the-scenes stories you won’t hear anywhere else, subscribe now and get your backstage pass to music history.

  3. Sep 16

    The Story of Pink Floyd: architects of sound and vision

    In the mid 1960s, four English university students still learning to play instruments began jamming. What emerged was Pink Floyd, psychedelic early architects to experimenting with grand, cinematic soundscapes, deeply philosophical themes and live shows that felt more like journeys to the human mind than concerts. Prepare for an absolute roller coaster ride from the London Underground clubs to global domination, heartbreaking losses and dramatic fireworks from within.  You'll learn: 1) How university students who could barely play instruments became a global phenomenon2) How an early tragedy involving their primary song writer nearly derailed the band3) The staggering evolution of sound this band executed4) The interpersonal drama that produced incredible albums and significant tension5) Details of the final internal battles that engulfed the band Want to learn more music history?  Subscribe to our bonus Garage to Stadium content across our social, podcast & web channels Guest BioOur returning guest is acclaimed rock journalist and author Mark Blake wrote Pink Floyd Shine On: The Definitive Oral History. He is also the author of books on Queen and Fleetwood Mac. Follow the Show / Receive bonus content: Follow GTS on Apple or Spotify podcasts to be alerted when our next episode dropsFollow Garage to Stadiums (GTS) on social channels  Download the Official Garage to Stadiums playlists for each episode on Apple Music or SpotifyVisit GaragetoStadiums.com for bonus content on Pink Floyd, including concert footage, transcripts and other interesting facts.

  4. Sep 2

    The Story of The Cure: A rare combination of darkness and pop hits

    The Cure proved something very rare in the history of music: that darkness and beauty could coexist in the very same catalog. While navigating immense and shocking internal chaos, band leader and guitarist Robert Smith and The Cure inspired generations of artists, helped define the sound of alternative music, and showed millions of outsiders that they weren't alone.  In this episode you'll learn: How Robert Smith managed to perform in two famous bands at one timeThe surprising musical influences that inspired The Cure soundWhy Robert Smith was embarrassed by some of his biggest hitsThe levels of The Cure's debauchery that rival rock's most controversial actsThe intellectual prowess of Robert Smith and its various influencesGuest Bio Acclaimed music writer and journalist Ian Gittins is author of The Cure: Perfect Dream, a coffee table-like retrospective of The Cure's career, complete with album indexes, song listings and rare photographs included. Ian is a music writer for the British paper The Guardian, and has also written for Melody Maker, Q, MTV, The Daily Telegraph, and New York Times, and he is a best-selling author who has penned biographies of Bjork and Talking Heads.    Want to learn more music history?  Subscribe to our bonus Garage to Stadium content across our social + web channels Follow the Show / Receive bonus content: Follow GTS on Apple or Spotify podcasts to be alerted when our next episode dropsDownload the Official Garage to Stadiums playlists for each episode on Apple Music or SpotifyVisit GaragetoStadiums.com for bonus content on The Cure including concert footage, transcripts and other interesting facts.

  5. Aug 20

    The Story of R.E.M. The most successful college radio band ever

    Picture a 1970s American teen, dressed as Frank N. Furter from Rocky Horror, interviewed on local TV outside a suburban cinema. That fearless teen grows up to be Michael Stipe, lead singer of R.E.M., the first alternative band to achieve global commercial success, from its origins in tiny Athens, Georgia.  The first alternative band from the college radio airwaves to experience mass commercial success with 90 million albums sold, R.E.M. occupies an influential position in music history, inspiring many bands with their fiercely independent spirit and sound.  On this episode you'll learn: How Athens, Georgia became the unlikely spawning ground for several successful bands.How R.E.M. created a memorable sound by combining punk, pop music, southern rock and R'n'B  Why Pearl Jam and Nirvana cited R.E.M. as a major trailblazer, and influence on their soundHow an onstage near-tragedy changed the band forever... The college radio strategy the company employed to build its credibility and momentumWhy R.E.M. turned down the offer to write a theme song for the popular TV show FriendsGuest Bio - Peter Ames Carlin, author & journalistBest-selling author Peter Ames Carlin appeared on our Bruce Springsteen episode. He is the author of  The Name of This Band is R.E.M. He's also written biographies on Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys and Paul McCartney of The Beatles.   Follow Garage to Stadiums (GTS) on social channels   Follow GTS on Apple or Spotify podcasts to be alerted when our next episode dropsFollow Garage to Stadiums (GTS) on social channels  Download the Official Garage to Stadiums playlists for R.E.M. Apple Music or SpotifyVisit GaragetoStadiums.com for bonus content on all of our acts featured including concert footage, etranscripts and other interesting facts.

    The Story of R.E.M. The most successful college radio band ever

  6. Aug 12

    The Story of The Eagles: From California country rock to stadium legends

    Listen to how a true California sound was born… from musicians who didn’t even come from California. In the late 1960s, four young artists arrived in Los Angeles from completely different corners of America. Blending country, rock, and soaring harmonies, Eagles captured the spirit of the American West and helped launch a new musical movement. Over the decades they would sell more than 150 million records and secure 2 of the top 4 spots in album sales in history. This is their journey from the garage to stadiums.  In this episode, you'll learn:  How their childhoods shaped the music they would createThe superstar who gave Eagles their first big break in Los AngelesThe personality clashes that simmered behind the harmoniesWhy the band deliberately changed their sound at their peakThe onstage threat of violence that foreshadowed the band’s breakupWho shaped their sound - and the artists they went on to influenceGuest BioThe guests for this episode are the authors of Eagles: Up Ahead in The Distance Eagles, Steve Caparelli and Rik Forgo. They have authored a trilogy of books chronicling the incredible rise of this quintessential band. Want to learn more music history?  Subscribe to our bonus Garage to Stadium content across our social + web channels Follow the Show / Receive bonus content: Follow GTS on Apple or Spotify podcasts to be alerted when our next episode dropsFollow Garage to Stadiums (GTS) on social channels  Download the Official Garage to Stadiums playlists for The Eagles on Apple Music or SpotifyVisit GaragetoStadiums.com for bonus content, including concert footage, transcripts and other interesting facts on all the acts we've featured.

    The Story of The Eagles: From California country rock to stadium legends

  7. Aug 2

    The Story of Brian Wilson & The Beach Boys: The boy who built a musical revolution

    In this repeat episode explore one of the most influential figures in modern music history - Brian Wilson leader of The Beach Boys.  Known for layered orchestrations and an innovative approach to studio recording, Brian influenced artists like The Beatles, Elton John, Queen, The Eagles and more. Incredibly, Brian created one of rock’s great lost albums - Smile begun in 1966 - but it was shelved for 37 years. Decades later... our guest today, David Leaf, helped bring it to the world.  You'll learn: 1) Brian's abusive upbringing and how it shaped him and his music2) How 5 teenagers went to global stardom 6 months after forming3) How Brian influenced The Beatles musical direction4) The incredible story of how Brian overcame a corrupt psychologist controlling his life5) How our guest helped rescue a "lost album" long anticipated in rock history Want more music history?  Subscribe to our bonus Garage to Stadium content across our social + web channels Guest BioDavid Leaf is the author of Smile: The Rise, Fall, and Resurrection of Brian Wilson, chronicling Brian Wilson’s lost album masterpiece which was shelved for 37 years before release. He also directed the Brian documentary Beautiful Dreamer and teaches music history at UCLA.  David has won a Peabody award for powerful and intelligent story-telling. Follow the Show / Receive bonus content: Follow GTS on Apple or Spotify podcasts to be alerted when our next episode dropsFollow Garage to Stadiums (GTS) on social channels  Download the Official Garage to Stadiums playlists for each episode on Apple Music or SpotifyVisit GaragetoStadiums.com for bonus content, including concert footage, transcripts and other interesting facts.

    The Story of Brian Wilson & The Beach Boys: The boy who built a musical revolution

  8. Jul 23

    The Story of U2: From near breakup to stadium legends

    Incredibly, U2 began as a band of barely-formed teenagers—two 14-year-olds and two 15-year-olds—at Mount Temple Comprehensive School in Dublin, Ireland. Just 4 years later, they were signed to a major label, and not long after that, they were reshaping rock on a global scale with music driven by faith, politics, and social unrest. U2 would go on to sell more than 175 million albums, never standing still—shifting from raw post-punk urgency to towering arena anthems to daring electronic reinvention. This is a band that survived by constantly changing. In this episode, you’ll learn: The bizarre early incident that nearly ended U2 before it truly beganThe heartbreaking childhood tragedies that shaped two of its membersThe unlikely spiritual and political roots behind their lyrical missionThe global live performance the band openly hated—yet became legendaryThe intense internal struggles over where their music should go nextHow a frontman with barely a high school education became a global humanitarian voiceWant to learn more music history?  Subscribe to our bonus Garage to Stadium content across our social + web channels Guest Bio:Bradley Morgan, author of U2: Until the End of the World. Bradley also has a book U2's Joshua Tree: Planting Roots in Mythic America about their breakthrough album, 1987's The Joshua Tree, a release that put them at the top of international album charts.  Follow the Show / Receive bonus content: Follow GTS on Apple or Spotify podcasts to be alerted when our next episode dropsFollow Garage to Stadiums (GTS) on social channels  Download the Official Garage to Stadiums playlists for each episode on Apple Music or SpotifyVisit GaragetoStadiums.com for bonus content including concert footage, transcripts and other interesting facts.

    The Story of U2: From near breakup to stadium legends
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Trailer

4.4
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Garage to Stadiums is now of the Top 3% of podcasts in the world. From the bars to the arenas, learn the fascinating stories of how our biggest rock music legends made the leap. Each episode reveals the stories, songs and little known facts of the journey from obscurity to fame of one of rock music’s biggest stars. Join us on Garage To Stadiums as host Dave Anthony teams up with an author of a rock biography or director of a rock documentary to explore that journey, their early years, the stories behind the scenes, their top songs, and their place in music history. Learn about the passion, talent, luck and even scandal that often came together to propel these stars from obscurity to household names.

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