Rock Is Lit

• Backstage Pass: Peter McDade & Michael Amos Cody on Rock, Fiction, and Frontmen

  Hey, Lit listeners! It’s old home week here at the podcast. Joining me are two Rock is Lit alumni who know a thing or two about chasing musical dreams and writing fiction that grooves with soul and grit: authors and musicians Peter McDade and Michael Amos Cody. In this special episode we’re talking about their brand-new novels: Peter’s ‘King Cal’ and Michael’s ‘Streets of Nashville’. Both of these fabulous novels ask what music costs, what it gives, and who gets to be heard. Also in the episode, we’ll get to hear each author read from their books and maybe even settle the question Who makes the best frontman—or frontwoman—in rock history? *Trigger warning: We talk Taylor Swift in the last part of the episode. Swifties, listen with caution. PLAYLIST: Rock is Lit theme music Sixties 60’s music (free to use) Acoustic Guitar instrumental [Non Copyrighted] \ Guitar arrangement for song “Funky Drummer” by James Brown “My Best Friend’s Girl” by The Cars “Drive-Thru” by Tenacious D “Fast Food” by Jesse Welles “The Entertainer” by Billy Joel “Pop Singer” by John Mellencamp “Soulmates” by Michael Amos Cody “My Dear Friend, Mr. Heineken” by One Four Three/‘King Cal’ soundtrack “Drowning in Mayo” by Lords of the Living/‘King Cal’ soundtrack “Cover Me Up” by Jason Isbell “Game On!” by Aqours “Blank Space” by Taylor Swift “Free Man in Paris” by Joni Mitchell “Watching Mary Sleep” by King Cal/‘King Cal’ soundtrack “Landscapes” by Michael Amos Cody Sixties 60’s music (free to use) 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 Peter McDade’s website: peterjmcdade.com ‘King Cal’ soundtrack on Bandcamp Peter McDade on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peter.j.mcdade Peter McDade on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peterjmc33/ Michael Amos Cody’s website: michaelamoscody.com Michael Amos Cody on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelamoscody/ Michael Amos Cody on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michaelamoscody Michael Amos Cody on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/michaelamoscody.bsky.social Peter on Rock is Lit EP15 and Peter on Rock is Lit EP36 Michael on Rock is Lit Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: www.christyalexanderhallberg.com  Rock is Lit on Instagram & Bluesky: @rockislitpodcast Christy Alexander Hallberg on Instagram and YouTube: @christyhallberg Christy Alexander Hallberg on Facebook: @ChristyAlexanderHallberg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Across the What-If Universe: Paul Levinson On His Novel ‘It’s Real Life: An Alternate History of The Beatles’

  What if The Beatles did reunite—and the world was never the same? In this special episode, Christy Alexander Hallberg welcomes acclaimed author, media scholar, and musician Paul Levinson to talk about his novel ‘It’s Real Life: An Alternate History of The Beatles’, based on his award-winning short story that reimagines a very different musical timeline. Set in 1996, the novel follows legendary New York DJ Pete Fornatale as he heads to Grand Central Terminal—only to discover the music world has shifted in strange and unexpected ways. From speculative “what-ifs” to cultural commentary, this episode explores the legacy of The Beatles through the lens of fiction, nostalgia, and imagination. Paul also reads a captivating excerpt from the novel, giving listeners a taste of this alternate universe where the Fab Four’s story didn’t end in 1970. Paul Levinson, Ph.D., is professor of communication and media studies at Fordham University in NYC. His nonfiction books, including ‘The Soft Edge’, ‘Digital McLuhan’, ‘Realspace’, ‘Cellphone’, and ‘New New Media’, have been translated into fifteen languages. His science fiction novels include ‘The Silk Code’ (winner of Locus Award for Best First Science Fiction Novel of 1999), ‘Borrowed Tides’, ‘The Consciousness Plague’, ‘The Pixel Eye’, ‘The Plot to Save Socrates’, ‘Unburning Alexandria’, ‘Chronica’, and ‘It’s Real Life: An Alternate History of The Beatles’. He has appeared on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, the Discovery Channel, National Geographic, the History Channel, and NPR.   PLAYLIST: Rock is Lit theme music Sixties 60’s music (free to use) “Looking for Sunsets (In the Early Morning)”—lyrics by Paul Levinson (lead vocals), music by Ed Fox “Murray the K’s Back in Town”—music and lyrics by Paul Levinson (lead vocals) “Samantha”—music and lyrics by Paul Levinson (lead vocals) Sixties 60’s music (free to use) 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 Paul Levinson’s website: https://paullev.com/ Paul Levinson on YouTube and Facebook: @PaulLevinson Paul Levinson on Instagram: @paullevins Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: www.christyalexanderhallberg.com  Rock is Lit on Instagram & Bluesky: @rockislitpodcast Christy Alexander Hallberg on Instagram and YouTube: @christyhallberg Christy Alexander Hallberg on Facebook: @ChristyAlexanderHallberg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Elliott Murphy’s ‘Marty May’: A Rock ‘n’ Roll Novel Comes to Life

  In this special episode of Rock is Lit, veteran rocker and author Elliott Murphy talks about and shares an excerpt from his novel ‘Marty May’. Once a rising rock star in 1970s New York, virtuoso guitarist Marty May has lost it all—his career, his marriage, and his record deal. Now, at 33, he’s alone, drowning in debt, and questioning his future. Should he return to his blues roots with his old mentor, Blind Red Rose? Set in the 1980s, when the music industry prioritized business over artistry, ‘Marty May’ is a poignant tale of talent, temptation, and staying true to one’s beliefs—elegant and tragic, like ‘The Great Gatsby’ in the age of rock ’n’ roll. Living in Paris for 30 years as an expatriate New Yorker, Elliott Murphy remains as active as ever in music and literature. With over 35 albums to his name, he continues to tour worldwide while earning critical acclaim. His debut album, ‘Aquashow’ (1973), launched a celebrated career that includes ‘Lost Generation’, ‘Night Lights’ (featuring Billy Joel), and ‘Selling The Gold’ (featuring Bruce Springsteen). In 2016, a biopic on his career, ‘The Second Act Of Elliott Murphy’, won the Audience Award at the Dock of the Bay Film Festival. Born into a show business family, Elliott began his career as a troubadour in Europe before securing a U.S. record deal. Alongside his music, he is a prolific author, publishing four novels, including the rock trilogy ‘Marty May’, ‘Tramps’, and ‘Diamonds By The Yard’, as well as ‘Poetic Justice’. His short story “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” was adapted into the 2020 film ‘Broken Poet’, in which he stars alongside Michael O’Keefe, Marisa Berenson, and a rare cameo appearance by Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa. In recognition of his artistic contributions, Elliott was named a Chevalier des Arts et Lettres by the French Minister of Culture in 2015 and inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame in 2018. For more information on Elliott Murphy, see his website and watch the 2016 biopic of his career, ‘The Second Act of Elliott Murphy’.   PLAYLIST Rock is Lit theme music Sixties 60’s music (free to use) “Last of the Rock Stars” by Elliott Murphy “You Never Know What You’re In For” by Elliott Murphy “What the Fuck is Going On” by Elliott Murphy “A Touch of Kindness” by Elliott Murphy Sixties 60’s music (free to use) 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 Elliott Murphy’s website: https://elliottmurphy.com/ Elliott Murphy on Facebook: @ElliottMurphy Elliott Murphy on Instagram: @elliottmurphy ‘The Second Act of Elliott Murphy’ biopic trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAfMyaanQmc Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: www.christyalexanderhallberg.com  Rock is Lit on Instagram & Bluesky: @rockislitpodcast Christy Alexander Hallberg on Instagram and YouTube: @christyhallberg Christy Alexander Hallberg on Facebook: @ChristyAlexanderHallberg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Rock ‘n Roll, Military Life, and Coming of Age During the Cold War: Constance Squires on Her Novel ‘Along the Watchtower’

  Author Constance Squires returns to Rock is Lit to discuss her debut novel, ‘Along the Watchtower’, a powerful coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of military life, Cold War Germany, and rock ‘n roll.  ‘Along the Watchtower’ follows thirteen-year-old Lucinda Collins as she arrives at a U.S. military base in Grafenwoehr, West Germany, in 1983. She knows the drill—setting up new quarters, navigating her parents' tensions, and keeping fellow Army brats at arm’s length, knowing friendships won’t last. She longs for a true home, but her father is haunted by Vietnam, and her mother is growing weary of Army life. As her family fractures, Lucinda finds solace in rock ‘n roll and begins to forge her own path to adulthood. Set against the ever-changing backdrop of military life, ‘Along the Watchtower’ is a story of belonging, resilience, and the ghosts—both real and remembered—that shape us.  Constance Squires teaches creative writing at the University of Central Oklahoma. In addition to ‘Along the Watchtower’, she is the author of ‘Live From Medicine Park’ and the short story collection ‘Hit Your Brights’, with work published in ‘The Atlantic’, ‘Guernica’, ‘The Dublin Quarterly’, ‘Shenandoah’, ‘Identity Theory’, ‘The Rolling Stone 500’, and more. Her brand-new novel, ‘Low April Sun’, was published by the University of Oklahoma Press on Feb 11, 2025! Catch Constance Squires on Episode 48 of Rock is Lit, discussing her acclaimed novel ‘Live From Medicine Park’: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislitpodcast/constancesquires   PLAYLIST Rock is Lit theme music Sixties 60’s music (free to use) Copyright Free Rock Music—“Grunge Instrumental” by Wayne John Bradley “All Along the Watchtower” by Bob Dylan “Peace Frog” by The Doors “The Man I Used to Be” by Jellyfish “Heroin” by The Velvet Underground with Nico “Nazi Punks Fuck Off” by Dead Kennedys “All Along the Watchtower” by Jimi Hendrix Sixties 60’s music (free to use) 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 Constance Squires’ website: https://www.constancesquiresofficial.com/ Constance Squires on X: @ConnieSquires Constance Squires on Instagram: @conniesquires Constance Squires on Facebook: @ConstanceSquiresAuthorPage Constance Squires on Rock is Lit EP48: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislitpodcast/constancesquires Rock is Lit on Instagram & Bluesky: @rockislitpodcast Christy Alexander Hallberg on Instagram and YouTube: @christyhallberg Christy Alexander Hallberg on Facebook: @ChristyAlexanderHallberg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Yoko Ono at 92: Art, Activism & Legacy with Author Madeline Bocaro

  In this special episode of Rock is Lit, we celebrate Yoko Ono’s 92nd birthday by honoring her profound impact on art, music, and peace activism. Returning to the podcast is Madeline Bocaro, author of In Your Mind: The Infinite Universe of Yoko Ono, to explore Yoko’s artistic vision, her unwavering commitment to peace, and the ways her influence continues to shape generations. Building on our deep dive in Episode 47, this conversation serves as both an addendum to that episode about Madeline’s book and a tribute to Yoko’s enduring legacy. PLAYLIST Rock is Lit theme music Sixties 60’s music (free to use) SciFi Music for YouTube videos [No Copyright] “Don’t Worry Kyoko” by Yoko Ono “Winter Song” by Yoko Ono Sixties 60’s music (free to use) 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 Madeline Bocaro’s website: https://madelinex.com/ Madeline’s book’s website: https://inyourmindbook.com/ Purchase a signed hard or soft cover of Madeline’s book at conceptualbooks.com: https://conceptual-books.myshopify.com/collections/all?sort_by=created-ascending Madeline on X: @madelinex Madeline on Instagram: @yoko.ono.in.your.mind and @madeline.bocaro Listen to Rock is Lit EP47 featuring an in-depth interview with Madeline Bocaro: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislitpodcast/madelinebocaro  Rock is Lit on Instagram & Bluesky: @rockislitpodcast Christy Alexander Hallberg on Instagram and YouTube: @christyhallberg Christy Alexander Hallberg on Facebook: @ChristyAlexanderHallberg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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