Top Music History Podcasts

In the summer of 1972, the Rolling Stones swept across an America still smoldering from the tumult of the ‘60s, bringing their gritty masterpiece Exile on Main St. to the masses. Rolling Stone magazine journalist Robert Greenfield was along for the ride, writing the seminal rock book STP (Stones Touring Party) — culled from weeks on the road and more than 60 hours of interviews with the band and their entourage. Now, for the first time, Greenfield and fellow STP vet Gary Stromberg share that tape archive, allowing listeners to sit in on intimate chats with the Stones in their prime. Written and hosted by Jordan Runtagh, with original music by Noel Brown and Mykal Alder June, Stones Touring Party is an all-access pass to the sights, sounds, riots, bombings, drug busts, death threats and other assorted mayhem from this pivotal moment in American history.

This podcast examines the perennial quest of Latin Americans and Latinx peoples to create more just and equitable societies. The series focuses on the political project of Latin American rock en español, a musical genre that challenged the hegemony of English rock and began in the 1970s.

During the 1970s, a number of Latin American countries were faced with dictatorships and military coups that led to the “dirty wars” in which citizens were traumatized, tortured, and murdered. This project will be examining the lyrics for main themes of social justice that circulated during the dirty wars of Mexico, Chile, and Argentina in particular.

We will also feature intergenerational conversations to examine the legacies of this music in our present moment and how Rock en Español was employed by LA Latinas and Latinos to fight against anti-immigrant rhetoric and politics in 1990s California.

This project is supported in part by the University of California Office of the President MRPI funding M21PR3286.

An epic side hustle by Meat Puppet members Elmo Kirkwood and Derrick Bostrom, wherein they do their very best to explain to the world why it is that they are the way they are.

We interview the stars who made the great Southern rock and Classic rock from the Golden Era. You'll hear tales from the road, the studio, and the stage, from those who were in the middle of it all. We'll also update you on new rock that you won't wanna miss. 

The Notorious B.I.G. is revered as the King of NY and one of the greatest rappers of all time. Angie Martinez spent five nights speaking with those inspired by and closest to Christopher Wallace during the final 18 months of his life. His final body of work was the impeccable double album, Life After Death - a succession of infectious hit records and impossibly poignant rhymes that soared from certified diamond to iconic. Hear the untold stories that changed the course of Hip-Hop forever. For more info: www.iconicrecords.com

*IN SYNC is a podcast for anyone who loves a perfect on-screen needle-drop. With their extensive experience in music and podcasting, cultural critic Rachel Brodsky and filmmaker/podcaster Aviv Rubinstien have joined forces to create the brand-new *IN SYNC Podcast. A historiography celebrating your favorite music moments in TV and film, *IN SYNC looks at one great song-to-screen sync per episode and breaks down the cultural impact. Rachel and Aviv are often joined by guests such as the music supervisors behind these highly memorable music moments.

In August 2023, Hip Hop officially turns 50 years old. A genre that broke out of the streets of the Bronx has become the most popular genre in music and now dominates global culture. To celebrate this Golden Anniversary, iHeart Podcast Networks presents: 50 Years of Hip Hop Podcast, a series that follows the evolution of Rap and Hip Hop from the days of DJ Kool Herc to Travis Scott. Featuring leading forces of Hip Hop along with long-form stories on how the genre has impacted global culture and a generation, produced and hosted by Fab 5 Freddy.

Reggie Wright Jr. and John Hyland discuss the past and present topics surrounding 2Pac, Suge Knight and Death Row Records

Kurt Cobain’s influence went beyond just the music he created with Nirvana. He also put the masses on to some of his own favorite artists. One particular document from his journals has been instructive to many fans – his top 50 albums. Each week, The Cobain 50 podcast digs into albums from this famous list and how they may have influenced Cobain and Nirvana. While learning the individual histories of the different albums on the list, we gain new insights into artists on the fringes as well as some of the biggest groups of all time. The podcast takes us through the legacies of acts like Sonic Youth, Pixies, The Breeders, Public Enemy, PJ Harvey, Black Flag, Mazzy Star, The Shaggs, Shonen Knife, and more. Episodes drop weekly starting January 10, 2024.

Join hosts Anthony Marinelli and Steven Ray as they chat and play music with songwriters, producers, engineers, and musicians who were "in the room" in the making of the iconic Thriller album with Michael Jackson. Guests share their trust, fear, and joy in creating music together in the recording studio bubble. You’ll find out how the songs were written, performed, and recorded, and you’ll hear the untold back stories about the people behind the studio magic. Guests include Greg Phillinganes, the Waters Family, Matt Forger, Paul Jackson Jr., Steve Porcaro, Lorraine Fields, and others. Produced by David Wolf. Produced/Directed by Christian D. Bruun.

An anthology of the understated moments of Hip-Hop history that helped propel the once underground culture to become the biggest genre of music in the world. Hosted by esteemed Hip-Hop journalist, Sean Kantrowitz (Okayplayer, The Questions).