Rock History Episodes

To celebrate the USA on its 250th we our own Top 10s, category favorites and runners up across the spectrum of rock n roll! What's your favorite American related rock track?

In 6 years of record reviews, we've found that bands often put the worst song on the album as the 2nd to last track. We decided to evaluate the 2nd to last tracks of Led Zeppelin as their catalog is strong but not too big and we know it well. Which 2nd to Last Zeppelin track is the best? Hear our rankings!

Duran Duran's 1981 debut charted well in the UK & around the world but fared better in the US in 1983 thanks to a re-release and a hot new single which kept them on MTV night and day

The triple platinum debut from Cinderella was the bedrock of a career that was shortened by grunge. The album cover is proof they were glam "hair metal" at one point but did they deserve to be dismissed with all the hair metal bands?

The world's greatest heavy metal band offered up a limited run documentary of the 1st 50 years of their incredible run and the boys couldn't wait to see it and tell you all about it

Blue Oyster Cult sold millions thanks to (Don't Fear) The Reaper in 1976 but the album Agents of Fortune features original songs and lead vocals from all 5 members in an eclectic mix of styles that turned into BOC's biggest seller

Mick Taylor left the Stones in the lurch ahead of 1975 so they grabbed Ronnie for the Tour of the Americas. But he was one of a handful of guitarists who helped Mick keep the bus on the road as the boys sought inspiration through the blues, reggae, soul, gospel, disco & latin influences

Rush risked their career to create 2112 - a hard/prog rock masterpiece that gave them the freedom from the system they warn about in this 1976 epic

Sammy's 1st with Van Halen meant that David Lee Roth was out and America was forced to choose sides! Which side were you on?? Is this Sammy's best with VH? Is it top 5 VH albums?

Master of Puppets may be Metallica's masterpiece with punishing riffs, melodic interludes, lyrics on war, violence, death, insanity and religion. But it would be the last to feature the legend Cliff Burton and though Metallica went on to hit untold heights, they may have never been the same without him.

Between band turmoil & turnover, a stint in Betty Ford and a reunion with Black Sabbath at Live Aid, Ozzy teamed up with Jake E. Lee, Phil Soussan and Randy Castillo to make a darn good metal album in The Ultimate Sin

The loss of Peter Gabriel led some to believe Genesis was over. Thankfully their drummer, an entertaining chap named Phil Collins, came from behind the kit to start the band in a more accessible direction that would eventually yield extraordinary results.

Before Under The Milky Way made them international stars, The Church struggled to find their identity and sound via the preceding album Heyday - a collective effort of ambience and interweaving guitars that the band still place today

Styx 4th consecutive multi-platinum album Paradise Theater thrust the band back up the charts with band tension high in a new political climate. Though the band wanted to encourage Americans to do it for themselves, Styx were starting to crack at the seams

We thank our listeners and look back on the legends we lost, the live shows we loved and the artists we welcomed in 2025

Jason not only puts on a cracking Led Zeppelin tribute doing Physical Graffiti at 50 but shares stories of John, being a fan himself and how the music keeps them close

Motorhead's iconic album Ace of Spades turns 45 & the boys go track x track on why this is an all-time classic album

After their epic Asia in Asia broadcast via MTV Asia should have been one of the biggest acts of the mid-80s. So why weren't they? We explain it all in depth and review their 3rd effort, Astra

Who is going to drum? Where are they playing? How expensive are the tickets? Will your faithful heroes get seats? It's all here in our Rush Reunion Hot Take

50 years ago Steve Hackett offered up his 1st solo album while still a member of Genesis. The prog guitar hero still plays cuts from this classic today alongside material from his days in Genesis

The 2nd album from Oasis is turning 30 as they reunite to once again rule the world. Thanks to the epic and prolific b-sides, What's The Story Morning Glory is really more of a double album that changed the world for young Brits while standing out in a sea of grunge in the US.

Rush's 3rd album wasn't a hit at the time nor is it at the top of many fans' lists. It was a transition that would lead to 2112, A Farewell to Kings & Hemispheres that remains divisive amongst the fans to this day.

As it turns 50 we examine Wish You Were Here, ponder its status in the Pink Floyd catalog, discuss the Syd Barrett visit to Abbey Road and ask the age old question which one's Pink?

Queensryche brought their hard/prog rock magic to Empire in 1990 which went 3x platinum thanks to big MTV & radio tracks like Jet City Woman, Empire & Silent Lucidity. But sadly, it would all start to unravel for the band afterward.