In this special episode of Rock is Lit, one of the original members of The Yardbirds joins me: Drummer and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Jim McCarty is here to talk about his brand new song, “Breath of the Wind”; his interest in and exploration of the paranormal and spirituality; his endearing and enduring relationship with his late wife, Lizzie; and his book ‘She Walks In Beauty’, the fascinating story of their relationship and Jim’s quest to connect with her after her passing.

This bonus episode is an addendum to Episode 6 on Zachary Lazar’s rock novel ‘Sway’, a story that brings together the early Rolling Stones, members of the Manson Family, and avant-garde filmmaker and occultist Kenneth Anger. In the last segment of that episode, Zeena Schreck shares her memories of her godfather Kenneth Anger and gives her insight into some of his work. This bonus episode features Zeena’s segment in isolation.

In this bonus episode, which is an outtake from EP22 of Rock is Lit, Zeena Schreck talks about her new album ‘Transcend’, the use and power of Medicine Buddha mantra for spiritual and physical healing, energy transference and mantras as a means for energy transference, approaching Medicine Buddha in the spirit of receptivity and experimentation, the importance of having compassion—even for negative forces—and more.

I’m excited about interviewing Rex Weiner, author of ‘The (Original) Adventures of Ford Fairlane’, for an upcoming episode of Rock is Lit. Since half of Rex’s Ford Fairlane stories take place during the early ‘80s punk rock scene in LA, I thought it would be fun to revisit my chat with Pleasant Gehman about that period. This outtake from my interview with Pleasant is from Episode 4 of Rock is Lit, which features Janet Fitch’s novel ‘Paint It Black’, set during that time and place. Enjoy this Pleasant redux and get pumped for the upcoming EP of Rock is Lit with Rex Weiner.

In lieu of a regular episode this week, I’m coming at you from the Rock is Lit Vault. I’ve got some news and announcements I wanted to share with you before we move on to the next full episode, which will drop next week.

Season Two of Rock is Lit launches Feb 2, 2023! One of the episodes I’m especially excited about in Season Two is a celebration of the audiobook release of my rock novel, ‘Searching for Jimmy Page’. Listen to this Vault bonus episode to hear the first chapter of the audiobook and to learn how to enter the audiobook giveaway.

Here is the full interview I recorded with Frye Gaillard and Peter Cooper on Tues, Oct 18, 2022 (less than two months before Peter’s death), as part of Rock is Lit EP14 on Michael Amos Cody's novel 'Gabriel's Songbook'. Only a fraction of this conversation appears in that episode. I offer the uncut version to you now as a tribute to Peter—in honor of his life and in gratitude for the insight he and Frye brought to Episode 14 of Rock is Lit about Michael Amos Cody’s novel ‘Gabriel’s Songbook,’ a book Peter so enjoyed. I wish all of Peter’s friends and family peace and healing.

Enjoy the coming attractions of Rock is Lit Season Two in this Vault bonus short. You'll hear what's new, Season One recap, and fun bloopers.

We said goodbye to 2022 and Season One of Rock is Lit last week. To celebrate the coming of Season Two, here's a brief recap of Season One, a thank you to all the folks who helped make the podcast happen, intro to Season Two, and an intro to the full video interview I conducted with legendary groupie Pamela Des Barres for the Season One Finale/Episode 17. Use the link provided in the episode notes to view the YouTube video. Happy New Year, Lit Listeners!

In this outtake from my interview with Zeena Schreck, which was conducted for the episode of Rock is Lit featuring Zachary Lazar’s novel ‘Sway’ (Episode 6), Zeena elaborates on her spiritual awakening that led to her becoming a practitioner and lineage holder of Tibetan Tantric Buddhism.

Episode 10 of Rock is Lit features Jennifer Haupt’s novel ‘Come As You Are’, a story set against the backdrop of the Seattle grunge scene of the early 1990s. In this outtake from that interview, I talk with Jennifer about lost and deferred dreams—for the characters in her novel and for herself—and the difference in her reaction to publishing her first novel and this one.

Episode 10 of Rock is Lit features Jennifer Haupt’s novel ‘Come As You Are’, a story set against the backdrop of the Seattle grunge scene of the early 1990s. I interviewed Charles R. Cross, author of the award-winning 2001 biography on Kurt Cobain, ‘Heavier Than Heaven’, about Kurt Cobain for the second segment but could only fit a fraction of our conversation in the episode. Here is the full, uncut interview.

Episode 10 of Rock is Lit features Jennifer Haupt’s novel ‘Come As You Are’, a story set against the backdrop of the Seattle grunge scene of the early 1990s. Nabil Ayers, author of the memoir ‘My Life in the Sunshine’ and co-founder of Seattle’s iconic record store Sonic Boom, shares his memories of that pivotal moment in music history in the full episode. Here are two outtakes from my interview with Nabil, in which he talks about his new memoir about his efforts to connect with his father, the funk, soul, and jazz legend Roy Ayers, and Nabil’s experience meeting Joan Jett when his band opened up for her back in the day.

In this bonus segment from Episode 7 of Rock is Lit, Danny Goldberg, former President of Atlantic Records and manager of Nirvana, as well as PR man for Led Zeppelin then Vice President of Swan Song records at the height of the band’s fame, shares his thoughts about some of the nonfiction books on Led Zeppelin by music journalists, including the infamous ‘Hammer of the Gods’ by Stephen Davis. He also mentions journalists the band favored, such as Ritchie York and Chris Charlesworth. Finally, Danny shares some anecdotes about a young Cameron Crowe and his association with Led Zeppelin. Later, Christy Alexander Hallberg responds to readers’ questions about her rock novel ‘Searching for Jimmy Page’.

In this outtake from my interview with Zeena Schreck, which was conducted for the episode of Rock is Lit featuring Zachary Lazar’s novel ‘Sway’ (Episode 6), Zeena elaborates on her collaboration with her godfather Kenneth Anger on a project he was thinking of doing regarding a new version of ‘Death Takes a Holiday’. You can hear more of this conversation in the full episode.

In this outtake from Rock is Lit EP 4, on Janet Fitch’s rock novel ‘Paint it Black’, Pleasant Gehman talks about her experiences on the 1980s L.A. punk scene.

In these audio clip outtakes, Jeff discusses some of his band Julian Calendar's political songs, as well as his favorite rock novels.