34 episodes

Rock N Roll Archaeology (RNRA) is more than a podcast; it’s an immersive, carefully researched and produced audio documentary.
RNRA explores the history of Rock Music, and then goes a step further. We contextualize Rock N Roll; we place it within the cultural, political, and technological landscapes of the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
With storytelling, commentary, and a dash of musicology, we explore how music, culture, and technology interact and affect each other—how they ARE each other.

Rock N Roll Archaeology Pantheon Plus

    • Music
    • 4.7 • 228 Ratings

Rock N Roll Archaeology (RNRA) is more than a podcast; it’s an immersive, carefully researched and produced audio documentary.
RNRA explores the history of Rock Music, and then goes a step further. We contextualize Rock N Roll; we place it within the cultural, political, and technological landscapes of the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
With storytelling, commentary, and a dash of musicology, we explore how music, culture, and technology interact and affect each other—how they ARE each other.

    Celebrating Country Soul

    Celebrating Country Soul

    A little about Country, a little about Soul, and more about how they are really just the same thing. And why it’s not at all surprising that a big Pop-Soul star like Beyoncé is releasing a Country album.
    For this RNRA Short, we tapped the expertise of Professor Charles Hughes of Rhodes College in Memphis, author of “Country Soul: Making Music and Making Race in the American South.”
    We’ll look at the origins of the Alt Country Revolt, and name-check some great artists working very loudly and deliberately outside the Nashville Pop Country machine.
    Y’all keep up the rockin’ now, hear?

    Producer and Host: Christian Swain
    Head Writer: Richard Evans
    Sound Designer: Jerry Danielsen
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 30 min
    Swifties: Beyond Beatlemania?

    Swifties: Beyond Beatlemania?

    To mark the 60th anniversary of The Beatles' inaugural performance on U.S. soil, we decided to do a quick compare-and-contrast. We’ll revisit that watershed moment in music and culture, and talk about something recent that actually comes close to matching that moment: the ongoing Eras Tour from Taylor Swift.
    Not “Bigger THAN The Beatles,” but in our not-so-humble opinion, “Biggest SINCE The Beatles.”
    Listen in and let us know what you think! www.rocknrollarchaeology.com/listen
    Producer and Host: Christian Swain
    Head Writer: Richard Evans
    Sound Designer: Jerry Danielsen
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 30 min
    The Wonder Years

    The Wonder Years

    The Soul of the 1970s. First, Marvin Gaye kicked the door open with “What’s Going On,” and then Stevie Wonder barged in.

    The Wonder Years spanned 1971 to 1976; when the transcendent, diverse talent of Stevie Wonder was in its fullest flower. That five-album span is one of the most successful and impactful creative runs in the history of recorded music.

    Our podcast offers immersive storytelling, insightful commentary, and a stellar musical playlist. Join us as we delve deep into the lives and musical genius of these iconic Soul-Music luminaries.
    https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7s4Vyw1FLb4XpJnANduFPs?si=14746e9dd53049b1
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 1 hr 18 min
    Celluloid Heroes

    Celluloid Heroes

    Welcome back to Rock N Roll Archaeology! Got another RNRA Short Podcast for you. This one is named after the Kinks song “Celluloid Heroes.”
    Rock N Roll goes to the movies (and television) in this one. We’ll take a look at three shows that feature fictional Rock bands: the movies “Almost Famous” and “This Is Spinal Tap,” and the television miniseries “Daisy Jones & The Six.”
    Visit our website for more about this and all our other podcast episodes, and for links to our Patreon and Social Media. Keep up the Rockin’!
    Dramatis Personae

    Kellen Reiche played Danny Failson

    Lynly Ehrlich played Liz Limer

    Jerry Danielsen played Joe Conrad

    Courtney M. Anderson played Heller Joseph


    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 42 min
    Disco Demolition!

    Disco Demolition!

    RNRA Shorts: Disco Demolition! 

    Take us back to the Distant Days of Disco, Summer of 1979. Steve Dahl, a brash young DJ at WLUP- FM (“Chicago’s Best Rock!”), has declared war on Disco. 

    On July 12, 1979, he took the fight to Comiskey Park, in between games of a doubleheader between the home-team Chicago White Sox and the Detroit Tigers. Things…got out of hand. 

    Since then, the “Disco Demolition” at Comiskey has achieved no small amount of notoriety, and at least according to Steve Dahl, it was a turning point, the beginning of the end for Disco. 

    Was it really? Well, yes and no. In our view, the Disco trend was already on the decline; it had pretty much run its course. But there was a powerful backlash to Disco, that’s undeniable. What motivated that backlash? And what was the fallout from the actual event? 

    Let’s discuss! For sources and show notes, visit rocknrollarchaeology.com !
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 34 min
    Radio, Radio

    Radio, Radio

    We want the airwaves, baby! Chapter 23 of Rock N Roll Archaeology tunes into radio and radio culture in America and elsewhere. There was a brief moment in the 70s and early 80s where FM Rock Radio was something pretty special.So what was that like, and where have all the good times gone? Some storytelling in this one, but it’s a little heavier on the commentary…and of course we’re featuring some killer songs, because that’s how we roll.
    “Begin the day with a friendly voice, a companion unobtrusive, Plays that song that’s so elusive”
    For full show notes and to support Rock and Roll Archaeology visit www.rocknrollarchaeology.com.
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 57 min

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5
228 Ratings

228 Ratings

lovebeutj ,

Best music history podcast and host

This podcast reminds me of my favorite college professor who taught history. I was entranced with every lesson because he obviously loved what he was doing and made me love it too.

Listening to Rock and Roll Archeology is a reminder that THIS is how history should be relayed: by an expert who tells the stories of rock and roll as if he had been there. Bravo to this excellent production. I constantly look forward to the next installment. Endless thanks to all who are involved!

JackZDrive ,

Bravo!

Seldom have I enjoyed a podcast as much as this one!

luckiesanddice ,

Best Podcast Best Host !

This podcast is a complete, amazing history of Rock and its impact on culture and visa versa. No one does it better ! Christian’s method of conveying the information is dead on. The podcast’s commentary on the music, the artists and no punches pulled views on both. I look forward to each episode and have listened to the podcast episodes numerous times and because it is packed with so much information, I pick up on something new each time. My favorite episode is Slouching Towards Bethlehem. It is a great story told perfectly ! Keep the podcasts coming ! I can’t wait to hear more !

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