Was it being front row at a Bowie concert as a kid? Was it seeing The Beatles on Ed Sullivan? Or was it the first time that your band got to play The Whisky A G...
Shep Gordon, the legendary talent manager, producer, and author, joins My Rock Moment from his home in Maui. He shares captivating stories from his 50-plus-year career in the music industry—a journey that began unexpectedly when he took a wrong turn in Los Angeles traffic. We delve into how he masterminded the rise of Shock Rock, the ingenious marketing strategies that propelled Alice Cooper to fame, Alice’s memorable cameo in Wayne’s World that had audiences nationwide exclaiming “we’re not worthy!”, and the challenges that accompany stardom. Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Raquel Welch, and Derek Taylor also make appearances in our conversation!
Shep's remarkable knack for discovering and fostering talent across various fields has earned him the moniker "Supermensch" in showbiz—a title immortalized in the 2013 documentary directed by Mike Myers and used in Shep’s subsequent book, They Call Me Supermensch: A Backstage Pass to the Amazing Worlds of Film, Food, and Rock'n'Roll.
So, plug in, turn up the volume, and join us as we unravel the stories, strategies, and sheer serendipity that define the legend of Shep Gordon.
For all things Shep Gordon, including information on his book and documentary, visit his website: https://www.shepgordon.com
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1:01:28
Photographer and Filmmaker Lisa Law
Lisa Law’s still, movie and video images have chronicled decades of social and cultural changes in America. And her film, ‘Flashing On The Sixties,’ was described by actor-director Dennis Hopper as “the most compelling, moving documentary of the Sixties”.
In 1966, Lisa and her husband resided in the renowned "Castle" in Los Feliz, Los Angeles, a hub that welcomed numerous prominent musicians, including Bob Dylan. She shares stories from Dylan's stay and offers her perspective on the recent film, A Complete Unknown.
Lisa was also part of the Hog Farm commune, and they were tasked with keeping the peace at Woodstock ‘69. Yet, her efforts at the festival were integral to its success - from managing the trip tents to mobilizing members of the Hog Farm and other festival goers so that they were able to feed over 200,000 people! She also played a role in the organization of Woodstock '99, and was featured in the recent Netflix documentary, "Trainwreck: Woodstock '99." In our discussion, we explore the stark contrasts between the two festivals and how insights from '69 might have prevented the latter's challenges.
Lisa was there for all the seminal pop culture moments of the 1960s, capturing them with her beautiful photos. And she’s one of the very few people that can say she’s been to all 3 Woodstock festivals!
For more information on Lisa, her photos, as well as her book and film of the same name, 'Flashing on the Sixties,' take a look at her website:
https://www.flashingonthesixties.com
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1:12:03
David Wild - Grammy Writer & Former Rolling Stone Contributing Editor
Ringo Starr once said, “He's David Wild - he knows everyone.” David is a writer, producer and journalist. He had a decades-long career at Rolling Stone Magazine as a contributing editor, he writes for the Grammys, and maybe you’ve heard his podcast Naked Lunch with co-host Phil Rosenthal of Everybody Loves Raymond and Somebody Feed Phil. In this episode, David will share memorable moments with Paul and Linda McCartney and a life-changing piece of advice Linda offered him, which profoundly impacted his personal life. He'll talk about moving to LA in the early 90s while working for Rolling Stone Magazine and taking up temporary residency and the famed rock hotel, the Sunset Marquis. He'll share unforgettable Grammy moments, why Axl Rose wanted his astrological sign and how Boston is responsible for grunge music.
Find out more about David Wild:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildaboutmusicdavid
Naked Lunch:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/naked-lunch/id1620018481
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7C5SyM9P4ZBGtcXnMpsPYFIPD7DneRdl
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1:02:14
Topanga Canyon Playlist with Emmeline Summerton of Instagram's Lost Canyons LA
The Canyons have long called to the bohemians and artists of Los Angeles. While Laurel Canyon is renowned for its role as a hub of rock history in the 1960s and '70s, Topanga Canyon has its own rich tapestry of stories. In this episode of My Rock Moment, we welcome Emmeline Summerton from the Instagram account Lost Canyons LA, a historian of the LA Canyons and former writer for the New Topanga Times. Together, we explore Topanga's iconic rock legends and the songs inspired by this enchanting area.
Was there truly a roadhouse that sparked Jim Morrison’s lyrics in “Roadhouse Blues”? Did a fateful house party in Topanga Canyon contribute to the breakup of one of the most successful bands of the late '60s? Which famous Topanga musician got his start with Frank Zappa’s Mothers of Invention before forming his own band? And did Ronald Reagan’s daughter really co-write a classic Eagles song?
In light of the recent devastating fires, this episode pays tribute to the unique beauty of Topanga Canyon, nestled in the Santa Monica Mountains. Despite the challenges, this iconic area endures, and My Rock Moment is proud to celebrate its lasting rock ’n’ roll legacy.
Playlist:
“Ain’t That A Lot of Love’ Taj Mahal
“Mr. Soul” Buffalo Springfield
“Going Up The Country” Canned Heat
“Roadhouse Blues” The Doors
“I Wasn’t Born to Follow” The Byrds
“Willin” Little Feat - Linda Ronstadt cover
“Already Gone” Eagles
“From Boulder to Birmingham” Emmylou Harris
“On the Way Home” Buffalo Springfield
“Long May You Run” CSNY
You can find Emmeline Summerton at @lostcanyonsla on Instagram. And follow My Rock Moment at @la_woman_rocks
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1:06:09
Chris O'Dell, Author and Tour Manager
Chris O'Dell has led a fascinating life; one that planted her firmly in rock royalty's inner circle in the 60s and 70s. Befriending Derek Taylor in LA, she soon found herself working for the Beatles' Apple Corps in London. While there she was present for the recording of The White Album, Abbey Road, Let it Be, and sang in the Hey Jude chorus. She sat on the rooftop while the Beatles played their last live performance in January of 1969 and even lived with George Harrison and Pattie Boyd at Friar Park.
She went on to be one of the first - if not, THE first - female tour managers, working with the likes of George Harrison, The Rolling Stones, and Bob Dylan on his 'Rolling Thunder Revue' tour. She inspired George Harrison to pen the song, "Miss O’Dell,” she's the subject of Leon Russell’s “Pisces Apple Lady” and “Hummingbird," she is the “woman down the hall,” in the Joni Mitchell song, “Coyote,” and her picture can be seen on the back cover of The Stones's 1972 masterpiece, Exile on Main Street.
We cover a lot of ground in this episode, but to get the full story, check out her book and website with the links below:
https://www.missodell.com
Miss O'Dell: Hard Days and Long Nights with The Beatles, The Stones, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton and the Women They Loved
Playlist:
Pisces Apple Lady - Leon Russell
Hey Jude - The Beatles
All Things Must Pass - George Harrison
Miss O'Dell - George Harrison
Torn and Frayed - The Rolling Stones
Just Like a Woman - Bob Dylan
Follow My Rock Moment on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/la_woman_rocks
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Was it being front row at a Bowie concert as a kid? Was it seeing The Beatles on Ed Sullivan? Or was it the first time that your band got to play The Whisky A Go Go? My Rock Moment celebrates rock music from the 60s, 70s and 80s with interviews from those that lived it and keep the music alive today!
Host Amanda Morck is a native Angeleno, long-time resident of Sunset Strip, and an adjunct instructor of California rock history. She interviews Rock Hall of Fame musicians, Grammy-winning producers, rock journalists, photographers, DJs, managers, authors and award-winning Directors and entertainment personalities about the rock moments they’ll never forget - moments that fostered a deep love of a band, an album or inspired them to pursue a lifelong career in music. And you as the listener will be invited along for a trip down rock and roll memory lane. My Rock Moment is a proud member of Pantheon Podcasts, the first of its kind, all music-based podcast network.