“I really tried to create a band that I would love, if they were real”— Taylor Jenkins Reid, author of Daisy Jones & The Six
Fiction writers have long been sed...
Elliott Murphy’s ‘Marty May’: A Rock ‘n’ Roll Novel Comes to Life
In this special episode of Rock is Lit, veteran rocker and author Elliott Murphy talks about and shares an excerpt from his novel ‘Marty May’.
Once a rising rock star in 1970s New York, virtuoso guitarist Marty May has lost it all—his career, his marriage, and his record deal. Now, at 33, he’s alone, drowning in debt, and questioning his future. Should he return to his blues roots with his old mentor, Blind Red Rose? Set in the 1980s, when the music industry prioritized business over artistry, ‘Marty May’ is a poignant tale of talent, temptation, and staying true to one’s beliefs—elegant and tragic, like ‘The Great Gatsby’ in the age of rock ’n’ roll.
Living in Paris for 30 years as an expatriate New Yorker, Elliott Murphy remains as active as ever in music and literature. With over 35 albums to his name, he continues to tour worldwide while earning critical acclaim. His debut album, ‘Aquashow’ (1973), launched a celebrated career that includes ‘Lost Generation’, ‘Night Lights’ (featuring Billy Joel), and ‘Selling The Gold’ (featuring Bruce Springsteen). In 2016, a biopic on his career, ‘The Second Act Of Elliott Murphy’, won the Audience Award at the Dock of the Bay Film Festival.
Born into a show business family, Elliott began his career as a troubadour in Europe before securing a U.S. record deal. Alongside his music, he is a prolific author, publishing four novels, including the rock trilogy ‘Marty May’, ‘Tramps’, and ‘Diamonds By The Yard’, as well as ‘Poetic Justice’. His short story “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” was adapted into the 2020 film ‘Broken Poet’, in which he stars alongside Michael O’Keefe, Marisa Berenson, and a rare cameo appearance by Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa.
In recognition of his artistic contributions, Elliott was named a Chevalier des Arts et Lettres by the French Minister of Culture in 2015 and inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame in 2018.
For more information on Elliott Murphy, see his website and watch the 2016 biopic of his career, ‘The Second Act of Elliott Murphy’.
PLAYLIST
Rock is Lit theme music
Sixties 60’s music (free to use)
“Last of the Rock Stars” by Elliott Murphy
“You Never Know What You’re In For” by Elliott Murphy
“What the Fuck is Going On” by Elliott Murphy
“A Touch of Kindness” by Elliott Murphy
Sixties 60’s music (free to use)
Rock is Lit theme music
LINKS:
Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451
Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350
Elliott Murphy’s website: https://elliottmurphy.com/
Elliott Murphy on Facebook: @ElliottMurphy
Elliott Murphy on Instagram: @elliottmurphy
‘The Second Act of Elliott Murphy’ biopic trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAfMyaanQmc
Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: www.christyalexanderhallberg.com
Rock is Lit on Instagram & Bluesky: @rockislitpodcast
Christy Alexander Hallberg on Instagram and YouTube: @christyhallberg
Christy Alexander Hallberg on Facebook: @ChristyAlexanderHallberg
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43:20
Rock ‘n Roll, Military Life, and Coming of Age During the Cold War: Constance Squires on Her Novel ‘Along the Watchtower’
Author Constance Squires returns to Rock is Lit to discuss her debut novel, ‘Along the Watchtower’, a powerful coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of military life, Cold War Germany, and rock ‘n roll.
‘Along the Watchtower’ follows thirteen-year-old Lucinda Collins as she arrives at a U.S. military base in Grafenwoehr, West Germany, in 1983. She knows the drill—setting up new quarters, navigating her parents' tensions, and keeping fellow Army brats at arm’s length, knowing friendships won’t last. She longs for a true home, but her father is haunted by Vietnam, and her mother is growing weary of Army life. As her family fractures, Lucinda finds solace in rock ‘n roll and begins to forge her own path to adulthood. Set against the ever-changing backdrop of military life, ‘Along the Watchtower’ is a story of belonging, resilience, and the ghosts—both real and remembered—that shape us.
Constance Squires teaches creative writing at the University of Central Oklahoma. In addition to ‘Along the Watchtower’, she is the author of ‘Live From Medicine Park’ and the short story collection ‘Hit Your Brights’, with work published in ‘The Atlantic’, ‘Guernica’, ‘The Dublin Quarterly’, ‘Shenandoah’, ‘Identity Theory’, ‘The Rolling Stone 500’, and more. Her brand-new novel, ‘Low April Sun’, was published by the University of Oklahoma Press on Feb 11, 2025!
Catch Constance Squires on Episode 48 of Rock is Lit, discussing her acclaimed novel ‘Live From Medicine Park’: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislitpodcast/constancesquires
PLAYLIST
Rock is Lit theme music
Sixties 60’s music (free to use)
Copyright Free Rock Music—“Grunge Instrumental” by Wayne John Bradley
“All Along the Watchtower” by Bob Dylan
“Peace Frog” by The Doors
“The Man I Used to Be” by Jellyfish
“Heroin” by The Velvet Underground with Nico
“Nazi Punks Fuck Off” by Dead Kennedys
“All Along the Watchtower” by Jimi Hendrix
Sixties 60’s music (free to use)
Rock is Lit theme music
LINKS:
Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451
Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350
Constance Squires’ website: https://www.constancesquiresofficial.com/
Constance Squires on X: @ConnieSquires
Constance Squires on Instagram: @conniesquires
Constance Squires on Facebook: @ConstanceSquiresAuthorPage
Constance Squires on Rock is Lit EP48: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislitpodcast/constancesquires
Rock is Lit on Instagram & Bluesky: @rockislitpodcast
Christy Alexander Hallberg on Instagram and YouTube: @christyhallberg
Christy Alexander Hallberg on Facebook: @ChristyAlexanderHallberg
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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1:15:48
Yoko Ono at 92: Art, Activism & Legacy with Author Madeline Bocaro
In this special episode of Rock is Lit, we celebrate Yoko Ono’s 92nd birthday by honoring her profound impact on art, music, and peace activism. Returning to the podcast is Madeline Bocaro, author of In Your Mind: The Infinite Universe of Yoko Ono, to explore Yoko’s artistic vision, her unwavering commitment to peace, and the ways her influence continues to shape generations. Building on our deep dive in Episode 47, this conversation serves as both an addendum to that episode about Madeline’s book and a tribute to Yoko’s enduring legacy.
PLAYLIST
Rock is Lit theme music
Sixties 60’s music (free to use)
SciFi Music for YouTube videos [No Copyright]
“Don’t Worry Kyoko” by Yoko Ono
“Winter Song” by Yoko Ono
Sixties 60’s music (free to use)
Rock is Lit theme music
LINKS:
Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451
Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350
Madeline Bocaro’s website: https://madelinex.com/
Madeline’s book’s website: https://inyourmindbook.com/
Purchase a signed hard or soft cover of Madeline’s book at conceptualbooks.com: https://conceptual-books.myshopify.com/collections/all?sort_by=created-ascending
Madeline on X: @madelinex
Madeline on Instagram: @yoko.ono.in.your.mind and @madeline.bocaro
Listen to Rock is Lit EP47 featuring an in-depth interview with Madeline Bocaro: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislitpodcast/madelinebocaro
Rock is Lit on Instagram & Bluesky: @rockislitpodcast
Christy Alexander Hallberg on Instagram and YouTube: @christyhallberg
Christy Alexander Hallberg on Facebook: @ChristyAlexanderHallberg
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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25:33
Punk, Art, and London Calling in the ‘80s: Suzanne Mattaboni On Her Debut Novel, ‘Once in a Lifetime’
In this final episode in the Rock is Lit Season 4 Reading Series, Suzanne Mattaboni discusses her debut novel, ‘Once in a Lifetime’, and shares excerpts from the story.
Set in 1984, where punk reigns and Andy Warhol rules, 20-year-old art student Jessica longs for a life beyond her reach. Dreaming of an avant-garde study program in London, she’s stuck waitressing and navigating drama with her boyfriend Drew, who wants to date others. Life takes a turn when she meets Whit, a magnetic guitarist, and dives into a post-punk scene full of quirky characters—cheating waiters, mystics, a military drag queen, and a Svengali bouncer—all while grappling with the specter of AIDS. Jessica must decide if chasing her dreams is worth risking heartbreak and self-discovery.
With a smart, edgy ’80s vibe, ‘Once in a Lifetime’ is a coming-of-age story exploring friendship, love, and ambition.
Suzanne Mattaboni is a former Newsday reporter and a Pushcart Prize-nominated author of women's fiction, horror, and pop culture essays. She's also a retro podcaster and a past winner of Seventeen magazine’s Art and Fiction Contest. Her work has also appeared in The Huffington Post, Chicken Soup For The Soul, Mysterious Ways, Guideposts.com, Seventeen, Child, Parents, Motherwell, Dark Dossier, Turtle, Humpty Dumpty’s, Long Island Weddings, and LA Parent. She's had pieces featured in anthologies including Pizza Parties and Poltergeist (horror stories set in the 1980s), Writes of Passage, The Little Demon Digest, and The Running Wild Anthology of Stories.
MUSIC IN THE EPISODE IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE:
Rock is Lit theme music
[Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop”
“Once in a Lifetime” by the Talking Heads
“Catch Me I’m Falling” by Real Life
“Purple Rain” by Prince
“Sweet Dreams” by The Eurythmics
“Once in a Lifetime” by the Talking Heads
Rock is Lit theme music
LINKS:
Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451
Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350
Suzanne’s websites: https://www.suzannemattaboni.com/ and onceinalifetimenovel.com
Suzanne on Facebook: facebook.com/suzanne.mattaboni
Suzanne on X: @suzmattaboni
Suzanne on Instagram: @suzannemattaboni80s
Suzanne on TikTok: suzannemattabonibook
‘Once in a Lifetime’ Spotify playlist
Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislit
Christy Alexander Hallberg on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube: @ChristyHallberg
Rock is Lit on Instagram: @rockislitpodcast
Rock is Lit on Bluesky: @rockislitpodcast.bsky.social
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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34:03
Bonus Featurette: Major LeGoullon on Guns N' Roses Bassist Duff McKagan’s Autobiography ‘It’s So Easy: And Other Lies’
We’re talking nonfiction in this bonus featurette crafted entirely by Season 4 Production Intern Major LeGoullon. Major shines a spotlight on Guns N’ Roses bassist Duff McKagan’s 2012 autobiography, ‘It’s So Easy: And Other Lies’, drawing connections to Rock is Lit Season 2, Episode 18. That earlier episode featured Melissa Ragsly discussing her short story collection, ‘We Know This Will All Disappear’, including the Guns N’ Roses-inspired story "Mannequin," which references their song “Rocket Queen.” The episode also included a deep dive into Guns N’ Roses, especially “Rocket Queen,” with Decibel Geek podcast co-host AAron Camaro. Major’s thoughtful commentary offers a fresh perspective on music and literature and Duff McKagan.
MUSIC IN THE EPISODE IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE:
Rock is Lit theme music
[Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop”
Guns N’ Roses “Rocket Queen”
Guns N’ Roses “Mr. Brownstone”
Guns N’ Roses “It’s So Easy”
[Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop”
Rock is Lit theme music
LINKS:
Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451
Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350
Major LeGoullon on Instagram: @majorlegoullon
Melissa Ragsly’s website: https://www.melissaragsly.com/
Melissa Ragsly on Facebook: @MelissaRagsly
Melissa Ragsly on Twitter: @90sMelissa
Melissa Ragsly on Instagram: @melissaragslyperson
Decibel Geek Podcast website: https://www.decibelgeek.com/
Decibel Geek on Twitter: @DecibelGeekPod
Decibel Geek on Instagram: @decibelgeek
AAron Camaro on Facebook: @AAronCamaro
AAron Camaro on Instagram: @aaron_camaro
Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislit
Christy Alexander Hallberg on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube: @ChristyHallberg
Rock is Lit on Instagram: @rockislitpodcast
Rock is Lit on Bluesky: @rockislitpodcast.bsky.social
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
“I really tried to create a band that I would love, if they were real”— Taylor Jenkins Reid, author of Daisy Jones & The Six
Fiction writers have long been seduced by the anarchy, defiance, and raw power of rock ‘n roll, creating stories about music, the people who make it, and the characters who love it with the same intensity as the most ambitious concept albums. But until Rock is Lit first aired in September 2022, there had never been a podcast devoted to this art form—the rock novel—and the show remains a singularity.
In each episode, host Christy Alexander Hallberg, author of the award-winning rock novel Searching for Jimmy Page (Livingston Press, 2021), interviews authors about craft and the musical inspiration behind their work, then brings in music experts, like legendary groupie Pamela Des Barres, to add real-world context to the bands or musical periods featured in the novels. Hallberg has quickly earned a reputation as a meticulous researcher and creative producer, frequently garnering compliments from guests such as Rex Weiner, author of The (Original) Adventures of Ford Fairlane: “You’re so well versed in what I wrote and, of course, your own rock ‘n roll history is pretty terrific.”
The podcast’s growing roster of rock novels includes: Dana Spiotta’s National Book Award-nominated Eat the Document, works by BIPOC authors like Chris L. Terry’s Black Card, metal-centric novels like John Wray’s Gone to the Wolves, YA LGBTQ debuts like Jessamyn Violet’s Secret Rules to Being a Rockstar, Scifi rock novels like Sarah Pinsker’s Nebula Award-winning A Song For A New Day, rock novels adapted to film like Garth Risk Hallberg’s City on Fire, and celebrity rock novels like the legendary Suzi Quatro’s The Hurricane.
Tune in to Rock is Lit and join the mounting number of Lit Listeners on their quest to find the very best rock novels.
A proud part of Pantheon Podcasts.
Watch the trailer on YouTube.
Find Christy Alexander Hallberg and Rock is Lit on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube: @ChristyHallberg
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