
Andrew Hickey presents a history of rock music from 1938 to 1999, looking at five hundred songs that shaped the genre.
| Publishes | Monthly | Episodes | 261 | Founded | 8 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | Music HistoryDocumentaryMusicSociety & Culture | |||

This episode is the first of a two-parter on “Space Oddity”, and the early career of David Bowie. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more information, and a transcript of the episode.
Patreon backers also have a two-hour and twenty-mi... more
This episode is on “Frownland” by Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band, and is the third part of a trilogy following the episodes on the GTOs and Frank Zappa. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more information, and a transcript of the... more
This episode follows on from the episode on the GTOs. These two make up two parts of a three-part story, and I’m hoping to have part three, on Captain Beefheart, up before the end of the month.
This episode is on “Peaches En Regalia” by Frank Zappa.... more
Some of you will have seen me talk in the past about a site called The Daily Tism, a satirical news site by and for autistic people which is run by some friends of mine, and which I’ve written the odd piece for. (Perhaps you haven’t, in which case I’... more
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A thorough deep dive with a lot of rare songs, gorgeous I highly recommend the one on Beefheart, where I started and it’s amazing.
And one through 50
Are priceless.
This podcast is not just about the song selected, it’s so much more. I really appreciate the deep dive into the artist(s), the atmosphere of the time, people associated with the artist(s), and how events transpired for good or for ill. Andrew is very good at delivering a complete look, from genius to hubris.
Really terrific
Andrew Hickey does an amazing job with this enormous project. He has a detail-oriented and thorough approach to the research and clearly establishes credibility in providing good information. The episodes start pretty short (~30 minutes) but as of this writing (Oct 2026) episodes have become lore long form (1.5-3hrs) with some even longer. It has greatly increased my appreciation and enjoyment for rock music as well as other related genres.
Incredible time and dedication by Andrew has gone into the creation of this wonderful podcast. Stands up to repeated listens
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
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Apple Podcasts | #1 | |
Apple Podcasts | #3 | |
Spotify | #9 | |
Apple Podcasts | #1 | |
Apple Podcasts | #2 |
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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A history-focused deep-dive into rock music, tracing pivotal songs and movements from mid-20th century to late 20th century. Episodes typically weave biographical detail, production quirks, label politics, social context, and the evolving business of rock, highlighting how a handful of recordings helped redefine the genre. The presenter emphasizes meticulous research, archival context, and thoughtful commentary on cultural impact, often addressing censorship, racism, and gender dynamics within rock history. This blend of rigorous scholarship and vivid storytelling is likely to appeal to serious music fans, researchers, and industry folks seeking well-sourced narratives with long-tail guests and a clear through-line across decades.
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A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs launched 8 years ago and published 261 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
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