Rephonic
Artwork for Rock's Backpages
Music Journalism
Global Music
Rock Music
Hip Hop
Tom Hibbert
Smash Hits
Rock Journalism
Led Zeppelin
World Music
Reggae
Punk Rock
Soul Music
Rolling Stone
The Beach Boys
New York City
Elvis Presley
Paul Simon
Joni Mitchell
Nine Eight Books
Rock's Backpages

Tales from the world's largest archive of music journalism: entertaining interviews with luminaries such as Neil Tennant, Billy Bragg, Pamela Des Barres, Gary Kemp, Vashti Bunyan, Midge Ure, Nick Hornby and Robyn Hitchcock. Thoughtful and informative conversations about all aspects of popular music history, interspersed with clips from exclusive audio interviews that date back to the mid-'60s. The... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes234Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Music HistoryMusicMusic Interviews

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Artwork for Rock's Backpages

Latest Episodes

For this episode we're joined by veteran music scribe and A&R man Mitchell Cohen to discuss his long career and his brand-new book.

We start in the Bronx of Mitchell's youth and hear about the impact on him of local hero Dion DiMucci. From there we ... more

YouTube

In this episode, we invite the marvellous Brian Cullman to join us onscreen from a French farmhouse in the Dordogne.

The author of How to Prepare for the Past talks us through his fascinating "travels in music and time" from New York City to North A... more

YouTube

In this episode we're joined by special guest Tim Page to trace the arc of his career from reviewing James Chance & the Contortions to winning the Pulitzer Prize.

In a conversation that's as entertaining as it is erudite, Tim recalls his teenage dis... more

In this episode we invite the pioneering Geoffrey Cannon to reminisce about his stint as The Guardian's rock critic between 1968 and 1972.

Commencing with the pop baptism of his first hearing Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers in a Horsham record booth i... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Mitchell Cohen
Writer and former A&R executive; author of Wake Me, Shake Me and contributor to Rock's Backpages
Former Arista Records A&R; author
Episode: E234: Mitchell Cohen on Dolly Parton + The Lovin' Spoonful + The Blues Project
Brian Cullman
Writer, author of How to Prepare for the Past
Rock's Backpages / ZE Books (author)
Episode: E233: Brian Cullman on Sandy Denny + John Martyn + Big Joe Turner
Tim Page
Chief classical music critic, Washington Post; Pulitzer Prize for Criticism (1997)
Washington Post
Episode: E232: Tim Page on his Pulitzer Prize + Judee Sill + Stephin Merritt
Geoffrey Cannon
Pioneering rock writer for The Guardian, The Listener, New Society, etc.
Guardian, The Listener, Melody Maker, The Village Voice
Episode: Episode 231: Geoffrey Cannon on the '60s + the Guardian + Jack Bruce audio
Simon Reynolds
Music writer and author of Still in a Dream
White Rabbit (publisher)
Episode: E230: Simon Reynolds on shoegaze + dream pop + Jay-Z audio
Lloyd Bradley
Author and journalist; expert on funk and Black American culture
Author of Funk Is Its Own Reward
Episode: E229: Funk special with Lloyd Bradley + Betty Davis audio
Maureen O'Grady
Journalist and editor, longtime contributor to Boyfriend and Rave magazines
Rave magazine; Boyfriend magazine
Episode: E228: Maureen O'Grady on Rave + Pet Sounds + Miles Davis audio
Barry Walters
Author and music historian, Mighty Real: A History of LGBTQ Music, 1969-2000
Author, Mighty Real
Episode: E227: An LGBTQ special with Barry Walters + a Grace Jones audio interview
Penny Kiley
Pop columnist for the Liverpool Echo; memoirist of Atypical Girl
Liverpool Echo / Melody Maker (historical)
Episode: E226: A Liverpool special with Penny Kiley and Paul Du Noyer

Hosts

Barney Hoskyns
Host with deep roots in rock journalism, long-running figure in the archival publishing space.
Mark Pringle
Co-host with extensive experience in music journalism and interview-style discussions.
Jasper Murison-Bowie
Co-host/producer with hands-on production and archival insight.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 206 ratings
  • Terrific

    I miss the days of the music press but this fills the gap beautifully. It’s like having a seat at the table of the best pub conversation ever. I got hooked in circa episode 150 with Cliff Jones and Jim Farber among my favourites but every fortnight it’s another great contributor such as Lloyd Bradley or Simon Reynolds. I particularly enjoy hearing about the new books these writers have written - these guys are the oracle. Tune in!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    KenTune57
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Good conversations and insight

    Brilliant. Covers lots of genres and eras. Good guests, funny, insightful. I am working my way through these. Fantastic listening.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Albowlie
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • I first started listening to these chaps to block out the sounds of moans, gasps, squeals, ect. while I was watching elbow fetish videos so that the neighbors would not think I'm a weirdo. Gradually, the words began to filter through the soundtracks of "Funny B*ner," "Roll Up Yer Sleevez!," "Elbow Grease," ect and I was transfixed! They may look like a pack of tossers, but I assure you their product is Top-Notch. I eagerly await each new show and, except for the times they spew a load of tommyro... more

    Podchaser
    5
    So, you want to be a stylite?
    a year ago
  • Rocks back pages with Barney Hoskins

    Hi Barney- just love the podcast- right up my street -informative and funny in equal measures.

    I especially like listening to stuff about artists that have not crossed my radar- I also like the healthy and at times heated disagreements about certain bands and records. Each podcast goes by effortlessly seeming to last about 15 minutes.

    Recent highlights have included Joe Boyd, Chris Salewicz and Barbara Ellen. Shout out to Jasper MB for bringing the average age down considerably and at times bein... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Moby Daf
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Auld white fellas talking to each about the Music Press

    It’s like a less cranky, less reactionary version of the “Word in your Ear” podcast. S’good.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Joe O’Donnell
    Ireland2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many appreciate the breadth of guests across decades and genres.
Critics note strong archival value and engaging host banter but occasional pacing issues.
Listeners praise deep knowledge, thoughtful discourse, and a strong guest roster.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

E232: Tim Page on his Pulitzer Prize + Judee Sill + Stephin Merritt
Q: How did Tim Page's writing change as he moved between publications?
Page explains his move from top-down editorial environments to more自由 expression at Newsday and the Washington Post, where he could develop a distinctive voice and write with less constraint, while still maintaining rigorous standards and a strong commitment to description.
E221: Phast Phreddie Patterson on the world's biggest record collection
Q: How did you get to work for the Archive of Contemporary Music?
Freddie shares that he began volunteering and was then offered a real job, highlighting the archive's growth over the years.
E221: Phast Phreddie Patterson on the world's biggest record collection
Q: How did you come to launch Back Door Man, and what did it represent in 1975?
Freddie explains that it started as a response to the music he and his friends felt wasn't being covered in major publications, leading them to create their own fanzine.
E214: Lisa Verrico on Vox + Oasis + Billie Eilish + My Bloody Valentine
Q: How do you look back on the 90s as a decade?
I'm probably the worst person you can ask for a sober appraisal of anything; I can remember anything of the 90s. It was fun.
E214: Lisa Verrico on Vox + Oasis + Billie Eilish + My Bloody Valentine
Q: What was the vibe like at Vox?
It was quite chaotic and I would say I loved it from the minute I went in.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Rock's Backpages

What is Rock's Backpages about and what kind of topics does it cover?

RBP presents thoughtful, interview-driven conversations with respected music journalists, writers, photographers, and industry insiders who helped shape the music press from the 1960s onward. Episodes center on archival insight, behind-the-scenes storytelling, and deep dives into specific artists, scenes, and eras, often augmented with audio clips from long-form interviews. The show stands out for its archival breadth, guest diversity (from critics to musicians), and a conversational tone that blends memory, analysis, and industry context. It's likely to appeal to listeners who love music history, journalism craft, and long-form storytelling, with a penchant for cross-continental scenes (UK and US) and a scholarly yet accessible approach to... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Rock's Backpages?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Rock's Backpages:

1. Word In Your Ear
2. EggPod Express
3. Sodajerker On Songwriting
4. A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
5. Something About the Beatles

How many episodes of Rock's Backpages are there?

Rock's Backpages launched 8 years ago and published 234 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Rock's Backpages?

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What guests have appeared on Rock's Backpages?

Recent guests on Rock's Backpages include:

1. Mitchell Cohen
2. Brian Cullman
3. Tim Page
4. Geoffrey Cannon
5. Simon Reynolds
6. Lloyd Bradley
7. Maureen O'Grady
8. Barry Walters

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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