Rolling Stone Music Now

A new book, Lollapalooza: The Uncensored Story of Alternative Rock's Wildest Festival, is full of fascinating unearthed stories about the most important festival of the 1990s. Authors Richard Bienstock and Tom Beaujour join host Brian Hiatt to break down some of the book's best moments: Eddie Vedder joining the freak show, Sinead O'Connor freaking out Courtney Love, Nine Inch Nails' equipment literally melting down onstage, and much more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kirk Hammett, the legendary lead guitarist of Metallica, known for his vast guitar collection, dives into his musical journey. He shares the emotional connections to guitars like Greeny and discusses the resurgence of guitar solos in today’s music. Reflecting on his interactions with Kurt Cobain and the impact of the Black Album, he balances artistic integrity with fan expectations. Kirk also revisits the evolution of Metallica's music and image, revealing how personal styles and memorable experiences shaped their legacy in rock.

Questlove, director of the excellent new documentary Sly Lives! (aka The Burden of Black Genius), dissects the greatness of Sly Stone, while also going deep on D'Angelo, Michael Jackson, and his own life Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Andy Greene joins host Brian Hiatt to break down his list of terrible songs on great albums, from "Maxwell's Silver Hammer" to "Drunk and Hot Girls" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Heartbreakers guitarist Mike Campbell, author of the great new book Heartbreaker: A Memoir, shares untold stories from his collaborations with Tom Petty and much more in an interview with host Brian Hiatt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Super-producer Andrew Watt shares behind-the-scenes tales of working with Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, the Rolling Stones, Pearl Jam, Paul McCartney, and many more in an interview with host Brian Hiatt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brittany Spanos, a Rolling Stone contributor known for her keen insights, and Rob Sheffield, a seasoned writer at Rolling Stone, delve into the controversy surrounding Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl halftime show. They explore the unexpected reactions to his performance, highlighting the absence of his biggest hits and the artistic choices he made. The discussion covers his personal rivalries, the nuanced political messages, and the challenges of reaching a diverse audience. Humorously, they touch on pop culture speculations, making the conversation both enlightening and entertaining.

Ben Winston, executive producer of the Grammy Awards, goes deep on backstage secrets from this year's show with host Brian Hiatt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We look back at the singular story of a great American band, with Peter Ames Carlin, author of the new book The Name of This Band Is R.E.M.: A Biography, joining host Brian Hiatt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Andy Greene, a music biopic contributor, joins the conversation about the recent success of 'A Complete Unknown' featuring Timothée Chalamet as Bob Dylan. The talk navigates the challenges of capturing iconic stories while appealing to new generations. Greene explores upcoming biopics like those about Bruce Springsteen and the Beatles, discussing the artistic choices filmmakers face. The significance of authenticity, commercial viability, and the potential for biopics on artists like Fleetwood Mac and Prince are also examined, highlighting the mythologization of music legends.