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Witness the rise of Pink Floyd from 1960s psychedelic early architects to experimenting with grand, cinematic soundscapes, deeply philosophical themes and live shows that felt more like journeys to the human mind than concerts. Prepare for an absolute roller coaster ride from the London Underground clubs to global domination, heartbreaking losses and dramatic fireworks from within.  You'll learn: 1) How university students who could barely play instruments became a global phenomenon 2) How an early tragedy involving their primary song writer nearly derailed the band 3) The staggering evolution of sound this band executed4) The interpersonal drama that produced incredible albums and significant tension5) The final battles that ended up in litigation Want to learn more music history?  Subscribe to our bonus Garage to Stadium content across our social, podcast & web channels Guest BioPink Floyd is one of the most successful acts of all time, selling over 250 million albums, and here to tell their story is our returning guest Mark Blake, acclaimed rock journalist and author of books on Queen, Fleetwood Mac and his latest book, Pink Floyd Shine On: The Definitive Oral History has just been released. Welcome to garage. Welcome back to garage. To stadiums. Mark

Experience one of music's big bang moments when 19-year-old Mick Jagger, carrying a handful of RnB albums, ran into Keith Richards on a train platform. Together, they would overcome tragedy, addictions, death and mayhem of all sorts to make it to the top and stay there.  This isn't just the tale of a band, it's the saga of survival, reinvention and rebellion, and at its core, it's the story of two kids from Dartford, Mick and Keith, who led The Stones to became undisputed icons of rock and roll. In Part 1 you'll learn.  How fate intervened to bring all of The Stones together as a bandWho really founded The Stones and the strange origins of the band name  The role that two women played in influencing their music About one of the first famous deaths in rock The financial mayhem they faced & the role of a mysterious Prince Some of the factors that drove their dark songs like Gimme Shelter & Sympathy for the DevilWant to learn more music history?  Subscribe to our bonus Garage to Stadium content across our social + web channels Guest BioChristopher Sanford is the author of The Rolling Stones: 60 years, he's written acclaimed biographies of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Paul McCartney, Sting and Kurt Cobain, as well as books on John F Kennedy and Roman Polanski. For more than two decades, he's written about music and film for major media outlets on both sides of the Atlantic. Rolling Stone magazine has called him "the preeminent author in his field". 

In Part 2 of The Story of The Rolling Stones, we journey through the 1970s and ’80s, to experience how The Rolling Stones navigated financial ruin, courtroom battles, and drug-fueled chaos. Their survival and evolution forged their legend—every scar a jewel in the crown they wear today.  In Part 2 you'll learn: How financial problems led to one of their finest albums About their legendary debaucherous 1972 tour That the chaos of 1970s New York City played a key role in their sound evolution Why Mick and Keith's relationship almost came to an endHow one of their most famous tunes started as a reggae songThe innovation The Stones brought to the concert touring modelWant to learn more music history?  Subscribe to our bonus Garage to Stadium content across our social + web channels Guest BioChristopher Sanford is the author of The Rolling Stones: 60 years, he's written acclaimed biographies of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Paul McCartney, Sting and Kurt Cobain, as well as books on John F Kennedy and Roman Polanski. For more than two decades, he's written about music and film for major media outlets on both sides of the Atlantic. Rolling Stone magazine has called him "the preeminent author in his field".   

Incredibly, U2 began as a band of barely-formed teenagers—two 14-year-olds and two 15-year-olds—at Mount Temple Comprehensive School in Dublin, Ireland. Just 4 years later, they were signed to a major label, and not long after that, they were reshaping rock on a global scale with music driven by faith, politics, and social unrest. U2 would go on to sell more than 175 million albums, never standing still—shifting from raw post-punk urgency to towering arena anthems to daring electronic reinvention. This is a band that survived by constantly changing. In this episode, you’ll learn: The bizarre early incident that nearly ended U2 before it truly beganThe heartbreaking childhood tragedies that shaped two of its membersThe unlikely spiritual and political roots behind their lyrical missionThe global live performance the band openly hated—yet became legendaryThe intense internal struggles over where their music should go nextHow a frontman with barely a high school education became a global humanitarian voiceWant to learn more music history?  Subscribe to our bonus Garage to Stadium content across our social + web channels Guest Bio:Bradley Morgan, author of U2: Until the End of the World. Bradley also has a book U2's Joshua Tree: Planting Roots in Mythic America about their breakthrough album, 1987's The Joshua Tree, a release that put them at the top of international album charts,

David Bowie was the ultimate chameleon of rock, constantly reinventing himself throughout his career. This episode starts with his struggles from his multiple failed attempts at stardom.  Despite these challenges, Bowie’s incorporated elements of his eclectic, failed past and created a groundbreaking sound and persona, cementing him as one of the most influential and successful artists in music history. In this episode you'll learn:  The early struggles of Bowie as a wedding musician and subsequent career challengesHow Bowie's older brother influenced his musical tastes and how his eventual mental illness haunted and motivated himHow his wife helped craft the eccentric stage persona that launched him to fameThe role his time abroad played in innovating a new wave sound, years before it was mainstreamHow Bowie rescued the life of an influential musician from the 1960s and co-created a new sound with himHow a famous Beatle played a role in one of Bowie’s most iconic songs How his ever-evolving characters and musical anthems inspired a generation of disillusioned youthGuest Bio - Paolo Hewitt,  journalist & music commentatorAuthor and music journalist Paolo Hewitt is the author of several books on David Bowie, including Bowie: Album to Album, a retrospective of Bowie’s evolution over his career. Considered one of the foremost experts on Bowie, Paolo has not only written extensively about the artist but has also appeared as a commentator in documentaries on Bowie. Want to learn more music history?  Subscribe to our bonus Garage to Stadium content across our social + web channels 

A top 5% of podcasts in the world, Garage to Stadiums is a podcast for true music fans — the ones who want more than just headlines and hype. This show is for listeners who care about the full story behind the artists:  their childhoods, musical influences, early gigs, personal battles, journey to stadium-level fame and the drama in between.  Why are we different? In each episode host Dave Anthony features guests who know their stuff and bring real insights from their time with the performers — from respected rock journalists to documentary filmmakers. If you want smarter music commentary and behind-the-scenes stories you won’t hear anywhere else, subscribe now and get your backstage pass to music history.      

Our guest, Chris Salewicz, was there at the dawn of punk in 1976 England, witnessing firsthand the birth of The Clash and Sex Pistols. Chris attended the first ever performances of both bands and will share insider stories of their rise and lasting influence over the last 50 years. In this episode, you’ll discover:  The fascinating childhood that shaped Strummer’s persona and The Clash approachWhy Clash frontman Joe Strummer changed his nameHow guitarist Mick Jones' encyclopedic knowledge of music evolved the band's soundInside stories behind The Clash vs. Sex Pistols rivalry and how Chris compares each band  The reason Paul Simonon, a non-musician, joined The ClashHow The Clash brought reggae to the massesThe economic realities of the UK that fueled punk’s explosionLearn how The Clash became the first punk band to experience mass commercial success.  Widely loved by a legion of famous fans including Pete Townshend, U2, Green Day and Nirvana, The Clash combined social conscious lyrics, music genre-bending influences and a fiery on-stage presence to captivate a generation of music fans. The influence of punk on all forms of art has continued to this day.    Guest Bio - Chris SalewiczChris wrote Redemption Song: The Ballad of Joe Strummer and knew each of the member of The Clash personally. He is the author of several iconic musicians' bios including Bob Marley, Mick Jagger & Keith Richard, Jimmy Page and more. He also was involved in the launch of MTV Europe.  Follow Garage to Stadiums (GTS) on social channels  Subscribe to our bonus Garage to Stadium content across our social + web channels 

Travel back to Northern California of the mid 1960s with a young teenage girl writing poems in her bedroom after enduring countless moves across the country with her family.  Then on to a succession of menial jobs to support herself and her guitarist boyfriend Lindsey Buckingham to a strange twist that catapults her to becoming a mystical, fierce, powerful song writer fronting one of the top bands of the 1970s.  Stevie Nicks has faced serious personal challenges, the kind that could have ended the dreams of many, yet now stands as a two-time Rock & Roll Hall of Famer with over 150 million albums sold.  You'll learn: How Stevie's musician grandfather formed a musical act with a 5-year-old Stevie How Stevie and Lindsey actually met & the unlikely way they met Fleetwood MacHer unsuccessful attempt to leave Fleetwood Mac to join another famous band How one of her biggest hits was given as a gift to her How she overcame her torturous battle with various addictionsEpisode Guest Zoë Howe is a writer, broadcaster, musician and artist. She is the author of the biography Vision, Dreams & Rumours: A Portrait of Stevie Nicks. She is an acclaimed music journalist who has written books on a variety of performers.  She joins us from the UK. Want to learn more music history?  Subscribe to our bonus Garage to Stadium content across our social + web channels 

One of the most astonishing transformations in music history began with an earnest, bespectacled pianist named Reginald Kenneth Dwight — a shy kid who dreamed of writing songs for others. Our guest will take us inside that dream that took an unexpected turn when he reinvented himself as Elton John - a name that would soon be synonymous with spectacle, melody, and superstardom - releasing a run of number one albums that redefined pop and rock music.   In this episode, you’ll learn:- How Elton never intended to be a stage performer at all — his plan was to write songs for others - The unlikely and almost accidental origins of his ultimate songwriting partner - How his very first American concert drew a dozen rock legends into the audience - A deep, inside look at the classic albums that made him unstoppable - The artists who shaped his sound, his showmanship, and his fearless stage persona - And how he evolved into a master of the modern soundtrack — from Broadway to Hollywood  Want to learn more music history?  Subscribe to our bonus Garage to Stadium content across our social + web channels  Guest Biography Gillian Garr, author of Elton John, Captain Fantastic on the Yellow Brick Road. She's written extensively on music for a variety of publications, including Rolling Stone, Mojo and Goldmine. Gillian is the author of over 15 music biography books, including books on Green Day, Nirvana, Jimi Hendrix and the history of women in rock and roll. She joins us from  Seattle.  

This special episode dives into one of the most pivotal moments in rock history. With a new Bruce Springsteen biopic hitting theatres this month, we uncover the real story behind the making of an epic album — and the desperate fight to save his career.  It’s 1974...after two critically acclaimed but commercially disappointing albums, Bruce Springsteen is on the brink of being dropped by Columbia Records. Cornered by doubt and haunted by his past, he pushes himself, his band, and his producers to the breaking point — all in pursuit of the sound that would define him. In this episode, you’ll learn: The backstory of his troubled childhood and how it affected him for lifeThe complicated dichotomy that is Bruce's internal conflict for his entire careerHow the songs Born to Run, Jungleland and others evolved substantially in the studioThe hidden meanings and themes of key songs on the album A surprising reveal about the album's underlying themeThe key role of a 22-year-old Born to Run studio sound engineer who would go to become a billionaireWant to learn more music history from music insider experts?  Subscribe to our bonus Garage to Stadium content across our social + web channels Guest Bio Today we'll explore the making of the landmark album Born to Run with Bruce insider Peter Ames Carlin, author of the recently released Tonight in Jungleland: The Making of Born to Run, which has already become a New York Times bestseller. Peter was on our previous episodes on the Story of R.E.M. and Story of Bruce Springsteen. He's also written definitive biographies on Paul McCartney and Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys. 

From music to hairstyles to the very fabric of pop culture, The Beatles changed everything.  Having interviewed several Beatles himself, guest best-selling author Bob Spitz, (The Beatles: The Biography) shares astonishing, never-before-heard insights into their journey, influence, and the untold stories that shaped the most influential band of all time. Don’t miss this deep dive into Beatlemania like you’ve never heard before! You'll learn: The Beatles’ extremely difficult childhoods—and how it affected their personalitiesThe fateful meeting that sparked John and Paul’s teenage friendship The wild tour debauchery they kept hidden—until nowThe unexpected influences that shaped their soundThe Beatles & Bob Dylan’s game-changing impact on each otherThe "biggest mistake that led to their breakup", according to insider Bob SpitzJohn Lennon’s near-tragic spiral into hard drugs and its effect on the groupHow a rock-n-roll outsider created The Beatles’ image Guest Bio:Bob Spitz is a journalist and author of the million-selling book The Beatles: The Biography.  Early in his career,  Bob was a rock insider as manager for Bruce Springsteen and Elton John. He also authored a New York Times best-seller on Led Zeppelin and joined us as a guest on our Story of Led Zeppelin episode.    Want to learn more music history?  Subscribe to our bonus Garage to Stadium content across our social + web channels

Travel back to the political protests and civil unrest of the late 1960s that spawned the legendary Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young — America’s first supergroup comprised of members of previously successful bands. The result: clashing egos, legendary breakups, wild lives, yet timeless harmonies that stunned audiences and influenced The Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, Jackson Browne, and many more that followed. You'll learn: 1. The very different upbringings & personalities of each of the four members  2. How they played their first ever gig in front of 500,000 people 3. Their incredible creation of a powerful protest song only 3 weeks after an American tragedy 4. The often bitter in-group rivalries that challenged their very existence 5. How one member committed serious federal offences and was jailed    Want to learn more interesting music history?  Subscribe to our bonus Garage to Stadium content across our social + web channels Guest Biography for this episodeDavid Browne is the author of Crosby Stills, Nash and Young: The Wild, Definitive Saga of Rock's Greatest Supergroup. David is a senior writer at Rolling Stone magazine and a former music critic at Entertainment Weekly. He's profiled legends like Bob Dylan, The Grateful Dead and Sonic Youth. He joined us from New York. 

Experience one of music's big bang moments when 19-year-old Mick Jagger, carrying a handful of RnB albums, ran into Keith Richards on a train platform. Together, they would overcome tragedy, addictions, death and mayhem of all sorts to make it to the top and stay there.  This isn't just the tale of a band, it's the saga of survival, reinvention and rebellion, and at its core, it's the story of two kids from Dartford, Mick and Keith, who led The Stones to became undisputed icons of rock and roll. In Part 1 you'll learn.  How fate intervened to bring all of The Stones together as a bandWho really founded The Stones and the strange origins of the band name  The role that two women played in influencing their music About one of the first famous deaths in rock The financial mayhem they faced & the role of a mysterious Prince Some of the factors that drove their dark songs like Gimme Shelter & Sympathy for the DevilWant to learn more music history?  Subscribe to our bonus Garage to Stadium content across our social + web channels Guest BioChristopher Sanford is the author of The Rolling Stones: 60 years, he's written acclaimed biographies of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Paul McCartney, Sting and Kurt Cobain, as well as books on John F Kennedy and Roman Polanski. For more than two decades, he's written about music and film for major media outlets on both sides of the Atlantic. Rolling Stone magazine has called him "the preeminent author in his field". 

In Part 2, we journey through the 1970s and ’80s, to experience how The Rolling Stones navigated financial ruin, courtroom battles, and drug-fueled chaos. Their survival and evolution forged their legend—every scar a jewel in the crown they wear today.  In Part 2 you'll learn: How financial problems led to one of their finest albums About their legendary debaucherous 1972 tour That the chaos of 1970s New York City played a key role in their sound evolution Why Mick and Keith's relationship almost came to an endHow one of their most famous tunes started as a reggae songThe innovation The Stones brought to the concert touring modelWant to learn more music history?  Subscribe to our bonus Garage to Stadium content across our social + web channels Guest BioChristopher Sanford is the author of The Rolling Stones: 60 years, he's written acclaimed biographies of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Paul McCartney, Sting and Kurt Cobain, as well as books on John F Kennedy and Roman Polanski. For more than two decades, he's written about music and film for major media outlets on both sides of the Atlantic. Rolling Stone magazine has called him "the preeminent author in his field".   

Hop on the wild ride of Led Zeppelin that swings between euphoric triumphs and gut-wrenching tragedies. Delve deep into the Led Zeppelin story with Bob Spitz, the author of Led Zeppelin: The Biography, who sheds light on the band's journey from their humble beginnings in 1968 to their premature demise in 1980.  In this episode, learn: How the founder of Zeppelin was a stellar studio musician seeking a new career challengeHow the lead singer had the same background as the Peaky Blinders How two famous members of the band were unknowns playing in bar bands  How Led Zep tours reached levels of sexual debauchery not seen before or since How Zeppelin transformed music styles and concert economics for all artistsHow a 300-pound former wrestler created their innovative marketing strategyThat one of its members was studying to be an accountantHow several tragic events changed the band forever Led Zeppelin wasn't just a band but a powerhouse of talent. Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones weren't your average musicians—they were session legends, popping up on more records than you can shake a drumstick at. From The Who and The Kinks to classical orchestra songs to commercial jingles, these guys played on all of them, bringing a wealth of musical experience to Led Zep recordings. Jimmy Page even seemed destined for prodigy status when, as a 13-year-old guitar player, he appeared on the BBC.   Guest Bio:Bob Spitz is a journalist and author of the best-selling book Led Zeppelin: The Biography.  Early in his career,  Bob worked as a manager for Bruce Springsteen and Elton John. He also authored a New York Times best-seller on the Beatles.    Follow Garage To Stadiums (GTS) on social channels   For more music history check out all our social channels Share this episode with this linkFollow GTS on Apple or Spotify podcastsSign up for the Garage to Stadiums e-newsletter to get more bonus contentBonus Content: Download the Official Garage to Stadiums Led Zeppelin playlist on Apple Music or SpotifyVisit GaragetoStadiums.com for bonus content on Led Zeppelin, including concert footage, transcripts and other interesting facts.Led Zeppelin's journey was a whirlwind of highs and lows, triumphs and tragedies. Their musical prowess, unmatched charisma, and savvy marketing propelled them to the pinnacle of rock 'n' roll success. Led Zeppelin left an indelible mark on music history, from sold-out stadiums to groundbreaking albums.  Zep even teased everyone with a stellar performance in 2007 reunification in London featuring the three core members plus the son of their deceased drummer.    Air date: 2024Host: Dave Anthony