The Reliable Rocker

Billy Preston is the only outside musician ever credited on a Beatles single: “Get Back” by “The Beatles with Billy Preston.”​This episode traces the life of Billy Preston, and how a gospel-bred keyboard genius went from the Hamburg circuit to the most tense weeks in Beatles history. And why his presence is often credited with improving the mood and momentum of the Get Back sessions.​The story expands beyond the Beatles, covering the major aspects of his life: solo stardom, funk innovation, and the complicated human cost of living in the spotlight while carrying private burdens.

Black Sabbath's 1970 debut was trashed by critics when it came out, including rock legend Lester Bangs, who called it basically unlistenable. Problem is, he was dead wrong, and this album went on to create an entire genre.In this episode we're breaking down Bangs' original Rolling Stone review line by line, figuring out what he actually heard, what he completely missed, and why this matters for understanding music criticism. Plus, we get into whether Bangs ever changed his mind, how the album is rated today, and what made it so influential that bands are still copying it decades later.If you care about music history, heavy metal, or just understanding how even the smartest critics can totally miss what's happening right in front of them, this one's for you.

Explore the definitive biography of Pattie Boyd, the legendary woman who inspired George Harrison’s "Something" and Eric Clapton’s "Layla." This deep-dive documentary follows Pattie from her isolated childhood in Kenya to the center of 1960s Beatlemania. Discover the "Guitar Duel" at Friar Park, the heroin ultimatum that nearly broke her, and more. This episode reveals how Pattie survived rock and roll addiction to reclaim her identity as a world-class photographer. It is the ultimate story of rock’s most famous muse, George Harrison’s wife, and Eric Clapton’s obsession.

In today's episode, we discuss the life and times of Mal Evans, the gentle giant. He was the roadie for the Beatles and was with them through thick and thin. He was closer to them than practically anyone else in the world. And yet, when the Beatles broke up, something inside Mal broke as well. If you're a true Beatles fan, then you definitely need to know about "The Seventh Beatle" - Mal Evans.

Today we're seeing what the internet thinks about the Beatles only officially released instrument song "Flying".

In this episode, I review each track off of both albums to determine which album is actually the better album overall.

Today we're discussing all of the myths and urban legends surrounding the song In the Air Tonight by Phil Collins.

In this episode, we dive deep into the lyrics and meaning behind the Eagles' Hotel California. Are there direct references to the church of Satan? What is the song actually about? Sex, drugs, rock & roll, to be sure. I also relate some of my own personal experiences as someone who lived in LA for a brief time and was very interested in pursing a "rock and roll lifestyle" before realizing what the actual reality of that might be like...

In this episode, we dive into the tragic story of Randy Rhoads, the incredibly talented guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne's band and Quiet Riot. Randy's life was taken at a young age, but his impact on music, particularly in the metal genre, continues to resonate. Join us as we explore his early life, his journey with music, his influential work with Ozzy Osbourne, and his lasting legacy in the world of guitar playing.

Eleanor Rigby was a turning point in the overall sound of the Beatles music, in many ways. There were no guitars, drums, bass. No instruments played by the Beatles themselves, even. Just a string section lead by George Martin and vocals provided by John, Paul and George. Interestingly, both John and Paul seem to take credit for most of the song. Let's look into the story and discover how it came to be and who it's actually about.