Behind The Song: Classic Rock Chronicles

Triumph returns to the road and to Chicago’s Allstate Arena on May 13th in a Drive 25th Anniversary concert event! In this bonus episode, revisit the conversation as Janda sits down with Mike Levine and Gil Moore to discuss what made them decide to tour again and what fans can expect now. 

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In 1994, Stone Temple Pilots hit #1 with Purple, but behind the scenes, the band was fracturing. In this episode of Behind The Song, Janda breaks down the STP classic "Vasoline." It’s the story of a band at their creative peak, even as their frontman Scott Weiland began a very long, sad goodbye. 

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Why did Aerosmith’s "You See Me Crying" never top the charts? How did a musical genius like Lowell George of Little Feat miss out on a solo smash? Janda is joined by WDRV Brand & Content Director Keith Hastings (her boss!) for a deep dive into the "should've beens" of rock and roll. From the hair-metal transition of Kip Winger to the bluesy hooks of the Arc Angels and the shifting sounds of Genesis, Janda and Keith trade picks on songs that had all the ingredients of a hit but somehow slipped through the cracks.

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In the new episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda sits down for a no-filter conversation with musicologist Christian James Hand to break down the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class of 2026. The duo dive into the singular career of Phil Collins, who now enters the rarified air of two-time inductees, and expand into what else the Rock Hall got right this year. 

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In the early 1980s, David Bowie was an artist’s artist, but he wasn’t yet a blockbuster hitmaker in America. Fresh off the experimental depths of his Berlin Trilogy, Bowie decided it was time to step out of the shadows and onto the dance floor. In this episode of Behind The Song, Janda explores the seismic shift that occurred when the Starman traded his avant-garde roots for a truly knockout hit that conquered the mainstream.

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It’s one of the most recognizable sounds in rock, but how did it get there? In this bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda tracks the evolution of the cowbell! Follow along and discover how this humble piece of farm equipment became a secret weapon in rock ‘n roll, and how the Saturday Night Live moment turned a studio quirk into a cultural phenomenon.

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What really happened at the Ambassador East Hotel in Chicago after a late-night dinner at the Pump Room in 1969? It has been whispered in certain circles for decades that Jimmy Page made musical history with Joe Walsh in Room 6 with nothing more than two guitars, a pizza box, and a four-track recorder. Join Janda on this special Behind The Song podcast exclusive as she traces that night and the origins of the long-lost song they allegedly recorded, “Angel On The CTA.” Featuring a guest appearance by Joe Walsh himself to explain what happened to the tapes, this April 1st episode of Behind The Song changes everything we thought we knew about two of rock’s most legendary characters. Or does it?

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Who are you? Who who, who who….

In this episode of Behind The Song, Janda dives into wild night that inspired Pete Townshend to write “Who Are You,” the title track to The Who’s eighth album. From the spiritual meanings in the last verse of the song to the eerie warning on the album cover that preceded Keith Moon’s passing, get into the story of one of The Who’s biggest anthems - f-bombs and all! 

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Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs is one of the best one-and-done albums by any classic rock group, but the cost of making it was staggeringly high. 

In this episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda digs into "The Curse" of Derek and the Dominos. From Eric Clapton’s unrequited love that fueled the sessions to the tragic fates of Duane Allman and Jim Gordon, the story behind this album reads like a Gothic novel.

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In the new episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda digs into the life of the "Architect of Irish Rock," Rory Gallagher. 

From his roots in 1960s Cork to the legendary moment he turned down The Rolling Stones to do his own thing, Rory was the ultimate "working man" of the Irish-soul blues. Find out why your favorite guitar legends looked up to this man - who famously played the same Stratocaster he bought as a teenager for his entire career.

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Before he was a solo superstar and a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominee, Billy Idol was a punk rocker at a crossroads in his career. In this episode of Behind The Song, Janda tells the story of how "White Wedding" helped break him into his icon era. Subscribe for more classic rock stories!

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On the new episode of The Behind the Song Podcast, Janda is joined by Oscar-winning director Morgan Neville to talk about his new documentary, Man on the Run. Listen to hear how Neville accessed Paul McCartney’s massive personal archive to weave the story of McCartney’s life and creative surge in the decade following the Beatles’ breakup. 

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Before there was the "Experience," there was Lithofayne.

Lithofayne Pridgon wasn’t just a muse; she was the Queen of Harlem who gave a struggling Jimi Hendrix a place to live, a connection to the music scene, and the inspiration for "Foxey Lady."

In this bonus episode of Behind The Song, dig into the story of the mysterious woman who stood toe-to-toe with James Brown, managed the chaos of Sly Stone, and was so punk-rock she refused to release her own Atlantic Records album because it wasn’t "perfect" enough.

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How do you write one of the most beautiful songs ever recorded in just 30 minutes? For Christine McVie, it was a midnight miracle that came in a dream.

In this episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda gets into the magic creation of "Songbird" and how it kept Fleetwood Mac together when everything else was breaking apart. 🎹✨

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Everyone knows the chart-toppers, but sometimes the real magic is buried in the album. In this bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda breaks down classic rock deep cuts that really strike a chord, even if they weren’t big hits. From Queen to Fleetwood Mac, this is a list of underrated love songs that you don’t want to miss.

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They say creative tension leads to great art—but sometimes it just leads to a lawsuit and a nasty interview in Rolling Stone. In the latest bonus episode of Behind The Song, Janda explores the thin line between partnership and "bad blood” with a look at 10 legendary feuds. From the friction between Roger Waters and David Gilmour to the sibling rivalry that defined the Black Crowes, these stories did their dramatic part in shaping the music we love. 

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Think twice before you add R.E.M.’s "The One I Love" to your romance playlist. While it reached #9 on the Billboard charts and even became a favorite at weddings, Michael Stipe himself calls the track "downright brutal." Get into the story of this often-misunderstood song in the new episode of the Behind The Song podcast with Janda Lane.

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The wait is over! In this special bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda sat down with Mike Levine and Gil Moore from Triumph to talk about their massive 50th Anniversary tour, their induction into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, and why they decided now was the time to hit the road again.

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Before they were legends, they were "The Tea Set," "The Warlocks," and even "Soft White Underbelly." In this bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda uncovers the weird, accidental, and sometimes hilarious ways 13 classic rock bands landed on their names—from Led Zeppelin to Foghat!

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Did you know "Here I Go Again" was originally released 5 years before it became a hit? This week on the BehindTheSong podcast, Janda breaks down the evolution of Whitesnake's signature tune—from its bluesy origins to its chart-topping 1987 reinvention.

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 In this bonus episode of Behind The Song, Janda dives into five songs where David Bowie offered something more than just music—he offered hope. From Ziggy Stardust’s final anthem to the graceful goodbye of “Lazarus,”  Bowie’s messages of connectivity and faith are like a light in the dark.

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In the new bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda is checking us into the infamous accommodations that became as legendary as the bands that trashed them! We're talking about the places where history was made, TVs were thrown, and the accountants were always on call.

From Led Zeppelin riding motorcycles down the halls of the "Riot House" in Los Angeles to the love affair between Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love that began at the Rock ‘N Roll Days Inn in Chicago... every stop on this tour is pure rock chaos!

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Did you know Tom Petty wrote just one Christmas song? In this episode of the Behind The Song podcast, find out how the gift of a ukulele from George Harrison inspired “Christmas All Over Again,” a song that required over 20 musicians to get the wall-of-sound vibe that Petty wanted for his rockin’ holiday tune.

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In this bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda dives into the sonic evolutions of artists whose debut albums sound like they were recorded by a completely different group. Trace the changes in bands like Pink Floyd, Fleetwood Mac, and the Scorpions!

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In the new bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda revisits Arlo Guthrie’s “Alice’s Restaurant Massacree.” Listen in on how a ridiculous (and hilariously true) littering incident became an 18 minute Thanksgiving classic for generations of fans! 

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Stevie Nicks wrote the hit "Dreams" in about 10 minutes as the drama with Lindsey Buckingham was peaking during the Rumours sessions. It’s the only Fleetwood Mac song to ever go to #1 when it was released, and it keeps entering the charts as the decades go on! Get into this hit that just won’t quit in this episode of the Behind The Song podcast with Janda Lane. 

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You won't believe the wild second careers some of your favorite musicians found! From Jeff "Skunk" Baxter (Doobie Brothers/Steely Dan) becoming a legit missile defense consultant to The Smashing Pumpkins' Billy Corgan running the National Wrestling Association, join Janda as she dives into the most surprising second acts in rock in this bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast.

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The Grateful Dead’s desire to create the best sound for their audience led to the construction of the legendary Wall Of Sound, a sound amplification system that grew to enormous proportions with one goal in mind: to make their live concerts loud, but clear. It was one of the many technical innovations that sprung out of the Grateful Dead’s inner circle, and it impacted all of live music as we hear it today. 

In the new bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast, listen in as Janda chats with New York Times Best-Selling author Brian Anderson about the fascinating ways The Grateful Dead were true innovators as they discuss his page-turning book “Loud and Clear: The Grateful Dead’s Wall of Sound and the Quest for Audio Perfection.”

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It took twelve albums, but 1983's "That's All" finally launched Genesis into the Billboard Hot 100 Top 10.

This episode of the Behind The Song podcast dives into the single that cemented the Phil Collins, Tony Banks, and Mike Rutherford lineup as the band's most commercially successful era. Hear how this hit transformed them from progressive pioneers to chart-topping superstars, kickstarting a run of seven Top 10 hits in the 80’s.

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In this bonus episode of Behind The Song, take a journey with Janda Lane into songs where the setting is everything. From the powerful metaphors in "Hotel California" to the real memories behind "Strawberry Fields Forever," these songs are always worth a trip!

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When Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson of Rush surprised everyone and announced their 2026 celebrating 50 years of Rush’s music, Anika Nilles was named to join them behind the drumkit. This led to lots of Rush fans immediately wondering, who is Anika Nilles? Find out about the powerhouse drummer who landed the gig of a lifetime in this bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast with Janda Lane.

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Bruce Springsteen was only 24 when he wrote the lyrics to "Born To Run." He had two critically-acclaimed albums but was facing a make-or-break moment with the record label. Then came his first Top 40 hit in 1975 and that changed everything.

Get into the story of the song that saved his career in the new episode of the Behind The Song podcast with Janda Lane.

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Janda Lane kicks off Rocktober with an episode about the genius of some of Classic Rock’s Super Producers.  Get into the stories of the legends who knew exactly what to do with the talent of bands like The Beatles, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, AC/DC, and Def Leppard and shaped their music into the soundtrack of our lives. Listen to this episode of the Behind The Song podcast!

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Did you know that only one guest vocalist ever appeared on a Led Zeppelin studio album? It was the incredible Sandy Denny, the voice behind “The Battle of Evermore.” This cemented her place in rock history, but her life was cut short at just 31 years old after a tragic - and weird- accident. Get into her story in the new bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast with Janda Lane. 

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The story behind one of Alice In Chains' biggest hits is deeply personal. “Rooster,” written by Jerry Cantrell, was what he imagined his father's experience in the Vietnam War was like, and the song was so spot-on, his dad told him he "hit the nail on the head."

Listen to the full story of "Rooster" on the new episode of the Behind The Song podcast with Janda Lane.

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Once upon a time in Hollywood, David Bowie made Axl Rose so mad that it nearly caused a brawl in the middle of the street! Get into the story of this very rock ‘n roll moment in this bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast.

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You're stranded on a desert island and can only bring three songs. What are you choosing?Would you pick something to keep your spirits high, or a song that makes you reflect on life? It’s an impossible task to pick just three, but hear what Janda and her boss, WDRV Program Director Keith Hastings, would choose in this bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast.

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In the new episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda dives into the surprising inspiration behind Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Lookin’ Out My Back Door.” Find out how one of CCR’s most trippy tunes actually has a connection to a book by Dr. Seuss!

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In the new bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda looks back on the remarkable career of the late Bobby Whitlock and his contributions to some of rock's greatest albums. Take a listen and discover how this soulman’s talent made a huge impact on Layla and other Assorted Love Songs by Derek & The Dominos, George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass, and Exile On Main Street by The Rolling Stones! 

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In this bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast, dig in to the story of Coco Schwab, the behind-the-scenes assistant David Bowie credited with saving his life. Together until the very end, their friendship was a lifeline for Bowie for over 46 years, and he even wrote a song specifically for her. Get into it in this episode!

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It all started with a "Photograph." Def Leppard’s first smash hit kicked off their path to the top and had fans wondering who the song was about, thanks to its music video featuring a Marilyn Monroe lookalike. So what’s the story behind this classic tune? Get into it on this episode of the Behind The Song podcast!

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When Ozzy Osbourne passed away, on July 22, 2025, it was a sad day for rock ‘n roll.  Listen in on this bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast as Janda and Adam Reader, The Professor of Rock, share their conversation grappling with the loss of the legendary “Prince of Darkness." Take a look back on why his music with Black Sabbath, his solo work, and his persona will remain iconic for generations to come.

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In the new bonus episode of Janda's Behind The Song podcast, listen in on the chat about Tom Petty's particular gift for writing some of the most cutting lyrics in classic rock. From "Change Of Heart" to "I Need To Know," you're gonna get it!

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Songs can transport us, and for Stevie Nicks, "Gypsy" is a powerful portal to her past. Join Janda on this episode of Behind The Song as she unpacks this unforgettable Fleetwood Mac hit, from its origins as a raw reflection on Nicks’ early days with Lindsey Buckingham, to its deeper meaning as a heartfelt remembrance of her late friend, Robin Snyder Anderson.

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From Clapton to Aerosmith...listen in on this chat about specific cover songs from the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band movie, and some of the artists who have had big hits covering J. J. Cale songs.

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Rosanna, Beth, Mary Anne, Michelle....join Janda on a fun musical list of some of classic rock's songs titled after girls' names in this bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast!

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Join Janda on a deep dive into Traffic’s “The Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys,” a nearly 12-minute epic song co-written by Steve Winwood and Jim Capaldi that defies any kind of pop logic from the band that has had a lasting impact on progressive rock and beyond. Check out the story in the new episode of the Behind The Song podcast.

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From David Bowie to Zeppelin to Janis Joplin, Janda goes through a list of classic rock songs that opened the door to classic rock and shaped her taste in this genre of music. Check it out in this bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast!

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Listen in on this conversation about classic rock cover songs that might just transcend the original! From Creedence Clearwater Revival’s take on “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” to Nirvana’s version of “The Man Who Sold The World," check out this chat about covers that really rock in the new bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast.

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Dive in to the new episode of the Behind The Song podcast as Janda explores Bad Company: the supergroup, the song, and the debut album. Find out how the band crafted their authentic sound and their identity to become an essential part of mid-70's hard rock  🎵

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