Shows / Behind The Song: Classic Rock Chronicles
Behind The Song: Classic Rock Chronicles
Dig into the history of classic rock songs and the storytellers that created them in "Behind The Song," a podcast by Janda Lane. Hear what was happening behind the scenes while some of the most iconic songs in rock history were being written.
Episodes
Behind The Song: Classic Rock ChroniclesLeft Off the Album: From B-Side To Classic
In this bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda is joined by her boss at The Drive in Chicago, Keith Hastings, for a deep dive into great songs…
Behind The Song: Classic Rock ChroniclesCharles Manson: Rock's Boogeyman
In this Halloween bonus episode of Behind the Song, Janda discusses Charles Manson’s failed dream of rock stardom before the notorious 1969 murders with Behind…
Behind The Song: Classic Rock ChroniclesSomebody Else’s Sky: The Story of Pearl Jam’s “Black”
In this episode of Behind The Song, Janda goes deeper into Pearl Jam’s “Black,” the heartbreak anthem that became a hit without ever being a single. Hear why…
Behind The Song: Classic Rock ChroniclesSaving Grace: The Many Lives of Robert Plant
He once sang for eighty thousand fans as the voice of Led Zeppelin. Now in his late 70s, Robert Plant is playing centuries-old songs and loving every minute of…
Behind The Song: Classic Rock ChroniclesDecoding King Crimson: Steve Vai on the BEAT Tour
In the new episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda chats with Steve Vai about gearing up to tour once again with BEAT, performing the music of King…
Behind The Song: Classic Rock ChroniclesThe Mighty Comeback of Oasis with Janda and Christian
In this bonus Behind The Song episode, Janda is joined by her husband, Behind The Song music producer Christian Lane, to talk about the incredible comeback of…
Behind The Song: Classic Rock ChroniclesMother Nature on the Run: The Story of "After the Gold Rush"
In 1970, Neil Young was handed a screenplay by a neighbor about an apocalyptic flood wiping out the Topanga Canyon community they lived in. The film was never…
Behind The Song: Classic Rock ChroniclesMake Some Noise For Illinois! Interview with Ron Romero, Illinois Rock & Roll Museum On Route 66 Founder
As the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum On Route 66 prepares for its 5th annual Hall Of Fame awards ceremony in Chicago on September 27th, Janda had a chat with…
Behind The Song: Classic Rock ChroniclesRocky Horror Rock Star: Tim Curry’s Accidental Impact on Joe Bonamassa’s Career
In this bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda pays tribute to the late, great Tim Curry. Beyond his iconic role in the Rocky Horror Picture show…
Behind The Song: Classic Rock ChroniclesTransmission from the Edge: The Clash's “London Calling”
In this episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda digs in to “London Calling” by The Clash, a song that called an alarm about what was going on in London…
Behind The Song: Classic Rock ChroniclesRemembering Dolly Parton
In this bonus episode of Behind The Song, Janda pays tribute to the late Dolly Parton. More than just a country singer, entertainer, or her late-in-life role…
Behind The Song: Classic Rock ChroniclesThe Class Of ‘76: An A+ Year for Classic Rock
Fifty years ago this week, Boston released one of the best-selling debut albums in rock history. In the new bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda…
Behind The Song: Classic Rock ChroniclesFive Years Late, Six Times Platinum: The Wild Ride of AC/DC’s Dirty Deeds
In 1976, an exhausted AC/DC wrote "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap" between tour stops, built around a line Angus Young lifted from a cartoon villain's business…
Behind The Song: Classic Rock ChroniclesUs and Them: The Band Divorce Behind Pink Floyd's The Wall
It started with literal spit! Roger Waters, spitting on a fan mid-concert in 1977. That moment was the inspiration behind one of rock's most ambitious concept…
Behind The Song: Classic Rock ChroniclesGrateful Dead fans and the "Days Between"
Every year from August 1st to August 9th, Deadheads mark the “Days Between" — the span between Jerry Garcia's birth and death. In this bonus episode of the…
Behind The Song: Classic Rock ChroniclesDon Henley: The Boys Of Summer and the Eagles’ Long Goodbye
Don Henley's “The Boys Of Summer” is a song with lyrical roots that trace back to the poet Dylan Thomas, but it got its musical start from a demo Mike Campbell…
Behind The Song: Classic Rock ChroniclesRush Fifty Something: A Night To Remember in Chicago
Janda recaps night one of Rush's Fifty Something tour in Chicago on July 16, 2026— a show few fans thought they'd ever see after Neil Peart's passing in 2020…
Behind The Song: Classic Rock ChroniclesUnpacking The Rolling Stones’ Foreign Tongues
Sixty-plus years in, the Rolling Stones return with Foreign Tongues — fourteen tracks featuring Paul McCartney, Steve Winwood, and a surprise turn from The…
Behind The Song: Classic Rock ChroniclesTadpole In A Jar: Unpacking Led Zeppelin's "Dancing Days"
In 1972, Led Zeppelin traded the studio for Mick Jagger’s driveway and the Rolling Stones' recording truck, after a detoured trip to Bombay reshaped their…
Behind The Song: Classic Rock ChroniclesRemembering Clive Davis: The Hitmaker Who Rocked
In this episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda remembers the legendary Clive Davis, the music icon who almost single-handedly dragged the music industry…
Behind The Song: Classic Rock ChroniclesThree Classic Albums That Radiate Summer Heat
Roll the windows down and crank the volume up! In the new bonus episode of Behind The Song Janda tracks the arc of a summer day through three classic albums…
Behind The Song: Classic Rock ChroniclesBaby I Love Your Way: Peter Frampton, But Make It Live!
How did Peter Frampton go from an industry underdog to an absolute stadium-packing global phenomenon? In the new episode of Behind The Song, Janda tracks the…
Behind The Song: Classic Rock ChroniclesBohemian Cat-sody: Freddie Mercury's Felines
In this episode of the Behind The Song podcast with Janda Lane, step inside Freddie Mercury’s London mansion to meet the pampered clowder of ten felines who…
Behind The Song: Classic Rock ChroniclesThe Rolling Stones & Sonny Rollins: When Two Musical Worlds Collided
In this bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda shares the incredible story behind how the late, great “saxophone colossus” Sonny Rollins came to…
Behind The Song: Classic Rock ChroniclesPete Townshend: The Guru Between The Notes
In this episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda takes a closer look into Pete Townshend’s “Let My Love Open The Door,” just one of many songs that he…
Behind The Song: Classic Rock ChroniclesGet On The Bus! Why The Grateful Dead Will Never Die with Christian Lane
Janda is joined by Behind The Song podcast producer Christian Lane (her husband!) for a conversation about what makes the Grateful Dead continue to compel fans…
Behind The Song: Classic Rock ChroniclesA Triumphant Return! Janda chats with Gil Moore and Mike Levine of Triumph
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…
Behind The Song: Classic Rock ChroniclesFlies in the Vasoline: Stone Temple Pilots' Tragic Prophecy
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…
Behind The Song: Classic Rock ChroniclesRock’s Unsung Gems: Songs That Should Have Been Hits
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…
Behind The Song: Classic Rock ChroniclesWhat The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Got Right in 2026 with Christian James Hand
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…
Behind The Song: Classic Rock ChroniclesDavid Bowie’s “Let’s Dance”: The Reinvention That Changed Everything
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…
Behind The Song: Classic Rock ChroniclesMore Cowbell!!!
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…
Behind The Song: Classic Rock ChroniclesJimmy Page and Joe Walsh: The Lost Chicago Tapes
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…
Behind The Song: Classic Rock ChroniclesThe Who’s “Who Are You,” Explained
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…
Behind The Song: Classic Rock ChroniclesThe Curse Of "Layla"
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…
Behind The Song: Classic Rock ChroniclesThe G-Man of the Emerald Isle: Rory Gallagher
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…
Behind The Song: Classic Rock ChroniclesA Nice Day To Start Again: Billy Idol's "White Wedding"
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…
Behind The Song: Classic Rock ChroniclesThe Archive Of A Lifetime: Man On The Run director Morgan Neville on Paul McCartney
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…
Behind The Song: Classic Rock ChroniclesThe Influence of Lithofayne Pridgon, Hendrix’s Muse
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…
Behind The Song: Classic Rock ChroniclesIt Came In A Dream: Fleetwood Mac's "Songbird"
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…
Behind The Song: Classic Rock ChroniclesThe B-Side of Love: Classic Rock Deep Cuts
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…
Behind The Song: Classic Rock ChroniclesRiff Raff: 10 Infamous Rock Feuds
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: Classic Rock ChroniclesWhy R.E.M.’s "The One I Love" Is NOT a Love Song
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…
Behind The Song: Classic Rock ChroniclesTriumph Returns! Interview with Gil Moore and Mike Levine
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…
Behind The Song: Classic Rock ChroniclesThey're Called What? The Origins Of 13 Classic Rock Band Names
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…
Behind The Song: Classic Rock ChroniclesWhitesnake’s Do-Over Hit: "Here I Go Again"
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…
Behind The Song: Classic Rock ChroniclesYou’re Not Alone: 5 Inspirational David Bowie Songs
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…
Behind The Song: Classic Rock ChroniclesIf These Walls Could Talk: Infamous Rock ‘N Roll Hotels
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…
Behind The Song: Classic Rock ChroniclesNo Schmaltz, Just Rock 'n' Roll: The Story Behind Tom Petty's "Christmas All Over Again"
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…
Behind The Song: Classic Rock ChroniclesTotal Transformation: Bands Who Abandoned Their Debut Sound
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…
Behind The Song: Classic Rock ChroniclesAlice’s Restaurant: The Thanksgiving Massacree
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…
Behind The Song: Classic Rock ChroniclesThe Hit That Won’t Quit: Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams”
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…
Behind The Song: Classic Rock ChroniclesBeyond the Stage: The Weirdest Side Gigs of Rock Stars
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…
Behind The Song: Classic Rock ChroniclesGetting Loud And Clear About The Grateful Dead’s Wall Of Sound with Author Brian Anderson
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…
Behind The Song: Classic Rock ChroniclesThat's All: The Story Behind Genesis’s Breakthrough
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…
Behind The Song: Classic Rock ChroniclesSongs About Places
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…
Behind The Song: Classic Rock ChroniclesWho Is Anika Nilles?
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 Song: Classic Rock ChroniclesThe story of Springsteen’s “Born To Run”
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…
Behind The Song: Classic Rock ChroniclesClassic Rock’s Super Producers: Architects of The Sound
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…
Behind The Song: Classic Rock ChroniclesThe Tragic Tale of Sandy Denny
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…