Lindsey Hilsum is a multi-award-winning journalist who has been a foreign correspondent for the past four decades. She has been Channel 4’s international editor for the past 22 years and has reported on every continent except Antarctica. After studying French and Spanish at University, she worked as an aid worker in Mexico and Kenya before becoming…

So Much Music, So Little Time. In an exclusive one-on-one interview, Serious Rock Talk's Kennedy sits down with T-Bone Terry, the lead singer of the rock band Ranamers. Delve into T-Bone's journey, from his early days in the rock and metal music scene to his acclaimed career with his former band, Eudoxis.…

Donna Ockenden is a former clinical midwife who led the Ockenden Review which revealed, at the time, the biggest maternity scandal in NHS history. Published in 2022, the review highlighted serious failings in maternity care at the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust which contributed to the deaths of more than 200 babies and nine mothers. Don…

The Tale of Phil Spector: Violence Covered in Sugar and Candy Brilliant and abusive. Cruel and kind. A genius, A murderer. Music producer Phil Spector functioned on many levels, one of which led him down a very dark, sinister path. Dr. Clarke helps to illuminate the man's career, talent, demons and the terrible act that sent him to prison. #philspe…

Professor Carl Jones is a conservation biologist who is best known for saving the Mauritius kestrel from extinction. He is the scientific director of Mauritian Wildlife Foundation, chief scientist at Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust and an honorary professor in ecology and conservation biology at the University of East Anglia. He was born in Car…

Cyndi Lauper is a multi-award winning singer and songwriter. She has sold more than fifty million records, won an Emmy for acting and her musical Kinky Boots earned her a Tony and an Oliver award. Born in 1953, Cyndi grew up in a blue collar neighbourhood in New York. Her mother loved music and art and took her children to free exhibitions in New Y…

Jimi Hendrix: What Happened on September 18, 1970? Few rock personalities command as much recognition and respect as Jimi Hendrix. But popularity breeds conspiracies—and the death of Jim Hendrix is shrouded in confusion, distortion and deceit. Join Dr. Ian Clarke as he examines the evidence and opinions, identifying the bogus, condemning the crimin…

Favourite books selected by our guestsBy BBC Radio 4

William Boyd is the author of eighteen novels, five short story collections and numerous screenplays. His first published novel, A Good Man in Africa, was inspired by his childhood in West Africa. He is well known for writing ‘whole life’ novels including Any Human Heart which he adapted as a BAFTA-winning television series. He was born in Accra in…

The death of rocker Bobby Fuller is an enduring riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma. Who did it? Why? Where? And when? Everything was going Bobby's way. He was set to explode into international stardom. But suddenly out of nowhere... Listen in as Dr. Clarke leads you down a dark, winding path to arrive at one of rock's most bizarre deaths.…

Former Eastenders and present-day Archers actor Lucy Speed, and comedian Sarah Mills talk about books set in wartime London, a 1990s underground train, and Graham Greene's MI6.Lucy's choice is Everyone Brave is Forgiven by Chris Cleave, Which tells the tale of Mary, a woman who becomes a teacher at the beginning of the war, only for her life to tak…

Sir Jony Ive is a designer who is best known for his pioneering work at Apple alongside his friend and colleague, the late Steve Jobs. Jony’s creative vision is behind some of the company’s seminal products which have transformed the way we live today including phones, music players and watches. He was born in Chingford in east London and loved dra…

Actor Nina Sosanya and prize winning poet and writer Joelle Taylor talk favourite books with Harriett. Nina chooses Sally Jones and the False Rose by Jakob Wegelius, a children's novel with a mute gorilla engineer as its protagonist. The book appeals to Nina's love of engineering, and the city of Glasgow! Joelle nominates Booker Prize winning The S…

Wilhelmina – Mina – Smallman is an activist who campaigns for the safety of women and girls and police reform. She is a former teacher and priest who was the first woman of colour to be an archdeacon in the Church of England. In 2020 her daughters Bibaa and Nicole were murdered as they celebrated Bibaa’s 46th birthday in Fryent Country Park. It lat…

Rock Stars of Italian Descent. Who Knew? Be prepared for an explosion of surprises. In this episode, Ferris Kennedy—he of Italian background—takes great delight in confusing Dr. Clarke by listing the many rock musicians of Italian descent—people you have no idea had roots in Il Bel Paese!. This is a special chance to be entertained by pretty cool i…

Crypto, childhood and a very personal history of the world: writers Sara Collins and Oliver Burkeman share books they love with Harriett Gilbert.By BBC Radio 4

Stephen Mangan is an award winning actor who is also a presenter and writer. His prolific career includes comedic roles in TV hits Green Wing; Episodes and Adrian Mole. He also plays the much loved Nathan in BBC drama The Split and has appeared in many award winning theatre productions in the UK and on Broadway. Born in London to Irish immigrant pa…

What Happened to The Beatles after They Broke Up? The Beatles' career is well known. But what happened to the lovable mop tops after the best rock band in the world broke up? Kennedy and Clarke have you covered. The post-Beatle careers of John, Paul, George, and yes, even Ringo, are discussed, condemned, and celebrated.…

WHEN WE CEASE TO UNDERSTAND THE WORLD by Benjamin Labatut (translated by Adrian Nathan West), chosen by Ted HodgkinsonENTER GHOST by Isabella Hammad, chosen by Inua EllamsGHOSTING: A DOUBLE LIFE by Jennie Erdal, chosen by Harriett Gilbert As Head of Literature and Spoken Word-programming at the Southbank Centre in London, writers and writing are at…

Nemone Lethbridge is a barrister who was called to the bar in 1956. One of very few female barristers working at the time, she encountered misogyny and was one of the trailblazers for women working in the legal profession who followed behind her.At her first Chambers, she wasn’t allowed to share a toilet with her male colleagues and had to use the …

How to Stop Time by Matt Haig, chosen by Julia BradburyA Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry, chosen by Ramita NavaiAn Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim, chosen by presenter Harriett Gilbert TV presenter, author and walking enthusiast Julia Bradbury recommends a fiction book by Matt Haig, How to Stop Time, which brings to life the idea of living f…

Nick Cave is a singer and writer who, with his band Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, has released emotionally intense and provocative music since the mid-Eighties. He is also a novelist, composer and has written film scripts and soundtracks along with his writing partner and Bad Seed Warren Ellis. Nick grew up in Wangaratta, Australia the third of four…

The Men that Made Nirvana Successful We know that you like/love Nirvana. That means you're interested in behind-the-scenes revelations about exactly who helped them along. Which band mates left, and who remained to ascend the stairs to rock stardom? Ferris Kennedy is jacked as he kicks it with a discussion of a great band with eternal vibes.…

Perfume: The Story of a Murderer by Patrick Süskind, translated by John E. Woods, chosen by Iszi LawrenceTwo Serious Ladies by Jane Bowles, chosen by Joe DunthorneOh William! by Elizabeth Strout, chosen by presenter Harriett Gilbert Historical fiction author and broadcaster Iszi Lawrence adores the sensational novel Perfume, and has done since she …

Harriet Wistrich is one of the country’s most prominent human rights lawyers. In 2016 she founded the Centre for Women’s Justice and over the course of her career, she has won landmark victories in very difficult legal cases. She has helped women imprisoned after killing their abusers regain their freedom. She’s also represented women seeking justi…

Foo Fighters: What's Next? Hey, the Foos have been through a lot. And they're still around—still selling out stadiums, still bringing garage rock to the masses. But what's next? Ferris Kennedy amps it up as he plots a path for Dave Grohl and the boys. You don't want to miss this inaugural episode of Kennedy's Corner.…

The writing duo known as Nicci French choose favourite booksBy BBC Radio 4

Laurie Anderson is an artist and performer who came to fame in the UK with her 1981 hit O Superman. Her work spans music, film and multimedia projects which interrogate our relationship with technology and tell stories about the world we live in. She was born in Chicago in 1947, the second-oldest of eight children, and started learning the violin w…

Mark-Anthony Turnage is a composer of contemporary classical music. Once called “Britain’s hippest composer”, he has been in a rock band, got drunk with Francis Bacon, and tackled anything from drug abuse to football in his works.Mark was born in June 1960 in the Thames estuary town of Corringham in Essex. His musical talent was nurtured by his par…

Sam Cooke: Motel Money Murder Madness Much has been written about the strange circumstances surrounding the tragic death of Sam Cooke, one of the greatest soul and pop singers/composers of the early 1960s. In this episode, Dr Clarke discusses conspiracies and carefully evaluates the circumstances which led to Cooke's murder in a $3-dollar-a-night m…

Marianela Núñez is a Principal dancer of the Royal Ballet and Opera. Born in Argentina in 1982, Marianela knew she wanted to be a ballet dancer from the age of five and joined the Teatro Colón Ballet School in Buenos Aires when she was eight. She dedicated herself to becoming a professional ballerina and had the full support of her parents despite …

Is Rock Music Soon to be Extinct? Classic bands are aging. Radio is dying. New music formats are flourishing. Has rock music really strummed its last chord? In this episode we review the tell-tale facts, consider the trends, and deliver entertaining, persuasive conclusions that will just about make your day!…

Gareth Southgate OBE is the most successful England men’s football manger in the modern game. He holds the record as the man who has represented England in more games than anyone else, with 102 games as men's senior team manager, 57 caps as a player and 37 as men's under-21 head coach, leading to a total of 196 games in which he has been involved a…

Cher has been a global star for over six decades. Her career has spanned music, television and film and throughout that time her outfits have made flamboyant fashion statements. She was born Cherilyn Sarkisian in El Centro, California and had a peripatetic childhood. Her mother married six times and with each new husband the family moved house. In …

Are Rock Lists Goofy or Great? Listeners of Serious Rock Talk know our mixed emotions about 'Greatest Songs/Bands/Guitarists/Singers/Etc.' lists. In this episode, we make a temporary truce with those that perpetuate lists (Rolling Stone Mag et. al.) and we come out the other end with a lot of laughs. Listen up and enjoy original insights and random…

Former cricketer Ebony Rainford-Brent is the first Black woman to play for England and she was part of the team which won the Women’s Cricket World Cup in 2009. Today she is a broadcaster and cricket commentator for Channel 4, Sky Sports and the BBC’s Test Match Special. Ebony was born in south London and as a child it was football that caught her …

New Year's Eve Show 2024 2024 was an amazing year for rock—and dare we say an outstanding year for the Serious Rock Talk Podcast. We thank you all for lending us an ear, sending emails, and making suggestions. Listen in as Dr. Clarke, Steven Wheeler, and Ferris Kennedy sum it all up for you. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride. 2025—here we come!…

Mark Steel is a writer, comedian and radio presenter. His performing career began as a poet in the alternative comedy scene in the early eighties at the Comedy Store. A regular presenter on Radio 4, he began his award winning series, Mark Steel’s in Town in 2009. Alongside his performing career, he’s been a regular newspaper columnist writing for t…

Aerosmith: 54 Years and No More Counting They say there are five stages of grief. When Aerosmith announced that the band was no longer touring or recording, Kennedy began his dark, lonely trek across the stages. O yes, he loves his Aerosmith, This episode is therapeutic for Kennedy, and he enriches us all with his sorrow. Listen in while he praises…

What's Motown All About? How does a $800 investment attain a $61-million value in twenty years? The Motown story is a tale of ambition, talent, timing and tragedy. From Diana Ross to Boyz ll Men, Motown produced an astounding roster of incredible performers. Listen in as we take you on a mini-march through the halls of this incredible company.…

Lauren Laverne talks to Ian Wright in an episode first broadcast in 2020. Ian Wright is a former professional footballer and now a football pundit on TV and radio. He began his career at Crystal Palace before moving to Arsenal where he became their highest goal scorer of all time, a record only surpassed eight years later by Thierry Henry. Born to …

The Inevitable Murder of John Lennon Death is inevitable, but murder isn't. With the help of Professor Joseph Campbell's book The Hero with a Thousand Faces, Dr Ian Clarke tries to make sense of Mark David Chapman's senseless act of violence.By Clarke

A PRIMATE'S MEMOIR (Love, Death and Baboons) by Robert Sapolsky, chosen by Professor Ben GarrodSOLDIER SAILOR by Claire Kilroy, chosen by Harriett GilbertTHE ABUNDANCE by Annie Dillard, chosen by Lucy Jones Evolutionary biologist Ben Garrod (Professor at the University of East Anglia) chooses a book which he's read and gifted countless times, a boo…

TOKYO EXPRESS by Seichō Matsumoto, translated by Jesse Kirkwood, chosen by Sir Ian BlatchfordTHE LETTERS OF ABELARD AND HELOISE, translated by Betty Radice, chosen by Charles FernyhoughSOLDIERS OF SALAMIS by Javier Cercas, translated by Anne McLean, chosen by Harriett Gilbert Director of the Science Museum group and president of the Royal Literary …

Jake & Jackie: Exclusive Interview with the Country Folk Duo. It's not often that we are lucky enough to speak with artists at the beginning of their careers: the dynamic duo of Jake & Jackie gave us an exciting opportunity. They are country, folk, rock and more. All of you musicians and music lovers, listen in. . This is the sound of talented, ded…

The Power author Naomi Alderman, and Nigerian writer Abi Dare discuss favourite books. Naomi chooses Dear Committee Members by Julie Schumacher, a series of hilarious letters written by a beleaguered academic. Abi champions A Thousand Splendid Suns, Khaled Hosseini's tale of two women in Taliban governed Afghanistan and Harriett recommends James Ba…

To invert a bit of Hamlet, it’s a tale told by a master storyteller, full of drums and guitars, signifying a lot. In 1964, Jimmie Nicol was a Beatle for two weeks, and then… what happened? Jim Berkenstadt, a rock and roll detective, follows Jimmie’s trail around the world. Jimmie’s story is exciting, surprising, inspiring and perplexing. Dr. Clarke…

EDUCATED by Tara Westover, chosen by Jenny KleemanTHE WREN, THE WREN by Anne Enright, chosen by Harriett GilbertGIVING UP THE GHOST by Hilary Mantel, chosen by Sam Knight Journalist and broadcaster Jenny Kleeman (of Radio 4's The Gift and author of The Price of Life) chooses Tara Westover's memoir Educated, which caused a sensation when it was firs…

Nihal has chosen Amma, the debut novel by Sri Lankan writer Saraid de Silva, which he compares to meeting someone on a train and having a long, intense conversation. Elif Shafak's choice, however, You're Embarrassing Yourself by Desiree Akhavan, he describes as more like a hilarious night in a pub. Harriett has gone for The Second Murderer by Denis…

Nickelback: Canada's Greatest Band... or What Love 'em. Hate 'em. There doesn't seem to be a middle ground for Nickelback. Why? Often the band is celebrated as Canada's greatest rock export. Ferris Kennedy has had enough! He makes a strong case that you—and your friends—should give Nickelback another listen. So go ahead, fire up this episode and be…