5-Year Anniversary Special: Listeners Q&A

Kevin Brown (The Tom Petty Project) joins Nick to discuss Cameron Crowe’s 1983 music documentary Tom Petty: Heartbreakers Beach Party. Originally filmed as an MTV promotional special supporting the band’s 1982 album Long After Dark, the film captures Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers at the height of their popularity while offering a fascinating, behind-the-scenes glimpse into their world.In addition to discussing the film, Kevin and Nick share their favorite songs from the band’s legendary career.Support the show

Nick is joined by his friends and A24k Gold co-hosts Amanda, Darren, and Kailyn for a special crossover episode! Together, they discuss Jonathan Demme’s classic concert film Stop Making Sense (1984), featuring the legendary Talking Heads at the height of their powers.Often hailed as the greatest concert film of all time, Stop Making Sense captures the band’s iconic live show through unforgettable performances, inventive staging, and, of course, David Byrne’s very big suit. The group dives into what makes it so enduring, their favorite musical moments, Demme’s approach to capturing the concert experience, and why it remains such a singular piece of music and movie history.And what better excuse for an A24k Gold crossover? A24 acquired and restored Stop Making Sense in 2023, bringing this landmark concert movie back to theaters for a whole new generation.Support the show

Josh and Kyle join Nick to discuss the career and legacy of 21st century hitmakers Coldplay. We discuss their consistent popularity over the last quarter century, their status as a great live act, share our favorite songs and albums from their legendary career, and why they are no brainers for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.Support the show

Jacob and Rachel, hosts of the podcast Cinema Role, join Nick to discuss James Griffiths' 2025 musical comedy-drama The Ballad of Wallis Island. The film stars Tom Baden, Tim Key, and Carey Mulligan.Support the show

Patrick, Mike, and Hector return to discuss Rob Reiner's 2025 mockumentary Spinal Tap 2: The End Continues. We share on thoughts on the movie, and conclude by selecting our favorite film from Reiner's legendary career. Support the show

Cliff and Helen are back to revisit one of the biggest music scandals of all time as they discuss the 2023 Paramount+ documentary Milli Vanilli. We dive into the incredible rise and spectacular fall of the 80s pop duo, unpack the infamous lip-syncing controversy, and explore how the documentary reshapes a story many thought they already knew.Support the show

Today marks the 5-year anniversary of Rock in Retrospect! To celebrate this milestone, I turned it over to listeners to ask Nick anything they wanted him to answer or share stories about. From behind-the-scenes stories to questions he's never answered before, nothing was off limits. Let's celebrate five years together!Support the show

Albert and Diya return to discuss Antoine Fuqua's Michael (2026), the long-awaited music biopic chronicling the early life and career of the King of Pop, Michael Jackson. They share their thoughts on the film—both its strengths and shortcomings—highlight the standout performances (including Jaafar Jackson's portrayal of his famous uncle), and dive into several of the film's most memorable moments and themes. We wrap up the episode by counting down some of our favorite Michael Jackson songs.Support the show

Comedian and writer Murray Valeriano returns to discuss the 2023 documentary Have You Got It Yet? The Story of Syd Barrett and Pink Floyd. We analyze the film, sharing plenty of funny stories and anecdotes along the way. We wrap up the episode with a mixtape of our favorite Pink Floyd songs spanning every era of the iconic band.Support the show

Scott Kummer (co-host of I've Got That On Vinyl) returns to join Nick to discuss his podcast and his ongoing Project My Top 10 series.The first half of the episode covers IGTOV's origins, format, and a rundown of the current rankings. The second half features Nick and Scott each revealing their top 10 favorite albums of all time.Support Scott's show and register for a free account on the IGTOV website. You can participate in polls for albums featured on past episodes and post your own top 10 favorite albums of all time. It's a lot of fun and helps support independent music podcasters and pollsters.Support the show