The Making of Billie Eilish's 'Hit Me Hard and Soft'

Many pop stars and rockers have causes - but when are they really able to make a difference, and when should they keep their mouth shut? Rolling Stone music and politics editors run down the most successful examples of pop activism, from the No Nukes concert in 1978 to Bruce Springsteen's North Carolina boycott. Plus: new music from D.R.A.M., Cate Le Bon and Pity Sex Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

2 Touko 201633min

In this special all-Prince episode, writer Brian Hiatt remembers his 2014 daylong visit with the Purple One at Paisley Park for an aborted Rolling Stone cover story, and contributing editors Rob Sheffield and Jon Dolan go deep into some of their favorite Prince songs.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

25 Huhti 201635min

Punk’s not dead! For the 40th anniversary of the Ramones’ first album, we took a crack at naming the greatest punk rock albums of all time, from “Never Mind the Bollocks” to Bikini Kill. In this episode, Rolling Stone’s Rob Sheffield, Jon Dolan, Nathan Brackett and Elisabeth Garber-Paul go deep into the moshpit. Plus: new music from Paul Simon, Schoolboy Q and rockers Whitney.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

18 Huhti 201645min

Inside the epic life and music of Merle Haggard, the only outlaw-country superstar who actually spent time in prison and rode the rails. Plus: new music from Drake; Charles Bradley’s soul explosion; California rockers Bleached; and readers talk back to our 100 Greatest Drummers list. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

12 Huhti 201657min

Rolling Stone’s David Fricke talks about Iggy Pop’s new album with Josh Homme – and why it might be the Stooges great’s last. Plus: The National unleash their secret Grateful Dead obsession with an all-star album of covers; new music from Sturgill Simpson; and reader mail on our Weezer coverage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

4 Huhti 201642min

What happens when a big rock band loses its head, figuratively speaking? We look at the best and worst case scenarios, from AC/DC to Van Halen to Stone Temple Pilots. Also: new music from Arctic Monkey Alex Turner’s side project Last Shadow Puppets, Zayn and Australian indie rockers the Goon Sax. Plus: readers respond to the death of Phife of A Tribe Called Quest. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

28 Maalis 201639min

After decades of acrimony, Axl Rose and Slash are getting back together onstage. Can they pull off the rock reunion of the year? Associate editor Andy Greene and senior writer Brian Hiatt take a deep dive into the monster band’s ups and downs; plus: new music from Andrew Bird and Fiona Apple, Anohni and Big Thief; and what did Beatles producer George Martin actually do? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

21 Maalis 201649min

Bob Dylan just dropped a magical treasure trove of music, film footage and other archives onto the world; RS editors Rob Sheffield and Andy Greene delve deep into the heart of this Dylanologists’ dream, and explain why you will have to go to Oklahoma to see it. Plus: Kendrick Lamar and the (possible) return of jazz; Metallica’s “Master of Puppets” and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

14 Maalis 201648min