Robert J. Stava: From CBGB to Cranial Leakage

1991 wasn’t just another year—it was a musical and cultural earthquake. Grunge went from the underground to the mainstream, changing rock music and an entire generation’s outlook along the way. Staci’s guest, Rob Janicke, has written a book, Slacker: 1991, Teen Spirit Angst, and the Generation It Created, which explores the movement’s impact, the key players, and why the world embraced it so fiercely. Rob is also the founder of Generation Riff. On this episode he talks about the continuing relevance of bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Alice in Chains, to name a few. He also discusses the narrowing gap between Gen X and Gen Z rock music fans and how that keeps this vintage music vital in our lives.

23 Mar 28min

What’s it like to get a guitar lesson from Keith Richards, sword-fight Bruce Dickinson, or launch a Pink Floyd airship? For legendary rock promoter Paul Rappaport, it was all just part of the job. In this episode of Rock & Roll Nightmares, host Staci talks with Paul about his memoir, Gliders Over Hollywood, which pulls back the curtain on the wild world of rock promotion.With a career spanning decades at Columbia Records, Paul was instrumental in shaping the success of artists like Bruce Springsteen, Judas Priest, and Bob Dylan. He shares incredible behind-the-scenes stories, from the golden age of rock radio to the creative (and sometimes chaotic) world of marketing music’s biggest legends. Tune in for an unforgettable ride through rock history!

21 Mar 55min

David Bowie was the ultimate musical chameleon, but his transformation after Let’s Dance in 1983 led to one of the most unexpected chapters of his career. In this episode of Rock & Roll Nightmares, host Staci Layne Wilson welcomes author Don Klees to discuss his book On Track, which takes a deep dive into Bowie’s later years—from the Tin Machine experiment to his haunting farewell, Blackstar.Staci and Don explore Bowie’s shifting artistic identity, his response to the rise of New Wave and New Romantic, and his often-overlooked but intriguing albums like Black Tie, White Noise. Don also shares his personal experiences seeing Bowie live and reflects on the icon’s continued relevance even as music trends evolved around him. Tune in for a fascinating conversation about one of rock’s most enigmatic figures.

18 Mar 36min

Staci’s guest is Alycen Rowse, the author of a memoir, “We've Got Tonight: The Life and Times of a Notorious Groupie.” She currently hosts the popular Cocktails and Rock Tales podcast, in which she dishes on the two decades she spent waking up next to the most infamous musicians in rock history. Alycen has some funny stories and insightful perspectives on the groupie lifestyle, which she discusses here – as well as sharing her “rock and roll nightmares” which include two members of The Who.

16 Feb 32min

Staci welcomes music historian and author Madeline Bocaro, who returns to the Rock & Roll Nightmares podcast for a second time to talk more about her book, “In Your Mind, the Infinite Universe of Yoko Ono.” The book has been out for several months now and Madeline has had time to pause and reflect on how Yoko Ono’s legacy continues to grow and morph with the changing times, which she discusses here.

14 Feb 14min

Here is a special episode featuring the creative minds behind the new film, "Becoming Led Zeppelin." Director Bernard MacMahon and co-writer and co-producer Allison McGourty join Staci to discuss the creative choices they made when editing the documentary, what it was like to sit down and interview Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, and John Paul Jones (as well as giving a voice to the late John Bonham), and much more.

14 Feb 17min

Staci’s guest is Roni Lee, a powerhouse singer, songwriter, and guitarist whose career stretches back to the 1970s L.A. rock scene. She was a member of the legendary punk band Venus and the Razorblades, wrote songs for The Runaways, and has shared the stage with some of rock’s biggest names. But she’s not just about legacy—she’s still out there tearing it up, and she’s got a brand-new EP, Feels Good 2 Be Bad, which she discusses today.

11 Feb 36min

Staci talks with filmmaker Jordan Albertsen, whose documentary BOOM! A Film About the Sonics explores the groundbreaking legacy of The Sonics, a pioneering rock band from Tacoma, Washington, that helped shape the sound of punk before the genre even had a name. The film is not just a chronicle of the band’s influence but also a testament to Albertsen’s 15-year journey to bring their story to the screen. His filmmaking odyssey, marked by chance encounters with rock legends and a relentless DIY approach, echoes the raw energy of The Sonics themselves. In this episode, Albertsen shares the challenges and triumphs of making BOOM and offers an inside look at the band’s enduring impact on rock history.

8 Feb 27min