History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff

History in Five Songs Episode 372: Killed by Booze

In Episode 372 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin looks back at the tragic stories of rock and metal legends who died from alcohol-related illness and substance abuse. He including several musicians he personally interviewed, while reflecting on booze as the music world’s often-overlooked “silent killer.” Steve Hackett – “Strutton Ground” Queen – “Sail Away Sweet Sister” Ted Nugent – “Crave” Gary Moore – “Enough of the Blues” Y&T – “Hell or High Water” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

History in Five Songs Episode 371: Last Song, Best Song

In Episode 371 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin explores why some of rock and metal's greatest albums save their strongest statement for last. Closing tracks from Ozzy Osbourne, Metalllica and others prove the final song can be the album's most memorable, ambitious, and powerful moment. Ozzy Osbourne – “Diary of a Madman” Yes – “Heart of the Sunrise” Metallica – “Metal Militia” Alice in Chains – “Would?” Kiss – “Black Diamond” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

History in Five Songs Episode 370: Underperforming Debuts

In Episode 370 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin examines why so many classic rock and metal bands, from Def Leppard to Rush and Iron Maiden, have debut albums that sold surprisingly poorly compared to their blockbuster follow-ups, despite often being fan favorites and essential parts of their catalogs. Def Leppard – “Satellite” Rush – “Finding My Way” Twisted Sister – “Run for Your Life” Slayer – “Die by the Sword” Iron Maiden – “Phantom of the Opera” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

History in Five Songs Episode 369: Lowering the British blues boom

In Episode 369 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin argues how rock bands from the Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin to Fleetwood Mac and UFO escaped the creative limits of the British blues boom. He posits that their willingness to evolve into hard rock, heavy metal, prog, and pop ultimately defined their greatest successes. The Rolling Stones – “Street Fighting Man” Status Quo – “Oh Baby” Black Sabbath – “Hand of Doom” Aerosmith – “Woman of the World” UFO – “Rock Bottom” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

History in Five Songs Episode 368: Your new guitarist is a distraction.

In Episode 368 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin explains how replacement guitarists can become welcome or unwelcome distractions by transforming a band's sound, identity, songwriting, or fan perception. He highlights memorable examples from acts like Yes, Whitesnake and Fleetwood Mac. Yes – “Changes” Whitesnake – “Slip of the Tongue” Dio – “Big Sister” Fleetwood Mac – “Second Hand News" Thin Lizzy – “The Holy War” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices