Topic: Rolling Rock

A discussion on whether corporations like OpenAI should be held criminally liable as "people" transitions into a segment about podcaster Darren O'Neill. O'Neill recently celebrated his 700th episode of "The Rock'n Roll Pre-Show" using AI-generated promotional videos. The hosts describe O'Neill as a "quintessential rock DJ" and joke about his "Fabio-like" appearance in the theater of the mind.

The hosts sign off, directing listeners to their website and reminding them of the next live broadcast on Thursday. They mention the "Rock and Roll Geek Show" following their stream. The episode concludes with a musical montage featuring various show memes, including references to Puerto Rico, George Washington University, and political donations.

The Kennedy Center Honors are characterized as a rejection of establishment entertainment norms, specifically noting that popular audience favorites rarely receive major awards. Sylvester Stallone is highlighted for never winning an Academy Award despite his commercial success with the Rocky franchise. A discussion of the band Kiss follows, including an anecdote about a high-quality tribute band performance in Seattle and the financial success of Gene Simmons.

A new Netflix documentary on Led Zeppelin has drawn criticism for failing to mention or play "Stairway to Heaven," arguably the band's most famous song. The film focuses on the band's early tours and the negative reviews they initially received from *Rolling Stone* magazine. The omission of the iconic track is seen as a bizarre oversight given its status as a standard in rock history.

Music legend Smokey Robinson, 85, is facing allegations of sexual assault and harassment from four former housekeepers. The plaintiffs allege repeated abuse occurring between 2006 and 2024 at his various properties. Robinson's management has not yet responded, and the District Attorney has not filed criminal charges.

Top donors are acknowledged, including the Baron of Old Bay. Author Jim Birkenstadt, known as the "Rock and Roll Detective," is highlighted for his book *The Beatle Who Vanished*, which investigates the disappearance of session drummer Jimmy Nicol, who briefly replaced Ringo Starr during the Beatles' 1964 world tour.

The discussion opens with a humorous suggestion for everyone to move to Saskatoon. Personal anecdotes follow regarding physical activity and health at age 40, contrasting memories of pulling apart computers on television with the lifestyle of a rock star.

Steamboat Willie, the original version of Mickey Mouse, enters the public domain on January 1, 2024. The discussion transitions to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, noting snubs of artists like Cher, Sonny Bono, and Ted Nugent. The hosts contrast the modern HBO-produced ceremony with the private, unrehearsed jam sessions held at the Waldorf Astoria in the late 1980s.

Rolling Stone founder Jann Wenner was removed from the board of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame following controversial comments in a New York Times interview. Wenner claimed that Black and female musicians were not as "articulate" as the white male artists featured in his new book, "The Masters."

Musician Ted Nugent appeared on a podcast to express his blunt opposition to COVID-19 vaccinations, characterizing those who took the "jab" as having been fed a line by the federal government. The commentary notes that Nugent's outspoken political views and refusal to adhere to "politically correct" norms are likely reasons for his continued exclusion from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Musician Todd Rundgren is noted for his refusal to participate in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which he views as politically biased. Rundgren, a former guest on the show "Silicon Spin," reportedly preferred tape compression over high-fidelity audio. This discussion follows Neil Young's recent decision to remove his music from Spotify.

A producer from Portsmouth, Virginia, compares the No Agenda model to 1980s zine culture, specifically "Maximum Rock and Roll." An anonymous donor from Shanghai, currently under lockdown, sends a bank transfer and requests a classic clip titled "The Grouser." The hosts reflect on their long history of produced show intros and movie trailers.

The hosts provide feedback on various art submissions, including a self-portrait by Darren O'Neill and a "Quantum Supremacist" cartoon by Nick the Rat. They discuss the nuances of the jokes embedded in the art and the "cool-down" nature of reviewing submissions after a show. A gratuitous plug for Rolling Rock beer mentions the "33" code on its bottle.

Austin artist Leah Louise is recognized for her unique "modern poster art" cards featuring local landmarks. Additionally, a book titled "That’s How Strong My Love Is" by David Loehr was sent to the hosts, detailing personal experiences in the early rock and roll scene and the life of James Dean. The hosts discuss the value of independent art and historical preservation.

Rock musician Eddie Money passed away at age 70 following a battle with esophageal cancer. His career included a significant 1980s comeback on MTV after a period of health struggles, including a year-long coma caused by a drug overdose. He was known for his gravelly voice and hits like "Two Tickets to Paradise," and came from a family background of police officers and firefighters.

The hosts criticize the modern Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a "shit show," reminiscing about the untelevised industry dinners of the past. They play a clip of Christiane Amanpour asking former FBI Director James Comey if the government should have "shut down" the "Lock her up" chants as hate speech. They interpret the question as a reflection of a "globalist" desire to suppress political speech.

Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan appeared on The Howard Stern Show and claimed to have witnessed a person "shape-shift" into a non-human form while sober. Corgan remained vague about the details but insisted the transformation was intense and acknowledged by the other person. Howard Stern joked about women "transforming" when they take off their makeup.

David Crosby expressed strong opposition to Ted Nugent being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, citing Nugent's political views and hunting habits. Nugent responded by calling Crosby a "bloated carcass" and a "repository for every drug known to man," asserting that his 50-year career and thousands of concerts are a greater honor than any hall of fame induction. Nugent argued that his musical contributions far outweigh those of other inductees like ABBA.

Adam Curry draws parallels between current video game and gun debates and past moral panics involving rock lyrics in the 1980s and comic books in the 1950s. He notes that society frequently blames media for youth violence, citing the historical banning of EC Comics.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's nomination process is scrutinized, specifically the inclusion of hip-hop and disco acts like Eric B. & Rakim and Donna Summer. The hosts blame committee members like Toure for diluting the genre. They also highlight the exclusion of Ted Nugent, attributing it to the political biases of Rolling Stone founder Jan Wenner.