My Rock Moment

• Chris O'Dell - The World's First Female Tour Manager

  Chris O'Dell might very well hold the title of the world's first female rock 'n' roll tour manager. O'Dell has led a fascinating life; one that planted her firmly in rock royalty's inner circle in the 60s and 70s. Befriending Derek Taylor in LA, she soon found herself working for the Beatles' Apple Corps in London. While there she was present for the recording of The White Album, Abbey Road, Let it Be, and sang in the Hey Jude chorus. She sat on the rooftop while the Beatles played their last live performance in January of 1969 and even lived with George Harrison and Pattie Boyd at Friar Park. She went on to be one of the first - if not, THE first - female tour managers, working with the likes of George Harrison, The Rolling Stones, and Bob Dylan on his 'Rolling Thunder Revue' tour. She inspired George Harrison to pen the song, "Miss O’Dell,” she's the subject of Leon Russell’s “Pisces Apple Lady” and “Hummingbird," she is the “woman down the hall,” in the Joni Mitchell song, “Coyote,” and her picture can be seen on the back cover of The Stones's 1972 masterpiece, Exile on Main Street. We cover a lot of ground in this episode, but to get the full story, check out her book and website with the links below: https://www.missodell.com Miss O'Dell: Hard Days and Long Nights with The Beatles, The Stones, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton and the Women They Loved Playlist: Pisces Apple Lady - Leon Russell Hey Jude - The Beatles All Things Must Pass - George Harrison Miss O'Dell - George Harrison Torn and Frayed - The Rolling Stones Just Like a Woman - Bob Dylan Follow My Rock Moment on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/la_woman_rocks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Woodstock, Dylan & Rock Icons: Photographer Lisa Law on Capturing a Revolution

  Lisa Law’s still, movie and video images have chronicled decades of social and cultural changes in America. And her film, ‘Flashing On The Sixties,’ was described by actor-director Dennis Hopper as “the most compelling, moving documentary of the Sixties”.  In 1966, Lisa and her husband resided in the renowned "Castle" in Los Feliz, Los Angeles, a hub that welcomed numerous prominent musicians, including Bob Dylan. She shares stories from Dylan's stay and offers her perspective on the recent film, A Complete Unknown. Lisa was also part of the Hog Farm commune, and they were tasked with keeping the peace at Woodstock ‘69. Yet, her efforts at the festival were integral to its success - from managing the trip tents to mobilizing members of the Hog Farm and other festival goers so that they were able to feed over 200,000 people! She also played a role in the organization of Woodstock '99, and was featured in the recent Netflix documentary, "Trainwreck: Woodstock '99." In our discussion, we explore the stark contrasts between the two festivals and how insights from '69 might have prevented the latter's challenges. Lisa was there for all the seminal pop culture moments of the 1960s, capturing them with her beautiful photos. And she’s one of the very few people that can say she’s been to all 3 Woodstock festivals! For more information on Lisa, her photos, as well as her book and film of the same name, 'Flashing on the Sixties,' take a look at her website: https://www.flashingonthesixties.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• "SMiLE: The Rise, Fall & Resurrection of Brian Wilson" with Writer and Director David Leaf

  In this episode of My Rock Moment, we’re diving deep into one of rock and roll’s most legendary what-could-have-beens… and what-finally-was. Back in 1966, fresh off the groundbreaking success of Pet Sounds, Brian Wilson set out to create his magnum opus: Smile. With poet and lyricist Van Dyke Parks at his side, the project promised to be a revolutionary leap forward—a kaleidoscopic, avant-garde album that would redefine what pop music could be. But as recording progressed, the pressure from within the band, the label, and Brian’s own mental health struggles led to the album’s unraveling. The sessions were shelved, and Smile became one of music history’s greatest mysteries—a “lost” album that haunted fans, scholars, and Brian himself for decades. That is, until the early 2000s, when Smile finally got its moment in the sun. Reimagined and completed by Brian Wilson and Van Dyke Parks nearly 40 years later, the album was not only resurrected—it was performed live, recorded, and finally released, closing the loop on one of rock’s most mythical stories. Joining us to unpack it all is David Leaf—acclaimed writer, director, producer, and longtime friend of Brian Wilson. David has chronicled Brian’s life and legacy for decades, and in his new book, SMiLE: The Rise, Fall and Resurrection of Brian Wilson, he brings fresh insight into Smile's rise, fall, and miraculous comeback. A little about David: https://www.leafprod.com Get your copy of SMiLE: The Rise, Fall and Resurrection of Brian Wilson Songs in this episode: Good Vibrations - The Beach Boys Roll Plymouth Rock - The Beach Boys Surf's Up - The Beach Boys Cabin Essence - The Beach Boys Heroes and Villains - Brian Wilson Follow My Rock Moment on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/la_woman_rocks/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• How Shep Gordon Made Rock Stars, Broke the Rules & Stayed a Mensch

  ​Shep Gordon, the legendary talent manager, producer, and author, joins My Rock Moment from his home in Maui. He shares captivating stories from his 50-plus-year career in the music industry—a journey that began unexpectedly when he took a wrong turn in Los Angeles traffic. We delve into how he masterminded the rise of Shock Rock, the ingenious marketing strategies that propelled Alice Cooper to fame, Alice’s memorable cameo in Wayne’s World that had audiences nationwide exclaiming “we’re not worthy!”, and the challenges that accompany stardom. Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Raquel Welch, and Derek Taylor also make appearances in our conversation! Shep's remarkable knack for discovering and fostering talent across various fields has earned him the moniker "Supermensch" in showbiz—a title immortalized in the 2013 documentary directed by Mike Myers and used in Shep’s subsequent book, They Call Me Supermensch: A Backstage Pass to the Amazing Worlds of Film, Food, and Rock'n'Roll. So, plug in, turn up the volume, and join us as we unravel the stories, strategies, and sheer serendipity that define the legend of Shep Gordon. For all things Shep Gordon, including information on his book and documentary, visit his website: https://www.shepgordon.com Follow My Rock Moment on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/la_woman_rocks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• The Music of Boz Scaggs with Rock Biographer Jude Warne

  Jude Warne is a rock biographer and music columnist. Jude joined the show a few years back to discuss her book America the Band - An Authorized Biography - an episode I highly recommend. Now she’s back with a new book, Lowdown: The Music of Boz Scaggs. ​If you're a Boz Scaggs fan—or just someone who appreciates a deep dive into music history—Jude Warne's book is a must-read. It's a comprehensive exploration of Scaggs's six-decade career, offering insights into his musical evolution from blues roots to pop stardom. Warne delves into Scaggs's collaborations with artists like the Steve Miller Band and the session musicians who would form Toto, providing insight into the artistry behind albums such as Silk Degrees and Middle Man. In this episode, we discuss Skagg’s discography and these collaborations that have shaped his enduring musical legacy. Find out more about Jude: https://judewarne.com Buy the book Listen to Jude's My Rock Moment episode on America the Band: Apple Podcasts Spotify Playlist from this episode: 1. "Lowdown" Boz Scaggs 2. “Steppin’ Stone” the Steve Miller Band - start at 10 seconds 3. “Rosanna” Toto 4. “Lido Shuffle” Boz Skaggs 5. “Breakdown Dead Ahead” Boz Scaggs 6. “I Will Forever Sing the Blues” Boz Scaggs 7. “Georgia” Boz Skaggs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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