From the bars to the arenas, how did our biggest music legends make the leap? Join us as we take a deep dive into music history to explore the stories surrounding the fascinating journey and sometimes little-known facts of rock music’s biggest legends.

In each episode of Garage To Stadiums, host Dave Anthony teams up with an author of a rock biography or director of a rock documentary to explore that journey, their early years, the stories behind the scenes, their top songs, and their place in music history.

Learn about the passion, talent, luck and even scandal that often came together to propel these stars from obscurity to household names.

Go deep into the incredible rise of Bruce Springsteen, one of the legendary songwriters and performers of the 20th century, with our guest Peter Ames Carlin, author of the New York Times bestselling book Bruce. In this episode, you'll hear:

• How Bruce grew up poor in a dysfunctional family with significant mental health issues
• The proto-metal music that he played in a previous band
• How the stress of a legal battle with his first manager resulted in one of the top albums of the 1970's
• How a Rolling Stone writer not only changed his destiny but became his manager
• How the characters in his town infused his many poignant songs
• How he played a vital role in both AIDs awareness and New York's 9/11 recovery

Bruce became a touchstone with poignant songs that struck a chord with an audience looking for the meaning of life in the mid-to-late 1970s and early 80s. Ironically, before Bruce, the fans who attended rock concerts and bought albums rarely were the subjects of the day's music.

Guest Bio:
Peter Ames Carlin is a journalist, critic and author of the New York Times best-seller called Bruce and is working on an upcoming book on the 50th anniversary of Bruce Springsteen's Born to Run album. His work has been published in the New York Times Magazine, the Los Angeles Times Magazine, and the Times in the UK.

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Bonus Content:

1. Download the Official Garage to Stadiums Bruce Springsteen playlist on Apple Music or Spotify
2. Visit GaragetoStadiums.com for bonus content on Bruce Springsteen, including concert footage, transcripts and other interesting facts.

Written from the everyday person's perspective, Springsteen songs like Born to Run, Thunder Road, Promised Land and Hungry Heart are mini-movies that put you squarely inside the main character's mind as they navigate life. As Bono of U2 said when he inducted Bruce into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999, "if John Steinbeck could sing…".

The themes are as familiar as the American fabric: racing cars, highways, run-down factories, failed relationships, hopeful dreams, desperation, and redemption. Bruce helped create the American songbook of the ordinary person facing life milestones and challenges.

As you will hear, his songwriting was driven home with legendary concert performances that leave audiences in awe, lasting at least three hours and sometimes stretching to four. Bruce's philosophy seems to be: if hard-working people are going to spend hard-earned dollars to see me play, I'll make sure they get their money's worth. His work ethic on stage fits his working-class image. Or, as our guest, Peter Ames Carlin calls him, "a blue-collar troubadour".

Peter also describes in detail the impact of Bruce's father's mental health challenges on the family, which affected the family's finances and reputation in the community. He also outlines Bruce's later mental health struggles, as Bruce describes in this interview.

Hop on the wild ride of Led Zeppelin that swings between euphoric triumphs and gut-wrenching tragedies. Delve deep into the Led Zeppelin story with Bob Spitz, the author of Led Zeppelin: The Biography, who sheds light on the band's journey from their humble beginnings in 1968 to their premature demise in 1980. In this episode, learn:

• How the founder of Zeppelin was a stellar studio musician seeking a new career challenge
• How the lead singer had the same background as the Peaky Blinders
• How two famous members of the band were unknowns playing in bar bands
• How Led Zep tours reached levels of sexual debauchery not seen before or since
• How Zeppelin transformed music styles and concert economics for all artists
• How a 300-pound former wrestler created their innovative marketing strategy
• That one of its members was studying to be an accountant
• How several tragic events changed the band forever

Led Zeppelin wasn't just a band but a powerhouse of talent. Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones weren't your average musicians—they were session legends, popping up on more records than you can shake a drumstick at. From The Who and The Kinks to classical orchestra songs to commercial jingles, these guys played on all of them, bringing a wealth of musical experience to Led Zep recordings. Jimmy Page even seemed destined for prodigy status when, as a 13-year-old guitar player, he appeared on the BBC.

Guest Bio:
Bob Spitz is a journalist and author of the best-selling book Led Zeppelin: The Biography. Early in his career, Bob worked as a manager for Bruce Springsteen and Elton John. He also authored a New York Times best-seller on the Beatles.

Follow Garage To Stadiums (GTS) on social channels

• Share this episode with this link
• Follow GTS on Apple or Spotify podcasts
• Follow GTS on Instagram
• Follow GTS on LinkedIn
• Sign up for the Garage to Stadiums e-newsletter to get more bonus content

Bonus Content:

1. Download the Official Garage to Stadiums Led Zeppelin playlist on Apple Music or Spotify
2. Visit GaragetoStadiums.com for bonus content on Led Zeppelin, including concert footage, transcripts and other interesting facts.

Led Zeppelin's journey was a whirlwind of highs and lows, triumphs and tragedies. Their musical prowess, unmatched charisma, and savvy marketing propelled them to the pinnacle of rock 'n' roll success. Led Zeppelin left an indelible mark on music history, from sold-out stadiums to groundbreaking albums. Zep even teased everyone with a stellar performance in 2007 reunification in London featuring the three core members plus the son of their deceased drummer.

Air date: May 2024
Host: Dave Anthony