The History of Rock and Roll

This Monday, October 26th, 2026, we’re bringing you another Rock Music Spotlight, featuring some of the greatest music and stories from the 1960s and 1970s.

We’ll revisit the sounds of classic rock, the British Invasion, folk rock, psychedelic rock, and country rock, with music from The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Byrds, Jimi Hendrix, The Yardbirds, The Beach Boys, Bob Dylan, Gram Parsons, and many others.

It’s another musical journey through two unforgettable decades, celebrating the artists, recordings, and creative moments that helped shape rock and roll history.

We’ll welcome singer-songwriter and musician Cole Larravide, whose energetic live performances and original music have taken him to some of the world’s most famous stages, including Liverpool’s Cavern Club, the Whisky A Go Go in Los Angeles, and The Bitter End in New York City.

Cole will share stories from his musical journey, including recording at Abbey Road Studios and Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, and his experiences opening for legendary artists such as Three Dog Night, Grand Funk Railroad, Tommy James & The Shondells, 10cc, Gary Puckett & The Union Gap, The Cyrkle, and original Beatles drummer Pete Best. We’ll also discuss his songwriting, musical influences, and the experiences that have shaped his career.

We’ll also be joined by guitarist, songwriter, and record producer Les Fradkin, best known for portraying George Harrison in the original Broadway production of Beatlemania. Les will share memories of his musical career, his experiences performing in Beatlemania, and the artists who influenced him, including The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Bob Dylan, and the British Invasion groups.

We’ll also discuss his musical connections with artists such as The Left Banke, Roger McGuinn, and Blood, Sweat & Tears, along with his upcoming biography and the stories he plans to share from his years in music.

Finally, author and retired broadcast journalist Bob Kealing returns to discuss his book, Calling Me Home: Gram Parsons and the Roots of Country Rock. We’ll explore the fascinating life and musical legacy of Gram Parsons, from his Southern upbringing and recordings with The Byrds to the Flying Burrito Brothers and his solo career.

We’ll also talk about Bob’s upcoming presentation at the Museum of Winter Haven History on November 14th and the continuing recognition of Parsons’ influence on rock and country music, including the discussion surrounding his induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Mark your calendars for Monday, October 26th, and join us for a show filled with great music, remarkable photographs, and stories from rock history.

Don’t miss it!

Guest(s) for our show:

Date: Monday, October 26th, 2026

🎸 Cole Larravide

Cole Larravide is a singer-songwriter and musician whose original music blends different styles and genres, combining high-energy performances with thoughtful, introspective songwriting.

Whether performing solo or with his band, Cole has built his career around live music, touring extensively and appearing at venues and festivals across the United States and internationally.

🎸 Les Fradkin

Les Fradkin is an American guitarist, songwriter, musician, and record producer whose career spans rock, pop, and innovative guitar music.

He is widely known for his role portraying George Harrison in the original Broadway production of Beatlemania, which brought the music and story of The Beatles to theatrical audiences.

Les will share memories of his time with Beatlemania, including the music, performances, and experiences that made the production such a memorable part of his career.

We’ll also explore his early musical influences, particularly The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Bob Dylan, and the British Invasion artists who helped shape his musical direction.

Throughout his career, Les has performed and shared concert bills with artists including The Left Banke, Roger McGuinn, and Blood, Sweat & Tears. We’ll discuss those musical connections, his work as a guitarist and producer, and his continued involvement in music.

Les will also give us a preview of his forthcoming biography, sharing some of the stories and experiences from his years in the music business.

📚 Bob Kealing

Bob Kealing is an Orlando-based author, historian, and retired broadcast journalist whose books explore important figures and stories in American music and cultural history.

Bob joins us to discuss his book, Calling Me Home: Gram Parsons and the Roots of Country Rock, which examines the life, Southern upbringing, musical influences, and lasting legacy of Gram Parsons, one of the pioneering figures in the development of country rock.

We’ll follow Parsons’ musical journey from his work with The Byrds and the groundbreaking country-rock album Sweetheart of the Rodeo to his years with The Flying Burrito Brothers and his solo recordings, including GP and Grievous Angel.

We’ll also explore how his music helped bring country influences into the wider rock scene of the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Bob will also discuss his upcoming Gram Parsons book presentation at the Museum of Winter Haven History in Winter Haven, Florida, on November 14th, 2026, along with the ongoing recognition of Parsons’ contribution to music and the conversation surrounding his induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.