What Makes The Beatles The Greatest Band of All-Time? (part 1)

Can You Write A Masterpiece After The Age of 40?: This week: can you write a masterpiece after the age of 40? Why is it so rare for the greats in popular music to produce transcendent music late in their careers? Rich and Clint are joined by guest Jeff Symonds. The Age Old Question is a podcast all about music, but it's also all about history, friendship, perspective, philosophy, humor, and so much more. Support this podcast by The Age Old Question: A Podcast for Music Fans

38 min listen

Why Do People Hate The Eagles?: This week: why do people hate the Eagles? They are both one of the most successful bands of all-time and one of rock's most hated. Why? With special guests Brian Chartrand (of The Sweet Remains) and Jeff Symonds. The Age Old Question is a podcast all about music, but it's also all about history, friendship, perspective, philosophy, humor, and so much more. Support this podcast by The Age Old Question: A Podcast for Music Fans

41 min listen

What Is The Greatest Collaboration in Music History?: This week, Rich and Clint explore the greatest collaborations in music history — the short-lived but transcendent partnerships that produced magic. From Queen and Bowie to Run DMC and Aerosmith, with some unexpected nominees. As Louisa May Alcott said: it takes two flints to make a fire. This episode celebrates the great collaborations when sparks really flew. The Age Old Question is part of Pantheon Podcasts. by The Age Old Question: A Podcast for Music Fans

54 min listen

What Song Has Aged The Worst?: This week, Rich and Clint discuss songs that were once hits but are now relics of their time - songs that just wouldn't be written in 2021. Frequent guest and contributor to The Age Old Question, Jeff Symonds, joins to nominate two songs (and explain why Rich's pick from Episode 12 was so wrong). The Age Old Question is part of Pantheon Podcasts by The Age Old Question: A Podcast for Music Fans

55 min listen

What Is The Best Use of a Song in a Movie? (Part 2): Part 2 of Rich and Clint's deep dive into the songs that are now inextricably linked to the movies in which they were used. In this episode, Rich and Clint get help from the show's go-to guest, Jeff Symonds. The Age Old Question is part of Pantheon Podcasts. by The Age Old Question: A Podcast for Music Fans

49 min listen

What Song Has The Best Opening Lines In Music History?: This week, Rich and Clint ask: what song has the best opening lines in music history? A novel or a movie gets hundreds of pages or hours to grab your heart, tell a great story or make you feel something. Songs only have minutes. Which songs do it best? From Bob Dylan to Taylor Goldsmith (of Dawes) and dozens in between, Rich and Clint debate the greatest opening lines. With special guests Jeff Symonds and Lauren Bierman. The Age Old Question is a podcast all about music, but it's also all about history, friendship, perspective, philosophy, humor, and so much more. Support this podcast by The Age Old Question: A Podcast for Music Fans

57 min listen

What Makes The Beatles The Greatest Band of All-Time? (part 1): The Age Old Question is a podcast for music fans. Rich Price and Clint Bierman dive into another long-simmering debate. This week: what makes the Beatles the greatest band of all-time? This episode is part 1, where Rich and Clint begin to explore the ingredients in the Beatles' "secret sauce" (e.g. John's cynicism vs Paul's optimism, background vocals, unusual chord changes, recording innovation and more). Featuring guest Peter Day. Support this podcast by The Age Old Question: A Podcast for Music Fans

35 min listen

What Is The Best Cover Version of a Song?: This week, Rich and Clint ask: what is the best cover version of a song? It happens in music that sometimes a song's true genius isn't fully realized by the artist/band that first records it. In this episode, the guys discuss the greatest examples of when a cover version becomes the definitive version of a song. With special guest singer/songwriter and filmmaker Greg Naughton (of The Sweet Remains). The Age Old Question is a podcast all about music, but it's also all about history, friendship, perspective, philosophy, humor, and so much more. Support this podcast by The Age Old Question: A Podcast for Music Fans

62 min listen

What Makes The Beatles The Greatest Band of All-Time? (part 2): This week: part 2 of Rich and Clint's dive into what makes the Beatles the greatest band of all-time? George, Ringo and other ingredients of the band's magic. With special guest Russ Lawton (drummer in Trey Anastasio Band and Soule Monde). The Age Old Question is a podcast all about music, but it's also all about history, friendship, perspective, philosophy, humor, and so much more. Support this podcast by The Age Old Question: A Podcast for Music Fans

41 min listen

Is D Minor The Saddest of All Keys?: This week: it's been said (thanks Nigel) that D Minor is the saddest of all keys. Is that right? Is there a key that is particularly evocative? What makes a song sad? And who's done it best? What genre does it best? With special guest Jeff Symonds. The Age Old Question is a podcast all about music, but it's also all about history, friendship, perspective, philosophy, humor, and so much more. Support this podcast by The Age Old Question: A Podcast for Music Fans

42 min listen

How Do You Write A Hit Song?: This week, Rich and Clint explore the ingredients of a "hit song." Is there a formula, some secret sauce that connects hits across decades? Is there a method to the madness of hit making that we can uncover? Special guest this week is Jenna Andrews, successful songwriter/producer/record exec, discussing her own experience in making hits, as well as her new podcast, Green Room Talks. The Age Old Question is part of Pantheon Podcasts by The Age Old Question: A Podcast for Music Fans

46 min listen

What Is The Best Use of a Song in a Movie? (Part 1): Music is often an essential element in movie storytelling, and a song can become inextricably linked to a particular movie and a specific moment in a character's journey (think Tiny Dancer in Almost Famous, Bohemian Rhapsody in Wayne's World...). In this episode, Rich and Clint explore the songs that were used to greatest effect in films and will forever and always be linked to those cinematic moments. With special guests filmmaker Dave Eberts and film critic and writer Sara Voorhees. The Age Old Question is part of Pantheon Podcasts. by The Age Old Question: A Podcast for Music Fans

64 min listen

Who's Your Starting Five?: This week, Rich and Clint join forces with one of their favorite podcasts ("50 Years of Music with 50 Year Old White Guys") and Jeff Symonds, Ben Barton and Tim Plaehn. This episode asks, if you could draft any musician (living or not)...who's your starting 5? The Age Old Question is a podcast all about music, but it's also all about history, friendship, perspective, philosophy, humor, and so much more. Episode available here and on our friends' show 50 Years Of Music With 50 Year Old White Guys. Support this podcast by The Age Old Question: A Podcast for Music Fans

46 min listen

Who Went Solo The Best?: This week, Rich and Clint debate the artist that left a successful band to go solo, only to find more success and leave an even greater legacy. Joining as a guest is Pete Francis, founding member of the iconic indie band Dispatch, in a candid conversation about why keeping a band together is so hard and how going solo can unlock new artistic freedoms. Warning: you may strongly disagree with the lads' final pick this week. The Age Old Question is a podcast all about music, but it's also all about history, friendship, perspective, philosophy, humor, and so much more. Episode available here and on our friends' show 50 Years Of Music With 50 Year Old White Guys. Part of Pantheon Podcasts by The Age Old Question: A Podcast for Music Fans

65 min listen

What Happened To The Sax Solo?: This week, Rich and Clint ask: what happened to the sax solo? There was a time — mostly the 1980s — when a hit song HAD to have a sax solo. Where did it go and why? In this episode, the guys discuss some examples of iconic sax solos and explore why it's disappeared from pop music relevance. Special guests Jeff Symonds and Emily Voorhees. The Age Old Question is a podcast all about music, but it's also all about history, friendship, perspective, philosophy, humor, and so much more. Support this podcast by The Age Old Question: A Podcast for Music Fans

44 min listen

What Is The Best SECOND Album Of All-Time?: This week, Rich and Clint ask: what is the best SECOND album of all-time? If a band is lucky enough to find success on its first album, the pressure is on to deliver a sophomore record that can turn you from flash in the pan to legends. Which bands or artists did it best? The Age Old Question is a podcast all about music, but it's also all about history, friendship, perspective, philosophy, humor, and so much more. Support this podcast by The Age Old Question: A Podcast for Music Fans

47 min listen

Who Is The Greatest Singer of All-Time? (part 2): One episode to settle on the greatest singer of all-time was crazy. But two...that sounds about right. In part 2, Rich and Clint jump back into this debate, and the discussion includes Stevie Wonder, Frank Sinatra, Steve Perry, Joni Mitchell, Sting and many more. The guys talk to Dave Lory, manager of the late great Jeff Buckley and who also worked with legends like Gregg Allman and Robert Plant. Also joining as special guest, Rich's sister Elizabeth, dropping knowledge about how people in the Arab world might answer this question. And making a return to the show, Tony-winner Kelli O'Hara and Rich's bandmate in The Sweet Remains, Greg Naughton. The Age Old Question is part of Pantheon Podcasts. by The Age Old Question: A Podcast for Music Fans

66 min listen

What Is The Greatest "Greatest Hits" Album of All-Time?: This week, Rich and Clint explore the greatest of the "Greatest Hits." Some artists produced exceptional albums - works of art that stand alone as complete creative expressions. Some artists created greatness that spread across their career. And for many of us, the "greatest hits" became the sampler platter that invited us to take a closer look at a band or artist, the way in to the original albums. With special guest and "Age Old Question" favorite Jeff Symonds. The Age Old Question is part of Pantheon Podcasts. by The Age Old Question: A Podcast for Music Fans

66 min listen

Who Is The Greatest Singer of All-Time? (part 1): A great vocal can shake you to the core - through its sheer power, expressivity, nuance, soul, pure and unique character. But who has the best? Another impossible question, but this week, Rich and Clint explore the great ones and who should be considered the greatest. This is part one of that exploration, featuring special guest Jeff Symonds on why Bob Dylan should be in the conversation. The Age Old Question is part of Pantheon Podcasts. by The Age Old Question: A Podcast for Music Fans

61 min listen

Was It Inspiration or Theft?: This week, Rich and Clint explore the fine line between inspiration and theft. In music, there's a long tradition of borrowing from past masters. While some spin inspiration into totally original artistic expressions...others are just imitating. The guys discuss Chuck Berry and the Beach Boys, Radiohead and The Beatles, The Clash and John Cougar Mellencamp, Sam Smith and Tom Petty, Marvin Gaye and Robin Thicke and more. The Age Old Question is part of Pantheon Podcasts. by The Age Old Question: A Podcast for Music Fans

55 min listen

Do You Have To Suffer For Your Art?: This week, Rich and Clint ask: do you have to suffer for your art? It's an old archetype - the suffering artist - but is there anything to do it? Do great works of art emerge from the light as much as from the dark? With special guests Kelli O'Hara (Tony-winning Broadway star) and Stephen Kellogg (singer/songwriter and author). The Age Old Question is a podcast all about music, but it's also all about history, friendship, perspective, philosophy, humor, and so much more. Support this podcast by The Age Old Question: A Podcast for Music Fans

32 min listen

What Is The Greatest Protest Song Of All-Time?: This week, Rich and Clint discuss the greatest protest songs of all-time. Which song best captured the rage and defiance of its time? Joining the guys on this episode is singer/songwriter Will Evans (www.willevansmusic.com). The Age Old Question is part of Pantheon Podcasts by The Age Old Question: A Podcast for Music Fans

59 min listen

Is It Better To Burn Out Than Fade Away?: This week, Rich and Clint debate one of the epic "age old questions" — is it better to burn out than fade away? In 1979, Neil Young famously sang those words, and Kurt Cobain quoted them in his suicide note. Was Neil right? And what did he really mean? With special guest Jeff Symonds. The Age Old Question is part of Pantheon Podcasts. by The Age Old Question: A Podcast for Music Fans

37 min listen

What Is The Greatest Decade For Music?: After a short summer hiatus, Rich and Clint are back to explore another "age old question." This week's question: which decade was the greatest in popular music history? With the help of special guests Emily Voorhees, Josh Panda, Will Evans, Brian Chartrand, Todd Chuba, Jeff Kerestes, Jack Gauthier and Stephen Kellogg, the guys answer: what is the greatest decade for music. The Age Old Question is part of Pantheon Podcasts. by The Age Old Question: A Podcast for Music Fans

40 min listen

Why Is The Drummer The Backbone of Every Great Band?: In honor of Charlie Watts, the late great drummer of the Rolling Stones, this week's episode is about the role of the drummer in making a really good band...great! The episode asks: Why is the drummer the backbone of every great band? Rich and Clint explore the drummer as the secret weapon for the great bands — drummers like John Bonham, Keith Moon, Stewart Copeland and more. With special guests Jeff Symonds and Steve Hadeka. Part of Pantheon Podcasts. by The Age Old Question: A Podcast for Music Fans

52 min listen

What's The Deal With The Grateful Dead?: For some, the Grateful Dead is transcendent. For others, the devotion and subculture that sprung up around the band is baffling. What's the deal with the Grateful Dead? This week, Rich and Clint explore the reasons the Dead should be considered one of the greats of all-time. In this epic episode, special guests include award-winning author and renowned Deadhead Steve Silberman, Grahame Lesh (member of Midnight North - and son of Phil Lesh), Mihali Savoulidis (of Twiddle), Zach Nugent (of JGB and Dead Set) and Eric Graham. The Age Old Question is part of Pantheon Podcasts. by The Age Old Question: A Podcast for Music Fans

73 min listen

What Is The Greatest Year In Music History?: This week, Rich and Clint ask: What is the greatest year in music history? 1967? 1973? 1985? Some argue that not only is 1991 the best year, but that Sept 24th, 1991 is the single most epic day in music history. The guys discuss why, as they explore which year gave us the most greatness. Special guest Jeff Symonds weighs in on the debate. The Age Old Question is part of Pantheon Podcasts. Artists discussed in this episode include Aretha Franklin, The Beatles, The Beach Boys, U2, Aerosmith, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Whitney Houston, Phil Collins, Huey Lewis & The News, The Who, The Grateful Dead, Naughty By Nature, A Tribe Called Quest, Guns & Roses, Metallica, Pearl Jam, Nirvana and more. by The Age Old Question: A Podcast for Music Fans

46 min listen

What Is The Greatest Sibling Band Of All-Time?: This week, Rich and Clint explore the magic of music made between siblings. Whether it's the precision of "blood harmony" or the innate chemistry, sibling bands can often discover musical bonds other bands can't find. But they also can flame out in spectacular fashion. What is the greatest sibling band of all-time? Rich and Clint discuss siblings like the Allmans, the Robinsons, the Everlys, the Gallaghers, the Jacksons, along with bands you may not know were siblings. With special guest Jeff Symonds. The Age Old Question is part of Pantheon Podcasts. by The Age Old Question: A Podcast for Music Fans

50 min listen

What Is The Greatest Misheard Lyric of All-Time? (part 2): This week, Rich and Clint return to the "greatest (and most hilarious) misheard lyrics of all-time." The guys discuss why Prince hates your kids, why the Stones wrote an anthem about Yugoslavia, why Robert Palmer had a beef with Michael Jackson, Bob Marley's song about pirates that are rabbis and many many more. Try not to laugh! by The Age Old Question: A Podcast for Music Fans

24 min listen

Where Does A Song Come From?: This week, Rich and Clint discuss the mystery, magic and alchemy of songwriting. Where does a song come from? Drawing inspiration from the amazing Peter Jackson documentary on the Beatles, "Get Back" as well as Malcolm Gladwell's new audiobook about Paul Simon's creative process, Rich and Clint explore where songwriters go to pull songs into existence. Happy New Year from The Age Old Question. The Age Old Question is part of Pantheon Podcasts by The Age Old Question: A Podcast for Music Fans

49 min listen

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What Makes The Beatles The Greatest Band of All-Time? (part 1)

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