John Lingan
@johnlingan.bsky.social
Writer. "Homeplace," about Patsy Cline's hometown. "A Song for Everyone," about CCR. "BACKBEATS: A History of Rock and Roll in 15 Drummers" is out on 11/11/25.
johnlingan.com
johnlingan.com
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John Lingan
@johnlingan.bsky.social
· Oct 11
BACKBEATS is out one month from today and it’s a real book! One that Kirkus says is great! johnlingan.com to preorder.
The Muppets’ In Search of Lost Time, with Gonzo as M.
If you were a despotic president, what movie would you force Hollywood to make? I want to see Quentin's Star Trek movie or maybe Kill Bill Vol 3.
November 25, 2025 at 8:00 PM
The Muppets’ In Search of Lost Time, with Gonzo as M.
Reposted by John Lingan
It was an honor to review & blurb the legendary Alice Gerrard's new memoir, out now w/ @uncpress.bsky.social!
I was trying to work in a mention of how she taught her dog to grab her a beer from the fridge (as just one example of her legendary status) but I couldn't quite make it work
I was trying to work in a mention of how she taught her dog to grab her a beer from the fridge (as just one example of her legendary status) but I couldn't quite make it work
November 25, 2025 at 6:37 PM
It was an honor to review & blurb the legendary Alice Gerrard's new memoir, out now w/ @uncpress.bsky.social!
I was trying to work in a mention of how she taught her dog to grab her a beer from the fridge (as just one example of her legendary status) but I couldn't quite make it work
I was trying to work in a mention of how she taught her dog to grab her a beer from the fridge (as just one example of her legendary status) but I couldn't quite make it work
Delany #13, his complete short science fiction: <400pp. and possibly the best introduction to him. Unbelievable density of ideas, imaginative leaps, and stylistic experiments, but more approachable than his 60s novels. Stories about gender, working class oppression, environmentalism, genius stuff.
November 25, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Delany #13, his complete short science fiction: <400pp. and possibly the best introduction to him. Unbelievable density of ideas, imaginative leaps, and stylistic experiments, but more approachable than his 60s novels. Stories about gender, working class oppression, environmentalism, genius stuff.
Reposted by John Lingan
The easiest way to be like 6x NBA All-Star Donovan “Spida” Mitchell? Obtain a copy of BACKBEATS.
johnlingan.com
johnlingan.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:11 PM
The easiest way to be like 6x NBA All-Star Donovan “Spida” Mitchell? Obtain a copy of BACKBEATS.
johnlingan.com
johnlingan.com
The easiest way to be like 6x NBA All-Star Donovan “Spida” Mitchell? Obtain a copy of BACKBEATS.
johnlingan.com
johnlingan.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:11 PM
The easiest way to be like 6x NBA All-Star Donovan “Spida” Mitchell? Obtain a copy of BACKBEATS.
johnlingan.com
johnlingan.com
Can’t wait for the inevitable overlong, self-serving Right Hand Files post about this and why dinner with proud bigots “makes the celestial spheres hum within us, inviting a greater understanding of awe” or some bullshit.
just two cool guys looking normal and alive, like humans
November 25, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Can’t wait for the inevitable overlong, self-serving Right Hand Files post about this and why dinner with proud bigots “makes the celestial spheres hum within us, inviting a greater understanding of awe” or some bullshit.
Reposted by John Lingan
RIP, JC. thanks to @jasondiamond.bsky.social, I was lucky enough to interview the man.
"The bongo man is the African man who was brought over here to the West, and has gone through all that he has gone through, survived it, and still kicking ass." www.insidehook.com/culture/the-...
"The bongo man is the African man who was brought over here to the West, and has gone through all that he has gone through, survived it, and still kicking ass." www.insidehook.com/culture/the-...
November 24, 2025 at 4:28 PM
RIP, JC. thanks to @jasondiamond.bsky.social, I was lucky enough to interview the man.
"The bongo man is the African man who was brought over here to the West, and has gone through all that he has gone through, survived it, and still kicking ass." www.insidehook.com/culture/the-...
"The bongo man is the African man who was brought over here to the West, and has gone through all that he has gone through, survived it, and still kicking ass." www.insidehook.com/culture/the-...
A man who deserved to be punched every single day of his miserable, wasted life.
Nov. 24, 1925: William F. Buckley Jr., the writer, columnist, talk show host and magazine founder who helped put conservatism at the forefront of political thought, is born in New York. His trademarks included a mischievous wit, arched eyebrows and a show-off vocabulary.
November 24, 2025 at 2:59 PM
A man who deserved to be punched every single day of his miserable, wasted life.
Reposted by John Lingan
Clem Burke would have been 71 today
For many he is the drummer from Blondie, but he was so much more than just a great drummer in a great rock band.
He was a pioneer in research that found a link between drumming & brain health
🥁🧠
www.linkedin.com/posts/stuart...
For many he is the drummer from Blondie, but he was so much more than just a great drummer in a great rock band.
He was a pioneer in research that found a link between drumming & brain health
🥁🧠
www.linkedin.com/posts/stuart...
November 24, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Clem Burke would have been 71 today
For many he is the drummer from Blondie, but he was so much more than just a great drummer in a great rock band.
He was a pioneer in research that found a link between drumming & brain health
🥁🧠
www.linkedin.com/posts/stuart...
For many he is the drummer from Blondie, but he was so much more than just a great drummer in a great rock band.
He was a pioneer in research that found a link between drumming & brain health
🥁🧠
www.linkedin.com/posts/stuart...
As with Creedence, the massive ego and accomplishment of the main guy has led them to claim that the other musicians were an albatross or an obstacle. But like Creedence, the live stuff is flat-out amazing and clearly has its own life beyond the albums. Great BANDS.
The live tracks on the new Mellon Collie reissue offer a great excuse to join the Church of Jimmy Chamberlin. We meet once a month as twilight turns to starlight and we all dress like this.
November 22, 2025 at 10:31 PM
As with Creedence, the massive ego and accomplishment of the main guy has led them to claim that the other musicians were an albatross or an obstacle. But like Creedence, the live stuff is flat-out amazing and clearly has its own life beyond the albums. Great BANDS.
Reposted by John Lingan
Such a fun and informative read — @johnlingan.bsky.social really outdid himself with this one. The best thing I can say about the book is that it has already made me a better listener, helping me hear new things in music while putting into words what I sensed but could not articulate.
November 22, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Such a fun and informative read — @johnlingan.bsky.social really outdid himself with this one. The best thing I can say about the book is that it has already made me a better listener, helping me hear new things in music while putting into words what I sensed but could not articulate.
Just finished this and good GAWD.
November 21, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Just finished this and good GAWD.
The live tracks on the new Mellon Collie reissue offer a great excuse to join the Church of Jimmy Chamberlin. We meet once a month as twilight turns to starlight and we all dress like this.
November 21, 2025 at 6:40 PM
The live tracks on the new Mellon Collie reissue offer a great excuse to join the Church of Jimmy Chamberlin. We meet once a month as twilight turns to starlight and we all dress like this.
Reposted by John Lingan
For the next three weeks I’m going to share individual playlists for the 15 chapters in BACKBEATS.
First up, blues legend Sam Lay, who came to Chicago as part of the Great Migration and played with Walter, Wolf, Muddy, and at the “Dylan Goes Electric” concert. King of the “double shuffle.”
First up, blues legend Sam Lay, who came to Chicago as part of the Great Migration and played with Walter, Wolf, Muddy, and at the “Dylan Goes Electric” concert. King of the “double shuffle.”
Backbeats: Sam Lay by John Lingan on Apple Music
Playlist · 10 Songs
music.apple.com
November 17, 2025 at 5:40 PM
For the next three weeks I’m going to share individual playlists for the 15 chapters in BACKBEATS.
First up, blues legend Sam Lay, who came to Chicago as part of the Great Migration and played with Walter, Wolf, Muddy, and at the “Dylan Goes Electric” concert. King of the “double shuffle.”
First up, blues legend Sam Lay, who came to Chicago as part of the Great Migration and played with Walter, Wolf, Muddy, and at the “Dylan Goes Electric” concert. King of the “double shuffle.”
The Velvet Underground’s first show with Moe Tucker was at a NJ high school opening for a group called the Myddle Class, whose lead singer David Palmer went on to sing in Steely Dan. That’s him on “Dirty Work.”
Man, everything is so bleak, anyone got a fun fact or little bit of trivia they want to share
November 21, 2025 at 1:53 PM
The Velvet Underground’s first show with Moe Tucker was at a NJ high school opening for a group called the Myddle Class, whose lead singer David Palmer went on to sing in Steely Dan. That’s him on “Dirty Work.”
A lot more on Stubblefield and “Funky Drummer” in my book BACKBEATS, including in this @lithub.com.web.brid.gy excerpt:
November 20, 2025 at 3:30 PM
A lot more on Stubblefield and “Funky Drummer” in my book BACKBEATS, including in this @lithub.com.web.brid.gy excerpt:
You know what’s an A+ album? “Spooked” by Robyn Hitchcock, with accompaniment by Gillian Welch and David Rawlings. 2004. Beautiful strings and harmonies, Hitchcock wrote a bundle of amazing ones and threw in a glorious cover of “Trying to Get to Heaven,” Welch plays drums! Classic.
If You Know Time
YouTube video by Robyn Hitchcock - Topic
youtu.be
November 18, 2025 at 11:15 PM
You know what’s an A+ album? “Spooked” by Robyn Hitchcock, with accompaniment by Gillian Welch and David Rawlings. 2004. Beautiful strings and harmonies, Hitchcock wrote a bundle of amazing ones and threw in a glorious cover of “Trying to Get to Heaven,” Welch plays drums! Classic.
32 years ago tonight, Nirvana records their MTV Unplugged performance. Not only a gorgeous, eerie (unintentional) swan song from Cobain, but also a total stylistic reinvention by Dave Grohl.
From BACKBEATS.
From BACKBEATS.
November 18, 2025 at 2:42 PM
32 years ago tonight, Nirvana records their MTV Unplugged performance. Not only a gorgeous, eerie (unintentional) swan song from Cobain, but also a total stylistic reinvention by Dave Grohl.
From BACKBEATS.
From BACKBEATS.
Confirmed: This is my pick for great under-seen New Hollywood masterpiece. On talent alone! Ashby’s directing debut, shot by Gordon Willis (truly cooking), written by Bill Gunn, Lee Grant never better, music by Al Kooper & the Staple Singers.
Clearly a “One Battle After Another” influence too.
Clearly a “One Battle After Another” influence too.
Saw this about 15 years ago on 35mm print and it still stands among my favorite filmgoing experiences ever. Made me obsessed with Hal Ashby. Never seen it since, it’s not streaming or even on dvd.
Walking into another screening right now.
Walking into another screening right now.
November 17, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Confirmed: This is my pick for great under-seen New Hollywood masterpiece. On talent alone! Ashby’s directing debut, shot by Gordon Willis (truly cooking), written by Bill Gunn, Lee Grant never better, music by Al Kooper & the Staple Singers.
Clearly a “One Battle After Another” influence too.
Clearly a “One Battle After Another” influence too.
Saw this about 15 years ago on 35mm print and it still stands among my favorite filmgoing experiences ever. Made me obsessed with Hal Ashby. Never seen it since, it’s not streaming or even on dvd.
Walking into another screening right now.
Walking into another screening right now.
November 17, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Saw this about 15 years ago on 35mm print and it still stands among my favorite filmgoing experiences ever. Made me obsessed with Hal Ashby. Never seen it since, it’s not streaming or even on dvd.
Walking into another screening right now.
Walking into another screening right now.
For the next three weeks I’m going to share individual playlists for the 15 chapters in BACKBEATS.
First up, blues legend Sam Lay, who came to Chicago as part of the Great Migration and played with Walter, Wolf, Muddy, and at the “Dylan Goes Electric” concert. King of the “double shuffle.”
First up, blues legend Sam Lay, who came to Chicago as part of the Great Migration and played with Walter, Wolf, Muddy, and at the “Dylan Goes Electric” concert. King of the “double shuffle.”
Backbeats: Sam Lay by John Lingan on Apple Music
Playlist · 10 Songs
music.apple.com
November 17, 2025 at 5:40 PM
For the next three weeks I’m going to share individual playlists for the 15 chapters in BACKBEATS.
First up, blues legend Sam Lay, who came to Chicago as part of the Great Migration and played with Walter, Wolf, Muddy, and at the “Dylan Goes Electric” concert. King of the “double shuffle.”
First up, blues legend Sam Lay, who came to Chicago as part of the Great Migration and played with Walter, Wolf, Muddy, and at the “Dylan Goes Electric” concert. King of the “double shuffle.”
Bill Orcutt’s “How to Rescue Things” is growing into an all-timer for me. Droning Montovani string samples overlaid with gorgeous sky-scraping skronky shredding. Overwhelmingly beautiful and inspiring. I’d listen to a 10hr version of this album.
Not Reconciled
YouTube video by Bill Orcutt - Topic
youtu.be
November 15, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Bill Orcutt’s “How to Rescue Things” is growing into an all-timer for me. Droning Montovani string samples overlaid with gorgeous sky-scraping skronky shredding. Overwhelmingly beautiful and inspiring. I’d listen to a 10hr version of this album.
Reposted by John Lingan
Honored to have an excerpt from @johnlingan.bsky.social's exceptional new book in this month's @phillymag.com. I learned a lot about Questlove in this story, and I suspect you will too:
How Questlove Became the Defining Drummer of His Generation
John Lingan's new book Backbeats: A History of Rock and Roll in Fifteen Drummers, traces the Roots drummer’s journey from Philly prodigy to genre-shaping innovator.
www.phillymag.com
November 14, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Honored to have an excerpt from @johnlingan.bsky.social's exceptional new book in this month's @phillymag.com. I learned a lot about Questlove in this story, and I suspect you will too:
Reposted by John Lingan
yes go buy @johnlingan.bsky.social's book about iconic drummers!! we just got our copy in the mail
I had no idea that book even existed until now and I'm going to buy several copies for gifts. Incredible recommendation!
November 14, 2025 at 3:38 PM
yes go buy @johnlingan.bsky.social's book about iconic drummers!! we just got our copy in the mail
Reposted by John Lingan
Congrats to my friend @johnlingan.bsky.social on the publication of "Backbeats: A History of Rock and Roll in Fifteen Drummers!" John is one of the best people writing about music today. His passion and expertise bleeds through on every page of his work. Order your copy today!
November 13, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Congrats to my friend @johnlingan.bsky.social on the publication of "Backbeats: A History of Rock and Roll in Fifteen Drummers!" John is one of the best people writing about music today. His passion and expertise bleeds through on every page of his work. Order your copy today!