Category: Special Shows

Check out the local artists, themed shows, and more that have been featured on The Rocker!

July 25, 2026 PlaylistJuly 25, 2026 Playlist

July 25, 2026July 25, 2026|

A rare departure from our diverse hodgepodge of generation-spanning rock music takes you down my personal musical memory lane. Turning 65 made me wax nostalgic about the songs that helped shape my musical tastes in my formative years. Here’s a sampling of songs that resonated with me from toddler to tween to teenager in the years from 1961 through 1979. Click here to access the stream.

  • HOT BUTTER Popcorn
  • REUNION Life is a Rock (But the Radio Rolled Me)
  • THE BEATLES She Loves You
  • BOBBY LEWIS Tossin’ and Turnin’
  • THE BEACH BOYS Barbara Ann
  • LOU CHRISTIE Lightning Strikes
  • THE ARCHIES Sugar Sugar
  • THE BOX TOPS The Letter
  • THE DRIFTERS On Broadway
  • BEN E. KING Spanish Harlem
  • THE O’JAYS Back Stabbers
  • OTIS REDDING (Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay
  • THE BYRDS Turn! Turn! Turn!
  • THE ROLLING STONES Mother’s Little Helper
  • SIMON & GARFUNKEL Mrs. Robinson
  • JEFFERSON AIRPLANE White Rabbit
  • BOB DYLAN Lay Lady Lady
  • CREAM White Room
  • JIMI HENDRIX Purple Haze
  • THUNDERCLAP NEWMAN Something in the Air
  • EDWIN STARR War
  • RAIDERS Indian Reservation
  • ELVIS PRESLEY Burning Love
  • ELTON JOHN Crocodile Rock
  • THREE DOG NIGHT Joy to the World
  • CHUCK BERRY My Ding-A-Ling
  • NEW YORK DOLLS Personality Crisis
  • THE WHO The Real Me
  • LED ZEPPELIN Heartbreaker / Living Loving Maid
  • BLACK SABBATH Paranoid
  • ALICE COOPER No More Mr. Nice Guy
  • CHEAP TRICK Surrender (Live)
  • KISS Rock and Roll All Nite (Live)
  • VAN HALEN You Really Got Me
  • BLONDIE One Way or Another
  • JOE JACKSON Is She Really Going Out With Him?
  • RAMONES I Wanna Be Sedated
  • MOTT THE HOOPLE All the Young Dudes
  • THE ROLLING STONES In the Stars
  • JETHRO TULL Too Old to Rock ‘n’ Roll, Too Young to Die (coda)

Read MoreRead More

July 3, 2026 Playlist – America’s 250th BirthdayJuly 3, 2026 Playlist – America’s 250th Birthday

July 5, 2026July 5, 2026|

Celebrating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S.A. with perhaps her greatest export – rock and roll music! Click here to access the restream.

  • VIOLENT FEMMES American Music
  • THE BLASTERS American Music
  • DAVID LEE ROTH Yankee Rose
  • GREEN DAY Last of the American girls
  • PAUL McCARTNEY Freedom
  • THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM American Slang
  • THE BEACH BOYS Surfin’ USA
  • MARTHA REEVES & THE VANDELLAS Heat Wave
  • JOHN MELLENCAMP Pink Houses
  • IAN HUNTER Cleveland Rocks
  • GRAND FUNK RAILROAD We’re an American Band
  • KISS Kissin’ Time USA
  • DEBBIE HARRY French Kissing in the USA
  • KIM WILDE Kids in America
  • SHARON JONES & THE DAP-KINGS This Land is Your Land
  • JAMES BROWN Living in America
  • LENNY KRAVITZ American Woman
  • DAVE ALVIN 4th of July
  • BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN American Land
  • BOB SEGER & THE SILVER BULLET BAND American Storm
  • TOM PETTY & THE HEARTBREAKERS American Girl
  • DEF LEPPARD Hello America
  • NIGHTRANGER You Can Still Rock in America
  • CHUCK BERRY Back in the USA
  • BROOKS & DUNN Only in America
  • ME FIRST & THE GIMME GIMMES Country Roads
  • Y&T All American Boy
  • COUNTING CROWS American Girls
  • NEIL DIAMOND America
  • JOHN MELLENCAMP R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.
  • CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL Fortunate Son
  • NEIL YOUNG Hawks and Doves
  • DON McLEAN American Pie
  • BROTHER DYNAMITE What are You Waiting For?
  • VAN HALEN Dreams
  • JACKSON BROWNE I Am a Patriot
  • JEFFERSON AIRPLANE Volunteers
  • STEVE MILLER BAND Living in the USA
  • THE TEMPTATIONS Ain’t Too Proud To Beg
  • MARTHA REEVES & THE VANDELLAS Dancing in the Street
  • RAY CHARLES America the Beautiful

Read MoreRead More

June 27, 2026 Playlist with Melo DiBartolo of Beat BrigadeJune 27, 2026 Playlist with Melo DiBartolo of Beat Brigade

June 28, 2026June 28, 2026|

A very ska-centric episode! All you rude boys and girls can check it out by clicking right here!

  • MELBOURNE SKA ORCHESTRA Get Smart
  • THE MIGHTY MIGHTY BOSSTONES The Impression That I Get
  • THE HOLOPHONICS Havana
  • URBAN BLIGHT Three More Roses
  • BLOOD, SWEAT & TEARS Spinning Wheel
  • UB40 Can’t Help Falling In Love
  • REEL BIG FISH Take On Me
  • DONKEY SHOW Mr. Brown
  • DODGY Summer Forever
  • BEAT BRIGADE Armageddon Beat
  • BEAT BRIGADE Just Got Lucky
  • GOLDFINGER More Today Than Yesterday
  • FISHBONE Unyielding Conditioning
  • BEAT BRIGADE You Charming Thing
  • MELO DiBARTOLO 401Kill (Live in the MPR Studio)
  • MADNESS One Step Beyond
  • MADNESS Our House
  • BEAT BRIGADE Lori
  • MELO DiBARTOLO Walk Away (Live in the MPR Studio)
  • BEAT BRIGADE Racists and Fools
  • RANCID Time Bomb
  • THE INTERRUPTERS featuring TIM ARMSTRONG Family
  • SAVE FERRIS Come On Eileen
  • THE ENGLISH BEAT Save it for Later
  • BEAT BRIGADE Has the Fire Died
  • MELO DiBARTOLO Ferguson Bullets (Live in the MPR Studio)
  • THE CLASH Rudie Can’t Fail
  • THE SPECIALS A Message to You, Rudy
  • THE SELECTER Too Much Pressure
  • THE TOASTERS East Side Beat
  • BEAT BRIGADE All the Lights Have Gone Out
  • BEAT BRIGADE Keep Still Dark
  • BEAT BRIGADE Another Cause
  • BEAT BRIGADE Bittersweet

Read MoreRead More

May 16, 2026 Playlist – Guest Host: Gwen GibsonMay 16, 2026 Playlist – Guest Host: Gwen Gibson

May 17, 2026May 17, 2026|

Familial obligations took me elsewhere on this day, but thankfully, my Sister of Sound Gwen Gibson was able to take the ride up from Philly to cover the show. Check out her playlist below and click here to listen to the terrific job she did in my absence.

  • LOS STRAIGHTJACKETS Galaxy Drive
  • THE VELVET UNDERGROUND Rock and Roll
  • GODDAMN WRECKS Here’s To You
  • CAGE THE ELEPHANT No Rest for the Wicked
  • GREEN DAY Boulevard of Broken Dreams
  • THE DEAR BOYS Procrastination
  • THE BEATLES Think for Yourself
  • THE SECOND SUMMER I Should
  • HOLE Malibu
  • THE STANDELLS Dirty Water
  • CHUCK BERRY Come On
  • CANCION FRANKLIN Pass Me By
  • VAN HALEN I’ll Wait
  • BEE GEES In My Own Time
  • BLACK PUMAS Fire
  • COURAGE MY LOVE Bridges
  • INXS Red Red Sun
  • BIG JOE TURNER Shake Rattle and Roll
  • TENACIOUS D Tribute
  • THE ZOMBIES Time of the Season
  • THE TRANSFERENCE Ramon Says I’m The Devil
  • MIDDLE AGES Silver Lining (Don’t Count Me Out)
  • MERESHA Night Sky
  • THE CHURCH Reptile
  • BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN Tenth Avenue Freeze Out
  • FRANK CARTER & THE RATTLESNAKES Wild Flowers
  • THE EINES 48 Beers
  • MOMMA Speeding 72
  • THE RALLIES Not So Much Anymore
  • THE LEN PRICE 3 I’m A Fake
  • NIRVANA You Know You’re Right
  • OUR OWN YOKOS Follow You Down
  • 6KITTY June
  • JACK WHITE Archbishop Harold Holmes
  • SUZZALLO River
  • TRACY BONHAM Mother Mother
  • CROWDED HOUSE That What I Call Love
  • DEMOLITION 23 Hammersmith Palais
  • JOAN JETT & THE BLACKHEARTS Do You Wanna Touch Me (Oh Yeah)
  • THE EASYBEATS Friday on My Mind
  • OLD 97s Every Night is Friday Night (Without You)
  • DAVE EDMUNDS Almost Saturday Night
  • THE HIVES Tick Tick Boom
  • THE KNICKERBOCKERS Lies
  • THE POWER STATION Some Like It Hot
  • LOS PAJAROS Gato Negro
  • CHAGALL GUEVARA Tale O’ The Twister

Read MoreRead More

March 7, 2026 Playlist – International Women’s DayMarch 7, 2026 Playlist – International Women’s Day

March 7, 2026March 7, 2026|

We observed International Women’s Day 2026 by compiling a playlist that celebrated and hopefully elevated the voices of our sonic sisters, past and present. The entire program is available to restream by clicking on this link.

  • THE SURFRAJETTES Toxic
  • LIZ PHAIR Extraordinary
  • THE RUNAWAYS Cherry Bomb
  • HEART Barracuda
  • PAT BENATAR Heartbreaker
  • SISTER ROSETTA THARPE Jericho
  • BIG MAMA THORNTON Hound Dog
  • KOKO TAYLOR I’m a Woman
  • BREWSTER MOONFACE Tin Woman
  • CAROLE KING Breaking Up is Hard to Do
  • BETTY-ANNE Laughter in the Rain
  • TINA TURNER The Bitch is Back
  • ARETHA FRANKLIN Respect
  • INGRID MICHAELSON Maybe
  • JULIA GARGANO & JOAN CADDELL A Man Like That
  • KING LIKE MOM Fragrance
  • LISA SCHERMA Love Me Just a Little
  • JOAN JETT Bad Reputation
  • HOLE Celebrity Skin
  • SPUTNIK THE BAND They Don’t Know
  • SARAH BORGES Mercy of the Moon
  • LUCINDA WILLIAMS Six Blocks Away
  • SUZI QUATRO Little Miss Lovely
  • THE DARTS Zombies on the Metro
  • THE DRACU-LAS I’m Blue
  • MONA FREAKA Last Song
  • LISA LeBLANC 5,748 KM
  • BLONDIE I’m Always Touched By Your Presence, Dear
  • THE BEACHES I Ran
  • THE LIVERBIRDS Why Do You Hang Around Me
  • MANIC HONEY Problems
  • THERINA BELLA Starcrossed
  • TORI AMOS Stronger Together
  • CHAPPELL ROAN The Subway
  • GARBAGE When I Grow Up
  • GIFTSHOP We Want You
  • KILLDEER Never Enough
  • SISTER ROSETTA THARPE This Train

Read MoreRead More

February 7, 2026 Playlist – Gary WeissFebruary 7, 2026 Playlist – Gary Weiss

February 7, 2026February 7, 2026|

Gary Weiss began his love affair with the drums at age 10, and his devotion to the kit led him to a successful career backing some of the biggest names in the business. He had tales to tell and tunes to share and we could have used a few more hours to get to them all. Listen to what we managed to squeeze in by clicking here.

  • LOS STRAITJACKETS Aerostar
  • MICHELLE SHOCKED Anchorage
  • CHEAP TRICK Reach Out
  • LED ZEPPELIN Misty Mountain Hop
  • LIVING COLOUR Crosstown Traffic
  • SANTIAGO-WEISS Stop and Go
  • DION Ride With You
  • GARY U.S. BONDS Every Time I Roll the Dice
  • SOUTHSIDE JOHNNY Walk Away Renee
  • DAN CORIO Stay Gone
  • SONNY THURNALL Taste of Your Own Medicine
  • BROTHER DYNAMITE Violet
  • SAINTS IN EXILE Our Love is Dead
  • DARLENE LOVE Among the Believers
  • GRAND FUNK RAILROAD Bad Time
  • BADFINGER No Matter What
  • TITO PUENTE Oye Como Va
  • FOO FIGHTERS Times Like These
  • URIAH HEEP Stealin’
  • THE DUPREES You Belong to Me
  • THE SHANGRI-LAS Remember (Walking in the Sand)
  • THREE DOG NIGHT Shambala
  • THE GRATEFUL DEAD Sugar Magnolia
  • THE SCORPIONS I Can’t Explain
  • FREDA PAYNE Band of Gold
  • TWELVE DAYS IN JUNE with STRESS DOLLS Every Rose Has its Thorn

Read MoreRead More

January 24, 2026 Playlist – Nancy GlennonJanuary 24, 2026 Playlist – Nancy Glennon

January 24, 2026January 24, 2026|

Sometimes, the best laid plans get wrecked by life’s nasty little gremlins. Such was the case with this edition of the program. Unfortunately, our “Breakfast On The Rocker” contest winner, Nancy Glennon, also had to endure their mischievous misdeeds. We’ll make it up to her by having her on again in the not-too-distant future. If you’re interested in hearing the mayhem unfold, click here to listen to it in all its ragged glory. (Songs with an * were selected by Nancy.)

  • HOUNDS OF JUSTICE Wisdom Teeth
  • DROPKICK MURPHYS Who’ll Stand With Us?
  • WEEZER Pork and Beans
  • THE CLASH Should I Stay or Should I Go
  • THE BEATLES I Want to Hold Your Hand *
  • BLINK-182 All The Small Things
  • THE MONKEES I’m A Believer *
  • SPUTNIK THE BAND They Don’t Know
  • THE PARTRIDGE FAMILY I Think I Love You *
  • JOURNEY Separate Ways *
  • IAN HUNTER Just Another Night
  • THE CARS My Best Friend’s Girl *
  • REAL-LIFE SUPERHERO Heart Has Had Enough
  • BROTHER DYNAMITE Violet
  • LINKIN PARK Waiting For The End
  • RATT You’re In Love *
  • CARMEN TOTH Time Bomb Heart
  • INXS What You Need *
  • BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN Brilliant Disguise *
  • TOM PETTY & THE HEARTBREAKERS Breakdown
  • THE KILLERS Runaways *
  • GREEN DAY Tired Of Waiting For You
  • TRACY CHAPMAN Fast Car *
  • BILLY JOEL The Stranger *
  • WAR Low Rider
  • DONNA SUMMER & BARBRA STREISAND No More Tears *
  • MELISSA ETHERIDGE Like The Way I Do *
  • DAN CORIO BAND Hold On
  • COUNTING CROWS Round Here *
  • THE 1975 Love Me *
  • SOMBR Canal Street
  • MATCHBOX TWENTY If You’re Gone *
  • THE CRETONES Mad Love
  • SABRINA CARPENTER Espresso *

Read MoreRead More

December 13, 2025 Playlist – Rockin’ ChristmasDecember 13, 2025 Playlist – Rockin’ Christmas

December 13, 2025December 13, 2025|

Nothing like being able to combine my love of rock ‘n’ roll with the sounds of my favorite season. This edition of the program featured a somewhat unconventional playlist of holiday tunes that I think are every bit as cool and rich as a glass of spiced egg nog. (I really like egg nog.) Check it out by clicking here.

  • GEORGE THOROGOOD & THE DESTROYERS Rock and Roll Christmas
  • LEMMY, BILLY GIBBONS & DAVE GROHL Run Run Rudolph
  • THE GREEDIES A Merry Jingle
  • GREEN DAY Xmas Time of Year
  • MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE Every Snowflake’s Different
  • SPIRALING Do You Hear What I Hear?
  • AC / LEE C Dirty Deeds ‘Round the Christmas Tree
  • MAVIS STAPLES Christmas Vacation
  • CHEAP TRICK I Want You for Christmas
  • BROTHER DYNAMITE It’s Christmas Time, Alright!
  • LOUVERS Retro Christmas
  • TOM PETTY & THE HEARTBREAKERS It’s Christmas All Over Again
  • THE MAVERICKS Hey! Merry Christmas!
  • SHARON JONES & THE DAP-KINGS 8 Days of Chanukah
  • ADAM SANDLER The Chanukah Song
  • REEL BIG FISH Whatever You Celebrate
  • JOSE VAN HALIANO Ain’t Talkin ‘Bout Feliz Navidad
  • DROPKICK MURPHYS The Season’s Upon Us
  • WHEATUS Christmas Dirtbag
  • THE SONICS Santa Claus
  • ANNIE LENNOX & AL GREEN Put a Little Love in Your Heart
  • MOSSY LEDGE Christmas Lights
  • SPUTNIK THE BAND Baby, Please Come Home
  • THE OFFSPRING Please Come Home for Christmas
  • THE PRETTY RECKLESS Where Are You, Christmas?
  • REEL BIG FISH Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer
  • BAD MANNERS It’s Christmas Time Again
  • JULIAN CASABLANCAS I Wish it Was Christmas Today
  • MxPx Punk Rock Christmas
  • SIMPLE PLAN My Christmas List
  • ELI “PAPERBOY” REED Last Christmas
  • JACKSON 5 Santa Claus is Coming to Town
  • KING FALCON Dear Mrs. Claus
  • THE KINKS Father Christmas
  • BOWLING FOR SOUP Santa Looked a Lot Like Daddy
  • THE REGRETTES Marshmallow World
  • THE PULLTOPS I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
  • THE LINDA LINDAS Groovy Christmas
  • BLONDIE We Three Kings
  • BAD RELIGION O Come All Ye Faithful
  • BILLY IDOL Yellin’ at the Christmas Tree
  • HALL AND OATES Jingle Bell Rock
  • THE OLD 97s Here it is Christmas Time
  • LOS LOBOS Christmas and You
  • STEVE AUGERI Home This Christmas Time

Read MoreRead More

November 29, 2025 Playlist – Joan CaddellNovember 29, 2025 Playlist – Joan Caddell

November 29, 2025November 29, 2025|

The incredibly talented Joan Caddell was our guest on this edition of the program, and she gave us exclusive access to her forthcoming “Butterflies and Cardinals” EP. She also provided us with some fascinating stories about her songs, career and creative process. In addition, we debuted new music from some of our favorite independent artists, as well as a few from some well-established rockers. Enjoy at your leisure by clicking here.

  • BROKEN PEACH It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas
  • PARKER BARROW Make It
  • CHEAP TRICK A Long Way to Worcester
  • GRAND PEPPER OF REALITY Let’s Be Easy
  • MERESHA Night Sky
  • BLACK ROSE BURNING Winter Fields
  • HALESTORM & BAD COMPANY Shooting Star
  • LIZZY BETH GOLDMAN Red Red Wine
  • DAN CORIO BAND Not Tonight
  • MIDDLE AGES On the Loose
  • JIMMY CLIFF The Harder They Come
  • JIMMY CLIFF You Can Get It If You Really Want
  • JOAN CADDELL & THE MIDNIGHT CHOIR Piece of Heaven
  • JOAN CADDELL & THE MIDNIGHT CHOIR Forever Right Now
  • JOAN CADDELL & THE MIDNIGHT CHOIR Oklahoma Dust
  • JOAN CADDELL & THE MIDNIGHT CHOIR Little Miss Audacious
  • JOAN CADDELL & THE MIDNIGHT CHOIR Home Sweet Home
  • JOAN CADDELL & THE MIDNIGHT CHOIR Divine Women
  • JOAN CADDELL & THE MIDNIGHT CHOIR Paul McCartney Night
  • JOAN CADDELL & THE MIDNIGHT CHOIR Butterflies and Cardinals
  • JOAN CADDELL & JULIA GARGANO A Man Like That
  • JOAN CADDELL & THE MIDNIGHT CHOIR Cinderella
  • JOAN CADDELL & THE MIDNIGHT CHOIR Miss Misery
  • JOAN CADDELL & THE MIDNIGHT CHOIR Somebody Else
  • JOAN CADDELL & THE MIDNIGHT CHOIR When?
  • RELIENT K Silver Bells

Read MoreRead More

November 1, 2025 Playlist – Lisa SchermaNovember 1, 2025 Playlist – Lisa Scherma

November 1, 2025November 1, 2025|

The extraordinarily versatile singer and songwriter Lisa Scherma was our guest in the studio. She performed four unrecorded songs from her extensive genre-defying repertoire. As two Brooklyn kids from opposite ends of the same neighborhood, our conversation flowed free and easy. Check out the show by clicking here.

  • THUNDERMOTHER We Fight for Rock and Roll
  • ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO Real as an Animal
  • IGGY POP Something Wild
  • JOOLS HOLLAND featuring JAMIROQUAI I’m in the Mood for Love
  • FRANK TURNER I Still Believe
  • SAMANTHA FISH Can Ya Handle That
  • TOXIC TITO The Music Died
  • BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN Atlantic City (Electric Nebraska Version)
  • LONESOME DAVE FISHER I Got My Education (Rockin’ to the Radio)
  • LISA SCHERMA Fight The Past
  • LISA SCHERMA Southern Fried Country Blues
  • LISA SCHERMA The Damsel
  • LISA SCHERMA Something in the Water
  • LISA SCHERMA Save Myself (Live in the MPR Studio)
  • ALLMAN BROTHERS Revival
  • LISA SCHERMA I Gotta Go to Church
  • BONNIE RAITT Angel from Montgomery
  • LISA SCHERMA Alone
  • LISA SCHERMA Play Dead (Live in the MPR Studio)
  • LISA SCHERMA The One Who Loves You
  • THE CHIFFONS Sweet Talking Guy
  • LISA SCHERMA Last Night
  • LISA SCHERMA When the Wrong Thing Feels So Right
  • LISA SCHERMA Commonality (Live in the MPR Studio)
  • MELISSA ETHERIDGE I’m the Only One
  • B.B. KING Every Day I Have the Blues
  • LISA SCHERMA Jump and Shout
  • LISA SCHERMA Good Soul (Live in the MPR Studio)
  • LISA SCHERMA Wrong Impression

Read MoreRead More