Danny Goldberg shares insider stories from his 50-year career as Led Zeppelin's publicist and Nirvana's manager, revealing Kurt Cobain's creative genius and the first-hand dynamics behind rock's biggest bands.

Order Danny's book "Bumping Into Geniuses" here

Topics Include:

• Danny discusses the 2026 reissue of "Bumping into Genius"
• Admits his turntables are mostly for show, prefers streaming now
• Kept about 100 vinyls including The Fugs on ESP Records
• Answered a Billboard ad not knowing music business existed
• Found his calling through enthusiasm and sensitivity to artists
• Became Led Zeppelin's US publicist in 1973 for Houses of the Holy
• The biggest band in the world had never gotten positive press
• Peter Grant described them as "just mild barbarians"
• Bonzo would arrive early to tune drums for each room's acoustics
• Jimmy Page avoided TV—felt it couldn't deliver Zeppelin's true sound
• Physical Graffiti era: Danny became Swan Song Records vice president
• His blues tribute pitch rejected—later repurposed for Foghat
• Robert Plant was eloquent and handled most press duties willingly
• Jimmy's Crowley interest rarely came up in day-to-day interactions
• Met Ringo, never John or George—All Things Must Pass is essential
• Nirvana's 92 Australian tour produced the Rolling Stone cover shoot
• Kurt's "Corporate magazines still suck" shirt was pure tightrope genius
• He storyboarded every Nirvana video shot by shot himself
• Appeared on Headbangers Ball in a dress to subvert metal culture
• Nevermind hit five radio formats simultaneously—unprecedented crossover success
• Kurt agreed to edit In Utero packaging for Walmart-only kids
• Fame invaded his privacy—tabloid coverage of Courtney infuriated him
• Depression and heroin predated fame—confirmed by Chris Novoselic
• Danny dismisses conspiracy theories—Seattle PD had no coverup motive
• Sub Pop planned "Cash Cow"—Kurt licensed it back as Incesticide
• Incesticide liner notes rank among Kurt's most remarkable creative statements
• Danny calls In Utero Kurt's best songwriting, his personal favorite
• Bonnie Raitt's Nick of Time gave Danny credibility to expand management
• John Silva brought Redd Kross, leading to Sonic Youth, then Nirvana
• Born Innocent documentary on Redd Kross earns Danny's recommendation

High resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide

• Apple: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-ios
• Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-spot
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• Support the show at Patreon.com/VinylGuide

Producer Plug discusses his journey from New York DJ to hip hop producer for Wu-Tang members, running multiple record stores, and launching R&G Records in Inglewood with Snoop Dogg.

Topics Include:

• Producer Plug discusses meeting again at Austin Record Fair
• His three superpowers: DJing, executive producing, and music production
• Born in Flushing Queens with father's influential Fisher sound system
• Father introduced him to WCBS-FM and classic disc jockeys
• The Fugees "Killing Me Softly" became his first musicology lesson
• Father taught him to stay curious and humble about music
• Started buying records at Nobody Beats The Wiz and Coconuts
• Carried white garbage bag of records through high school
• All The Right Records shop combined haircuts and vinyl shopping
• Made popular mixtapes across Queens neighborhoods, sold as CDs
• Got on record label promo lists by showcasing his tapes
• Mixtapes evolved into producing albums with original beats naturally
• Career progression through DJing, A&R, and label executive roles
• Opened multiple Records & Goods locations across different cities
• R&G stores feature unique Grail Museum showcasing rare pressings
• Hip hop's importance: taking best moments from every music genre
• Each store represents a spiritual piece of his father
• Haradio Sound Lab offers vinyl meditation space for listening sessions
• Tom Silverman's advice: learn from my billion-dollar mistakes instead
• Vinyl On Demand releases reissues plus upcoming Big Boo collaboration

High resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide

• Apple: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-ios
• Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-spot
• Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-amazon
• Support the show at Patreon.com/VinylGuide

Co-founder and former Three Dog Night frontman Chuck Negron (1942-2026) discusses the collectible records of his career, the early releases on small labels, the rare and recalled albums of Three Dog Night and mega-smash excesses and turnaround of his life and career.

Interview from July 2022

Topics Include:

• Chuck's autobiography Three Dog Nightmare .
• Basketball was first passion growing up in Bronx schoolyards.
• Made first record "Oh Baby" in 1958 at age fifteen.
• Early releases on tiny Bronx Records label extremely rare today.
• Progressed through Rondelles, Marlinda, and Heart Van regional California labels.
• "I Dream of an Angel" became regional hit across central California.
• Columbia Records offered deal while playing college basketball at Hancock.
• Chose to finish basketball season, damaging initial Columbia Records excitement.
• Learned hard lesson about commitment after squandering early industry enthusiasm.
• Bill Sharman offered Cal State LA scholarship but chose music.
• Left school permanently, ending high-level basketball career for music industry.
• Three Dog Night formed with three lead singers sharing spotlight.
• Band's strategy: find great songs, not write them themselves exclusively.
• "One" by Harry Nilsson became breakthrough hit launching massive success.
• Achieved 21 consecutive Top 40 hits selling over 60 million records.
• "Joy to the World" became worldwide number one, band's biggest success.
• "Black and White" addressed racial integration as mainstream social statement message.
• Hard Labor's controversial birthing cover recalled after hundreds of thousands distributed.
• Now hosts weekly WhatNot show selling rare Three Dog Night collectibles.
• At 80, credits basketball training for vocal stamina and survival.

High resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide

• Apple: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-ios
• Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-spot
• Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-amazon
• Support the show at Patreon.com/VinylGuide