Discograffiti

THE LENNY WARONKER DISCOGRAFFITI INTERVIEW (PART 2) (Ep. 244B)

Discograffiti is the deep-dive podcast for music obsessives. In this episode (Part I of a 4-part series edited down from a 5 1/2 hour interview), Lenny Waronker takes a deep-dive stroll along with host Dave Gebroe through his entire career, with priceless commentary and stories peeled off along the way. Legendary producer and Warner Brothers studio head Lenny Waronker is a record producer and music industry executive. As the president of Warner Brothers Records, and later, as the co-founder and co-chair of DreamWorks Records, Waronker was noted for his commitment to artists and his belief that "music, not money, was still number one." In 2025, Waronker was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the Ahmet Ertegun Award category for non-performing industry professionals. 
Part 2 focuses on the first album Lenny ever produced, Van Dyke Parks’ legendary debut LP Song Cycle. Parts 2 & 3 are an absolute dream come true for fans of this record.
Here are just a few of the many things that Lenny discusses with Discograffiti in this podcast:
The myriad of influences that made up the cultural stew that was Song Cycle;
The mind frame of boundless largesse and expense that went into the making of the record;
The real reason why Van Dyke covered Donovan’s “Colours”, and the reason he used an alias when it was released as a single;
Lenny’s dalliance with speed, and what it did for him at the time that he otherwise had difficulty doing;
Van Dyke’s need to obfuscate his own voice on a record so dependent on being able to understand its lyrical virtuosity;
The current state of Lenny & Van Dyke’s friendship;
And an in-depth deep dive on every song off Side One of Song Cycle.
The Free Teaser: linktr.ee/discograffiti
For the full, ad-free, 60-minute podcast, either subscribe to Discograffiti’s Patreon at the Private Tier or higher, or just grab the episode as a one-off at the same link.
The Full Podcast: Patreon.com/Discograffiti
Dave's Show Notes are available at a separate link for Majors & up.

THE LENNY WARONKER DISCOGRAFFITI INTERVIEW (PART 1) (Ep. 244)

Discograffiti is the deep-dive podcast for music obsessives. In this episode (Part I of a 4-part series edited down from a 5 1/2 hour interview), Lenny Waronker takes a deep-dive stroll along with host Dave Gebroe through his entire career, with priceless commentary and stories peeled off along the way. Legendary producer and Warner Brothers studio head Lenny Waronker is a record producer and music industry executive. As the president of Warner Brothers Records, and later, as the co-founder and co-chair of DreamWorks Records, Waronker was noted for his commitment to artists and his belief that "music, not money, was still number one." In 2025, Waronker was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the Ahmet Ertegun Award category for non-performing industry professionals. 
Part 1 focuses on the early years of Lenny’s career, leading up to the first album he ever produced, Van Dyke Parks’ Song Cycle.
Here are just a few of the many things that Lenny discusses with Discograffiti in this podcast:
What it was like growing up with his father Simon, as he set up and funded the launch of Liberty Records;
Befriending Randy Newman as a small child, and coming to realize how gifted he was;
What it’s like for Lenny and Randy to struggle with issues of self-confidence, and how those issues manifest;
Meeting Van Dyke Parks for the first time and beginning to work with him;
Hearing Brian Wilson’s Smile tapes through Van Dyke;
And the contract offered to Van Dyke: possibly the most artistically and financially advantageous agreement ever made with anybody ever. 
The Free Teaser: linktr.ee/discograffiti
For the full, ad-free, 88-minute podcast, either subscribe to Discograffiti’s Patreon at the Private Tier or higher, or just grab the episode as a one-off at the same link.
The Full Podcast: Patreon.com/Discograffiti
Dave's Show Notes are available at a separate link for Lieutenants & up.

SPIRIT (PART 4: BAND BREAKS UP, JO JO GUNNE, FEEDBACK, & KAPTAIN KOPTER) (Ep. 243B)

Discograffiti is the deep-dive podcast for music obsessives. Host Dave Gebroe talks with Spirit biographer Ryan Gabrinetti about the classic psych band’s entire recorded output, with commentary, stories, and star ratings for every release. Part 4 covers the period that kicks off the most interesting era of the band, as far as Discograffiti sees it.
Here are just a few of the many things that Ryan discusses with Discograffiti in this podcast:
The chaotic events that led to the band’s break up;
The formation of Spirit side act Jo Jo Gunne, which eventually seceded from Spirit and enjoyed success of their own;
A brief rundown of the Jo Jo Gunne discography;
The one-off iteration of Spirit without Randy California in it, which thankfully produced only a single record, whose closest comparison point is The Velvet Underground’s Squeeze;
The manically inspired beginning of Randy California’s solo career, and the underrated masterwork that came out of it;
And an in-depth deep dive on every song off Spirit’s Feedback and Randy California’s Kapt. Kopter And The (Fabulous) Twirly Birds.
The Free Teaser: linktr.ee/discograffiti
For the full, ad-free, 35-minute podcast, either subscribe to Discograffiti’s Patreon at the Major Tier or higher, or just grab the episode as a one-off at the same link.
The Full Podcast: Patreon.com/Discograffiti

THE MARK LINETT DISCOGRAFFITI INTERVIEW (THE BEACH BOYS ARCHIVAL PRODUCER) (Ep. 243)

Discograffiti is the deep-dive podcast for music obsessives. In this episode, Mark Linett takes a deep-dive stroll along with host Dave Gebroe through his entire career, with priceless commentary and stories. Legendary producer and audio engineer Mark Linett is best known for his remixing and remastering of The Beach Boys’ catalog. Since 1988, he’s been the engineer of choice for Brian Wilson’s recordings. In 1996, Linett created the first true stereo mix of Pet Sounds. He’s also co-produced nearly all of the band's archival releases, including 1997’s The Pet Sounds Sessions, 1998’s Endless Harmony Soundtrack, 2003’s Hawthorne, CA, and 2011’s The Smile Sessions, as well as the Feel Flows (2021) and Sail On Sailor (2022) box sets.  In addition to earning three Grammy Awards, he was nominated for Best Engineered Album for his work on 2004’s Brian Wilson Presents Smile. He’s also worked with Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jane’s Addiction, Los Lobos, Rickie Lee Jones, and Randy Newman. 
Here are just a few of the many things that Mark discusses with Discograffiti in this podcast:
Mark’s first few unillustrious gigs on his path to break into the music industry;
His early work milking the Jimi Hendrix catalog;
Mark’s love of The Beach Boys leading up to his work on Brian’s debut 1988 solo album;
Mark’s genius brainstorm of releasing The Beach Boys catalog as those genius celebrate “two-fer” releases;
Assembling The Pet Sounds Sessions and The Smile Sessions;
And the serendipitous story of how he wound up in this industry in the first place.
The Free Teaser: linktr.ee/discograffiti
For the full, ad-free, 104-minute podcast, either subscribe to Discograffiti’s Patreon at the Private Tier or higher, or just grab the episode as a one-off at the same link.
The Full Podcast: Patreon.com/Discograffiti

SPIRIT (PART 3: TWELVE DREAMS OF DR. SARDONICUS) (Ep. 242B)

Discograffiti is the deep-dive podcast for music obsessives. Host Dave Gebroe talks with Spirit biographer Ryan Gabrinetti about the classic psych band’s entire recorded output, with commentary, stories, and star ratings for every release. Part 3 covers Spirit’s most fondly remembered LP, Twelve Dreams Of Dr. Sardonicus, which also became the commercial high point of the band. An FM underground classic created after the band had parted ways with producer Lou Adler, it has since served as the introductory keyhole for most of the band’s fans.
Here are just a few of the many things that Ryan discusses with Discograffiti in this podcast:
A discussion about the single that served as the band’s final release of the 1960s;
How Neil Young’s producer David Briggs modified Spirit’s sound to showcase the band in a different light;
The fights happening in the band at the time, not to mention the massive accident that Randy California incurred during the recording of Sardonicus;
Whether Randy’s brain injury contributed to the boundless sense of creativity he experienced for many years to come;
And an in-depth deep dive on every song off Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus.
The Free Teaser: linktr.ee/discograffiti
For the full, ad-free, 30-minute podcast, either subscribe to Discograffiti’s Patreon at the Major Tier or higher, or just grab the episode as a one-off at the same link.
The Full Podcast: Patreon.com/Discograffiti

GRAHAM NASH TALKS ABOUT SONGS FOR BEGINNERS, HIS CLASSIC DEBUT SOLO LP (Ep. 242)

Discograffiti is the deep-dive podcast for music obsessives.  In this episode, Graham Nash comes clean with host Dave Gebroe about his very first solo album, the classic Songs For Beginners, with commentary and stories from that incredibly fraught, chaotic time. Discograffiti’s Wild Tales: The Graham Nash Interview Series tackles every last release the great Graham Nash ever had a hand in creating, including CSN/Y, C&N, and his solo career, detailing a history almost too wild to be believed. 
Here are just a few of the many things that Graham discusses with Discograffiti in this podcast:
The three albums that Graham was making at the same time during that era;
The overly complex relationships which fueled Graham’s songwriting at the time;
The track that features The Grateful Dead, David Crosby, & Neil Young as Graham’s backing band;
Details on Graham’s friendship with Terry Reid;
The very first Crosby & Nash studio session, which wound up devolving into a complete debacle;
Graham’s experience working with Judee Sill, as producer of “Jesus Was A Cross Maker”;
And an in-depth deep dive on every song off Songs For Beginners.
The Free Teaser: linktr.ee/discograffiti
For the full, ad-free, 46-minute podcast, either subscribe to Discograffiti’s Patreon at the Private Tier or higher, or just grab the episode as a one-off at the same link.
The Full Podcast: Patreon.com/Discograffiti

SPIRIT (PART 2: THE FAMILY THAT PLAYS TOGETHER, MODEL SHOP OST, & CLEAR) (Ep. 241B)

Discograffiti is the deep-dive podcast for music obsessives. In the first episode of this brand-new series, host Dave Gebroe talks with Spirit biographer Ryan Gabrinetti, and together they discuss the classic psych band’s entire recorded output with commentary, stories, and star ratings for every release. Part 2 covers the dizzyingly busy period of 1968-1969, during which Spirit became a big touring concern while simultaneously working on several projects at once.
Here are just a few of the many things that Ryan discusses with Discograffiti in this podcast:
The crazed madness of making two albums and a soundtrack basically all at once;
How Spirit wound up creating and releasing their hit single “I Got A Line On You”;
The evolution of their relationship with Lou Adler;
And an in-depth deep dive on every song off The Family That Plays Together, Clear, and the Model Shop soundtrack.
Sneak Peek: linktr.ee/discograffiti
For the full, ad-free, 37-minute podcast, either subscribe to Discograffiti’s Patreon at the Major Tier or higher, or just grab the episode as a one-off at the same link ($4).
The Full Podcast: Patreon.com/Discograffiti

SPIRIT (PART 1: THE RED ROOSTERS & THE SELF-TITLED DEBUT ALBUM) (Ep. 241)

Discograffiti is the deep-dive podcast for music obsessives. In the first episode of this brand-new series, host Dave Gebroe talks with Spirit biographer Ryan Gabrinetti, and together they discuss the classic psych band’s entire recorded output with commentary, stories, and star ratings for every release. Part 1 covers the incredible story of the band’s early days, as the band coheres and releases one of the greatest debut albums of all time.
Here are just a few of the many things that Ryan discusses with Discograffiti in this podcast:
How Randy California wound up crossing paths with Jimi Hendrix in a life-changing moment as a teenager that set him on his path for the rest of his life;
How a teenage kid wound up playing in a band with his 45-year-old step-father in an era when you were supposed to distrust anyone over 30;
How Mamas & The Papas producer Lou Adler wound up taking the band under his wing;
The lawsuit with Led Zeppelin over “Stairway To Heaven”, and the Spirit song which they allegedly stole for it;
And an in-depth deep dive on every song off Spirit, their 1968 debut record.
Sneak Peek: linktr.ee/discograffiti
For the full, ad-free, 65-minute podcast, either subscribe to Discograffiti’s Patreon at the Private Tier or higher (only $5/month), or just grab the episode as a one-off at the same link ($3).
The Full Podcast: Patreon.com/Discograffiti

THE CAROL KAYE INTERVIEW (Part 3, Ep. 240B)

Discograffiti is the deep-dive podcast for music obsessives. In this episode, we feature the next entry in The Chuck Granata Pet Sounds Interview Series: it’s Part 2 of Chuck’s chat with his close friend, legendary bassist Carol Kaye. This time around, they’re joined by Chuck’s bassist buddy, Ammo. Carol is one of the most prolific bass guitarists in rock and pop music, playing on an estimated 10,000 recordings during a career spanning over 65 years. She actually started doing session work in 1957 on guitar, and after a bassist failed to turn up to a session in 1963, she switched to that instrument, quickly making a name for herself as one of the most in-demand session players of the 1960s. She’s appeared on sessions by Frank Sinatra, Simon & Garfunkel, Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, The Temptations, The Four Tops, and The Monkees. The intro on Glen Campbell's “Wichita Lineman”? She came up with that. Of course, that’s also Carol plucking away on The Beach Boys albums Today!, Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!), Pet Sounds, and Smile. Most famously, Kaye's bass lines are the driving force behind “Good Vibrations”, one of her many number 1 hits. 
Here’s just a few of the many things that Carol discusses with Discograffiti in this podcast:
What Murry Wilson was like at that time;
The love that Chuck Britz had for Brian, especially during his dark time in the 1970s;
Carol’s views on Paul McCartney’s bass playing;
Her nightmare story of working with producer Joe Thomas;
And Carol’s absolutely brilliant way of explaining why Brian’s music connected with people in such a big way.
Sneak Peek: linktr.ee/discograffiti
For the full, ad-free, 54-minute podcast, either subscribe to Discograffiti’s Patreon at the Private Tier or higher, or just grab the episode as a one-off at the same link.
The Full Podcast: Patreon.com/Discograffiti

THE CAROL KAYE INTERVIEW (Part 2, Ep. 240)

Discograffiti is the deep-dive podcast for music obsessives. In this episode, we feature the next entry in The Chuck Granata Pet Sounds Interview Series: it’s Part 2 of Chuck’s chat with his close friend, legendary bassist Carol Kaye. This time around, they’re joined by Chuck’s bassist buddy, Ammo. Carol is one of the most prolific bass guitarists in rock and pop music, playing on an estimated 10,000 recordings during a career spanning over 65 years. She actually started doing session work in 1957 on guitar, and after a bassist failed to turn up to a session in 1963, she switched to that instrument, quickly making a name for herself as one of the most in-demand session players of the 1960s. She’s appeared on sessions by Frank Sinatra, Simon & Garfunkel, Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, The Temptations, The Four Tops, and The Monkees. The intro on Glen Campbell's “Wichita Lineman”? She came up with that. Of course, that’s also Carol plucking away on The Beach Boys albums Today!, Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!), Pet Sounds, and Smile. Most famously, Kaye's bass lines are the driving force behind “Good Vibrations”, one of her many number 1 hits. 
Here’s just a few of the many things that Carol discusses with Discograffiti in this podcast:
Brian’s psychological difficulties;
A nerd’s fantasy: a rundown of her equipment;
The corruption she experienced firsthand while working for Motown;
The music she liked and didn’t like playing;
The particularities of the legendary studios in which she recorded;
And just setting the record straight in general, about absolutely everything.
Sneak Peek: linktr.ee/discograffiti
For the full, ad-free, 43-minute bonus podcast, either subscribe to Discograffiti’s Patreon at the Major Tier or higher, or just grab the episode as a one-off at the same link.
The Full Podcast: Patreon.com/Discograffiti