The classroom is back in session as the critically acclaimed Rock & Roll High School podcast launches its fifth season today. Hosted by two-time Grammy Award-winning producer and Atlantic Records veteran Pete Ganbarg, the series—which began as an internal music history seminar for Warner Music Group—has evolved into a premier destination for long-form, artist-to-artist storytelling.
A Hall of Fame Kick-Off
To open the season, Ganbarg sits down with the legendary Alice Cooper for a wide-ranging interview that transcends simple biography. Cooper, a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee with over 50 million albums sold, provides a vivid look into the moments that defined the 1970s rock landscape.
One of the episode's most striking revelations involves the creation of the quintessential rebel track, "School’s Out." Cooper recalls how the blueprint for a universal anthem came from watching The Who. “We understood what an anthem was after hearing ‘My Generation,’” Cooper explains. “At the same time, everybody hated school. We thought, if you can capture the last three minutes of the last day of school before summer vacation, that would be a joyous song.”
Legends, Icons, and Frank Sinatra
The interview also touches on the surreal social circles of the era. Cooper describes his first meeting with his lifelong manager, Shep Gordon, as a "pot-induced haze" where the guest list included Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix, and Janis Joplin. “We used to be able to make a joint last for a week because that’s all we could afford,” Cooper laughs. “And then here we were.”
In one of the more unexpected stories of his career, Cooper discusses his relationship with Frank Sinatra, who famously covered Cooper’s ballad "You and Me." Sinatra’s simple encouragement—“You keep writing ‘em kid and I’ll keep singing ‘em”—remains a crowning moment in Cooper’s storied legacy.
The Season Ahead
While the Alice Cooper premiere sets a high bar, Season 5 is just beginning. With over 30 weekly episodes planned, Ganbarg is set to interview a massive slate of icons, including Al Jardine (The Beach Boys), Darlene Love, Suzi Quatro, and Don Was. New episodes drop every Thursday, continuing the podcast’s tradition of preserving the "living history" of rock and roll.
Photo credit: Jenny Risher
