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
Pinned
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.
Reposted by John Lingan
this beautiful book is out today. bravo to @johnlingan.bsky.social.
wise readers will purchase two copies — that way you can form a Louie Bellson-style double bass drum! www.simonandschuster.com/books/Backbe...
wise readers will purchase two copies — that way you can form a Louie Bellson-style double bass drum! www.simonandschuster.com/books/Backbe...
November 11, 2025 at 4:39 PM
this beautiful book is out today. bravo to @johnlingan.bsky.social.
wise readers will purchase two copies — that way you can form a Louie Bellson-style double bass drum! www.simonandschuster.com/books/Backbe...
wise readers will purchase two copies — that way you can form a Louie Bellson-style double bass drum! www.simonandschuster.com/books/Backbe...
Reposted by John Lingan
This looks great. I'm onboard with anything John writes.
BACKBEATS is out today!
Come see me & @andreapitzer.bsky.social at Kramers in DC tonight at 7: kramers.com/events/36367...
DM me a receipt if you’d like a signed book plate in the mail.
And read an excerpt in @rollingstone.com: www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...
Come see me & @andreapitzer.bsky.social at Kramers in DC tonight at 7: kramers.com/events/36367...
DM me a receipt if you’d like a signed book plate in the mail.
And read an excerpt in @rollingstone.com: www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...
![PRAISE FOR
BACKBEATS
"[Exhibits] passion and deep knowledge... The only moments I put this book down were to pause and listen to the perfect examples that Lingan, a drummer himself, cites as crucial.... Here we see and hear the music of our lives."
-BILL JANOVITZ, author of Leon Russell: The Master of Space
and Time's Journey Through Rock & Roll History
"A thrilling ride... In exquisite detail and deft prose, John Lingan relates the creative insights and technical mastery of fifteen of rock's most influential groove merchants-many still unsung. In doing so, he reclaims the rock narrative from all those frontmen and guitarists, showing how the wizards at the back of the stage were moving the music all along."
-IAN S. PORT, author of The Birth of Loud: Leo Fender, Les Paul, and the Guitar-Pioneering Rivalry That Shaped Rock 'n' Roll
"An intelligent, heartfelt, and long-overdue tribute to the unsung heroes of modern music. Because, let's face it—if it ain't got that swing, it don't mean a thing."
-BRAD TOLINSKI, coauthor of Play It Loud: An Epic History of the Style, Sound, and Revolution of the Electric Guitar
"Backbeats glows with enthusiasm and delivers an insightful glimpse into the sultans of swing who create fire by rubbing two sticks together."
—BOB SPITZ, author of The Beatles:
The Biography and Led Zeppelin: The Biography
"Sitting ten feet from stardom, drummers have had a central but slightly removed view of rock 'n' roll. A drummer himself, John Lingan captures that unique perspective.... Backbeats delivers to the reader something fresh and different. It's a hit."
-PRESTON LAUTERBACH, author of The Chitlin' Circuit and the Road to Rock](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:vqnmqsaa3izkhob7bopcxus2/bafkreifwmo4y4cy7rnpvycg35dhm654zd4bze7fuuul2ndyrt2zmpqzurm@jpeg)
November 11, 2025 at 2:27 PM
This looks great. I'm onboard with anything John writes.
Reposted by John Lingan
Congrats to @johnlingan.bsky.social on the release of this great book. Don't miss it!
BACKBEATS is out today!
Come see me & @andreapitzer.bsky.social at Kramers in DC tonight at 7: kramers.com/events/36367...
DM me a receipt if you’d like a signed book plate in the mail.
And read an excerpt in @rollingstone.com: www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...
Come see me & @andreapitzer.bsky.social at Kramers in DC tonight at 7: kramers.com/events/36367...
DM me a receipt if you’d like a signed book plate in the mail.
And read an excerpt in @rollingstone.com: www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...
November 11, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Congrats to @johnlingan.bsky.social on the release of this great book. Don't miss it!
Reposted by John Lingan
Happy pub day to this wonderful book! bookshop.org/p/books/back...
November 11, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Happy pub day to this wonderful book! bookshop.org/p/books/back...
Reposted by John Lingan
BACKBEATS releases today! Like John himself, the book is great company wherever you may go. He covers huge breadths of music history, locates & brings forward the beats & the people behind the singers & the strings, & with deft, memorable writing; solid, quick & with flourishes. Like a drummer!
November 11, 2025 at 1:52 PM
BACKBEATS releases today! Like John himself, the book is great company wherever you may go. He covers huge breadths of music history, locates & brings forward the beats & the people behind the singers & the strings, & with deft, memorable writing; solid, quick & with flourishes. Like a drummer!
BACKBEATS is out today!
Come see me & @andreapitzer.bsky.social at Kramers in DC tonight at 7: kramers.com/events/36367...
DM me a receipt if you’d like a signed book plate in the mail.
And read an excerpt in @rollingstone.com: www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...
Come see me & @andreapitzer.bsky.social at Kramers in DC tonight at 7: kramers.com/events/36367...
DM me a receipt if you’d like a signed book plate in the mail.
And read an excerpt in @rollingstone.com: www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...
November 11, 2025 at 1:56 PM
BACKBEATS is out today!
Come see me & @andreapitzer.bsky.social at Kramers in DC tonight at 7: kramers.com/events/36367...
DM me a receipt if you’d like a signed book plate in the mail.
And read an excerpt in @rollingstone.com: www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...
Come see me & @andreapitzer.bsky.social at Kramers in DC tonight at 7: kramers.com/events/36367...
DM me a receipt if you’d like a signed book plate in the mail.
And read an excerpt in @rollingstone.com: www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...
Great publication-eve surprise at @solidstatebooksdc.bsky.social, where BACKBEATS is already on sale. Find it between Geddy Lee and Gucci Mane.
November 10, 2025 at 11:47 PM
Great publication-eve surprise at @solidstatebooksdc.bsky.social, where BACKBEATS is already on sale. Find it between Geddy Lee and Gucci Mane.
Can't wait to read from BACKBEATS and talk music with @andreapitzer.bsky.social at Kramers in Dupont Circle tomorrow night. 7pm! I'm bringing a bluetooth speaker, this reading will have jams.
John Lingan: Backbeats | Kramers
kramers.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Can't wait to read from BACKBEATS and talk music with @andreapitzer.bsky.social at Kramers in Dupont Circle tomorrow night. 7pm! I'm bringing a bluetooth speaker, this reading will have jams.
BACKBEATS is out tomorrow! And you can read an excerpt of the Charlie Watts chapter at @rollingstone.com, including one of my fav interviews, Steve Albini.
www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...
As always, preorder at johnlingan.com
www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...
As always, preorder at johnlingan.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:06 PM
BACKBEATS is out tomorrow! And you can read an excerpt of the Charlie Watts chapter at @rollingstone.com, including one of my fav interviews, Steve Albini.
www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...
As always, preorder at johnlingan.com
www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...
As always, preorder at johnlingan.com
Reposted by John Lingan
Happy 54th to Led Zeppelin IV
November 8, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Happy 54th to Led Zeppelin IV
Reposted by John Lingan
A reminder that I'll be at Kramers (aka, Kramerbooks) in Dupont Circle with @johnlingan.bsky.social on Tuesday 11/11 at 7pm to talk about his very fun book BACKBEATS: A HISTORY OF ROCK AND ROLL IN FIFTEEN DRUMMERS, on its publication day. Come hang out with us!
November 7, 2025 at 4:03 PM
A reminder that I'll be at Kramers (aka, Kramerbooks) in Dupont Circle with @johnlingan.bsky.social on Tuesday 11/11 at 7pm to talk about his very fun book BACKBEATS: A HISTORY OF ROCK AND ROLL IN FIFTEEN DRUMMERS, on its publication day. Come hang out with us!
If you or a loved one would like your copy of BACKBEATS signed, DM me your receipt and I’ll mail you one of these bookplates.
johnlingan.com to preorder
johnlingan.com to preorder
November 7, 2025 at 3:48 PM
If you or a loved one would like your copy of BACKBEATS signed, DM me your receipt and I’ll mail you one of these bookplates.
johnlingan.com to preorder
johnlingan.com to preorder
Reposted by John Lingan
www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2... The Washington Post has an obit for the great Brazilian Lo Borges .
Lô Borges, whose music resonated far beyond Brazil, dies at 73
Fusing pop, jazz and psychedelic rock, he helped craft the landmark album “Clube da Esquina.” His music inspired artists from Herbie Hancock to Paul Simon.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:49 PM
www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2... The Washington Post has an obit for the great Brazilian Lo Borges .
Reposted by John Lingan
Holy cow! For National Geographic, I went to see the Grand Ole Opry for its 100th anniversary and wrote 4000 words about the longest-running radio show in the world.
Featuring new interviews with Vince Gill, Steve Earle, and Pam Tillis.
Featuring new interviews with Vince Gill, Steve Earle, and Pam Tillis.
The Grand Ole Opry is 100 years old. Here’s why it endures.
We went behind the scenes at the world's oldest radio show to understand how it endured 100 years—and why it might last 100 more.
www.nationalgeographic.com
November 5, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Holy cow! For National Geographic, I went to see the Grand Ole Opry for its 100th anniversary and wrote 4000 words about the longest-running radio show in the world.
Featuring new interviews with Vince Gill, Steve Earle, and Pam Tillis.
Featuring new interviews with Vince Gill, Steve Earle, and Pam Tillis.
Reposted by John Lingan
not being dramatic when i say this is why independent music journalism is meant to exist www.dontrocktheinbox.com/james-talley...
James Talley On 50 Years of 'Got No Bread, No Milk, No Money, But We Sure Got A Lot Of Love'
The veteran singer-songwriter talks with DRTI about his timeless debut, and the half-century since.
www.dontrocktheinbox.com
November 6, 2025 at 3:41 PM
not being dramatic when i say this is why independent music journalism is meant to exist www.dontrocktheinbox.com/james-talley...
Congrats to @jsief.bsky.social who guessed Brighton’s own Steve Ferrone. The book is his but guessing is still open for the others.
About to mail these to three of my drumming heroes. One originally from Melbourne (Aus), one from Brighton (UK), and one from San Francisco. First person to guess any of them wins a copy for themselves.
November 5, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Congrats to @jsief.bsky.social who guessed Brighton’s own Steve Ferrone. The book is his but guessing is still open for the others.
Holy cow! For National Geographic, I went to see the Grand Ole Opry for its 100th anniversary and wrote 4000 words about the longest-running radio show in the world.
Featuring new interviews with Vince Gill, Steve Earle, and Pam Tillis.
Featuring new interviews with Vince Gill, Steve Earle, and Pam Tillis.
The Grand Ole Opry is 100 years old. Here’s why it endures.
We went behind the scenes at the world's oldest radio show to understand how it endured 100 years—and why it might last 100 more.
www.nationalgeographic.com
November 5, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Holy cow! For National Geographic, I went to see the Grand Ole Opry for its 100th anniversary and wrote 4000 words about the longest-running radio show in the world.
Featuring new interviews with Vince Gill, Steve Earle, and Pam Tillis.
Featuring new interviews with Vince Gill, Steve Earle, and Pam Tillis.
About to mail these to three of my drumming heroes. One originally from Melbourne (Aus), one from Brighton (UK), and one from San Francisco. First person to guess any of them wins a copy for themselves.
November 5, 2025 at 3:13 PM
About to mail these to three of my drumming heroes. One originally from Melbourne (Aus), one from Brighton (UK), and one from San Francisco. First person to guess any of them wins a copy for themselves.
Reposted by John Lingan
I’m reading @johnlingan.bsky.social’s excellent Backbeats: a History of Rock and Roll in Fifteen Drummers (out November 11!) and laughed out loud at this perfect line.
November 4, 2025 at 4:33 PM
I’m reading @johnlingan.bsky.social’s excellent Backbeats: a History of Rock and Roll in Fifteen Drummers (out November 11!) and laughed out loud at this perfect line.
Absolutely wild that BACKBEATS: A HISTORY OF ROCK AND ROLL IN 15 DRUMMERS comes out in one week!
www.simonandschuster.com/books/Backbe...
Heres Tommy Lee soloing in a rotating drum cage to celebrate.
www.simonandschuster.com/books/Backbe...
Heres Tommy Lee soloing in a rotating drum cage to celebrate.
Motley Crue - Tommy Lee Spinning Drum Solo - 10-15-1987- Tacoma, Wa
YouTube video by MotleyCrueBootlegs
youtu.be
November 4, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Absolutely wild that BACKBEATS: A HISTORY OF ROCK AND ROLL IN 15 DRUMMERS comes out in one week!
www.simonandschuster.com/books/Backbe...
Heres Tommy Lee soloing in a rotating drum cage to celebrate.
www.simonandschuster.com/books/Backbe...
Heres Tommy Lee soloing in a rotating drum cage to celebrate.
Reposted by John Lingan
Saw Richard Thompson last night. This beautiful man has written some of my favorite songs, played many of my favorite guitar solos, and somehow he’s also been shockingly kind to me. A legend in every way.
November 3, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Saw Richard Thompson last night. This beautiful man has written some of my favorite songs, played many of my favorite guitar solos, and somehow he’s also been shockingly kind to me. A legend in every way.
Reposted by John Lingan
Happy birthday to former Go-Betweens drummer Lindy Morrison, who would be immortal for her part in "Cattle and Cane" alone. Some of my favorite drum parts: humanizingthevacuum.wordpress.com/2021/06/30/t...
The best drum breaks, solos, and moments in rock
Replaying “Cattle and Cane” this morning, I marveled anew at what Lindy Morrison had gotten away with. By drumming in what amounted to 11/4 time (a bar of 5, followed by 2, then 4, acco…
humanizingthevacuum.wordpress.com
November 2, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Happy birthday to former Go-Betweens drummer Lindy Morrison, who would be immortal for her part in "Cattle and Cane" alone. Some of my favorite drum parts: humanizingthevacuum.wordpress.com/2021/06/30/t...
Why yes, this is an autumn sweater and no, I don’t care that two women just burst out laughing at the sight of me.
November 1, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Why yes, this is an autumn sweater and no, I don’t care that two women just burst out laughing at the sight of me.