John Lingan
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johnlingan.bsky.social
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
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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
Honored to have an excerpt from @johnlingan.bsky.social's exceptional new book in this month's @phillymag.com. I learned a lot about Questlove in this story, and I suspect you will too:
How Questlove Became the Defining Drummer of His Generation
John Lingan's new book Backbeats: A History of Rock and Roll in Fifteen Drummers, traces the Roots drummer’s journey from Philly prodigy to genre-shaping innovator.
www.phillymag.com
November 14, 2025 at 5:00 PM
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yes go buy @johnlingan.bsky.social's book about iconic drummers!! we just got our copy in the mail
I had no idea that book even existed until now and I'm going to buy several copies for gifts. Incredible recommendation!
November 14, 2025 at 3:38 PM
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Congrats to my friend @johnlingan.bsky.social on the publication of "Backbeats: A History of Rock and Roll in Fifteen Drummers!" John is one of the best people writing about music today. His passion and expertise bleeds through on every page of his work. Order your copy today!
November 13, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Reposted by John Lingan
If you’re reading BACKBEATS and thinking “I wish this book had a playlist,” I have good news.

Spotify: open.spotify.com/playlist/0MW...

Apple Music: music.apple.com/us/playlist/...
Spotify – Web Player
open.spotify.com
November 13, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Lifelong hero. A proper society would recognize that his “Who I Am” is the best memoir by a rock star of that era, more insightful and better written than Keith Richards’s.

Hell, a proper society would revere Townshend more than Richards in every way.
This interview made me tear up. The Who mean everything to me and Pete never shies away from giving REAL answers. His songs diagnosed the root of this toxic masculinity/male loneliness crisis that’s going on today and sadly, that’s why they remain timeless. m.youtube.com/watch?v=ukBw...
Pete Townshend On The Who's Farewell Tour, "Quadrophenia," And The Best Thing He's Ever Written
YouTube video by The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
m.youtube.com
November 13, 2025 at 4:26 PM
My friend @darkforcesswing.bsky.social is a great writer, has terrific taste, and knows a ton about drumming and extreme music. He was a truly helpful interview for BACKBEATS and his reflection on the finished book is an honor.
Gig of the Week: 11/10/25
A tribute to a late death-metal pioneer, a great new drum-centric rock book, the welcome return of Ink & Dagger and more
darkforcesswing.substack.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:27 PM
If you’re reading BACKBEATS and thinking “I wish this book had a playlist,” I have good news.

Spotify: open.spotify.com/playlist/0MW...

Apple Music: music.apple.com/us/playlist/...
Spotify – Web Player
open.spotify.com
November 13, 2025 at 2:22 PM
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"An electrifying journey."

Today's book pick from Damn History, a free monthly newsletter for readers/writers of #popularhistory. Congrats to author @johnlingan.bsky.social & @scribnerbooks.bsky.social!

Read/subscribe to Damn History: damn-history-16d93f.beehiiv.com/subscribe
November 13, 2025 at 1:59 PM
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Can't wait to dig into this one; congrats @johnlingan.bsky.social!
November 13, 2025 at 1:50 PM
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I feel like I'm always writing about Neil Young, possibly because he releases something new every three months. One of my favorite pieces of relatively recent vintage is my review of the Way Down in the Rust Bucket, a live album recorded shortly after Ragged Glory. pitchfork.com/reviews/albu...
Neil Young / Crazy Horse: Way Down in the Rust Bucket
Read Steve Thomas Erlewine’s review of the album.
pitchfork.com
November 12, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Happy 80th birthday to Neil Young, an Olympian figure and the subject of some of the funniest quotes in BACKBEATS thanks to his tempestuous relationship with Kenny Buttrey.

“Neil hires some of the best musicians in the world and has 'em play as stupid as they possibly can.”
November 12, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Read an excerpt from the Clyde Stubblefield chapter of BACKBEATS at @lithub.com.web.brid.gy!

Includes my interview with Fred Wesley and my officially stated “favorite drum performance of all time.”
More Than James Brown’s Drummer: Clyde Stubblefield, An Unsung Pioneer of R&B
In the 1960s, R&B music was still designed to make you move. Hum any tune by one of the era’s many geniuses and stars and you’ll immediately think of its groove: “Green Onions,” with its hip-kn…
lithub.com
November 12, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Reposted by John Lingan
Excerpt ↓In his new book 'Backbeats,' John Lingan explores what made drummers like Watts so extraordinary.

Excerpt ↓
'He Marches Right Through the Song': Steve Albini on How Charlie Watts's Snare Defined The Rolling Stones
bit.ly
November 10, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Reposted by John Lingan
Oh yay it gets nerdy about technique but in an accessible way!
Excerpt ↓In his new book 'Backbeats,' John Lingan explores what made drummers like Watts so extraordinary.

Excerpt ↓
'He Marches Right Through the Song': Steve Albini on How Charlie Watts's Snare Defined The Rolling Stones
bit.ly
November 11, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Reposted by John Lingan
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-...
November 11, 2025 at 1:56 PM
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...
November 11, 2025 at 4:39 PM
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-...
November 11, 2025 at 2:27 PM
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-...
November 11, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Reposted by John Lingan
Happy pub day to this wonderful book! bookshop.org/p/books/back...
November 11, 2025 at 1:51 PM
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 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-...
November 11, 2025 at 1:56 PM
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
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
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
November 10, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Reposted by John Lingan
Happy 54th to Led Zeppelin IV
November 8, 2025 at 4:58 PM