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
One of my favorite pieces of writing, this Gary Giddins paragraph about “the miracle of the blues.”
November 13, 2025 at 10:19 PM
November 12, 2025 at 4:21 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
November 11, 2025 at 4:56 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-...
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
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
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
November 7, 2025 at 3:48 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.
November 5, 2025 at 3:13 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.
November 3, 2025 at 2:44 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.
November 1, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Thank you @jsief.bsky.social for this smoldering pic of Hal Blaine so we can see the eyes that seduced Earl “Not Gay or Nothing” Palmer.
October 25, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Today is the birthday of Earl Palmer, a crucial architect of rock and roll drumming and a mentor to another legend, Hal Blaine. Here’s a bit about the two of them from BACKBEATS.
October 25, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Printing this graphic out and framing it for my kitchen.
October 18, 2025 at 2:06 PM
October 15, 2025 at 11:54 PM
Still reeling from the D’Angelo news. The final chapter of my forthcoming book is about Questlove, who has said he considers Voodoo his own proudest accomplishment. A landmark in J Dilla’s legacy too, even if he doesn’t play a note. Monumental loss.
October 15, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Can I say I’m proud of this back cover full of praise from writers I really respect? I am. @billjanovitz.bsky.social fer gods sake!
October 12, 2025 at 1:39 PM
BACKBEATS is out one month from today and it’s a real book! One that Kirkus says is great! johnlingan.com to preorder.
October 11, 2025 at 5:08 PM
An incredible book built on small gestures and feelings about huge issues, and a male-female romance that I’d argue is actually a story about female friendship. Just gorgeous.
October 7, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Are there any other people out there whose 2025 concert experiences included Vince Gill at the Opry and John Zorn at the Vanguard? Let’s meet up.

First time with venue and artist, ideal introduction for both. Incredible group, Zorn on fire, Wollesen one of my favorites, Lage is an alien.
September 24, 2025 at 4:43 PM
September 23, 2025 at 8:37 PM
My favorite writer? Most days. His books are hard enough to find, let alone signed first editions.
September 23, 2025 at 2:37 PM
One way to put it.
September 21, 2025 at 12:54 AM
This novel—a 600-page faux anthropological study of a human society living in a post-apocalyptic Napa Valley 500 years from now, complete with drawings, maps, and songs—is one of the most audacious concepts I’ve ever come across. World-class opening sentence too.
September 18, 2025 at 9:41 PM
September 16, 2025 at 8:23 PM