Have I got a story for you! Award winning Music Historian and host of the chart topping Ongoing History of New Music Podcast Alan Cross unleashes his next amazing podcast. In every episode Alan Cross takes you inside unbelievable true stories of crime, murder, scandal, strange deaths, unexplainable events, and the general mayhem from the music industry through the decades.There is a lot of bad behavior that needs to be talked about. It’s a one-of-a-kind podcast featuring true crime stories from the world of music.
You can't believe everything you read. You can't believe everything you see online. And if some conspiracy theorists are right, you can't even trust your favourite songs. In Part 3 of Music's Greatest Conspiracies, we take a journey through some of the music world's strangest rabbit holes. Is the standard 440 Hz tuning of modern music actually a tool for mind control? Did JonBenét Ramsey somehow grow up to become Katy Perry? Was the Laurel Canyon scene influenced by intelligence agencies? And did shadowy forces help push rock music out of the spotlight at the end of the 1990s? Along the way, we'll look at government surveillance of punk rock, theories surrounding Sid Vicious, rumours about Lady Gaga, the mystery of Andrew W.K., and whether today's viral "industry plants" are really just clever marketing in the age of social media. Some of these stories contain a grain of truth. Others are completely wild. But all of them reveal something about our fascination with fame, power, hidden agendas, and the search for answers behind the music we love. Just don't blame us if you start looking at your playlist a little differently afterward. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Music's Greatest Conspiracies: Part 2 | 69
Why are conspiracy theories so seductive, and why do they thrive in music culture? In Part 2 of Music’s Great Conspiracy, we dive deep into the strangest, most persistent theories surrounding legendary artists and the forces some believe control the music industry. From claims that Jim Morrison, Elvis Presley, Tupac Shakur, and Michael Jackson faked their deaths, to musicians who are convinced UFOs are real...and that governments are covering it all up. Myth, mistrust, and misinformation take hold. Oh...did we mention some musicians might have been replaced by replicants? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Music's Greatest Conspiracies: Part 1 | 68
Was Mozart murdered by a jealous rival? Did Robert Johnson really sell his soul at the crossroads? Was jazz secretly weaponized by the CIA? Punk rock invented by the KGB? This time on Uncharted, we dive headfirst into music’s most enduring, outrageous, and fascinating conspiracy theories. From ancient Rome to Cold War spycraft, from blues legends to gangsta rap, we break down why conspiracy thinking exists, how a kernel of truth can grow into a full-blown myth, and where the evidence actually leads. Some conspiracies collapse under scrutiny...others contain uncomfortable truths. All of them tell us something about power, culture, fear, and music’s role in shaping the world. Wake up, sheeple… or at least listen closely. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Updates, Resolutions, and Conclusions to Infamous Music Crimes | 67
We’ve been brought up on tv crime shows and police procedurals…in about 45 minutes, a crime is committed, evidence gathered, suspects identified and arrested, sent to trial and either convicted or acquitted. In real life, though, it doesn’t work that way. When we learn of a horrific crime, it occupies the news cycle for days, weeks, and even months as the case plays out…but then, inevitably, something else comes along, and we move on before the story of that crime is complete. Has the case gone cold?... Did anyone ever get arrested?...was there a conviction?... If so, what happened at the trial?... Did anyone go to jail?... And if someone is in prison, what’s their status? In short, was justice served?... Much of the time, we don’t know because no one ever follows up…and if they do, these new details get lost in the constant deluge of information that comes up every day. I’m ac, and this is episode 67 of “uncharted: crime and mayhem in the music industry”…and over the life of this show, we’ve talked about dozens of cases, most of which have been resolved…but some of these tales just keep on going. Time for some updates, resolutions, and conclusions to some very infamous crimes from the world of music. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Life and Crimes of Keith Richards: Part 2 | 66
Keith Richards has survived drug busts, near‑fatal accidents, legal chaos, and decades of rock ’n’ roll excess. In Part Two of "The Times and Crimes of Keith Richards", the story continues after his infamous 1977 Toronto heroin arrest, exploring the myths, scandals, and near‑death moments that shaped his legend. From dark controversies and wild rumours to brain surgery and a "Coconut Tree", this is how Keith Richards became rock’s most indestructible outlaw. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Life and Crimes of Keith Richards: Part 1 | 65
Keith Richards’ reputation for excess is legendary, but it has nearly ended his career many times. In part 1 of "The Life and Crimes of Keith Richards", we follow his journey from a blues‑obsessed kid in England to a founding member of the Rolling Stones, charting early fights, drug use, tabloid scandals, and repeated arrests that somehow never stuck. We dig into the infamous Redlands drug raid, exile-era chaos in France, narrow escapes in the U.S., and personal tragedy in the mid‑1970s. It ends with the moment that finally seemed unavoidable: Keith’s 1977 Toronto heroin bust, where prison time looked certain...and the legend was truly put to the test. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Introducing "Hostile History"
Since the dawn of time, humanity has been at war. Conflict in one form or another has been part of our existence since we first walked the earth. In this first episode of a four-part series, join military historian David Borys as we travel back in time to Iran, where we chart how a modern monarchy, which was armed, wealthy, and globally backed, lost control. On our journey, we'll be helped by historian Roham Alvandi from the London School of Economics and Political Science. While conflict and armed rebellion have evolved to look very differently over the centuries, if you want to understand the world today, you need to go back because history doesn't just repeat itself; it echoes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Weirdness of Canada's Strawberry Fields and EdenFest Music Festivals | 64
In this episode of Uncharted: Crime and Mayhem in the Music Industry, we dive into the spectacular failures of two Canadian music festivals that were supposed to make history. From Strawberry Fields in August of 1970, an event billed as "Canada’s Woodstock", to 1996's Edenfest, a 90s mega‑festival with a killer lineup and disastrous finances, we explore how ambition, poor planning, and runaway chaos can sink even the most promising events. These are the forgotten stories of how music festivals fall apart, and why the consequences can last for decades. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Rock's Worst Concert Riots and Tragedies | 63
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The Live and Crazy Times of Keith Moon | 62
Keith Moon was more than the drummer for The Who. He was rock ’n’ roll chaos personified. On this episode of Uncharted: Crime and Mayhem in the Music Industry, we dig through the myths and legends to tell the true story of "Moon the Loon": the pranks, the destruction, the addictions, and the raw musical genius. From legendary onstage explosions to arrests, excess, and a tragic end, this is a dark, outrageous, and unforgettable portrait of one of rock’s most self‑destructive icons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Once Upon a Time in Shaolin Caper | 61
What happens when a legendary hip‑hop collective, a single ultra‑exclusive album, and one of the most hated men in America collide? This is the unbelievable true story behind the most valuable piece of recorded music ever made: Wu‑Tang Clan’s "Once Upon a Time in Shaolin". Conceived as a protest against the collapse of music’s value in the digital age, the album was recorded in secret over six years, packaged like a Renaissance-era artwork, and released as a one‑of‑one CD. But what started as a bold artistic statement quickly spiralled into a saga of eccentric millionaires, internet hoaxes, lawsuits, FBI raids, and one pharmaceutical villain known worldwide as the “Pharma Bro.” From clandestine studio sessions in Marrakech to the surreal plan for a Bill Murray–led heist, we unravel the twists, scams, cultural debates, and legal battles that turned "Once Upon a Time in Shaolin" into the most infamous album of all time. And yes, the story is still unfolding. This is the wild, true tale of the Wu‑Tang album that became a federal asset, a meme, a lawsuit magnet, and a myth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Kidnapped | 60
Kidnapping isn’t the first thing you associate with the music world...but it happens far more often, and far more brutally, than you might think. In this episode of Uncharted, we explore abduction stories involving artists from Solomon Northup and Fats Waller to Frank Sinatra Jr., Duffy, and entire bands targeted by cartels. Plus...the disturbing cases where musicians became the kidnappers themselves. These are the dark stories, unbelievable twists, and the dangers lurking behind kidnapping in music. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Times the Rock' N' Roll Party Went Too Far | 59
Rock’n’roll has always thrived on rebellion, excess, and the thrill of pushing every boundary. But sometimes, the party goes so far off the rails it becomes legendary...for all the wrong reasons. In this episode of Uncharted, we dive deep into the most infamous stories of rock-star overindulgence: from Led Zeppelin’s airborne palace of debauchery, to Keith Moon’s chaotic hotel escapades, to Queen’s jaw‑dropping Halloween blowout in New Orleans, and the near‑fatal addictions that almost claimed Guns N’ Roses members Slash and Duff McKagan. Some stories are myths. Some are very real. All of them show what happens when fame, money, and zero accountability collide. It’s wild, unbelievable, chaotic...and occasionally tragic. These are moments when the rock’n’roll party didn’t just get out of hand… it detonated. Strap in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Cover-Up of Kirsty MacColl's Death | 58
In December 2000, beloved British singer‑songwriter Kirsty MacColl, best known for her iconic duet with Shane MacGowan on “Fairytale of New York”, was enjoying a family vacation in Cozumel, Mexico. What should have been a peaceful day of snorkelling in a protected marine reserve instead became a tragedy. A 31‑foot powerboat tore illegally through a clearly marked no‑go zone, Kirsty pushed her son out of harm’s way and was killed instantly. What followed was even more shocking: contradictory witness accounts, missing evidence, questionable statements, and a legal outcome that many believe protected the wealthy and powerful rather than delivering justice. In this episode of Uncharted, we pull apart the tangled story behind Kirsty’s death, the botched investigation, the alleged cover‑up, and the decades‑long fight led by her mother, Jean MacColl, to uncover the truth. This is the story of a tragedy, a mother’s determination, and a battle for justice that still resonates to this day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Real Story Behind the Milli Vanilli Hoax | 57
We all know the punchline… but do we really know the story? In this episode of Uncharted, we dig into how Milli Vanilli went from unstoppable pop stars... to the center of one of music’s biggest scandals in the history of music. It’s a wild ride involving a controlling producer, a pair of ambitious young performers, and an industry that cared way more about image...and money...than honesty. From the massive hits to the infamous downfall, we walk through how the whole thing blew up...and why it probably would play out very differently today. This is the real story of the fraud, the hoax, the weird, and ultimately tragic tale of one of the biggest deceptions the music world has ever seen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Stalkers and Music Stars Who Fear Them | 56
Stalking isn’t just an inconvenience for musicians; it’s a constant, unpredictable threat that has shaped careers, destroyed lives, and, in some cases, led to tragedy. From eerie superfans to violent intruders, this episode of Uncharted dives into the chilling world of musicians targeted by stalkers. A dark, disturbing, and often terrifying world where fame collides with obsession. There are the terrifying encounters faced by artists like George Harrison, Madonna, Axl Rose, Eddie Vedder, and the tragic onstage murder of Dimebag Darrell. With insight from psychologist Dr. Jody Carrington, we look at what drives dangerous obsessions...and how fame can attract the darkest attention. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Introducing "The Ongoing History of New Music": The Rock Explainer
This is the fifth edition of an occasional series called “The Rock Explainer.” The idea is to explore the strange, unexplained, and traditional aspects of rock culture that don’t get enough attention and analysis… In many cases, we just accept these things and don’t question them as much as we should…but if we stop for just a second and cock a quizzical eyebrow and actually ask the question, then it’s possible to review new things about music that you might never have imagined… Where do accents go when people sing?...why do artists sing the melody lines when they perform live?... How come we hear lyrics wrong?...let’s answer those questions and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Introducing "Haunted Canada at The Briars Resort"
Whispers echo through the halls of this 1840 resort and not every footstep belongs to the living. The Briars Resort and Spa in Georgina, Ontario is a beautiful location for a Christmas getaway and a perfect place to savour what the season has to offer. It is also a fabulous go-to destination if you wish to experience unexplained phenomena or to perhaps see a ghost or two. Support the Show: Donate: buymeacoffee.com/hauntedcanadapodcast Donate: Click Donate to Haunted Canada Podcast Email: hauntedcanadapodcast@gmail.com TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hauntedcanadapodcast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@edmontonghosttours YouTube: https://youtube.com/@edmontonghosttours For more information about this podcast please visit us at: http://www.HauntedCanada.com To learn more about the Edmonton Ghost Tours visit us at: http://www.EdmontonGhostTours.com Find out more by visiting https://www.briars.ca/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Owsley Stanley’s LSD Changed Music Part 2 | 55
In part 2 of "How Owsley Stanley's LSD Changed Music", we dive deeper into the extraordinary story of how Owsley's homemade LSD shaped the sound and culture of an entire generation. From fueling the psychedelic revolution that transformed The Beatles, The Beach Boys, and Jimi Hendrix, to bankrolling the Grateful Dead’s legendary audio experiments... Owsley’s influence went far beyond drugs. His obsession with sonic perfection led to groundbreaking innovations like stage monitors, noise-cancelling technology, and the awe-inspiring “Wall of Sound”...a concert system so massive, that it changed live music forever. This is the story of a man whose illicit empire altered the course of music history, technology, and even Silicon Valley. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Owsley Stanley’s LSD Changed Music Part 1 | 54
What happens when one man changes not just how we hear music...but the way we experience it? Meet Augustus Owsley Stanley III...also known as “Bear.” He wasn’t just the Grateful Dead’s sound engineer; he was the underground chemist who produced millions of doses of LSD, fueling the psychedelic revolution of the 1960s and beyond. Owsley’s obsession with purity...in concert sound, and pure acid... transformed live music forever. From the birth of the legendary “Wall of Sound” PA system to the secret labs that churned out the most potent LSD on the planet, this is the long, strange trip of how Owsley Stanley became a folk hero, a criminal mastermind, and an audio pioneer... all at once. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
