Rock is Lit: Rock, Roll, and Mobsters: Stephen Shaiken Talks About and Reads From His Rock Novel ‘Queensborough Rock’

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In this episode of Rock is Lit, Stephen Shaiken delves into the inspiration behind his rock novel, ‘Queensborough Rock’, sharing how the music, culture, and grit of the late ‘60s and early ‘70s shaped the story. The bulk of the episode features a captivating reading from the novel, immersing listeners in a time when the music industry was as tough and unpredictable as the city itself.

Stephen Shaiken was born and raised in New York City. He spent over three decades as a criminal defense lawyer in San Francisco. Before he became a lawyer, he earned an MA in Creative Writing from San Francisco State University. These days he splits his time between Bangkok, Thailand and Tampa, Florida.

Stephen writes short stories in several genres, some of which can be read on his blog, http://www.stephenshaiken.com/. He has written three novels that he describes as “exotic noir thrillers” in the NJA Series, featuring American expat lawyer Glenn Murray Cohen: ‘Bangkok Shadows’, ‘Bangkok Whispers’, and ‘Bangkok Blues’, all available on Amazon as an E book or in paperback. A fourth book in the series is forthcoming.

Stephen released ‘Queensborough Rock’ in November 2022. Its genre is historical fiction, but the soul is rock ‘n’ roll. The story is set in 1971. Young Jack Bernstein is a struggling rock ‘n’ roll manager in New York City. Instead of a fancy office in Manhattan, a flashy car and backstage passes, he operates out of a basement apartment in working-class Queens, driving a cranky eight-year-old Volvo as he trolls third-string venues for hidden talent. Jack finances a demo tape for his top talent by borrowing from a loan shark and pawning a friend’s guitar. When the tape fails to land a deal, Jack’s last hope is an offer from a friendly Queens mobster. New York City in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s comes alive with all its intensity.

MUSIC IN THE EPISODE IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE:

• Rock is Lit theme music
• [Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop”
• “Scarborough Fair” by Simon & Garfunkel
• “Bridge Over Troubled Water” by Simon & Garfunkel
• “The Boxer” by Simon & Garfunkel
• [Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop”
• Rock is Lit theme music

LINKS:

Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451

Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350

Stephen Shaiken’s website: https://stephenshaiken.com/

Stephen Shaiken on Facebook: @StephenShaiken

Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislit

Christy Alexander Hallberg on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube: @ChristyHallberg

Rock is Lit on Instagram: @rockislitpodcast

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