20261111: Nov 11, 2026: 10am - 11am

"Reading is Funktamental" is a monthly one-hour show about great books written about music and music-makers. In each episode, host Sal Cataldi speaks to the authors of some of the best reads about roc...

20261014: Oct 14, 2026: 10am - 11am

"Reading is Funktamental" is a monthly one-hour show about great books written about music and music-makers. In each episode, host Sal Cataldi speaks to the authors of some of the best reads about roc...

20260909: Sep 09, 2026: 10am - 11am

"Reading is Funktamental" is a monthly one-hour show about great books written about music and music-makers. In each episode, host Sal Cataldi speaks to the authors of some of the best reads about roc...

The History of the Velvet Underground with biographer Richie Unterberger (August 12, 2026, 10 - 11:00 am): Aug 12, 2026: 10am - 11am

Guest: Richie Unterberger, author of Do What You Fear Most: The History of the Velvet UndergroundIn this episode of Reading Is Funktamental, we are joined again by Richie Unterberger, one of the most...

Jazz Great Rahsaan Roland Kirk's Life and Legacy with Biographer John Kruth: Jul 08, 2026: 10am - 11am

Guest: John Kruth, author of Bright Moments!: The Life and Legacy of Rahsaan Roland KirkIn this episode of Reading Is Funktamental, we head back in time to discuss a true classic of jazz and jazz jour...

A Rock 'N Roll Zelig, Brian Cullman on his memoir, How to Prepare for the Past (June 10, 2026 - 10 - 11 am): Jun 10, 2026: 10am - 11am

Guest: Brian Cullman, author of How to Prepare for the Past: Travels in Music & TimesIn this episode of Reading Is Funktamental, we discuss the fascinating life of a true NYC music original, Brian...

Reading Is Funktamental: Sonny Rollins, the Saxophone Colossus, with author Aidan Levy: May 29, 2026: 2pm - 3pm

This episode of Reading is Funktamental originally aired on WGXC on Dec 11, 2024. We're airing it again today to honor one of the giants of American popular music. Sonny Rollins died at his home in Wo...

The Dutch Masters of Prog Rock, Focus, with Peet Johnson (May 13, 2026 10 - 11:00 am): May 13, 2026: 10am - 11am

In this episode of Reading Is Funktamental, we turn our attention to one of the great prog bands of all time, the Dutch Masters, Focus. Our guest is Peet Johnson. He is the author of "Hocus Pocus - T...

Author Andy Beta on the Cosmic Music & Life of Alice Coltrane (April 8, 2026 - 10 - 11 am): Apr 08, 2026: 10am - 11am

Guest: Andy Beta, Author of Cosmic Music: The Life, Art and Transcendence of Alice ColtraneIn this episode of Reading Is Funktamental, we discuss the life and music of Alice Coltrane with Andy Beta, a...

Bill Kopp on Rock's Greatest Concept Albums (March 11, 2026 10 - 11 a.m.): Mar 11, 2026: 10am - 11am

In this episode, we discuss the history and appeal of concept albums with Bill Kopp, author of What's the Big Idea: 30 Great Concept Albums (HoZac Books). Music has always been a vehicle for tell...

Peter Aaron on Ric Ocasek, The Driving Force Behind The Cars (February 11 10 am - 11 am): Feb 11, 2026: 10am - 11am

In this episode of Reading Is Funktamental, we discuss the life and music of Ric Ocasek, the driving force of one of New Wave’s most successful bands, the hitmaking machine, The Cars, with Peter Aaron...

The Saga of "Hey Joe" - Rock's Original Murder Ballad with Jason Schneider (January 14, 2026 - 10 - 11 am): Jan 14, 2026: 10am - 11am

In this episode of Reading Is Funktamental, we discuss the long history and profound influence of a single song, “Hey Joe,” a tune that binds nearly every strand of 20th-century American popular music...

Bob Dylan's New York: A Historic Guide with Author Dick Weissman (December 10, 2025 10-11 am): Dec 10, 2025: 10am - 11am

In this episode of Reading Is Funktamental, we discuss Bob Dylan's New York, a guidebook and history of New York's key role throughout Dylan's lengthy career. It places Dylan's early career within the...

The Beatles on Film with Author Steve Matteo (Nov 12, 2025 - 10 - 11 am): Nov 12, 2025: 10am - 11am

Guest: Steve Matteo, author of The Beatles on Film: Act NaturallyThe Beatles produced five films during their time together: A Hard Day’s Night, Help!, Magical Mystery Tour, Yellow Submarine, and Let...

The Iconic Underrated Record Producer Tom Wilson with Richie Unterberger (October 08, 2025 10 - 11:00 am): Oct 08, 2025: 10am - 11am

For the latest edition of Reading Is Funktamental, we speak with Richie Unterberger, author of more than a dozen of the great books on rock ' n ' roll history. His latest work was as a contributor to...

Transfigured New York: Experimental Music in the 1980s with Author Brooke Wentz (September 10, 2025, 10 - 11 am): Sep 10, 2025: 10am - 11am

For the latest edition of "Reading Is Funktamental," we speak with Brooke Wentz, author of Transfigured New York, a fantastic book of interviews with leading figures in the experimental music scene in...

The Triumpth & Tragedy of The Band's Richard Manuel with author Steven Lewis (August 13, 2025 at 10 am): Aug 13, 2025: 10am - 11am

Guests: Steven Lewis, author of Richard Manuel: His Life and Music, from the Hawks and Bob Dylan to The BandRichard Manuel was a fearless original. Sweetly soulful as a vocalist and endearingly creati...

John McLaughlin's Mahavishnu Orchestra with author Walter Kolosky: Jul 09, 2025: 10am - 11am

In this month's episode of Reading Is Funktamental, we speak with Walter Kolosky, author of the new book Mahavishnu Memories. Kolosky's latest is his third book, charting the career of the remarkable...

The Art & Music of Yoko Ono with Author David Sheff (June 11, 2025 - 10 - 11 am): Jun 11, 2025: 10am - 11am

John Lennon once described Yoko Ono as the world’s most famous unknown artist. “Everybody knows her name, but no one knows what she does.” She has only been important to history insofar as she impacte...

The Rise, Fall & Rise of The Zombies with author Robin Platts (May 14, 2025 - 10 - 11 am): May 14, 2025: 10am - 11am

Guest: Robin Platts, author of Times and Seasons – The Rise and Fall and Rise of The Zombies Six decades after they stormed the British and American charts in 1964, The Zombies are possibly more...

Producer & Author Joe Boyd on Global Music and Making Music in the 1960s (April 9, 2025 10 - 11 am): Apr 09, 2025: 10am - 11am

Guest: Joe Boyd, Record Producer & Author of And the Roots of Rhythm RemainJoe Boyd is a legend in music. He was the soundman when Dylan went electric at Newport, the founder of the legendary UFO...

Tragic Magic, the Star-Crossed Life of Traffic's Chris Wood with author Dan Ropek: Mar 12, 2025: 10am - 11am

Guests: Dan Ropek, Author of Tragic Magic: The Life of Traffic’s Chris WoodTraffic was the most enigmatic British band of their day. Formed in early 1967 by Chris Wood, Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi and...

Talkin' Greenwich Village - The Rise and Fall of NYC's Bohemian Enclave with Author David Browne: Feb 12, 2025: 10am - 11am

Guest: David Browne, Author of Talkin’ Greenwich Village: The Heady Rise and Slow Fall of America’s Bohemian Capital (Hachette Books).New York’s Greenwich Village is a compact sanctuary that has att...

The Complicated Life of Moby Grape's Skip Spence with Don Stevenson and Cam Cobb (Re-air of January 8, 2025): Jan 11, 2025: 9am - 10am

Guests: Don Stevenson, drummer/songwriter of Moby Grape & Cam Cobb, author of Weighted Down: The Complicated Life of Skip Spence.He was one of the Holy Trinity of critically revered and maybe unju...

The Complicated Life of Moby Grape's Skip Spence with Don Stevenson and Cam Cobb (January 8, 2025, 10 am): Jan 08, 2025: 10am - 11am

Guests: Don Stevenson, drummer/songwriter of Moby Grape & Cam Cobb, author of Weighted Down: The Complicated Life of Skip Spence.He was one of the Holy Trinity of critically revered and maybe unju...

Reading Is Funktamental: Sonny Rollins, the Saxophone Colossus, with author Aidan Levy: Dec 11, 2024: 10am - 11am

Guest: Aidan Levy, Author of Saxophone Colossus: The Life and Music of Sonny RollinsIn his new book, Saxophone Colossus: The Life and Music of Sonny Rollins, author Aidan Levy has created a work nearl...

The Genius of Free Jazz Great Albert Ayler with author Richard Koloda (November 13 - 10 - 11 AM): Nov 13, 2024: 10am - 11am

Guest: Richard Koloda, Author of Holy Ghost: The Life and Death of Free Jazz Pioneer Albert AylerA lawyer by trade and a jazz musicologist by passion, Richard Koloda has spent over two decades creatin...

Moon Zappa, Daughter of Rock Legend Frank Zappa and Author of the Memoir, Earth to Moon: Oct 09, 2024: 10am - 11am

Earth to Moon is the new critically acclaimed memoir of Moon Zappa, the eldest child of legendary rocker Frank Zappa and his wife, Gail. The book presents the often disturbing realities of growing up...

Dave Mason, Co-Founder of Traffic on his new memoir: Sep 11, 2024: 10am - 11am

Guest: Dave Mason, Co-Founder of Traffic on his new memoirOnly You Know and I Know is not only the name of one of his biggest hits, but it is also now the title of rocker Dave Mason’s new autobiograph...

Sid Smith: Aug 14, 2024: 10am - 11am

Guest: Sid Smith, author of In the Court of King Crimson: An Observation over 50 Years Sid Smith is a British journalist best known for his book In the Court of King Crimson: An Observation over Fift...

Robyn Hitchcock: Jul 10, 2024: 10am - 11am

Guest: Robyn Hitchcock Robyn Hitchcock is one of the true eccentrics of British music, a songwriter who has revealed the beauty in the absurdity of life for five decades. He first rose to fame with...

Phil Manzanera: Jun 16, 2024: 6pm - 7pm

Guest: Phil Manzanera Phil Manzanera is a guitarist, songwriter, and producer best known for his long-running association with Roxy Music, one of the leading pioneers of art-rock. Manzanera has conc...

Phil Manzanera: Jun 12, 2024: 10am - 11am

Guest: Phil Manzanera Phil Manzanera is a guitarist, songwriter, and producer best known for his long-running association with Roxy Music, one of the leading pioneers of art-rock. Manzanera has conc...

Frank Mastropolo, Joshua White: May 08, 2024: 10am - 11am

Guests: Frank Mastropolo and Joshua White This month, "Reading is Funktamental" host Sal Cataldi speaks to two people who know the illustrious history of the legendary Fillmore East best. Frank Mastr...

Joel Selvin: Apr 10, 2024: 10am - 11am

Guest: Joel Selvin From 1972 – 2009, Selvin was the very influential rock music columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle. He is also the author of more than a dozen of the best books on rock music a...