Best David Hepworth Podcasts (2025)

1
Ep. 489 - David Hepworth 59:40

25d ago59:40

59:40

David Hepworth co-presented Live Aid on the BBC in 1985. He was also one of the presenters of the BBC rock music programme The Old Grey Whistle Test. David launched and edited magazines such as Smash Hits, Q, Mojo, Just Seventeen, Heat and The Word, among many others. He has won the Editor of the Year and Writer of the Year awards from the Professi…

1
Budgie of Siouxsie And The Banshees started out in nightclub cabaret acts, aged 13 41:27

3h ago41:27

41:27

Small boy begins breeding budgerigars in Liverpool, makes enough to buy a drum kit and becomes the power behind Big In Japan, the Slits, the Creatures and Siouxsie and the Banshees. And one half of punk rock’s most famous couples. The immensely engaging Budgie has finally written his memoir, ‘The Absence’, and talks to us from Berlin about … … are …

1
Books rock stars want you to read, sacked drummers and how Dylan spent his birthday 38:14

3d ago38:14

38:14

The two-man pedalo of enquiry sets out on the Bank Holiday boating lake of news pausing to consider … … Florence Welch, Dua Lipa and the rise of the rock and roll book club. … the 92 year-old that Bob Dylan supported at the Cascades Amphitheatre, Ridgefield. … the Beatles had 18 drummers! … the sad end to Billy Joel’s tour schedule. … is Hollywood …

1
Ep. 495 - Peter Fincham 1:03:34

4d ago1:03:34

1:03:34

Peter Fincham was the Controller of BBC One from 2006 to 2007 and ITV’s Director of Television from 2008 to 20016. Before that, Peter was the Managing Director of TalkBack Productions where he oversaw the creation and production of programmes such as The Day Today, Knowing Me Knowing You with Alan Partridge, They Think It’s All Over, Never Mind the…

1
Dylan Jones bangs the drum for 1975, an explosion of talent and creativity 32:22

4d ago32:22

32:22

Dylan Jones – writer, former editor of i-D, Arena and GQ - was 15 in 1975 and dressed like Jimmy McCulloch of Wings (“a lot of denim and silk scarves”), a time he thinks had enormous influence on the following five decades. There are many highlights in his latest book ‘1975: The Year The World Forgot’, a lot of them discussed here with David and Ma…

1
Beer Festival Special: live in E. Dulwich with the Raider, Dirts & guest, Pompey Dunc (May 25) 54:19

6d ago54:19

54:19

In this episode:Beer Festival/Football Stadium QuizJack in the GreenNunhead Cemetery Open Day and Ivy House FestivalPhoto LondonBexley Beer FestivalFouldsy's BirthdayThe Dim ReaperPEGSDeserter on SubstackPub & Beer NewsCrisp NewsDrug NewsOther NewsPub Quiz 2Readers' LettersBook CornerDesert Island Crispsps with Pompey DuncBum DosserMedia Social Sce…

1
Ep. 494 - Ben Hart 55:12

7d ago55:12

55:12

Ben Hart is a magician best known for reaching the grand final of Britain's Got Talent in 2019, finishing third. He has returned to the programme several times, on BGT: The Champions, America's Got Talent: The Champions, and Britain's Got Talent Christmas Spectacular. An award-winning performer, he’s also a writer, inventor, and designer of magic t…

1
The great lost Beach Boys SMiLE album – David Leaf unravels rock’s Holy Grail 51:45

10d ago51:45

51:45

The Beach Boys’ SMiLE was abandoned by Brian Wilson in 1967 and eventually performed at an emotional gathering of the faithful in London 37 years later. For writer and lecturer David Leaf it became an obsession. He made a documentary about it in 2004 and has just published ‘SMiLE: The Rise, Fall and Resurrection of Brian Wilson’ drawn from detailed…

1
Ep. 493 - Alexei Sayle 1:00:46

11d ago1:00:46

1:00:46

Alexei Sayle is an actor, author, stand-up comedian, television presenter and former recording artist. He was one of the leading figures in the British alternative comedy movement in the 1980s, becoming the leading performer at The Comic Strip, in Soho. In 1981, he wrote and performed the radio series, Alexei Sayle and the Fish People, for which he…

1
The best songs written in seconds, Lennon’s legs and Springsteen’s chimes of freedom. 36:10

12d ago36:10

36:10

Slapping the beanburger of news on the sizzling grill of scrutiny and served with relish by Alex Gold and Mark Ellen (David’s in Spain with his bucket and spade). This week’s specials include … … Springsteen’s unprecedented speech onstage in Manchester about his nation’s “corrupt, incompetent and treasonous administration” and the Dixie Chicks’ car…

1
Ep. 492 - Christopher Macarthur-Boyd 1:07:52

14d ago1:07:52

1:07:52

Christopher Macarthur-Boyd presents the comedy podcast Here Comes The Guillotine with Frankie Boyle and Susie McCabe. 2024 saw Christopher release his debut stand-up comedy special Oh No! with 800 Pound Gorilla Media. After a sell-out run at the Fringe, Christopher toured the UK and Ireland with his hit-show Scary Times, culminating with his bigges…

1
Dennis Greaves, Nine Below Zero – old-school R&B, police and thieves and the agony of white clogs 41:26

15d ago41:26

41:26

Dennis Greaves took a week off from Nine Below Zero in 1980 but otherwise kept his nose firmly applied to the grindstone. They broke up in 1983 when he formed the Truth, who broke up in 1989 when he rebooted the old band. He looks back here at the first gigs he ever saw and played – a world with the attractive scent of spilt beer and tobacco – stop…

1
Peter Capaldi’s life in a teenage Glasgow punk band and a public apology to the Cocteau Twins 49:29

16d ago49:29

49:29

Peter Capaldi – aka Malcolm Tucker, Dr Who, the universal screen delight and an Oscar-winning film director – was the singer in the punk band the Dreamboys in the late ‘70s who put out a single when he was at the art school in Glasgow. And then became an actor. And then - in the grand tradition of actors who’ve made albums, Hugh Laurie, Scarlett Jo…

1
Alan Parsons – from the rooftop of Savile Row to Pink Floyd, Steve Harley and some singing pigs 34:42

17d ago34:42

34:42

The teenage Alan Parsons was hired as a tape op by EMI and worked with the Beatles, Pink Floyd, Steve Harley, orchestras, comedians, Pinky And Perky and countless others in the control room at Abbey Road, and saw almost 60 years of technical revolution. He’s just finished a 50th anniversary box set of Harley’s the Best Years Of Our Lives and talks …

1
Ep. 491 - Helen Atkinson Wood 42:15

18d ago42:15

42:15

Helen Atkinson Wood is an actress and comedian, best known for her role as Mrs. Miggins in Blackadder. Helen and Mike have been best friends since University. They went on to record seven series of Radio Active for BBC Radio 4 which transferred to BBC television as KYTV. They toured the world together as part of that team, which included the late G…

1
Mom Rock v Dad Rock, the Oasis rumour mill and Kanye West’s devious dentist. 40:10

18d ago40:10

40:10

Perched outside the Vatican Of News awaiting puffs of white smoke, which this week arrive in the following fashion … … Brandi Carlile’s Mothership Weekend and her genius for publicity. … Jim Morrison is alive and living in Syracuse, New York!: barrel-scraping new rock documentary incoming. … Hip Hop Wealth v Rock Wealth: the $57m house Kayne West b…

1
Ep. 490 - Liz Guterbock 1:05:03

21d ago1:05:03

1:05:03

Liz Guterbock is an award winning actress, stand up comedian and voice artist. Her television highlights include Armando Iannucci’s hit sci-fi comedy series Avenue 5 on HBO, Channel 4’s ‘For the Love of Cars,’ and CBBC’s Victorian Drama series ‘Hetty Feather.’ Liz has worked extensively as a voice artist, having lent her voice to commercial campaig…

1
Dennis McNally saw the Summer Of Love in London, New York and California 39:54

21d ago39:54

39:54

Dennis McNally was the Grateful Dead’s publicist in the mid-‘80s, one of many reasons why he’s supremely qualified to write his new book about the birth of the counterculture in America’s West and East Coast and Britain. ‘The Last Great Dream: How Bohemians Became Hippies And Created the Sixties’, a celebration of music, beat poetry, radical thinki…

1
The greatest duet, rock cameos in Miami Vice and the rebirth of Mississippi John Hurt 49:39

24d ago49:39

49:39

Passing the thermometer of conversation over the rock and roll news to see where the mercury rises, which this week includes … … the new Barbra Streisand duets album. Duets are ‘playlets’, small intense dramas that depend on human interaction, but so many are recorded separately (including, tragically, Ain’t No Mountain High Enough by Marvin Gaye a…

1
Al Murray and James Holland talk the ending of the war in 1945 and the afterlife of The Beatles 42:51

27d ago42:51

42:51

In which comedian Al Murray and historian James Holland talk about their new book Victory ’45 and our twin national obsessions, the Second World War and The Beatles. Includes: ….how being emotionally shut down enabled Montgomery to collect the surrender at Luneburg Heath ….how a profound sense of duty helped Harry Truman make the most dreadful deci…

1
Ep. 488 - Charles Collingwood 59:42

28d ago59:42

59:42

Charles Collingwood is best known for playing Brian Aldridge in the BBC Radio 4 soap opera The Archers for the past 50 years, since March 1975. He is married to Judy Bennett who played Shula Hebden Lloyd in the series from 1971–2024. Charles started his career, having left RADA where he trained, in Children’s Television, starting with The Raven and…

1
Derek Shulman – when Simon Dupree and Gentle Giant were “the darlings of the English Mafia” 42:21

29d ago42:21

42:21

Derek Shulman was at the heart of two great transformations – Simon Dupree & the Big Sound switching to psychedelia, and then sensing the prog-rock trade winds and becoming Gentle Giant. One minute he was singing Kites, the next Pantagruel’s Nativity (Gentle Giant’s rebooted ‘Playing The Fool: The Complete Live Experience’ is just out). After which…

1
The entertaining fictions of Max Romeo and Robert Smith and tech that actually works! 36:27

30d ago36:27

36:27

While Mark Ellen is hanging out with the other old ruins in Athens, David Hepworth and Alex Gold compare and contrast the organisation of the London Marathon with the Travellodge in Frimley and wonder… …Rolling Stone cover stars or members of Trump’s clown cabinet? …if you were interviewed as often as a rock star would you too make stuff up? …was M…

1
Ep. 487 - Limahl 1:21:37

1M ago1:21:37

1:21:37

Limahl is best know as the lead singer of 80s band Kajagoogoo, who enjoyed the instant fame of hitting the top of the charts with their debut single "Too Shy”. This was followed by two more Top 20 hits "Ooh To Be Ah" and "Hang On Now" (all of which he co-wrote). Limahl then struck out on his own and hit the charts again with his first solo single ‘…

1
Ep. 486 - 5th Birthday Special! 1:39:00

1M ago1:39:00

1:39:00

It's our 5th birthday so Mike and his producer/son John, each choose their 5 favourite clips and memories from the past 5 years! Featuring Caroline Quentin, Dave Gorman, Seann Walsh, Jon Ronson, Sir David Jason, Josie Long, George Mombiot, Howard Goodall, Anita Harris and Michael Simkins. Happy Birthday to us! Follow My Time Capsule on Instagram: @…

1
Beers in Borough & Bermondsey; hiding from the law in two reopened pubs (April 25) 47:37

1M ago47:37

47:37

In this episode:Pub Quiz 1Pellicle articleA Day in RyeDouble Tap TakeoverA Day in East LondonCarshaltonDeserter StoriesPub & Beer NewsCrisp NewsOther NewsPub Quiz 2Readers' LetterBook CornerBum DosserSoc Med SceneBy Deserter

1
Moon Zappa remembers life with her father Frank. ‘Pagan absurdists’ aren’t great parents 49:54

1M ago49:54

49:54

Moon Zappa grew up in what appeared, on the outside, to be an enviably free-wheeling and creative household in Laurel Canyon. On the inside, not so much. Her extremely funny, soul-baring and colourful account of dysfunctional family life in her memoir Earth To Moon is as gripping as it’s unsettling. A typical day: “Your mother’s on the rampage, I n…

1
Daryl Hall - ‘60s soul session work, the right shoes and a barge trip with Bob Dylan 29:14

1M ago29:14

29:14

We like to think of Daryl Hall as a kindred spirit, his home-recorded Live At Daryl’s House series with its magnificent roster of guests now racking up 90 episodes. He’s about to tour in May and talks to us here from his house in the Bahamas – straw hat, roosters crowing! – looking back at the first gigs he ever saw and played and other delights su…

1
Ep. 485 - Mark Thomas Unedited 1:24:23

1M ago1:24:23

1:24:23

An unedited version of Mike’s conversation with Mark Thomas from 2021 with around 30 minutes of unheard chat! Mark Thomas is a comedian, writer and activist. The Mark Thomas Comedy Product, his Channel 4 show, ran for 6 series and his BBC Radio 4 show, The Manifesto, ran for 5 series. He has a Guinness World Record for holding 20 protests in 24 hou…

1
Rock star pilots, sacking Zak Starkey and bold pioneers of the psychedelic moustache 52:19

1M ago52:19

52:19

The chocolate Easter bunny of rock and roll news in highly nutritious and digestible fragments, such as … … the Who’s very public sacking of Zak Starkey. … why no band ever wants to play quietly. … how a magazine in a shop window sparked the Neil Tennant/Mark Springer album. … Katy Perry’s space ‘mission’ and the trenchant observations by her and t…

1
Ep. 484 - Sam Nicoresti 1:03:22

1M ago1:03:22

1:03:22

Sam Nicoresti is a writer, performer and award winning comedian. Sam was the Winner of the Leicester Square New Comedian of the Year 2021 and was nominated for Best Compere at the Chortle Awards in 2024. Sam is known for her blending of stand-up, surreal theatre, film and music to create one-person shows that explore consciousness, identity, and co…

1
Dave Pegg, Fairport’s “longest-serving member” (fnarr!) looks back at hippie chaos and old heroes 42:53

1M ago42:53

42:53

Dave Pegg joined Fairport Convention 56 years ago and fully deserves some sort of medal. They’re playing their 49th Cropredy in August and touring the UK later in the year. He talks to us here about the first gigs he ever saw and played which, delightfully, involves … … the night Hank Marvin took him to see Bjork. … an all-nighter in Birmingham wit…

1
Withering reviews of famous albums, Jaws versus Jeeves and the genius of Blondie’s Clem Burke 52:55

1M ago52:55

52:55

Boldly pursuing tariff-free trade in rock and roll news, nostalgia, gossip and old hokum since 2007 and, this week, featuring … … the romantic allure of life as a critic. … Sting’s part in the success of ‘Adolescence’. … Mick Jagger’s long engagement to Melanie Hamrick (born when Steel Wheels came out!) … "Contained within these grooves are twelve …

1
Ep. 483 - Jessica Martin 1:18:08

2M ago1:18:08

1:18:08

Jessica Martin is an actress, singer, and illustrator. Specialising as an impressionist, her television roles have included Spitting Image, Copy Cats and The Bobby Davro Show. She featured as the werewolf Mags in the 1988 Doctor Who serial The Greatest Show in the Galaxy, and provided the voice of the Queen in the 2007 Doctor Who Christmas special,…

1
Ep. 482 - Natty (Mike's Grandson) 41:47

2M ago41:47

41:47

Natty is Mike’s grandson. If you’ve listened regularly to My Time Capsule you will have heard Mike talk about him quite a bit. Or if you listen to our other podcast, Chatty Natty (where Mike chats to Natty about anything and everything), you’ll know Natty from that. Natty is a 13 year old autistic boy and has many special interests. He's not curren…

1
Why Sparks’ Russell Mael preferred British acts to the ‘faux honesty’ of Laurel Canyon 24:56

2M ago24:56

24:56

Sparks are touring – playing dates in the UK and Ireland in June and July – and with a new (and 28th) album, Mad!. Russell Mael looks back at the first shows he ever saw and played which entails … … sitting on the floors of LA clubs watching Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, the Move, the Faces, the Who and Tyrannosaurus Rex. … his Mum taking him to see th…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

David Hepworth Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen