Listen to Ryan Adams Talk About His Huge Catalog, Skateboarding

In the last year Ryan Adams has gone through a full-on transformation. He's shunned his legendary appetite for drugs and alcohol, found himself a steady girlfriend, debuted a playful rap and hardcore metal side-career on his Web site, and made one of the most consistent records of his career. Rolling Stone Associate Editor Austin Scaggs sat down with the newly squeaky-clean Adams for the current issue of Rolling Stone, and we've collected a couple choice audio clips from their marathon conversation where Adams discusses everything from the real-life truth behind his lyrics to skateboarding.

Read the full interview here

Adams talks about the inspiration for and evolution of his last few records

Adams describes the day he learned skateboarding is just like dealing with girls

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Song Stories

“Is It True”

Brenda Lee | 1964

As the British Invasion reached its peak in 1964, Brenda Lee went from Nashville to London to record one of her hardest-rocking hits, her perky vocal backed by a stuttering, squalling guitar. That guitar was played by session musician Jimmy Page, yet to skyrocket to fame with first the Yardbirds and then Led Zeppelin. "She said to me, 'I've come here to make a record with the British sound,'" remembered producer Mickie Most. "She felt she wouldn't get the same sound in Nashville because they're only just catching up on the British beat group sound of about six months ago."

More Song Stories entries »

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