[EP 420] Beck: The Man Behind the Myth with Josephine Riesman

Beck has spent more than three decades reinventing himself, from the unlikely breakthrough of “Loser” and the sample-heavy experimentation of Odelay to the emotional intimacy of Sea Change and beyond. But behind the constantly shifting musical identities is a complicated story involving family, fame, Scientology, artistic freedom, and Beck’s lifelong ability to keep the person behind the music just out of view. Author Josephine Riesman joins Booked On Rock to discuss her book The Last Temptation of Beck: The Untold Story of a Pop Messiah. We trace Beck’s unconventional childhood and early Antifolk years, the accidental creation of “Loser,” his relationship with his father David Campbell, the making of Odelay, Mutations, Midnite Vultures and Sea Change, and the role Scientology played in his family and personal story. Riesman also explains what she discovered while separating fact from mythology—and whether, after years of research, she feels she truly understands the man behind the myth. Purchase a copy of The Last Temptation of Beck: The Untold Story of a Pop Messiah Visit BeckBook.com ---------- 🎧 Listen/Watch Ad-Free on Patreon Support Booked On Rock and get every new episode completely commercial-free with the Backstage Pass. Join here: https://www.patreon.com/cw/BookedOnRock 🛒 Old Glory -  Iconic music and sports fan merch 💰 Get 15% OFF | Promo Code: BOOKEDONROCK https://oldglory.com/discount/BOOKEDONROCK Booked On Rock is part of The Boneless Podcasting Network   BookedOnRock.com   The Booked On Rock Store   The Booked On Rock YouTube Channel   Follow The Booked On Rock with Eric Senich: BLUESKY FACEBOOK INSTAGRAM TIKTOK X   Find Your Nearest Independent Bookstore   Contact The Booked On Rock Podcast: [email protected]   The Booked On Rock Music: “Whoosh” by Crowander / “Last Train North” & “No Mercy” by TrackTribe