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Rock Is Lit

Elliott Murphy’s ‘Marty May’: A Rock ‘n’ Roll Novel Comes to Life

In this special episode of Rock is Lit, veteran rocker and author Elliott Murphy talks about and shares an excerpt from his novel ‘Marty May’. Once a rising rock star in 1970s New York, virtuoso guitarist Marty May has lost it all—his career, his marriage, and his record deal. Now, at 33, he’s alone, drowning in debt, and questioning his future. Should he return to his blues roots with his old mentor, Blind Red Rose? Set in the 1980s, when the music industry prioritized business over artistry, ‘Marty May’ is a poignant tale of talent, temptation, and staying true to one’s beliefs—elegant and tragic, like ‘The Great Gatsby’ in the age of rock ’n’ roll. Living in Paris for 30 years as an expatriate New Yorker, Elliott Murphy remains as active as ever in music and literature. With over 35 albums to his name, he continues to tour worldwide while earning critical acclaim. His debut album, ‘Aquashow’ (1973), launched a celebrated career that includes ‘Lost Generation’, ‘Night Lights’ (featuring Billy Joel), and ‘Selling The Gold’ (featuring Bruce Springsteen). In 2016, a biopic on his career, ‘The Second Act Of Elliott Murphy’, won the Audience Award at the Dock of the Bay Film Festival. Born into a show business family, Elliott began his career as a troubadour in Europe before securing a U.S. record deal. Alongside his music, he is a prolific author, publishing four novels, including the rock trilogy ‘Marty May’, ‘Tramps’, and ‘Diamonds By The Yard’, as well as ‘Poetic Justice’. His short story “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” was adapted into the 2020 film ‘Broken Poet’, in which he stars alongside Michael O’Keefe, Marisa Berenson, and a rare cameo appearance by Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa. In recognition of his artistic contributions, Elliott was named a Chevalier des Arts et Lettres by the French Minister of Culture in 2015 and inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame in 2018. For more information on Elliott Murphy, see his website and watch the 2016 biopic of his career, ‘The Second Act of Elliott Murphy’.   PLAYLIST Rock is Lit theme music Sixties 60’s music (free to use) “Last of the Rock Stars” by Elliott Murphy “You Never Know What You’re In For” by Elliott Murphy “What the Fuck is Going On” by Elliott Murphy “A Touch of Kindness” by Elliott Murphy Sixties 60’s music (free to use) 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 Elliott Murphy’s website: https://elliottmurphy.com/ Elliott Murphy on Facebook: @ElliottMurphy Elliott Murphy on Instagram: @elliottmurphy ‘The Second Act of Elliott Murphy’ biopic trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAfMyaanQmc Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: www.christyalexanderhallberg.com  Rock is Lit on Instagram & Bluesky: @rockislitpodcast Christy Alexander Hallberg on Instagram and YouTube: @christyhallberg Christy Alexander Hallberg on Facebook: @ChristyAlexanderHallberg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Broadcast on:
05 Mar 2025

In this special episode of Rock is Lit, veteran rocker and author Elliott Murphy talks about and shares an excerpt from his novel ‘Marty May’.

Once a rising rock star in 1970s New York, virtuoso guitarist Marty May has lost it all—his career, his marriage, and his record deal. Now, at 33, he’s alone, drowning in debt, and questioning his future. Should he return to his blues roots with his old mentor, Blind Red Rose? Set in the 1980s, when the music industry prioritized business over artistry, ‘Marty May’ is a poignant tale of talent, temptation, and staying true to one’s beliefs—elegant and tragic, like ‘The Great Gatsby’ in the age of rock ’n’ roll.

Living in Paris for 30 years as an expatriate New Yorker, Elliott Murphy remains as active as ever in music and literature. With over 35 albums to his name, he continues to tour worldwide while earning critical acclaim. His debut album, ‘Aquashow’ (1973), launched a celebrated career that includes ‘Lost Generation’, ‘Night Lights’ (featuring Billy Joel), and ‘Selling The Gold’ (featuring Bruce Springsteen). In 2016, a biopic on his career, ‘The Second Act Of Elliott Murphy’, won the Audience Award at the Dock of the Bay Film Festival.

Born into a show business family, Elliott began his career as a troubadour in Europe before securing a U.S. record deal. Alongside his music, he is a prolific author, publishing four novels, including the rock trilogy ‘Marty May’, ‘Tramps’, and ‘Diamonds By The Yard’, as well as ‘Poetic Justice’. His short story “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” was adapted into the 2020 film ‘Broken Poet’, in which he stars alongside Michael O’Keefe, Marisa Berenson, and a rare cameo appearance by Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa.

In recognition of his artistic contributions, Elliott was named a Chevalier des Arts et Lettres by the French Minister of Culture in 2015 and inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame in 2018.

For more information on Elliott Murphy, see his website and watch the 2016 biopic of his career, ‘The Second Act of Elliott Murphy’.

 

PLAYLIST

  • Rock is Lit theme music
  • Sixties 60’s music (free to use)
  • “Last of the Rock Stars” by Elliott Murphy
  • “You Never Know What You’re In For” by Elliott Murphy
  • “What the Fuck is Going On” by Elliott Murphy
  • “A Touch of Kindness” by Elliott Murphy
  • Sixties 60’s music (free to use)
  • 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

Elliott Murphy’s website: https://elliottmurphy.com/

Elliott Murphy on Facebook: @ElliottMurphy

Elliott Murphy on Instagram: @elliottmurphy

‘The Second Act of Elliott Murphy’ biopic trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAfMyaanQmc

Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: www.christyalexanderhallberg.com 

Rock is Lit on Instagram & Bluesky: @rockislitpodcast

Christy Alexander Hallberg on Instagram and YouTube: @christyhallberg

Christy Alexander Hallberg on Facebook: @ChristyAlexanderHallberg

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special episode of Rock is Lit, veteran rocker and author Elliott Murphy talks about and shares an excerpt from his novel ‘Marty May’. Once a rising rock star in 1970s New York, virtuoso guitarist Marty May has lost it all—his career, his marriage, and his record deal. Now, at 33, he’s alone, drowning in debt, and questioning his future. Should he return to his blues roots with his old mentor, Blind Red Rose? Set in the 1980s, when the music industry prioritized business over artistry, ‘Marty May’ is a poignant tale of talent, temptation, and staying true to one’s beliefs—elegant and tragic, like ‘The Great Gatsby’ in the age of rock ’n’ roll. Living in Paris for 30 years as an expatriate New Yorker, Elliott Murphy remains as active as ever in music and literature. With over 35 albums to his name, he continues to tour worldwide while earning critical acclaim. His debut album, ‘Aquashow’ (1973), launched a celebrated career that includes ‘Lost Generation’, ‘Night Lights’ (featuring Billy Joel), and ‘Selling The Gold’ (featuring Bruce Springsteen). In 2016, a biopic on his career, ‘The Second Act Of Elliott Murphy’, won the Audience Award at the Dock of the Bay Film Festival. Born into a show business family, Elliott began his career as a troubadour in Europe before securing a U.S. record deal. Alongside his music, he is a prolific author, publishing four novels, including the rock trilogy ‘Marty May’, ‘Tramps’, and ‘Diamonds By The Yard’, as well as ‘Poetic Justice’. His short story “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” was adapted into the 2020 film ‘Broken Poet’, in which he stars alongside Michael O’Keefe, Marisa Berenson, and a rare cameo appearance by Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa. In recognition of his artistic contributions, Elliott was named a Chevalier des Arts et Lettres by the French Minister of Culture in 2015 and inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame in 2018. For more information on Elliott Murphy, see his website and watch the 2016 biopic of his career, ‘The Second Act of Elliott Murphy’.   PLAYLIST Rock is Lit theme music Sixties 60’s music (free to use) “Last of the Rock Stars” by Elliott Murphy “You Never Know What You’re In For” by Elliott Murphy “What the Fuck is Going On” by Elliott Murphy “A Touch of Kindness” by Elliott Murphy Sixties 60’s music (free to use) 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 Elliott Murphy’s website: https://elliottmurphy.com/ Elliott Murphy on Facebook: @ElliottMurphy Elliott Murphy on Instagram: @elliottmurphy ‘The Second Act of Elliott Murphy’ biopic trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAfMyaanQmc Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: www.christyalexanderhallberg.com  Rock is Lit on Instagram & Bluesky: @rockislitpodcast Christy Alexander Hallberg on Instagram and YouTube: @christyhallberg Christy Alexander Hallberg on Facebook: @ChristyAlexanderHallberg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices