Podcast Summary: Ongoing History of New Music

Episode: Tales of Weird Rock’n’Roll Sex
Host: Alan Cross
Date: November 19, 2025
Theme: Exploring the weird and notorious tales of sex in the world of rock music, with a focus on stories that intertwine rock history, rumors, confessionals, and cultural mythmaking.

Episode Overview

This episode delves boldly into the “sex” part of “sex, drugs, and rock and roll,” sharing both infamous and quirky stories from the annals of alternative and mainstream music. Alan Cross guides listeners through rumors, confessions, and offbeat trivia—mixing shock, humor, and empathy—while emphasizing the permissive, sometimes boundary-blurring environment of the music business. The episode is not salacious without context but seeks to pull back the curtain on legends and real-life scandals behind some of rock's most talked-about sexual exploits.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Science and Culture of Sex, Drugs & Rock and Roll

• [01:08] Alan notes that sex, drugs, and rock and roll activate the same brain structures, causing dopamine release, which is deeply addictive:

  “These are the three main food groups in this world...All three of these things affect the same portions of the amygdala, the nucleus accumbens, and the cerebellum.”

• The episode sets a tone: simultaneous fascination and caution with the culture's permissiveness.

2. Did David Bowie and Mick Jagger Hook Up?

• [04:25] The long-rumored Bowie-Jagger tryst is traced to Angie Bowie’s revelations on Joan Rivers’ show in 1990. Over time, her story evolves: from catching them in bed, to assuming sex happened, to admitting she had no proof.
• Cross highlights the ambiguity and mythmaking:

  “Believe what you want, but also feel free to look up the video for this song and make whatever judgment call you see fit.”

• Notable Quote:

  "Any implication that there was ever a gay affair between Mick Jagger and David Bowie is an absolute fabrication." (Lawyer’s statement, [06:02])

3. The Inspiration Behind Alanis Morissette’s “You Oughta Know”

• [07:06] Speculation on which ex the song is about: names from Mike Peluso to Dave Coulier are floated. Coulier himself admitted familiarity with its details, but Morissette purposefully kept it ambiguous:

  Alanis Morissette, [08:11]: “Well, I’ve never talked about who my songs were about, and I won’t, because when I write them, they’re written for the sake of personal expression.”

4. Anthony Kiedis’s (Red Hot Chili Peppers) Wild Childhood

• [09:12] Details from Kiedis’s memoir ‘Scar Tissue’ recount being introduced to drugs and sex at an extremely young age by his father, Blackie Dammett.
• He tells of losing his virginity at age 12—with his father’s approval and facilitation:

  “Dad sat and watched TV while Anthony and Kimberly...Yeah. Did I mention he was 12 at the time?” ([10:16])

• Cross’s humorous aside:

  “My dad just took me to hockey practice and for ice cream after.” ([10:50])

5. Duran Duran’s Legal Precautions During the ‘80s

• [11:48] During US tours, a code (18, 20, 21) on the daily itinerary matched each state’s age of consent—underscoring the legal landmines of rock excess.

6. Warren Cuccurullo: Musician to Adult Entertainer

• [13:10] Cuccurullo, former Duran Duran guitarist, did nude photo shoots and later entered adult entertainment, launching a fan site and a sexual aid modeled on himself (“the Rock Rod”).
• Cross quips:

  “He was essentially doing OnlyFans stuff decades before OnlyFans existed.” ([14:18])

7. Dale Bozzio & Missing Persons

• [15:12] Bozzio, singer for Missing Persons, did several Hustler photo shoots. The segment draws a line between early ‘80s New Wave, sexuality, and pop culture.

8. Joey Ramone’s Troubled Love Life

• [16:12] The friendship destroyed by the love triangle with Linda, who left Joey for Johnny Ramone. Joey’s history with women from psychiatric hospitals is touched upon—possibly linked to shared struggles:

  “Joey had psychiatric issues of his own...the rumor was he dated a number of women with psychiatric conditions...” ([17:29])

9. The Celebrity Sex Tape Era

• [18:34] From Pamela Anderson & Tommy Lee to Fred Durst and Kid Rock/Scott Stapp, Cross charts the proliferation—and desensitization—around leaked celebrity sex tapes.

  “Scott Stapp became the first inductee into the Fatherhood Hall of Fame...The year after this tape was made.” ([20:32])

10. Rock Stars in Adult Entertainment

• [21:10]
  • Evan Seinfeld (Biohazard): Ran porn production with wife Tera Patrick, made more money in 3 years than his whole music career.
    • “He directed and performed with his wife in seven films...also ran a website called rockstarpornstar.com.”
  • Dave Navarro directed an adult film; created BDSM-themed guitar gear; Fat Mike (NOFX) created a score for a BDSM film and has unique sex toy merchandise.
  • Rammstein’s infamous 2009 pornographic video and line of sex toys:
    • “I don’t think anything will beat Rammstein.” ([22:20])
    • “Rammstein is one of them. Also GWAR, Motley Crue, Ghost, Motorhead, NOFX...and, appropriately, the English punk band The Vibrators.”

11. Michael Stipe’s Private Struggles with Sexuality and Fear

• [24:54] Stipe (REM) reveals how fear around his sexuality and health (pre-HIV test era) affected his persona and creative output:

  “There was a sense of dread and paranoia every time I got a cold...Until I was finally able to get an anonymous HIV test in 1987..." ([26:01])

• Candid about living privately with photographer Thomas Dozel.

12. The Mysterious Death of Michael Hutchence (INXS)

• [27:00] Alan recounts, with detail, the events leading up to Hutchence’s death in 1997:
  • Last seen with ex-girlfriend Kim Wilson, a hotel room in disarray, and death from asphyxiation, ruled accidental and possibly linked to autoerotic behavior.

  “The cause of death has been the subject of much debate ever since. One theory is suicide… The other theory is autoerotic asphyxiation…” ([29:42])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the permissiveness of the industry:

  “Once you’re inside this bubble, you may find things rather permissive. As long as you’re producing, people will look the other way. There is no one to tell you no.” ([01:48])

• Alan Cross's tongue-in-cheek warning:

  “If tales of weird sex mixed with rock and roll makes you queasy, well, maybe this episode is not for you.” ([03:31])

• Wry observation:

  “And as far as anyone knows or has said, this was a pretty foolproof system.” (About Duran Duran’s legal precautions, [12:20])

• On MeToo & boundaries:

  “Notice too that I didn’t touch on any of the MeToo controversies ... Those stories deal with things that are non-consensual and perhaps even criminal. And that topic is perhaps for another time.” ([30:40])

Important Timestamps

| Time | Segment / Topic |
|---------|--------------------------------------------------------------|
| 01:08 | The science of sex, drugs, and music in the brain |
| 04:25 | The Bowie-Jagger-Rumor (Angie Bowie interview origins) |
| 07:06 | Alanis Morissette’s “You Oughta Know” mystery |
| 09:12 | Anthony Kiedis’s childhood & sexual initiation |
| 11:48 | Duran Duran’s age of consent codes on tour |
| 13:10 | Warren Cuccurullo’s transition to adult entertainment |
| 16:12 | Joey Ramone’s heartbreak and love life |
| 18:34 | Celebrity sex tapes from the ‘90s and 2000s |
| 21:10 | Rock stars in porn: Seinfeld, Navarro, Fat Mike, Rammstein |
| 24:54 | Michael Stipe’s sexuality and mental health |
| 27:00 | Michael Hutchence’s last night and ambiguous death |
| 30:40 | Delineating consent — not touching on MeToo stories |

Tone, Language, and Host Voice

Alan Cross maintains his trademark blend of wry humor, curiosity, and measured boundary-pushing. He’s sympathetic when appropriate (Joey Ramone, Michael Stipe), non-judgmental about sexual exploration ("whatever floats your boat"), and careful to distinguish consensual weirdness from nonconsensual exploitation. He keeps things moving, dips into music cues, and is factual without being salacious for its own sake.

Summary

The episode traverses tales of sex, rumor, and experimentation from Bowie and Jagger’s ambiguous relationship to Anthony Kiedis’s outrageous childhood, Duran Duran’s legalistic approach to groupies, and the blurred lines between rock stardom and adult entertainment. It offers both salacious gossip and deeper psychological context, reminding listeners that rock and roll’s permissive culture often leads to stories that are funny, tragic, or just plain odd—as long as they’re consensual.

For More: All episodes and show info are at Alan Cross's Journal of Musical Things. Alan welcomes questions and comments via social media and email.