In 1974, A.J. Wachtel left Springfield, New Jersey for Boston to attend BU, and well frankly he never left. Maintaining the "aggressive, in your face" charm of someone from New Jersey, he has used that tone to cover the Boston Entertainment scene as a music journalist for over 40 years. He is the expert of the Boston scene during the 80s and 90s and if you doubt it, just ask him. AJ has now put down the pen and picked up a mic for his podcast: Wachtelligence. Join AJ and his guests as they talk about the past, present and future of the local & national music industry.
S3, Episode 12: Vic DeRobertis: Playing Dead, Come Hear Uncle Vic's Band
Season 3, Episode 12. This episode is about "the band beyond description" or at least a band that plays their music. AJ sits down with Vic DeRobertis, founder and guitarist of Playing Dead, New England's premier Grateful Dead tribute band.
For more than 30 years, Vic has dedicated himself to honoring the music, spirit, and community of the Grateful Dead. Playing Dead has earned a reputation becoming the first call for many of the Commonwealth's most notable Grateful Dead celebrations. From performing at Jerry Day at Fenway Park for the Boston Red Sox to commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Grateful Dead's legendary performance at Boston's Music Hall (now the Wang Theatre), Playing Dead has become an institution for Deadheads throughout New England.
The band is also celebrating an incredible milestone—its five-year Wednesday night residency at Soundcheck Studios in Pembroke, where fans continue to gather week after week to experience the music and the community that surrounds it.
Join AJ and Vic as they talk about the music, the history, the enduring culture of the Grateful Dead, and what it means to keep the legacy alive for generations of fans. Not to mention an amazing acoustic performance of "Ripple".
7 Mar 2026
S3, Episode 11: AJ Wachtel: Still Alive and Well
Season 3, Episode 11. A conversation with our host. AJ Wachtel has probably seen more club shows in Boston bars than anyone. As the head writer for BEAT Magazine, and holding ground at Bunrattys, he was out 7 days a week, seeing at least 4 bands a night. He has interviewed the greatest of the greats in the world of music. When the local press needs a comment of a recently passed artist or a remembrance of a local event, AJ gets the call. For this unique episode we have adjusted his microphone from host to guest, as our producer David Schwartz interviews this legendary journalist. From Chuck Berry to every local Boston Band you can think of, he has met them, chugged a beer, smoked his chillum and let them know he was there to support them in the press. This is an interesting episode from a man who has had a front row seat to some of the most infamous nights in Boston Rock history and as he says, "For many, many moons."
13 Jul 2025
S3, Episode 10: Jerry Portnoy: Blues, Billiards, Bar Rooms and Being Brilliant
Season 3, Episode 10. AJ chats with Jerry Portnoy. Legend, one of the highest ranks you can achieve. But when you are the premiere harmonica blues player in the world and can speak of being in both Muddy Waters and Eric Clapton’s touring band, my friend, you have reached the legendary status. Born in Chicago, he now makes Cape Cod his home. Essentially he has been on the road performing live since 1970. He recently penned his memoirs in an amazing book: “Dancing with Muddy: Muddy Waters, Eric Clapton and My Lucky Life In and Out of the Blues. It is indeed an honor to have a “Legend” on the Podcast.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
612
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
5 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 51 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
53
Social presence
0
YouTube
64
Engagement
60
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