Ryan Adams Appears On Marc Maron’s WTF Podcast

Singer-songwriter Ryan Adams was the most recent guest on comedian Marc Maron’s WTF Podcast. The typically intimate conversation touched on many aspects of Adams’ life and career, including the two men’s shared affinity for the Grateful Dead’s song “Wharf Rat.”

Adams and Maron begin with an overview of the former’s childhood in Jacksonville, North Carolina and his close relationship with his grandparents. The chat touches on Adams’ early development, teaching himself to play guitar and almost immediately starting to write original songs. Ryan also goes into detail about the formation and dissolution of his former band Whiskeytown.

The interview covers Adams issues with alcoholism and addiction, as well as his diagnosis with Ménière’s disease and how medical marijuana helps to cope with the degenerative disorder. Adams talks about meeting The Rolling Stones, Don Was, Emmylou Harris and others, including Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh. Adams describes a memorable moment performing as a member of Phil Lesh & Friends at Red Rocks, particularly while playing “Wharf Rat,” an original Dead song beloved by both Maron and Adams.

Maron describes wanting to meet with Adams after seeing a video of Ryan covering “Wharf Rat” for MyMusicRx. Head here to listen to the complete Ryan Adams WTF Podcast episode and check out that “Wharf Rat” performance below: