259 avsnitt • Längd: 70 min • Veckovis: Torsdag
The Ugly American Werewolf in London is a weekly podcast about classic rock, hard rock, progressive rock, heavy metal, early MTV, 80s music, UK vs. US chart success and all things rock! Hosted by The Wolf and Action Jackson, who interview rock legends, review classic albums and concerts of their favorite classic rock bands each week. Once a month, they welcome musicians, writers and fans to First Concert Memories to tell about one particular night where a live concert changed their life. Action & The Wolf have an unquenchable thirst for knowledge of rock music and its history – tune in to hear what they’re passionate about! Proud part of Pantheon Podcasts!
The podcast The Ugly American Werewolf in London Rock Podcast is created by Mac B.. The podcast and the artwork on this page are embedded on this page using the public podcast feed (RSS).
As long time listeners of the show know, The Wolf and Action Jackson were and remain huge fans of The Police. When they were 10, Synchronicity and Every Breath You Take ruled the albums and singles charts while being broadcast hourly on MTV. We'd thought we'd found the rock band we'd grow up with. However, lead singer and songwriter Sting had other plans. He'd grown tired to the infighting with Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland and wanted to take his songwriting and good looks solo.
Dream of the Blue Turtles was Sting's first solo album making its debut June 17, 1985 and offered a more mature and jazzy approach to his songwriting. Enlisting the help of veterans like Darryl Jones (bass), Omar Hakim (drums), Kenny Kirkland (keys) and Branford Marsalis (horns), Sting created a more dynamic soundscape than he could have in The Police and took a big step towards being recognized as one of the premier songwriters of his generation. The first single, Feel Free To Set Them Free, set a groove and took advantage of new video technology for use on MTV. He revisited his ska/reggae roots on Love Is The Seventh Wave and offered a prayer of hope in the worry of the Cold War with Russians. However, Fortress Around Your Heart may be the best song he's ever written and it closes the album with style and substance.
We may have wanted The Police to go on forever but Sting proved he could do so much more and this album went 3x platinum in the US with huge success around the world.
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Listeners of our show know of our love for Led Zeppelin and their iconic lead singer, Robert Plant. Already this year we've devoted 2 shows to Physical Graffiti as it turned 50, a show on The Firm's debut album featuring Jimmy Page and one on the documentary Becoming Led Zeppelin which is now available on streaming services. And though we've reviewed several classic Zeppelin albums, we've also gone track x track on Unledded, Robert's reunion with Jimmy Page in 1994, and his first two solo efforts. Based on the strength of Pictures at 11 and The Principle of Moments and the fact that Robert was working with the same bandmates, we thought it only right that we review his 3rd solo effort, Shaken N Stirred.
However, Shaken N Stirred found Robert yearning for a more modern and synthesized sound which is not only different from his first two solo albums but not in the wheelhouse of his talented bandmates. In an effort to sound more like Talking Heads, Robert embraced the latest technology and styles of the day. The result is not only a departure from his signature sound but a miss in making a record that would sound good in 1985, nevermind 40 years later.
While Little By Little was a hit in the US (#1 Mainstream Rock), the rest of the record is a mish mash of sounds that don't necessarily make listenable songs. The listening public in the US revolted against the 2nd single Too Loud and rock fans in Chicago demanded that they "Get that sh*t off the air!" While we admire artists for going in new directions and not wanting to be stuck by what the public deems as "their sound", this album didn't win Robert any new fans and alienated many that he already had.
With that in mind, we did our best to pick out what we did like and tried to understand what Robert was attempting to do. Amidst the backdrop of his marriage ending and his unsure footing in the music world post Led Zeppelin, this one stands out in his catalog as one maybe he wishes he could do over (or at least we wish he would). Robert would continue to reinvent himself throughout his career with some amazing results. But as this misstep turns 40, we dive into what went wrong.
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While Dire Straits were a solid band that had radio hits since their first album was released in 1978, there was nothing to portend the outrageous fortune they would find in 1985 with Brothers in Arms. Their previous album, Love Over Gold, failed to go platinum in the US or produce any big radio hits. Twisting By The Pool from their 1983 EP was catchy but also kitschy and made some wonder if they were trying to parody the oldies instead of creating an homage. While the live album Alchemy was fantastic, it was not a huge seller. Lead singer, lead guitarist and songwriter Mark Knopfler had success in the studio with Steely Dan and Bob Dylan, produced some great movie soundtracks and wrote songs for others like Private Dancer for Tina Turner. But he hadn't made a Dire Straits album that captured the public's imagination. Until they made Brothers In Arms in 1985....
Mark brought in a young keyboard player named Guy Fletcher to give his songs more texture and eventually brought in legendary session drummer Omar Hakim to lay down all the drum parts. The result was an album that hit #1 around the world selling more than 4.5 million in the UK, 9 million in the US and 30 million around the world. The single Money For Nothing topped the charts around the world and featured Sting singing the famous line I Want My MTV. Of course at the time MTV played videos by artists who wrote music and played instruments and between Sting's catchphrase and the cutting edge (at the time) computer animation, it went into heavy rotation and would be heralded as one of the greatest videos for years.
But the sound was so crisp on this album it was used to sell CD players in stores and was the first record to sell more on CD than on LP, thanks in large part to recording on digital tape and Knopfler's never ending search for quality sound. Songs like Your Latest Trick and Why Worry may be mellow but you can hear every note. Walk Of Life was fun, upbeat track that featured 2 different videos for the US and UK markets. And while the second side of the album might not have featured the big hits as the first side, Knopfler's lyrics take on more serious notions like war, life and death. the final and title track brought up visions of pain from the Falklands War that had affected so many in the UK and Argentina and is seen as a respectful tribute to those who fought (and often played at military funerals0.
You can't tell the story of MTV, the 1980s or Dire Straits without this album and we dug in for an in-depth conversation about its impact at the time and how it sound today. Plus, we have a little audio from Guy Fletcher talking about Dolby Atmos mixes for the upcoming 40th anniversary edition which will include a concert from the Live in 85 tour. This was a big one and we treat it accordingly.
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By 1980, Pete Townshend was 34 or 35, regarded as a true legend of rock music and a revered songwriter. He was one of the true pied pipers of rock n roll. The only problem was, there was no such thing as a middle-aged rock star. In 1978, the death of Keith Moon hit him hard and put in the question the future of The Who. Punk music was railing against old bands like The Who and while Pete was with them in spirit, he realized that they may have had a point. Meanwhile, Pete was battling alcohol and heroin addictions while his marriage to his first wife was on the rocks. He was looking for spiritual fulfillment and yearning for peace of mind. But out of all that came Empty Glass, a marvelous album with vivid melodies, personal lyrics and Pete Townshend's heart on his sleeve.
He dedicated the album to his wife, Karen, and some of the songs could be in her voice. Pete takes on the personality of different people to get his points of view across with lyrics that can be ambiguous but deeply personal. The opening track Rough Boys is seen by some as a coming out for Townshend but it's a rockin' way to kick off a record. The alltime great Let My Love Open The Door is an instant pick me up that outsold the platinum (in the US) Empty Glass several times over and remains a favorite for movie soundtracks aimed at the children of the 1980s. But songs like I Am An Animal and I Moved showcase Pete's softer side before the ranting Jools and Jim aimed at authors who dismissed Keith Moon's death as inevitable and even warranted.
Keep On Working shows Pete trying to channel The Kinks and A Little Is Enough may have been a minor hit but Townshend regards it as one of the best songs he's ever written. The title track is a man desperate for his soul to be saved, an empty vessel looking for someone to fulfill him. Would he ever find that peace? Would any of us? It's a strong record with incredible melodies with killer musicians like Simon Phillips, Tony Levin and Pete himself arranging the songs into beautiful classics. This was a fun one to do and if you don't know the album, we think you're gonna like it.
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We all have vivid memories of our first rock concerts. You know the ones - when you're young, full of anticipation with no knowledge or understanding of the assault on your senses that a great rock show brings. These are the moments we capture on First Concert Memories and for episode 21, we have none other than Brian Slagel. Yes metalheads, THE Brian Slagel who founded Metal Blade Records more than 40 years ago. The first man to put a Metallica song on a commercially available tape. That's how we know Brian. But on this episode, he's taking us back to when he was a 16 year old KISS fan, hoping to get to see his heroes live for the first time.
Thankfully, his neighbor Carl Graves (a performer and musician in his own right who would tour with Oingo Boingo in the 80s & 90s) told Brian's mother that he'd take him to the show and make sure he got home safe. So Brian saw his first ever concert - KISS on the Alive! Tour on February 24, 1976. A teenage Brian was blown away by the pyro, the fire and blood spitting demon, the loudness of the Marshall stacks and the spectacle that a KISS concert in 1976 offered.
Brian also tells us about getting to know the original members of KISS on a personal basis, which band he's seen over 300x and his killer new podcast - The 100 Songs That Define Heavy Metal. It's a fantastic time with a metal legend!!
Check out Brian's 100 Songs That Define Heavy Metal Podcast
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By 1980, Judas Priest were ready to take on all the world! Fresh off their classic live album Unleashed In The East, Priest were ready to conquer America and the world with a more pop sound. Priest hit the charts with songs like Living After Midnight and Breaking The Law and offered new anthems to the teenage set with United and Metal Gods. But they stayed true to their heavy metal roots with songs like Rapid Fire and Steeler.
Rob Halford shows off his chops and range on songs like The Rage as Ian Hill offers up a fun and memorable bass line. While we don't see much of the dueling solos between KK Downing and Glenn Tipton as would come to be familiar with on most of their 80s and latter day albums, they each show off their individual styles here while doing what's best for the songs. And the addition of Dave Holland on the drums solidified the classic 80s Priest lineup that would help them conquer the US and the world.
They also forayed into making videos with the help of Julien Temple, much to the delight of Beavis & Butthead. This album helped propel Judas Priest and heavy metal onto a bigger stage and laid the foundation for the band's success in the 1980s and beyond.
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As long-time followers of our show are aware, The Wolf and Action Jackson are HUGE Led Zeppelin fans. When it was announced several years back that there would be a Led Zep documentary coming, we were psyched and knew that we'd not only have to go see it on the big screen but do a review on UAWIL. However, we we didn't know that director Bernard MacMahon had not only unearthed and cleaned up video of a performance by the band in Bath from 1969, but he also uncovered a never-before-heard audio interview of John Bonham. Thanks to that interview, he was able to get reflections from all four members of Led Zeppelin on their journey to becoming the biggest band in the world.
Instead of being a complete career retrospective, this film focused on the back stories of each member - how they grew up, when they became fascinated with rock music, which artists turned them on and how they found their way into the music business. Most fans know that Jimmy Page was on tv with his skiffle group as a kid before becoming a premier session guitarist in London. But did you know that John Paul Jones learned so much from his father, pianist John Baldwin, and was a choirmaster at age 14? Did you know Robert Plant would try many different types of groups, hairstyles and scenes before he ever became a Golden God? Learning how Jimmy Page put the first record together so he would have leverage with record companies to not only get better royalties but to not be forced into releasing singles is just one amazing insight into how Led Zeppelin became the juggernaut, especially in the US, that would define their legacy.
Action went to great lengths to see this movie and offer his perspective so give us a listen and see this film in the theaters while you can - the video and sound is amazing!!
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It's possible that Aerosmith is the greatest American rock band of all time. And in our opinion, their best album was 1975's Toys In The Attic which is still their biggest selling original record with over 9 million sold in the US. As it turns 50 we decided to dive deep into what makes this album so great and why it endures to this day as a hard rock classic. Yes, it has singles that were popular in their day and are still staples on classic rock radio in Sweet Emotion and Walk This Way. But the title track is a killer way to start a rockin album and is an Aerosmith signature. You See Me Cryin' allows the Bad Boys from Boston to show their tender side (and incorporate strings), Round And Round shows a harder Aerosmith, and Big Ten Inch Record shows off the tongue-in-cheek lyrics that have made the band famous (though that one is a cover, it's classic Steven Tyler).
The boys had been touring hard and were really firing on all cylinders. The previous year's Get Your Wings had been well received and had a killer cover of Train Kept A Rollin which was one of their live staples. But what made this album different from the previous two is that when they went to the Record Plant in New York City to record Toys, they didn't have any songs ready. They'd honed the songs from the previous albums live before heading into record them but this time they started from scratch with a few ideas they'd been noodling on. Joe Perry came up with the riff to Walk This Way on stage in Hawaii. Tom Hamilton had the Sweet Emotion bits for years before he worked with Steven Tyler to mold them into an all time classic. Brad Whitford got a co-write on Round And Round and Joe Perry really established himself as one of the killer guitar slingers of his generation. As it turns 50, we celebrate Aerosmith's greatest album - Toys In The Attic!
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Bad Company hit the scene in 1974 in a big way. Signed to Led Zeppelin's Swan Song label and managed by Peter Grant, the supergroup composed of Paul Rodgers (Free), Mick Ralphs (Mott the Hoople), Boz Burrell (King Crimson) and Simon Kirke (Free) had a huge success with their self-titled debut which would go on to sell 5 million in the US. Many bands struggle to follow up a big debut with an equally good second effort but Bad Company weren't rookies and had made over a dozen albums individually. The question was how would the songwriting partnership of Ralphs and Rodgers develop and would any of them as individuals emerge as the lead songwriter.
While not many will tell you Straight Shooter is as good or better than the debut, it is a solid rock record. Chart hits Feel Like Makin' Love and Good Lovin' Gone Bad got them all over the airwaves and Rodgers Shooting Star would go onto become a classic rock radio staple. They even showed their tender side with Simon Kirke's Weep No More (accompanied by strings) and Anna. Heavy riffs from Deal With The Preacher and the innuendo of Wild Fire Woman help round the album into an album that showed Bad Company had staying power and could deliver the goods. Released March 28, 1975, it would go on to sell 3 million in the US.
Do you think Bad Company deserves to be in the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame? We do!!!
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For The Wolf and Action Jackson, The Who in 1989 were coming back one last time to perform - something they hadn't done since the early 80s and had sworn off. The classic 60s artists were back in a big way and The Who were touring the US doing 40 songs a night from their brilliant catalog, from their solo albums and with a focus on their rock opera Tommy to start the show. That tour eluded our fearless hosts but not Farmer John, host of the Vinyl Relics podcast - a new member of Pantheon.
John and his buddies were the same age as Action and The Wolf when they ventured to Toronto in June of 1989 with tickets to see what would surely be the most mindblowing thing in their young lives. But they were teenagers who lived 2 hours away in London - where would they stay? With a working idea of walking the streets of Toronto all night, one of the moms secured a hotel room at the Holiday Inn via Jennifer. However, once Jennifer learned their were 6 unsupervised teenagers and not 2, she took their room keys and started a day of hijynx that can only happen to teenagers. John weaves a story of anticipation for the show, fear in being hunted down by Jennifer, uncertainty of how to get to the show, and the triumph of overcoming the odds to find himself in the 4th row after buying nosebleeds.
It's the kind of fun tales we aim to preserve on First Concert Memories, the monthly sidecast from your friends at The Ugly American Werewolf in London Rock Podcast. Coming of age in the era of classic rock and hanging with your best friends along the way is where the most vivid memories are made - we're just dusting them off!
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By the mid-70s, Jeff Beck was a bit of an enigma. He started out as a blues player in The Yardbirds replacing Eric Clapton and sharing the stage for few shows with Jimmy Page. Then he formed The Jeff Beck Group with Rod Stewart as his lead singer and Ronnie Wood on the bass where the band tried to be more commercial. He created one of the great power trios with Beck, Bogert and Appice and while they were a strong live draw, they didn't get a lot of radio play. By 1975 Jeff, who was never one to stay still musically, decided to put together his first Jeff Beck album. Instead of blues and hard rock based riffs he melded with Max Middleton on piano who helped write the songs, Phil Chen on the bass, and Richard Bailey to create some jazzy jams that allowed everyone to shine.
However, he also had help from heavyweights George Martin, who produced the album as he did The Beatles, and Stevie Wonder, who wrote a couple of songs for Jeff including the sublime Cause We Ended As Lovers. It may have originally been a bittersweet song for his wife Syreeta but Jeff makes it his own by laying emotional guitar over over the mellow notes. And Jeff shows off his jazzy abilities on songs like Constipated Duck (great title), space funk on AIR blower, frenetic playing on Scatterbrain and one of his real signatures, Freeway Jam. Many of these became live staples of his for decades and the album not only went to #4 in the US but sold platinum despite the fact that there are no vocals on the album. With room to explore, Jeff led this group on a fun, experimental and tight journey to create a guitar masterpiece which is more jazz than rock.
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By 1985, Eric Clapton's storied career seemed to be flaming out. The Rock God status he'd attained in the 60s with The Yardbirds and Cream and maintained as a solo artist in the 70s had started to wane thanks to inconsistent records, drugs and alcohol. His previous record, Money and Cigarettes, lacked hits and failed to go gold - his first for Warner Brothers. Needing a success in the days of MTV and synthesizers, he turned to Phil Collins who had the magic touch at this time (listen to UAWIL 220 on No Jacket Required). And though they had fun in Montserrat recording the album, all was not well.
Eric was slowly but surely breaking up with Pattie Hanson - his wife, the inspiration for Layla and former wife of George Harrison. You can hear his lament on songs like Just Like A Prisoner and the title track. Despite the emotion he may have put into the tracks, Warner Bros weren't happy. So they teamed him up with one of their songwriters, Jerry Lynn Williams, and Van Halen producer Ted Templeman to craft a couple of hits in LA. The single Forever Man did top the mainstream rock charts in the US and helped the album go platinum. But Clapton seems uneasy with some of the synthesizer work and the songs written by others. Nonetheless, this record did bring him some needed success and attention which would lead to bigger achievements in the late 80s, the early 90s and beyond. Released March 11, 1985, we thought this one is an interesting inflection point in Clapton's catalog and worthy of a look as it turns 40.
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In 1985, Phil Collins could do no wrong. His album No Jacket Required would eventually hit the top spot in the US and the UK. He'd also have the top album and top song on both sides of the Atlantic. He won a Grammy for Against All Odds (which would hit #1), his duet with Philip Bailey, Easy Lover, was a smash hit around the world and hit duet with Marilyn Martin, Separate Lives, would also go to #1. And after a world tour to support his 25 million selling album No Jacket Required, he played Live Aid in London with Sting and then jumped the Concorde to make it to the US and played RFK with Eric Clapton and a reunited Led Zeppelin. Plus he was on Miami Vice. The man was unstoppable.
As No Jacket Required turns 40, we decided to analyze it track by track. Though Collins proved he could navigate the mid-80s recording styles without getting too cheesy on tracks like Sussudio and Inside Out, there are others that aren't great given the strength of the hits like Only You and I Know and I Don't Wanna Know. The album would sell over 12 million in the US alone thanks to hits like Sussudio and the video for Take Me Home not only gave him clout as a bonafide international star but also kept the album selling well into 1986. Phil has received a lot of backlash in latter days due to the fact that he was everywhere in the 80s - chart topping with every Genesis album, every solo record, every duet or movie soundtrack song, every tour, every TV appearance, every music video. Does he deserve the criticism he gets or did he just make the most of his opportunities he was given? We debate that and more on this surely to be divisive episode.
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On Part 2 of our track x track review of Physical Graffiti as it turns 50, we review the 2nd LP/CD. While there is little in the world of rock music that can stand up to the first LP/CD, the second is more eclectic and shows the real breadth of all Led Zeppelin could do vs. more one dimensional bands at the time. In The Light is an epic that builds to joyous uplift. Sick Again shows Jimmy's slide skills were among the best of his generation while Bron-Yr-Aur shows the quieter acoustic side of Jimmy and great change of pace which leads to a bittersweet Down By The Seaside. Lyrically the boys get a little political with Night Flight, remember relationships from their youth Ten Years Gone and illuminate the LA groupie scene on Sick Again.
Because they needed at least 25 minutes of material after their 1974 recording session at Headley Grange (where they recorded part Led Zeppelin IV), they dusted off and cleaned up some songs from previous recording sessions. Some were acoustic numbers that Jimmy electrified like Down By The Seaside and Ten Years Gone. All the songs give all four members of the band a chance to shine and they even enjoy a roadhouse jam with Ian Stewart on Boogie With Stu.
The second disc on Physical Graffiti may not be the best. Many of the tracks would never make it on a single album. But double albums have deep tracks and the ones where the boys get away from their heavy riffs and blues based badassery are cool outliers in the Zeppelin catalog. And the heavy riffs from Jimmy Page are amazing. We love it!
HAPPY 50TH PHYSICAL GRAFFITI!
#physicalgraffiti50
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Though there has been lots of timeless music made over the years, punk music was the most tied to a certain time as any genre. The enormous explosion that was The Sex Pistols, the band who embodied the punk genre more than any other band, ended just as quickly in early 1978. After a media hyped tour of the US, where Malcolm McLaren had them play small venues in the midwest to encourage outrage, the band had been through enough and were done. Johnny Rotten announced on stage that the band was breaking up and a year later Sid Vicious died. For several generations since, The Pistols are mythic figures with one album, legends of chaos and a few video clips.
But in 1978 Amy Linden, veteran rock writer and co-host of the Immaletyoufinish Podcast, was a 19 year old living the dream in San Francisco. She'd wanted to see The Sex Pistols at the Winterland Ballroom January 14, 1978 but tickets sold out instantly. Fortunately the night before an industry player hooked her up with tickets and she not only went to the show but even hit the backstage after party.
Amy, who's written about, lived with and survived punk bands for decades, talks about the immediacy of the show and how mesmerizing Johnny Rotten was to behold in all his nasty glory. We dive into the performance and atmosphere but we let Amy guide us through parts of her cool life. Her first Pistols show was their last and it changed her life forever. Great stories from a badass punk rock chick!
Hear Amy weekly on the IMMALETYOUFINISH Podcast
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1975, Led Zeppelin were at the height of their rock god power. They'd made 5 albums that sold off the charts, especially in the US where they enjoyed the fruits of their labors on the Sunset Strip. They were a top touring act that could fill arenas and stadiums with four of the best individual musicians in any band. They founded Swan Song Records to not only handle their own records but even signed acts like Bad Company and Detective to the label. So after some time off they headed back to Headley Grange where they'd recorded for Led Zeppelin III & IV in early 1974 to lay down some tracks.
The results were among the heaviest, funkiest, longest, most epic and groovy songs in the Zeppelin catalog. But because they made more than 1 LP's worth of material, they decided to dust off a few tunes from previous sessions, rework them and fit them all into what would be Zeppelin's only double album, Physical Graffiti. The first album to ship platinum in the US, it would eventually go 16x platinum (but only 2x platinum in the UK). Hitting #1 on both sides of the Atlantic, it's too epic for just one episode. So we've divided into LP/CD one on this episode and UAWIL 219 will go in depth on LP/CD 2.
The first disc of Physical Graffiti is an extraordinary album on its own. From the riff & groove of Custard Pie, maybe the best opening track on an LZ album, to the epic and otherworldly Kashmir the boys flex and stretch like they hadn't before. Jimmy Page is at his best laying down killer slide on In My Time Of Dying, riffing out on The Rover and leading the boys in jams on Trampled Under Foot. John Paul Jones is killer on the bass and the clavinet which give different textures to the tunes. John Bonham is at his thunderous best while his mate Robert Plant still had the range and emotion that made him a legend.
Going track x track and watching some old Zeppelin footage from Earls Court 1975 and Knebworth 1979 reminds us that we missed one of the greatest bands to walk the Earth and they should be celebrated. Part 2 will be episode 218 out soon!
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Vision Quest was released in theaters February 15, 1985. Based on a book that was hot in the young adult space, it featured a young Matthew Modine as Loudon Swain - a high school wrestler from Spokane, Washington who is looking to accomplish something big in his life. While the movie had limited appeal beyond teenagers (it only grossed $13 million), cable TV and video rental stores gave the movie continued life among teenagers for many years. A big reason it continued to draw 80s teens and carry such strong nostalgia today is the soundtrack. Put together by John Kalodner for Geffen Records, it featured some of the hottest pop and rock artists of the day and sold over 1 million copies in the US.
Madonna, who was hot off her Like A Virgin Tour, contributes two songs - the unreleased as a single in the US Gambler and mega hit Crazy For You - and she had a cameo in the film singing them both. Journey offered Only The Young from the Frontiers sessions and the video, like Crazy For You, featured scenes from the film, helping the singles sell big numbers. Those two songs along with Red Rider's Lunatic Fringe set the tone for the film and make the songs and movie so intertwined. Some songs from bands like The Style Council, Don Henley and Dio might be overlooked as background music to certain scenes, songs like Change by John Waite (written by the legend Holly Knight) and Lunatic Fringe really keep you energized and engaged in Loudon's quest to drop 22 pounds and beat the unbeatable Shute on the wrestling mat. You have the tender Crazy For You for the romantic scenes, Journey for the training scenes and lots of rock and pop royalty. Even great songs by Berlin, Quarterflash and REO Speedwagon were left off the soundtrack but appear in the movie, including some solid work by Tangerine Dream.
Maybe we like this film because as two former teenage boys, we could relate to what this guy was going through. But we continue to like the soundtrack because it had killer songs (with a couple of clunkers) that stand the test of time and play a huge role in the film.
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Jimmy Page was in rough shape by the end of Led Zeppelin. His addictions had ravaged his body and he didn't contribute nearly as much to 1979's In Through The Out Door as he did all previous Zeppelin records. After the death of John Bonham, Jimmy fulfilled his obligations to release Coda, provided the soundtrack to Death Wish 2 as a favor to his neighbor and embarked on a brief fundraiser tour with lots of legends - The ARMS Tour. But he hadn't been very creative and wasn't keeping himself in match shape. After spending some time with his Swan Song brother Paul Rodgers (Free, Bad Company), he concocted a plan to put together a new supergroup for the 80s. WIth Rodgers handling vocal and primary songwriter duties, Jimmy also enlisted Chris Slade (Tom Jones, Manfred Mann's Earth Band, AC/DC, UAWIL #91 guest) and "The Fretless Monster" Tony Franklin who he worked with on Roy Harper's album Whatever Happened to Jugula?
This powerful lineup was to be the vehicle that would rejuvenate Jimmy Page and put him back on the road to superstardom. However, Page's contributions weren't what fans had come to expect from the guitar hero and it seemed that Jimmy was a bit out of place in a world dominated by MTV. Single Radioactive was an AOR hit and showcased a bit of what the band could do, ultimately helping their self-titled debut to gold status in the US. But most of the album is uneven and Page isn't showing up with the killer solos that were his calling card. However, Tony Franklin is an absolute monster on this record, filling in the gaps that Page leaves between his flourishes and playing well off the ever steady Slade. While Rodgers vocals are as strong as ever, his songwriting doesn't quite live up to the standard of his previous bands. It was a solid debut which led to a strong sophomore effort in Mean Business (1986) but because it celebrates it's 40th on February 11, 2025, we thought we'd take a hard look at The Firm and why it didn't hit the heights we all hoped it would
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Van Halen is one of the most legendary rock acts in history. With 2 diamond selling records (Van Halen, 1984) the band was popular enough to withstand switching out a charismatic lead singer in the mid-eighties and go on to have even bigger success on the charts (all 4 Sammy Hagar led Van Halen albums went to #1 in the US). After For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge spawned several big hits, a huge tour and a killer live album, fans were anxious to see what the boys would come up with next. However, after the influence of grunge (blech) had taken hold of the industry and the band did it's best to move forward through adversity (the death of their manager and Eddie's struggle with alcohol and his attempt at sobriety among other things) things were not all well in the Van Halen camp. And it bleeds into their 10th album and final with Sammy Hagar (and for the most part Michael Anthony) Balance.
From the offputting cover, the heavy themed lyrics and one quarter of the tracks being instrumentals, this album is not very popular with the diehards. Having a big international hit with Can't Stop Lovin' You was big for the band but was perceived as a bit soft to the hard rock fans and passe even to big fans of the Sammy years. Don't Tell Me (What Love Can Do) is Sammy's take on Kurt Cobain taking his own life and is heavier than most Van Halen fare. While there are some standouts like Aftershock and moments of greatness that harken back to the heyday of Van Halen, it feels more like a band trying to come to grips with themselves in a post-grunge, sober Eddie Van Halen world. At the time, we had moved on from Van Halen and figured if we really wanted to check it out one day, it would be there. As it turns 30 on January 24, 2025, we thought it would be a good time to take the opportunity to explore Balance, see if the reservations we had on the album 3 decades ago were justified and if there are any songs we're sorry we missed out on. How do feel about it having listened to it? You'll have to listen to find out.
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February 14, 1975 saw the release of the second album by Canadian power trio Rush, Fly By Night. But it was the debut of Neil Peart with the band - a well read and empathetic man who would go on to be hailed as one of the greatest rock drummers of all time. Not only would his attention to detail but his relentless challenging of himself pushed Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson to continue to grow. Neil also took over as the lyricist for the band mixing in pieces from the many books that kept him fascinated. From Ayn Rand to JRR Tolkien, Neil injects his literary phrases into hard driving and otherworldly riffs that are signature to Rush.
Songs like Anthem and Fly By Night are as rock solid 50 years later as the day they were released and Neil's lyrics of wanderlust and yearning for a unique life continue to offer hope. By-Tor and the Snow Dog saw Rush starting to grapple with the more progressive rock they admired coming from Yes and is the start of the concepts that would drive them to greatness on 2112 and Hemispheres. Though Alex Lifeson's guitar is fierce throughout the rockers, he also breaks out nylon for Making Memories, Rivendell and In The End - we even get to hear a little slide from Lerxst! The final 3 tracks may not be the most memorable in the catalog but it shows the boys were still willing to experiment, never to be pigeon-holed.
For Rush fans, this is a classic.
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We kick off 2025 with First Concert Memories 18, the monthly sidecast from the hosts of The Ugly American Werewolf in London Rock Podcast where we welcome a guest to talk about the first time they saw a particular band and how that night changed their life. This month, we welcome our fellow Pantheon Podcast host Leah Jones as she relives the fateful night in May of 2019 when she saw The Struts for the first time and how that show spawned a love affair with the band and their music.
Hear Lead recount listening to the first 2 albums by The Struts back and forth, then realizing that she had to see them live. Despite a long drive and an early wake up call the next day, our intrepid Leah drove the many hours to catch the boys live at an afternoon radio show prior to the concert that evening. During that short performance, she captured them doing a song acoustically which may have never happened since and that only got her more psyched for the show. Leah tells us about that night, about the many subsequent roadtrips she's made to see her favorite band live and how it eventually led to her hosting The Struts Life as one of our Pantheon Podcast sisters.
Keep going to see live music - it's the only way to KEEP ROCK ALIVE!!!
Check out The Struts Life with Leah Jones
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While the first of our two year in review episodes focused on the albums we reviewed and authors & podcasters we hosted on the show, Part 2 drills down on the live concerts we talked about and the 15 artists & legends we had the good fortune to interview on UAWIL in 2024.
We knew that when The Wolf left Europe for the American midwest, there would be fewer opportunities to see live shows by the bands we love. But we made the most of it with some killer concerts including taking a disappointed 9 year old to see Journey (He's not the leads singer of Journey!?!), taking Action Jackson to his first Steve Hackett show, laughing and singing along with Colin Hay and finally seeing Wolfgang Van Halen live.
But the real story is around the amazing performers we welcomed in 2024, almost doubling the number we hosted in 2023 and tripling the number of Rock N Roll Hall of Famers. We welcomed Steve Hackett (Genesis) for the 2nd time as well as his fellow Hall of Famers Guy Fletcher (Dire Straits) and the legendary Steve Howe (Yes, Asia). We also spoke with members of or worked with bands we loved growing up like Simple Minds, Vixen and Eric Clapton. We also spoke with some new generation rockers like Kiran Roy (October Drift) and Scott Holiday (Rival Sons) as in order to keep rock alive, we need new bands to fly the flag.
The Wolf & Action Jackson are grateful to all our many listeners all over the globe, to our sponsor RareVinyl.com, to our friends at Pantheon Podcasts and to each other for putting together the best year we've ever had!! Happy Holidays to all and all the best for a safe, peaceful and rockin 2025!
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It's hard to believe 2024 is coming to an end and that The Ugly American Werewolf in London Rock Podcast is now in its 5th year of broadcasting our love for rock music into the world!! 2024 was an amazing year for the show which boasts the most episodes we've ever done in a year (64) and an amazing array of album reviews, concert reviews, and extraordinary guests. As we have in the past, we've broken it down into 2 shows - Part 1 is about all the albums we've reviewed and all the authors and podcasters who came on our show. Part 2 (out next week) looks back on the live concerts & movies we discussed and the 15 artists & legends we welcomed on the show.
We tend to cover albums near a major anniversary (25th, 30th, 40th, 50th, etc) with the newest celebrating its 20th (American Idiot by Green Day) and several turning 55 (Abbey Road by The Beatles, Blind Faith debut, In The Court Of The Crimson King). We may review a double diamond selling classic one week and cult favorite that maybe scratched its way to gold status. But we reflect on all of them and then make our personal Top 5 lists of the albums we reviewed that we liked best.
We also welcomed authors who've written some amazing books like Mark Blake and Mick Wall to share some stories along with podcasters who share our passion and knowledge for rock music. Our monthly First Concert Memories series gives people the chance to share special nights in their rock n roll journey that made them fans! Like Markus "The Darkus" Goldman of WMMR and The Imbalanced History of Rock Podcast sharing his experience with U2 Live at Red Rocks in 1983. Or Brian Colburn of My Weekly Mixtape talking about seeing Blues Traveler in NYC just months after 9/11 and finding the crowd was ready for some healing and good times.
It was an amazing year on The Wolf and this is just Part 1!!
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Just before Iron Maiden played their final concert of The Days of Future Past Tour in Sao Paolo, Brazil on December 7, 2024. it was announced that longtime drummer Nicko McBrain would be retiring from the road after 42 years with the band. Soon after the conclusion of the tour, it was announced that Simon Dawson, who has working with Steve Harris in British Lion for the last decade, would be taking his place on the road. However, manager Rod Smallwood has said that Nicko would still be around and would be available to play on any future recording Maiden may endeavor to record.
We thought this would be an excellent opportunity to reflect on the career Nicko has forged before and during his stint with Iron Maiden and reflect on what a character he truly is. When we learned that Nicko had suffered a stroke several months before rehearsals began for the Days of Future Past Tour, we speculated that his time in the band would be short. We want to celebrate all the amazing work over the decades and his contributions to Maiden but we'll also contemplate what the band will sound like without their long-time drummer and how Simon Dawson will fit on the upcoming Run For Your Lives Tour in 2025 and beyond. Plus The Wolf shares his story of meeting Nicko at a golf tournament and relive some funny moments throughout his career.
UP THE IRONS!!!
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The old adage is that you have your whole life to write your first album and then a few months to write your second. And while some bands may come out of the gate with a HUGE, classic, multi platinum debut album, there is no guarantee that the next will live up to the first one. Sometimes a band will take a big step forward but sometimes the "Sophomore Slump" takes effect and exposes that the band wasn't that great to begin with. And some do very well and are incredibly popular despite the fact that they really aren't that good and don't stand the test of time.
The Wolf and Action Jackson have endeavored to come up with 5 2nd albums they love and 3 2nd albums they hate. Now the boys aren't telling you these are the 5 best or 3 worst 2nd albums of all time - these are the 2nd albums that we love and hate, respectively. Some of our loves are cult albums that barely made it to gold and some of our hates are among the biggest selling albums of all time. We think both lists will get you talking and hopefully even make you laugh at points. And for those who say well if you hate it just don't listen, for the most part we would have loved to not listen but they've been forced down our throats for decades.
Would Nirvana, Led Zeppelin, Metallica or The Police make your favorites? What about Smashing Pumpkins, Oasis, KISS or The Cult? All have made our lists but you'll have to listen to learn whether they fall on the Love or Hate side of the ledger.
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Christian Swain co-founded Pantheon Podcasts because he's a lifelong fan of rock music and wanted to do everything in his power to help keep rock music alive and well. As that's exactly why we started our main show, The Ugly American Werewolf in London Rock Podcast, and why we joined Pantheon in 2022. As a musician himself, Christian has always been drawn to the power of a live rock show - the power of which is unrivaled in the artistic world.
Christian grew up in LA, getting into punk rock and Kick Out The Jams by the MC5 was an anthem to him growing up and helped guide him in his life and career. After Christian had the chance to interview founding member Wayne Kramer on his show, The Rock N Roll Archeologist, he then had the opportunity to finally see his idol live in San Francisco. But what also made the opportunity so cool is that Kramer was touring in 2018 with an all-star band dubbed the MC50 to celebrate 50 years of the MC5. So Kim Thayill (Soundgarden), Billy Gould (Faith No More) and others toured with Wayne to honor their catalog. And the show was so live that Christian couldn't help but get caught up in the mosh pit and celebrate like a teenager. He shares his story of that night with us here.
However, Christian is also the CEO of Pantheon Media and Pantheon is raising money to help grow the world's #1 music podcast company. He gives listeners a breakdown of how they can support their favorite podcasts and invest in Pantheon with minimal money down. It's an exciting opportunity for music fans, you can learn more here: https://www.startengine.com/offering/pantheonmedia
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Fleetwood Mac have to be about the most interesting rock band in the history of the genre. Born out of 60s blues with the legendary John Mayall, transformed into the ultimate California Cool blockbuster band of the 70s, evolving into pop & MTV stars in the 80s and then reclaiming their thrones in the late 90s and 2000s, the tale of this band is worth telling. That's why we invited seasoned rock writer Mark Blake on to discuss his fabulous new book Dreams - The Many Lives of Fleetwood Mac. Mark not only details all the lineup changes and different chart successes of the band but also takes us backstage to witness all the many relationships and broken hearts within the band.
Not just written as a narrative, the book has small, easy to digest sections about the different incarnations of the band and the stories behind the songs and albums. He offers bios of every person who ever played in the Mac, even those that were there a short time or had a small influence on their sound. And of course, Mark details the intrigue of the personal relationships and hookups of the band which are unique in the world of rock n roll. He shines some light on some things we knew a little bit about and shows that the bonds and commitment to the band are so deep that no matter who gets kicked out or is broken hearted, the band continues on. A great read and perfect companion for listening to the amazing catalog of Fleetwood Mac as you can learn the history while enjoying the music. Available on Amazon and any quality book store.
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Just before Christmas 1984, Harry Belafonte wanted US artists (and especially black artists) to create a charity album to benefit starving people in Africa as the Do They Know It's Christmas single by the days most popular UK bands was a huge success. He teamed up with manager to the stars Ken Kragen to put together the team that would write and record the lead single. Immediately, Ken enlisted his client, Lionel Richie, to write the song. Lionel and Ken knew they'd need all-star producer Quincy Jones to put it all together. Quincy thought it would be a good idea to get the biggest pop star in the world, Michael Jackson, involved and things snowballed from there as Ken brought on legends like Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Willie Nelson, Diana Ross, Kenny Rogers, Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles and artists that were popular at the time like Billy Joel, Kim Carnes, Cindy Lauper, Huey Lewis and more.
But how would they get all that talent in one room at one time? Ken devised the idea that so many would be in LA for the American Music Awards on January 28, 1985 so that would be the ideal time. But that was 5 weeks away!!! So Ken went about finding the venue and Lionel and Michael worked on the song. It was all kept very hush hush and even the artists didn't know where they were going after the AMAs until they were on the way. And to make the night even more stressful for Lionel, he was hosting the AMAs and was performing twice (not to mention collecting 6 awards that night). The documentary was a fascinating glimpse into one special night where all egos were put aside in order to record a special song for a worthy cause. If you haven't seen it on Netflix, check out The Greatest Night In Pop - it's a fascinating story!
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No matter which candidates you may have voted for, we at The Wolf are just glad it's all over. The nasty ads and ridiculous yard signs are no way to spend your fall. Win or lose, it's time to get back to what's important - Keeping Rock Alive!!
On that note, we do have an election related story from our friend Autumn Whitaker who taught us about Gentle Giant's Octopus on episode 101. It turns out she was in Washington DC for inauguration week in January 2009 and on January 18th the We Are One Concert was put on at the Lincoln Memorial. Over 400,000 people showed up to see speeches from accomplished actors, activists and politicians. But more importantly, some of the biggest rock stars on the planet came to celebrate including Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, U2, James Taylor, John Legend, Beyonce, Shakira, Cheryl Crow, Stevie Wonder and more.
Autumn gives us the lowdown on what was happening in the green room as the performers took turns coming and going from the stage. And though she didn't perform to the crowd, she did pick up a guitar and strum out Led Zeppelin's All Of My Love in the green room. As she focused on her playing, she noticed a man's shoes directly in front of her. Steadfast in her playing, she responded "No, I'm OK" to whoever it was that offered her a pick. After she heard chuckles, she looked up to realize it was her idol - Bruce Springsteen!! With Autumn's endearing charm she talks about meeting The Boss, blowing off Jon Bon Jovi, messing with Bono and asking James Taylor what was wrong with his eye.
Whether you're on the right or the left, you'll enjoy this tale of an inauguration concert like no other!
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As kids who were 7-8 years old when Led Zeppelin broke up and teenagers in the 80s when they had ill-fated reunions (Live Aid, Atlantic Records 40th), The Wolf & Action Jackson were resigned to the fact that Led Zeppelin would never tour again. So when Jimmy Page & Robert Plant announced in 1994 that they were reuniting to do a TV performance reworking classic Zeppelin material and introducing some new songs, we lost our minds. Gathering around the TV to see our heroes together in action was something that we'd dreamed about and we looked forward to hear how they would reword classics that we loved.
The anticipation was met with a bit of ambivalence once we saw the setlist as it didn't include many of the big rockers that we loved. Instead, it focused on much of their acoustic catalog and slowing down great stompers into more mellow pieces. However, upon seeing the performance of these songs by these legends (and with an amazing cast of musicians) quickly changed our attitudes. Opening with the haunting No Quarter in the woods with Jimmy on acoustic 12 strings and Robert singing from the heart to open the video really set the tone. They stayed true to some like Since I've Been Loving You and What Is And What Should Never Be but reworked some (When The Levee Breaks, Nobody's Fault But Mine) into something unrecognizable.
Still, the driving force of Gallows Pole and Battle of Evermore really let the material shine. And though they made some new music with folks in Morocco, none of it really lived up to LZ standards (though one new song Wonderful One could have fit well on LZIII or Houses of the Holy). Winding up with an orchestra behind them for classics like Kashmir just demonstrated the majesty inherent in the LZ catalog. Not only did we watch the video hundreds of times, but we got to see the boys on tour with their amazing band and an orchestra which we count among the most special concerts of our lives.
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We welcome our friend and Pantheon Podcasts brother Jason from All Things Blues & Southern Rock to First Concert Memories 16 to talk about the first night he saw The Black Crowes in 1999. We all share our individual first Crowes experiences - Action saw them a month after Jason did in 1999 and Mac B. caught them in 1995 opening for the Dead - and delve into what makes the band so great live.
In 1999, The Black Crowes had signed with Sony and were touring on By Your Side (released January 12, 1999). Produced by Kevin "Caveman" Shirley, all guitar parts were played by Rich Robinson but the live band picked up Audley Freed on guitar and Sven Pipien on bass. And according to Jason, they made a hell of a lot of noise!
Hear from Jason why seeing this band live for the first time prompted him to go see them more than 20x and how it still fuels his passion to co-host All Things Blues & Southern Rock. The tumultuous Robinson Brothers can deliver live and it's fun to hear insight from a big fan at this time in the band's career. The Wolf was slow to warm to the Crowes as he felt that they were anointed by the industry without asking his opinion. But seeing them live made him a believer as it has for millions around the world. Thanks Jason - check out All Things Blues & Souther Rock Podcast!
Check out Jason at https://allthingsbluesandsouthernrock.com/
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We at The Wolf love hard rock, heavy metal, prog rock, classic rock and 80s MTV. While Bryan Adams may match a couple of those categories, we can't say that he was one of our very favorites. Because we were bombarded with him from 1983-86 on US radio and MTV and because girls seemed to like him (maybe his music too), he just didn't do it for us. However, his 5th album released in 1984, Reckless, boasts hit after hit like Heaven, Summer of '69, Run To You, Somebody, and It's Only Love. So as it turns 40 on November 5, we thought it would be a good idea to bring in friend to the show and Canadian rock guru Chris from My Rock N Roll Heaven to give us his perspective.
1984 not only saw the release of Reckless but the launch of Canadian MTV-type station Much Music which not only played videos but had to play a certain percentage of Canadian artists. That helped propel the album to become the first diamond selling album (1,000,000 in sales for Canada) in Canada by a Canadian artist. Aided in the songwriting by Jim Vallance and backed up on guitar by long time collaborator Keith Scott, Bryan had huge success in his home country, in the US and around the globe. The videos all had a theme and featured the same actor (Lysette Anthony) which helped create an image for Adams in the US. We go track x track and enlist Chris's Canadian perspective to see why this album was so popular and how it stands the test of time.
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We've reviewed a couple of rock movies that had a limited theatrical run - Rush - Cinema Strangiato was episode 42 while The Wolf lived in England and Dio - Dreamers Never Die was covered on ep 98 while he was living in Amsterdam. And while we had wanted to do a double episode on Tom Petty's Wildflowers at 30 with the later released double disc alongside the newly unearthed Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers Beach Party film, we felt that episode would be too long an in-depth. So because the recently "found" Cameron Crowe movie which captures the boys in 1983 around the release of the Long After Dark record was having a limited showing, we thought we'd concentrate on that.
And we're so glad we did! When we reviewed Long After Dark on episode 64, we found that we loved it and that it was often overlooked and overshadowed by bigger selling albums with more radio hits. However, the melodies and heartfelt lyrics on that album are part of the larger philosophy of Tom and the band and this movie helped expose that. Though it aired once on MTV, the channel decided it wasn't a good fit for their programming at the time so for years it was unavailable. The limited release on October 17 & 20 gave fans the chance to see it for the first time and included 19 extra minutes with Cameron Crowe, Adria Petty (Tom's daughter) some insight from Jimmy Iovine and showed the band not only killing it onstage but filming the You Got Lucky video (which Tom & Cameron called a film). To hear earnest and honest remarks from Tom was so refreshing and made us realize how much we miss him. The live clips not only show a tight band and band leader who wants to create the best show he possibly can but some amazing guitars from Tom and Mike Campbell.
It was a rare glimpse with Tom at his home and talking to Cameron Crowe about why and how he makes music. The scene where Tom said he's the same guy at home as on the stage was so brilliant - he was never putting on an act, he was authentic and that's why his music will stand the test of time. Hopefully they release this on DVD/Streaming so more people can enjoy it but if you missed it, here's our take!
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In 1974, The Rolling Stones were once again searching for their identity. After hugely successful tours in 1972 and 1973 thanks to the overwhelming critical and commercial success of 1972's Exile on Main Street, the band were mired in problems of their own making. Mick Jagger was bothered by wife (and now mother of his child Jade) Bianca trying to tame him from his lothario lifestyle. Keith Richards was diving deeper into his heroin addiction. Mick Taylor was becoming disillusioned with his role in the band as he was contributing and writing songs but never given credit (or royalties). 1973's Goats Head Soup is a fan favorite but was derided by critics for not being as good as Exile.
Apparently the Stones were going to a half live, half covers album that eventually gave way to more interesting original materlal (Ain't Too Proud To Beg still made the album and was the 2nd single). Disenchanted with married life, being hounded by press and law enforcement helped create It's Only Rock N Roll - an ode to their lives as huge stars in the public eye. The title track is a classic both for the name and the story of Mick wondering what is enough for the fans and press. They come strong with killer Keith riffs (If You Can't Rock Me, Dance Little Sister), dirty roadhouse rockers (Short And Curlies) and forays into reggae, country, gospel and soul with the usual R&B sensibilities that make the Stones the Stones.
Of course, we were a bit put off that there is no Keith song on the album (the last time that would happen) but you know he had something to do with Fingerprint File, a song about running from the FBI and all manner of police. With Nicky Hopkins and Billy Preston lending their talents on the keys, Ronnie Wood and David Bowie making brief appearances and the boys experimenting a bit, this ends up being a fun Stones record to explore. It might not be chock full of radio hits but get to see the Stones going down paths they don't always go with surprising delight. Not the best or worst of the Mick Taylor era and one we're glad we researched and heard.
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We've developed our On First Listen series to give us a chance to explore albums that we didn't know but had heard about for years. Maybe a friend recommended it, perhaps it was popular at a time in our lives when it slipped past us or maybe we'd seen in on all-time lists. King Crimson's debut fit into the third category as many progressive rock fans hold In The Court Of The Crimson King in very high regard. And with many talented line-ups over the years including Greg Lake on bass & vocals, Ian McDonald on keys and many other things, and Robert Fripp on guitar on this album (with future versions featuring John Wetton, Boz Burrell, Bill Bruford, Tony Levin, Adrian Belew, Mel Collins and many, many more) we figured we'd give it a go.
However, while the musicianship is off the charts and they experiment with many keys, times and toys (the new mellotron was driving much of their experimental sound), sometimes it's not terribly listenable. 21st Century Schitzoid Man is abrupt and in your face as a protest to the Vietnam War but isn't a toe tapper. The wistful I Listen To The Wind is 180 degree turn as a lovely ballad but is more than 6 minutes long. And Epitaph, Moonchild (nothing like the Iron Maiden song) and The Court Of The Crimson King though they have moments of beauty and style fail to land in the fun zone. While many will appreciate the music for it's complexity and degree of difficulty, it's not an album you put on in the background of a party. Perhaps our blues based rock brains aren't mature enough to understand but we find 70s era Yes and Genesis far easier to digest and enjoy.
Note: We recorded this a year before releasing it as we planned for it to be our first On First Listen but scheduling necessities caused us to leave it on the shelf. We mention that it's 54th anniversary is coming up but as we release this it's the 55th anniversary of original release. And it was before we interviewed director Toby Amies about his fabulous documentary King Crimson: In The Court Of The Crimson King for episode 158.
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By 1989, Ace Frehley had been out of KISS for 7 years and during that time he'd maintained a debaucherous lifestyle including car accidents and very little in the way of new music. Finally Eddie Trunk helped get him signed to Megaforce and got him working. Frehley's Comet released 2 albums in 1987 & !988 (Frehley's Comet, Second Sighting) trying to reestablish himself on the rock circuit. And while 1989's Trouble Walkin' was a solid offering for the time it was released, looking back it's easy to see why it didn't crack the top 100 in the US.
Though Ace and Richie Scarlet put together some catchy, heavy riffs with some signature Ace guitar licks, Ace's vocal need help. Left alone they're too bare unless they have the sing-a-long chorus behind him. Shot Full of Rock Five Card Stud and the title track are great straight ahead rockers...until the vocals kick in. As usual, Ace's lyrics are somewhere between silly and bad. But we're Ace fans darnit! So we like hearing what he does. Fractured III connects the record to his 1978 solo and first Frehley's Comet album with a solid instrumental. But lyrics on songs like Back To School, 2 Young 2 Die and Five Card Stud illustrate why KISS had to reign him in on those records.
And the mystery is why did Ace cover Hide Your Heart, a song written by Paul Stanley, Desmond Child & Holly Knight, which was originally sung by Bonnie Tyler and that KISS would feature on their album Hot In The Shade? It's a head scratcher but maybe Ace was ready to show his old bandmates that he can still rock, even with their tracks. But as college students, we loved this one and wanted to celebrate Ace as Trouble Walkin' turns 35!
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All of us have dreamed of going backstage after a killer concert to hangout with our favorite hard rock heroes. For more than 40 years, that's been Mick Wall's job. While writing for Kerrang!, Classic Rock, any number of newspapers and magazines around the world or working on one of his more than two dozen books, Mick Wall has met them all and seen it all. By 1988, you might say that Mick was a bit jaded - been there, done that, got the (free) t-shirt.
But in April 1988 in Worcester, Mass while on assignment for the 200th episode of Kerrang!, Mick had the chance to not only witness David Lee Roth live but to hang with him one-on-one through the wee hours of the morning into the next afternoon. We crack up hearing stories about lobster dinners with dancing girls, Steve Vai, and large bags of....party favors. We dive into what a showman Dave was, what a party animal Dave was and what might have become of Dave had he been born in different eras.
Mick's dry wit and attention to fun details makes this one of our most fun conversations in the four years of our podcast. Was Dave in real life like he was on MTV and those famous music videos? He was all that and then some! You're gonna love this story from Mick Wall!
Join Mick Wall's Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=60531281
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For our 200th episode we wanted to bring in a guest that rock fans would be excited about but someone The Wolf and Action Jackson really admire. After hosting amazing guests on our 50th (Ryan Condal, House of the Dragon), 100th (live review of Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets after interviewing Guy Pratt and Gary Kemp on ep 96), and 150th (Steve Kilbey of The Church) we needed someone special to commemorate this milestone.
As luck would have it, legendary guitarist and member of the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame Steve Howe (Yes, Asia) is releasing his latest solo album, Guitarscape, on September 27 and made himself available to us. As we tried hard not to be complete fanboys, we asked Steve to walk us through how he started building the bones of the album in 2019 thanks to a new Novatron that he'd acquired. We speak with Steve about the different textures of the album from acoustics (Spring Rhyme) to his signature hollow body electrics (Distillations, Passing Thoughts) to his brand new pedal steel (Equinox, Steel Breeze). With his son Dylan on the drums, Steve has put together a colorful palette of textures using his many talents and toys.
We also manage to work in some questions about touring with Yes in the US with Deep Purple; however, when we interviewed him the tour was yet to begin, at the time of the release of this episode the tour had concluded. It sounds like there will be more new Yes music and future tours which is wonderful to hear. And, of course, we managed to squeeze in an Asia question because as long time listeners will tell you, it all comes back to Asia. The bottomline is we think you'll love our chat with Steve Howe and encourage you to pick up Guitarscape September 27.
And thanks to everyone who's supported us through the first 200 episodes - we have much more in store so stay tuned. If you keep listening, we'll keep doing the show!
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In 1984, The Replacements were gaining a reputation as fun live punk band, always delivering loud, raucous tunes with setlists full of covers and aggressive originals. They intentionally thwarted management's efforts to get them on bigger labels by sabotaging shows they knew record company reps would be attending. The Minneapolis quartet of Paul Westerberg on vocals, Bob Stinson on guitar, Tommy Stinson on bass and Chris Mars on drums carved out a loyal following and had begun to win over fans around the country thanks to opening for REM. But Westerberg's songwriting, especially his lyrics, were too strong to be for only those moshing around through a drunken haze.
With Let It Be, the band explores more personal themes (Unsatisfied, Answering Machine, Androgynous) and captured more melody than they had previously. They still had plenty of straight ahead punk songs (We're Comin' Out, Tommy Got His Tonsils Out, Gary's Got A Boner) but also tried to empathize with those who might not understand the world around them and how to relate (Sixteen Blue). Westerberg's lyrics are personal and poignant and still resonate to this day. Plus, there's a KISS cover song on the album so what's not to like? We didn't find this record until later in life but if you're unfamiliar, I think you'll like a lot of what you hear as we delve into deep topics we don't always weigh in on thanks to this punk classic.
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U2 were on a sharp trajectory up after 1983's War and the 1984 live album Under A Blood Red Sky. With sharp guitar licks from The Edge, powerful and earnest vocals from Bono and a killer rhythm section with Larry Mullens, Jr (drums) and Adam Clayton (bass), U2 were on their way to being the next great rock band. However, the boys yearned for something more than rock stardom and big American fame through disposable pop hits. They wanted a more European sound that was cultivated by the likes of Roxy Music and Ultravox.
So much to the chagrin of Island Records founder Chris Blackwell, they employed Brian Eno (Roxy Music, David Bowie) and his engineer Daniel Lanois to help guide them on a mystical musical journey that would change their sound forever. And while they did score a big radio with with Pride (In The Name Of Love), most of the album is more ambient and often subdued. Deep cuts like Bad, A Sort of Homecoming and Indian Summer Sky may have caught the attention of fans and rock DJs, the album didn't become the game changer for which they may have been hoping. However, it set the groundwork for the next album, The Joshua Tree, which would propel them to superstar status around the globe. As it turns 40, we explore this left turn by U2 which would eventually pay enormous dividends.
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Oasis was one of the world's biggest bands in the 90s and 2000s. Led by main songwriter and lead guitarist Noel Gallagher and lead singer Liam Gallagher, the band achieved heights rarely seen. But in the UK, Oasis were about as big as The Beatles and were the soundtrack to a moment in time around Cool Britannia and forward looking socioeconomic and political change at the time. Though they didn't become nearly as popular in the US, they attracted a core fan base including The Wolf (eventually). We've done shows in the past on the difference between the band's success in the US vs. the UK (episode 78).
When they announced 14 dates (now 17) in 5 cities in the UK and Ireland on August 27, it was the biggest news around the world. So we felt compelled to give you our Hot Take reactions to the announcement, when and where they were playing, how we could attempt to get tickets, who will be playing in the band (Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs and Gem Archer have been confirmed) and where they might go after those initial dates. As some additional information has come out since we recorded our Hot Take, we address that news at the end of the show. We're beyond excited for this reunion but worried we might be left out in the cold on tickets! Should we pay way too much for 2nd hand tickets and see their first few shows before they breakup? Should we stay put and hope they come to the US? We discuss it all and hope for the best!
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As a teenager, did you ever fantasize about sitting at home when there was a knock at the door, only to find that there stood 3 young California Girls ready to take you on an adventure for the night? Well Scott Holiday, lead guitarist of Rival Sons, didn't have to dream about it because it happened to him on June 10, 1995 as an 18 year old living in Huntington Beach. So as a red-blooded American boy, he naturally jumped in with them to The Hollywood Bowl to see Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers.
But the story takes a turn when an unexpected addition to the evening comes in the form of a party favor before the show starts. From there it's a journey great music, bright lights, giggly girls, a quest to find the car and a trip back to Huntington Beach. It was a memorable night for Scott (and I'm sure for the ladies as well) and now he and Rival Sons are making memories on co-headliner bill with Clutch in the US this fall. Learn more about dates & cities: www.rivalsons.com/tour/
First Concert Memories is the monthly sidecast from your friends at The Ugly American Werewolf In London Rock Podcast. We live to hear the stories when live rock music made for a special night in lives of those who love it!
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The Wolf spent 3+ years just a stone's throw from Abbey Road in NW London, just six blocks from the studio that goes by the same name. The studio was EMI for decades until it was renamed in the 1970s after the final album recorded by The Beatles (Let It Be was released later but those sessions took place earlier and at different studios). After throwing out exotic locales for the album cover, George Harrison suggested they walk across the street and the most iconic album cover was born.
The boys may not be the world's biggest Beatles fans but to love rock n roll, one must have an appreciation for them. The Wolf remained largely unfamiliar with Abbey Road until he realized he had to pick up a copy if he was going to walk down that street everyday for 3 years. As it turns 55, the boys go track x track, discuss the famous cover and dive into the state of The Beatles in their final days.
Paul was trying to manage the band since the death of Brian Epstein and still deliver the goods in the studio. John was getting deeper into heroin and Yoko Ono. George was growing up and saving some of his best for his debut solo album. And Ringo just wanted the boys to stop fighting in meetings all the time.
But George brought the goods with Something and Here Comes The Sun. John offered up Come Together and the pre-heavy metal I Want You (She's So Heavy). Paul put together some of his and John's best new melodies for the epic medley on the 2nd side. And dear Ringo gave us Octopus's Garden, a place he'd rather be than haggling with the band all the time.
We dive deep into each song, where each member of the band was at the time and where they were going. This may not be our favorite album but it is an important document of a band that had had enough but could still bring the most amazing harmonies to life.
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In 2004, Green Day were in a bit of an existential crisis. It had been a decade since Dookie went Diamond in the US and platinum around the world and their appearance at Woodstock 94 helped propel them to one of the biggest bands of their generation. And while big hits and successful tours followed throughout the 90s, I can understand that it's hard to find things to rebel against when your rich and famous. Their 2000 album Warning didn't light the world on fire and then their next attempt at a new album was scuttled once the master tapes were stolen. It would have been easy for Green Day to call it day at that point.
However, Billy Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt and Tre Cool decided to create a concept album that points out the lies and perils associated with chasing the American Dream against the backdrop of a neo-conservative government leading us into wars without justification. It follows the story of a young man from suburbia who wants out but finds that his dream of the big city is fraught with peril. And through all his trials and tribulations he manages to find love and the realization that maybe all wasn't so bad back in his hometown. But just because it's a concept album doesn't mean it's without radio friendly hits as it boasts chart toppers like Boulevard of Broken Dreams, Wake Me Up When September Ends, and The Wolf's favorite - Holiday. They have prog-like nine minute epics with different pieces which would rival those of YES and incredibly brilliant lyrics from Billy Joe against some of the best riffs of the era.
No matter your side of the political spectrum, American Idiot will grab you sonically and then pull you in with intelligent lyrics that reflected what America was becoming and warning about things we see coming to pass today. It's an amazing album from a time when rock bands weren't given much press but Green Day still managed to not only make their masterpiece but have it celebrated all over the world.
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One of the best things about having a rock music podcast is hearing new albums before the general public has the chance. Once The Wolf and Action Jackson heard the ringing guitars and soaring vocals of October Drift on their 3rd album, Blame The Young (out September 27, 2024), they wanted to spread the word far and wide. So they tracked down lead singer and lyricist Kiran Roy to talk to them about the making of the record, his song writing style and the growth of October Drift's popularity.
Kiran and his bandmates Alex Bispham (bass), Chris Holmes (drums/vocals) and Dan Young (guitar) have taken a big step forward with their latest album and fans of 80s alternative music from the 120 Minutes days will love what they hear. From the raucous title track to the hard charging Don't Care to the triumphant and glorious finale Not Running Anymore you might hear bits of bands like The Smiths, The Replacements, Echo & The Bunnymen, REM and Psychedelic Furs. Hear Kiran uncover a bit about their writing process, how they came out of COVID stronger as a band and utilized some time together at an AirBNB to put together their best album yet. Also, you can hear bits of the three singles Demons, Blame The Young and Tyrannosaurus Wreck plus two early singles Robots and Airborne Panic Attack.
It was a fun chat with an up and coming singer with a band set to embark on their first headlining tour of Europe this fall. Kiran's thoughtful and relatable lyrics connect through his harmonies with Chris Holmes and the ringing guitars classic alternative rock fans love. We may be a classic rock podcast but if we don't find a promote the current generation of rock n rollers, there will be no more rock n roll to love. So give it a listen and then go buy/download their albums!
Learn more about October Drift here - https://octoberdrift.os.fan/ and follow them on socials:
https://www.instagram.com/octoberdrift/
https://www.facebook.com/octoberdrift
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After a grueling 100+ date tour to support their Piece Of Mind album, no one would blame the boys in Iron Maiden for taking some well deserved time off. Instead, after 3 weeks off they went back to start writing and rehearsing for their next album, Powerslave, which would prove to be HUGELY important in breaking them in the US, South America and all around the world. Thanks to having the same lineup as the last album for the first time and a work ethic driven by Iron Maiden's eternal leader Steve Harris, the boys produced an album with the imagery and songs that would propel them to global superstardom.
Derek Riggs artwork was at its finest for the Egyptian themed cover and would also be the backdrop of the incredible stage setup of one of the most epic tours ever. On almost 200 dates in 11 months covering 28 countries including going behind the Iron Curtain, the tour nearly broke every member of the band at some point. However, with radio friendly hits like Aces High and 2 Minutes 2 Midnight, Maiden got on the UK charts. But it was their proggy epics like the title track and Rime Of The Ancient Mariner that solidified IM as a unique act in the heavy metal world. Plus, Maiden would record their timeless live album and home video Live After Death at the Long Beach Arena in California on this tour which introduced millions to the band around the world.
As it turns 40, The Wolf & Action Jackson go track x track and relive some fond memories from Powerslave.
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On the 13th edition of the monthly sidecast from The Ugly American Werewolf in London Rock Podcast, we relive a special night in the life of Gerry Schramm. As the co-host of the Something For Nothing Rush Fancast, Gerry is devotee of Rush for 4 decades. But Gerry didn't hear them on the radio and explore their catalog or have a friend share their record collection with him to find Rush.
Instead, one one night in New Jersey in 1986, Gerry and his high school friend and future co-host Steve had an extra ticket and needed a ride to a concert at The Meadowlands that night. And Gerry was up for anything. So together they embarked on the first of more than 25 Rush shows for Gerry - the one that would hook him immediately that night and deeply for life.
Hear from teenage Gerry how the set built from hit to hidden gem and the level of musicianship blew him away. Learn what it's like to behold a solo from The Professor Neil Peart himself and marvel at the fact that no one is leaving during the drum solo. It was the Power Windows Tour and one of the best setlists The Wolf has ever seen, himself a four decade Rush fan who never had the chance to catch the Power Windows Tour. The Wolf and Action Jackson reminisce about camping out for tickets to their first Rush show and all the memories that friends make with live rock n roll!
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August 28, 1989 saw the release of Dr. Feelgood, the album that would solidify Motley Crue as a sleazy, sunset strip band that had hit the big time. It included songs you would expect from Motley (She Goes Down, Slice Of Your Pie, Rattlesnake Shake) but thanks to producer Bob Rock also included 5 singles that hit the charts in the US. The band tries to be tender in spots (Without You, Time For Change) but stays true to themselves with adrenaline boosters like Kickstart My Heart, Same Ol' Situation and the title track.
And though they were all over MTV and touring to huge crowds around the world, all was not right in Crue World. The band were all sober at this time. And while that might have led to better work in the studio and more consistent live shows, it also made personalities clash. This would prove to be the last album from the original line up until 1997 and certainly the last to make the sort of cultural impact the band made in the 80s. Did the more polished studio sound from Bob Rock create band factions? Did sobriety and wealth cause them to grow apart? Did the Crue just implode before they faded away?
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Oasis in the UK are more than just rock royalty. They are the foul-mouthed, big riff, council estate kids with unibrows and bad attitudes that helped lift the UK out of it's 1980's/Thatcherism malaisse and into the Cool Britannia of the 1990s. Out was the doom and gloom of American grunge, in were melodic songs that kids could relate to. Anthems like Rock N Roll Star, Columbia and Cigarettes and Alcohol spoke directly to the young generation who were anxious to make their own mark on the world. Led by the songwriting and riff borrowing of Noel Gallagher and the sheer strength of the vocals of his younger brother Liam, Oasis debut Definitely Maybe became the fastest selling debut album in the UK at the time.
However, in the US, though Oasis debut hit the charts and eventually went platinum, the band never took off to the heights they would enjoy in the UK and around the world. Maybe it was Creation Records lack of solid backing by the US record industry or maybe it was the brothers snarling and nasty attitudes (and those unibrows) that turned enough people off during the age of grunge that would soon give way to softer sounds like Hootie and the Blowfish. But Oasis were the spokesmen of their generation in the UK and knew who to borrow from (The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, T Rex, The Jam) to make a big, bright, loud sound that would have them headline Knebworth just 2 years after the release of this debut in front of 250,000 people over 2 nights.
Oasis are also the masters of the b-side (a lost art in the US) and as CD singles with 4 tracks on them were all the rage, Oasis hit the playlists and sales from singles as well as anyone in the UK. So relive the big hits (Live Forever & Supersonic), enjoy the album tracks (Slide Away, Bring It On Down) and unearth some b-sides as we celebrate Definitely Maybe as it turns 30.
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Our long-time listeners know that The Wolf & Action Jackson have a special place in their hearts for the music of 80s pop/rock supergroup Asia. Asia's eponymous debut album was the top selling album in the US in 1982 and spent 9 weeks at the top of the chart thanks to hits like Sole Survivor, Only Time Will Tell and the #1 smash Heat Of The Moment. With John Wetton on bass & vocals, Steve Howe on guitar, Geoff Downes on keyboards and Carl Palmer on drums, Asia achieved great success and would go onto have many incarnations over the years. And though the original band did reunite for their 25th anniversary and release more albums, the death of John Wetton in 2017 left Asia in an uncertain place for the band and its fans.
However, thanks to YouTube, Geoff Downes came across the talent of Harry Whitley - a Welsh multi-instrumentalist who put up some Asia performances from his home which really captured the spirit of John Wetton. From there, Geoff invited Harry to perform at the tribute to John Wetton at Trading Boundaries in the summer of 2023. The songs went down so well that Geoff eventually invited Harry to join Asia on a tour of the US in 2024. We tracked down Harry in New Jersey between gigs and talked to him about all of these amazing steps that led to him becoming the new lead singer of Asia, what it means to sing John's songs and how he's enjoying his first real trip to the US. We think you'll find Harry to be an open and down-to-earth young man who was candid in his answers. And as a bonus, guitarist John Mitchell also participated on the call as he was waiting for his room to be readied and he provided some fun comic relief.
We cover as much as we could, including having Harry answer the question of a 10 year old Asia fan and if you stick around long enough, you might hear a bit of bonus material that had everyone laughing. The bottomline is if you have the chance to see this incarnation of Asia, don't miss it as we know any Asia fan will love it!
Check out Asia's 2024 Tour Dates: www.originalasia.com
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By 1969 Eric Clapton had finally gotten what he wanted - out of Cream. He felt the band (and the machine around it) was too big and couldn't deal with Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker constantly at each other's throats. And so he began to hang out and jam with his friend Steve Winwood who felt like he wanted a change from Traffic. As these two titans began to formulate some new material, the bosses at the record companies smelled money and quickly got them a record deal and a tour booked. Having already brought on Ginger Baker from Cream, they added bass player Ric Grech from Family and they made a late 60s psychelic/blues/jam album with a little something for everyone.
Can't Find My Way Home and Presence Of The Lord showed the band's lighter acoustic side while Had To Cry Today and Do What You Like gave the band license to do the pyschedelic freak-out jams that allowed these great musicians to showcase their talents in the style of the day. The cover sparked some controversy which led to using a flyer on the US version and their first show was in front of more than half a million people in Hyde Park. But once again, Eric Clapton quickly moved away from the big machine so this is the only album Blind Faith ever offered up. Though Clapton and Winwood would go onto reunite in 2009 to give folks a glimpse of what they were, The Wolf & Action Jackson contemplate what they might have been had they stayed together as they take you track by track.
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In the summer of 1984, Metallica were not yet the Metal Gods and household names they are now. They were a band with one record under their belt (Kill Em All, hear UAWIL #138 for our review with The Hook Rocks Jay Scott), some experience playing bigger stages as an opening act and a small but loyal following. However, their US record company didn't have the money to pay for a new album so James, Kirk, Cliff and Lars traveled to Copenhagen and crashed in the studio as producer Fleming Rasmussen helped them pull together what would become their 2nd album, Ride The Lightning. As the album turns 40, we reminisce about how we came to know this metal classic, relive hearing them play (most) of the album live and debate if this is indeed ther best ever (Master Of Puppets is neck and neck according to us).
We can really hear the progress on Ride The Lightning vs. the 1st album as the songs are tight with more complexity yet more melodic. And while the lyrics are very intelligent and clear, they deal with very heavy topics like nuclear war (Fight Fire With Fire), suicide (Fade To Black), ancient plagues (Creeping Death) and the horrors of war (For Whom The Bell Tolls). Cliff Burton's psychedelic wah-wah bass is not only unique but a driver of the melody that is inherent in these thrash classics. James Hetfield's powerful riffs are among the best he's ever recorded and provides that steady crunch against which Kirk Hammett can lay everything from frantic solos to trippy fills. This album remains #1 in the heart one of your hosts from the Metallica catalog - the other is on the fence. It's hard to believe Ride The Lightning turns 40 on July 27, 2024 but we love this one and had fun going track by track.
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Bruce Springsteen is one of the all time great rock n rollers. From humble beginnings in New Jersey to selling out stadiums around the world for decades, The Boss is still out there delivering an amazing performance every night. On First Concert Memories 12, the monthly sidecast from your friends at The Ugly American Werewolf in London Rock Podcast, we bring in our Pantheon Podcasts brother Jesse Jackson (not that Jesse Jackson) to talk about the first time he saw Springsteen live after 9/11.
While the setlist was heavy on material from The Rising, Jesse was enthralled by Bruce's powerful live show and his ability to command the audience. While the rest of the folks in his party were confused and annoyed by all the new songs/deep cuts, Jesse loved it so much that he's seen Bruce 20 times and created the Setlusting Bruce Podcast which now boasts over 1,000 episodes!! He's an authority on the greatness of Bruce Springsteen and here we review the first time he saw The Boss live and how it changed his life (for the better).
Learn more about Jesse and his podcast:
https://www.patreon.com/setlustingbruce
https://www.facebook.com/SetLustingBruce/
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Though AC/DC are one of the most revered and successful bands in the history of rock n roll, in 1979 they hadn't cracked the Top 100 in the US. The killer riffs laid down by Malcolm Young had gained them a strong following in Europe and their native Australia but they had yet to breach the great big U-S-of-A. So in 1979 they brought in a new producer, Robert John "Mutt" Lange to give them an edge. And though they were all skeptical after giving Eddie Kramer a shot, once Mutt showed them he knew how to sing, how to get the most out of Angus's guitar and how to put together songs, they were all on board.
However, though this would be their big breakthrough in America with Highway To Hell reaching the Top 20, the celebration wouldn't last as lead singer and primary antagonist Bon Scott would soon die while living that rock n roll life. But before he left he gave us some of his patented sexual innuendo (Walk All Over You, Love Hungry Man, Touch Too Much) and his description of his lifestyle in the title track. Cliff Williams had settled in on the bass after Powerage and the live album If You Want Blood You Got It and Angus Young came of age with the help of Mutt Lange in the studio. The result is some of their greatest riffs (Highway To Hell, If You Want Blood (You've Got It), fan favorites (Girls Got Rhythm, Shot Down In Flames) and controversy (Nightprowler).
It marked the end of an era with Bon Scott but the start of working with Mutt Lange who would help their next album become the 2nd biggest selling album of all time. This is a fun one that all hard rock and heavy metal fans love!!!
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The Wolf & Action Jackson are HUGE Rolling Stones fans and count seeing the Steel Wheels Tour live in their respective cities as an important moment in their lives. Though the Stones never said it, many figured the Steel Wheels Tour would be the last chance for many people to ever see the Stones play. And because Bill Wyman retired after that tour, one could argue that definitely signaled the end of an era.
Fast forward 5 years later and our hosts are in college, had been roommates, and went crazy for Keith Richards 1992 solo effort Main Offender. When the Stone s announced they'd signed a new $44 million deal with Virgin and would be putting out a new album with Darryl Jones on the bass, the boys were psyched. Not only would that mean some new Keith songs to hear on the album but that there would be a new tour - another chance to see the Stones live! This made for a special time in the boys lives and we've chosen to review this album to remember those heady days.
However, even at the time the boys didn't love Voodoo Lounge. Producer Don Was tried to play up some funky grooves and call backs to their heyday but the end result was long (over an hour) and a disappointment outside of the songs Keith Richards sang. Still, our heroes go track x track here to unveil what was happening in Stones World at the time, which songs are worth keeping, which songs would have made better b-sides and what they loved about the tour.
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Keyboard virtuoso Oliver Wakeman visited us on UAWIL #156 to talk about the John Wetton (Asia, King Crimson, UK) box set as it was being released. We had a wonderful time chatting with Oliver as we are big fans of John Wetton and John had been a mentor and friend to Oliver as they toured together in the early 2000s. We had so much fun that we asked him to come back to promote one of his own projects once he was ready. As Oliver has just released Anam Cara, a solo album 20 years in the making, he was gracious enough to join us again to discuss this beautiful new album.
But before you dismiss this as an over the top keyboard showcase, understand that's not this album at all. Oliver talks about how he writes songs in different styles or buckets - Celtic songs, acoustic songs, keyboard prog songs, love songs - and comes up with a theme for each of his solo albums. This album is a Celtic album and though you'll hear some amazing work on the keys from Oliver, you'll also hear a great deal of acoustic melody from guitarist Oliver Day (Fragile). Singer Hayley Griffiths (Riverdance) lends her lovely and powerful voice to give these songs the heart and soul they deserve. With Tory Donockley (Nightwish) and Scott Higham (Pendragon) rounding out the talent that helped bring Oliver's music to light, you have an album rich in texture of which you will discover many layers upon repeated listens. We talk about what Oliver loves about music, how songs can change peoples lives in unexpected ways and when you might be able to see him play live in the future.
Buy Anam Cara & stay on top of Oliver Wakeman's live shows: https://www.oliverwakeman.co.uk/
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Stone Temple Pilots helped define the grunge-ridden days of the 1990s with their big downtuned riffs and lyrics soaked in heroin resin. Riding the wave from Seattle, their debut album Core sold over 8 million copies in the US alone. The record company couldn't wait to get more STP out into the market so in November 1993 they released the live Unplugged album featuring the new song Big Empty. Vocalist/lyricist Scott Weiland was a charismatic and troubled performer, writing lyrics about fear, self-loathing and ruined relationships built on his addiction to heroin.
But STP were more than just a grunge band as Dean and Robert De Leo wrote great songs full of melody and cool changes in tempo and delivery. Purple, their second effort, included songs like Interstate Love Song and Vaseline scored high on the charts and while some of the songs were definitely grungy (Meatplow), they showed they can deliver a straight-ahead rockers (Unglued) and lighter songs with heavy themes. The album went to #1 in the US and would go on to sell over 6 million copies. While the UK were enthralled with the Cool Britannia acts like Oasis, Blur and The Verve, hard rock and grunge bands took over the US and Stone Temple Pilots were among the most successful. But were they really a grunge band? Did Weiland have talent beyond the creativity that flowed from his narcotic visions? Were they a band of the time or of all time? The Wolf and Action Jackson tackle those questions and relive some grungy days in the dorm with Purple as it turns 30.
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Most of us went to our first concerts as teenagers, usually with like-minded friends in search of a good time. Britt Lightning - the lead guitarist in Vixen, the Musical Director of Rock n Roll Fantasy Camp and co-host of the Rock Camp Podcast - wanted just that when she and her high school buddies headed out Foxboro Stadium in Massachusetts to see a full day's slate of bands with Stone Temple Pilots headlining. However, Britt didn't tell her parents she was going so she had to keep everything on the down low and needed to stay out of trouble. But that's not what happened on that fateful day as Britt tells us a crazy story of the first concert she ever attended.
Though it started off great with old tattooed guys buying her beers, once she saw kids jumping the fences to get on the field things took a different turn. Hear about dodging the cops, being maced, crying in the middle of the mosh pit and then crowdsurfing all before the headliners, Stone Temple Pilots, took the stage. It's a story of true rock n roll chaos and debauchery that turned a teenage Britt LIghtning on and sealed her fate as a lifelong rock n roll junkie. Britt's humor and love for rock music really shines through which is why we created this monthly show to go along with our weekly, The Ugly American Werewolf in London Rock Podcast - to hear stories of how going to see a band live changed their lives. This one is too good to miss!
See what Britt and the ladies in Vixen are up to: www.vixenofficial.com
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As huge Van Halen fans growing up, The Wolf & Action Jackson always took a keen interest in the career of Wolfgang Van Halen and his band Mammoth. Though The Wolf had seen Wolfgang on tour with Van Halen on bass near the end of their run, he'd missed opportunities to see Mammoth in the past. However, he remedied when they hit Louisville on the last night of their latest tour of the USA and boy was he treated to a killer show.
Wolfgang Van Halen is front and center as the lead singer, lead guitarist and lead storyteller. He delighted in the fact that his band has received so much support for their first two albums (Mammoth WVH & Mammoth II) and entertained the crowd by pronouncing Louisville (Loo-a-vul) correctly, profusely (and profanely) thanking opening act Intervals and threw us a headfake with a few bars of an Oasis classic. The tight band ripped through songs off Mammoth II like Erase Me, Better Than You and Take A Bow while also breaking out the acoustic for Distance and kicking out his Dad Eddie's favorite Think It Over from the first record. He bends bluesy notes in some of his solos while working in some of that tapping that made Eddie a Rock God. It's no surprise they've earned opening gigs with Metallica and Foo Fighters as well as some top notch European festival spots. Seeing them in a club (The Mercury Ballroom) while they're on their way up was a fun night out and we highly recommend catching them if you can!
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Rock N Roll Hall of Famer Guy Fletcher joins UAWIL in a very special episode where we talk the charity single he produced, his days in Dire Straits, on the road and in the studio with Mark Knopfler and more. Going Home has for decades been the theme song to the movie Local Hero, which Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits fame not only composed but was the tune with which he always closed his shows. When the idea of rerecording the song for the benefit of Teenage Cancer Trust (UK) and Teenage Cancer America came about, he jumped on board. And that spurred other legends to take part as well like Jeff Beck, David Gilmour, Duane Eddy, Steve Cropper, Peter Frampton, Bruce Springsteen, Pete Townshend, Ringo Starr, Sting and many, many more. Over 60 artists and legends participated and it was Guy's job to put it all together. We talk with him about putting this amazing charity single together and the cover which evokes Sgt. Peppers as it was done by the same artist, Sir Peter Blake.
Guy also relayed some stories of his decades long career in Roxy Music, Dire Straits, working with Mark Knopfler on his many solo albums and tours and on working in a true gem of a recording studio, British Grove. Though Mark Knopfler was ready to walk away from the Straits in the 90s so he could have more freedom, he kept Guy around as Mr. Fletcher is in-sync with Mark's musical wavelengths and can assimilate the great amount of information that Mark creates. He served as Musical Director of Mark's solo band and shared some stories of life on the road with Mark. Guy is a brilliant producer who told us a bit about his high hopes for the future of Atmos mixing and what makes British Grove such a special place to record music. He even relates a story about Mark's desire to make an album with Jeff Beck which sadly never had the chance to materialize. It was a true honor and a lot of fun to welcome Guy Fletcher to The Wolf!!
Watch and download Going Home - Guitar Heroes Version
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Listeners of our show know that The Wolf loves Ronnie James Dio and his epic voice. We've done past episodes on his time in Sabbath (UAWIL #13), the Dreamers Never Die bio-pic/documentary (UAWIL #98) and last year's Holy Diver at 40 (UAWIL #129). So as Dio's sophomore effort turns 40 in 2024, we took the opportunity to celebrate Ronnie's voice and dive into The Last In Line.
With the same lineup as Holy Diver - Vivian Campbell - guitar, Jimmy Bain - bass, Vinnie Appice - drums - Ronnie sought to recapture the magic from the first album. And with stadium rockers like We Rock, Egypt (The Chains Are On) and the title track, the band showed progress while keeping in touch with the anthemic rock that got them where they were. But are songs like Breathless and Evil Eyes really Dio songs? Are could they have been released by any hard rock band of the era? While The Last In Line showcases Ronnie's voice in a way that no one else could ever sing the song, some of the tracks on the album don't seem to hold up to the same standard. Vivian Campbell is glorious throughout the album with some thrashing solos and a touch of Eddie Van Halen here and there. Vinnie and Jimmy provide the devastating beat that makes this a hard rock classic and Ronnie's vocals are as strong as ever. But should they have taken more time to hone down the songs? Should they have spent more money on the videos? We dive into all those questions to celebrate Ronnie and The Last In Line at 40.
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Coming off the success of his 1999 album, Prince took everything to another level with 1984's Purple Rain. The album featured 5 singles that would get major airplay on different radio formats (pop, rock, r&b, dance) and MTV. The album would sell over 25 million copies worldwide but it was also the soundtrack to the movie of the same name which grossed over $70 million. Prince not only won Grammys for the album but also earned an oscar for the title track. Prince's unabashed sexuality oozed from every aspect of his performance in the movie and the videos and was reinforced by his band, The Revolution.
From pop greats (I Would Die 4 U), rockin dance tracks (Let's Go Crazy), personal epics (Purple Rain) and emotional hits (When The Doves Cry), Prince saw his tunes go up the charts of different musical genres. But his overt sexuality, especially in songs like Darling Nikki, irked parents including Tipper Gore who included him among the Filthy 15 during her PMRC (Parents Music Resource Center) hearings before Congress. However, the extraordinary talent of Prince as a songwriter, instrumentalist, singer and performer won out in the end and this is the album that sent him to heights from which he never came down. It may not be the hard/prog/classic/heavy rock we normally cover but Purple Rain was hugely important in the development of our generation's understanding of what music was and we're happy to celebrate it's 40th!
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By 1984, Bruce Springsteen had long been hailed by rock critics as the next great American bard for the working man. His ability to mix heavy lyrics about the struggles of everyday life with catchy pop/rock rhythms had elevated him to rock royalty status before he ever made his 7th album. Released June 4, 1984 as a follow up to the melancholy and personal Nebraska, Born in the USA reunited Bruce with the E. Street Band and The Boss brought 70 songs for the gang to work into what would become the biggest selling album of 1985. The result was a record that sold over 30 million copies worldwide, contained 7 top 10 singles in the US and won Springsteen his first grammy (Dancing in the Dark).
While many of the tracks on the album can boast big sing-along choruses (Working On The Highway, Glory Days, Born in the USA), the subject matter of the song may not always be the kind you shout and pump your fist to. Bruce can take a song about Vietnam veterans not being treated fairly into a stadium anthem or a song about going to jail for getting involved with an underage girl into a rockabilly runner. But the deeper tracks Downbound Train and No Surrender may be among the best songs on the album despite more than half of the record being hits on the charts. While The Wolf and Action Jackson dive into these tracks as they turn 50, can they separate their emotions from hearing these songs as kids, remove the disdain for people who scream along to Born in the USA without understanding the song's meaning and try to be impartial despite the memories of moms loving Bruce as this time? It's a challenge...
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Our monthly sidecast First Concert Memories was created as a vehicle to capture those special moments in our lives when we saw a band we loved for the first time. The anticipation, the build up, the people you're with, the performance, the party - all of if can bring back so many rich and happy memories. And it's great for artists, writers, journalists, podcasters and music fans - everyone has a story to tell about one influential night in their lives. For this month's show, we welcome a long time listener and talented musician to relate his story about seeing Metallica as a teenager in England, Nige Savage.
We met Nige through social media and he was always willing to give an honest account of our episodes on Ugly American Werewolf in London. But when he mentioned that he loved First Concert Memories, we thought it would be cool to have one of our listeners tell his story. As we discussed using his music on our show (he provides the intro and outro music on UAWIL) we discovered that he had the rare privilege of seeing Metallica on the Master of Puppets tour just 7 days before the death of bassist Cliff Burton. We dive into the evening and the performance which included James Hetfield in a cast, a surprise guest appearance which went over Nige's head at the time and how Metallica's music influenced his own creativity with Chupacabra. Join us for this fun stroll down memory lane with a version of one of the world's biggest bands that Action Jackson and The Wolf never had a chance to see live.
Follow Nige on X: https://twitter.com/NigeSavage
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On May 24, 1974, the world were introduced to new "supergroup" on Led Zeppelin's Swan Song record label with the self-titled debut of Bad Company. Sporting a world-class lineup of Paul Rodgers (Free) on vocals, Mick Ralphs (Mott the Hoople) on guitar, Boz Burrell (King Crimson) on bass and Simon Kirke (Free) on drums, Bad Company were seasoned veterans of the studio and the road. After becoming disenchanted with their previous bands, the guys got together to form a straight ahead hard rock act that was built for American rock radio and to play live. And while the record went gold in their home of the UK, Bad Company (1974) is 5x platinum in the US.
Paul Rodgers provides can go from singing with raw power on Rock Steady to the sweet Seagull to the soulful lament in Ready For Your Love. Ralphs big guitar riffs would help define what 70s hard rock was and the rhythm section of Burrell and Kirke were steady and creative. Though only two songs were released as official singles (Can't Get Enough & Movin' On), US rock radio fans have become familiar with the entire album thanks to DJs digging into this record for half a century. The Wolf & Action Jackson had a fun time going down memory lane with this one!
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We developed our On First Listen series so we'd have the opportunity to give a good listen to albums which had somehow gotten past us. Maybe we'd always seen it in the record store and were curious or maybe friends had recommended the album but we never had a chance to listen. Perhaps, like Roger Waters 1984 solo effort The Pros & Cons of Hitchhiking, it was both as the distinct cover is a young boys record shopping fantasy and many prog-heads have suggested it's better than The Wall from Roger's former band Pink Floyd. In fact, he brought both concepts to the band in the late 70s - they could pick the one they liked best and the other, Roger would keep for a solo album. While The Wall became a cultural touchstone selling tens of millions of copies around the world, The Pros & Cons was met with a much cooler reception.
And while Roger employed the talents of folks who had helped make Pink Floyd's The Wall such a success like artist Gerald Scarfe, he also brought in some preeminent musicians like David Sanborn, Michael Kamen and Eric Clapton. Telling a story in real time of a man dreaming about having an affair, the ambition of Roger Waters for the stage and screen of his idea is epic. However, despite all this help the album didn't sell like a PInk Floyd album and many critics and fans savaged the album as Roger's negative ego trip. Yet some say it's his finest work, in or out of Floyd. To help give us some insight, we brought back friend of the show Lee Dickson who was Eric Clapton's longtime guitar tech. Though his memory is a bit foggy, the stories of how the stage was setup and how the musicians performed this music on-stage are really special and we're so glad to have him back. Where do you come out on this divisive record? Is it an amazing concept or just a bad album? Are any of the songs memorable? We try to figure that out On First Listen.
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Don Jamieson is hilarious. His work as a comedian has landed him prime gigs like co-hosting That Metal Show on VH1 Classic, hosting the Monsters of Rock Cruise and performing his standup routine around the world. He joins the boys this week to talk about his new comedy album No Sleep 'Til McSorley's which was recorded at the legenday New York City drinking establishment. Out April 19, the album cover is a send up of the classic Motorhead album No Sleep 'Til Hammersmith complete with the classic cover art, font and layout. You can pre-order/order from this link or wherever you get your CDs & albums.
Hear The Wolf & Action Jackson grill Don about the heady days on That Metal Show, writing comic bits for Inside The NFL and what it was like to tour with Andrew "Dice" Clay. Don talks about fun bits from his new comedy album, bits that work and don't work, the fun stuff that can happen on the Monsters of Rock Cruise and why metal fans will continue to have a problem with the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame. We relive Don's journey from a teenage metal head to a world renowned comedian who is now friends with many of the rockers he worshipped growing up.
Find Don on the road at www.donjamieson.com and on social media
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As children of the MTV generation, The Wolf & Action Jackson grew up listening to and watching videos from Men At Work. The band from Down Under had some big hits and their first two albums, Business As Usual & Cargo, sold more than 20 million copies around the world. However, the quickly disappeared from the scene and it left us wondering where they went. In 2015, a documentary about their frontman and lead songwriter Colin Hay emerged, Waiting For My Real Life, which told the story of the rise and fall of the band but also delved into Colin's struggle with alcohol, relocation to LA and finding redemption as an acoustic storyteller.
Upon seeing this documentary, The Wolf desperately wanted a chance to see this troubadour live where Colin regales his fans with stories, keeps them laughing and delivers both Men At Work classics and personal tunes from his solo catalog. The Wolf shares with Jackson Colin's stories on Paul McCartney inviting himself to dinner at Colin's house, overcoming alcoholism, moving from Scotland to Australia, losing friends & loved ones and using those moments to weave funny and heartfelt stories. Hear which of his classic songs he mistakenly sang the second verse twice on (the crowd loved it!) and get to know some of his beautiful, personal solo songs with which you might be less familiar. It was a great night out - don't miss him if you have the chance to see him play!
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Here on First Concert Memories, the monthly sidecast from your friends at The Ugly American Werewolf in London Rock Podcast, we endeavor to bring you stories from guests about the first time they saw a particular band and how that impacted their life. For FCM 9, we're joined by dear friend of the show Amanda Lehmann as she relates going to see Rainbow in 1980 as she was still a wee lass. Amanda has grown up to be an extraordinary singer and guitar player and you have to know that seeing a legend like Ritchie Blackmore when she was just 12 had a profound effect on her musical journey and career. We've hosted her on the show before (Eps 61 & 70) and seen her play live with Steve Hackett in the UK and so enjoyed hearing her tell the tale of this important night in her young life.
Not only do we dive into the live performance by a star-studded band (Ritchie on guitar, Roger Glover on bass, Cozey Powell on drums, Don Airey on keys, Graham Bonnet on vocals) but we talk about her journey on the train, through town and up to the front of the stage to see her heroes in action. Hear Amanda talk about seeing Graham Bonnet with short hair, a Hawaiian shirt and shades and about returning to that same venue to play with Steve Hackett on his recent live release decades later. It's a full circle journey with Amanda Lehmann, one that we think you'll enjoy as much as we did.
Check out Amanda's upcoming shows and activity at www.amandalehmann.co.uk
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Rush can be a very polarizing band. Even for those who "get it" there are eras that some fans disown or are slow to warm to. The 80s for Rush may be the most divisive period as everyone's favorite remaining power trio had seemed to turn in their heavy metal and progressive roots for synthesizers and shorter, more radio friendly tunes. After swaying perhaps too far into the techno-lands with 1982's Signals, Rush came back to self-produce (with a little help) 1984's Grace Under Pressure in order to establish a more evenly distributed sound. And without any big singles on the record, it still managed to go platinum in the US and their home country of Canada.
You'll hear the hallmarks of Rush throughout the album - the soaring vocals and furious bass work of Geddy Lee, the big riffs and blistering solos of Alex Lifeson and baterista brilliance from The Professor Neil Peart. But it's Peart's lyrics which go way beyond standard pop or rock storytelling as he wades into topics like nuclear war, life & death, freedom & fear, all set against the backdrop of The Cold War. Incorporating synths may take some of the heavy out of the sound but the lyrics deliver in an outsized way and offer more proggy accents than even their 1970s heyday. And The Wolf even gets a little emotional talking about the final track, Between The Wheels, as one of his favorites from the time he first heard it live almost 30 years ago. If you like Rush and don't know this one or dismissed it long ago, we hope you'll listen with fresh ears because the music is inspired and the lyrics are as relevant today as ever.
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Rudolf Schenker founded Scorpions as a teenager in Germany in 1965. With the British Invasion in full swing, he wanted to become a guitarist who wrote great songs, not a gunslinger ripping off the fastest licks he could. He built his repertoire over time and his band toured relentlessly to build an audience. By 1984, hard rock was all the rage and MTV ruled the world helping bands like Motley Crue, Def Leppard, Quiet Riot & other hard rock & metal bands find a larger audience. That's where The Wolf & Action Jackson first saw the Scorpions deliver their heavy riffs on their all-time classic Rock You Like A Hurricane. As the album that birthed that tune and others, Love At First Sting, turns 40 we thought we'd give it our track by track treatment.
Despite singer Klaus Meine's struggle with vocal surgery, he delivered some of his best work with the band on tracks like Still Loving You, Coming Home and Big City Nights. Love At First Sting went triple platinum in the US and allowed the band to tour the world for more than 18 months including many arenas and stadiums n the USA. It's the album that allows them to keep touring and they have a Vegas residency this spring where they will celebrate the album's 40th. Hear us analyze the tracks, dig into the English-as-a-second language lyrics, admire the riffs and celebrate the videos that defined the hard rock generations.
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Mel Gaynor is well respected around the world for his talents as a drummer. Besides being on the skins for Simple Minds as they took off to global superstardom, he has worked with legends like Elton John, Tina Turner, Lou Reed, Jackson Browne, Robert Palmer, Meat Loaf and many more. But Mel can do more than keep the beat and he's releasing his first solo album, Come With Me (out May 3rd), which showcases his songwriting & arranging talents as well as his strong, masculine vocals.
Mel shows his range between folk songs (Run, the 1st single out now), funk (Dangerous), country (Still Waters) and rock (Keep On Believing) while also delivering poignant versions of Wicked Game and his buddy Robert Palmer's Addicted To Love (which features Robert's vocals). Mel gives us his background growing up in London during the 60s and 70s, how he got started in the business, working with metal band Samson alongside future Iron Maiden vocalist Bruce Dickinson and more. Plus, he gives a couple of Simple Minds fans the chance to ask some fanboy questions about making videos, playing at Live Aid and the story behind their #1 hit Don't You Forget About Me.
Visit Mel's site, buy Come With Me and stay up on where to see him live at www.melgaynor.com
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Steve Hackett is not only a truly talented guitarist and songwriter but he's a bit of a workaholic. He rewards his fans by touring the world every year, releasing new material on a regular basis and live albums from the themed tours he's led. And though he's in the midst of his Foxtrot at 50 Tour (for which he's already released a live album) we're proud to welcome him back to The Ugly American Werewolf in London Rock Podcast (hear him ahead of the Foxtrot at 50 Tour on UAWIL #87) as he wraps up his final leg of the tour.
The Circus and The Nightwhale is his latest release, an autobiographical concept album of his life growing up near Battersea Power Station, forging out into the world of rock music and eventually finding happiness in his life. It's the most prog/concept album he's offered since he was in Genesis and he speaks with us about how he approached this album differently than others. The opening track People of the Smoke stirs memories of growing up in London and sets the tone for a brilliant album full of tapping, tremolos and other tricks at which Steve is so adept. Hear Steve talk about channeling Jeff Beck, using one of Brian May's guitars and why you don't want him playing bass on your album. He's proud that the album has hit #1 on the UK Rock Chart and to be celebrated on the cover of Prog Magazine.
In the second part of the episode, The Wolf & Action Jackson travel to Jacksonville, FL to hear Steve debut songs from The Circus and The Nightwhale live, to hear Foxtrot in its entirety and some classic Hackett solo songs as well. It made for a very special night for your intrepid hosts and one very special episode of UAWIL.
Catch Steve's blog, buy The Circus and The Nightwhale and pick up tickets to see him live at www.hackettsongs.com
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We at The Ugly American Werewolf in London Rock Podcast created our monthly sidecast, First Concert Memories, to give people a chance to share their passion for live music and how one particular rock show had a big impact on their life. FCM #8 is a glowing example of how a rock n roll show can regenerate and restore your passion for life after dark times.
On the morning of September 11, 2001, Brian Colburn, a radio & podcast professional and host of My Weekly Mixtape, was commuting into New York City from New Jersey. While entering the LIncoln Tunnel, passengers were told that a plane had struck one of the World Trade Center towers and they would be rerouted back to their origin point. By the time they were back in New Jersey, both towers had crumbled. Like everyone in greater NYC, around the country and the world, Brian experienced a range of emotions and it took a long time to process that horror.
However, on December 16, 2001, Brian saw that Blues Traveler, a New Jersey band he'd never seen live, were coming to the Roseland Ballroom that night. He called his buddies and within a couple of hours they were at the show. Hear Brian describe the feeling in the crowd as people tried to understand if it was OK to smile again, gather in a crowd and sing and dance to music you love. You'll get goosebumps as he describes John Popper playing the Star-Spangled Banner. You'll smile when you hear about Michael Franti joining Blues Traveler for a Bob Marley classic and Brian's encounter with him in the parking lot. And you'll tear up when you hear about the first responders who were honored on stage that night. This is why we created this podcast and we think you'll love Brian's story.
Check out Brian's podcast at www.myweeklymixtape.com
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Listeners of the show know that the point of The Ugly American Werewolf in London Rock Podcast is to keep rock alive by sharing memories of bands, albums, live concerts and artist interviews. But the best way to indoctrinate the next generation away from the ubiquity of Taylor Swift is to take them to non-Taylor live shows. The Wolf Cub developed a love for the Toto classic Africa after The Wolf played it for her a couple of times. As it's become one of her go to songs throughout the years, The Wolf promised his sweet daughter that if the opportunity came to see them live, he would take her.
Low and behold, Toto are opening for Journey as they continue to celebrate their more than 50 years in rock on an arena tour that would come to The Wolf Cub's home town. So as a dutiful parent, The Wolf took her and The She-Wolf out for a night of fond rock n roll memories. But who is left in these bands from their heydays? Did they play all the right songs? Which band sounded better? Which of these bands did the family say they'd go see again and which did they say thank you and goodnight after this show? Hear all about it through the eyes of a nine-year-old who has attended some big concerts (Rolling Stones, Duran Duran, KISS 3x, Chicago, America, Peter Frampton) and from the more seasoned perspective of her doting father.
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After Pink Floyd delivered The Final Cut, the 1983 album which would be Roger Waters last with the band, David Gilmour found himself at an impasse. While he had some music ready for a new album as Roger had domineered the writing in Pink Floyd for the last 5+ years, he was unsure of the band's future. And since Roger was working on a solo concept album (The Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking) David decided it was time he find out if he could make it outside of Pink Floyd.
So he enlisted some heavy hitters like Bob Ezrin (producer), Jeff Pocaro (drums), Pino Palladino (bass), Jon Lord (keyboards), Steve Winwood (keyboards), and Pete Townshend (lyrics) to help him create a solo album for 1984. The result was About Face with some statements on the death of John Lennon (Murder), the US putting missiles in the UK (Cruise) and his relationship with Roger (You Know I'm Right) which would continue to be a source of lyrics for the next two Roger-less Pink Floyd albums - A Momentary Lapse of Reason (reviewed on UAWIL #69) and The Division Bell (UAWIL #168).
We're not sure if David was truly looking to break away from the band and become a big solo act or just had pent up anger and music that had to get out. The tour to support the album was more successful than the album itself and it may not be our favorite but there are some bright spots and some riffs that would foreshadow things to come in Pink Floyd.
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In 1994, your hosts found themselves finishing their junior year of college when it was announced that Pink Floyd were coming back with a new album, The Division Bell, and a huge tour to promote it. After watching the concert film Delicate Sound of Thunder from the previous tour, The Wolf made it his mission to see them live. And of course, our hosts picked up the album as soon as it came out. But at the time, they found the album disappointing and didn't stand up to it's predecessor, A Momentary Lapse of Reason.
However, as the album turns 30, we can look back at it with a better understanding of how this record stands up in the Pink Floyd catalog. We can appreciate that it was the first time in 20 years that David Gilmour and Rick Wright wrote songs together. We can enjoy David's extraordinary guitar work - how he can pull so much emotion out of each note still floors us to this day. And we can hear the heartbreak and new love found (Coming Back To Life), the hope for a better future (A Great Day For Freedom, Keep Talking) and the bitterness that lingers from their feud with Roger Waters (Poles Apart, Lost For Words).
While some might dismiss this as latter day, Roger-less, not-as-classic Pink Floyd, we found that the tunes were better than we remembered and they conjured memories from a simpler and more wondrous time in our lives. And the memories from the lone time The Wolf ever saw Pink Floyd live help us warm to this record as a gem, albeit a dark horse, in the Pink Floyd catalog.
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The early 1970s were full of triumph and tragedy for Eric Clapton. The Guitar God who had bounced from band to band - The Yardbirds, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, Cream, Blind Faith - finally went solo with mixed results. However, in 1971 Clapton struck gold on both sides of the Atlantic with Layla and his buddies in Derek & the Dominos. However, friend and guitarist Duane Allman died tragically in a car accident in late 1971 and while Clapton mourned his friend and longed for the love of his good buddy George Harrison's wife Patti, Clapton slipped deep into a heroin addiction.
Once Eric came out of his fog, he knew he needed to get back to making music and needed a hit or else he might be written off as an over the hill (at 29) junkie. So he gathered some of his buddies from the Layla sessions, took up residence at a certain address in Miami and put together a million selling record with a #1 US hit with I Shot The Sheriff. You see the many faces of Clapton on here from the blues (I Can't Hold Out), to reggae (I Shot The Sheriff), to gospel (Give Me Strength). Opener Motherless Children is a tour de force with the slide guitar and the closer, Mainline Florida, features Clapton showing off his skills with the talk box. If this album hadn't sold so well, who knows what may have become of Eric and if we'd have been treated to all the amazing music he's given us over the last 50 years.
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We at The Wolf love the all-time classic British rock stars that helped found the movement of and continue to carry the torch of classic blues based rock n roll. We've spent countless hours (and dollars/pounds/euros/etc) to buy records, concert tickets, videos and books to learn more about the artists that brought rock music to the masses. This week, we speak with someone who'd met and/or worked with most all of them over the years, guitar tech Lee Dickson. Though born in Glasgow, he eventually made his way to London and started working in live music production. At the end of the 70s he ended up working with Eric Clapton who then picked Lee up as part of his crew where he eventually became Eric's guitar tech and was for nearly 30 years.
Hear the stories of going to Japan with George Harrison and why George called Lee "Wanker" in his signed tour book - a story he's never shared before! Listen to Lee talk about working with Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page and Paul Rodgerts for the ARMS concerts. Feel the emotion when you hear him get choked up talking about the late great Ronnie Lane or doing concerts for sick children. Do you want to know about Live Aid? The Crossroads Festivals? Playing the White House with Lenny Kravitz? Working on the Rush soundtrack? Just listen up, you'll hear about all of that and more on this deliciously classic episode!
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We conjured up First Concert Memories, our monthly sidecast to talk about the first time our guests saw a particular band, to share some passion about the rock n roll we all love. And Stephanie Myers is so passionate about Meat Loaf that she wears a necklace made of his guitar string. Host of the Songfacts Podcast and co-host of Stephanie & Stephanie Talk Tunes Podcast, she is a vivid storyteller and a Meat Loaf Superfan who's seen him live 13 times! As The Wolf & Action Jackson are not Meat Loaf know-it-alls, it was so much fun to have a few laughs with Stephanie and learn from her deep well of knowledge on her favorite artist.
Stephanie reveals how she got into Meat Loaf as a 12 year old as Bat Out Of Hell II was all over the radio, MTV, VH1 and radios all over the world. We'll get into the theatrics of the show and the special song he sang that night in Houston on August 3, 1994. But we'll also hear from Stephanie about how she had to cajole and bargain with her parents over many months to make her dream of seeing Meat Loaf live come true. We share some laughs and stories with Stephanie on a fun episode of First Concert Memories!
Visit Stephanie at https://linktr.ee/Stephaniestalktunes
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KISS is one of the most legendary bands in the history of rock n roll. From their iconic makeup to their bombastic stage shows to the marketing and licensing of every product under the sun, KISS has been a part of popular culture for half a century. The self-titled debut album, KISS, didn't grab everyone's attention out of the gate, however. While they had some killer riffs supplied by original guitarist Ace Frehley, some funky bass from Gene Simmons, swinging drumming from Peter Criss and superstar vocals from Paul Stanley, the band were still forming their sound and identity.
In fact, the sales of the album were so slow that Casablanca Records chief Neil Bogart cajoled the band into recording a 50s cover, Kissin Time, which he thought would help boost sales as a single. Even though Kissin Time was added to every copy of KISS after the first 100,000 or so, it didn't help generate more sales. But their reputation as a great live band had KISS winning fans around the nation. And while KISS wouldn't capture that live sound until ALIVE! a couple of years later, this album has some great tracks which are still KISS classics today like Deuce, Strutter, Cold Gin and Black Diamond. We give it our usual track x track evaluation and throw in lots of KISS tidbits.
As a special bonus, we have included a clip from Space Ace himself, Ace Frehley. As Ace recently spoke with Paul Stephenson of VRP Rocks (a good friend of Ugly American Werewolf in London), Paul asked Ace a question from The Wolf about the timing of his new solo release 10,000 Volts and how it's coming out almost 50 years to the day from the release of KISS. Ace may not answer the question we asked but it's amazing that Paul asked if for us and the audio is included somewhere in the episode - you'll have to listen to hear from Ace!!
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On UAWIL, we regularly talk about albums and bands that are big on one side of the Atlantic but for some reason never have great success on the other side of the pond. One glaring example is Simple Minds who have dozens of hits and many gold & platinum albums in the UK, Europe and around the world but never had huge success in the US. Most US fans know Don't You Forget About Me from The Breakfast Club soundtrack as it went to #1 in the US in early 1985. But because that song wasn't on a Simple Minds album until the 90s and because prior to that they received little to no airplay in the US, many fans see them as a one hit wonder and don't realize the extraordinary career Simple Minds have had with over 60 million records sold worldwide.
As it turns 40 on February 6, 1984, Sparkle in the Rain was a bit of a transition from the techno pop band of New Gold Dream 81/82/83/84 to a band that were going places. Simple MInds were playing bigger venues, becoming friendly (and competitive) with U2 and wanted to make a bigger sound. They enlisted Steve Lillywhite (after he produced U2's War) to lead them to more radio-friendly, stadium enhancing tunes. In the end, it's a bit of a mixed bag with takes on fame (Up On The Catwalk), war (East at Easter), rebellion (The Kick Inside of Me) and UK chart climbers like Waterfront and Speed Your Love to Me. Vocalist Jim Kerr delivers an amazing performance but sometimes the lyrics are a bit opaque. Charlie Burchill is a brilliant guitarist but you can't always make out what he's doing as Mick MacNeil's keyboards play a prominent role. The addition of Mel Gaynor from London gave them a big boost and the album hit #1 in New Zealand and the UK where it went platinum. But still, the US had limited knowledge of the band until the Breakfast Club hit a year later. So we go track x track to try to understand why the US didn't pick up on this one and if that had something to do with why they never became huge there like they did in Europe.
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The Pretenders broke out of London in 1979 and enjoyed success on both sides of the pond with hits like Brass in Pocket, Talk of the Town and Message of Love. But in 1982 the band were embroiled with problems from guitarist James Honeyman-Scott's deadly overdose to the sacking of bassist Pete Farndon due to drug use to Chrissie's pregnancy with Ray Davies and the dissolution of their relationship. However, Chrissie Hynde (songwriter, lead singer, guitarist) and Martin Chambers (drummer) forged ahead to somehow make what might be their best album in 1984's Learning to Crawl.
In 1982, with the help of some pros, they released the single Back on the Chain Gang, a worldwide hit, backed with My City Was Gone which was a radio favorite in the US. After taking some time off to have daughter Natalie Rae Hynde, Chrissie led Chambers, guitarist Robbie McIntosh and bassist Malcolm Foster into the studio to record an album that would go platinum in the US and gold in the UK. From the heartfelt Show Me, to the soulful The Thin Line Between Love And Hate, to the country Thumbelina and the holiday classic 2000 Miles, this album really showcases how Chrissie's talent allows them to explore many genres. Released January 13, 1984, we celebrate Learning to Crawl by The Pretenders as it turns 40!
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After rushing through their 5th album Diver Down, Van Halen wanted to return with an original album that would establish them as the preeminent hard rock band in the USA. Eddie Van Halen had completed his home 5150 studio which would allow him to develop ideas and work out the synthesizer sounds that he was experimenting with but which had also been shot down by lead singer David Lee Roth and producer Ted Templeman. But Eddie was ready to mix his guitar heroics with the new age sounds that were popular at the time. By mixing Eddie's musicianship with Dave's showmanship and throwing in some MTV, Van Halen became the biggest band in the world!
The videos for Jump, Panama and Hot For Teacher were all over MTV that summer and even won them some video awards. But trouble was brewing in the Van Halen camp as not everyone was on the same page. Despite it reaching the highest chart position ever for the band at that time (#2 US) and eventually going on to be a diamond seller (10 million+), Dave would leave the band at the end of the year. But for two 10 year old boys from the suburbs, the magic of 1984 still lives to this day! We go track by track as we celebrate its 40th anniversary!
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On our 6th edition of our monthly sidecast, First Concert Memories, we welcome our friend Markus "The Darkus" Goldman from 93.3 WMMR in Philadelphia and The Imbalanced History of Rock n Roll Podcast to talk about an epic night in the history of rock music. On June 5, 1983, an up and coming back from Ireland had decided to film their concert at the Red Rock Amphitheater in Morrison, Colorado just north of Denver. However, heavy rains and storms were expected and members of the management and crew didn't think it was a good idea for that day. Many ticket holders were convinced to stay home and the band had to go on the radio to implore folks to come to the show. The show was delayed and opening act The Alarm didn't even play due to the weather. But in the end, the show went on, it was filmed and it changed the fortunes of the band for for millions of members of the MTV generation.
Yes, it was U2 that played that night, recording the entire show that would eventually end up on MTV Saturday nights and form part of the live album Under A Blood Red Sky. But the video for Sunday Bloody Sunday would get into heavy rotation on MTV, showing Bono waving a white flag with bonfires atop the natural mountain formation. It made for an otherworldly scene that helped propel U2 to superstar status in the US and set them up to become legends. Hear Markus talk about braving the elements, having security keep him from being crushed against the barrier, his favorite moments and many remarkable memories of a teenager seeing U2 in that incredible setting.
Listen to Markus on https://imbalancedhistory.com/Ugly American Werewolf in London Website
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Following up on last week's 2023 in Review Part 1: Albums, Authors & Podcasters, now we're focused on the concerts that we covered on the show (and the ones we didn't), the artists & legends we interviewed and reveal our Top 10 Ugly American Werewolf in London episodes of 2023.
Thought The Wolf had to leave Amsterdam for his homeland early in 2023, he didn't sell all the concert tickets he bought. He made a trip back in April to see Metallica on the first 2 nights of their No Repeat Weekend Tour. And The Wolf met up in Amsterdam with Action Jackson over the summer to take him to his first ever Iron Maiden concert. It was so great they went to see the boys again in Antwerp and then enjoyed some unexpected encounters at the hotel. Plus our host took The Wolfcub to see KISS one last time.
We love talking with the talented musicians who make the rock music we love and we were honored to host an array of great guests from up and coming artists like Jimmy Maddon to legends like Terry Reid and Jim McCarty of The Yardbirds. Talking to Steve Kilbey of The Church was a treat and getting to know rockers in their prime like Scott Holiday of Rival Sons and Oliver Wakeman who we'll be seeing for years to come
And stay tuned as we unveil our Top 10 episodes (by download) for 2023. It was a great year for The Ugly American Werewolf in London Rock Podcast and we thank everyone for listening. Here's looking forward to a killer 2024!
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2023 was quite a year for The Ugly American Werewolf in London Rock Podcast! We offered 52 episodes of the show, celebrated our 3 year anniversary, launched a new sidecast First Concert Memories, reviewed 32 albums, hosted 15 authors & podcasters, interviewed 8 artists & legends and reviewed 5 epic concerts from Europe and the USA. Plus your host, The Wolf, returned to America after 4 years away and his co-host & partner in crime, Gary "Action" Jackson welcomed him home!
Phew! How can we summarize that all in one show? We can't. So we're breaking it up into two different episodes. This first review will focus on the albums we reviewed and the authors/journalists/podcasters we welcomed to the show. Some epic albums celebrated big milestones like Houses of the Holy by Led Zeppelin, Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd and The Rolling Stone Goats Head Soup turned 50. Iron Maiden's Piece of Mind, Yes' 90125, U2's War and the debut albums of Metallica & Dio hit 40. We'll walk you through them and give shout outs to all our amazing guests like legendary rock writers Mick Wall, Greg Renoff and Martin Popoff, superstar podcast hosts like Renee & Stef from The Metallica Report and Tom & Zeus from Shout It Out Loudcast and we'll introduce you to all the amazing guests who took part in our monthly sidecast First Concert Memories.
Join us for this fun trip down memory lane!
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Every year around the holidays, sometimes even before Thanksgiving these days, you start to hear them. The age old songs to ring in the season at the end of the year. I'm talking about Christmas songs - some of which are hundreds of years old and some have become popular in our lifetimes. In stores, in schools, in offices, in the air you'll be hearing songs in every language to celebrate. And rock n roll has it's own classics in the genre - a great many legends and once hot bands have done their best to come up with an original (or original re-working of) song that will get them on the radio between November and January every year.
Some are true classics, sung by legends. Some are catchy tunes from your favorite acts. Do you prefer John Lennon's Happy Christmas (War is Over) or Paul McCartney's A Wonderful Christmas Time? Do you prefer classics from the early age of rock n roll from Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry or The Beach Boys? The Wolf and Action Jackson are children of the MTV generation and in the 80s artists collaborated for a cause through Band Aid's Do They Know It's Christmas and the A Very Special Christmas albums. Each of the boys will walk through 10 up to their very favorite rockin Christmas classic and might give each other a hard time for some of them. But isn't that what the holidays are all about (It's time, for the airing of the greivances!)
We wish everyone Happy Holidays from The Ugly American Werewolf in London Rock Podcast and thank you for making us part of your lives in 2023.
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King Crimson emerged from the UK in the late 60's with their debut album In The Court of the Crimson King, viewed by many as a prog rock masterpiece. However, right after the album was released, we saw the first of many defections from the band. Over half a century, some of the most proficient musicians on the planet have played with King Crimson, led all the while by the mercurial Robert Fripp. To capture the spirit of the band and to endeavor to find answers as to why there has been so much turnover of band members (19 total members over the years), director Toby Amies (The Man Whose Mind Exploded) took on the task of getting to know the band members during what might just be their final tour.
With stints in radio, record labels and MTV on both sides of the pond, Toby Amies has had a fascinating career. He took on the challenge of learning the ins and outs of the members of the band, why they choose to play in King Crimson and what is Robert Fripp's role in guiding this band for over half a century. While Robert will tell the reason for infighting and defections don't lie with him, Toby gets the stories of all the surviving members of King Crimson, current and former, to investigate what makes this band what it is. Not everyone gets King Crimson and their blend of rock, jazz, classical and experimental muisc but once they do, they are hooked true-believers. Toby endeavors to find out why and delivers a compelling film full of human drama, emotion, heartbreak, humor and music.
Find how to watch In The Court of the Crimson King - King Crimson at 50
Visit www.tobyamies.com
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We first met Christy Alexander Hallberg a couple of years ago while she was promoting her rock novel Searching for Jimmy Page. Since then we've become friends and she now hosts her own podcast, Rock Is Lit, about rock n roll fiction books. So we had to have her on First Concert Memories to talk about the first (and to this point, only) time she saw Jimmy play live when he teamed back up with Robert Plant on the 1998 Walking into Clarksdale Tour.
The Wolf & Action Jackson saw Page & Plant together in Orlando in 1995 on the Un-Ledded Tour with an orchestra which was incredible. But for this tour, it was a much more stripped down, Led Zeppelin-ish band set up and Christy shares all her memories with us. From getting n the car to make the 2 and half hour drive to Virginia Beach to the drive home with the windows open as some over-served frat boys puked on her shoes, we relive the sights, the sounds, and unfortunately the smells of that fateful night in 1998 At that point she hadn't been to England on her quest for all things Page and Led Zeppelin which would inspire her novel years later.
And a quick note to Jimmy Page - why is there no live album or DVD from this tour? You haven't been touring or putting out new music over the last decade, why don't you release a special commemorative box set for this tour? It's the last tour you guys ever did together or will ever do.....or is it?
Check out Rock is Lit
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Growing up in the 1970s and 80s, one assumed that Paul McCartney was always universally loved because of his work in The Beatles, his 70s solo work and that with Wings, and his positive peace & love attitude. However, in 1973 Paul found himself in a bit of turmoil. Though he'd enjoyed some success as a solo artist, particularly in the US, Paul was being criticized for the adult contemporary nature of his music vs. the output of the other Beatles and the harder rocking music of the day. He was skewered in the British press after he released Leave Ireland to the Irish on the heels of Bloody Sunday in 1972 and had lost several members of Wings over being treated as hired hands and the presence of Linda in the band despite her lack of musical ability.
However, Paul forged ahead with Linda and Denny Laine to create Band on the Run, released on December 5, 1973 in the US (November 30, 1973 in the UK). The title track is one of redemption and freedom inspired by George Harrison during their ongoing Apple Corps meetings and negotiations. Jet is an upbeat song that climbed the charts around the world despite it being about his dog and getting to know Linda's father. Songs like Bluebird, Mrs. Vanderbilt, Let Me Roll It and Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five became AM and classic rock radio staples in the US where the album not only went to #1 but sold more than 3 million copies. As the album that gave Paul back his credibility with the critics and allowed Paul and Wings to continue through the end of the 70s turns 50, we give it our classic track by track treatment.
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Fans of our show know that The Wolf and Action Jackson have a special place in their hearts for 80s prog/pop rock band Asia. While we've spoken with keyboardist Geoff Downes (UAWIL 79) and drummer Carl Palmer (UAWIL 80), we never had the opportunity to speak with singer/bassist John Wetton as he passed away before we started our show. However, there have been many celebrations of John's life and works in 2023 and to tell us more about the kind of person John Wetton was, we've enlisted the great Oliver Wakeman to offer some stories about the man himself.
Oliver toured with Yes during 2009-2011 and during that time, befriended John Wetton as Asia was touring with Yes. Despite Oliver being a generation younger and the fact that John had worked with his father Rick, John took Oliver under his wing and they formed a bond that had a big impact on Oliver (and John too). Oliver relates some stories of his time with John including watching him play every night, how John checked in on him as he slated to transition out of Yes and one time John joined Oliver and his band to play Heat of the Moment. Oliver will also give us some tidbits about music he's working on, including his plan to play songs he wrote with Yes on From A Page live this spring at Winters End Festival.
Oliver is helping to promote the new box set John Wetton: An Extraordinary Life which is out November 24 around the world - an 8 disc set of his solo albums with bonus tracks and discs full of rarities, unreleased gems and live cuts (more information below). We had a great time chatting with Oliver and hope you'll enjoy our conversation about John, Yes, prog music and more!
Oliver Wakeman Website - https://www.oliverwakeman.co.uk/
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John Wetton: An Extraordinary Life - On 24th November the first in a series of box sets commemorating the life and music of one of the UK`s most extraordinary and prolific musicians, John Wetton, will be released.
The An Extraordinary Life box set contains 8 newly remastered CDs, featuring the six solo albums Wetton released between 1980 and 2011. Each album now includes special bonus tracks. Additionally, two further discs are included which feature a gold mine of rare, live and unreleased material from the vaults, compiled by John`s archivist, Rick Nelson.
Check out trailer for the box set here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EE0HFoq2Ck
Housed in a sumptuous 12 by 12 box, this set includes a 64-page book with an introduction by legendary artist, Roger Dean and contains comprehensive sleeve notes by Nick Shilton, author of Wetton's biography, An Extraordinary Life, published earlier this year. The book also features a raft of photographs taken from the Wetton archive and has been designed by John's long-time friend, Michael Inns.
This whole project has been lovingly crafted and compiled with the full blessing of John`s son Dylan and his wife Lisa and is endorsed by the Wetton estate.
With a career spanning more than four decades, John Wetton`s rich baritone voice and accomplished bass playing has adorned many recordings. In this An Extraordinary Life where his extensive solo career is captured for posterity all in one sumptuous box set, making this a fitting tribute to one of the UK most loved and respected artists.
An Extraordinary Life
DISC 1: Caught in The Crossfire (1980)
DISC 2: Battle Lines (1994)
DISC 3: Arkangel (1997)
DISC 4: Welcome to Heaven (2000)
DISC 5: Rock of Faith (2003)
DISC 6: Raised in Captivity (2011)
DISC 7: New Live and Unreleased Tracks
DISC 8: New Live and Unreleased Tracks
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As Ozzy Osbourne's 3rd solo album Bark at the Moon turns 40, we look back on what was a very pivotal time in the life of Ozzy and his wife/manager Sharon. After the tragic death of Randy Rhoads, they soldiered on with Brad Gillis (Night Ranger) and bought some time with the live Speak of the Devil album. But Ozzy needed not only a new gunslinger to replace Rhoads virtuosity, he also needed a new writing partner. Enter Jake E. Lee from Mickey Ratt (which would evolve into Ratt) who could write songs and deliver blistering solos. And MTV was eagerly awaiting the first videos from the former Black Sabbath madman.
On the home front, Ozzy is battling substance abuse, Sharon is at odds with her father/super-manager Don Arden, their is infidelity and while they have legal problems and bad press, they start having kids. Plus the band seems to always be in flux as Rudy Sarzo (Quiet Riot) has left to be replaced by Bob Daisley who had written and recorded on the first two Ozzy solo albums. And while Tommy Aldridge plays on the album, Carmine Appice appears in the Bark at the Moon video. While some of the songs like the title track and Rock N Roll Rebel would be hailed as classic Ozzy, the 2nd UK single So Tired is an interesting choice for a heavy metal singer but the video is classic MTV and classic Ozzy.
Released November 15, 1983 in the US and December 2, 1983 in the UK, we celebrate its 40th by going track x track, video x video and offstage drama from this triple platinum seller.
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Billy Idol sold his hedonistic act & lifestyle to MTV in the 80s and it was a match made in heaven. Thanks to Billy's snarling sexuality and his mix of hard rock with new wave thanks to longtime collaborator Steve Stevens, Billy used the fledgling cable channel as not a springboard but a rocketship to superstardom. He'd already received attention and airplay thanks to White Wedding and with 4 singles off of Rebel Yell Billy's star rose to great heights in the US. However, in his home country of the UK, Billy didn't enjoy the same success. Maybe due to no MTV or perhaps the fact that the English public saw him as a punk and wouldn't consider him as a pop/rock singer, this album only achieved silver status in England while going double platinum in the US.
The singles Rebel Yell (names after a chance encounter with The Rolling Stones), Eyes Without a Face (named after a French horror film), Flesh for Fantasy (also swiped from an old movie) and Catch My Fall, Billy had 4 charting singles and 4 videos that we talk about in-depth on the show. This was the album that allows him to still tour & perform to this day and while some of the songs sound like they were recorded in 1983, some are timeless relics of the cassette era.
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When you become a father, you do things for your kids - even things you once said you'd never do again. That's exactly what The Wolf did when he took the Wolfcub to see KISS on their interminable End Of The Road Tour for the third time in five years. He wanted her to have the experience of a KISS live show with all its bombast, pyrotechnics and visual overload. Though she saw them twice in 2019 (Louisville and London) she was a bit young and couldn't make it through the whole show. And though they had tickets to see them in Amsterdam, they moved back to the US before they could attend.
So while The Wolf once said in the early 2000's "I've seen KISS 6x, I'm not seeing them live ever again" he has relented 3x so his beloved Wolfcub could see first hand what a KISS live show was all about. Action Jackson asks The Wolf about all the details seasoned KISS fans expect like the Demon spitting blood, fire and flying through the air. Seeing Starchild up close on the b-stage was the highlight for our young KISS fan! And for The Wolf, he has checked this box enough - though happy he had the chance to experience the show with his favorite rock fan, he's ready to close the book on KISS live.
Or is he...
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KISS was so important to your hosts, The Wolf & Action Jackson, as part of the foundation of their love of rock n roll, live music and their friendship. That's why they invited Tom & Zeus from Shout It Out Loudcast to come on the premier episode of First Concert Memories, our monthly sidecast, and talk about the first time they saw KISS. For FCM 4, we welcome back Sonny "Hollywood" Pooni of Grown Up Rock Podcast and The Album Review Crew to talk about the first time he ever saw legendary KISS lead guitarist Ace Frehley play live. The Wolf and Action saw Ace as a solo act in the 1990s but Sonny saw him as a co-headliner with Y&T in 1987 and he shares with us how important it was to him to see Ace.
Sonny go into KISS during the Asylum era and then learned that KISS used to have makeup and had different members of the band. From there he picked up Ace's first solo effort (aside from the 1978 KISS solo albums) Frehley's Comet and it furthered endeared him to Ace's style. Ace famously has had bouts with drugs and alcohol and Sonny relates a story of seeing Ace fall off the stage as well as why the band was so much better with Tod Howarth than in later years without him. If you've seen Ace recently, odds are you were disappointed as he seems a shell of his former self. That's why we wanted to share some memories from when Ace was still in strong form and delivering solid live shows.
Sonny is opinionated and you'll hear all his takes on Ace, the shows he has seen and he even provided a bootleg recording of the show which is an FCM first! All Ace Frehley and KISS fans will love this one!
Visit Sonny on Twitter (X) and listen to Growin Up Rock wherever you get your podcasts!
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If you were alive in 1983, you knew who Michael Jackson was. Not because of his fame growing up as the lead singer of the Jackson 5, not because you loved his diamond selling disco smash Off The Wall but because you lived through the time that saw the release of Thriller. Unleashed on November 19, 1982, Thriller would go onto to become the biggest selling album of all time thanks to a familiar star on the rise, the dissolution of disco & punk, the advent of MTV and some of the most captivating dance moves ever witnessed. The convergence of MTV, Michael's extraordinary talent, Quincy Jones leadership and pop culture becoming a bigger part of life, you'll never see the spotlight so bright on any one ever again.
Thriller spawned 7 Top 10 singles in the US, all of which went platinum, 2 (Billie Jean & Thriller) went diamond on their own. The album sold over 100 million units and is triple diamond (30+ million units sold) in the US alone. Michael had really come into his own as a singer and songwriter and Quincy Jones helped gather many extraordinary performers (Eddie Van Halen, David Foster, Toto) to contribute to this amazingly produced record. But you had to see the videos for Billie Jean (light up steps), Beat It (gang fight), and Thriller which had world premier that included a behind the scenes film, the first of its kind. Everytime Michael was on tv, whether we was moonwalking on the Motown 25 Anniversary show or accepting 8 grammys with his shades on, it was appointment television.
So to celebrate the Halloween season as this album hits another milestone, we go track x track and talk about how the album made its impression on us and the world in the 1980s.
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In thinking about what we wanted to do for our 151st episode, we wanted to talk about an album which we knew very well. In realizing that we rarely do live albums, we thought about the live albums that have influenced us and that we've listened to the most. For The Wolf, that would be 1989's A Show of Hands by Rush - their 3rd live album chronicling their 80s techno-pop stage. Many hardcore Rush and rock fans don't have much nice to say about 80s era Rush as the mid-range usually occupied by Alex Lifeson's guitar was all but consumed by keyboards. Even legendary drummer Neil Peart had MIDI triggers on his drum kit to make more experimental noises.
But A Show of Hands does show arena Rush moving from strength to strength with Geddy Lee's plodding bass, Neil's brilliant bombastic, Ales's flourishes and lyrics that had become more timely and more timeless. Covering the albums Signals, Power Windows, Grace Under Pressure and Hold Your Fire (with a couple of older ones thrown in) this highlights a Rush era that may not be everyone's favorite but an important time in their history. And one The Wolf & Action Jackson hold in high esteem. Released January 9, 1989, they actually released several singles which charted in the US and this wrapped up the 80s techno phase before moving back towards the power trio sound with Presto. One of our favorites - enjoy!
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For our 150th episode (and thanks to all of our loyal listeners in the UK, the Netherlands, the US and around the world for helping us get this far) we are pleased to welcome a singer/songwriter who we grew up watching on MTV with his band The Church - Steve Kilbey. For more than 40 years Steve's led Australian psychedelic rock band The Church and has returned to the US to promote their latest record, The Hypnogogue, which Steve admits could be their 25th or 36th record - it's hard to add them all up.
The Church rose to prominence in the US in 1988 thanks to MTV's 120 Minutes and college radio as their album Starfish received exposure thanks to the hit Under The Milky Way. But the band had already seen success in their home country with songs like The Unguarded Moment and Tantalized and we discuss the difficulty Steve has in curating a setlist which is satisfactory to him, the band and their fans. Steve pulls no punches talking about the business, his "too cool" attitude when doing TV interviews back in the day, his reluctance to release live albums and regales us with stories including one when two fans broke into the dressing room to demand he play one more song. Steve is an incredible songwriter and a very genuine person and you'll hear the joy The Wolf & Action Jackson had spending a little time talking with him.
Thanks to everyone for listening, subscribing and downloading The Ugly American Werewolf in London Rock Podcast! We appreciate you, share your love of rock music and want to hear from you on what we can do to make the next 150 episodes as good as they can be!!
See The Church live on the Hypnogogue Tour, visit www.thechurchband.net for tour dates
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The Wolf and Action Jackson thirst for knowledge about rock n roll. The bands, the musicians, the albums, the songs, the studios, the history - we want to know it all!! But no one knows everything, we all have blind spots. So as a way to further our own knowledge and understanding of rock music, we've developed a new, somewhat regular segment we call On First Listen. Here we take an album that we've never listened to and give it our usual track x track evaluation. Everyone has albums that they've always been curious about or have seen on Top 50 lists or had a friend swear is the best kept secret on the planet but for whatever reason, you've never heard it. We kick off this new series with 1973's Brain Salad Surgery by Emerson, Lake & Palmer.
Our heroes were late to the prog landscape and when they first got into music via MTV in the 1980s, Genesis and Yes were pop bands, not prog rock giants. The boys didn't really come to appreciate progressive rock until later in life. However, Carl Palmer (the Palmer in Emerson, Lake & Palmer) they had familiarity with through his work in Asia and he was a guest on UAWIL #80. But the The Wolf & Action had never listened to the album Carl called his favorite in ELP, Brain Salad Surgery. They were familiar with the cover by HR Giger (Alien) but didn't see the hidden pictures from the original work of art. Nor did they know the meaning of Brain Salad Surgery (we get into it). And though they knew their song that started, "Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends" they had no idea what the name of the song was (Karn Evil 9 First Impression Part 2 doesn't exactly roll off the tongue). Despite all that it is considered one of the true prog masterpieces of all time.
So the boys set out to explore what Keith Emerson, Greg Lake and Carl Palmer were up to in 1973. Will it become an instant favorite? Or will it be something they appreciate but never listen to again? You'll have to listen to find out what they think about ELP's 1973 classic.
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On the third edition of our monthly sidecast, First Concert Memories, we welcome back good friend to the show Neil Poole from the glorious Def Lep Pod. Neil's passion and knowledge for all things Def Leppard made him an easy choice to give us the lowdown on the first time he ever saw his favorite band on the Adrenalize Tour in 1992 in Birmingham, England. The Wolf & Action Jackson saw the band for the first time just months later on the same tour in Orlando with a slightly adjusted setlist but the show was amazing.
Neil has told us for years that it's tough being a Def Leppard fan in the UK as they are not as beloved as they are in the US. We relive the night he took a 2+ hour bus ride with his older brother from Liverpool to Birmingham to witness his beloved Leppards live. This was the second tour performed by the boys in the round but the first time they performed in the round in the UK (according to Neil) as arenas in the 1980s weren't necessarily equipped to handle all the gear Def Leppard requires to put on their extraordinary show. From guitar solos, levitating drum kits, crowd sing-alongs and a killer setlist this was Def Leppard at the height of their power in the UK and Neil shares his memories from this special moment in his life.
Visit Neil on Twitter (X) and listen to Def Lep Pod wherever you get your podcasts!
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October 25, 1988 saw the release of Traveling Wilburys Volume 1, the debut of a supergroup that no one saw coming. Born out of an idea that George Harrison and Jeff Lynne shared as they worked on his hit album Cloud Nine, they decided they'd like to make music with friends and people they admired. Jeff wanted to work with Roy Orbison and George wanted to work with Bob Dylan. After enlisting the help of new buddy Tom Petty, they set about putting together the most high-powered supergroup of all-time. They all took turns writing, singing lead and playing guitar and the results were strong - more than 3 million in US sales and a grammy nomination for album of the year.
The harmonies between all their voices are something to behold and while some songs give most everyone a chance to sing lead (Handle With Care, End of the Line) others are showcases for their individual styles like like Roy Orbison on Not Alone Anymore and Tweeter and the Monkey Man for Bob Dylan. You can really sense the joy coming from George Harrison as he had been jaded with the music industry and was happy to be part of something special again. Roy was completely chuffed to be back on top of the charts (#3 US, #16 UK, #1 Canada, #1 Australia) but unfortunately he would pass away mere weeks after the album was released. This collaboration helped revive the careers of all these legends and they would continue to work together on each others projects immediately after this. It may not be our typical musical style but as this record turns 35, it was fun to reflect and take a listen to what true rock legends can accomplish by working together and having a bit of fun.
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To hardcore fans of Yes, 1983's 90125 was a big departure from their progressive rock sound of the 1970s. But for the MTV generation, it was our first introduction to Yes and the immense talent within the band. Driven by new member Trevor Rabin as the guitarist, sometime lead vocalist & dominant songwriter and former lead singer Trevor Horn as producer, Yes went in a more commercial and pop direction. Anchored by the return of singer Jon Anderson, stalwart Chris Squire on bass, long time drummer Alan White and returning member Tony Kaye on keyboards, they sold more than 3 million copies in the US and were all over MTV thanks to Owner of a Lonely Heart.
But what did the progressive rock Yes fans think about 90125? Was it too far a departure from their prog rock roots? Was the guitar too heavy compared to the picking of Steve Howe? UK fans didn't embrace this album like the US fans did and now Yes, led by Steve Howe who was in supergroup Asia during the recording of 90125, don't play songs from this record. Owner of a Lonely Heart hit #1 in the US but ony #28 in the UK and the rest of the videos were seen more in the US than England. We go track by track, review all the videos and talk about the politics and lineup changes that are very much a part of the legacy of Yes as 90125 turns 40 November 11, 2023.
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As 10 years olds in 1983, Genesis self-titled album was our introduction to the band with singles & MTV videos like Mama, That's All & Illegal Alien. We had no awareness of the band as prog superstars in the 1970s with Peter Gabriel & Steve Hackett and would only learn of that incarnation later in life. Phil Collins solo career was also on a huge upward swing after the release of Face Value (1980) and Hello I Must Be Going (1982). When Phil, Mike Rutherford and Tony Banks reconvened Genesis the band was gaining momentum from all sides and since they decided for the first time to credit all music to everyone equally, they felt the eponymous title made sense for a record they collaborated on together with fewer self-penned ideas coming in.
But where does it stand in their legacy? They've eschewed the lengthy prog songs they wrote in the 70s for shorter, more pop friendly melodies. While Phil Collins singing and drumming were both strong on this album, are all these songs discernible from what he was doing in his solo career? Were they trading success for the ubiquity that would follow with Collins next solo release No Jacket Required (25 million sold) and their 1986 record Invisible Touch (over 15 million sold)? And what were they thinking with Illegal Alien? Would the adult contemporary/middle-of-the-roadness of this album define their sound and the image of Phil as a solo artist? We dive into all that as Genesis (1983) turns 40 on October 3.
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The Yardbirds have an unparalleled legacy in the hallowed halls of rock n roll as they were one of the original British Invasion groups that brought the blues to the forefront of the rock scene in the 60s. The Wolf & Action Jackson became enamoured with them as teens in the 80s as the 60s had a big cultural renaissance and new CD box sets like Eric Clapton's Crossroads (which we cover in-depth on UAWIL 33 & 34). While the band is best known for their 3 famous guitarists - Clapton, Jeff Beck & Jimmy Page - the entire band deserves credit as top notch musicians and performers and Paul Samwell-Smith, Chris Dreja, Keith Relf and Jim McCarty are all members of the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame with their lead guitar members.
We are so proud to welcome Jim McCarty of The Yardbirds to talk about his single Breath of the Wind which is available for digital download on September 15. Jim wrote the song for his late wife, Lizzie, and goes on to tell us about working mediums to help him see the end of life differently. We talk about playing with his band, how his lovely voice is a better fit for acoustic music than the raucous sounds he made with The Yardbirds, how he still enjoys playing live and some choice stories from the 1960s. It's a dream come true for 2 teenage rock fans who geeked out on The Yardbirds when they met 30+ years ago to interview this true gentleman and genuine rock legend.
Visit JimMcCarty.com & buy Breath of the Wind wherever you purchase digital music
Visit DemonMusicGroup.co.uk to learn more @demonmusicgroup
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On the 2nd episode of our monthly sidecast, First Concert Memories, we welcome Van Halen superfan Greg Renoff to talk about the night he saw Van Halen on the 1984 Tour. This night would change Greg's life as he would go on to literally write the book on Van Halen with Van Halen Rising and his latest Ted Templeman: A Platinum Producer's Life in Music. You can hear Greg's enthusiasm and encyclopedic knowledge of Van Halen throughout our chat as we do our best to work the standard 20 questions we ask of every guest on FCM.
The Wolf & Action Jackson anxiously awaited this episode as though they did eventually see Van Halen on the For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge Tour together in 1991, what really turned them onto Van Halen as impressionable youths was seeing the boys on MTV in 1984. Jump, Panama and Hot For Teacher were in heavy rotation on MTV that summer and the world had caught Van Halen fever. But we were too young to understand that you could see a band you saw on MTV on tour and had no idea how to go about getting to a concert (we were 10). However, a young Greg Renoff scored a ticket and got his mom to drop him off in the family truckster so he could witness Van Halen at the peak of their power on what is considered by most to be the best tour they ever did.
A fun chat with one of the world's foremost experts on Van Halen, Greg Renoff!
Visit Greg on Twitter (X) and order an autographed Ted Templeman book!
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Now this debate could stir some controversy...
Just like sports teams, bands pickup new members to replace folks who don't fit in musically, quit, develop substance issues, don't jibe socially or even die. Eventually, most bands replace members at some point in their careers. But which are the best free agent pickups of all time? Which non-original members made the biggest contribution to a band in terms of developing their sound, their success, and their legacy? The Wolf & Action Jackson each choose their ten best rock band additions of all time and why.
Now we had to put in the parameter that the band had to release at least one album without free agent pick. Many bands had members that didn't work out before they put out a record that would find a replacement that made the lineup successful. For each pick we discuss that musician, the member they replaced, the first album they appeared on and that free agent's legacy in the band. And what would the band's legacy be without this person?
Is Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden the best free agent vocalist? What about Ronnie James Dio, Brian Johnson, Sammy Hagar or Steve Perry? What about guitarists like Mick Taylor in the Rolling Stones, Phil Collen of Def Leppard or Adrian Smith of Iron Maiden? Which of these changed the fortunes of legendary bands forever? Listen and then let us know your Top 10 Rock Free Agents!
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1978 was an interesting time for music. Bigger 70s acts like Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath & Deep Purple were breaking up or having issues. Punk was the hottest thing in the music industry. New wave was on the horizon as was the real game changer in 1981, MTV. Bands that would forge their way to superstardom in the 80s via MTV released their debuts in 1978 - Van Halen, Dire Straits, The Cars and The Police. WIth a young songwriting genius on the bass in Sting, a sturdy veteran of the road & the studio in Andy Summers and an intellectual drumsmith in Stewart Copeland, they were too good to be just another punk band. So they blended reggae, punk, and rock with relatable lyrics and built the foundation on which their sound would grow and take them to immense success.
The subjects of the 10 songs on Outlandos D'Amour vary from prostitution (Roxanne), suicide (Can't Stand Losing You), fame (Peanuts) and even a blow-up sex doll (Be My Girl - Sally). And yet it all comes together as a fresh sound that is still identifiable to The Police. These three make a lot of noise but it's mostly upbeat, jump up and down fun, especially on the crescendo building (and The Wolf's personal favorite) So Lonely. The album went platinum in the US & UK (and Canada, France, Australia, etc) and gave The Police the foothold they needed to eventually become the biggest band in the world in 1983 with Synchronicity.
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Titans of Metal and true global road warriors Metallica have greenlighted a new podcast from their camp that will provide weekly updates on the band - The Metallica Report. Hosted by Steffan Chirazi, who has worked with & around the band for decades, the writer/editor of So What! and Renee Richardson, a legend of San Francisco rock radio and the Director of Philanthropy at the All Within My Hands Foundation, these two bring you behind the scenes of the biggest band in the World! Not only will you hear from the crew, the band, and fans but you can submit your questions and Metallica stories to the show so Renne & Steffan can get you the answers.
We welcome Renee and Steffan to the Pantheon Podcast family and hear in their words why their relationship with Metallica is so special, the amazing people they work with and the lives they touch through AWMH. Hear about views from the Snakepit of the M72 World Tour (and check out UAWIL 127 & 128 from Amsterdam on Nights 1 & 2 of the tour) and make sure to get your movie tickets for the global simulcast to 2,500 screens across the globe on August 18 & 20.
You really got a sense of the Metallica Family that these two speak about that exists between the band, the fans and everyone who works hard to keep this band on top. This is a must listen show for Metallica fans - subscribe, download & tell em The Wolf sent ya!
Visit Metallica.com to learn more about The Metallica Report
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The Rolling Stones were on the run in 1973. Still tax exiles from England, the Stones went from Europe to the Caribbean to the United States to record and mix the album. Mick Jagger & Keith RIchards were still peeved over Allen Klein taking half their royalties but were now on Rolling Stone records (thanks to Ahmet Ertegun) and had a primo publishing deal. However, not all was right in Rolling Stones land as Mick Taylor was growing dissatisfied with his roll (and income) with the band, producer Jimmy Miller was slowly becoming deeply entrenched in his addiction and Keith was as well while Mick Jagger was trying to live up to his reputation as a lothario and jetset rock superstar.
Though Goats Head Soup did contain worldwide hit Angie and Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo (Heartbreaker), there were some more experimental songs on the album like Winter, odd jams like Can You Hear The Music and the non-radio friendly tale of groupies, Star Star. Bill Wyman doesn't play much bass on the record as Keith and Mick Taylor take turns, Mick Jagger plays some guitar as well as piano as do Billy Preston, Nicky Hopkins and Ian Stewart. It's tough to follow Exile on Main Street and this one is a little different but to help walk us through it is Marc of the Performance Anxiety Podcast. Our Pantheon Podcasts brother helps us go track x track and tackle the unreleased tracks from the Deluxe Edition, including Scarlett featuring the one and only Jimmy Page.
Listen to Performance Anxiety
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Motley Crue followed the platinum success of their debut record Too Fast For Love with 1983's Shout At The Devil. With a provocative title and a cover featuring a pentagram, The Crue were courting controversy in an attempt to gain fame and grow their teenage fanbase. Never known for their musicianship or lyric writing prowess, their sophomore effort helped define a sleazy LA sound that may have eventually been perfected by Guns N Roses. Thanks to their outrageous looks, stage show and attitudes, Motley were able to get airtime on MTV, opening act slots with bands like KISS and Ozzy Oxbourne and get invited to play big festivals. Looks That Kill became a hit on the radio and it helped buoy the album to over 5 million in sales worldwide.
But does it stand the test of time? Hearing the album as a teenager in the 80s is a different experience than hearing it 40 years later and between the simple song structures, the purile yet x-rated lyrics and overall lack of prowess with their instruments, sonically this might not be a classic for the ages. However, thanks to the imagery, the attitude and pure punch of the Mick Mars riffs and Tommy Lee's drumming, this will always hold a place in the hard rock pantheon of albums and is what helped propel Motley Crue to the worldwide success they still enjoy today.
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From the producers of The Ugly American Werewolf in London Rock Podcast, we bring you a new sidecast featuring special guests answering 20 questions about the first time they saw their favorite band live! And what better way to kickoff this new show than with the guys from the #1 rated KISS podcast on the planet, Tom & Zeus from Shout It Out Loudcast.
We talk to our Pantheon Podcast brothers for the first time in more than a year to walk through the first time they saw KISS live. What makes this one special is that we get to talk about 3 different shows from 3 different tours! Tom saw KISS on the Hot In The Shade Tour in 1990, The Wolf & Action Jackson saw the Revenge Tour in 1992 and Zeus (with Tom, of course) so the Alive Worldwide reunion tour in 1996.
Hear us share stories on our favorite moments, who we went with, biggest disappointments, setlists, and more. We had a blast talking KISS live and had to leave a few funny parts on the cutting room floor but we think you'll love the stories and fun we share on our 1st episode of First Concert Memories!
Check out Shout It Out Louidcast
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The Wolf was living in Amsterdam and received news that Iron Maiden were coming to town. Immediately I bought tickets and invited Action Jackson to come in for a visit as he's never seen Maiden live. I also picked up Antwerp tickets as....well, why not? Tragically, The Wolf had to move back to the USA prior to the shows in July. However, the boys were resolute and made their way to Europe to see the greatest live show on Earth - Iron Maiden. The fact that they're doing the Days of Future Past Tour focusing not only on the new Senjutsu album but our favorite IM record ever, Somewhere in Time, this was the chance of a lifetime for your intrepid hosts to see an amazing show together.
To help walk through some of the amazing memories we made, we've enlisted Steve from Uncle Steve's Iron Maiden Zone Podcast. Steve's deep knowledge and passion for Maiden dates back before the The Wolf & Action even knew each other and he asks the questions Iron Maiden fans want to hear. Besides the performance, setlist, appearances by Eddie (the shootout with Bruce was brilliant) and other details of the show, the boys share a very special encounter (or three) back at the hotel after the show.
It was a magical couple of days in Europe for your hosts, making amazing memories that we share with you here.
Check out Uncle Steve's Iron Maiden Zone
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Kill Em All, the debut album from heavy metal heroes Metallica, was released July 25, 1983 but not to much fanfare. They didn't have the budget (or desire) to make videos and their sound was so loud and aggressive, you never heard them on rock radio back then. MTV was happy with bands like Men at Work and Duran Duran to be beamed to the suburbs which simply weren't ready for the thrash that Metallica brought with them. The album only sold about 60,000 copies the first year it was out. But it was the start of something which wouldn't be realized until almost a decade later.
To help us better understand the significance of Kill Em All and the rise of thrash, we've enlisted Jay Scott - our Pantheon Podcasts brother from The Hook Rocks and The Zeppelin Chronicles with Shout It Out Loudcast. Jay has been listening to Metallica since the beginning and theorizes that this album was the death of glam rock even though at the time it went completely unnoticed. We go track by track and Jay talks about the night he road his bike to a bowling alley at midnight for a chance to gaze upon the boys from Metallica. It may have started slow out of the gates but this album is the foundation for what is now the biggest band in the world.
Check out The Hook Rocks Podcast
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Martin Popoff may be the most prolific rock writer in the world with over 115 books to his name. Unlike other writers who prefer to delve into the gossip and tabloid portions of a bands history, Martin focuses on the music and the albums that we all love as rock fans. His latest, AC/DC at 50, is a beautiful coffee table book that features photos of the band on stage, in the studio, rare album covers and memories from their decades of dominance as the world's premier hard rock band.
Martin tells 50 different stories throughout AC/DC's career that were important, inflection points or at a time when the band needed a hand. Brothers Malcolm & Angus Young may be private people but they've built a legacy that Martin has distilled to 50 points in time that you can read all the way through or pick and choose which stories you want to learn more about today. Martin even includes some personal history with the band like riding home on his bike from the record store with Let There Be Rock tied to the back. What are his favorite 3 AC/DC albums? What does he think their legacy is? We have a fun chat with Martin and he even indulges our questions about an article he recently wrote for Goldmine on supergroups.
Order AC/DC at 50 from Martin Popoff or wherever you get your books
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Lynyrd Skynyrd emerged from Jacksonville, Florida and became titans of the Southern Rock scene. Battling their way up from adversity, the rowdy & rough-and-tumble bunch finally signed with MCA and released their debut album Pronounced Leh-nerd Skin-nerd in August of 1973. It went double platinum and saw them open The Who's Quadrophenia Tour which helped them get exposure to a larger audience. It was the foundation for the bands epic run of success until a horrible tragedy in 1977 derailed the bands trajectory and the lives of the members.
Ronnie Van Zant may not have been the most talented singer in the world but he was a menacing front man who doesn't get the credit he deserves for his poignant lyrics that everyone can relate to. Though the band would eventually be known for their 3 guitar attack, Ed King would play bass on this album before Leon Wilkeson rejoined the band in 1973 and then Ed fell in with fellow gunslingers Allen Collins and Gary Rossington. Ed even helped write a song at the end of sessions for the first album which would wind up on Second Helping and would become the biggest hit they ever had, Sweet Home Alabama. But the record did feature Gimme Three Steps, Tuesdays Gone, Simple Man and the epic Free Bird. What a debut! We go track x track to celebrate its 50th!
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After the demise of Led Zeppelin, Robert Plant almost called it quits as a performer. It was actually Phil Collins, who knew something about going solo after being part of a big rock band, who encouraged him and actually played drums on his first album. Robert didn't want to go back to the big machine that was Zeppelin, but he did want to write songs, collaborate with musicians and play live. However, he didn't want to tour until he had enough material to do a headline show without dipping into the Led Zep catalog. So it wasn't until his second solo record, The Principle of Moments released July 11, 1983, that he had the solo catalog that would allow him to take his new songs and band out tour.
Though his first album, Picture at 11 (which we reviewed on UAWIL #105), had singles and MTV videos, they didn't capture the public's imagination. But thanks to a concept video by Storm Thorgerson of Hipgnosis fame, Big Log was a hit and showed the world that Robert was capable of more than just screeching along to Jimmy Page's insane guitar riffs. In The Mood also hit the charts and allowed Robert to show more of his vocal talents. The videos are a bit odd but that was early MTV and we go track x track, video x video and recall fond memories of this album from the early 80s.
Hear UAWIL 105: Robert Plant - Pictures at Eleven
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Mick Wall is one of rock music's greatest writers. From Kerrang! to Classic Rock and publications all around the world, Mick has been telling stories about the rock musicians we all love for decades and has written more than 20 books on legendary acts like Jimi Hendrixx, Black Sabbath, AC/DC, Guns N Roses, Iron Maiden & more. Recently he decided to take on the task of one of the most successful US rock bands in history, the Eagles. The band have always been portrayed as country/rock superstars who were victims of great success, excess and infighting. Mick has a way of moving past all that to distill the real story of the band in the times in which they were formed, rose to the top and disintegrated in Life In The Fast Lane.
The book is a great read and Mick offers some context of the Los Angeles the guys came out of - a post 60s, post Manson time where the American Dream was hanging on by a thread. Mick also spoke with us about some of the other superstars he's written about over the years like James Hetfield & Lars Ulrich (Metallica), Axl Rose (Guns N Roses), Steve Clark (Def Leppard) and more. Though some have found his take on certain artists to be harsh, Mick approaches his work not as a fan but as a writer whose only concern is that of the voyage of the reader.
Mick Wall is one of the world’s best-known rock writers and the author of over 25 internationally bestselling biographies and ghosted memoirs, including definitive titles on Led Zeppelin (When Giants Walked the Earth), Metallica (Enter Night), AC/DC (Hell Ain’t a Bad Place to Be), Black Sabbath (Symptom of the Universe), Lou Reed, The Doors (Love Becomes a Funeral Pyre), Foo Fighters, Lemmy and Guns N’ Roses (Last of the Giants). During his long career in the music business, Mick worked with Dire Straits, Thin Lizzy, Journey, REO Speedwagon, Black Sabbath, The Damned, Willie Nelson, The Band, Kris Kristofferson, Motörhead, and many more. He lives in England.
Order Mick Wall's Life In The Fast Lane Via Amazon or Diversion Books
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1982 saw the birth of the 80s first supergroup with Asia made of prog legends John Wetton (King Crimson, Uriah Heep, UK), Steve Howe (Yes), Geoff Downes (Buggles, Yes) and Carl Palmer (ELP). They achieved great success with their eponymous first album thanks to the worldwide sensation Heat of the Moment and some Godley & Creme videos that ruled MTV. Asia was the #1 selling record in the US that year and to capitalize on that momentum, the band were rushed back to the studio to crank out a follow up for 1983.
While 1983's Alpha did contain some of the magic from the first record, the band were disappointed in the process and the end result. Despite a big budget video with an Indiana Jones theme and a radio hit in Don't Cry, Alpha didn't achieve the same success as it's predecessor. However, Geffen pushed the band forward and coordinated the first ever live satellite concert on MTV with the historic Asia in Asia event broadcast from Japan in December, 1983 with VJ Mark Goodman hosting. Last year we were fortunate enough to speak with both Carl Palmer and Geoff Downes about their time in Asia and the stage and setup for that historic concert. It may not quite have the same magic of the first album but it still holds a special place in our hearts so listen with an open mind and hear from the musicians that made the album and history via MTV.
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Tormato is an album that only hardcore Yes fans seem to know about. Without huge hit singles and a non-Roger Dean cover that many people do not like (including famously some of the members of the band), their 1978 offering often flies under the radar. But thanks to Kevin Mulryne, co-host of The Yes Music Podcast and author of the book Yes - The Tormato Story you can learn the most extraordinary details that went into the making of this album.
From working with Hipgnosis on the cover, working at Advision studios to only move to RAC, the equipment the band used, the extra tracks that didn't make the album, to never before seen images from those sessions this book is a real treasure. Even rock fans who aren't that into Yes will be blown away by the detail Kevin has included through his extensive research from members of the band to their crew and all sorts of folks in the Yes orbit. Did you know they used a rotating stage on that tour? Did you know it went platinum in the US but you couldn't get it on CD until 1989? Though Don't Kill The Whale was a minor hit, the odd songs like Arriving UFO and Circus of Heaven make this one a bit different. And with rare epics like On The Silent Wings of Freedom, Onward or the baroque Madrigal, Tormato serves up some buried treasure which Kevin has helped to unearth. The book is a fantastic read and our conversation with Kevin was even more informative. Order his book Yes - The Tormato Story below:
YesMusicPodcast.com - Order Yes - The Tormato Story
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Terry Reid began performing and touring as a professional at 15 in the UK. As a teenager he opened for The Rolling Stones, Cream and Jethro Tull. He was offered the lead singer spot in Deep Purple from Ritchie Blackmore and introduced Robert Plant to Jimmy Page. He's worked and played with so many people over the years but he's been gigging out with George Kapitanelis and his New Jersey based Cosmic American Derelicts for 15 years. These two have a kinship beyond playing music together (ie a shared love of westerns) and we have a great conversation with them about their new album Bergenfield Blues.
Besides diving into some of the blues meets country with a bit of southern rock we liked on Bergenfield Blues, we got to hear some road stories from Terry and George. From playing Madison Square Garden to getting a call from John Lennon to sitting in the studio with George Michael, Terry giddily shares some fond memories from over half a century in the rock world.
TerryReid.com - See him at Ronnie Scott's June 20 in London
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When we heard an advance copy of Rival Sons new album Darkfighter, we were instant fans of the band and desperately wanted to speak to someone about this rocking new record. We were happily obliged by Founder/Guitarist/Songwriter Scott Holiday - Mr. Fuzzlord himself!! Scott joined us from the road in the US ahead of a schedule that will take Rival Sons to Europe, onto some huge festival stages and back to the US in the fall. Scott was generous with his time and spirit, talking about his influences, the equipment he uses to get that fuzzy sound, writing this album (and it's companion follow-up record LIghtbringer, listen to learn when we'll hear that) and opening for some of the biggest bands in the world like Black Sabbath, KISS, Aerosmith & more.
For you classic rock fans who don't know any bands if they didn't record before 1995, I guarantee you'll love this record. It's like they took everything from the 70s & 80s that we love, blended it together to make something new and it kicks @ss! Scott, who like us is a member of the MTV generation, even talked in-depth about the fun videos they made for their first three singles Nobody Wants To Die, Rapture & Bird In The Hand which portray the boys as a band of outlaws in Tarantino fashion. Every listen of this record unlocks something we didn't notice before and endears us to these guys style. Rock isn't dead as long as bands like Rival Sons are still out there making killer new music and playing it live. Listen to our fun conversation with Scott which could have gone on for hours and order Darkfighter, you won't be disappointed: https://rivalsons.lnk.to/darkfighter
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Ronnie James Dio was a legend in the heavy metal community. He first hit the road in the 50s but evolved into a metal god in the 70s with Elf and Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow. That led to taking over the vocal duties in Black Sabbath on two epic albums in the early 80s, Heaven & Hell and Mob Rules. But Ronnie grew disillusioned with being a hired hand or replacement and decided to form his own band with Vinnie Appice from Sabbath, rock veteran Jimmy Bain and young hotshot Vivian Campbell (Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake, Def Leppard).
On May 25, 1983 they released their debut, Holy Diver, which is considered by fans and critics alike as a heavy metal masterpiece. With epic songs like Holy Diver, radio friendly hits like Rainbow in the Dark and a couple of odd early MTV videos, this album is legendary. Ronnie passed away in May of 2010 and we miss him, his talent and generosity towards his fans. So we look back at his legacy through 1983's Holy Diver track x track.
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April 29, 2023 in Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam saw the first 2nd night (if that makes sense) of Metallica's M72 World Tour - No Repeat Weekend where you get two totally different setlists and 2 different opening acts. On Episode 127 we talked about how the setlist was so killer, there was no way the 2nd night would be as good - but it was still awesome. We talked about how Kirk's sound was off Night 1 - but it was better on Night 2. We talked about our disappointment with the opening acts we saw on Night 1 - but were blown away by who we saw on Night 2 (I wasn't a huge Floor Jansen fan before I walked in there but I sure was when I walked out).
James, Lars, Kirk and Robert came back for more and delivered in a big way. Hear about the setlist highlights and which songs and spots I believe they'll be switching around as the tour progresses. How was Night 2 better than Night 1? How was it disappointing? We take you on the journey for my last few hours of my whirlwind 72 hour trek to Amsterdam to see Metallica!
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Metallica have always been trailblazers in the world of heavy metal and performance. Over the last 4+decades they have entertained audiences around the world and sit on the throne as The Kings of Metal. Though at this point in their career they could coast as a nostalgia act and just play the hits, they are not resting on their laurels. On the heels of the release of their 72 Seasons album, their 11th and finest in decades (in my opinion) they have embarked on the ambitious M72 World Tour - No Repeat Weekend. Over the next 2 years, Metallica will go to a city in Europe or North American for 2 nights and won't repeat the same song - that's over 4 hours of live music! They kicked off the tour in Amsterdam in Johan Cruyff Arena April 27 & 29 and The Wolf was there to see them both.
We started this podcast when The Wolf was an expat living in London, taking in all things to do with British rock history and culture. Then he moved to Amsterdam which has a robust concert schedule and when Metallica announced they'd be kicking off their world tour there, he was in! Despite the fact that he was forced to move back to the US this spring, he made a pilgrimage back to Amsterdam so he could share the first two nights of this extraordinary tour with his listeners. The setlist was phenomenal, the stage and production were fantastic and it was great to hear the new material blend so well with the classics. Subscribe below and don't miss Part 2 out next week!
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Men at Work hit the big time in 1983 thanks to some great tunes and quirky videos which were all over MTV. Their first album, 1981's Business As Usual, sold over 15 million copies thanks to hits like Who Can It Be Now? and Down Under. But thanks to disinterent from the record company, the band were slow to break in the US. Finally, after worldwide success outside of the US, the album was finally released and, thanks to the programmers on MTV, they skyrocketed to massive success earning a Grammy for best new artist and selling 6 million copies in the US alone.
Their follow up, Cargo, was supposed to come out in 1982 but as their songs from Business As Usual were still on the US chart, they delayed the release of Cargo until April 29, 1983. With songs written and sung by Colin Hay and fun videos featuring the band like Dt Heckyl & Mr. Jive, Overkill and It's A Mistake, Men at Work solidified their spot as global pop sensations. But it wasn't meant to last as this was the last album with the original lineup as Men at Work fatigue set in by 1984. We explore the songs, the videos, and the legacy of Colin and the boys after the breakup in this fun episode.
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In 1978, the US saw the debut of one of the greatest guitar heroes of all time, Eddie Van Halen, However, across the pond another guitar god was releasing his first record as well - Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits. With his folksy songwriting, authentic vocal style and masterful, finger-picking guitar style, Dire Straits 1978 debut showed us what this little band from the north of England were made of.
Not as flashy as a Van Halen or maybe as intricate as a Steve Howe but every bit as passionate, Mark Knopfler established himself as one of the premier guitar players of his generation. Whether picking on his Fender Stratocaster or the steel acoustic Old National, Knopfler creates country, folk and rock soundscapes with inspired guitar work and a storytelling style that is very relatable.
You may not be able to hear this album and think that in 7 short years they'd have a worldwide success in Brothers in Arms but you can see the foundational talent that would allow them to grow into that kind of achievement. What kind of characters do you see walking around London? A drunken old sailor? A snobby watitess? A ten pence band with a million pound name? Knopfler's rich stories create images that transport you to another time and place yet allow you to relate to them on a very personal level.
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Van Halen were about the biggest hard rock band in the world around 1988. The headlined the Monsters of Rock Tour over Scorpions, Metallica, Dokken & Kingdom Come and had big hits with their 2nd album featuring Sammy Hagar, OU812. On the heels of 5150 which followed the departure of David Lee Roth, Van Halen seemed poised for bigger and better things. But OU812 sold about half of what 5150 sold in the US, even though OU812 is a little harder than its predecessor. Were they listening to critics who felt 5150 was too heavy on the synths? Were they worried Diamond Dave was getting more praise for his solo efforts?
For us personally, this album came at a time in our lives when we were discovering the first Van Halen album and all the heaviness and guitar mastery of their original release. Plus, we had fond memories of big MTV hits like Jump, Panama and Hot For Teacher from 1984 when we were just getting into music. So Van Halen had the street cred for heavy duty guitar rock but the pop stardom from MTV. Though we were excited to hear 5150 and love tracks like Mine All Mine and AFU (Naturally Wired) the big hits like When It's Love, Feels So Good and Finish What You Started aren't among our all time VH favorites. How do we rank it in the Pantheon of Van Halen records? Have a listen and find out!
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Marillion never got the memo that by 1983 you weren't supposed to do progressive rock the way Genesis, Yes, Camel and others did in the 1970s. Despite their debut coming during the New Wave era of MTV, Marillion established a style and sound that have sustained them for over 40 years even if it wasn't in vogue at the time. The knock on them in the US is that they sounded too much like Peter Gabriel era Genesis and the lyrics & vocals of lead singer Fish definitely resemble those of the 2 time Rock n Roll Hall of Famer. But the sound of Marillion is rich, in depth, dense and melodic with some brilliant musicianship.
Steve Rothery is an incredible guitarist who share the mid-range space very well with the equally brilliant Mark Kelly on keyboards. Pete Trewavas holds it all down with his bass and Mick Pointer keeps the beat on the drums to crank out some prog greatness. Most every song is around the 8 minute mark so you have to listen up to hear everything that's going on. Fish delivers poignant lyrics in songs about drug addiction (He Knows You Know) and war (Forgotten Sons) while taking a jab at the aristocracy (Garden Party) and having a bit of fun in the videos.
To help us better understand these UK artist is another UK artist, Jimmy Maddon. Jimmy combines straight ahead rock with prog and glam sensibilities and he's starting to make some headway here in the US. We asked him to help us uncover what makes Marillion so great, what makes their music English and why they haven't found the same kind of success in the US.
Please visit https://www.youtube.com/user/jimmymaddonofficial & follow https://www.facebook.com/jimmymaddon/ & https://twitter.com/jimmymaddon
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U2 released Songs of Surrender, a new compilation of some of their best songs stripped down and reworked, on St. Patrick's Day 2023. We knew that was coming but what was a bit of a surprise was on the same day they released a documentary/performance via Disney+. Titled Bono & The Edge - A Sort of Homecoming with David Letterman, it captures the legendary singer & guitarist without their bandmates (Larry Mullen, Jr. was recovering from an injury, Adam Clayton was making a film) in Dublin discussing how some of their biggest and best songs came to be, how they've reworked them and even how they've updated them.
David Letterman serves as the narrator/interviewer and is very Dave, not only when speaking with Bono & The Edge but with Dubliners, Irish citizens, and performers. We're generally not in favor of reworking or changing classic tunes but the band have found an amazing balance between staying true to the original while stripping it down to it's essentialness. The boys give Dave and the viewer a better understanding of what it means to be Irish, how Dublin has evolved in the last 50 years and where the band find themselves now.
The real treat is the two performances - one at The Rotunda which was once a hospital (where Bono was born) and one at McDaids Pub whis is more than 200 years old. To watch them perform in both these settings with friends like Glen Hansard in an intimate setting is special and that's why we did this episode on this very special show.
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Iron Maiden are one of the biggest bands in the world, touring the planet in their own customized 747 flown by lead singer Bruce Dickinson. But in 1983, Maiden were still forging their way, trying to solidify their lineup and making their name through relentless touring. After the success of Number of the Beast, the band wanted to take things to the next level and with the addition of Nicko McBrain on drums they finally had their classic lineup set which is still intact today.
Thanks to Nicko on the skins, the confidence and power of vocalist Bruce Dickinson, the sci-fi lyrics and extraordinary bass of leader Steve Harris and the frantic guitar licks of Dave Murray & Adrian Smith, Iron Maiden had the lineup that would set them on a course for global superstardom. Piece of Mind would be the first of 5 legendary albums from this lineup in the 1980s and the 5 of them would reunite in 2000 (along with 3rd guitarist Janick Gers) to reclaim their thrones as the ultimate heavy metal band. They're still going today and The Wolf & Action Jackson will be catching their Future Past Tour in Europe this summer.
From Nicko's incredible drum work on Where Eagles Dare to Bruce's haunting vocals on Revelations to the ultimate Maiden runner with The Trooper, this album showcases the talent of all in the band. For once, they actually received airplay on US radio and The Trooper charted (unlike the 1st single The Flight of Icarus). Despite no love from MTV, the album went platinum in the US and the fans turned out in droves for their 130+ date tour. We go track by track, think about it in comparison to the other Iron Maiden albums we've reviewed over the years (#14 Live After Death, #38 Somewhere in Time, #39 Seventh Son of a Seventh Son, #65 Number of the Beast, #66 Fear of the Dark, plus #48 review of Bruce Dickinson speaking tour) and discuss how this was the real beginning of the band we love.
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David Bowie achieved a cult following and critical acclaim in the 1970s for his glam-rock, gender bending image and style. He was a huge influence to artists all around the world and is the 9th best selling artist in the UK. However, huge commercial success eluded him, especially in the US. And following the murder of John Lennon in 1980, Bowie decided not to tour and became a bit of a recluse at his home in Switzerland.
After singing a big record contract with EMI in America, he decided to team up with legendary producer Nile Rodgers to create his 1983 release Let's Dance. With the help of Rodgers and his R&B influences, Bowie created an album bringing together R&B, pop. new wave and his own style. Thanks to his new sound and MTV, Let's Dance went on to sell over 10 million copies worldwide, his biggest seller ever and the lead single was also his biggest seller. But did Bowie want to be an international pop sensation? Was it a musical style and path he wanted to stay on? As usual we go track x track and try to better understand how this one fits in his catalog on UAWIL #120.
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Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon turns 50 in March and we want to celebrate this groundbreaking progressive rock album the way we always do - relating our personal stories of discovering the record, the band, seeing them play live, interviewing their members and going track x track. Dark Side is one of the biggest selling albums of all time (50 million+ sales worldwide) and changed the trajectory of the band who were best known as a psychedelic ensemble famous for their light shows and long instrumentals. After the departure of leader Syd Barret in the late 1960s, the band found their way forward together with all members - David Gilmour, Roger Waters, Rick Wright & Nick Mason - contributing to the writing and musicianship that catapulted this one into the stratosphere.
Recorded at EMI Studios (now Abbey Road Studios), the boys along with the help of engineer Alan Parsons experimented with new technology, multiple tracks, sound effects and recording techniques that built a groundbreaking soundscape. Though the record still had the signature Pink Floyd instrumentals, it also included timeless classic rock radio numbers like Money, Time, Us & Them and Brain Damage. From the iconic album cover to the direct, cutting lyrics, this album is unparalleled and remains relevant 50 years after it was first released.
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In March of 1993, Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin, The Yardbirds) and David Coverdale (Whitesnake, Deep Purple) were brought together by A&R legend John Kalodner to create a hard rock album in the midst of grunge. They almost called the band Legends or North and South but settled on Coverdale Page to combine Coverdale's raspy vocals with Page's extraordinary guitar work. For Jimmy Page fans who had been waiting for his return after the tepidly received Outrider album, this release was highly anticipated and eventually went platinum in the US thanks to radio hits like Pride & Joy, Shake My Tree and Take Me For A Little While.
However, critics were all over Page for collaborating with Coverdale who had been derided throughout his career as a Robert Plant clone. Even Plant himself threw shade at Jimmy and David as many of the tracks sounded very much like the old Zeppelin. But for two college students who were sure they'd never see a live Led Zeppelin show, they were psyched to hear this album and we actually bought tickets to see them live in Orlando. That show (and the whole North American Tour) never happened but hearing some of these songs on the radio, watching the videos on MTV and blasting it through our 5 CD changer in the dorm room made for happy days. And Robert Plant must have realized there was some magic there as not long after the release of Coverdale Page, he teamed up with Jimmy for the Unledded album, video and tour. It may not be the best work of either of these Rock N Roll Hall of Famers but it has a special place in history and in our hearts.
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In 1978, Cheap Trick were much like their friends from KISS - they were working hard on the road, putting on great live shows but their studio albums weren't making much of a dent in the charts. However, thanks to opening for bands that were doing well in Japan, Cheap Trick amassed a nice following there and earned a #1 hit with the studio version of I Want You To Want Me (which didn't chart in the US). So the band decided to release a live album in Japan only to reward their fans in The Land of the Rising Sun.
However, thanks to I Want You To Want Me's inclusion as a b-side from a single on their 3rd album Heaven Tonight and imports of At Budokan coming from Japan to the US, they released the live album worldwide and the rest is history. The live versions of tracks like Ain't That A Shame, Surrender and I Want You To Want Me are the quintessential versions of those tunes on US rock radio. Plus, Cheap Trick set up their next album for success as it included songs that would be included on Dream Police. For kids growing up in the late 70s, Cheap Trick At Budokan was in the air, on the turntables and sung along to everyday. This was a fun one to go back and give a listen as you can hear some of the punk influence on their riffs while maintaining that pure rock sound that helped get them into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. But make no mistake, without this album we wouldn't be talking about them today.
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Houses of the Holy saw Led Zeppelin grow as a band more than any of their previous 4 albums. After the enormous success of Led Zeppelin IV, the boys used some of their winnings to build home studios which allowed them to flesh more ideas and come to the studio with more robust ideas. John Paul Jones really stretched out the most showing his ability to play funk (The Crunge), arrange string sections (Rain Song), or take us on an epic ominous ride (No Quarter). Jimmy Page provides the killer riffs with the softer acoustic bits, Robert Plant adds his trademark lyrics and vocals while John Bonham hammers those drums to give everyone the space they need to shine.
Joining us for the 2nd time is House of the Dragon creator/executive producer/head writer Ryan Condal. Ryan is an old school metal head whose passion for rock music is only eclipsed by his passion for writing and you'll hear plenty of literary references and big words we don't often hear on a show of our ilk. We discuss the majesty of Zeppelin, go track by track, discuss the Hypnosis cover and the songs that didn't make the cut but ended up on other albums. Ryan provides no hints on upcoming House of the Dragon spoilers but we had a great time talking about this legendary album which turns 50 on March 28, 2023.
Where is that confounded bridge?
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On our show, we often examine bands who make it big on one side of the pond, but for some reason don't hit it big on the other. This week we examine a band that was huge in the US thanks to a hit by a band that was huge in the UK. in 1983, Quiet Riot released Metal Health and, thanks to success of the Slade cover Cum On Feel The Noize, became the first heavy metal album to hit #1 on the Billboard charts. The song hadn't been a hit for Slade in the US but was huge in the UK and Europe. Quiet Riot may have risen to great heights in the US but didn't make much of a dent in the UK.
Beyond the big hit, there are some driving beats and killer riffs provided by Frankie Banali (drums), Rudy Sarzo (bass) and Carlos Cavazo (guitar) on songs like Metal Health and Slick Black Cadillac. But it was the posturing and sleazy lyrics of lead singer Kevin Dubrow that really grabbed people's attention and got the band into some hot water. How has this one stood the test of time after 40 years? We go track by track, have a listen!
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It's hard to believe it's been 40 years since U2 released War in early 1983. Though U2 had been gaining ground on their first two albums Boy and October, it was War that set them on the path to superstardom. Buoyed by the big hits New Years Day and Sunday Bloody Sunday, U2 had really found their footing with the help of producer Steve Lillywhite. The Edge was creating amazing melodies and textures through his guitar and piano, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen, Jr. were honing themselves into a foundational and funky rhythm section while Bono was really finding his voice as a singer and songwriter.
Though singing about war, love, inequality and things you don't always hear about on pop/rock records, U2 came across as earnest and steadfast in their beliefs. Thanks to MTV, the boys broke out big in American and sold more than 6 million copies. The 100+ date tour saw them go from playing clubs to playing arenas and some huge festivals. Though U2 would go on to have even bigger selling records, we always look back to this one as the real start of the juggernaut that win the hearts of American and the world.
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In 1978, Gerry Rafferty was finally freed from his old record contract with his old band Stealers Wheel, which spawned the big hit Stuck In The Middle With You (which you may remember from a certain scene in Reservoir Dogs). After several years of commuting from his home in Scotland to London to deal with his legal issues, he was finally ready to offer up his first solo album in 7 years, City to City.
The success he found was big and unexpected with the single Baker Street topping the charts all around the world. But this easy listening gem was not without its fair share of controversy. For years saxophonist Raphael Ravenscroft claimed he'd written the iconic bit, something Gerry vehemently denied. Also, the song was kept from the top of the Billboard chart thanks to an arrangement by Andy Gibb's management to keep his song at #1. The follow up single Right Down The Line was also a big hit and helped City to City sell over 5 million copies worldwide. Gerry never again found success like he did with this record and we honor his achievement after 45 years by reviewing this classic track by track.
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Jeff Beck was one of the world's true originals. An innovator of guitar that couldn't be defined by one genre. To pay tribute to him, we examine his career from his time in The Yardbirds, The Jeff Beck Group (with Rod Stewart & Ronnie Wood), Beck, Bogert, & Appice, through the 70s & 80s until today. He eventually abandoned playing with a pick so he could better control the sound of the Stratocaster with his fingers and whammy bar to make sounds no one else could.
The Wolf was fortunate enough to see Jeff Beck play 4 times over the years, including last year in Royal Albert Hall with Johnny Depp. We talk about how we came to know Jeff and his music, what it was like to see him live and the legacy he leaves. We also include an excerpt from our interview with Deborah Bonham and Peter Bullick (Episode #72) who toured with him on The Stars Align Tour on which Peter had the opportunity to play Jeff's tunes through his rig to the astonishment of anyone listening. There will never be another Jeff Beck!
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By 1983 Journey had achieved huge success and had finally settled on a stable lineup with Steve Perry on vocals, Neal Schon on guitar, Jonathan Cain on the keys, Ross Valory on bass and Steve Smith on the drums. 1981's Escape would eventually go diamond (10 million in sales) in the US and coming off the tour to that megahit, they needed to bring the goods to follow it up. And did they ever on 1983's Frontiers with Separate Ways, Send Her My Love, Faithfully and After The Fall. It went on to sell over 6 million in the US - but could it have been bigger?
Two songs that were intended to go on the album were pulled in favor of b-sides so that Ask The Lonely could be used on the Two of a Kind soundtrack in 1984 and Only The Young was part of the Vision Quest movie in 1985. They became big hits on their own but would their inclusion on Frontiers have propelled it to diamond status? Would that have delayed or accelerated Steve Perry's solo career? We go track by track on all of them and examine the turmoil in the band over the years. What a fun way to start 2023!!
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2022 was a great year for our show as we became a part of Pantheon Podcasts, gained an amazing sponsor in RareVinyl.com and welcomed artists and musicians who we have loved and admired for years.
On Part 2 of our 2022 in Review shows, we talk about how excited we were to welcome folks we've been fans of for decades like Geoff Downes (Yes, Asia), Carl Palmer (Asia, ELP), Chris Slade (AC/DC, The Firm, David Gilmour), Steve Hackett (Genesis), Guy Pratt (Pink Floyd, David Gilmour) and Gary Kemp (Spandau Ballet, Nick Mason). Hear our reactions to some of the stories from these great artists!
But we also had the chance to speak with artists we've just come to know recently like Amanda Lehmann (Steve Hackett), Deobrah Bonham & Peter Bullick, Jim Cregan (Rod Stewart) and Autumn Hawk Percival. We had a wonderful time learning about what they've been up to recently, talking about their music and what they're going to be up to in 2023. We're proud of the artists/musicians/legends we hosted in 2022 and look forward to more in 2023!
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The Wolf & Action Jackson took some time to reflect at the end of 2022 on all the great episodes, guests, concerts and artists we featured on the show this year. With 29 albums reviewed, 10 podcaster/writer guests, 12 concerts reviewed and 9 artist interviews we covered a lot of ground! On Part 1, we look back at the talented podcasters and writers who guested on our show and reminisce about all the concerts we reviewed after a COVID concert drought.
We welcomed some our fellow Pantheon Podcasts hosts this year to talk about some of our favorite albums. We look back at speaking with Tom & Zeus of Shout It Out Loudcasts, Christy Alexander Halberg of Rock Is Lit, Martin Popoff of History in 5 Songs, Paul of Vintage Rock Pod and Pantheon Founder Christian Swain of Rock n Roll Archeology. We also welcomed some of our favorites from around the world like Neil of Def Lep Pod, Sonny "Hollywood" Pooni of Growin Up Rock, Chris of My Rock n Roll Heaven, rock journalist Anne Estella and RareVinyl.com Record Buyer Mike Wenban.
Like so many of you, we were psyched to have live music back in our lives in 2022! Some tickets we'd had for two and half years, some were bought the week of the show. Hear The Wolf talk about seeing Simple Minds at Wembley Arena, Sting at the Palladium, Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets, Yes and Jeff Beck & Johnny Depp at Royal Albert Hall and The Rolling Stones and Duran Duran at Hyde Park. And hear Jackson talk about finally getting to see The Cult again after lockdown, along with The Stadium Tour. Not to mention, the first concert our hosts saw together in 28 years in Indianapolis.
Part 2 is on the artists we welcomed to the show in 2022, be sure to subscribe and download!
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Jim Cregan may not be a household name in the US but he has recorded over 50 gold and platinum records in his career. Best known for his days as a guitarist and songwriter with Rod Stewart, Jim joined us to talk about his new charity single and to relive some moments from his stellar career.
Jim works with AngelForce USA, a non-profit dedicating to serving US veterans who may be at risk of suicide. He and his band, Cregan & Co., have reworked an old Johnny Mathis tune A Child is Born which is available to download with all the proceeds going to AngelForce USA. We talk a bit about how he came to work with this noble cause and the tune itself.
We then dive into crazy days & nights in the studio and on the road with Rod the Mod. He first joined Stewart on the Foot Loose & Fancy Free album and was a part of his touring & recording band into the 90s, including the MTV Unplugged performance that included Ronnie Wood. Hear Jim recount stories about Hollywood A-list parties, speaking on the phone to Britt Ekland and working hard to avoid having your door kicked in by the Sex Police. Jim has the gift of gab and some extraordinary stories to go with it!
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In early 1982, Van Halen was finishing up a tour of the US that included opening for The Rolling Stones for some stadium shows. After 5 straight years of touring and 4 consecutive platinum records, the members of Van Halen were looking forward to a much deserved vacation. But to make sure folks didn't forget about them, they released a cover of the Roy Orbison classic Oh, Pretty Woman. The song raced up the charts and then Warner Brothers demanded an album to go with the hit single. So Eddie Van Halen, Michael Anthony, David Lee Roth and Alex Van Halen took 12 days to record the rest of what would be Diver Down.
Though the album is maligned by critics and fans as being short (31 minutes) and chock full of covers (5) it was a huge success for the band selling over 4 million copies in the US and setting them up for their megahit 1984. You still get some guitar heroics on songs like Hang Em High, Cathedral and The Full Bug but they also throw in some funny ones like Big Bad Bill and Happy Trails. It may not be anyone's favorite Van Halen record but it's an important piece of their catalog that is 40 years old and we had fun revisiting it.
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By 1987 Aerosmith had gone from 70s rock gods to broken up & broke to reunited while clean & sober. The band and Geffen records desperately wanted a hit after 1984's overlooked Done With Mirrors. Rock n Roll Hall of Famer John Kalodner suggested the band work with outside writers to generate some hits. Steven Tyler and Joe Perry were reluctant at first but Desmond Child, Jim Vallance and Holly Knight helped get them on the charts with Dude Looks Like a Lady, Rag Doll and the megahit Angel.
Buoyed by their collaboration with Run DMC the year prior, the band went on to incredible success with over 5 million sold in the US. That success would only grow in the coming years with Pump and Get a Grip and Permanent Vacation was their big comeback record. MTV blasted their videos night and day which would continue through the next several albums as well. It's fun to look back on this one as it changed Aerosmith's trajectory and is the cornerstone of the greatest comeback in rock.
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The world had changed for Robert Plant in 1982. Led Zeppelin had broken up following the death of John Bonham in 1980. Big riff, classic rock had been replaced by punk, the new romantics, new wave and MTV was now the one place folks went to get their new music. Many of his peers from the 1970s had broken up, retired or were trying new things. So Robert put together a new band and released his first solo effort, Pictures at Eleven.
But Robert didn't want to trade on his past so he did not perform any Led Zeppelin songs for the first few years as a solo artist. He wanted to forge ahead, make new music and not have to be a jukebox for those big Zep fans. And he got a lot of help from friends like Phil Collins and Cozy Powell on the drums, new writing partner and guitar player Robbie Blunt and more folks to help him forge his new sound.
It may not be my favorite Robert Plant album but it set the tone for him as a solo artist and helped create his own sound, which was different from Led Zeppelin, and set him up for great success for decades to come.
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The Who were ready to call it a day in 1982 which makes It's Hard their swan song. Of course they eventually came back but they were facing MTV, middle age, solo careers and examining life through different lenses. Keith Moon died in 1978 after the release of Who Are You and The Who soldiered on with Kenney Jones (The Faces) on the drums. But Pete Townshend's solo debut Empty Glass in 1980, which featured the mega-hit Let My Love Open The Door, put the band in an awkward position.
The Who released Face Dances in 1981 but Pete was more keen on a solo career after the triple platinum Empty Glass. But the record company wanted one more Who album and tour and It's Hard was to serve as The Who's swan song which it did for nearly a quarter of a decade.
Radio hits Athena and Eminence Front are well known but diving deeper into the album unlocks some unheralded songs written by John Entwhistle, Pete's contemplation of himself as a middle age rock star and what their collective future might be with or without the band. While some of the keyboards and synths might make this one sound dated, some of the themes of struggling to understand your place in the world are as poignant as ever. It was fun to rediscover this one!
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If you grew up in the 70s & 80s like we did, you knew Blue Oyster Cult for their radio hits Don't Fear (The Reaper), Burnin for You and Godzilla. Or you might know them from Fast Times at Ridgemont High - "No I don't have any Blue Oyster Cult, I ate 34 pairs last time around - where were you?" Of course children of the 90s will never forget the famous Cowbell Sketch with Christopher Walken.
But Blue Oyster Cult are still touring after 50 years and we want to explore their legacy with the man who has literally written the book on BOC (several books, actually), Martin Popoff. We ask Martin to recall how he found the band as a young man, saw them play live, got Eric Bloom's autograph on a $1 bill and interviews he conducted with band members over the years. In addition to their string of successful gold & platinum releases over the years, we explore how success, MTV and outside influences led to their demise. Plus The Wolf laments on the various missed opportunities he's had to see them live over the years.
History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff Podcast
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For The Wolf & Action Jackson, The Cult were a band that entered their lives in 1989 with Sonic Temple which delivered with hard rock anthem Fire Woman. But hearing the killer riffs of Billy Duffy and lead singer Ian Astbury's powerful vocals defined by spiritual lyrics, the boys had to dive into their back catalog and were delighted to unearth Dreamtime, Love & Electric. From there The Cult would always hold a special place in their hearts.
While living together in college, the boys were on their way to see the band only to learn that the show was cancelled and that the band had broken up. But this didn't dissuade their passion for the band, it just meant they had to wait for more new music and to see them live.
Under The Midnight Sun is their 11th studio release and mixes that classic Cult sound with some new textures which separates it from their most recent efforts Choice of Weapon and Hidden City. At just over 35 minutes, Under The Midnight Sun still has those Cult trademarks while leading the band in a new direction that we really enjoy. It may not be their best or worst effort but it is new Cult, their first in 8 years, and we share our review with you.
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As The Wolf has moved to London & around Europe he finds progressive rock to be a very English sub genre of rock music. Growing up an Anglophile when it came to rock music, he was fascinated by The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Cream, Led Zeppelin and all the blues based guitar driven rock. But progressive rock has different textures and flavors, not to mention some bands that to this day are still mostly unknown in the US.
So who does he get to lead him on a journey to get to know UK prog legends Gentle Giant around the 50th anniversary of their Octopus album? Why a 30 year old American, of course. Autumn Hawk Percival is a songwriter, singer and multi-instrumentalist who has passion and knowledge for prog music. Ahead of the release of her own new album, she takes us on a tour of the soundscapes of these UK proggers in an album that has become known as the turning point in their career. Hear why the eccentric literary references, offbeat harmonies and odd sounds all craft a soundscape that Autumn finds appealing and hear her articulate those feelings to us lowbrow rockers.
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Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets had to wait 2 years to tour due to COVID. But The Wolf & Action Jackson waited 27 years to see a live show together again; however, they all converged in Indianapolis on Friday, October 14. As proud members of Panteon Podcasts, we sponsored the The Echoes Tour and worked the show while greeting our VIP Experience winner, Heather.
Listen to The Wolf's journey from Europe to Indianapolis and how dangerously close he was to missing the show. Hear snippets of our interview with Guy Pratt & Gary Kemp of the Saucers (and the brilliant podcast The Rockonteurs) and the amazing night we had in Indy. Starting with One Of These Days through to the epic Echoes the guys shared stories, had some fun with the crowd, displayed extraordinary musicianship and still came back for an encore.
Thanks to all our listeners who've supported us through our first 100 shows! We pay tribute to all our guests, fellow podcasters and friends who have joined us over the years with a fun mashup of their bumpers. And don't worry, we've got hundreds more shows in us...
Hear Ep96 for our full interview with Gary & Guy: https://podcasts.apple.com/nl/podcast/uawil-96-gary-kemp-guy-pratt-of-nick-masons/id1542993846?i=1000580988376&l=en
Hear Ep75 for my review from Royal Albert Hall in London: https://podcasts.apple.com/nl/podcast/uawil-75-nick-masons-saucerful-of-secrets-live-at/id1542993846?i=1000565385735&l=en
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Christian Swain is the Founder & CEO of Pantheon Podcasts - a network of music podcasts preserving the legacy of rock n roll and all its many sub-genres. We chat with Christian about being a musician in LA in the 1980s hanging out at The Roxy, The Rainbow and the Whiskey-a-go-go. We talk why certain bands make it and other don't, the role record companies play in those successes and failures and why it's important to interview the original creators of the music we love.
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Ronnie James Dio was legend of hard rock and heavy metal. From middle class beginnings in upstate New York to arenas around the world, Ronnie brought joy to the fans with his powerful voice and vivid storytelling.
It's great to see not only former bandmates like Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler & Vinny Appice sing his praises but to hear from Roger Glover, Rob Halford, Glenn Hughes, Lita Ford, Sebastian Bach, Eddie Trunk and many more about the kind of man and friend he was warmed our hearts.
Ronnie wasn't an overnight sensation - he was recording music in the 1950's! But he didn't hit it big with Rainbow until the 70s and success eluded him in American until he eventually replaced Ozzy in Black Sabbath and then went on to form DIO with Vinny Appice, Jimmy Bain & Vivian Campbell.
Hear what we thought of the movie, his falling out with Ritchie Blackmore, Tony Iommi, & Vivian Campbell, what he means to us as a singer and his legacy.
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Keith Richards made Talk is Cheap in 1988 as a response to Mick Jagger's efforts as a solo artist and the sniping the two had engaged in via the press in the mid-80s. But the Glimmer Twins made up, recorded Steel Wheels in 1989 and launched one of the biggest tours in rock history, reestablishing the Stones as a viable touring act.
However, Keith didn't want to give up this fabulous band he'd created with Steve Jordan (now in the Stones), Charlie Drayton, Ivan Neville, Waddy Wachtel, Sarah Dash and Bobby Keys. So while the Stones paused before Voodoo Lounge, Keith & the X-Pensive Wynos released Main Offender. Wicked As It Seems was a bit of a hit on rock radio and inspired Mick to work with Keith to create Love Is Strong off Voodoo Lounge.
It's a great album and the band did tour to support it. We're reviewing the 30th anniversary edition which includes a live performance from England in 1993. Truth be told this one has been on the shelf for a while as the 30th anniversary edition was released in March 2022 but we've been busy with interviews, live concert reviews and lots of fun stuff. So ahead of its official anniversary on October 19, we offer our review of Main Offender 30th Anniversary Edition.
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We are proud to welcome 2 legends of music - Guy Pratt & Gary Kemp. Gary may be best known from his days as the guitarist & lead songwriter of Spandau Ballet but you may also know him as an actor (The Bodyguard). Guy Pratt took over for Roger Waters on bass in Pink Floyd and has worked with superstars like Michael Jackson, Madonna, David Gilmour and so many more.
Not only are they inspirations because of their musical talents but they host an extraordinary podcast, The Rockonteurs. We chatted with them about their current tour of the US with Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets and what it's like to play music from Pink Floyd's pre-Dark Side catalog. You'll find them quick with a joke but also very sincere as Guy talks about singing Rick Wright's parts on stage, Gary following in the footsteps of Syd Barrett, David Gilmour and David Bowie & the fun they have on the Rockonteurs.
This is a special show for us as we've wanted to have Guy on since we reviewed Pink Floyd's Delicate Sound of Thunder on episode 3. PInk Floyd fans may also want to download Episode 69 on A Momentary Lapse of Reason and Episode 75 on Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets live at Royal Albert Hall in London.
We're excited to sponsor this tour, see below on how you can win a VIP experience with 2 FRONT ROW SEATS and be on our podcast. We'll be at the show at Clowes Hall in Indianapolis on Friday, October 14 - get you tickets to the show and then come by to say hi to us!
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By 1981, The Police had 3 hit records and the respect of their peers and the music industry. But meddling from the record company caused Sting, Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers to retreat to Canada and the isle of Montserrat to record their 4th album Ghost in the Machine.
Producer Hugh Padgham had them work in separate rooms to get their sounds but it also may have been to keep them from each others throats as the band were known for fighting over their studio parts. Sting had developed into the lead songwriter and wrote the big singles Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic, Invisible Sun and Spirits in the Material World as he had all their previous hits. But he sought to incorporate synthesizers, piano, horns and some of the reggae influences from their punk/ska peers and their island surroundings. Of course Stewart and Andy had to push back on some of his ideas but you can't deny the results as it was their biggest selling album to that point and was the predecessor to their biggest record of all time, Synchronicity.
Special thanks to Paul Stephenson of Vintage Rock Pod for the inspiration as his recent interview with Stewart Copeland gave us the idea to review this wonderful album.
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In 1992 Grunge was the only genre of music on the radio and in college dorms around the US. Alice in Chains were riding high (literally) on the success of their first album Facelift and hit single Man in a Box. After a successful opening stint with Van Halen and a best selling EP, Sap, Jerry Cantrell, Layne Staley, Mike Starr and Sean Kinney were ready to rise to the top of the grunge/metal scene.
But drugs, particularly heroin, were having a detrimental effect on the band which produced an album full of darkness, self-hatred and sickness. With titles like Sickman, Junkman, Down in a Hole, Hate to Feel, and Godsmack it's obvious Layne Staley is in pain but he delivers some extraordinary performances throughout the record.
Selling over 6 million copies with over 6 million singles as well, Alice in Chains couldn't really capitalize on all that success as they couldn't afford to take Layne Staley out on the road for fear of him being arrested or ODing. Still, with hits like Would?, Them Bones, Angry Chair & Rooster, this record will always be remembered, though it should be seen as a cautionary tale.
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Signals was Rush's follow up to their biggest selling album Moving Pictures but it was not Moving Pictures II. Off the success of Moving Pictures and the tour, Rush were emboldened to further experiment with technology to evolve their sound to the 80s. Drummer & Lyricist Neil Peart started to draw inspiration from his own journey and the plight of those in the world around him. Geddy and Alex even chipped in on some lyrics. But not all fans love the synthesizers and technology from the last great power trio - many fans are turned off by their 80s output.
This was a time of experimentation and new directions for the band which would define their 80s sound. Subdivisions examines the plight of the suburban teenager, New World Man as the man at the height of his power, Losing It as an old man past his prime - quite a journey from Neil Peart. Released September 9. 1982, we hold this record in high esteem within the Rush catalog and this is our review for the 40th Anniversary of Signals - Rush.
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In 1972, Genesis were gaining momentum and confidence. Thanks to the addition of Phil Collins on drums and Steve Hackett on guitar the year before, the band released Nursery Crime and embarked on a successful European tour. The tour's success inspired them to become more creative and stretch their material out not only for the album but to be played live as well.
Foxtrot saw the band experiment with new instruments (like the Mellotron they got from King Crimson), different time signatures and longer arrangements. From the opening Watcher of the Skies through the end of the 23+ minute Supper's Ready, Genesis stretched themselves artistically. Meanwhile, Peter Gabriel concocted ways on tour to create more buzz by wearing his wife's dress and a fox head on stage.
Steve Hackett, guest on UAWIL #87, is touring Foxtrot as it turns 50 in the UK September - October 2022 and will bring the tour to Europe and North American in 2023. Listen for insights from Steve on this episode and get tickets to see him on the Foxtrot at 50 Tour.
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It's great to welcome back our friend & HUGE Def Leppard fan Chris from My Rock n Roll Heaven & @rockthesetweets to our show to discuss seeing his favorite band live for the first time in 4 years.
The Stadium Tour with Def Leppard & Motley Crue as alternating co-headliners was announced in 2019 but thanks to COVID, it was delayed until this year. Def Leppard took the downtime to record one of their best efforts in years - Diamond Star Halos. Though Action Jackson caught the show in Florida, which we discussed on UAWIL #84, rain cut everyone's sets short. So we asked Chris to offer his experience in Toronto to compare to Jackson's, plus we want his take on how the new material fits in with the classics.
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Jeff Beck is a true legend and genius of rock guitar. From his early days in The Yardbirds, through his hard rocking 70s incarnations to today, he's an innovator & someone who likes to collaborate with others. I bought tickets to see him pre-COVID and had to wait 2.5 years to see him. It turned out that during that time he had been collaborating with raconteur/actor Johnny Depp to work on some covers and original material.
Johnny's appearance midway through Jeff's performance at Royal Albert Hall on May 30, 2022 was exciting for everyone in the crowd. But did he really have the chops to perform with Jeff Beck and his band? Or was he a privileged Hollywood star who gets to work with Hall of Fame legends on a lark?
We talk about Johnny's impact on the performance from May and we review their new album, 18, which came out later in the summer. Did Johnny up his game and give himself a new career option? Did Jeff Beck lower his standards for a chance at a one off char topper? Hear what Action Jackson & The Wolf have to say about that.
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We're proud to have a sponsor like RareVinyl.com to not only support our show but to offer our listeners the high quality records, CDs, singles, programs, etc they crave. With over 250,000 items in stock the collection is overwhelming and the quality is incredible.
But how do they find all these treasures? Through their crack team of Record Buyers who sift through record collections to unearth the true treasures the hardcore fan can't live without. Sometimes an overlooked 7 inch record can be worth $1,000 and sometimes the highest selling records of all time aren't worth much at all. Mike Wenban, Record Buyer at RareVinyl.com joins us to share how you can identify those rare and hard to find records which drive collectors wild.
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1987 in lined up perfectly for Whitesnake in North America. MTV was pushing bands like Bon Jovi, Motley Crue and Def Leppard and hard rock was all over the charts. Bring in a seasoned veteran like David Coverdale, A&R legend John Kalodner and the muscle of David Geffen and you get 10 million copies sold in North America!
With fiery guitar magic from John Sykes, Coverdales sometimes rasping yet smooth vocals made this a juggernaut. But did you know Coverdale fired everyone and brought a whole new all star team for the tour? The videos were epic and featured perhaps the greatest video vixen of all time, Tawny Kitaen. The trilogy of Still of the Night, Here I Go Again (#1 US) and Is This Love (#2 US) videos are the stuff rock n roll dreams of the 80s were made of.
To walk through this 80s classic we've enlisted Sonny "Hollywood" Pooni of Growin' Up Rock Podcast and Album Review Crew with Tom & Zeus of Shout It Out Loudcast. Sonny knows his stuff, bought the record the first day it came out, saw Whitesnake on that tour and more. We reminisce and crack wise with Sonny on a record that we all lived through in the 80s.
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This week we welcome our first guest who is a member of the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame Steve Hackett. Though a bit weary after wrapping a tour of Australia, New Zealand & Japan, Steve graciously joined us to talk about his travels, recent tour stops and all the exciting things he's been up to.
Steve's Seconds Out & more tour has been very well received on 4 continents and he shows no signs of slowing down. On September 2 he'll release a live CD/LP/DVD of the Seconds Out Tour and on September 9 he embarks on a 25 date tour of the UK to celebrate the Genesis classic Foxtrot at 50!
Hear Steve talk about his creative process, how he recently played Duane Allman's 1957 Les Paul from the Layla sessions, the difference between playing acoustic live vs. plugged in and so much more! UAWIL episodes 5, 6, 28 & 44 are also about Steve's solo work, his time in Genesis and live performances - please check those out as well.
See Steve live on the Foxtrot at 50 Tour!
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Growing up in the 80s in the US meant being awestruck and beholden to MTV. Seeing artists from all over the world bring their music, color and performances to the small screen opened up the world to those trying to navigate the suburbs. For our generation, Duran Duran was as close as we got to the 2nd coming of The Beatles with their fashion, sound and innovative videos.
To wrap up an amazing summer concert series at Hyde Park in London which included two Rolling Stones shows for The Wolf, he took The Wolf Cub so she could dance to her favorite 80s tunes. A little warmer than the first two weekends, we navigated the sun, the groups of moms on a night out and those nostalgic for the heyday of their youth.
Hear about Nile Rodgers jumping on stage for a couple of songs, how Nick Rhodes may have misfired A View To A Kill a song early, about the lovely and talented Anna Ross and Rachael O'Connor and how we made our escape. It was a colorful and fun night in London!
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Prior to Screaming for Vengeance, Judas Priest had solidified their stature as a heavy metal act around the world but not so much in the US. Though 1980's British Steel gave them some chart success in the UK & other parts of the world, big success in the States still eluded them.
Thanks to You've Got Another Thing Comin', Priest was able to get on MTV and graduate to headlining arena shows in North America. We examine this heavy metal classic as it turns 40, the Wolf relives seeing them in the front row, how this record holds up today & the legacy of Judas Priest.
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The pandemic caused the cancellation and postponement of rock shows all over the world for 2 years. Thankfully live music is returning and this week we review a couple of shows that prove it's back in a big way.
After taking his family to see the Rolling Stones in Hyde Park for their 202nd London concert (but first without Charlie Watts), The Wold decided to return solo for the 203rd Stones show in town. Action Jackson took his son to The Stadium Tour in Jacksonville, FL which had been delayed 2 years. It was the first time he'd seen Motley Crue and the first time in 30 years he'd seen Def Leppard. In fact, it had been almost 30 years since he'd seen a concert in a stadium so it was a big night for him & Action III.
We're so glad to have live music back and to share our experiences with our listeners. We reviewed the first Stones gig in Hyde Park on UAWIL 83 so while we point out the differences in the setlist & experience, we give Action a chance to tell us all about his first stadium show in decades.
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The Rolling Stones made a huge impression on The Wolf & Action Jackson as teenagers and their music has been the backbone of their rock n roll journey for decades. We first saw them on Steel Wheels as teenagers and have explored every chapter of their catalog like rock n roll archeologists.
Though I vowed not to chase after the Stones anymore years ago, the opportunity to see them in Hyde Park while living in London was too much to pass up. Celebrating 60 years of live music, Saturday June 25, 2022 in Hyde Park was the first time the band played London with out Charlie Watts. In front of 85,000 fans, including the 8 year old Wolf Cub, the Stones played tribute to Charlie and showed they weren't just a legacy act but still the best in the business.
Action & I run through the setlist, the grounds, the crowd, the Keith songs, the getting in & the escape at the end. It was a special night in London and I'm glad I was there. Should I go again on July 3?
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YES marks the 50th anniversary of their legendary Close To The Edge album by performing it live in its entirety. After waiting more than 2 and a half years, I arrived at Royal Albert Hall in London to soak in the atmosphere of progressive rock greatness.
Just weeks before the start of the tour, drummer Alan White died suddenly which shook the band & its fans to the core. YES has chosen to soldier on and dedicate the tour to Alan's memory with Jay Schellen filling in for him. With iconic artist Roger Dean on hand to introduce the band and pay tribute to Alan, it really set the stage for a memorable night of great music.
There really was a sense of community in the crowd that night, despite the railway strike which ultimately kept a few fans from attending and The Wolf enjoyed a special evening amongst the prog rock heroes. He and Action Jackson walk through the setlist, the people we bumped into and the performance from June 21, 2022.
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Chris Slade has had an extraordinary career behind the drum kit. While most US rock fans remember him as the bald madman from Thunderstruck with AC/DC, he started his career in the 60s as part of Tom Jones band, The Squires. From there the luminaries he's played with include Olivia Newton-John, Manfred Mann's Earth Band, Gary Numan, David Gilmour, Jimmy Page, Paul Rodgers, Gary Moore, AC/DC, Asia, Michael Schenker and more.
He's touring this year with his band, The Chris Slade Timeline, which includes songs from all the bands he's played with over the decades. Did you know he was asked to do a session with Dizzie Gilespie? He recalled playing with the Count Basie Orchestra, getting phone calls from David Gilmour and Jimmy Page within 2 hours of each other and how he put his signature on Thunderstruck.
A warm chat with a charming Welshman covering 7 decades of rock!
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Carl Palmer achieved status as a legend with the progressive rock trio Emerson, Lake & Palmer in the 1970s. But the 1980s were a time of change for rock music thanks to corporate rock radio & MTV in America. Proggers had to change their signature 15 minute songs to more radio friendly 4 minute tunes while maintaining their extraordinary musicianship.
Carl found huge success in 1982 with the debut album Asia which would be the #1 selling album in the US that year. With slick videos and catchy choruses, Asia rose to popularity quickly. Mastermind David Geffen quickly got them into the studio for the 1983 followup Alpha & booked a historic live satellite broadcast for MTV in Tokyo - Asia in Asia.
Out June 10 as a deluxe box set, we chatted to Carl about his heady times with Asia in the early 80s, all the work leading up to the show December 6, 1983 at the Budokan, John Wetton's departure & return to the band and many fond memories along the way. Asia will be touring the US to celebrate their 40th anniversary and we talk about further future plans for the band.
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Geoff Downes was a key part of two monumental moments on MTV. As a member of The Buggles, he was in the first video ever played on MTV in August 1981 with Video Killed the Radio Star. In 1983, he and his fellow Asia bandmates were part of the first live satellite broadcast of a concert on cable TV.
As the current keyboardist in YES, he's about to embark on a tour to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Close to the Edge and they will play in it its entirety. Just before our interview, we learned of the tragic passing of long time YES drummer Alan White and we discuss Geoff's friendship with Alan, what Close to the Edge meant to him as a college student and why he's looking forward to the tour.
We also discuss the Asia in Asia box set being released June 10 which captures that amazing moment in time from December 1983 when Asia were bounced off of satellites around the globe to entertain the MTV generation. After our interview, The Wolf & Action Jackson will review Close to the Edge ahead of The Wolf seeing them play it live in Royal Albert Hall in London on June 21.
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In the 90s, Oasis took over popular culture and rock music in the UK. As the country moved out of Thatcherism and into a new era of Cool Britainnia, the Gallagher Brothers, Noel & Liam, led the way with their Beatles-esque string of hit singles and albums. However, in the US they never quite got the traction they assumed was inevitable to rule North America as well as England. Why is that? Was it the Gallaghers' constant fighting? Their unabashed cockiness? Their untamed unibrows? The Wolf has struggled for years to get more of his US friends to understand the greatness of Oasis and their melodies so we explore the UK phenomenon of Oasis with Paul Stephenson from Vintage Rock Pod & This Day Rocks to understand what it was like to grow up in the UK during those heady times. As the Liam and Noel are set to start their own tours of the UK, which of the Gallaghers are you most likely to see live?
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In 1984, MTV was the key to any bands success in the US. The Cars had a stellar debut in 1978 but while they continued to have hit singles, they hadn't been able to live up to the promise of their first album. The went to London to record their fifth album, Heartbeat City, with producer Mutt Lange who was on a hot streak with Highway to Hell, Back in Black, Foreigner 4, and Pyromania. Ric Ocasek was the lead songwriter and sang lead on most of the songs but thanks to MTV he became an icon thanks to their groundbreaking videos like You Might Think, Magic & Drive. One of the true soundtracks to the summer of 1984, this was The Cars at their height but it wouldn't last.
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Tom & Zeus have the #1 KISS podcast on the planet in Shout It Out Loudcast. Not only do they have deep knowledge and undeniable passion for KISS but they're also hilarious and we never miss an episode. So this week we had our Pantheon Podcasts brothers on to talk KISS's 1992 album, Revenge. The first without Eric Carr behind the drums, the first for Eric Singer, and the first time in a decade they worked with Vinnie Vincent & Bob Ezrin. We had a blast remembering college days, listening to tunes, watching KISS X-treme Close-Up, seeing the Revenge Tour and late night conversations with Ace Frehley posters. If you're not having fun talking KISS, you're doing it wrong!!
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Pink Floyd helped create progressive rock music in the 1960s and started out playing clubs in London with elaborate light shows. In the 1970s they became one of the biggest bands in the world with platinum records and record breaking tours. Nick Mason, the only member of Pink Floyd to never leave the group, has convened with some friends to revisit the pre-Dark Side of the Moon catalog and breathe new life into these often forgotten classics. With the help of long-time Pink Floyd collaborator Guy Pratt on bass & vocals, his Rockonteurs partner Gary Kemp on guitar & vocals, Lee Harris (guitar) & Dom Beken (keyboards they provide an extraordinary show.
The Wolf scored a last minute seat to see them at the renowned Royal Albert Hall in London....in the front row!! I basically sat on the stage and marveled at these extraordinary musicians take on this incredibly special collection of songs from the 60s and early 70s. It was one of the most special nights of my life when it comes to seeing live music and I share it all with you on our 75th episode.
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Over the last 2 years live music has been absent from our lives and it's been hard. With COVID restrictions lifting, bands are getting back out on the road and we're as psyched as anyone for that. The Wolf held his Sting tickets for over 2 years before finally being able to see him at the London Palladium where he delivered a classic performance. Action Jackson caught his favorite hard rock band of all time, The Cult, in Florida with some dedicated Cult fans. We have 5 new pre-show questions & 5 new post-show questions for all our concerts and we ask them of each other as we relish being able to see our heroes live again!
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Most Americans only know Simple Minds by one song from one movie - Don't Your Forget About Me from The Breakfast Club. But in the UK, Europe and most of the English speaking world, Simple Minds are icons of a generation and writers of dozens of hits. The Wolf was fortunate enough to see Simple Minds the 1st night of their 40th Anniversary tour at Wembley Arena in London and was blown away by the catalog, the stage show and their performance. After waiting more than 2 years to see them live, The Wolf shared his experience with Action Jackson as they explore Simple Minds history and catalog from the US perspective, wishing they'd had more exposure to them over the years.
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Deborah Bonham & Peter Bullick have been making music together for decades. Whether live with Paul Rodgers, in the studio or out on the road these two have lived, loved & lost enough to finally be ready to release an amazing blues album. Culled from classic blues tracks and more modern song given a blues treatment, Bonham Bullick is out April 29. I get Deborah & Peter to talk about their musical origins, early experiences in music and the rundown on the latest album. Deborah doesn't need to trade on her late brother's legacy - she an extraordinary artist in her own right. But she does make room for fans of John & Led Zeppelin and we discuss that part of her life. A fun interview, both of them generous of spirit, we explore the blues, this album and playing live.
https://www.deborahbonham.com/index.html
https://bonham-bullick.lnk.to/Bonham-Bullick
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After 3 years of The Wolf living in London, Action Jackson finally got to make it over for a visit. We took the opportunity to take a guided tour of some of London's more historic rock spots and we had a blast. Lee from rocktours.co.uk was our super knowledgeable host who showed us, Savile Row where The Beatles last played, homes of Jimmy Page and Eric Clapton, Led Zeppelin Swan Song offices, the last addresses of Jimi Hendrixx and Steve Clark and so many more. Plus, The Wolf saw Genesis at the O2 in London on what was their 2nd to last show ever. Despite the ailing health of Phil Collins, the band were tight and put on a brilliant show.
Our first reunion episode in London!!
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Recorded just off Abbey Road in London, listen to The Wolf with his old friend Action Jackson as they discuss all things related to classic rock n roll. These two friends have an unquenchable thirst for knowledge of rock music and its history. Classic Rock, Hard Rock, Progressive Rock, Heavy Metal, soundtracks - everything we grew up on and more are discussed in our weekly podcast - The Ugly American Werewolf in London. Tune in for classic album reviews, interviews, concert breakdowns and let us know what you want to hear us talk about. A proud member of the Pantheon Podcast network!
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To wrap up Women's History Month we interview two different women who are making their mark in rock music. First up we welcome back Amanda Lehmann - a talented musician, singer & songwriter who's toured with Steve Hackett and returns to the show to talk her latest single, One Last Spin. Action Jackson & The Wolf also get to ask her about playing with Asia front man John Wetton and her time in a Heart tribute band. We also chat with Anne Estella, a rock journalist, interviewer and producer who gives us the low down on the UK music festival scene, up and coming rock bands we should know and more. These women rock!!
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When Roger Waters left Pink Floyd, he assumed that would be the end of the band. However, David Gilmour had other ideas. Teaming up with Nick Mason, The Wall producer Bob Ezrin, once exiled member Rick Wright and a cast of talented musicians, Gilmour revived Pink Floyd with A Momentary Lapse of reason. Derided by critics and Waters, who thwarted them with lawsuits, this 1987 release is true to Pink Floyd's sound and introduced a new generation of rock fans to the band. With Learning to Fly, On the Turning Away, One Slip and Sorrow, the band recaptures so magic and updated the legendary Floyd live show. The Wolf & Action Jackson share their memories of seeing the videos on MTV, falling in love with the subsequent Delicate Sound of Thunder live release and explore the oft maligned gem.
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In 1972, Deep Purple wanted to come off the road and settle into an atmosphere that would allow them to stretch out creatively and better capture their live sound. They headed to Lake Geneva, Switzerland to take residence in a casino right after Frank Zappa played one more gig there. The rest is rock n roll lore captured in the all time classic Smoke on the Water. Containing other radio staples like Highway Star and Space Truckin along with killer album cuts like Never Before and Lazy, this is the album that made it possible for Purple to continue to this day. We discuss the lineup, the relationships within and The wolf's hopes to catch them in London this fall live. Machine Head is 50 and we don't know a world without it!
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The Wolf & Action Jackson grew up worshipping Jimmy Page. So did Christy Alexander Hallberg and that love of Jimmy and his music, especially during his days in Led Zeppelin, inspired her novel Searching for Jimmy Page. Set in North Caroliina in 1988, we follow the story of teenage Luna who is coming to grips with her identity. Of course 1988 marked the release of Jimmy's only real solo record, Outrider, which made a big impression on Christy. We explore the story of Luna, her travels to England to find Jimmy and our experiences with Outrider, Led Zeppelin & all things Jimmy Page. Christy is super knowledgeable about the history of Led Zeppelin, made pilgrimages to LZ sites and is a talented author who put together a fun read.
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Iron Maiden are the greatest heavy metal band on the planet. But in 1992 the wheels were coming off a bit. 1990's No Prayer for the Dying missed the mark as they switched out guitarist Adrian Smith for Jannick Gers. Bruce Dickinson was ready to leave the band for a solo career and it seemed they may have run out of steam. Credit them for trying new things, like a power ballad, but this shows a band in transition. The title track, Fear of the Dark, is a staple of their live show now but the band was on shaky ground at this time.
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In 1982, Iron Maiden introduced the world to their new singer Bruce Dickinson and that propelled them to superstardom. His powerful and operatic vocals, spot on songwriting and command of the stage changed Maiden from a power punk band to the heavy metal heavyweights they are today. Action Jackson talks about seeing Bruce perform his one man show live in Jacksonville before we dive into this classic record. Has it been 40 years since we first heard Number of the Beast, Run to the Hills & Hallowed Be Thy Name? Is it their best ever? We'll dive into it on our first of two Maiden reviews back to back.
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In the late 80s & early 90s, Tom Petty was huge thanks to a stint with The Traveling Wilburys, solo success with Full Moon Fever, reuniting with the Heartbreakers & a huge greatest hits album. But in 1982 he had been busy fighting record companies & the music business while trying to keep his band together. Though Long After Dark spawned one radio/MTV hit in You Got Lucky, the album is very overlooked and that's a shame. The first side is full of rockers that get under your skin and allows the band to take some chances. We think you'll like our discussion on this forgotten classic - listen to the album and you'll hear why.
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Guns N Roses became the biggest, most dangerous band in the world thanks to raw guitar power & raunchy lyrics. Their debut, Appetite for Destruction, set them on the path to superstardom but it didn't catch fire out of the gate. It was a bit of a slow burn & needed a kickstart from MTV. But once the world heard Welcome to the Jungle, Sweet Child O Mine & Paradise City they skyrocketed up the charts only to have one of the most spectacular burnouts in rock history. Chris from My Rock n Roll Heaven joins us to discuss this classic.
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Neil Young is a man of conviction who isn't afraid to take on governments & corporations. But he has that platform because of all the amazing music he's made over the decades. We look back on Harvest, his 1972 classic which catapulted him to stardom as a solo artist, and Harvest Moon, his reflection on Harvest 20 years later. Playing with the same cast of characters, Harvest Moon is a great bookend to Harvest which is often overlooked after the monster success of Harvest in 1972.
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As a show on classic rock we don't often encounter or review new music. We've been turned onto Steve Hackett in recent years & through discovering his music, we've been introduced to Amanda Lehmann as she has toured & recorded with Steve for years. Her album Innocence & Illusion showcases her talent as a songwriter, singer & guitar player across genres and was one of our top albums of 2021. A delightful guest, we explore Amanda's origins & career as a musician while talking through her record track by track.
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By 1969 The Beatles hadn't toured in 2+ years & had recorded separately using multi-tracks to create their legendary sound. Always ambitious, they decided to write, record & perform live a new album in 2.5 weeks in early 1969 & create a documentary on the process. Peter Jackson pieced together an amazing documentary from the footage showing breakups, hangers on and some extraordinary songwriting & playing. Neil from DefLepPod, a native Liverpudlian, joins us to review this amazing piece of film.
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1972 was a tough time for the Rolling Stones. They'd broken with their management, were forced to leave the UK as tax exiles & Keith was in the middle of his decade long heroin battle. But relocating to Nice allowed them to create the album by which all other Stones albums are measured. Rock, blues, country, gospel & soul elements are weaved throughout this masterpiece thanks to slick slide guitar from Mick Taylor, great piano from half a dozen guests and Mick & Keith's songwriting power.
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Van Halen released their debut album in 1978 & rock guitar playing hasn't been the same since. With the virtuoso tapping of Eddie Van Halen, super charisma of David Lee Roth and the thumping backbone of Michael Anthony & Alex Van Halen, this album changed rock n roll forever. In a world where punk was king, Van Halen mixed California sunshine with raw power to create a sound that still resonates to this day. Despite their issues later, this is one of the best rock debuts of all time.
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2021 was an odd and difficult year for so many around the world. Live music returned a bit in the UK but not to the extent we all wished. The Wolf & Action Jackson take the opportunity to reflect on their favorite releases, their best (and worst) episodes, to say thanks to all the guests, friends & fans of the podcast and to talk about what they look forward to in 2022.
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The Smiths may not have made it big the US but they were a huge influence on the next generation of rock bands to come out of the UK. Led by Morrissey's painful laments, Johnny Marr's innovative guitar work and a solid rhythm section of Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce, The Queen is Dead may just be the best record they ever made. Not a band destined to last, or apparently to ever reunite, The Smiths occupy a special place in rock history that can't be ignored.
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Fans of our show know that love to work Asia into our conversations consistently. The band have released a box set of 5 shows from different tours to show how the band & setlist evolved over the course of 30 years. Thanks to some new artwork from Roger Dean, words from long time collaborator Dave Gallant & some beautiful packaging, this is a must have for Asia fans. We'll discuss the evolution of the bands sound & setlist while focusing on what we like and lamenting about what we don't. Of course we'll work in all sorts of Asia facts as our favorite guilty pleasure band gets the treatment they deserve with this lovely box set.
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REM were the darlings of the alternative/college rock scene in the 1980s. The quartet from Athens, GA blended folk, rock & country to create a unique sound while touring relentlessly to build their fan base. By 1987, it was time for them to step up & with the help of Scott Lit, who would go on to produce all their big albums of the rest of the 80s & 90s, evolved their sound to attract a much larger audience. Some diehards may have resisted but this record put REM on a much bigger stage.
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30 years ago, U2 wanted to deliver a new, more industrial and techno sound against the backdrop of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Through personal hardships, artistic differences & real world struggles that almost broke up the band, U2 came out on the other side with a new sound that put them back on top for good. It came out just as our intrepid hosts were becoming friends as freshmen in college and this record stirs up lots of memories & emotions for them.
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The Wolf lives by Abbey Road & recently he had the extraordinary opportunity to visit the legendary studio down the street. Celebrating 90 years of setting the standard for recorded music & pushing the envelope of technology, Abbey Road hosted lectures by 2 American authors who led us through the years. Innovation, collaboration & talent still ooze out of the place, the walls definitely talk. Listen to The Wolf grin big as he sits at the control desk, visits the echo room & learns about The Beatles, Pink Floyd & so much more.
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In show 50 Pt 2, we not only conclude our review of the movie Highlander & the soundtrack by rock legends Queen but we interview House of the Dragon producer/creator/writer Ryan Condal. Ryan wrote a screenplay to reboot Highlander and we ask him how he came to the film, how things are going on the Game of Thrones series he's running, House of the Dragon, and his prop collection which he discusses on The Stuff Dreams Are Made Of Podcast
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Highlander was released in 1986 to an underwhelming box office. Though the film lost money it gained a huge cult following thanks to cable tv & rental stores. A classic clash of good vs. evil with Sean Connery playing mentor to Christopher Lambert as they battle Clancy Brown's Kurgan character. It spawned several sequels & tv shows but none of them compare to Russel Mulcahey's original featuring the music of Queen. Part 1 of our 50th show on this fantasy classic!
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1971 was a tumultuous time for The Doors as Jim Morrison faced legal troubles, battled substance abuse, and their longtime producer walked out. But out of that they created what might be their best album showing their ability to play blues, pop, psychedelic and classic Doors music. It would prove to be their last record and we go in depth while also measuring the impact of the 1991 Oliver Stone movie and Action's visit to Jim's grave.
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Bruce Dickinson is a true polymath & renaissance man. After his one man show was delayed due to his contracting COVID, he returned to the stage in London & The Wolf was fortunate enough to see him. We continue our reviews of classic records turning 50 with the extraordinary Who's Next. Pieced together from Pete Townshends attempt at the concept album Lifehouse, Who's Next stands as one of the true triumphs of rock history with Baba O'Reilly, Won't Get Fooled Again, Bargain, Going Mobile and more from a truly talented band who had come into their own.
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In 1971 Marvin Gaye found himself in a time and place that he didn't recognize. Political unrest, social injustice, an unpopular war and his own personal hardships weighed heavily on him. But out of that came an album that would not only reflect the times in which he was living but one that holds stark similarities to the times we find ourselves in now. Call it rock, soul, R&B - it's extraordinary music with a timely & timeless message.
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November 2021 will mark the 50th anniversary of the release of Led Zeppelin's untitled 4th album which has sold nearly 40 million copies around the world. Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones & John Bonham took all that they'd learned from the first 3 records to create a true rock masterpiece at Headley Grange. We discuss what we love, what we think is overplayed, how it's stood the test of time & reminisce about growing up in American & discovering Led Zeppelin.
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Curt Angeledes has been a Rolling Stones fan since 1963 and has seen the band over 100 times. But in the mid-70s, he started to bring his camera into shows capturing the band over the years, evading security and selling prints to get to the next show. His book Go For Broke, Vol. 1 chronicles more than 40 years of Stones tours through his lens & captures some incredible moments. Mac B & Action Jackson interview him on his extraordinary life.
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Live music has returned to London! The Wolf had the honor of seeing Steve and his extraordinary band live at the London Palladium after almost 2 years without live music. Along with some new & classic solo material, the band played the live Genesis classic Seconds Out start to finish including the epic Supper's Ready. Action interviews the Wolf on a special night out in London.
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The Wolf & Action Jackson are joined this week by Neil from Def Lep Pod to discuss the diamond selling 1987 juggernaut from Def Leppard, Hysteria. With 6 Top 20 Billboard hits, Hysteria dominated the US charts for 2 years. However, this album almost never came to be due to Rick Allen's horrific car accident, losing their producer, accumulating debt and changing musical landscape. We discuss with Neil the difference between Def Lep's success in the States vs. the UK and dive deep into the album, b-sides and the band's history.
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On September 9, 2021 the directors cut of Cinema Strangiato from the R40 tour enjoyed a one night theatrical release. Though on opposite sides of the pond, The Wolf & Action Jackson both made it out for this opportunity to see and hear Rush on the big screen. As part 2 of the Rush double header, the boys reminisce about 30 years since the debut of Roll the Bones when they met in college, camped out for tickets and saw Rush for the first time.
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The passing of Charlie Watts marks the end of an era lasting nearly 60 years for rock music and the Rolling Stones. We honor the dapper, gentlemanly, quiet rock of the Stones and offer a review of the band's last album of the 1960's, Let it Bleed. Powered by Gimme Shelter, Can't Always Get What You Want & Midnight Rambler it was album that changed the direction of the Stones and marked the end of the 60s.
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The Cult had been marketed as a gothic or post punk band in the mid-80s & made a statement with the albums Love and Electric. But 1989's Sonic Temple raised their game and sales to whole new level thanks to producer Bob Rock and some killer riffs from Billy Duffy. Ian Astbury's spiritual lyrics mixed with raucous guitars made Fire Woman a huge hit. More than 30 years later, it's still their biggest & an alltime favorite of Action Jackson.
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On the eve of the release of their 17th record, Iron Maiden sit atop of the world of heavy metal legends. But their 7th album, Seventh Son of a Seventh Son, offered a proggier sound than previous efforts. With an extraordinary stage set & beloved live VHS, Maiden England, the band showed the world their range & power which are still on display decades later.
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Iron Maiden came off the World Slavery Tour in need of a rest & used their time off to experiment with the latest guitar synth technology. Somewhere in Time incorporated those new sounds with the classic Maiden gallup as Adrian Smith took a step forward in his writing. The new video The Writing on the Wall harkens back to the epic cover & cyborg Eddie on this mid 80s classic.
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The Wolf & Action Jackson may not have caught onto Oasis when they broke out in the 90s but thankfully it happened later. 2005's Don't Believe the Truth is the best of their albums in this century with the best lineup the band ever had. From the sing-alongs like Lyla & Let There Be Love, rockers Mucky Fingers & Turn Up the Sun & the eclectic The Importance of Being Idle, this record isn't given the credit it is due.
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Anytime to you get The Wolf & Action Jackson talking about KISS, it's hard to get them to stop. On Part 2 of our take on the recent A&E documentary KISStory, we go more in-depth on the show and the past, present & future of the band. Plus we share some personal experiences from seeing them live and one fateful night in college when The Wolf spoke to their Ace Frehley poster.
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KISS changed the world in the 70s with their makeup & bombastic live show. Over the decades there have been lineup changes, drama & some great music. A&E's KISStory documentary is now the official tale of the band throughout the years and it revealed many little details that KISS fans have always wanted to know. This is Part 1 of our review of the show and we include a brief review of the new Iron Maiden song/video Writing on the Wall.
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We pick up where we left off discussing Eric Clapton's career defining box set Crossroads. We're in the Derek & the Dominoes era, talking about Layla, Eric's 70s output, some of his struggles and his resurrection in the 80s. The Wolf remembers his first Clapton show from 1990 in the 3rd row which forever changed his life and from which he keeps a souvenir.
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Here's our trailer with a preview of UAWIL #34 on Eric Clapton - Crossroads Part 2. Check out all past episodes on . Subscribe & download on , , or anywhere you get your podcasts. And follow us on Twitter or . Let us know which band or album you want us to review!!
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Eric Clapton's career is unparalleled in rock history. He's played with so many amazing musicians and put out an extraordinary catalog of music. In 1988, he released his career encompassing Crossroads 4CD box set which was a huge seller and made an irreversible imprint on a young Ugly American Werewolf. After a review of EURO 2020, we dive into this treasure trove and explore Clapton's first decade of music on Part 1 of 2 on Crossroads.
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At the end of the 70s, no one imagined Ozzy Osbourne who was ousted from Black Sabbath would emerge as huge solo artist. The collaboration with Randy Rhoads & stewardship by Sharon Arden (Osbourne) led to a ground-breaking heavy metal record that blended UK heaviness with LA bravado. Randy Rhoads broke new ground & Ozzy came back to life with Blizzard of Ozz.
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The Ugly American Werewolf in London Rock Podcast was born out of COVID lockdown. Two old friends would connect every week to discuss records they loved or had just discovered, reflect on shows they'd seen together & research the music they loved. Now The Wolf has left the UK for a brief tour of the USA where he and Action Jackson had the chance to record the show together in person and reflect on the last 16 months.
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The Church got big exposure in America thanks to Under the Milky Way off of Starfish, their first record with Arista. Most in the US don't know the band beyond that song but Starfish is bookended by two great records - Heyday and Gold Afternoon Fix. We dive deep into Starfish and the deluxe edition for b-sides while looking at their entire catalog. Starfish introduced us to a band that has made great records for more than 40 years.
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Canadian/English singer Paul Rodgers is an incredible, bluesy rock vocalist who has sold over 125 million records around the world. And yet, he is not well known by the general public nor has he been up for the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. Starting with Free in the 60s, Bad Company, The Firm, Queen and solo, Paul Rodgers has an extraordinary body of work which we celebrate on this episode.
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Genesis may have ruled the 80s as pop rock gurus but their roots are very progressive. With Peter Gabriel as their frontman and Steve Hackett providing extraordinary yet understated guitar work, Genesis forged some extremely creative music in the early- to mid-70s. Selling England By The Pound may be the high water mark for that incarnation of the band and is highlighted by masterful musicianship and the examination of what it means to be English in a fast changing world.
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In 1992, AC/DC released a live album that showcased all the bands material from the previous 20 years. With no greatest hits package, this was the only way to have a collection of songs from both the Bon Scott and Brian Johnson eras. Fresh off the success of Thunderstruck & the Razor's Edge, this captures AC/DC at the height of their powers after the death of Bon Scott.
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After the smash success of Asia in 1982, the supergroup quickly followed up with Alpha in 1983. Despite the success of Don't Cry, tensions started to pull the band apart. While the group continued on with different lineups over the next couple of decades, the excitement never reached its original peak again. A reunion from 2006-2013 proved magical for fans of the band and allowed them to go out on a positive note.
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in 1982, Asia formed as the 80s first super group with Carl Palmer from Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Steve Howe of Yes, Geoff Downes of The Buggles and John Wetton of King Crimson, Uriah Heep and Roxy Music. Though maligned as corporate rock, these four progressive maestros created an incredible mix of pop, rock & prog that went on to sell 10 million copies. Heat of the Moment is an all-time great pop/rock song and has allowed the band to continue in various incarnations over the last 40 years. This is part 1 of our series on Asia, where we go in-depth on the chart topping debut.
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By the early 90s, Aerosmith were back on top of the world after a crossover collaboration with Run DMC and two hit records in the late 80s. But in the 70s, Aerosmith hit the scene with an amazing hard, bluesy sound that was all over the radio and concert venues. Excess led to their demise but Pandora's Box captured all that incredible music on a 3 disc set that is absolutely amazing. We review our experience discovering hidden gems along with their greatest hits and analyze how they made the biggest comeback in rock history.
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Here's a 5 minute preview of UAWIL #24 on Aerosmith's box set Pandora's box. We preview the 1991 set and how it helped us appreciate Aerosmith in the 70s and early 80s. And we explain why we were gone for a week due to a ring of the door bell, an overexcited dog, a full glass of water and a laptop.
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MTV played a significant role in the lives of American youths in the early 1980s. It was no different for the Wolf or Action Jackson as this new format opened up a world of culture we wouldn't have otherwise been exposed to. Duran Duran, with their new wave fashion, pin-up looks and funky pop songs took the video genre to a whole new level and secured their place in pop culture.
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Keith Richards is one of the legendary icons of rock n roll. Everyone knows him as a guitar god, for having written so many great Stones songs and as a raconteur. But his solo albums, though few and under appreciated, offer some of his best work as a singer and writer. We dissect 1988's Talk is Cheap & 1992's Main Offender while exploring songs he sang on Stones albums and recalling a fun time in our lives.
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The Cult may have been catapulted into the spotlight and on MTV with Fire Woman from Sonic Temple. But they shaped their sound best on their 2nd album, Love. Released in 1985, it contained solid radio hits like She Sells Sanctuary and Rain but it was a cohesive record that established their hard rock, psychedelic, atmospheric sound which is hard to imitate and to define. This is a go to record for The Wolf and the best album by Action Jackson's favorite band.
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YES came out of the 60s and forged their own identity through extraordinary musicianship, intricate songs and fantastic artwork. While some hits have kept them on classic rock for decades, the different eras and lineups over the last 50 years have created a catalog like none other. So whether you like the 20 minute epics, the uber popular Owner of a Lonely Heart or don't know much about the band, our examination will peel back some layers and appreciate this special group.
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Prior to 1988, Metallica hadn't made a video for MTV & couldn't get on rock radio. The release of One changed that but it was the release of 1991's Metallica (The Black Album) that forever changed their fate & fortunes. With 5 hit singles & a 2.5 year worldwide tour, Metallica usurped Guns n Roses as the biggest band in the world and never looked back. We recall seeing them on that tour, our memories of the album and what it means to us today.
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Before The Joshua Tree, U2 were upstart heroes looking to conquer, and make a difference in, the world. Thanks to some amazing songs, brilliant production and constant promotion by MTV, this album skyrocketed them to superstar status and gave them the platform to not only branch out into other forms of music but allow them to have a positive impact around the globe.
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Released in 1976, KISS Alive! changed the fortunes of KISS and transitioned them from a strong opening act to an international headliner. This success forced the band to come up with the goods in the studio and they were up to the task with Destroyer, Rock & Roll Over and Love Gun. These records gave us songs that would strengthen KISS's hold on the public and allow them to tour for decades. Alive II captures the best songs from the catalog with the band at the height of their powers before success and excess changed the band forever. It's overlooked vs. Alive! but stands on it's own and the test of time.
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In 1989, The Rolling Stones hadn't toured for 8 years, they're past few records didn't sell well and Mick & Keith were fighting and releasing solo records. But Steel Wheels put the Stones back on top of the world, set them up for an enormous tour and gave them the chance to continue their careers for several more decades. We talk all about it this week on the Wolf!
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By 1976, The Eagles had sold millions of records and done successful tours. But lineup changes, infighting and the pressures of being a big rock band were starting to weigh on the band. From that, they released Greatest Hits Vol 1 which went on to become the biggest selling album of all-time and Hotel California, their greatest triumph as a hard rock band.
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Iron Maiden has earned their place in the pantheons of hard rock & heavy metal. Their 1985 live album, Live After Death, from the 190 date World Slavery Tour is a great souvenir from a moment in time. The Wolf & Action Jackson honor the band, pay tribute to the record and hope there's a day when they can see them play live again soon. Up the Irons!!
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At the end of the 70s, Black Sabbath had lost their way. The excess of the decade and the departure of Ozzy Osbourne left the future of the band in limbo. However, after the addition of American powerhouse Ronnie James Dio on vocals, the band was reborn and came back with two classic albums - Heaven & Hell and Mob Rules.
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At the end of the 70s, Black Sabbath had lost their way. The excess of the decade and the departure of Ozzy Osbourne left the future of the band in limbo. However, after the addition of American powerhouse Ronnie James Dio on vocals, the band was reborn and came back with two classic albums - Heaven & Hell and Mob Rules. Here's a 2:30 preview of the episode which is released 18-Feb.
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Recorded in 1983 at Hammersmith Odeon, Alchemy captures Dire Straits at their tightest and showcases the extraordinary talents of Mark Knopfler as a guitar hero. They slow it down with classic tracks like Romeo & Juliet but rock out on Solid Rock. They also stretch out some songs to give all band members a chance to shine, sometimes slowing things down only to build into a crescendo on Sultans of Swing. This double live masterpiece offers the epitome of what Dire Straits offered as a live band thanks to the talent of Knopfler.
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For the MTV Generation, the summer of 1983 can't be remembered without the sounds of Synchronicity by The Police. The album vaulted The Police to international megastardom, sent Sting's stock soaring even higher, boosted MTV to greater cultural significance, and broke up the band for more than two decades. We remember buying the cassette & LP and recall our first real encounters with rock n roll of our own.
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Released in 1979, Led Zeppelin's In Through the Out Door doesn't usually make it to the top of most hard rockers fave album lists. But The Wolf thinks this masterpiece has aged quite well and given us a glimpse into what might have been for a proggier, more democratic and experimental Led Zeppelin. We go track by track and compare it to the rest of the catalog while relaying our personal experiences with LZ and seeing Jimmy Page & Robert Plant live.
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Growing up in America during the early 80s, MTV was a cultural touchstone for a generation of kids. In 1983, with the assistance of super producer Mutt Lange, Def Leppard released the chart-topping sensation Pyromania. The classic claims 3 MTV video hits and a special place in the hearts of hard rockers everywhere. 38 years after its release and 30 years after the tragic loss of guitarist Steve Clark, we revisit this treasure.
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As we conclude our 2 part episode on Rush and pay our respects to Neil Peart, we review some of the concerts we saw over the years from the Roll the Bones Tour to the final R40 Tour. We compare them to other live bands of their era and contemplate our favorite moments, albums and eras on our very favorite live band.
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The Wolf & Action Jackson discuss their favorite all-time band, Rush. The Canadian trio displayed a level of talent and intelligence rarely found in the world of rock n roll. On the one year anniversary of the passing of legendary drummer & lyricist Neil Peart, the boys reminisce about camping out for Rush tickets, the first time they saw them on the Roll the Bones Tour and explore their own discovery of the different eras of Rush.
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The Wolf & Action Jackson discuss their favorite all-time band, Rush. The Canadian trio displayed a level of talent and intelligence rarely found in the world of rock n roll. On the one year anniversary of the passing of legendary drummer & lyricist Neil Peart, the boys reminisce about camping out for Rush tickets, the first time they saw them on the Roll the Bones Tour and explore their own discovery of the different eras of Rush.
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Here's Part 2 of our incredibly popular episode on guitar legend Steve Hackett and his time in and out of Genesis. The Wolf and Action Jackson also talk a little bit about live stream concerts and the recent Liam Gallagher Down By the River stream. By exploring 70s era Genesis and Steve Hackett throughout the years, we hope this opens the door for some folks to discover or re-explore this extraordinary progressive rock catalog.
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After the overwhelming success of Part 1, we've launched a preview for Part 2 of our 2 part show on the great Steve Hackett & Genesis
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This week, The Wolf and Action Jackson take a close look at the career of Steve Hackett - a legendary guitarist, former member of Genesis and Rock n Roll Hall of Fame inductee who is criminally underrated. We have so much to cover that we've made it a two-parter - this is part one where we also discuss artists selling their publishing, what's up in rock news and more!
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Here's a preview of our 2 part episode exploring Steve Hackett, his days in Genesis and as a solo artist
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The 1981 animated classic, Heavy Metal, was a groundbreaking film supported with one of the all-time greatest soundtracks - not only for the heavyweights who played on it but for the way the tunes were incorporated into the film and score by Elmer Bernstein. The Wolf and Action Jackson talk about how they found the flick and the album, shows coming up and fond memories from back in the day (how about a Blue Oyster Cult show that almost didn't happen??)
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The Wolf and Action Jackson dive deep into the recently rereleased and remastered Pink Floyd masterpiece, The Delicate Sound of Thunder. After a long break and breakup, Pink Floyd returned in the late 80s with a new album and the biggest tour the world had ever seen. We remember it's effect on us as teenagers through the live album and film, the Delicate Sound of Thunder, learn more about the musicians on the tour and discuss it's importance in the Floyd legacy.
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This week The Wolf and Action Jackson discuss how the rock n roll world and 2020 were affected by Covid-19. We also take time to honor and discuss those we've lost this year, with special time dedicated to Neil Peart of Rush (see our last podcast for the Eddie Van Halen Tribute show) and we go over some gift ideas for the holidays.
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The Ugly American Werewolf in London Podcast hosted by Mac B. and Gary Action Jackson from just off Abbey Road in London presents: The Eddie Van Halen Tribute. After the recent passing of the guitar legend, the boys remember seeing Eddie live, finding his music via MTV and the back catalog prior to 1984 and pay homage to one of the true greats.
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En liten tjänst av I'm With Friends. Finns även på engelska.