Posts

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Jethro Tull- Stormwatch 45th Anniversary- Ian Anderson

Revisiting Jethro Tull's 1979 "Stormwatch" for its upcoming forty-fifth anniversary in September proved to be surprisingly revelatory on multiple levels. My guest Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull, in explaining the dual meaning of the "Stormwatch" title, may have been among the very first rock composers to observe the coming climate change as well as the socio-political storms brewing.
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Pat Benatar- In the Heat of the Night 45th- Pat & Neil Giraldo

Pat Benatar In the Studio for her multi-million seller second album in 1980, “Crimes of Passion”.

Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes- Waiting on Your Reply- Asbury Park 8-8-79

Tuned up like a Packard V-12, the sonic assault of the original Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes was a thing to behold, blowin' and goin' on the New Jersey shore. Here's "Waiting on Your Reply" from 1979 in Asbury Park.
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Kinks- Low Budget 45th Anniversary- Sir Ray Davies

With the pending forty-fifth anniversary of "Low Budget", the Kinks' July 1979 biggest seller in their long storied career, it becomes apparent that The Kinks were the ultimate slacker band. Led by the Poet Laureate of Rock, my guest Sir Ray Davies, it certainly wasn't for lack of creative brilliance, but for a dearth of ambition.
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The Cars- Candy O 45th Anniversary- the late Ric Ocasek, Greg Hawkes

The late Cars chief mechanic Ric Ocasek plus keyboardist Greg Hawkes tune up the story of 1979’s “Candy O” In the Studio on the album's 45th anniversary.

Dire Straits- Communique 45th Anniversary- Mark Knopfler

Dire Straits' under-rated second release “Communique” with my interview with Mark Knopfler In the Studio.
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Van Halen II 45th- Alex Van Halen, Michael Anthony, the late Eddie Van Halen

Van Halen's  1978 debut probably guaranteed their election to the Rock 'n'Roll Hall of Fame on the first ballot. Six years later they even topped that with "1984". Every one of the four Van Halen albums in between, "II" released in March 1979, " Women and Children First", "Fair Warning",  and "Diver Down"  would all sell a million-plus and chart Top 6 on Billboard  album sales. The late Eddie Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, & original bass player/background singer Michael Anthony join me In the Studio.
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Cheap Trick- At Budokan 45th- Rick Nielsen, Robin Zander

Rockford, Illinois's Cheap Trick proved to be no joke on the live, Japan-only "At Budokan", but the story of how the rest of the world ever got to hear it in February 1979 is a total fluke. Hear the story In the Studio from Cheap Trick's Robin Zander and Rick Nielsen.

The Babys- Run to Mexico- NYC 3-23-79

The Babys took the New York City Bottom Line's stage in March 1979, they had released their strongest effort to date, "Head First", and added up-and-coming American keyboard player Jonathan Cain to the outfit fronted by singer John Waite. Here is a very rare recording of The Babys doing "Run to Mexico".
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The Police- Outlandos d’Amour- Sting, Andy Summers, Stewart Copeland

"Outlandos d'Amour' has a certain grotesque, naive charm about it," Sting confesses in my interview about the Police debut,"but 'Regatta de Blanc'  was infinitely a much better record." Police founding drummer Stewart Copeland, guitarist Andy Summers & Sting join Redbeard here In the Studio.