1979 Archives

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The Cars- Candy O- 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.

Medium Rare

Dire Straits- Communique- Mark Knopfler

Dire Straits' under-rated second release “Communique” with my interview with Mark Knopfler In the Studio.

Beard's Blog, Classic Rock Interviews

Van Halen II- 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.

Beard's Blog, Classic Rock Interviews

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.

Live Tracks

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".

Classic Rock Interviews, Medium Rare

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.

Live Tracks

Tom Cochrane- Lunatic Fringe- Dallas 1989

From its release in 1979 on the Red Rider album As Far as Siam ,"Lunatic Fringe " was always a popular song on North American rock radio . However , in a post-9/11 world , Tom Cochrane's lyrics are now even more chilling . This performance in a Dallas Mexican restaurant- January 1989 . No stage , no P.A. , no monitors , just Corona beer & the radio feeding back . That's a lot of intense music just by two very talented guys .-Redbeard

Medium Rare

Triumph- Allied Forces- Rik Emmett, Gil Moore, Mike Levine

If you've ever been in a band, you need to listen to this honest, heartwarming, hysterically funny interview with Triumph ... 1979 breakthrough "Just a Gam"e with the songs "Hold On" and "Lay It on the Line", plus the even bigger seller "Allied Forces" forty years ago with "Magic Power" and "Fight the Good Fight".