Discover
The Ugly American Werewolf in London Rock Podcast

The Ugly American Werewolf in London Rock Podcast
Author: Mac B.
Subscribed: 14Played: 1,228Subscribe
Share
© 2020
Description
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!
289 Episodes
Reverse
Mark Knopfler is a celebrated guitar player and songwriter. And while his voice may not win awards for being pretty, his world-weary story songs fit his oakey-mellow vocals perfectly. Sultans of Swing of Dire Straits eponymous debut in 1978 catapulted Mark and the band to stardom with gold and platinum sales around the world. Though their 1979 follow up also sold well it didn't sell nearly as well as the first. So the band made a couple of changes.
David Knopfler, Mark's brother and DS rhythm guitarist, left the band for other pursuits. And instead of recording in The Bahamas, Mark, John Illsley (bass) and Pick Withers (drums) relocated to New York with legendary producer Jimmy Iovine. Jimmy's connection to Bruce Springsteen led to E Street Band pianist Roy Bittan joining the sessions and really giving texture, rhythm and soul to Knopfler's songs.
Though the timeless Romeo and Juliet wasn't a hit in the US, it has become a classic in pop culture for romantic scenes. Expresso Love gives Mark a chance to rip a fun solo while sharing the spotlight with Bittan on Tunnel of Love, Solid Rock and classic rock radio staple Skateaway. Though these songs are great on Making Movies, they really shined on the 1984 live album, Alchemy - one we have reviewed and one of The Wolf's very favorites.
If you're a Brothers in Arms or Greatest Hits only fan, we think you'll like this one as the piano, the guitar and Mark's lyrics set landscapes and tell the stories of a man trying to make it in the fast-paced world of rock n roll!
Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website
Twitter
Threads
Instagram
YouTube
LInkTree
www.pantheonpodcasts.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
By 1980, The Police were really on a roll. Their first two albums, Outlandos d'Amour and Regatta de Blanc had introduced their punk/reggae stylings to the world and had earned platinum awards on both sides of the Atlantic. Their success meant they were in demand - as a live act around the world and in the studio by A&M records. Also due to their success, they had to record outside of the UK and chose Wisseloord Studio in the Netherlands to work on their third record, Zenyatta Mondatta.
However, they had to wrap up the Regatta de Blanc tour, retreat to The Netherlands with whatever they had been writing on the road, run off to Ireland and Milton Keynes for a couple of shows, record and mix the album all in one month before they disembarked for their next tour. Though they were working with Nigel Gray, producer of their first two albums, they didn't have time to explore the songs as much as they just needed to lay them down so they could release the record on time.
Still, under all that pressure, they managed to cobble together a fine album that would go double platinum in the US. Thanks in large part to the lead single Don't Stand So Close To Me, an ode to Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov based on Sting's experience as a teacher, which would be the boys first #1 in the UK and first Top 10 in the US. Though the lyrics may have been troubling, the song is an upbeat dance tune - something The Police would master while talking about famine (Driven To Tears), the importance of the words people say (De Doo Doo Doo, De Da Da Da) and the monotony of life on the road (Man In A Suitcase). Of course Sting did most of the writing but Andy Summers contributed the Grammy winning Behind My Camel (instrumental) and Stewart Copeland offered Bombs Away & The Other Way of Stopping.
The Police never liked the mix on the record and felt they could have done better. They rerecorded the two singles in an ill-fated reunion attempt in 1986 and Sting would rework Shadows In The Rain on Dream of The Blue Turtles. But for Police fans this does stand the test of time and we celebrate Zenyatta Mondatta as it turns 45.
Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website
Twitter
Threads
Instagram
YouTube
LInkTree
www.pantheonpodcasts.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
As teenagers, The Wolf & Action Jackson dreamed of seeing Led Zeppelin live. However, the boys came of age in the 1980s after the band had broken up following the death of John Bonham. They were forced to live with ill-fated one-off reunions like Live Aid, Atlantic Records 40th and Knebworth. While they jumped at the chance to see Page/Plant in the mid-90s doing reworked versions of Zeppelin classics, they knew it would never be the same as a proper Led Zeppelin concert back in the day.
On this 27th edition of First Concert Memories, the monthly sidecast from the hosts of The Ugly American Werewolf in London Rock Podcast, the boys are psyched to speak with Tony Michaelides. Tony had the rare privilege to see Led Zeppelin as a teenager in Manchester right before they blasted their way to superstardom. He tells the story of Robert Plant inviting him backstage to meet the rest of the guys in the band after the show and how having a signed Zeppelin poster made him the talk of the school yard that next week.
However, this was actually just the beginning of Tony going backstage and interacting with artists as he would eventually have a 4 decade career in the music biz working with such luminaries as David Bowie, Peter Gabriel, Steve Winwood and more. Tony has gone on to write books about his experience in the industry and hosts a podcast, Moments That Rock, which share some of his amazing stories from over the years. We may not always be able to keep him on point but we do talk a bit about the show, Zeppelin's place in history and how the industry has changed over the years. A fun chat with a true rock veteran!
Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website
Twitter
Threads
Instagram
YouTube
LInkTree
www.pantheonpodcasts.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
1975 found Genesis in a time of transition. After coming off a lengthy and technically difficult tour for their 1974 album The Lamb LIes Down On Broadway, most everyone was a little burned out. Peter Gabriel ended up leaving the band to embark on a solo career (one that would land him in the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame) and the band were left with a lengthy audition process to replace him. Meanwhile, guitarist Steve Hackett had been accumulating music he'd written to keep him sane on the road during the difficult Lamb tour. But not only did Steve have pieces leftover from Genesis sessions, he'd begun to write pieces that might not make sense in the context of the band - acoustic pieces and songs written for a woman's voice. So while on a break from the band, he conjured up Voyage of the Acoylyte - his first solo record released on the same label as Genesis, Charisma.
To help Steve lay down these track, he enlisted the help of bandmates Mike Rutherford and Phil Collins (who would go onto replace Gabriel as the lead singer of Genesis after dozens of singers were deemed unworthy). The opening Ace of Wands is a real showcase for Steve's guitar playing - crisp tone with technique that creates a rich soundscape. And while he does do a bit of singing on the record, he leaves the vocals to more capable collaborators like Sally Oldfield on Shadow of the Hierophant and Phil Collins on Star of Sirius.
While some of this might have made sense on a Genesis album, some of the acoustic pieces or parts accompanied by his brother John Hackett on flute stand out as something different to what his band would usually produce. With a loose concept around the names of Tarot Cards, Voyage of the Acolyte takes you on a heroes journey with all sorts of incredible textures and sounds with Steve's guitar as the main focus. 50 years later, he still plays these songs live and they fit in very well with the classic Genesis songs that Steve still honors live.
Check www.hackettsongs.com for tour dates
Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website
Twitter
Threads
Instagram
YouTube
LInkTree
www.pantheonpodcasts.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Longtime listeners of our show know that The Wolf is an unabashed American Oasis fan. Though he wasn't onboard from the jump, once he discovered the melodies and lyrics of Noel Gallagher, he became a true believer ready to fly the Oasis flag in an attempt to convert more US fans. But Oasis were more of a phenomenon in the UK thanks to a new liberal government, the rise of Brit Pop and Cool Britannia while they were just a couple of foul-mouthed heathens against the grunge-dominated US.
However, their 2nd album, What's The Story Morning Glory, is one of the best selling records in the history of the UK and did enjoy strong success in the US. From the opening track Hello (a great way to start an album and concert) to the light and popular Champagne Supernova, Oasis created a juggernaut that was ready to explode after the success of their debut, Definitely Maybe.
And while Some Might Say and Don't Look Back in Anger would go on to be the first two #1 hits for the band in the UK, while Wonderwall would become known as one of the biggest pop/rock songs in UK history, you can't tell the full story of the album without the b-sides. Made during the heyday of CDs and CD singles, everytime the band released a new single they gave their fans 4 songs - basically an EP every couple of months. Included in these releases are some amazing songs like Acquiesce (perhaps the greatest b-side of all time), Talk Tonight, Rocking Chair, Masterplan and an amazing version of Cum on Feel The Noize. The 2014 re-release captures all those songs and more and is highly recommended by The Wolf to stream or buy.
Obviously Noel Gallagher went through an incredibly creative period using different styles like the hard rocking Morning Glory, fun and jangling She's Electric, and foot stomping Roll With It. On their current world reunion tour, they play 8 songs off the album and 3 more b-sides from the era. Their epic performance at Glastonbury reflected how far the band had come in 2 short years from just learning the songs to being the biggest rock band on the planet.
As it turns 30 and the boys are out on their victory lap tour, we take some time to dial into all the songs, the difference between their success in the UK vs the US and ponder what the future might hold for the brothers Gallagher.
Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website
Twitter
Threads
Instagram
YouTube
LInkTree
www.pantheonpodcasts.com
#oasis #noelgallagner #liamgallagher
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In late 1975, Rush were feeling confident. Their previous album Fly By Night had taken a step forward from their eponymous debut and new drummer Neil Peart had not only set a new standard for drumming but was ready to become the band's lyricist thanks to his voracious appetite for reading. Thanks to Neil, the lyrics could become more introspective while also walking into a fantastic fantasy world of conquering heroes and their journies.
But not everything they did was relatable for the average teenage rock fan. Bastille Day, a triumphant rocker that opens the album, harkens back to the French Revolution. I Think I'm Going Bald was a bit of an inside joke but was truly a song about growing up and growing older. While the nostalgic Lakeside Park recalled times from Neil's youth, it was a mellow tune about innocence vs. experience.
However the epic Necromancer, a nod to Neil's JRR Tolkien worship, and The Fountain of Lamneth were 12 and 20 minute suites of music more suited to the likes of 70s Yes or Genesis than the Led Zeppelin's of the world who Rush seemed to be more like on their first two outings.
While these long, proggy songs are to be admired for their musicianship and the boys maturity at around 22 years old to be able to write and play mature stories, it falls short of what they would achieve on their next record, 2112. Sales, radio play and concert turnouts were so bad that the record company demanded the next album feature more radio friendly material or they'd be dropped. While Rush stuck to their guns and made 2112 their own way, which led them to their greatest success to that point and put them on their own path, Caress of Steel is a bit of an outlier beloved by very few in the #RushFamily. As it turns 50, we finally give it our track x track review.
Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website
Twitter
Threads
Instagram
YouTube
LInkTree
www.pantheonpodcasts.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We at The Wolf are excited to present our 250th episode of UAWIL and want to take a moment to thank all our loyal listeners & social media followers. Building this show and the community of fellow rock fans has been such a fun and sometimes magical adventure around the world these past 5 years. We want to express our sincere thanks for coming on the journey with us.
Also, we like to do big guests on our 50th shows - Ryan Condal EP of House of the Dragon Ep 50, Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets live (after welcoming Gary Kemp and Guy Pratt on earlier to promote the show) Ep 100, Steve Kilbey of The Church Ep 150 and Steve Howe of Yes Ep 200. And we are proud to welcome one of rock music's most celebrated and contracted cover artists, Hugh Syme. Hugh is best known for his work with Rush over 50 years as their first collaboration, Caress of Steel, is 50 this year. We learned from Hugh first hand how his original piece of art was given the sepia tone at print which we all know and the songs which inspired the front and back covers. We hear about working with Neil Peart, Bob Ezrin, David Coverdale, Jimmy Page and the many models he immortalized with iconic album covers.
Hugh is also an accomplished musician in his own right and talks about recording with Rush, working with former guest of UAWIL Jim McCarty of The Yardbirds and jamming with Aerosmith. We found Hugh to be soft spoken yet wryly funny as he related tales of living in London as a teenager, working as a musician in Toronto, and the 80s and 90s living in LA when it was the heart of the music business.
And for you Rush fans, listen until the end as he announces he just submitted his artwork for an upcoming Rush anniversary reissue of one of our favorite 1980's Rush records. We had a delightful conversation with Hugh and we hope you enjoy it.
Thanks again for all the support these 250 episodes - it means the world to us. Can we make it to 1,000??? Time will tell but if you keep listening and telling us what you want to hear about, we'll keep making them. Thank you all!!
Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website
Twitter
Threads
Instagram
YouTube
LInkTree
www.pantheonpodcasts.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On the 26th edition of First Concert Memories, we go back to 1986 to hear the story of one young rock fan's first ever Van Halen concert. Our Pantheon Podcasts brother Ilan Fong of What's Hot in the Strip Clubs was only 8 or 9 years old when he heard his older sister playing Van Halen I on her stereo. From that moment, his life was changed and was always curious about the music coming from the rooms of his older siblings. He'd wanted to see the 1984 tour but he was too young and his older brother told him because he'd just seen the Diver Down Tour, he would sit out 1984 and then take Ilan to the next one.
The only problem there is the band broke up. David Lee Roth went solo and Van Halen famously replaced him with former Montrose singer Sammy Hagar. Hear how Ilan looked forward to finally seeing his guitar hero Eddie Van Halen perform his immortal solo live in Pittsburgh in August of 1986. We dissect the setlist (so few Dave era songs), discuss what Sammy was up to while the other guys did their solos, and where it ranked among all the Van Halen and David Lee Roth live shows.
And as a bonus, he tells a story of intrigue with Guns N Roses as they returned to Montreal for the first time after the Axl Rose meltdown that led to a riot. A tale of strip clubs, drug dealers, and snowball fights that you'll definitely enjoy!
Visit Ilan at www.whatshotitsc.com
Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website
Twitter
Threads
Instagram
YouTube
LInkTree
www.pantheonpodcasts.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
By 1985, The Replacements had seen and done a few things. They'd recorded a couple of records (see our review of Let It Be at 40) and been out on some tours. They'd made enough noise that they were signed to major label Sire and were ready to take on the world with bigger shows, music videos and tv appearances. But wait, were they?
The boys were still drinking heavily thanks to Bob Stinson and Paul Westerberg's crippling stagefright. They still hated doing any kind of promotion, which they saw as selling out and not punk. And when they finally made it on Saturday Night Live in early 1986 to promote their 1985 classic, Tim, they were banned for life for Westerberg's use of the f word on live tv.
However, Westerberg's poignant songwriting and raspy vocals were at the top of their game and Tim is considered a true masterpiece of the 1980s. It may not have even gone gold, but songs like Hold My LIfe, Kiss Me On The Bus and Dose of Thunder not only showed that they could arrange a quality pop song but could address issues that may be in juxtaposition from their hard rockin punk riffs. Swingin Party talks about how hard it is to be an introvert in forced social situations, Little Mascara is the tale of a girl with bad taste in men who loses nothing when her loser guy finally leaves her and Left Of The Dial captures life on the road between college towns for a band trying to make it.
Originally, the album had a bad mix. However, thanks to a 2023 remix as part of a box set from Ed Stasium, these songs can now be heard clearly and loud the way they were always supposed to be heard. As Tim turns 40, we celebrate what is likely The Replacements greatest achievement and go track by track to show why everyone should be familiar with this 1985 gem.
Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website
Twitter
Threads
Instagram
YouTube
LInkTree
www.pantheonpodcasts.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Wolf has had a complicated relationship with The Black Crowes. As a young man, he felt the music industry had conspired to anoint the Crowes as the next big thing in rock. MTV, rock radio, Rolling Stone, etc all seemed to be on the Crowes bandwagon and were shoving them down our throats (or that's what it seemed like). The fact that their first single was a cover and Chris Robinson's cocky attitude just didn't jibe with what our host was looking for in the early 90s.
However, after seeing them open for the Grateful Dead in 1995, he bore witness to what a great live band they were. So while he still may have had issues with their front man and his attitude, the fact of the matter were they were the real deal live. But when his idol Jimmy Page joined the Crowes for a tour and eventually released a live album with them, again he was despondent that his biggest guitar hero had taken up with this band he didn't love. BTW - the newly released deluxe edition of them Live at the Greek is a killer Crowes or Zeppelin collectible.
in 2024, Aerosmith was supposed to do one final tour and the Black Crowes were slated to open for them. When Aerosmith was forced to cancel the tour, The Wolf found himself more disappointed in missing the Crowes than the last gasp of Aerosmith. So when the Black Crowes came to town as a headliner, The Wolf wasn't going to miss his chance and he wasn't disappointed.
Hear him discuss with Action Jackson the band, their show, the power of Chris Robinson's voice, the guitar porn, the stuff he didn't know and the Rolling Stones cover that he wasn't expecting. A great live show and we're happy to share it with some soundbites for your listening pleasure!
Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website
Twitter
Threads
Instagram
YouTube
LInkTree
www.pantheonpodcasts.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
It's hard to imagine being in Pink Floyd in 1975. 1973's Dark Side of the Moon had not only achieved high praise from the critics but had sold better than most any album ever recorded. Nick Mason, Rick Wright, Roger Waters and David Gilmour had soared to extraordinary heights thanks to their balance of technological experimentation, their examination of modern capitalistic life and Waters' biting lyrics. They had plenty of money and adoring fans. The only worry was what to do next.
For months they noodled around Abbey Road Studios (EMI Studio at the time) trying to find new inspiration; apparently while they drank each other under the table. Engineers and producers were sacked in an attempt to capture their greatness and harness all the capabilities of the latest available technology. Out of that came Wish You Were Here - an album that may not receive the praise (or sales) of Dark Side or The Wall but is perhaps their most listenable effort of the 1970s and a favorite among Gilmour and Wright.
The very progressive and Floydian suite Shine On You Crazy Diamond Parts 1-5 start the album by creating an atmosphere of awe and wonder. Waters lyrics describe their former bandmate Syd Barrett; their former leader who had lost a battle with his own schizophrenia which led to the boys not encountering him for 7 years. However, in an odd twist of fate Syd made it to EMI during the mixing of the album with a shaved head, shaved eyebrows and weighing more than double than when they'd last seen him. It all adds to the mystery and legacy of Syd and Pink Floyd.
Before the 6-9 suite of Crazy Diamond, we are treated to some wonderful Pink Floyd classics. Welcome to the Machine offers mechanical noises and dismal lyrics to not only warn of but welcome the new entries into the military industrial complex. The acoustic Wish You Were Here is a sweet yet remorseful song about lost friendship and the unfortunate changes that come with growing up and growing old. Have A Cigar is a very cheeky view of the music business but as neither Waters or Gilmour could quite pull off the right tone, they employed old friend Roy Harper to provide the vocals. All three are classic rock staples and songs the band would perform together and as solo artists throughout their careers.
Often overlooked compared to the other Floyd output of the 1970s, we find this has aged well, is still very listenable and is as poignant as ever 50 years later.
Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website
Twitter
Threads
Instagram
YouTube
LInkTree
www.pantheonpodcasts.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Queensryche were always different from their hard rock & hair metal brethren in the 80s & 90s. Based out of Seattle, Geoff Tate (vocals), Chris DeGarmo (lead guitar), Michael Wilton (lead & rhythm guitar), Eddie Jackson (bass) and Scott Rockenfield (drums) created a more prog rock sound akin to that of Rush or Dream Theater. Tate's soaring vocals against the brilliant guitar work and fiesty rhythm section gave them a sound all their own in a sea of hair, power chords and the occasional power ballad. After coming off 1988's concept album Operation: Mindcrime, the band were confident and ready to take the next step to superstardom.
1990's Empire is generally referred to as their best effort and was their best seller with more than 3 million in the US alone. Thanks to MTV and rock radio, Queensryche music was in the air in 1990 and 1991 (at least until the fall) thanks to big hit like the title track, Best I Can, Jet City Woman and Another Rainy Night (Without You) and perhaps the greatest hard rock power ballad of all time, Silent Lucidity. That last song topped the mainstream rock charts and landed in the top ten on Billboard. However, thanks to elements at work in their hometown, the party didn't last.
Once Nirvana's Smells Like Teen Spirit hit the airwaves in the fall of 1991, hard rock and hair metal would soon be shown the door by record companies looking to capitalize on the new trend. Though 1994's Promised Land went platinum and had some highlights, it was very out of place in the new flannel-clad culture. Eventually, DeGarmo would leave never to return and turmoil would separate Tate from his band in the 21st Century. However, this album stands as a testament to the bands talent and should be remembered as one of the best of the era.
Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website
Twitter
Threads
Instagram
YouTube
LInkTree
www.pantheonpodcasts.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
As we start our 3rd year of First Concert Memories, the monthly sidecast from your friends at The Ugly American Werewolf in London, we welcome our friend Richard Evans to tell the tale of seeing Bruce Springsteen live in 1980. Richard is the head writer of Rock N Roll Archeology, one of the great podcasts in the Pantheon Podcasts family, which is hosted by Pantheon CEO & Co-Founder Christian Swain. Richard & Christian have been friends since the 70s and Richard turned Christian onto The Boss when they were teenagers.
When Bruce's double album The River came out in 1980, his reputation for a stellar live performance had made it to the west coast and the boys got tickets to one of the 4 sold out shows at the LA Sports Arena. Fans of Bruce recall this tour as a special one as he played most all of the 20 tracks on the album along with back catalog favorites for a 3.5+ hour extravaganza that featured a young Bruce and the E Street Band in their prime (and before the worldwide fame of Born in the USA).
Hear how they maneuvered through scalpers to upgrade their seats from the last row in the upper deck to the floor, how they ingested some psychedelic enhancers during the intermission, how the band celebrated Halloween (it was on October 31, 1980) and how they blew past the security guard, got down on the floor and made it all the way to the front. A fateful Halloween Night for our heroes!
Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website
Twitter
Threads
Instagram
YouTube
LInkTree
www.pantheonpodcasts.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
1969 was a big year for Carlos Santana. He played Woodstock one week before his debut album was released and he saw it rise the charts and sell millions in the US. With the wind at his back, he and his band came back with momentum and on September 23, 1970 they released Abraxas which would go onto sell over 5 million copies. To some, it was an introduction to the fusion that Santana and his band created by blending jazz, rock, blues, soul, latin music and psychedelic sounds. Their rendition of Peter Green's (Fleetwood Mac) Black Magic Woman led many American rock fans to believe it was an original (much like Jimi Hendrix and All Along The Watchtower). As this classic turns 55, we gave it out track x track rundown and it had us movin' and groovin'!
Thanks to the beats from Michael Shrieve (drums), Jose "Chepito" Areas (percussion, congas) and Michael Carabello (percussion, congas) the band created rhythms that not only made you get up and dance but laid down a groove that was easy for Carlos to play over. Only Carlos Santana can squeeze so much emotion out of every note while keyboardist and vocalist Greg Rolie (Santana, Journey, The Storm) delivers fierce organ and piano textures while offering vocals that fit the tracks.
However, most of the songs are instrumentals and the two big hits were covers as Oye Come Va was a Tito Puente song. But because the band put their personal style into the songs, though they weren't much different from the originals, they are now the standards for each. This album was released before we were born so we don't know a world without it but it stands as about the finest offering from Santana is his long and celebrated career.
Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website
Twitter
Threads
Instagram
YouTube
LInkTree
www.pantheonpodcasts.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Most casual Yes fans aren't familiar with their 1980 release Drama. After 8 years of gold and platinum releases, Drama failed to sell as well as its 70s prog counterparts like Close To The Edge or Fragile. When they went to the south of France to record in late 1979, it was the most celebrated Yes lineup of Jon Anderson (vocals), Chris Squire (Bass), Steve Howe (guitars), Rick Wakeman (keyboards) and Alan White (drums), Coming off two solid efforts in Going For The One and Tormato, there was strong interest in the band, especially in America where they'd prebooked a tour including 3 sold out shows at Madison Square Garden.
However, factions took over and cracks were exposed in the harmony of the band. Howe, White and Squire would come later and bring producer Roy Thomas Baker with them. Those four would dismiss the airy and ethereal efforts of Wakeman and Anderson in favor of their own heavy and proggy riffs. After Alan White injured himself roller skating with Richard Branson (as one does), the retreated back to England but Anderson and Wakeman had had enough and they left the band.
Under the same management of Brian Lane and using the same studios were The Buggles, Geoff Downes (Keyboards) and Trevor Horn (vocals) vehicle for their worldwide hit Video Killed The Radio Star. Chris Squire invited them in to help write some songs but really, he wanted them in the band. Though Trevor Horn was reluctant to try to replicate Jon Anderson's high pitched vocals, they eventually joined and recorded Drama.
Critics said it sounded remarkably like Yes, maybe more than they expected. But while Trevor's vocals aren't an exact match of Anderson's, they do hit that high register and the work by the musicians of Yes is off the charts strong. Tempus Fugit is a quintessential Yes song and Run Through The Light gives Trevor something closer to his own range while Geoff modernizes Yes' sound. Many Yes fans decided that no Anderson and No Wakeman meant No Thanks. But Drama has aged well and even the Roger Dean cover, which was never a big favorite of The Wolf compared to most all he did with Yes and Asia, is something that grows on you.
This is a hidden gem in the Yes catalog, one that The Wolf includes among his favorite Yes albums. Give it a chance, see if you agree.
* And if you can get the 2004 remaster do so - it sounds great and has lots of bonus tracks including some from the Anderson/Wakeman sessions.
Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website
Twitter
Threads
Instagram
YouTube
LInkTree
www.pantheonpodcasts.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In a first for us hear at The Wolf, we're rebooting a previous episode with cool, never before heard material. On Episode 221 we did our usual track by track, in-depth analysis of Eric Clapton's Behind The Sun as it turned 40. It was a bit of a return to form for Clapton after he had worked to clean himself up and went platinum after some less than stellar albums in the early 80s. Still, songs She's Waiting and Forever Man turned out to be solid hits for Eric.
Warner Brothers wanted the album to be a hit so they employed the hottest man in the business at the time, Phil Collins, to take Eric and his band down to Montserrat to put together a hit. However, Warner wasn't thrilled with the results so they had Eric come to LA to cover some songs written by Jerry Lynn Williams with some of the best session musicians of the day (and of all time).
Eric's longtime guitar tech, Lee Dickson, has appeared on our show a couple of times before including on Ep 242 with Alan Hunter of MTV talking about Live Aid from Philadelphia. Lee gives us some color on how things went down in Montserrat, how a young producer almost ruined a six figure Martin guitar, how Sting popped up to say hello and contribute to the sessions and how Lee taught himself to swim while everyone else was at the beach.
He also sheds some light on the LA sessions that Ted Templeman oversaw and how psyched Clapton was to work with some of the world's best session musicians like Steve Lukather, Greg Phillinganes and eventual member of his touring band, Nathan East. Lee tells a hilarious story about working with songwriter Jerry Lynn Williams and the character he was. Lee talks about the cool stuff they did making the album, we offer our track by track review including songs from the sessions that didn't make the album (one track made it into Back To The Future) and at the end he gives some inside information on what he does to make his artists sound incredible and life in rock n roll. It's a special edition we think you'll love.
Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website
Twitter
Threads
Instagram
YouTube
LInkTree
www.pantheonpodcasts.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
You might ask boys - if you've already done two 1+ hour episodes on Live Aid at 40, what more could you possibly have left for a third? The only thing we left out of episodes 1 & 2 were first hand accounts from the front or back of the stage that day, something we weren't privy to at the time due to the fact that we were 12 years old. So we enlisted two folks who there that day to help tell the real story - MTV VJ Alan Hunter and longtime Eric Clapton guitar tech Lee Dickson.
Alan was one of the original 5 MTV VJs with Nina Blackwood, Martha Quinn, Mark Goodman and JJ Jackson. Alan was in Philadelphia that day as the stage boiled at close to 100 degrees. That made for a long day (18 hours on the air?) surrounded by legends and the hottest acts of the time. Alan tells what it was like to walk backstage among the many luminaries who were around that day, how he handled juggling being on MTV at the front of the stage to running backstage for interviews. And yes, he does discuss his much talked about interview with Phil Collins and the surviving members of Led Zeppelin after their infamous performance. A dream come true for a couple MTV kids to interview one of their heroes!
LIsteners of the show know the Lee Dickson is full of humor and stories from his decades in the rock business. He's cavorted with the aristocracy of rock n roll and is entertaining in the way that he shares these tales from the road. He sets the record straight on how he handled Marshall amps that day while trying to find the right one for Eric and relates a story of how his plan to create a beautiful effect for the TV audience was thwarted by crazy roadies and stagehands. Lee also lets us know how you could cool off in the synthesizer room and find refreshment. It's a great view behind the scenes you won't find anywhere else and we think you'll love Lee's humorous delivery of his wild tales.
July 13, 2025 marks the 40th anniversary of this extraordinary day in rock music, MTV and the lives of The Wolf & Action Jackson so we're releasing this special episode on that day to commemorate the extraordinary event.
Learn more at www.bandaidtrust.co.uk
Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website
Twitter
Threads
Instagram
YouTube
LInkTree
www.pantheonpodcasts.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome to Part 2 of our deep dive into Live Aid as it turns 40. In Part 1 we spoke about the creation and buildup to the event on July 13, 2025 at Wembley Stadium in London and JFK in Philly. It was billed as a legendary fundraiser to support starving people in Africa organized by Bob Geldof which attracted some of the greatest artists of several generations.
On our second installment, we break down the live acts throughout the day in the US and during the prime afternoon and evening times in the UK. While some stand out fo incredible performances (The Wolf was partial to Chrissie Hynde and the Pretenders among them), some top of the charts performers hit some bad notes (yes, we're going there). And of course, we discuss the infamous Led Zeppelin reunion and interview with Alan Hunter.
Part 3 will be released July 13, 2025 to coincide with the 40th anniversary of Live Aid. We are excited about 2 interviews with people who were at the stage in Philadelphia that day, including one of the original MTV VJs. HINT: It's not JJ Jackson :(
Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website
Twitter
Threads
Instagram
YouTube
LInkTree
www.pantheonpodcasts.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Live Aid may have been the cultural event for Gen X'ers just as Woodstock was for their baby boomer parents. Bob Geldof had led a group of British pop artists to the charity single Do They Know It's Christmas? That inspired US artists to create We Are The World. Both singles were to aid millions of starving people in Africa who were suffering from severe drought and broken politics. The huge success of the songs lead Geldof to be even more ambitious in coordinating a dual continent live concert with the biggest stars of the day (and with some legends as well) to raise money for Africa. On July 13, 1985 artists gathered in Wembley Stadium in London and JFK Stadium in Philadelphia and MTV broadcast 15 hours of programming which we ate up!
Though a million things could have gone wrong, the day was an amazing event that raised money and awareness for a dire situation and brought together the most incredible lineup of talent. This is the first of 3 parts commemorating this incredible event. Here we'll breakdown how the singles came together, who came, who didn't, controversies and legacy. We name all the acts on both coasts before breaking down the UK performances before the US feed was piped into the UK. Part 2 will have the primetime acts from the UK and the US and we discuss the now infamous Led Zeppelin performance. But we're really excited about Part 3 which will feature interviews from 2 folks who were in Philadelphia that day - one of whom was an MTV VJ!!
Viewed by 1.5 billion people around the world, the MTV broadcast in the US is so memorable for The Wolf and Action Jackson, we couldn't wait to reminisce about it. Talking to one of the original MTV VJs was a dream come true! But that's Part 3, for now listen to our excitement building up to the event, how we snuck off to watch it and the acts stood out early in the broadcast.
Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website
Twitter
Threads
Instagram
YouTube
LInkTree
www.pantheonpodcasts.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Longtime listeners know that The Wolf & Action Jackson hava a special place in their hearts for Rush, the Canadian power trio that went through many phases and sounds over their more than 4 decades together. To wrap up our 2nd year of First Concert Memories, our monthly sidecast about special moments in our lives that revolve around a live rock show, we welcomed our Pantheon Podcasts brother Brad Page. Brad grew up in greater Boston and tried to see Rush on the Permanent Waves Tour. However, after he and his friends trekked over 2 hours to Cape Cod for the show, at the last second it was cancelled. Brad was worried that he'd never get to see one of his very favorite bands live.
However, that was actually good fortune in that the boys made up the date during a brief tour between Permanent Waves and Moving Pictures that saw the band debut some of the stuff they were working on. Those songs turned out to be Limelight and Tom Sawyer off the forthcoming Moving Pictures, the album that would change the fortunes of Rush forever.
Brad tells us how he and his buddies freaked out when Geddy announced they'd be playing something new. But he also remembers hearing some of his all time favorites like Xanadu and the inimitable La Villa Strangiato. The setlist was phenomenal and the venue was smaller than any of the others from that brief tour between major album tours. So Brad saw the greatest setlist, a killer stage production and heard the debut of a couple of stone cold Rush classics before they went back in the studio to finish them. It's a fun story of a night for which we wish we'd been there.
Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website
Twitter
Threads
Instagram
YouTube
LInkTree
www.pantheonpodcasts.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices