Prisoners of Rock and Roll

The Moscow Music Peace Festival was a two-day rock concert held in August 1989.  Held during Mikhail Gorbachev’s period of Glastnost, Russia allowed a handful of western rock and roll acts to perform for the first time in Moscow, and over 100,000 people living in Cold War Soviet Union packed into Central Lenin Station to witness the forbidden fruit of late 80s rock and roll in all of its excess.  Motley Crue, Ozzy Osbourne, Skid Row, Bon Jovi, and the Scorpions shared the stage with some Russian rock and roll acts to promote peace and raise awareness about drug and alcohol addiction….Because Ozzy and Motley Crue are just the people you want promoting the virtues of sobriety.  But the Moscow Music Peace Festival was also an important cultural moment near the end of the Cold War. By the end of the show, stoic Soviet soldiers were throwing their hats in the air and rocking out to the music. The event also inspired the Scorpions to write their hit song Wind of Change, which became an anthem for the end of the Cold War as the Berlin Wall came down just a few months later.  So tune in for this episode of Prisoners of Rock and Roll as we take a peek behind the Iron Curtain for a look at the Moscow Music Peace Festival. Episode Playlists Check out all of the songs we discussed in this week's episode here. Get In Touch Check us out online, on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube. or drops us an email at show@prisonersofrockandroll.com. Or if you're in Philadelphia, come visit our home base at McCusker's Tavern. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get ready to step into the ring as we explore the electrifying tag team of professional wrestling and rock and roll in this episode of Prisoners of Rock and Roll.  We’re going to take a look at the iconic rock and wrestling era of the late 80s, when the WWF superstars climbed out of the ring and picked up the mic to record TWO albums of them singing: 1985’s The Wrestling Album and 1987s Piledriver: The Wrestling Album II. And we’re going to talk about how Cyndi Lauper helped bring wrestling into the mainstream.  Then we’re going to check out some iconic entrance music from wrestling history, and listen to some other albums that wrestlers have put out over the years.  We’ve also got some weird stuff. Junk Yard Dog singing on American Bandstand. The Mouth of the South Jimmy Hart’s top 10 hit in the 60s with a song you probably know, and Mean Gene Okerlund’s rockabilly album of the 50s.  And what better time to do this!? Wrestlemania 40 is happening in Philadelphia and our home base at McCusker’s Tavern is hosting a very special event with our friend and former professional wresting star, The Blue Meanie, who calls McCusker’s his favorite bar on the planet.  So whatcha gonna do, brother, when the Prisoners of Rock and Roll run wild on you!?  Episode Playlists Check out all of the songs we discussed in this week's episode here. Get In Touch Check us out online, on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube. or drops us an email at show@prisonersofrockandroll.com. Or if you're in Philadelphia, come visit our home base at McCusker's Tavern. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chess Records was an independent record label created on the South Side of Chicago in 1950 by two Polish immigrants named Leonard and Phil Chess. As one of the most important blues labels of all time, Chess Records captured the electric sound of the American South and had a huge influence on the early days of rock and roll.  Chess Records helped introduce America to Muddy Waters, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Howlin’ Wolf, and Etta James. And when these albums made their way across the Atlantic, they inspired the British blues movement that gave us Clapton, Zeppelin, and of course, the Rolling Stones.  In this episode of Prisoners of Rock and Roll, we’re taking a look at the history of Chess Records: how it got started, their impressive roster of important musicians, and the influence that these songs had on rock and roll. We’re also look at the shadier side of the label, where artists didn’t get paid the royalties they deserved and DJs were given writing credits in exchange for playing records.  Episode Playlists Check out all of the songs we discussed in this week's episode here. Get In Touch Check us out online, on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube. or drops us an email at show@prisonersofrockandroll.com. Or if you're in Philadelphia, come visit our home base at McCusker's Tavern. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lights, camera…rock and roll! Music plays a huge role in film, and in this episode of Prisoners of Rock and Roll, we’re taking another look at movie soundtracks. Soundtracks have given us some incredibly iconic songs over the last 80 years.  Purple Rain, The Bodyguard, Titanic, Saturday Night Fever, Purple Rain, 8 Mile, Ghostbusters, Footloose, Robin Hood, Judgment Night, Guardians of the Galaxy, Pulp Fiction, Singles, Grosse Point Blank, the Lion King. I could keep going but we have a show to do.  Grab some popcorn and a soda, recline your seat, and silence your damn cell phone because we’re about to press play on our favorite movie soundtracks. It’s showtime! Episode Playlists Check out all of the songs we discussed in this week's episode here. Get In Touch Check us out online, on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube. or drops us an email at show@prisonersofrockandroll.com. Or if you're in Philadelphia, come visit our home base at McCusker's Tavern. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get ready to climb into the musical memory machine and take a trip back to 1994 as we revisit the music that came out 30 years ago.  It was a year that defined our generation when Kurt Cobain took his own life. We got important albums like Purple from Stone Temple Pilots, Superunknown by Soundgarden, Sixteen Stone from Bush, Jar of Flies from Alice in Chains, Throwing Copper from Live, and Vitology from Pearl Jam. REM tried to plug in with Monster while Nirvana went unplugged on MTV. Mariah Carey transformed into a Christmas character, while Green Day and Offspring pushed punk onto the radio. Hootie & Blowfish, the Dave Matthews Band, the Cranberries, and Blues Traveler all entered the scene and helped define the mid 90s alternative sound. Hip hop had a fresh year with albums from Nas, the Beastie Boys, Bone Thugs & Harmony, and a newcomer called Notorious B.I.G.  Join the Prisoners of Rock and Roll as we break out our flannel shirts and take a look back at the music of 1994. Episode Playlist Check out all of the songs we discussed in this week's episode here. Get In Touch Check us out online, on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube. or drops us an email at show@prisonersofrockandroll.com. Or if you're in Philadelphia, come visit our home base at McCusker's Tavern. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Doors were one of the most influential and iconic bands of the 1960s – they built a dark counterculture sound on a foundation of Ray Manzarek’s organ playing that combined elements of poetry, blues, rock and roll, jazz, and psychedelic music.  At the front of it all was their charismatic, volatile, and enigmatic lead singer Jim Morrison. There’s no doubt that he was the embodiment of the whole sex, drugs, and rock and roll thing. The good looking frontman who helped forge his legacy by dying young.  But was Jim Morrison a brilliant visionary or a rock and roll buffoon?  On one hand, he saw himself as the Lizard King. A poet and mystic who was influenced by his background in literature and film.  On the other hand, Jim was also an erratic, self-indulgent showman. A hardcore alcoholic who clashed with his parents, his bandmates, and most famously, the police.  In this episode of Prisoners of Rock and Roll, we’re taking a look at the life and legacy of Jim Morrison and debating if he was brilliant or a buffoon? Episode Playlist Check out all of the songs we discussed in this week's episode here. Get In Touch Check us out online, on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube. or drops us an email at show@prisonersofrockandroll.com. Or if you're in Philadelphia, come visit our home base at McCusker's Tavern. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rock and roll and cars are a classic combination. In fact, the very first rock and roll song, Rocket 88, was about a car.  So get ready to rev your engines and hit the open road because on our next episode of Prisoners of Rock and Roll, we're shifting into high gear and exploring of music about cars. From the rhythmic hum of the engine to the wind in your hair, these tunes capture the essence of the open highway and the freedom that comes with it. We'll be diving into the classics and exploring the rock and roll rebel attitude embodied in some of these great songs.  But it's not just about the classic rockers; we'll also hit the gas on some unexpected picks from various genres. From country roads to city streets, music about cars has a universal appeal that transcends genres and generations. So, buckle up and get ready to cruise with us through the highways and byways of the ultimate playlist for road trips and joyrides. It's an episode fueled by the spirit of adventure, the love of the open road, and the unmistakable sound of rock and roll. Tune in and let's take a musical journey that'll make you want to hit the gas and never look back! Let’s get our kicks on Route 66. Episode Playlist Check out all of the songs we discussed in this week's episode here. Get In Touch Check us out online, on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube. or drops us an email at show@prisonersofrockandroll.com. Or if you're in Philadelphia, come visit our home base at McCusker's Tavern. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re rock and rollers at heart here at the Prisoners of Rock and Roll, but we both have a soft spot for Christmas music. In our annual Christmas episode, we decided to hope in a one horse open sleigh and take a trip down memory lane to the classic Christmas songs of the 40s, 50s, and 60s. These are the songs we opened our presents to as kids – and many of them are from artists who were enormously popular at the time but we really only hear around the holidays this year.  So grab some punch and settle in as we are having a classy, classic Christmas.  Episode Playlist Check out all of the songs we discussed in this week's episode here. Get In Touch Check us out online, on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube. or drops us an email at show@prisonersofrockandroll.com. Or if you're in Philadelphia, come visit our home base at McCusker's Tavern. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bruce Springsteen has released more than 20 studio albums over the course of his 50-year career, including some of the most iconic rock and roll albums in history.  We’re both huge fans of the Boss here at Prisoners of Rock and Roll, and we unfortunately didn’t get to see him this summer after he canceled part of his tour due to illness.  So in this episode we are taking a close look at we think are his top five albums. We’re going to explain how we came up with the list, talk about the songs that make him such an important figure in music and our lives, and get into what his music means to both of us.  Get In Touch Check us out online, on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube. or drops us an email at show@prisonersofrockandroll.com. Or if you're in Philadelphia, come visit our home base at McCusker's Tavern. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There were several ambitious projects in the 1980s where the music industry tried to make a difference by raising money to make a difference. One of those projects happened in 1985, when dozens of musicians formed a supergroup called USA for Africa and recorded We Are the World.  Written by Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson and produced by the legendary Quincy Jones, We Are the World included dozens of performers in a star-studded ensemble cast made up of some of the biggest names in music at the time: Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Paul Simon, Willie Nelson, Kenny Loggins, Bruce Springsteen, Cyndi Lauper, Smokey Robinson, Bob Dylan, Billy Joel, Diana Ross, Huey Lewis, Hall & Oats, the Pointer Sisters, and more.  All walked into a studio where they were greeted by a sign that said “check your egos at the door.” And they did.  The finished product sold more than 20 million copies and was simultaneously played on 8,000 radio stations around the world. The project raised more than $63 million for famine relief in Africa. Nearly 40 years later, USA For Africa, is still active and fighting poverty.  In this episode of Prisoners of Rock and World, we’re taking a look at We Are the World – the idea behind the project, the recording, and it’s impact. Get In Touch Check us out online, on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube. or drops us an email at show@prisonersofrockandroll.com. Or if you're in Philadelphia, come visit our home base at McCusker's Tavern. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There were a lot of things about the 1980s that we’d like to forget but one of the most memorable parts of the decade was the music. While artists like Madonna, the Police, Def Leppard, and Michael Jackson were popular for huge parts of the decade, the music scene of the 1980s is filled with artists who had one, and only one, hit song.  In this episode of Prisoners of Rock and Roll, we’re talking about the one hit wonders of the 1980s. We’ve got a list of songs that includes some that we still listen to today…and some that haven’t aged very well.  So, Come On Eileen and Take On Me while we Put On the Ritz down in Funkytown.  Hear More Check out the episode playlist. Get In Touch Check us out online, on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube. or drops us an email at show@prisonersofrockandroll.com. Or if you're in Philadelphia, come visit our home base at McCusker's Tavern. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today’s episode of Prisoners of Rock and Roll, we’re digging into some of the most scandalous moments in music history. We’ve put together a list of scandals that span nearly 70 years and cover controversies, deaths, scams, crime, and outrageous behavior that drew media attention around the world.  From John Lennon saying the Beatles were bigger than Jesus to Sinead O’Connor tearing up a page of the Pope on SNL. The shocking trail of abuse left by total piece of garbage R. Kelly to Ozzy biting the head off of a bat. The circumstances of Sam Cooke’s murder to years of speculation over if Elvis really died at all. The Great White concert fire to the dumpster fire of the Fyre Festival. Milli Vanilli getting caught lip synching to U2 “giving” you one of their albums whether you wanted it or not. We’re covering a lot of ground in this one and some of it isn’t pretty. Let the drama begin! Hear More Check out the episode playlist. Get In Touch Check us out online, on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube. or drops us an email at show@prisonersofrockandroll.com. Or if you're in Philadelphia, come visit our home base at McCusker's Tavern. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Prisoners of Rock and Roll, we’re taking a look at celebrities who make music. Now, a lot of famous people have decided to make albums over the years. Some of them dabble in rock and roll on the side like a lot of us and use their celebrity status to get an album recorded.  Others might have had gotten some misguided advice from someone in their inner circle telling them that releasing an album is a great way to increase their profile or make a quick buck.  We spent a lot of time looking for and listening to music for this one, and we’ve put together a pretty solid list of celebrities who released albums, including a few that might make you say, “wait, THEY released an album?”  We uncovered a lot of stuff for this one – and some of it should have stayed where we found it. A few of these albums have been scrubbed from streaming platforms but luckily the Internet is forever.  But some of these tunes aren’t bad either.  So settle in and join us as we look into the sometimes bizarre world of celebrity music.  Hear More Check out the episode playlist. Get In Touch Check us out online, on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube. or drops us an email at show@prisonersofrockandroll.com. Or if you're in Philadelphia, come visit our home base at McCusker's Tavern. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’re one of the thousands of people who listen to Prisoners of Rock and Roll – and shame on you if you aren’t – you know we do a segment in every episode called The Electric Chair where we kill a song for being terrible.  Now, there’s a lot of awesome music out there. But let’s face it: there’s a lot of bad music too.  So much bad music that this episode of Prisoners of Rock and Roll is volume 2 of a show totally dedicated to talking about music that sucks. We have spent hours plumbing the depths of music  We also asked our awesome listeners and some of our podcast friends to submit their picks for the most cringe-inducing tracks out there and man, did they deliver. Get ready go groan and say, “oh no, not THAT song” as we plumb the depths of music hell for songs have left scars on our music souls. Yacht rock, southern rap, novelty songs, one hit wonders, dance tracks, and just plan bad music. It’s all here.  Parental advisory on this one rock and rollers. Having to listen to some of these songs made us pretty angry. Special shout out to Set Lusting Bruce as well as Rock and Soul Tarot podcasts for contributing to this one! Hear More Check out the episode playlist. Get In Touch Check us out online, on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube. or drops us an email at show@prisonersofrockandroll.com. Or if you're in Philadelphia, come visit our home base at McCusker's Tavern. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alright, folks, it's time to dust off those platform shoes, grab your shiniest disco ball, and get ready to debate the ultimate question: Does Disco Suck?  That's right, on this electrifying episode of Prisoners of Rock and Roll, we're diving headfirst into the glittery, dance-filled world of disco music. Now, disco, oh disco, you've been the life of countless parties, the soundtrack of Saturday nights, and the rhythm that had everyone hustling on the dance floor. But let's face it, you've also faced your fair share of backlash. From "Disco Demolition Night" to the "Death to Disco" movement, there's been no shortage of disco haters. But hold on to your sequined jumpsuits, because we're here to give disco a fair shake. Say what you want about the music, it was a cultural phenomenon that brought people together under the dazzling lights of places of the discotecques. We'll explore the roots of this genre, its rise to pop culture domination, and the artists who made us boogie 'til dawn. From Donna Summer's sultry voice to the infectious beats of the Bee Gees.   We'll discuss the impact of iconic clubs like Studio 54 and the role of dance in the disco movement. And yes, we'll even talk about those infamous dance moves that made us question the flexibility of our hips. But does disco really deserve the bad rep it sometimes gets? Was it a necessary evolution of music, or just a fleeting trend that deserved its fate? Join us as we weigh the pros and cons, groove to the unforgettable beats, and decide once and for all: Does Disco Suck? So dust off those old records, put on your best polyester outfit, and join us on this disco-fueled adventure. Whether you're a disco diva or a skeptic, get ready to strut your stuff, shake your groove thing, and get down to the rhythm that defined an era. It's time to boogie, baby, and settle the score – Does Disco Suck? Let's find out! Hear More Check out the episode playlist. Get In Touch Check us out online, on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube. or drops us an email at show@prisonersofrockandroll.com. Or if you're in Philadelphia, come visit our home base at McCusker's Tavern. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Beatles were one of the most successful bands of all time, and critics loved them as much as their fans. Lucky for music fans, they also kept tons of recordings in their archives. The Beatles Anthology was a multimedia project that included a television documentary series, a book, and three double albums that includes outtakes, rarities, demos, and even a couple of new tracks that Paul, George, and Ringo recorded with some unfinished work by John Lennon.  In this episode of Prisoners of Rock and Roll, we’re going on a magical mystery tour with one of the greatest rock and roll bands of all times – The Beatles! So get ready to twist and shout, come together, and experience the music of the Beatles Anthology. Hear More Check out the episode playlist. Get In Touch Check us out online, on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube. or drops us an email at show@prisonersofrockandroll.com. Or if you're in Philadelphia, come visit our home base at McCusker's Tavern. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let’s face it. Rock and roll has always been dominated by dudes, but music is full of female trailblazers and trendsetters who rocked our world and left their mark on the industry.  We’re talking about the soulful blues of Janis Joplin to Joan Jett’s punk guitar riffs. Debbie Harry embraced her hotness while leading a band that dipped into as many different types of music as the Clash, while Annie Lennox’s androgyny helped make her an advocate for gay people around the world. Tina Turner was a rock star in every sense of the world.  The list doesn’t stop there. Heart, Stevie Nicks, Melissa Etheridge, the Go-Gos, Garbage, Halestorm, Florence & The Machine, X, the Plasmatics, the Interrupters, and Scandal. They all show that rock and roll is for everyone.  In this episode of Prisoners of Rock and Roll, in honor of the Kate Bush fans who are STILL calling us misogynists for not liking her music, we’re throwing a guitar through the glass ceiling by looking at women who rock!  So turn up your radio and let’s wreck some stereotypes as we celebrate the women who rock. Hear More Check out the episode playlist. Get In Touch Check us out online, on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube. or drops us an email at show@prisonersofrockandroll.com. Or if you're in Philadelphia, come visit our home base at McCusker's Tavern. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jazz was the soundtrack of America for decades – through prohibition, two World Wars, the Harlem renaissance, and more.  From the soulful trumpet of Louis Armstrong to the haunting vocals of Billie Holiday, from the trailblazing talents of Dizzy Gillespie to the cool sounds of Miles Davis, these musicians shaped the landscape of jazz and inspired countless generations of musicians. In this episode of Prisoners of Rock and Roll, we're taking a look at the melodies, rhythms, and improvisational genius of jazz.  Hear More Check out the episode playlist. Get In Touch Check us out online, on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube. or drops us an email at show@prisonersofrockandroll.com. Or if you're in Philadelphia, come visit our home base at McCusker's Tavern. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you ready to crank up the volume, tease your hair to new heights, and rock out like it's the 1980s? We're diving into the glitz, the glam, and the power chords of hair metal on the next episode of Prisoners of Rock and Roll. Now, let's address the elephant in the room. Hair metal often gets a bad rap, dismissed as nothing more than cheesy anthems and over-the-top fashion. But hold on as tight as a pair of spandex pants because we’re going to give hair metal the respect it deserves. Sure, the hair was big, the outfits were outrageous, and the makeup was, well, a lot. But beneath the spandex-clad exterior, there were some seriously talented musicians who created infectious tunes that still make us pump our fists and sing along. Believe it or not, hair metal had its roots in the rock and roll of the 1950s. Just like those pioneers, the music was all about relationships, good times, and, of course, a healthy dose of rebellion. Think about it: the lyrics were filled with tales of wild nights, broken hearts, and the pursuit of freedom. It was rock and roll escapism at its finest. But hair metal wasn't just about the music. It was a cultural phenomenon that defined an era. It brought people together, created a sense of community, and became a soundtrack for countless memories. Whether you were headbanging at a concert or blasting your favorite cassette in your beat-up car, hair metal had a way of making you feel alive. So join us as we pay homage to the bands that rocked the stadiums and the arenas. We're celebrating the anthems that still get our hearts pumping, and we'll prove that hair metal wasn't just a guilty pleasure – it was a damn good time that deserves respect. It's time to crank up the volume and embrace the power of the riff, the power of the party, and the power of rock and roll. Hair metal, we salute you! Hear More Check out the episode playlist. Get In Touch Check us out online, on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube. or drops us an email at show@prisonersofrockandroll.com. Or if you're in Philadelphia, come visit our home base at McCusker's Tavern. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Doo wop music. It’s the harmonized sound of street corner serenades and teenage romance. The irresistible sound that makes you wanna snap your fingers, sway your hips, and sing along with those timeless harmonies. This music broke down racial barriers years before the civil rights movement, as millions of kids across the country just cared about listening to great music.  Some of the most popular groups of the era were Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers, The Drifters, the Platters, Dion & The Belmonts, and more. There were also dozens of one hit wonders that you still hear today, like Earth Angel and Get A Job.  As the 1950s gave way to the 1960s, doo wop began to give way to other styles of music like rock and roll and soul. But it’s legacy and the music lives on.  In this episode of Prisoners of Rock and Roll, we’re looking at the history of doo wop music so gather ‘round that burning trash barrel out on the corner. We’re going on a music journey that will have you singing “shoo be doo” in no time.  Hear More Check out the episode playlist. Get In Touch Check us out online, on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube. or drops us an email at show@prisonersofrockandroll.com. Or if you're in Philadelphia, come visit our home base at McCusker's Tavern. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices