The Ugly American Werewolf in London Rock Podcast

When Iron Maiden announced they'd be doing the Run For Your Lives Tour in 2025-26, The Wolf & Action Jackson knew they would have to go see a couple of shows. And when there were only European dates announced for 2025, they knew they needed to dust off their passports because there was no way they would be able to wait 2 years to see the boys on what could be their biggest and best (perhaps last?) greatest hits tour ever. So they chose Stockholm as their European venue because 1) They'd never been to Sweden and 2) Iron Maiden played 2 nights there. Plus the Wolf Cub had been promised by her father that he'd take her to see Maiden in Europe once she was old enough (but was she? Swedish authorities didn't think so but we came up with a work-around). Stockholm was an enchanting land full of beautiful people and a packed house full of Iron Maiden fans for 2 nights of heavy metal classics. We were revved up by Lzzy Hale and Halestorm who held their own on the stage and then treated to the best setlist The Wolf has seen in 30 years of seeing the band live. As The Wolf marked his 9th and 10th IM shows, they were the first without Nicko McBrain on the drums as the band introduced Simon Dawson to the family (though most knew him from Steve Harris' side project British Lion). Besides the Eddies who came out to have fun with the band, the real show was the new video screen behind the stage and on the amplifiers. It set the backdrop for the song like showing the Eiffel Tower during Murders in the Rue Morgue or a creepy graveyard for Fear of the Dark. But they also created some more interactive movies for epics like Rhime of the Ancient Mariner and Hallowed Be Thy Name. While the boys played lights out, the screen enhanced the experience and understanding of the lyrics for folks from the front row to the back of the house. Two truly magic nights in Stockholm which only left us wondering when (and where) would we see our heavy metal heroes again. 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

Listeners of The Wolf know that despite the fact that The Wolf lived mere yards (or meters) from Abbey Road, he and Action Jackson aren't huge Beatles fans. While he did go through a Beatles stage in high school, it was really an education on how the band evolved and created some amazing music which is still enjoyed and studied today. However, thanks to a run of 60s rock related movies that ran on Cinemax one night in the 80s, The Wolf became very familiar with Help! as he recorded the movie on VHS and watched it over and over. It was in technicolor, unlike A Hard Day's Night, and showed the boys having fun in exotic locales like Switzerland, The Bahamas, Stonehenge and Buckingham Palace. The seven tunes on the album that were included in the movie all hold up well and are fun to sing along with while you're watching. But the album is the first step moving from being bubble gum pop stars into more respected recording artists. We review the UK version of the album as the US version is shorter with orchestrated score tunes from the movie. The whole first side of the UK album features beloved songs from the movie like the title track, Ticket To Ride, You've Got To Hide Your Love Away and The Night Before. But the second side also features some Beatles classics like Ringo singing Act Naturally, I've Just Seen A Face and the all-time classic Yesterday. It's amazing that the boys were all so young (21-24) and were maturing before our eyes as they were now able to write more robust tunes with more mature themes. Bob Dylan had introduced them to marijuana by now and they'd done their first LSD trips which would show up more on an album from later in 1965, Rubber Soul (and after). But this one has one foot in the old, teenage dream Beatles phase and one in the more mature and experimental Beatles. We can't believe it's turning 60 but we went track x track to celebrate. 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

While the average rock fan may not know the name Nicky Hopkins, the average rock legend knows the name very well and most likely worked with him at some point. A classically trained pianist, Nicky Hopkins would go onto play with the greatest rock bands of all time - The Beatles, The Rollings Stones, The Who, The Kinks - and that was just the 1960s!! Finally, Nicky has been chosen for induction into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame! Though he did have some solo releases, Nicky found himself most at home in the studio working with other artists and helping to create some of the most iconic songs of all time. The eerie beginning to The Stones Monkey Man? That was Nicky. The whirling magic in She's A Rainbow? Nicky again. He ended up playing on over 250 albums and more than 1,000 songs, some of which were the greatest of all time. The Session Man is a documentary about his life and career growing up in the midlands, working his way to London, working with icons and then moving to America. This examination of the soft-spoken Hopkins illustrates his health battles throughout his life which would conspire to keep him off the road for much of his career and how he eventually found a home with other musicians in Northern California and eventually Nashville. Nicky Hopkins is an unsung hero of rock n roll and we're proud to shed a little light on the man and his amazing talent. 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

Ritchie Blackmore is known as a guitar legend and as one of the more mercurial figures in rock. The Rock N Roll Hall Of Famer rose to power with Deep Purple and unleashed some of the most classic, hard rock riffs on the world, including the simple and ever-present Smoke On The Water. But Ritchie was known to be aloof, distant from his bandmates and would often fly into critical rages about their performance. After the departure of Ian Gillan and Roger Glover, he was dissatisfied with the musical direction of the band. However, once he saw a diminutive American singer opening for Purple in a band called Elf, he started to devise a way out of DP. That singer was Ronnie James Dio, the powerhouse lead vocalist who would eventually move on to replace Ozzy in Black Sabbath (and record two killer Sabbath albums, Heaven And Hell & Mob Rules) and fill arenas in the 80s with his own band, Dio. After recording what was supposed to be two sides of a single, Ritchie knew that Ronnie was his ticket out of Purple and onto his own project. So with his bandmates from Elf, they recorded Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow showcasing Ronnie and showing the world the Ritchie still had the goods. Songs like Man on the Silver Mountain and Snakecharmer are built on the power of Ronnie's soaring vocals and Ritchie's heavy riffs. But songs like Catch The Rainbow show an almost proggy, fantasy side of the band as well as Temple of the King and Sixteenth Century Greensleaves. Of course, before the first tour Ritchie fired or scared off the remaining members of Elf to replace them with Jimmy Bain and Cozy Powell which led to a triumphant Rising the next year. But to celebrate the real worldwide introduction of Ronnie James Dio (he appeared on albums with Elf but they received nowhere near the exposure of working with Blackmore) at 50, we reminisce on how we discovered Ronnie, Rainbow and it's legacy today. 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 The Wolf & Action Jackson grew up throughout the 1980s and their taste for guitar driven rock music grew, the legend of Jimi Hendrix always loomed large. A left-handed virtuoso who blew away all the other guitar gods of his generation, Hendrix remains a legend more than 50 years after his death. When the boys created First Concert Memories to help capture and share true rock n roll stories, they hoped that one day they'd have someone on to talk about the legendary Jimi Hendrix. Thanks to DJ Danny Meyers of What's Hot In The Strip Clubs Podcast, they got a first hand account and are sharing it with the world! We go back to Friday, November 15, 1968 in Cincinnati, Ohio where we find a 13 year old Danny hanging out at his buddy's house. At some point, his buddy asks his dad if he'd take them to the Jimi Hendrix show at Cincinnati Gardens. Not only did his dad say yes but $20 got all four of them tickets, a soft drink and a dime for a phone call to come get them afterward. Soon the teenagers found themselves in front of the guitar legend, hoping that he would break his guitar on the stage at the end and waiting for their favorite, Purple Haze. Hear about the show, the boys quest to buy beer, the trials of attempting to get backstage and the atmosphere of the show. Danny also let's the guys in on life in the late 60s with no MTV, Creem magazine or internet to help them get to know the artists of the day. It's a great trip down memory lane with our Pantheon Podcasts brother! Visit Danny's website: www.djdannymeyers.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 1975, Fleetwood Mac had already had many iterations and lineups. Started by veterans of John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, early Fleetwood Mac were a blues based band with limited success on the US Billboard chart. By 1975, they had lost their main singer, lead guitarist and main songwriter in Bob Welch and remaining members Christine McVie, John McVie and Mick Fleetwood were on the search for a spark. While working at Sunset Studios, they heard the debut album from a duo that was also a couple, Buckingham Nicks. Though at first they were interested in hiring on Lindsey Buckingham as their singer and guitarist, they soon found out that he would only join if they took his singer/songwriter girlfriend Stevie Nicks as well. The rest is pop/rock history as the 1975 product of the five piece, Fleetwood Mac, would go on to sell over 7 million copies in the US alone. Now with three lead singers/songwriters in the band, they could choose the best of the best for inclusion on the record. While the choices for singles didn't always make sense (Warm Ways was the 1st UK single, World Turning wasn't released as a single), the chemistry did and the world heard harmonies that were unknown before. While Christine McVie held her own with lilting love songs (Warm Ways, Over My Head, Say You Love Me), Lindsey Buckingham offered more upbeat rockers like Monday Morning and the brooding So Afraid. However, the real star in the making was Stevie Nicks who turned the album's and the band's fortunes with her all-time classic Rhiannon. It really introduced the world to Stevie Nicks and the power she possessed in her voice and songwriting. She also offered the sweet Landslide, another track on this album that would go on to be a rock radio staple and part of their live show. The success of Fleetwood Mac gave them the opportunity to release Rumours in 1977, an album that would sell over 40 million copies worldwide. But this album laid the groundwork for Rumours and all the future success for the band for the next 50 years. 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, REM had carved out a following both in their home base of Athens, GA and at colleges and indie radio stations around the US. Their first two albums Murmur and Reckoning gave them a foothold as they learned how to craft songs and play live. But they were ready to take the next step so instead of retreating to North Carolina where they'd recorded their first two albums, they went to London to broaden their horizons and up their songwriting and recording game. Because REM had grown into a solid live band, some songs were worked out on the road like their classic travel song Driver 8. But they also sought inspiration from some of the odd characters they encountered in Athens and around the South with songs like Wendell Gee, Life And How To Live It and Old Man Kensey. They also drew from their travels to create some great road songs like Can't Get There From Here, Maps & Legends and Feeling Gravity's Pull. Guitarist Peter Buck does his jangly best here while breaking out a little banjo in spots. Mike Mills not only locks down the bass but provides harmonies and counterpoints to Michael Stipes desperate and personal lyrics. This album would portend the next two REM records - Life's Rick Pageant and Document - both favorites of The Wolf. While the band would go onto become multi-platinum international pop superstars in the 90s, this album saw the band not ready to become that big but ready to take the next step in their journey. It's a fun one to dive into as it turns 40! 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 & Action Jackson are so happy to be able to share the story of Night 2 of Metallica in Nashville on Saturday, May 3. While the first night of the No Repeat Weekend was great, including the opening acts Suicidal Tendencies and Pantera, Saturday, May 3, 2025 was a special night in the boys lives as friends, fans and concert goers. Though their seats were solid on Thursday Night, the setlist wasn't white hot and the surroundings went downhill as the night progressed. However, through working some connections the boys were upgraded to a suite on Saturday night. And not just any suite, the Owners Suite - a double box on the 50 yard line, fully catered with an open bar, and easy chair seats that sat just back from the open windows. That experience alone would make it a special night. But the fact that there was a lightning strike within 8 miles of the stadium which necessitated clearing everyone out of their seats and off the field while delaying Metallica's set by more than 30 minutes, it made for a stress free night with great people. We shared stories with folks we'd just met, learned about the new rooftop stadium being built next door, got an early gander at the setlist and enjoyed Metallica themed cocktails until the boys came on around 9:30. Hear all about the odd and bloody openers Ice Nine Kills and how amped Fred Durst got the crowd during Limp Bizkit's set. The boys compare the setlists and favor Saturday's over Thursday's easily and, as a courtesy to Metallica, discuss how they would improve the setlist. Listen up for on stage banter from James Hetfield on a truly special night for 2 old metalheads. 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

Though The Wolf saw Metallica kickoff their 72 Seasons/No Repeat Weekend Tour in Amsterdam in 2023, Jackson was not able to join. In fact, Action Jackson hadn't seen Metallica live since 1993 when he, The Wolf and their buddies saw them in Naples during their sophomore year in college. As our show is on the same network, Patheon Podcasts, as The Metallica Report, we hoped we'd have the chance to see James, Lars, Kirk and Robert live together again one day. That day came on May 1 in Nashville as Metallica continues their unique and killer tour for a 3rd year and we descended upon Nashville to witness our heavy metal heroes live again together after 32 years. You'll want to hear Jackson's reaction to the stage setup on a beautiful night in Nashville. Suicidal Tendencies opened the night and got the crowd ready. However, it was a reformed Pantera featuring Zakk Wylde on guitar and Charlie Benante on the drums filling in for Dime and Vinny that we were really excited about and they did not disappoint. By the time Metallica came on, we were ready for them to blow us away and they delivered as they always do. We want to thank our long time listener Dex and his family for putting us up in their home - a very generous offer we're so happy we took them up on. And we want to thank the folks who crashed into the seats in front of us for reminding us that it takes all kinds to make up the Metallica Family and we're glad to be a part of it (and also glad we're not related to any of them). Night 2 was even better as we worked our way to the OWNERS SUITE but that show will be out on May 15 - so stay tuned!! 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 are happy to welcome our fellow Pantheon Podcast brother Jon Verno, host of Metal Mayhem ROC, to share his first EVER concert at the age of 13 - Ted Nugent live in Rochester, 1980. Hear Jon share what it was like as a brand new teenager to witness the sights, sounds and smells of his first ever live show and how it made an impression that has lasted to this day. Verno has seen hundreds, if not thousands, of shows over the years but you never forget your first. Nor do you forget the first time the lights come up and you see Ted Nugent in full force. You never forget the first time you inhaled the smell of pot wafting through the crowd. You always remember how cool the lights were, directing your attention to different parts of the stage. Dropped off by his older brother with a friend his age, he almost didn't make it to the show as a frisbee landed next to him which he immediately threw into the head of a biker. Also, Verno and his pal had no idea what an encore was so they were walking out when they heard the crowd cheering. Upon return they found Terrible Ted swinging like Tarzan around the stage, one of his signature 70s stage acts. As Verno was familiar with Ted's live album Great Gonzos, the setlist ripped into his favorites and left him desperate for more. These stories of innocence which turn to experience with the backdrop of a killer rock concert is exactly what we do on First Concert Memories, the monthly sidecast from your friends at The Ugly American Werewolf in London Rock Podcast. Check out Metal Mayhem ROC: https://www.metalmayhemroc.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, Motley Crue were in a tough place. Though they'd achieved success, wealth and worldwide fame thanks to their first 2 albums Too Fast For Love and Shout At The Devil, the band were suffering from some setbacks. Vince Neil had driven his Ferrari while drinking and caused a crash that ended up killing his friend Razzle Dingley of Hanoi Rocks. As he worked to stay sober and navigate his legal issues, Nikki Sixx was deep into a heroin addiction that forced producer Tom Werman to get someone else in to rerecord his bass parts. But Shout At The Devil went 4x platinum and the record company needed a follow up to keep the band's momentum alive and in the public eye. The result was Theater of Pain, an album the band in later years has said was too polished and they blamed Tom Werman (not their own substance issues or limits as musicians) for the end product. However, it resonated with the public and sold another 4 million copies thanks to the big radio hits and MTV videos Smokin In The Boys Room (a Brownsville Station cover) and power ballad Home Sweet Home. Theater of Pain is less raunchy than Shout At The Devil, a byproduct of the slick production. We felt the riffs weren't as killer as they had been and outside of the big hits their aren't too many standouts. Louder Than Hell is a heavy song more akin to Black Sabbath than typical Motley but was from the Shout At The Devil sessions and doesn't sound like anything else on TOP. Use It Or Lose It might feature Mick Mars best solo shredding effort with typical cliche lyrics. But the songs had the Motley Crue attitude, had a couple of radio friendly hits and they toured for 8 months around the world to propel sales and keep themselves in the public eye. It may not be our favorite Crue record but it's the one that got our attention back in 1985 and we give it our track x track review at 40. 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 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. 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

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. 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

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. 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, 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. Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Visit our sponsor RareVinyl.com and use the code UGLY to save 10%! Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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!! MetalBlade.com Check out Brian's 100 Songs That Define Heavy Metal Podcast Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Visit our sponsor RareVinyl.com and use the code UGLY to save 10%! Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Visit our sponsor RareVinyl.com and use the code UGLY to save 10%! Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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!! Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Visit our sponsor RareVinyl.com and use the code UGLY to save 10%! Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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! Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Visit our sponsor RareVinyl.com and use the code UGLY to save 10%! Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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!!! Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Visit our sponsor RareVinyl.com and use the code UGLY to save 10%! Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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! Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Visit our sponsor RareVinyl.com and use the code UGLY to save 10%! Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Visit our sponsor RareVinyl.com and use the code UGLY to save 10%! Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Visit our sponsor RareVinyl.com and use the code UGLY to save 10%! Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Visit our sponsor RareVinyl.com and use the code UGLY to save 10%! Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Visit our sponsor RareVinyl.com and use the code UGLY to save 10%! Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Visit our sponsor RareVinyl.com and use the code UGLY to save 10%! Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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! Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Visit our sponsor RareVinyl.com and use the code UGLY to save 10%! Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Visit our sponsor RareVinyl.com and use the code UGLY to save 10%! Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Visit our sponsor RareVinyl.com and use the code UGLY to save 10%! Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Visit our sponsor RareVinyl.com and use the code UGLY to save 10%! Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Visit our sponsor RareVinyl.com and use the code UGLY to save 10%! Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Visit our sponsor RareVinyl.com and use the code UGLY to save 10%! Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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! Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Visit our sponsor RareVinyl.com and use the code UGLY to save 10%! Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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!! Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Visit our sponsor RareVinyl.com and use the code UGLY to save 10%! Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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!!! Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Visit our sponsor RareVinyl.com and use the code UGLY to save 10%! Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Visit our sponsor RareVinyl.com and use the code UGLY to save 10%! Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Visit our sponsor RareVinyl.com and use the code UGLY to save 10%! Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Visit our sponsor RareVinyl.com and use the code UGLY to save 10%! Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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! Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Visit our sponsor RareVinyl.com and use the code UGLY to save 10%! Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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! Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Visit our sponsor RareVinyl.com and use the code UGLY to save 10%! Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Visit our sponsor RareVinyl.com and use the code UGLY to save 10%! Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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/ Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Visit our sponsor RareVinyl.com and use the code UGLY to save 10%! Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Visit our sponsor RareVinyl.com and use the code UGLY to save 10%! Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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! Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Visit our sponsor RareVinyl.com and use the code UGLY to save 10%! Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Visit our sponsor RareVinyl.com and use the code UGLY to save 10%! Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Visit our sponsor RareVinyl.com and use the code UGLY to save 10%! Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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! Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Visit our sponsor RareVinyl.com and use the code UGLY to save 10%! Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Visit our sponsor RareVinyl.com and use the code UGLY to save 10%! Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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! www.yesofficial.com Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Ugly American Werewolf in London Store - Get your Wolf merch and use code 10OFF2023 to save 10%! Visit our sponsor RareVinyl.com and use the code UGLY to save 10%! Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Ugly American Werewolf in London Store - Get your Wolf merch and use code 10OFF2023 to save 10%! Visit our sponsor RareVinyl.com and use the code UGLY to save 10%! Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Ugly American Werewolf in London Store - Get your Wolf merch and use code 10OFF2023 to save 10%! Visit our sponsor RareVinyl.com and use the code UGLY to save 10%! Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices