Rock History Episodes

An often overlooked gem in the Yes catalog is Drama, the 1980 release featuring Trevor Horn and Geoff Downes of The Buggles. Critics called it surprisingly like Yes but some fans balked at the new lineup. 45 years later it has aged well (as has the Roger Dean cover) and stands up with quintessential Yes.

On Part 2 of 3 we give you the run down on the live acts as some became legends that day and some legends were tarnished. We wrap up the history and legacy before interviews in Part 2.

The cultural event of our generation, Live Aid, is turning 40! We are dedicating 3 episodes to breakdown the artists, performances, significance of the event and speak with people who were there! Part 1 is about how it came to be, discussing the lineups on both sides of the Atlantic and performance notes from the UK.

By 1974, Ritchie Blackmore had grown weary of Deep Purple when an American singer caught his eye opening for Purple. That singer was Ronnie James Dio and finding him led Ritchie to leave Deep Purple and start Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow. As it turns 50, we go track x track to review the world's true introduction to Ronnie James Dio

Though the veteran blues rock band had been around for years, the addition of Lindsey Buckingham & Stevie Nicks forever changed the fortunes of everyone in the band with this eponymous release in 1975. Fleetwood Mac and pop/rock music would never be the same again.

REM were trying to grow up out of their indie roots while maintaining a balance with their surroundings in Athens. Their 3rd album took them overseas and down some dark corners as they continued to make strides as writers and performers.

Motley Crue in retrospect say Theater of Pain is too polished and doesn't represent their sound. But it went 4x platinum in the US and spawned the crossover power ballad Home Sweet Home which widened their appeal.

Mark Knopfler and Dire Straits were perfect for MTV and in 1985 rode their videos to over 30 Million in sales with Brothers in Arms. As it turns 40, we go in-depth on how it's aged, the deep sound quality, and preview the 40th anniversary release.

Judas Priest's British Steel album made heavy metal available to the masses with greater pop sensibility and helped the band and genre reach a whole new level

The much awaited Led Zeppelin documentary which follows the members from school boys to rock gods is well worth a viewing

Aerosmith really hit the big time with their 3rd album, Toys In The Attic. Selling over 9 million copies in the US and 5 million more singles, we celebrate this hard rock masterpiece as it turns 50!

Led Zeppelin's 1975 double album showcases the power and breadth of the band at the peak of their power. As it turns 50 we go track x track on the first LPCD which is epic on its own.

A new book by veteran rock writer Mark Blake uncovers all the details of Fleetwood Mac from inception until the present day. Mark is a nice guy to talk with and his book is easy read from start to finish

To gather dozens of stars to record the We Are The World charity single was an impossible task. This documentary shows how it all came together with an extraordinary amount of talent and the hard work of Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones & Lionel Richie

The unlikely reunion of Jimmy Page & Robert Plant was a shock & delight for Led Zeppelin fans but the acoustic reworking of Zeppelin classics, though celebrated, was not embraced by all. While some saw it as two aging rockers taking advantage of the acoustic craze, others were just psyched to see their heroes back in action!

King Crimson's debut is turning 55 and as we've been on a prog journey these last several years and had never heard it, we though it would be perfect for our On First Listen series. But will our blues based, guitar driven rock heads be able to comprehend it?

It's The Wolf's old cross street but also The Beatles last real recording sessions together and it's the most iconic album cover in the world

American Idiot is Green Day's concept album of the American Dream slipping away from a generation during a time of fabricated news stories and political parties dividing the nation to get power. Good thing this was only relevant 20 years ago right? Oh wait a minute...

Definitely Maybe introduced the world to Oasis and they became the voice of a generation in the UK but never quite achieved the same success in the US. Not only do we examine the album that started an English phenomenon but we talk about the b-sides as Oasis were the best of all time at b-sides.

The Supergroup of 1969 that featured Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood and Ginger Baker released only one album but the legacy of the music continues to this day

Stone Temple Pilots 2nd album is turning 30 and we remember the grungy days of college through an album that is much more than grunge

We examine an overlooked gem in the Rush catalog from 1984 which featured big guitar riffs against new age synthesizers, extraordinary texture from the drums & bass and heavy lyrics about life, death, nuclear war, freedom & fear - maybe it's not a shock it didn't run up the charts but it may be one of their best

Scorpions built a reputation and legacy album by album in the late 70s and early 80s until they became megastars in 1984 due to the success of their Love At First Sting album and signature hit Rock You LIke A Hurricane

With Pink Floyd on the rocks in 1984, David Gilmour enlisted some A list talent to help him make his 2nd solo effort - was it too close or too far away from Pink Floyd?