Episodes

In 1982, Iron Maiden introduced the world to their new singer Bruce Dickinson and that propelled them to superstardom. His powerful and operatic vocals, spot on songwriting and command of the stage changed Maiden from a power punk band to the heavy metal heavyweights they are today. Action Jackson …

In the late 80s & early 90s, Tom Petty was huge thanks to a stint with The Traveling Wilburys, solo success with Full Moon Fever, reuniting with the Heartbreakers & a huge greatest hits album.  But in 1982 he had been busy fighting record companies  & the music business while trying to keep his ban…

Guns N Roses became the biggest, most dangerous band in the world thanks to raw guitar power & raunchy lyrics. Their debut, Appetite for Destruction, set them on the path to superstardom but it didn't catch fire out of the gate.  It was a bit of a slow burn & needed a kickstart from MTV. But once t…

Neil Young is a man of conviction who isn't afraid to take on governments & corporations. But he has that platform because of all the amazing music he's made over the decades. We look back on Harvest, his 1972 classic which catapulted him to stardom as a solo artist, and Harvest Moon, his reflectio…

As a show on classic rock we don't often encounter or review new music. We've been turned onto Steve Hackett in recent years & through discovering his music, we've been introduced to Amanda Lehmann as she has toured & recorded with Steve for years. Her album Innocence & Illusion showcases her talen…

By 1969 The Beatles hadn't toured in 2+ years & had recorded separately using multi-tracks to create their legendary sound. Always ambitious, they decided to write, record & perform live a new album in 2.5 weeks in early 1969 & create a documentary on the process. Peter Jackson pieced together an a…

1972 was a tough time for the Rolling Stones. They'd broken with their management, were forced to leave the UK as tax exiles & Keith was in the middle of his decade long heroin battle. But relocating to Nice allowed them to create the album by which all other Stones albums are measured. Rock, blues…

Van Halen released their debut album in 1978 & rock guitar playing hasn't been the same since. With the virtuoso tapping of Eddie Van Halen, super charisma of David Lee Roth and the thumping backbone of Michael Anthony & Alex Van Halen, this album changed rock n roll forever. In a world where punk …

2021 was an odd and difficult year for so many around the world. Live music returned a bit in the UK but not to the extent we all wished. The Wolf & Action Jackson take the opportunity to reflect on their favorite releases, their best (and worst) episodes, to say thanks to all the guests, friends &…

The Smiths may not have made it big the US but they were a huge influence on the next generation of rock bands to come out of the UK.  Led by Morrissey's painful laments, Johnny Marr's innovative guitar work and a solid rhythm section of Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce, The Queen is Dead may just be the…

Fans of our show know that love to work Asia into our conversations consistently. The band have released a box set of 5 shows from different tours to show how the band & setlist evolved over the course of 30 years. Thanks to some new artwork from Roger Dean, words from long time collaborator Dave G…

REM were the darlings of the alternative/college rock scene in the 1980s. The quartet from Athens, GA blended folk, rock & country to create a unique sound while touring relentlessly to build their fan base. By 1987, it was time for them to step up & with the help of Scott Lit, who would go on to p…

30 years ago, U2 wanted to deliver a new, more industrial and techno sound against the backdrop of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Through personal hardships, artistic differences & real world struggles that almost broke up the band, U2 came out on the other side with a new sound that put them back on…

The Wolf lives by Abbey Road & recently he had the extraordinary opportunity to visit the legendary studio down the street.  Celebrating 90 years of setting the standard for recorded music & pushing the envelope of technology, Abbey Road hosted lectures by 2 American authors who led us through the …

In show 50 Pt 2, we not only conclude our review of the movie Highlander & the soundtrack by rock legends Queen but we interview House of the Dragon producer/creator/writer Ryan Condal.  Ryan wrote a screenplay to reboot Highlander and we ask him how he came to the film, how things are going on the…

Highlander was released in 1986 to an underwhelming box office. Though the film lost money it gained a huge cult following thanks to cable tv & rental stores. A classic clash of good vs. evil with Sean Connery playing mentor to Christopher Lambert as they battle Clancy Brown's Kurgan character. It …

1971 was a tumultuous time for The Doors as Jim Morrison faced legal troubles, battled substance abuse, and their longtime producer walked out. But out of that they created what might be their best album showing their ability to play blues, pop, psychedelic and classic Doors music. It would prove t…

Bruce Dickinson is a true polymath & renaissance man. After his one man show was delayed due to his contracting COVID, he returned to the stage in London & The Wolf was fortunate enough to see him.  We continue our reviews of classic records turning 50 with the extraordinary Who's Next. Pieced toge…

In 1971 Marvin Gaye found himself in a time and place that he didn't recognize.  Political unrest, social injustice, an unpopular war and his own personal hardships weighed heavily on him.  But out of that came an album that would not only reflect the times in which he was living but one that holds…

November 2021 will mark the 50th anniversary of the release of Led Zeppelin's untitled 4th album which has sold nearly 40 million copies around the world. Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones & John Bonham took all that they'd learned from the first 3 records to create a true rock masterpiece …

Curt Angeledes has been a Rolling Stones fan since 1963 and has seen the band over 100 times. But in the mid-70s, he started to bring his camera into shows capturing the band over the years, evading security and selling prints to get to the next show. His book Go For Broke, Vol. 1 chronicles more t…

Live music has returned to London! The Wolf had the honor of seeing Steve and his extraordinary band live at the London Palladium after almost 2 years without live music.  Along with some new & classic solo material, the band played the live Genesis classic Seconds Out start to finish including the…

The Wolf & Action Jackson are joined this week by Neil from Def Lep Pod to discuss the diamond selling 1987 juggernaut from Def Leppard, Hysteria.  With 6 Top 20 Billboard hits, Hysteria dominated the US charts for 2 years.  However, this album almost never came to be due to Rick Allen's horrific c…

On September 9, 2021 the directors cut of Cinema Strangiato from the R40 tour enjoyed a one night theatrical release. Though on opposite sides of the pond, The Wolf & Action Jackson both made it out for this opportunity to see and hear Rush on the big screen.  As part 2 of the Rush double header, t…