Episodes

The Church got big exposure in America thanks to Under the Milky Way off of Starfish, their first record with Arista.  Most in the US don't know the band beyond that song but Starfish is bookended by two great records - Heyday and Gold Afternoon Fix.  We dive deep into Starfish and the deluxe edition for b-sides while looking at their entire catalog.  Starfish introduced us to a band that has made great records for more than 40 years.

Canadian/English singer Paul Rodgers is an incredible, bluesy rock vocalist who has sold over 125 million records around the world.  And yet, he is not well known by the general public nor has he been up for the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.  Starting with Free in the 60s, Bad Company, The Firm, Queen and solo, Paul Rodgers has an extraordinary body of work which we celebrate on this episode.

Genesis may have ruled the 80s as pop rock gurus but their roots are very progressive. With Peter Gabriel as their frontman and Steve Hackett providing extraordinary yet understated guitar work, Genesis forged some extremely creative music in the early- to mid-70s. Selling England By The Pound may be the high water mark for that incarnation of the band and is highlighted by masterful musicianship and the examination of what it means to be English in a fast changing world.

In 1992, AC/DC released a live album that showcased all the bands material from the previous 20 years. With no greatest hits package, this was the only way to have a collection of songs from both the Bon Scott and Brian Johnson eras.  Fresh off the success of Thunderstruck & the Razor's Edge, this captures AC/DC at the height of their powers after the death of Bon Scott.

After the smash success of Asia in 1982, the supergroup quickly followed up with Alpha in 1983. Despite the success of Don't Cry, tensions started to pull the band apart. While the group continued on with different lineups over the next couple of decades, the excitement never reached its original peak again. A reunion from 2006-2013 proved magical for fans of the band and allowed them to go out on a positive note.

in 1982, Asia formed as the 80s first super group with Carl Palmer from Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Steve Howe of Yes, Geoff Downes of The Buggles and John Wetton of King Crimson, Uriah Heep and Roxy Music.  Though maligned as corporate rock, these four progressive maestros created an incredible mix of pop, rock & prog that went on to sell 10 million copies.  Heat of the Moment is an all-time great pop/rock song and has allowed the band to continue in various incarnations over the last 40 years.  This is part 1 of our series on Asia, where we go in-depth on the chart topping debut.

By the early 90s, Aerosmith were back on top of the world after a crossover collaboration with Run DMC and two hit records in the late 80s.  But in the 70s, Aerosmith hit the scene with an amazing hard, bluesy sound that was all over the radio and concert venues.  Excess led to their demise but Pandora's Box captured all that incredible music on a 3 disc set that is absolutely amazing.  We review our experience discovering hidden gems along with their greatest hits and analyze how they made the biggest comeback in rock history.

Here's a 5 minute preview of UAWIL #24 on Aerosmith's box set Pandora's box.  We preview the 1991 set and how it helped us appreciate Aerosmith in the 70s and early 80s.  And we explain why we were gone for a week due to a ring of the door bell, an overexcited dog, a full glass of water and a laptop.

MTV played a significant role in the lives of American youths in the early 1980s. It was no different for the Wolf or Action Jackson as this new format opened up a world of culture we wouldn't have otherwise been exposed to.  Duran Duran, with their new wave fashion, pin-up looks and funky pop songs took the video genre to a whole new level and secured their place in pop culture.

Keith Richards is one of the legendary icons of rock n roll. Everyone knows him as a guitar god, for having written so many great Stones songs and as a raconteur. But his solo albums, though few and under appreciated, offer some of his best work as a singer and writer. We dissect 1988's Talk is Cheap & 1992's Main Offender while exploring songs he sang on Stones albums and recalling a fun time in our lives.

The Cult may have been catapulted into the spotlight and on MTV with Fire Woman from Sonic Temple.  But they shaped their sound best on their 2nd album, Love.  Released in 1985, it contained solid radio hits like She Sells Sanctuary and Rain but it was a cohesive record that established their hard rock, psychedelic, atmospheric sound which is hard to imitate and to define.  This is a go to record for The Wolf and the best album by Action Jackson's favorite band.

YES came out of the 60s and forged their own identity through extraordinary musicianship, intricate songs and fantastic artwork.  While some hits have kept them on classic rock for decades, the different eras and lineups over the last 50 years have created a catalog like none other.  So whether you like the 20 minute epics, the uber popular Owner of a Lonely Heart or don't know much about the band, our examination will peel back some layers and appreciate this special group.

Prior to 1988, Metallica hadn't made a video for MTV & couldn't get on rock radio.  The release of One changed that but it was the release of 1991's Metallica (The Black Album) that forever changed their fate & fortunes.  With 5 hit singles & a 2.5 year worldwide tour, Metallica usurped Guns n Roses as the biggest band in the world and never looked back.  We recall seeing them on that tour, our memories of the album and what it means to us today.

Before The Joshua Tree, U2 were upstart heroes looking to conquer, and make a difference in, the world.  Thanks to some amazing songs, brilliant production and constant promotion by MTV, this album skyrocketed them to superstar status and gave them the platform to not only branch out into other forms of music but allow them to have a positive impact around the globe.

Released in 1976, KISS Alive! changed the fortunes of KISS and transitioned them from a strong opening act to an international headliner. This success forced the band to come up with the goods in the studio and they were up to the task with Destroyer, Rock & Roll Over and Love Gun. These records gave us songs that would strengthen KISS's hold on the public and allow them to tour for decades.  Alive II captures the best songs from the catalog with the band at the height of their powers before success and excess changed the band forever. It's overlooked vs. Alive! but stands on it's own and the test of time.

In 1989, The Rolling Stones hadn't toured for 8 years, they're past few records didn't sell well and Mick & Keith were fighting and releasing solo records. But Steel Wheels put the Stones back on top of the world, set them up for an enormous tour and gave them the chance to continue their careers for several more decades.  We talk all about it this week on the Wolf!

By 1976, The Eagles had sold millions of records and done successful tours. But lineup changes, infighting and the pressures of being a big rock band were starting to weigh on the band. From that, they released Greatest Hits Vol 1 which went on to become the biggest selling album of all-time and Hotel California, their greatest triumph as a hard rock band.

Iron Maiden has earned their place in the pantheons of hard rock & heavy metal.  Their 1985 live album, Live After Death, from the 190 date World Slavery Tour is a great souvenir from a moment in time.  The Wolf & Action Jackson honor the band, pay tribute to the record and hope there's a day when they can see them play live again soon.  Up the Irons!!

At the end of the 70s, Black Sabbath had lost their way.  The excess of the decade and the departure of Ozzy Osbourne left the future of the band in limbo.  However, after the addition of American powerhouse Ronnie James Dio on vocals, the band was reborn and came back with two classic albums - Heaven & Hell and Mob Rules.

At the end of the 70s, Black Sabbath had lost their way.  The excess of the decade and the departure of Ozzy Osbourne left the future of the band in limbo.  However, after the addition of American powerhouse Ronnie James Dio on vocals, the band was reborn and came back with two classic albums - Heaven & Hell and Mob Rules.  Here's a 2:30 preview of the episode which is released 18-Feb.

Recorded in 1983 at Hammersmith Odeon, Alchemy captures Dire Straits at their tightest and showcases the extraordinary talents of Mark Knopfler as a guitar hero.  They slow it down with classic tracks like Romeo & Juliet but rock out on Solid Rock.  They also stretch out some songs to give all band members a chance to shine, sometimes slowing things down only to build into a crescendo on Sultans of Swing.  This double live masterpiece offers the epitome of what Dire Straits offered as a live band thanks to the talent of Knopfler.

For the MTV Generation, the summer of 1983 can't be remembered without the sounds of Synchronicity by The Police.  The album vaulted The Police to international megastardom, sent Sting's stock soaring even higher, boosted MTV to greater cultural significance, and broke up the band for more than two decades.  We remember buying the cassette & LP and recall our first real encounters with rock n roll of our own.

Released in 1979, Led Zeppelin's In Through the Out Door doesn't usually make it to the top of most hard rockers fave album lists.  But The Wolf thinks this masterpiece has aged quite well and given us a glimpse into what might have been for a proggier, more democratic and experimental Led Zeppelin.  We go track by track and compare it to the rest of the catalog while relaying our personal experiences with LZ and seeing Jimmy Page & Robert Plant live.

Growing up in America during the early 80s, MTV was a cultural touchstone for a generation of kids.  In 1983, with the assistance of super producer Mutt Lange, Def Leppard released the chart-topping sensation Pyromania.  The classic claims 3 MTV video hits and a special place in the hearts of hard rockers everywhere.  38 years after its release and 30 years after the tragic loss of guitarist Steve Clark, we revisit this treasure.