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Our fourth annual Christmas episode! The holidays are supposed to be the happiest time of the year, but let’s face it – some of us are feeling less holly jolly. In our 4th annual Prisoners of Rock and Roll Christmas episode, we’re celebrating having a blue Christmas by talking about the blues.
You don’t hear a lot of blues Christmas music on the radio or in the mall these days, but there are some killer versions of Christmas classics as well as some original tunes.
So whether you’re on Santa’s naughty list or just trying to survive another family gathering, pour yourself some holiday punch, eggnog, or a bourbon, and take a seat down by the fireplace. Let’s rock out and feel a little blue for Christmas.
By the way, this is a really festive time of year for a lot of people. Most of us are spending a ton of time with friends and family. Heck, you might be listening to us in the car on your way to a Christmas party right now.
But this time of year can also be overwhelming to a lot of people. Us rock and roll fans need to stick together and take care of ourselves as well as each other. So try to take a few minutes and reach out to a friend or loved one to say hello and see how they’re doing. Just reaching out can have a huge impact on someone.
And if you’re ever feeling down, help is always just a phone call away. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24 hours a day at 800 273 8255.
We love you guys.
Episode Playlist & Other Stuff
Check out our episode playlist here.
Get In Touch
Check us out online, on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube. or drops us an email at [email protected].
Or if you're in Philadelphia, come visit our home base at McCusker's Tavern.
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In this episode of Prisoners of Rock and Roll, we’re taking a walk on the dark side and diving deep into one of the most provocative and iconic songs in rock history: Sympathy for the Devil by The Rolling Stones.This isn’t just a song; it’s a masterclass in storytelling, where Mick Jagger steps into the shoes of the devil himself to walk us through some of humanity’s darkest moments. It's got congas, swagger, and just the right amount of evil to make you want to turn it up and maybe check over your shoulder.We’re going to break down the lyrics, dig into the controversy surrounding the song, and talk about how it cemented the Stones' reputation as rock’s bad boys. Was it a critique of human nature, or just a brilliant way to ruffle some feathers? And why does this song still send chills down our spines decades later?So light the candles, draw your pentagrams—or, you know, just grab a drink—and join us as we get philosophical, a little devilish, and a whole lot of rock and roll with Sympathy for the Devil.Episode Playlist & Other StuffCheck out our episode playlist here. Get In TouchCheck us out online, on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube. or drops us an email at [email protected] if you're in Philadelphia, come visit our home base at McCusker's Tavern.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Live was one of the most popular bands of the post grunge era. After entering the alternative music scene in 1991 with a spiritual album called Mental Jewelry, they became one of the biggest bands of the mid 90s on the backs of Throwing Copper and Secret Samahdi.
They had made it! Four friends from high school who became wealthy rock stars who sold millions of albums and landed on the cover of Rolling Stone. And then they crashed and burned in one of the biggest dumpster fires I have ever read about.
Their relevancy faded quickly as the music industry changed. After breaking up in 2009, three members of the band invested in a series of businesses that turned out to be ponzi schemes. They lost $10 million, their instruments, and even the painting that appears on the cover of Throwing Copper.
The four original members of the band have sued each other so many times that it is hard to keep track of. How did this band of four guys from the working class town of York Pennsylvania have such a meteoric crash and burn?
Tune into this episode of Prisoners of Rock and Roll to find out.
Episode Playlist & Other Stuff
Check out our episode playlist here. If you want to hear Live's early Public Affection tape, it's on YouTube. You also have to go on YouTube to hear Live's only album with Chris Shinn.
Rolling Stone published a great article on the lawsuits and bad business deals that helped ruin Live.
Get In Touch
Check us out online, on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube. or drops us an email at [email protected].
Or if you're in Philadelphia, come visit our home base at McCusker's Tavern.
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We’re shining a spotlight on one of the last bands standing from the grunge era: Pearl Jam. While so many of their Seattle peers have either burned out or faded away, Pearl Jam’s still out there, rocking stadiums, dropping albums, and staying true to their roots in a world where rock and roll isn’t exactly topping the charts anymore.
We’re going to dig into how Pearl Jam has managed to outlast so many others, their influence on rock and roll, and how they evolved from flannel-wearing grunge pioneers to a band with a legacy that spans over 30 years. Plus, we’ll talk about their legendary battle with Ticketmaster, when they took a stand against corporate greed and the exploitation of fans — a legal fight that still resonates today, especially in a time of sky-high ticket prices.
So throw on your best worn-out band tee, turn up the volume, and join us as we dive into the story of Pearl Jam, a band that’s weathered the storms of the music industry and is still rocking like no other.
Episode Playlist & Other Stuff
Check out our episode playlist here.
Get In Touch
Check us out online, on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube. or drops us an email at [email protected].
Or if you're in Philadelphia, come visit our home base at McCusker's Tavern.
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On this episode of Prisoners of Rock and Roll, we're heading into the dark, twisted world of Ozzy Osbourne and diving deep into two of the most legendary heavy metal albums of all time: Blizzard of Ozz and Diary of a Madman. Make no mistake: these albums kick ass. But, like anything involving the Prince of Darkness, there's more to the story than meets the eye.
Sure, these records gave us unforgettable tracks like “Crazy Train” and “Over the Mountain,” but behind the scenes, things were a total circus. After recording Diary of a Madman, bassist Bob Daisley and drummer Lee Kerslake were kicked out of the band, setting off a firestorm of lawsuits for royalties. And just when you thought things couldn't get any wilder, Sharon Osbourne decided to go back years later and had their parts re-recorded by different musicians — all without really telling anyone. Talk about rewriting history!
So crank up the volume, headbang like you mean it, and join us as we break down the music, the madness, and the mayhem behind Blizzard of Ozz and Diary of a Madman. This episode's going to be a wild ride through two albums that rocked the metal world and stirred up plenty of controversy along the way so put down that bat and open a beer. Let’s hit it!
Episode Playlist & Other Stuff
Check out our episode playlist here.
Check out clips from the Holy Grail tapes on Bob Daisley's website here.
Lastly, take a look at this YouTube video that breaks down all of the different versions of Crazy Train.
Get In Touch
Check us out online, on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube. or drops us an email at [email protected].
Or if you're in Philadelphia, come visit our home base at McCusker's Tavern.
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In this episode of Prisoners of Rock and Roll, we’re cranking up the volume on some of the greatest fictional bands from movies and television shows. Groups that were born on the screen and sometimes even crossed over on the real music charts.
From the pop sound of Monkees and the Partridge Family, the wild and funky vibes of Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem, and the turned up to 11 metal of Spinal Tap, some of these bands may have started out as make believe but they rocked out so much that they blurred the lines between entertainment and reality.
So go put on your Gem t shirt or make a note to yourself that its time to rewatch the Blues Brothers. Let’s hit i
Episode Playlists
Check out our episode playlist here.
Get In Touch
Check us out online, on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube. or drops us an email at [email protected].
Or if you're in Philadelphia, come visit our home base at McCusker's Tavern.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
In 1985, a group of musicians came together to raise awareness about the oppressive, racist government in South Africa.
Organized by Steven Van Zandt, the group calling themselves Artists United Against Apartheid was, according to music critic Dave Marsh, “the most diverse line up of popular musicians ever assembled for a single session” and the list is pretty amazing.”
Just some of the names include Bono, George Clinton, Peter Gabriel, Lou Reed, Kurtis Blow, Miles Davis, Ringo Star, David Ruffin, Joey Ramone, Run DMC, Keith Richard, Bruce Springsteen, Herbie Hancock, Bonnie Raitt, that dude from Midnight Oil, AND the Fat Boys.
They jointly refused to ever play at Sun City, a luxury resort in South Africa that symbolized the racial segregation of South Africa, and they released a protest album called Sun City to raise awareness.
In this episode of Prisoners of Rock and Roll, we’re diving into the history and impact of Artists United Against Apartheid.
Episode Playlists
Check out the Artists United Against Apartheid album here.
Get In Touch
Check us out online, on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube. or drops us an email at [email protected].
Or if you're in Philadelphia, come visit our home base at McCusker's Tavern.
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Bob Marley is one of the most famous figures in reggae music. On December 3, 1976, seven gunmen stormed into Bob Marley’s home in Kingstown, Jamaica and opened fire, wounding the singer, his wife, and members of his inner circle. The assassination attempt came just days before Marley was scheduled to perform at a concert in Jamaica that was supposed to calm political violence in the country.
Shot but not seriously wounded, a defiant Bob Marley performed at the Smile Jamaica concert anyway, and the incident also has a profound impact on his life and music.
In this episode of Prisoners of Rock and Roll, we’re taking a look at the assassination attempt on Bob Marley: the details of the attack, the mysterious motives behind it, and the impact it had on Marley’s music and message. And of course, we'll pay tribute to Marley's enduring legacy and the powerful message of peace and unity that his music continues to spread.
Episode Playlists
No episode playlist for this one. Most of the songs we played in this episode are on Bob Marley, Legend.
Get In Touch
Check us out online, on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube. or drops us an email at [email protected].
Or if you're in Philadelphia, come visit our home base at McCusker's Tavern.
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Rock and roll got really big in the 1970s. We don’t mean in terms of popularity, although it had that going for it too. We mean the sounds got big. The audiences got big. The performances got big. Arena rock was loose definition for commercial, radio-friendly music designed to be played in big stadiums to tens of thousands of people with singalong choruses and huge stage productions.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame calls this era the golden age of hard rock in terms of its commercial airplay, but it also has its critics. People also call it dad rock, old wave, and corporate rock because it was music for mostly middle class white dudes powered by big corporate record labels.
In this episode of Prisoners of Rock and Roll, we’re going to look at both sides of the argument, talk about bands like Journey, Boston, Foreigner, Kansas, and more. Let’s hit it.
Episode Playlists
Check out all of the songs we discussed in this week's episode here.
Get In Touch
Check us out online, on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube. or drops us an email at [email protected].
Or if you're in Philadelphia, come visit our home base at McCusker's Tavern.
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There are few rock and rollers in the last 40 years more synonymous with the piano than Elton John and Billy Joel. These iconic singer songwriters have sold over 450 million albums, had 90 top 40 hits between the two of them, and played tons of shows together during their Face to Face tours from 1994 to 2010.
While they are both known for their piano playing, each of them have their own signature styles. Billy Joel is known for writing biographical songs and incorporating pop and doo wop in his music. Elton John is a legendary showman who is just as known for his flashy outfits as his music.
In this episode of Prisoners of Rock and Roll, it’s the Piano Man versus the Rocket Man. Let’s hit it.
Episode Playlists
Check out all of the songs we discussed in this week's episode here.
Get In Touch
Check us out online, on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube. or drops us an email at [email protected].
Or if you're in Philadelphia, come visit our home base at McCusker's Tavern.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
The Moscow Music Peace Festival was a two-day rock concert held in August 1989.
Held during Mikhail Gorbachev’s period of Glastnost, Russia allowed a handful of western rock and roll acts to perform for the first time in Moscow, and over 100,000 people living in Cold War Soviet Union packed into Central Lenin Station to witness the forbidden fruit of late 80s rock and roll in all of its excess.
Motley Crue, Ozzy Osbourne, Skid Row, Bon Jovi, and the Scorpions shared the stage with some Russian rock and roll acts to promote peace and raise awareness about drug and alcohol addiction….Because Ozzy and Motley Crue are just the people you want promoting the virtues of sobriety.
But the Moscow Music Peace Festival was also an important cultural moment near the end of the Cold War. By the end of the show, stoic Soviet soldiers were throwing their hats in the air and rocking out to the music. The event also inspired the Scorpions to write their hit song Wind of Change, which became an anthem for the end of the Cold War as the Berlin Wall came down just a few months later.
So tune in for this episode of Prisoners of Rock and Roll as we take a peek behind the Iron Curtain for a look at the Moscow Music Peace Festival.
Episode Playlists
Check out all of the songs we discussed in this week's episode here.
Get In Touch
Check us out online, on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube. or drops us an email at [email protected].
Or if you're in Philadelphia, come visit our home base at McCusker's Tavern.
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Get ready to step into the ring as we explore the electrifying tag team of professional wrestling and rock and roll in this episode of Prisoners of Rock and Roll.
We’re going to take a look at the iconic rock and wrestling era of the late 80s, when the WWF superstars climbed out of the ring and picked up the mic to record TWO albums of them singing: 1985’s The Wrestling Album and 1987s Piledriver: The Wrestling Album II. And we’re going to talk about how Cyndi Lauper helped bring wrestling into the mainstream.
Then we’re going to check out some iconic entrance music from wrestling history, and listen to some other albums that wrestlers have put out over the years.
We’ve also got some weird stuff. Junk Yard Dog singing on American Bandstand. The Mouth of the South Jimmy Hart’s top 10 hit in the 60s with a song you probably know, and Mean Gene Okerlund’s rockabilly album of the 50s.
And what better time to do this!? Wrestlemania 40 is happening in Philadelphia and our home base at McCusker’s Tavern is hosting a very special event with our friend and former professional wresting star, The Blue Meanie, who calls McCusker’s his favorite bar on the planet.
So whatcha gonna do, brother, when the Prisoners of Rock and Roll run wild on you!?
Episode Playlists
Check out all of the songs we discussed in this week's episode here.
Get In Touch
Check us out online, on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube. or drops us an email at [email protected].
Or if you're in Philadelphia, come visit our home base at McCusker's Tavern.
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Chess Records was an independent record label created on the South Side of Chicago in 1950 by two Polish immigrants named Leonard and Phil Chess. As one of the most important blues labels of all time, Chess Records captured the electric sound of the American South and had a huge influence on the early days of rock and roll.
Chess Records helped introduce America to Muddy Waters, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Howlin’ Wolf, and Etta James. And when these albums made their way across the Atlantic, they inspired the British blues movement that gave us Clapton, Zeppelin, and of course, the Rolling Stones.
In this episode of Prisoners of Rock and Roll, we’re taking a look at the history of Chess Records: how it got started, their impressive roster of important musicians, and the influence that these songs had on rock and roll. We’re also look at the shadier side of the label, where artists didn’t get paid the royalties they deserved and DJs were given writing credits in exchange for playing records.
Episode Playlists
Check out all of the songs we discussed in this week's episode here.
Get In Touch
Check us out online, on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube. or drops us an email at [email protected].
Or if you're in Philadelphia, come visit our home base at McCusker's Tavern.
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Lights, camera…rock and roll! Music plays a huge role in film, and in this episode of Prisoners of Rock and Roll, we’re taking another look at movie soundtracks. Soundtracks have given us some incredibly iconic songs over the last 80 years.
Purple Rain, The Bodyguard, Titanic, Saturday Night Fever, Purple Rain, 8 Mile, Ghostbusters, Footloose, Robin Hood, Judgment Night, Guardians of the Galaxy, Pulp Fiction, Singles, Grosse Point Blank, the Lion King. I could keep going but we have a show to do.
Grab some popcorn and a soda, recline your seat, and silence your damn cell phone because we’re about to press play on our favorite movie soundtracks. It’s showtime!
Episode Playlists
Check out all of the songs we discussed in this week's episode here.
Get In Touch
Check us out online, on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube. or drops us an email at [email protected].
Or if you're in Philadelphia, come visit our home base at McCusker's Tavern.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Get ready to climb into the musical memory machine and take a trip back to 1994 as we revisit the music that came out 30 years ago.
It was a year that defined our generation when Kurt Cobain took his own life. We got important albums like Purple from Stone Temple Pilots, Superunknown by Soundgarden, Sixteen Stone from Bush, Jar of Flies from Alice in Chains, Throwing Copper from Live, and Vitology from Pearl Jam. REM tried to plug in with Monster while Nirvana went unplugged on MTV. Mariah Carey transformed into a Christmas character, while Green Day and Offspring pushed punk onto the radio. Hootie & Blowfish, the Dave Matthews Band, the Cranberries, and Blues Traveler all entered the scene and helped define the mid 90s alternative sound. Hip hop had a fresh year with albums from Nas, the Beastie Boys, Bone Thugs & Harmony, and a newcomer called Notorious B.I.G.
Join the Prisoners of Rock and Roll as we break out our flannel shirts and take a look back at the music of 1994.
Episode Playlist
Check out all of the songs we discussed in this week's episode here.
Get In Touch
Check us out online, on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube. or drops us an email at [email protected].
Or if you're in Philadelphia, come visit our home base at McCusker's Tavern.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
The Doors were one of the most influential and iconic bands of the 1960s – they built a dark counterculture sound on a foundation of Ray Manzarek’s organ playing that combined elements of poetry, blues, rock and roll, jazz, and psychedelic music.
At the front of it all was their charismatic, volatile, and enigmatic lead singer Jim Morrison. There’s no doubt that he was the embodiment of the whole sex, drugs, and rock and roll thing. The good looking frontman who helped forge his legacy by dying young.
But was Jim Morrison a brilliant visionary or a rock and roll buffoon?
On one hand, he saw himself as the Lizard King. A poet and mystic who was influenced by his background in literature and film.
On the other hand, Jim was also an erratic, self-indulgent showman. A hardcore alcoholic who clashed with his parents, his bandmates, and most famously, the police.
In this episode of Prisoners of Rock and Roll, we’re taking a look at the life and legacy of Jim Morrison and debating if he was brilliant or a buffoon?
Episode Playlist
Check out all of the songs we discussed in this week's episode here.
Get In Touch
Check us out online, on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube. or drops us an email at [email protected].
Or if you're in Philadelphia, come visit our home base at McCusker's Tavern.
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Rock and roll and cars are a classic combination. In fact, the very first rock and roll song, Rocket 88, was about a car.
So get ready to rev your engines and hit the open road because on our next episode of Prisoners of Rock and Roll, we're shifting into high gear and exploring of music about cars. From the rhythmic hum of the engine to the wind in your hair, these tunes capture the essence of the open highway and the freedom that comes with it.
We'll be diving into the classics and exploring the rock and roll rebel attitude embodied in some of these great songs.
But it's not just about the classic rockers; we'll also hit the gas on some unexpected picks from various genres. From country roads to city streets, music about cars has a universal appeal that transcends genres and generations.
So, buckle up and get ready to cruise with us through the highways and byways of the ultimate playlist for road trips and joyrides. It's an episode fueled by the spirit of adventure, the love of the open road, and the unmistakable sound of rock and roll. Tune in and let's take a musical journey that'll make you want to hit the gas and never look back! Let’s get our kicks on Route 66.
Episode Playlist
Check out all of the songs we discussed in this week's episode here.
Get In Touch
Check us out online, on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube. or drops us an email at [email protected].
Or if you're in Philadelphia, come visit our home base at McCusker's Tavern.
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We’re rock and rollers at heart here at the Prisoners of Rock and Roll, but we both have a soft spot for Christmas music. In our annual Christmas episode, we decided to hope in a one horse open sleigh and take a trip down memory lane to the classic Christmas songs of the 40s, 50s, and 60s. These are the songs we opened our presents to as kids – and many of them are from artists who were enormously popular at the time but we really only hear around the holidays this year.
So grab some punch and settle in as we are having a classy, classic Christmas.
Episode Playlist
Check out all of the songs we discussed in this week's episode here.
Get In Touch
Check us out online, on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube. or drops us an email at [email protected].
Or if you're in Philadelphia, come visit our home base at McCusker's Tavern.
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Bruce Springsteen has released more than 20 studio albums over the course of his 50-year career, including some of the most iconic rock and roll albums in history.
We’re both huge fans of the Boss here at Prisoners of Rock and Roll, and we unfortunately didn’t get to see him this summer after he canceled part of his tour due to illness.
So in this episode we are taking a close look at we think are his top five albums. We’re going to explain how we came up with the list, talk about the songs that make him such an important figure in music and our lives, and get into what his music means to both of us.
Get In Touch
Check us out online, on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube. or drops us an email at [email protected].
Or if you're in Philadelphia, come visit our home base at McCusker's Tavern.
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There were several ambitious projects in the 1980s where the music industry tried to make a difference by raising money to make a difference. One of those projects happened in 1985, when dozens of musicians formed a supergroup called USA for Africa and recorded We Are the World.
Written by Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson and produced by the legendary Quincy Jones, We Are the World included dozens of performers in a star-studded ensemble cast made up of some of the biggest names in music at the time: Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Paul Simon, Willie Nelson, Kenny Loggins, Bruce Springsteen, Cyndi Lauper, Smokey Robinson, Bob Dylan, Billy Joel, Diana Ross, Huey Lewis, Hall & Oats, the Pointer Sisters, and more.
All walked into a studio where they were greeted by a sign that said “check your egos at the door.” And they did.
The finished product sold more than 20 million copies and was simultaneously played on 8,000 radio stations around the world. The project raised more than $63 million for famine relief in Africa. Nearly 40 years later, USA For Africa, is still active and fighting poverty.
In this episode of Prisoners of Rock and World, we’re taking a look at We Are the World – the idea behind the project, the recording, and it’s impact.
Get In Touch
Check us out online, on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube. or drops us an email at [email protected].
Or if you're in Philadelphia, come visit our home base at McCusker's Tavern.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices - Visa fler
