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The (Mostly) 80s Music Podcast: What Difference Does It Make?

The (Mostly) 80s Music Podcast: What Difference Does It Make?

299 episodes — Page 1 of 6

Gina Gershon Survives The San Fernando Valley

May 1, 202638 min

JayQuan Is Raising Hell For Run-DMC

Apr 24, 202658 min

Steve Berlin Is A Rhythm Pig

Apr 17, 202658 min

S15 Ep 12Steve Spears Is Forever Stuck In The 80s

Steve Spears has just released a book based on his popular podcast, entitled Stuck In The 80s: 20 Years of Conversations with Pop Culture Icons Who Defined a Decade. We are thrilled Steve guests on our podcast to share a few amazing stories he's accumulated over the years, including a few awkward moments. Steve has also been a big part of The 80s Cruise, and he dispenses some fun tidbits from his ten years hobnobbing with our favorite 80s music icons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 10, 202659 min

S15 Ep 11Danny Goldberg Bumps Into Genius

Danny Goldberg has a career that reminds us of why we wanted to be a part of the music business. His career started at Billboard, where he convinced the higher-ups he needed to go to the Woodstock Music Festival. He did PR for Led Zeppelin, managed the careers of Bonnie Raitt, Stevie Nicks, Sonic Youth, the Allman Brothers Band, and Nirvana. In the 90s, he headed three different record labels: Atlantic, Mercury and Warner Bros. He ran his own independent label, Artemis, and since 2010, he’s focused his attention on his management company, Gold Village. Danny joins the podcast to share how he helped his artists reach such incredible heights, and also to discuss the reissue of his sixth book, Bumping Into Geniuses: My Life Inside Rock 'N' Roll. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 3, 20261h 2m

April Fools' Day Music Favorites

Happy April Fools' Day! What songs make you smile? For Dave it's a knowing wink from an artist that knows this music can be ridiculous and yet, still love it. For Holly, it's music that makes her do a goofy dance or reminds her of her children. We go from pop and rock to dance and folk. We also learn during our Pop Quiz that, even though Holly is a stickler for "word crimes", she's not as strong when it comes to 80s lyrics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 27, 202658 min

S15 Ep 10Harold Bronson Reconnects With His Savage Young Winos

Harold Bronson may be best known as one of the co-founders of Rhino Records, but when he was a student at UCLA, he was in a band called Mogan David And His Winos. The band consisted of future New York Times best-selling author Jonathan Kellerman, future Columbia Records Head Of Promotions (and friend of the podcast) Paul Rappaport, music journalist Mark Leviton, as well as fellow Rhino co-conspirator Richard Foos. The band made one album, fusing all their influences. The result came out in 1973 and was entitled Savage Young Winos. It became a cult classic, but has been out of print since 1976. Enter Liberation Hall Music, which has re-released the album with additional demos, live recordings from that period, and two tracks from a Winos' reunion session in 1993. Harold Bronson has graciously joined the podcast to share just a few of the stories he's accumulated over the years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 20, 202653 min

St. Patrick's Day 80s Music Favorites

Let's play St. Patrick's Day music to recognize a number of our 80s music favorite artists from The Emerald Isle. While we have a hard time pronouncing names like Cathal McGarvey, Seamus Ennis and Liam Ó Maonlaí we certainly do love the music they created. So raise a pint to the Irish. Sláinte! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 13, 202641 min

S15 Ep 9Steven Blush Was Raised On Disco, Reggae, Hip-Hop, And Rock

Author Steven Blush has just completed his rock trilogy, When Rock Met Disco, When Rock Met Reggae, and the just-released When Rock Met Hip-Hop. Steven recalls times spent with Rick Rubin, The Beastie Boys, Run DMC, and Russell Simmons, and the huge influence they had on the 80s music scene and pop culture. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 6, 202643 min

S15 Ep 7Paul Rees Was Raised On Radio

Paul Rees was a young lad living in Scotland during the heyday of Album Oriented Rock (AOR). From a distance, Paul became a fan of American radio and the artists played on those stations, which led him to write the book Raised On Radio: Power Ballads, Cocaine & Payola – the AOR Glory Years 1976-1986. It's an oral history of the golden era of critically derided, yet monumentally popular radio rock, when Journey, Boston, REO Speedwagon, Toto, and others ruled the airwaves. Paul joins the podcast to chat about his book, and to fanboy about his favorite artists from this era. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 27, 202646 min

Please Refer To Roddy Bottum As The Royal We

Roddy Bottum is one of the founders and keyboardist of the iconic band Faith No More. In his memoir, The Royal We, Roddy shares his coming-of-age and out-of-the-closet stories in a pre-tech-boom San Francisco. He joins our podcast to chat about the bands, his upbringing, his addictions, and how he managed to survive it all with a sense of humor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 20, 202655 min

S8 Ep 2Valentine's Day 80s music favorites

We at What Difference Does It Make love love and what better way to say it, than with a song from the 80s? We discuss a number of our favorites that make us feel all warm inside. Happy Valentine's (and Gal-entine's) Day! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 13, 202648 min

S15 Ep 6Arielle Nissenblatt Podcasts On This And That

Arielle Nissenblatt, Founder and Head Curator of Earbuds Podcast Collective AND a 2026 Podcast Hall Of Fame Inductee, joins our podcast to share her origin story, and insights into the industry. She then steps out of her comfort zone and into our favorite topic, 80s music! Arielle offers up her Millennial opinion on music from 1989 based on Los Angeles radio station KROQ's year-end playlist. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 6, 20261h 1m

S15 Ep 5Andy Greene: Rolling Stone Magazine's Secret Weapon

Andy Greene, Senior Writer for Rolling Stone, has been with the storied magazine since 2004. Andy shares with us his origin story of how a shy, young boy from the suburbs of Cleveland finds his way to New York City to write about his idols and rub shoulders with artists like Phil Collins and Bruce Springsteen. We also asked his opinion on the music played on Los Angeles radio station KROQ in 1989, specifically songs 100 to 91 from their year-end playlist. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 30, 20261h 10m

S15 Ep 41989 KROQ Countdown

And so it begins again, as we start our look at the top 106.7 songs played on radio station KROQ in Los Angeles in 1989. Upcoming episodes will feature ten songs each and a special guest, but for this episode, we’ll look at the bottom seven songs, 106.7 to 101, based on the station's year-end playlist. It's quite a start to the last year of 80s music, and a fine intro into the type of music featured on The World Famous KROQ. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 23, 202639 min

S15 Ep 3Pop Culture In 1989

The year 1989 was more than just the number...another summer...the sound of the funky drummer. It was the year we first fell in love with The Simpsons, the Game Boy, and The Arsenio Hall Show. It was also the year of amazing movies, and of course, music. While we can't do a "We Didn't Start The Fire" type of song with the year, we can revisit as much as possible in under sixty minutes. Tune in and bust a move! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 16, 202651 min

S15 Ep 280s Rock Star Commercials

Back in the 80s, we thought they were selling out. Turns out, they were ahead of the curve. Rolling Stone’s Andy Greene rounded up some of his favorite commercials featuring 80s rock icons from David Bowie and Genesis to Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson. We revisited those ads, plus a few more we couldn’t forget, to bring you this special episode celebrating 80s music commercials. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 9, 202639 min

S15 Ep 1Bill Janovitz Lets The Cars Story Be Told

New York Times Bestselling author Bill Janovitz is a founding member of the Boston-based band Buffalo Tom. Bill's latest book on fellow Boston musicians is called The Cars: Let the Stories Be Told. It features a foreword from The Cars’ Greg Hawkes, and full participation from all three surviving band members. It’s the definitive book about The Cars, and Bill joins the podcast to share some details about this Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band. There's still time to get on https://the80scruise.com/https://the80scruise.com/ waitlist, sailing February 27 to March 6. Use the promo code WDDIM to get $250 in onboard credit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 2, 202651 min

New Year's 80s Music Favorites

Another holiday classic filled with some great 80s music! We celebrate our new year's traditions, new year's resolutions, the history behind toasts and of course, all our favorite music we play to usher in the new year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 26, 202543 min

S1 Ep 145Christmas Music Favorites

What Difference Does It Make, the 80s music podcast, celebrates our favorite 80s Christmas songs. Holly tells us how she wooed her future husband with some skiing lessons and we also do a wrap on a couple old school hip-hop classics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 19, 202533 min

Happy Holidays 80s Music Favorites

It's the holiday season once again so Holly and I present to you this timeless classic episode...now with actual music! Dave's favorite holiday song is "Fairytale of New York" by The Pogues. Holly goes all in on Chanukah music with Matisyahu, The Maccabeats and we talk about how the names mentioned on Adam's Sandler's classic tune by remarking that many names might be lost on a younger generation. Do you think people in their 20s might know Ann Landers or Dear Abby? Get three FREE months of Amazon Music courtesy of your 80s music aficionados at What Difference Does It Make Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 12, 202533 min

S14 Ep 34What Difference Does It Make Best Of 2025

As we look back at our 34 new podcast episodes from 2025, we realize each one is uniquely special. We've talked with artists, music industry insiders, authors, filmmakers, and friends. Now, we present this best-of episode. It's a great way to sample just a bit of what we feel makes our (mostly) 80s music podcast so special. If you haven't already, please like and subscribe, and if you have a moment during your holiday revelry, we’d love a nice review as a holiday present. Cheers! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 5, 202551 min

S14 Ep 31Paul Myers and John Candy

Paul Myers has just completed his Canadian trilogy. Previously, he authored the definitive biographies on Barenaked Ladies and Kids In The Hall. He now takes on one of the most popular Canadians ever, with his latest book, John Candy: A Life In Comedy. Paul discusses the process of getting to know the larger-than-life personality that was John Candy, and learns that John was more than just a comedic genius. Paul is also the host of the⁠ Record Store Day Podcast⁠, and he's got a few amazing stories to share with us, including his encounters with Neil Finn of Crowded House. This episode is sponsored by ⁠⁠⁠⁠The 80s Cruise⁠⁠⁠⁠. Use promo code "WDDIM" to receive $250 in onboard credit. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The80scruise.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for all the info. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 28, 20251h 4m

Thanksgiving Music Favorites

We talk turkey....and pie...and candy and occasionally about songs that make us think about Thanksgiving. This Thanksgiving episode from 2018 reminds us of how fortunate we are to have food, friends and music in our lives. We talk about Golden Girls, hippies throwing away trash and learn about the word "mondegreen". We are also very thankful to you for listening. Be thankful for three FREE months of Amazon Music courtesy of your 80s music aficionados at What Difference Does It Make. We are a proud member of Pantheon Podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 21, 202550 min

S14 Ep 32Russell Hitchcock Gives Us Fifty Years of Air Supply

Russell Hitchcock, the legendary lead singer of Air Supply, is having quite a moment. With over 100 million records sold worldwide, the band is soon to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and an Air Supply feature film is currently in production. Russell joins the podcast to share what these milestones mean to him, to reflect on Air Supply’s enduring legacy, and to reveal how he and bandmate Graham Russell have kept their musical partnership—and friendship—strong for five decades. Los Angeles Fans: We’re giving away a pair of tickets to see Air Supply in Los Angeles at the YouTube Theater on November 28th! It’s easy to enter. Simply like us on Instagram and tell us your favorite Air Supply song. Winner will be chosen November 17 This episode is sponsored by ⁠⁠⁠The 80s Cruise⁠⁠⁠. Use promo code "WDDIM" to get $250 in onboard credit. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠The80scruise.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ for all the info. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 14, 202531 min

S8 Ep 5Nöthin' But A Good Time: The '80s Hard Rock Explosion

Thanks in small part to the band Spinal Tap, November 11 (11/11, get it?), has been decreed National Metal Day. To honor this majestic day we present to you, Nöthin' But A Good Time: The Uncensored History of the '80s Hard Rock Explosion. Authors Tom Beaujour and Richard Bienstock did an intensive dig into the musicians and insiders involved in the scene that launched the careers of Mötley Crüe and Poison on the west coast and Twisted Sister and Quiet Riot on the east. Our talk with Tom and Richard gets into the highs and lows of so many of the bands that many first saw on MTV's Headbanger's Ball. This episode is sponsored by ⁠⁠The 80s Cruise⁠⁠. Use promo code "WDDIM" to get $250 in onboard credit. Go to ⁠The80scruise.com⁠ for all the info. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 7, 20251h 11m

S1 Ep 47Halloween Music Remastered 80s style

It's not a repeat if you haven't heard it before, so this is the perfect time to revisit Dave's favorite holiday and the one Holly tolerates because candy is involved. We talk about our favorite Halloween songs and movies that Holly has yet to see…Dave is still waiting to discuss Ed Wood with her. Plus, Holly thinks Echo & The Bunnymen's "Killing Moon" is a love song until she learns the terrifying truth. It's a dead man's party, so who can ask for more! We are a proud member of Pantheon Podcasts. This episode is sponsored by ⁠⁠⁠The 80s Cruise⁠⁠⁠. Use promo code "WDDIM" to get $250 in onboard credit. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠The80scruise.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ for all the info. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 31, 202539 min

S14 Ep 30Eric Vetro Knows How To Sing Like The Stars

Eric Vetro is a true Hollywood story with a twist. A small town boy from Gloversville, New York has big Hollywood dreams to sing. The twist is that he does not become a star, but he now trains the biggest Hollywood stars like Ariana Grande (Wicked), Timotheé Chalamet (A Complete Unknown) and Austin Butler (Elvis) to transform their singing voices. His latest undertaking is to train Jeremy Allen White to sing like Bruce Springsteen for the film, Deliver Me From Nowhere. Eric lends his voice to our podcast to tell us his own very unique story. Podcast cover photo credit: Ken Sawyer This episode is sponsored by ⁠⁠The 80s Cruise⁠⁠. Use promo code "WDDIM" to get $250 in onboard credit. Go to ⁠The80scruise.com⁠ for all the info. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 24, 20251h 7m

S13 Ep 14Warren Zanes Delivers Us To Nebraska

Warren Zanes' recent career trajectory has landed him in Nebraska…specifically, Bruce Springsteen's 1982 album, Nebraska. Warren’s book, Deliver Me from Nowhere: The Making of Bruce Springsteen's Nebraska, was released in 2023 to critical acclaim. Warren also hosts the concert performance of Bruce Springsteen's Nebraska: A Celebration in Words and Music. It's currently airing on PBS and features performances by Emmylou Harris, Eric Church, Noah Kahan, The Lumineers, Lucinda Williams, and Lyle Lovett. Last, but definitely not least, there is a film version of Warren's book, directed by Scott Cooper and starring Jeremy Allen White as Bruce Springsteen. Warren Zanes joins us on the podcast to give us his insight into Bruce Springsteen's masterwork. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 17, 202553 min

S14 Ep 28Rain Parade Have A Crashing Dream

Matt Piucci and Steven Roback from Rain Parade join the podcast to celebrate the reissue of their second album, Crashing Dream, which is loaded with extras and live tracks. We chat with Matt and Steven about the origins of the band, the 80s Paisley Underground scene, and how they created that crazy pool picture for their album cover. This episode is sponsored by ⁠⁠The 80s Cruise⁠⁠. Use promo code "WDDIM" to get $250 in onboard credit. Go to ⁠The80scruise.com⁠ for all the info. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 10, 202553 min

S14 Ep 29Moon Unit Teas Up KROQ 80s Music

As we conclude our year-long look at the music played on radio station KROQ in Los Angeles in 1988, we turn to the one-and- only Moon Unit Zappa. Moon's been busy, as her ⁠Moon Unit Tea⁠ business is thriving, and her memoir Earth To Moon is recently out in paperback. Moon now steps into our virtual studio to talk about the top ten songs the World Famous KROQ played back in 1988. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 3, 20251h 1m

S14 Ep 28Danielle Claman Gelber Finds Her Oasis

You may not recognize the name Danielle Claman Gelber but your pop culture references were forever altered by shows Danielle developed like Beverly Hills 90210, Melrose Place and The X-Files, to name just a few. It also turns out the band Oasis is one of her absolute favorites and so Danielle and her good friend Holly embarked on a trip across the pond to witness their reunion at Wembley Stadium in London. We get all the details, as well as her career story, as these besties reminisce about their good times together. As a well-deserved finale, we also look back on songs 20 to 11 from the KROQ 1988 year end playlist. This episode is sponsored by ⁠The 80s Cruise⁠. Use promo code "WDDIM" to get $250 in onboard credit. Go to The80scruise.com for all the info. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 26, 20251h 16m

S14 Ep 26Chris Vos Runs The Record Company

Chris Vos named his band The Record Company because he thought his band would never get signed. Turns out, not only did they get signed but The Record Company are now ten years and counting into their career. The band now has to its credit, four critically acclaimed albums and six top 10 AAA radio singles with "Off The Ground" and "Life To Fix" hitting the top spot. Chris joins the podcast to talk about the genesis of the band's roots and where he sees the band as it heads into their second decade. This episode is sponsored by ⁠The 80s Cruise⁠. Use promo code "WDDIM" to get $250 in onboard credit. Go to The80scruise.com for all the info. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 12, 202551 min

S14 Ep 26The Pogues' Spider Stacy Gives Us Rum, Sodomy And The Lash

Spider Stacy of The Pogues joins our podcast just at the start of their all too brief Eastern North American tour to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of their classic album, Rum, Sodomy & The Lash. Spider talks up all the musicians in their current lineup and gives us some thoughts about the late, great Shane McGowan. This episode is sponsored by The 80s Cruise. Use promo code "WDDIM" to get $250 in onboard credit. Go to The80scruise.com for all the info. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 5, 202544 min

S14 Ep 25Kat Corbett Is On Lithium

Kat Corbett has been one of our favorite radio personalities since she started at KROQ in Los Angeles at the start of the 2000 millennium. Her enthusiasm for music is contagious. You can now hear her daily on both Sirius/XM's Lithium and PopRock channels. Right now, you can hear her origin story and her opinion on songs 30 to 21 from the 1988 KROQ year end playlist. This episode is sponsored by ⁠The 80s Cruise⁠. Use the promo code WDDIM to get $250 of onboard credit per cabin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 22, 20251h 15m

S14 Ep 24Dave Kendall Gives Us 120 Minutes

Dave Kendall may be best known in the US for his work as the host of the MTV Alternative Music Show, 120 Minutes, from 1986 to 1992. Today, he's living in Thailand, and is a producer/reporter with the Bangkok Post TV channel, and a host/producer on the travel show Destination Thailand. We invited Dave into our virtual studio to discuss his current passions, from global warming, to his love of the music he played back in the day on MTV, as we look back at songs 40 to 31 from the 1988 year-end KROQ charts. This episode is sponsored by The 80s Cruise. Use the promo code WDDIM to get $250 of onboard credit per cabin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 15, 202558 min

S13 Ep 12Duran Duran Appreciation Day

August 10th is Duran Duran Appreciation Day. As it turns out, not only are we self-proclaimed Duranies, but our guests love the Fab 5 as well. So for this episode, we've compiled comments and observations from our past guests (and ourselves) about the music we love so much by Simon, John, Nick, Andy, and Roger. Happy Duran Duran Appreciation Day! Sponsored by ⁠The 80s Cruise⁠ Use promo code WDDIM for $250 of onboard credit Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 8, 20251h 4m

S14 Ep 23Rob Tonkin Is A-Whole Lot Of Things

You can call Rob Tonkin a whole lot of things: Music Industry Executive, Marketing Man, Media Creative, but now you can add a whole new title: Author. Friend of the Podcast, Rob Tonkin joins us to talk about a whole new venture. It's his memoir, and for SEO purposes we won't mention the title, but it reveals a whole new side of Rob. If we were to describe how much of a person Rob is, we might say, "a whole”. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 1, 202546 min

Jason Pettigrew Has A Taste Of Ministry

Jason Pettigrew may be best known for his 27 years as editor-in-chief at Alternative Press magazine, but besides being an editor, journalist, and DJ (you might have caught his opening set at the Cruel World fest), he is first and foremost, a music fan. His fandom for the band Ministry led to his striking up a friendship with Ministry frontman Al Jourgensen. Jason has authored the 33 1/3 book Ministry's Land Of Rape and Honey, a chronicle dedicated to one of Jason's favorite albums of all time. Jason steps into our studio to talk about the band, while also offering up his strong opinions on songs 50 to 41 from the 1988 KROQ year-end playlist. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 25, 202559 min

S14 Ep 21Annie Zaleski Counts Down The 1988 KROQ Hits

From her newly-released books on Cher and Taylor Swift, to her recent featured articles in the LA Times and The Onion's A.V. Club, it's clear Music Journalist Annie Zaleski has a lot on her plate. Somehow, she found the time for us to discuss all that's going on in her world, as well as take a look back at the year 1988 and offer up her opinion on songs 60 to 51 from Los Angeles radio station KROQ’s year-end playlist. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 18, 202547 min

S14 Ep 20Lori Majewski Has A Lust For Lists

Lori Majewski is one of us, a true 80s music fan. Her career started with Lori sneaking into hotels and airports because she wanted to meet her favorite artists. She now rubs elbows with many of those same people. Her book, Mad World: An Oral History of New Wave Artists and Songs That Defined the 1980s, celebrates the New Wave music phenomenon. You can hear her bring those stories to life every day on SiriusXM's 1st Wave. Her weekly feature, Lust For Lists, weaves together a playlist highlighting special events or themes from our favorite decade. Lori now uses her super 80s music knowledge to share with us her thoughts on the music played on the World Famous KROQ in Los Angeles, as we take a look at the year 1988, and focus in on songs 70-61. Sponsored by The 80s Cruise Use promo code WDDIM for $250 of onboard credit Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 11, 20251h 8m

S14 Ep 19Gary Graff and 501 Essential Albums Of The 1980s

Being an 80s music podcast, it's no surprise that when we learned music journalist Gary Graff authored the book, 501 Essential Albums of the ’80s, we would have to talk with him. Naturally, whenever there is a list deemed "essential", there will be debate, and so we had questions such as, "Why this one and not that one?". It's a good talk, and one that will inspire you to think about your own essential 80s music albums. Sponsored by The 80s Cruise Use promo code WDDIM for $250 of onboard credit Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 27, 202542 min

S14 Ep 18Translator Goes Beyond Today

Translator was one of those bands on the precipice of breaking big in the 80s. Signed to local indie label 415 Records, they soon found themselves part of the big-time music business when their label signed a distribution deal with Columbia Records. In 1982, their single, "Everywhere That I'm Not”, became popular on the burgeoning college radio circuit. In 1986, the band decided to call it quits, scheduling a hometown show to reward their ardent fan base with a final San Francisco show. This performance, along with two new songs, are now available on an LP entitled Translator--Beyond Today: Live at the Farm San Francisco 1986. Lead singer/guitarist Steve Barton and drummer Dave Scheff join the podcast to look back at their 80s musical journey, as well as offer some insight into new developments within the band. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 20, 202551 min

Father's Day Music Favorites

We love our Dads. We wouldn't be who we are without their constant presence in our lives. Naturally, that also means we've incorporated their music into our lives. We have quite a few songs that remind us of our Dads, and we share our memories with you in our special Father's Day episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 13, 202542 min

S14 Ep 17Scott McCaughey Gets His Oar On The Minus 5

Imagine someone unfamiliar with Scott McCaughey, asking him the name of his band. It's not an easy question to answer. Over a four decade career, indie rock cult hero, Scott McCaughey, has been a member of so many bands, including R.E.M., Young Fresh Fellows, Baseball Project, Filthy Friends, and Robyn Hitchcock & The Venus 3, to name a few. But The Minus 5 has remained one of the most enduring projects of his storied résumé. And now, after a five year hiatus, The Minus 5 return with their album, Oar On, Penelope!. Scott steps into our virtual studio, and we soon learn that the immediate, relatively unadorned, and somewhat more positive music on the album matches up perfectly with the man. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 6, 202546 min

S14 Ep 16Murray Attaway Plays Tense Music

Murray Attaway, formerly of Guadalcanal Diary, one of college rock radio's favorite bands in the 80s, joins the podcast to talk about his new solo album, Tense Music Plays. It's the first album from Murray in more than 30 years, so we wanted to find out what he did upon dropping out of the music business, and what prompted his return. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 30, 202546 min

S14 Ep 15Annie Zaleski Celebrates Cher

Whether it's Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, or Duran Duran, music journalist Annie Zaleski immerses herself in each project. Now Annie takes on a true icon: Cher. The book is called I Got You Babe: A Celebration Of Cher. This gives us a chance to revisit all our favorite Cher moments, from her variety show with Sonny, to her fashion sense, to her movies. Cher has always fascinated us, and so we turn to Annie to figure out why Cher means so much to us. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 16, 202542 min

S14 Ep 14Suzanne Vega: Flying With Angels

Singer/Songwriter Suzanne Vega has been recording her songs of personal reflection and social issues for more than 40 years. Her latest record, Flying With Angels, is her first full-length album of new music in over a decade. Suzanne joins the podcast to talk about the album, family life, and getting her start playing the New York folk scene in the early 80s. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 2, 202547 min

S14 Ep 13Vicki Peterson and John Cowsill: Long After The Fire

Vicki Peterson and John Cowsill have been married since 2003. Vicki is a member of The Bangles, along with her sister Debbi. John Cowsill is a member of the platinum-selling family band, The Cowsills. So it’s been a long time coming for Vicki and John to release their own debut Americana album, comprised of songs written by John’s late brothers, Barry and Bill Cowsill. The album is titled Long After The Fire, and is out now. The couple join our podcast, where they reminisce about singing in the family car, The Partridge Family, playing drums for another family band, called The Beach Boys, and creating their own music together. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 25, 202535 min

S14 Ep 12Paul Rappaport Glides Over Hollywood

It's good to be Paul Rappaport. As the head of Rock Promotion at Columbia Records, Paul rubbed shoulders with the likes of The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, and Alice In Chains. It was Paul's creativity and enthusiasm that contributed to his success in getting his artists' music played on the radio. It's all documented in his book, Gliders Over Hollywood: Airships, Airplay And The Art Of Rock Promotion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 18, 20251h 1m