The secret sauce in ZZ Top's biggest hit album
7 August - 16 minsIt took original thinking to make one of the best-selling albums of an entire decade, and that’s just what ZZ Top did, although they had some help with coming up with the sound. Completely bypassing the notion that nothing new could be done with rock ‘n roll, the trio released Eliminator in 1983, an album that blended their brand of Texas boogie woogie blues rock with synth sounds and drum machines, unleashing danceble rockers that topped the charts. But there is an unsung hero in the ZZ Top story. Dig into it - and how “Sharp Dressed Man” perfectly sums up the 80’s mindset - in this episode of the Behind The Song podcast.
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Series Episodes
Trans-Siberian Orchestra: Rockin’ The Holidays with Al Pitrelli
Dive into the magical world of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra! In this episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda talks with guitarist and musical director Al Pitrelli about the extraordinary journey of TSO from its inception to becoming a holiday tradition. Listen as he shares the fantastic story of how the late Paul O’Neill’s vision of blending rock with Christmas carols and classical music evolved into an experience that keeps fans coming back year after year! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
29 mins
18 December Finished
Janda and Christian talk "November Rain," GNR's lost summer in Chicago, and more!
Follow along with Janda and her music producer husband Christian in this bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast as they explore the influences behind Guns N' Roses "November Rain," how the band added another layer to their legendary reputation during their wild summer in Chicago, and how one important, collaborative friendship has lasted a lifetime for Axl Rose. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
26 mins
25 November Finished
Guns N’ Roses “November Rain,” explained
Are you one of the two-billion-plus Youtube views on Guns ‘N Roses epic “November Rain” music video? Chances are, you’ve seen it. It’s as over-the-top as they come, for a song that Axl Rose started writing on piano almost ten years earlier, and it was the first video released before Youtube existed to get to a billion views. It’s part of a trilogy, all based on a short story by longtime Guns ‘N Roses affiliate, Del James, who has now been the band’s road manager for decades. Let’s get into the story in this episode of the Behind The Song podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
19 mins
20 November Finished
Janda and Christian talk Alice Cooper, Hollywood, and "Guitarmonies!"
In this bonus episode of the Behind the Song podcast, host Janda and music producer Christian Lane, who also happens to be her husband, delve into the fascinating world of Alice Cooper, exploring the stories and influences that didn't make it into the main episode, "When Alice Cooper stopped playing nice." From Cooper's friendship with Groucho Marx to his pivotal role in saving the iconic Hollywood sign, join Janda and Christian as they uncover the layers of creativity and innovation that have kept Alice Cooper a staple in the music industry for decades. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
18 mins
6 November Finished
When Alice Cooper stopped playing nice
Without a doubt, he’s one of the most fascinating artists on the rock timeline. In fact, Alice Cooper has done such an incredible job of making sure that rock has an enduring spectacle element to it, of being kind of the embodiment of the freaky side of rock, that it’s hard to imagine that there wasn’t ever an Alice Cooper on stage somewhere, snakes, guillotines, electric chairs and all. But of course there was, and it took a while for Alice Cooper’s brand of entertainment to catch hold. When the Billion Dollar Babies album was released in 1973, Alice Cooper topped the charts, the world finally catching up with the idea that glam rock could be the vehicle for a brutal caricature, a theatrical madman, an entertainer who has also come to be known as one of the nicest guys in rock. So it’s funny that one of the hits on that album is about not playing nice anymore in favor of letting one’s freak flag fly. Let’s dig into the story of “No More Mister Nice Guy” in this episode of the Behind The Song podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
19 mins
30 October Finished
Tears For Fears’ timeless dystopian hit
It sounds like summer, but the lyrics address serious issues in a way that made it a timeless classic. “Everybody Wants To Rule The World” by Tears For Fears became a worldwide smash hit when it was released in 1985, during the Cold War between the US and Russia, but over time it has proven itself to be evergreen on a range of concerns, from the environment to dictatorship. It has been covered by over 140 artists, including Don Henley, who inspired the shimmery sound of the song with his hit, "The Boys Of Summer." And, incredibly, it was written at the last minute, the very last song to make it to the band’s second album. Let’s get into why this song has had such a lasting impact in this episode of the Behind The Song podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
14 mins
8 October Finished
