Favorite Debut Albums of the 70's

Paulie: Hey, everyone, welcome to another episode of Back in Time Brothers Show! I am DJ Paulie and, as always, I have my brother Lou with me. Lou, how are we doing today, brother?

Lou: We're doing great. We're going to the seventies!         

Paulie: We're going back to bell bottoms and platform shoes and, and, uh, what else? Uh, perms were big, right? Big, big hair. Curls. Afros. I don't know.

Lou: Yeah, did a little of that. And, of course, disco.

Paulie: Disco! "Disco Duck," huh?

Lou: (Laughs) I remember that dance.

Paulie: Oh, God, that was such a— (sings) "Disco, Disco Duck ..." Such a terrible song.

Lou: Yeah, it was terrible.

Paulie: Yeah, and we're going to go to the Y.M.C.A. Maybe even join the Navy. Who knows?

Lou: Yes, yes. 

Paulie: Because we're macho men. How about that?

Lou: Damn, he just covered all three of these. Nice!

Paulie: (Laughs) So we're going to the seventies, you say. What, what are we, what are we taking this trip back to the seventies for?

Lou: Well, I know as we have discussed some different topics for shows, one of the ones we wanted to do was the greatest debut albums of the seventies

Paulie: That's, that's a good one. Because there were some great debut albums in the seventies, weren't there?

Lou: There was. And the list is, um, extensive, and I had to kind of pare it down. And so, I was going to do a traditional top 10, but actually I'm going to give you 15 plus one.

Paulie: 16, ladies and gentlemen, in case your math is not good. 16: 15 plus one. Amazing!

 Lou: Yeah, so I think it's going to be fun. Uh, and we'll probably do is play a clip.  And then we'll say what the album is. 

Paulie: That sounds good. And your lists are always— You always have compiled up pretty good lists without the help of our home office in Council Bluffs, Iowa. So, you always do a very nice job. And I'm very curious on this plus one. Um, I mean, I know it's not going to be haircut plus one because that wasn't the seventies, so we should be okay with that one (laughs).

Lou: Clearly not that one. Yes. 

Paulie: Clearly, exactly (laughs). Well, do you want to jump right into the list, bro?

Lou: Let's do it! 

Paulie: Let's go. I'm excited.

Lou: Okay. So, this is the plus one. 

Paulie: Oh, bonus right off the bat, ladies and gentlemen!

Lou: Oh yeah, yeah, yeah. So, let me qualify this: the reason why it is sitting at 16 on the edge of 15 is because technically this album came out on December 27th, 1979. So, this is really an, an eighties album because it was only three days, but technically, it debuted in the seventies.

Paulie: Okay, so I can, I can see where you're going with that with the plus one. I like it.

Lou: Right. I'll go ahead and play the first clip. 

Paulie: Let's go! 

Lou: Chrissie Hynde, Pretenders – "Brass in Pocket." 

Paulie: Good. Great song.

Lou: Great song. So, this was the debut album, of course, um, The Pretenders. Uh, and this, this album— It's funny because Chrissie Hynde hated the way she sounded. She didn't even know what kind of album this was.

She was like, Is this a pop album? Is it a Motown album? Is it a rock album? So, I know during that period, when she'd hear herself on the radio, she'd be like, Oh my God, I can't stand it! But, I bet you, there's probably a lot of artists that are that way.

Paulie: Yeah, I think so. Yeah, they listen to themselves and they go, Oh God, this isn't the sound I was going for! But yet it turns out to be amazing sound and what they're known for, so...

Lou: Yeah. Yeah, so this album had "Precious" on it, "Stop Your Sobbing, Kid," of course, "Brass in Pocket" and "Levers of Today." And all really good songs. When you listen to the album, it really holds up really well. It's very listenable. Um, and as we're going to get into our top 15, I want to say how I came up with the list and kind of give you the criteria.

Paulie: And with you, there's always— You have these, you know, specific things that you look for and, which is— This is what makes your list so extensive and fun because you, you're like a neurosurgeon digging in there finding stuff, so... (laughs)

So, let's hear the criteria, Lou.

Lou: Okay. So obviously it had to be in the seventies. It had to be a debut album. So those two were pretty easy. Um, and so it had to have, in my opinion— And listen, this was a subjective list. These are my favorite. This is my ranking. I didn't care if Rolling Stone had it somewhere else or Spin Magazine had it here or whatever publication had— It didn't matter to me. 

I just verified that it was in the seventies. And then I looked at the track listing. I remember the albums that I used to listen to, which all of these I listened to at some point. They had to have at least two hits on them. One, for me, and the rest— It just doesn't fly. [AL1] 

It had to have at least two solid hits. So, this had to be something that you could listen to over and over again.

Paulie: Okay, I like it.

Lou: So let's go ahead and crack our top 15.

Paulie: Because we already went through that bonus one, so...

Lou: We went through the bonus. 

Paulie: Damn, right off the bat. I love it. 

Lou: Okay, so this is an album that came out in 1975.

Ted Nugent!

Paulie: You know, I love— I love Ted Nugent, you know, I do. And obviously some of his other stuff later on down the road were some fun stuff. But, um, yeah, I mean, you know... One thing about the seventies, those songs in the seventies, they had such a killer intro. It was just like, it built— It just, you know— Six minutes and then, then all of a sudden, BOOM, here comes the vocal! You know?

But you know, it's, it's... You hear that guitar right away, man, and it just, like, it gets it off. And that drum kicks in, and it's such a nice, nice groove man. Then that voice kicks in, of course, of Ted's, so... Good stuff. 

Lou: Well, and actually on this album, it was Derek St. Holmes that did the singing. I think Ted Nugent performed on one track on this album, uh, which is the "Motor City Madhouse" song. 

Paulie: Okay, thatmakes sense, because I was going to say the voice sounded a little bit different, so... That would make sense. Okay, yeah. Thank you. You got me there. I mean, I was five years old when that song came out, so—

Lou: (Laughs) Yeah. So, Ted Nugent, Amboy Dukes, he was a little bit burnt out creatively. Took some time off, went hunting, came back, came out as a solo artist, um, got together with a couple of, um, his buddies from The Amboy Dukes, and then a couple of people joined them, and they put out this great album.

It had, um... Other songs were like "Queen of the Forest," "Hey Baby," "Motor City Madhouse," which is a great one, uh, "Stormtroopin'" another good one, of course, the title track that we just played, "Stranglehold." So, um, yeah, I think it's a great debut, and he's a guy who has a long history before that, but as a solo artist, great first album. And that makes number 15!

 Paulie: There it is, number 15.  

Lou: Moving on to 14. This album came out in 1976. 

Paulie: '76, okay. I'm, I'm feeling good about that. That's a good year.

Lou: And it was the bicentennial, if you remember that.

Paulie: You're right, yeah. '76. 

Lou: All right, here we go.

Paulie: Let's do it. 

Lou: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. 

Paulie: My favorite, favorite Tom Petty song right there. 

Lou: Ugh, it's a great song. 

Paulie: Oh man, "American Girl." Love it. Such a great song. 

Lou: So, this album had "Breakdown" another great song and, of course, "American Girl." And what's funny about this album, what broke the band was, in the UK, the song they released there was "Anything That's Rock 'n' Roll," and that became a hit there.

And when that happened, then they released "Breakdown," and it cracked the top 40 and then "American Girl" came out, and that was the signature song for them, so... But interesting how they kind of broke in the UK first.

Paulie: Well, you know, and that's always— You see that a lot, where a different song will do better in a different country or a different area. And then in the US, it's totally different. So, you do see that quite a bit. And, um, like I said, "American Girl," definitely my favorite Tom Petty song of all time. And, um, you know, rest in peace, Tom. 

Lou: We might have a few "rest and peace" during—

Paulie: (Laughs)I was going to say, we probably will. It seems to be our thing on the show.

Lou: It's definitely your thing (laughs).

Paulie: Well, yeah, I definitely drop a "rest in peace." We've been doing that ever since, going back to Lumpy, I believe, right?

Lou: Oh, for sure, for sure. Oh my gosh. Okay, now this is a, this is an interesting one. I think you'll enjoy this. Number 13 came out in 1974.

Paulie: Oh, yeah! (laughs)

Lou: Love me some Rush!

Paulie: I was just going to say that. Yes, Rush. God, once you hear that voice of Getty, it's just boom! Then... Oh, God, just[AL2] three amazing artists right there.

Lou: What's interesting about this album is Neil Peart's not on it.

Paulie: That's exactly right. Yeah, that's right. They had, uh, what's his name? God, I forgot—

Lou: John Rutsey.

Paulie: That's it,thank you. And, uh, yeah, that's right. Yeah, that crazy, that crazy Rutsky (laughs). 

Lou: So this, uh, this first release was very raw. You can kind of hear the Led Zeppelin, the Cream influences, and you know, they really went from that to a more progressive sound. Then they went a kind of a synth pop sound, you know, and then some good guitar rock sound. So, they've been through lots of different iterations of that band as far as, uh, the sound. I love all the different periods.

Paulie: That's the reason they're able to, you know, kind of move with the times and, you know, playing for, you know, 50 years of music or wherever long. They've been playing, my God, for forever. So, they were able to kind of bring their sound to the different eras. 

You know, like the eighties was that, you know, like that "Big Money," that keyboard and the drums and the synthesizer drums and stuff. And they went to that level, and there's, you know— And adding Neil, I mean... When Neil took over on drums, it took them to a different, different extreme, I mean, without a doubt with him, so... 

Lou: Interestingly, you know, when they had Rutsey, uh, John was supposed to do the lyrics for that album. And he wrote lyrics, hated them, tore them up. And they were getting close to having to record it, and Getty Lee had to step in and write them really quickly. 

So, obviously it worked for them, but you could just tell, you know, that Rutsey wasn't going to be there for long. Plus, he wasn't healthy. He was a diabetic. And, um, so after that, he retired. I guess he was into bodybuilding and stuff. He died in 2008. He was 55 years old and had a heart attack in his sleep. Guess we could do a "rest in peace" for John Rutsey.

Paulie: Rest in peace for John and for Neil.

Lou: That's right.

Paulie: God, I hope this doesn'tbecome a memoriam show. Jeez.

Lou: (Laughs)Well, we're dealing in the seventies. There's a chance these guys—

Paulie: A very good chance everyone might be dead. Yeah, yeah, you're right.

Lou: (Laughs)All right.  

Paulie: So that's a good one. I like Rush. Good job. 

Lou: Yeah, so you know, that one had, um, "Finding My Way" and, um, "Working Man" and "In the Mood." Those are the kind of three songs that tick the boxes on that. And it's Rush, and I'm always going to side with Rush. 

Paulie: Absolutely. 

Lou: Okay.  

Paulie: Number 12. 

Lou: Number 12. This one might surprise you a little bit.

Paulie: Whenever you say that, I'm always worried.

 Lou: 1972.

 A little Steely Dan!

Paulie: Like it. Used to love that song when I was young. 

Lou: Oh yeah. No, that's a great song. Some good stuff on that album. Of course, the main guys in Steely Dan: Donald Fagen, Walter Becker. One thing about Steely Dan is they're known for their sound. Those guys were really meticulous in the studio and ensuring that they had just amazing musicians. The sound quality was there. Uh, they had witty lyrics. They were just a solid performing band and, uh, just a great studio band. 

And, through the years, I've just loved so many of their songs and albums. And in this one... What's cool about this one, it had also the— It started off with the song, "Do It Again," which has that Latin rhythm thing, and it's a really great song. And, uh, "Reelin' in the Years," of course. And it had a couple other songs that were really good on it, but... Yeah, Steely Dan – Can't Buy a Thrill. 

Paulie: And, you know, it's funny, when that song that you just played... I don't know who the lead singer was on that, but, um... When he's singing that that beginning part, reminds me of, like, David Byrne and (sings) "You may ask yourself..." (laughs) Talking Heads a little bit, you know? 

Lou: (Laughs)Well, there's actually a little bit of a vibe in there that almost sounds like that. So that's pretty good. 

Paulie: Yeah. 

Lou: Okay, so now moving on...  Number 11,

Paulie: Moving on.  Number 11.

Lou: 1970.

Slowhand – Eric Clapton.

Paulie: Yeah, you can tell it's still that hippie time.

Lou: Love, uh, love that song. And, um, you know, of course, Eric Clapton from the Yardbirds, the Bluesbreakers, Cream, and Blind Faith comes out, goes solo, and puts out this amazing record. Had "After Midnight" on it, which is a fantastic song.

Paulie: Yeah, that's a good song. 

Lou: Yeah. "Blues Power," "Bottle of Red Wine," "Easy Now," and of course, "Let It Rain." 

Uh, got to see Clapton twice in the eighties. And, uh, you know, he played that each time, and it was just amazing show

Paulie: Good stuff. Clapton is a, is a... My God, he's a legend. 

Lou: Well, it's funny you said that because, remember, they used to write "Clapton is God" on, uh, on the walls. 

Paulie: Yes. Yup, Clapton is God. 

Lou: Yup, So, uh... You know, it's funny, he's got number 11. I can't even crack, I can't even get him to crack the top 10.

Paulie: I was just going say that. Yeah, so like, I can only imagine what the other ones below that are. Or above him, I should say. 

Lou: Yeah. Yeah, once again, just, I think it's based upon... I listen to it more, these other ones. And I think that's, that's what I kind of went with. 

So, before we go into the top 10, I want to talk about some honorable mentions. I want to talk about actually all these albums that came out in the seventies that are probably on other people's lists. Ready for this? 

Paulie: Go for it, man. I'm ready. 

Lou: B-52's came out with the "Rock Lobster," "Planet Claire," "Dance This Mess Around." Talking Heads' 1977 album that had "Psycho Killer" on it.

Paulie: God, I love that song.

Lou: Yeah, great song. "Uh-Oh Love Comes to Town," "Pulled Up." 

Devo, Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo![AL3] And so that came out in '78. Uh, that had the "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" on it, had the "Jocko Homo," which in that they say, "Are we not men? We are Devo!" and then "Uncontrolled Urge." So that definitely had some hits. 

Queen came out in 1973, but in my opinion was not a deep enough album. But you listen to it and just hear how these guys are going be great. Uh, "Keep Yourself Alive" was on it. 

Then you had Black Sabbath. Came out in 1970, and that had, of course, the song "Black Sabbath" and "N.I.B." on it. A lot of people think that's probably going to be on everybody's top 10, but to me, it wasn't one I would listen to over and over again. 

John Lennon/Plastic Ono Man. So, coming out of The Beatles, puts out this album. Uh, the songs on here were "Mother," "Working Class Hero." Uh, my favorite song on there was a song called "Love." It's... It's a very subtle, kind of a subdued album. Good album, but, you know, not enough to be in my top. 

Joe Jackson – Look Sharp!, which is loaded with some good stuff on there: "One More Time," "Sunday Papers," "Fools in Love," and "Is She Really Going Out with Him?" So that came out in 1979. Fantastic album. 

Elvis Costello – My Aim is True. Came out in '77, had "Alison" and "Watching the Detectives" on it. 

Then you had the Ramones come out. And I wasn't a big Ramones guy, but "Blitzkrieg Bop" "I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend," "Let's Dance" was on that album. Did you like The Ramones?

Paulie: (Sings) "Hey ho, let's go!"

Lou: (Laughs)

Paulie: Um, you know, not really. No, not a real big fan of them. Yeah, I mean, you know... Some of the songs were good, you know, like you said... You named a couple of them, and "I Wanna Be Sedated" is probably, you know, one of their—

Lou: Rock 'n' Roll High School

Paulie: Yeah, from the movie Rock 'n' Roll High School. Yeah. There's some stuff out there that, you know— I just wasn't into that whole, uh, that whole scene.

Lou: Okay. And, uh, and this one, which... I am... I'm just not a big fan of his. Meat Loaf – Bat Out of Hell came out, and that was a huge album.  

Paulie: (Sings) "Like a bat out of hell...!" Yeah, good stuff, man.

Lou: "Paradise by the Dashboard Light," "Two Out of Three Ain't Bad." But Meat Loaf is too freaking dramatic for me. He's like Broadway, dude. Broadway rock star. 

Paulie: He really is. Yeah, he really is. I mean, "Paradise by the Dashboard Light," just a tremendously long song and played a lot at weddings and stuff. And you got the guys chanting back to the girls, and they do this whole big whoop-de-do thing. And it's like a production. It's like every one of his songs is a musical. You know?

Lou: Yeah, he's very much into the, uh, the whole dramatic things of the song.

Paulie: Well, remember, remember, um, um, "I Would Do Anything for Love." Remember that? The video? Like the Beauty and the Beast thing, and it was like this whole thing? He actually looked better when he had the mask—the makeup—on than he did when he took it off.

Lou: Oh, yeah, no doubt. Yeah. You know, um, I got to actually see Meat Loaf perform. And, um—

Paulie: You got to see Meat Loaf?

Lou: Oh yeah. Yeah, so—

Paulie:  Well, I've eaten meatloaf and mashed potatoes, so go figure.  

Lou: You know, I've done that as well, actually (laughs). And I like meatloaf with mashed potatoes better than I liked watching Meat Loaf. 

Paulie: (Laughs) Nice. Love it.

So, what, was the concert a dramatic concert when you saw him? How...? Was it...? Did he go, like, all out?

Lou: Yeah. I mean, he's got his white shirt, and he's got, like, the scarves and he's, you know, he's sweating all over the place, and he puts on a whole to-do. He's like, kind of like Elvis, you know, in the seventies, so...

Okay, ready for the top 10? Number 10, 1972.

Paulie: Nice.

Lou: How's that one?

Paulie: I like it. But I'm a fan.

Lou: Yeah, Eagles, fantastic. The album itself reached, I think, 22 on the charts, had three singles, "Take It Easy," which went to number 12, "Witchy Woman" that went to number nine, and "Peaceful Easy Feeling" that went to number 22. That's quite a good performance for your first album out.And you have, these three top 25 songs.

Paulie: Yeah, I'll say. That's a good debut for sure. 

Lou: Yes. And, um... Let's move on to number nine. And I know you'll really like this album.

Paulie: Oh, yeah, we'll have some Heart. Love it, love it. And my daughter loves Heart.

Lou: Yes. Yes, she does. So, Heart – Dreamboat Annie, 1975 album. They were from Vancouver, Canada. And, um, you have "Magic Man" on that album. You've got "Dreamboat Annie," of course, and then, of course, "Crazy on You." Just a solid album. 

Paulie: Yeah. And you know, and I, and I saw, um, Heart probably about five years ago. And I'll tell you what, man, they, they still jam and play like they're in their twenties and thirties. It's, it's amazing. You know the way Nancy just rocks and still does her leg kick. And she's doing it all, man. And she's still looking pretty darn good, too. 

Lou: (laughs)

Paulie: I'll give you that. Wish I could say the same for Ann, but no, Nancy is looking much better. Sorry, Ann.

Lou: You know what, Ann... But Ann can still sing, can't she?

Paulie: Shecan. She still can hit those, those notes, man. Great voice.

Lou: Yep. Yeah. One of the great rock voices, female rock voices, and just pure rock voices.

Paulie: You know what? It's funny that you say that, too, you know, because we had a debate about Stevie Nicks and Ann Wilson. Their voices. 

Lou: Well, what's the debate? 

Paulie: Saying how, how Stevie Nicks's voice is like this legendary voice. But I think Ann Wilson's by far is much, much better voice.

Lou: Okay. Yeah. So, if you want to talk texturally, the Stevie Nicks voice has a certain sound. 

Paulie: It does, yes, but—

Lou: But from a pure, you know, performance standpoint and the range and power that she has. I mean, there's no question, Ann Wilson. 

Paulie: I agree. Yeah, I agree 100%.

Lou: You know, and you could put someone like a Pat Benatar up there with Ann Wilson; though, I think Ann Wilson has a more powerful voice. But Pat could really get high as well. 

Paulie: Yeah, I like Pat. I like Pat Benatar. [AL4] 

Lou: Yep. (Laughs) Okay, number eight.

Paulie: Number eight. 

Lou: The great Paul Rodgers and Bad Company.

Paulie: Bad Company. Hey, didn't, uh, didn't Paul Rodgers sing with Queen for a little bit?

Lou: He did. 

Paulie: That's what I thought. 

Lou: He didn't have quite the voice to pull off some of the songs. He did pretty well, but, uh, other ones, it wasn't quite him.

Paulie: Yeah, no, itwasn't. That was terrible that I just— We're talking about him, like with his debut album, and I'm comparing him to Queen right away. That's terrible. That's the worst thing you could ever do. Gee, you're not Freddie Mercury. You're terrible. Yeah (laughs). Sorry, Paul. 

Lou: No, he's, he is one of the great rock voices, though. Um, in that, and that album is fantastic. Um, it's, you know, it's got, uh, "Can't Get Enough [of Your Love]" on there, "Rock Steady," "Move On," and, of course, "Bad Company." Just great hard rock from that period. 

And these guys were from former bands. They were from Free, Mott the Hoople, King Crimson. They got together and just put a great—and had many, many good albums afterward, so... Bad Company, 1974. 

Paulie: Nicely played. 

Lou: And now one of our favorites,

Paulie: And what number are we at?

Lou: Number seven, lucky number seven, came out in 1974.

Paulie: Let's do it!

Lou: How's that?

Paulie: I love Kiss. 

Lou: We've got Kiss in the house!

Paulie: Kiss!

Lou: So this, this first album, when you, I mean— I mean, it is really a solid album. There's like— Almost all the songs were stuff they'll still play today. You had "Strutter," "Cold Gin," "Firehouse," "Deuce," "Nothin' to Lose," "100,000 Years," "Black Diamond." I mean, holy crap!

Paulie: Holy crap, you're right. I agree. 

Lou: Those are great! 

Paulie: Great stuff. Yeah, and we were big Kiss fans growing up. I mean, you know, the extravagance of the makeup and the shows, you know, the stage performances. Gene Simmons spitting blood out and fire and, you know, flying up in the air and... I mean, just amazing stuff. It was just... For us, being young, it was like, Oh my God! You know, it was...

And, of course, all the crazy stuff they would say about Kiss being, you know, satanic. Uh... What was it? Knights in Satan's service is what they said they stood for, if I'm not mistaken? Right?

Lou: That'scorrect. I mean, you had all these parents out there that were, you know, going to, you know, like Congress and stuff. You know, they were just... Everything was just... Um, you know, trying to ban Kiss. And that just made them even more popular, obviously.  

Paulie: Well, obviously the banning didn't start until 2 Live Crew did it (laughs). 

Lou: (Laughs)Um... And you remember they had the Kiss comics. 

Paulie: Yeah 

Lou: And they would use Kiss blood in the comics. So, the red was—

Paulie: Yes, they wouldput them into their comics. Yes, the red ink, yeah. And then also, I remember also they had the movies they did. Remember, the, ugh Kiss—

Lou: KissMeets the Phantom. 

Paulie: The Phantom, yes. Oh my god...

Lou: Awful. 

Paulie: The best acting, best acting ever, yes. 

Lou: Oh my gosh. Yeah, if you can get a copy of that and watch that, you just see how bad it was. 

Paulie: If you can get a copy of it andmake it through the whole movie, that's amazing. Without shutting it off.  

Lou: One of those cult things. 

Paulie:  Yeah, definitely. Without a doubt. Um, good stuff. Yeah, Kiss. Good call, man. That's a great... I didn't realize so many hits were on that debut album. 

Lou: Right? I mean, oh my gosh!

Paulie: That's like— Almost everything on there, it's like, boom, I'll just listen to the whole album and be happy. 

Lou: Yes. Yeah. Yeah, so, that's one where I was like, Wow should this even be higher up for me? But I think when you hear these other ones that are coming, it's like, Oh my God! It's just some great stuff here.

Paulie: Well, you know, there's a couple that I'm kind of waiting for that I know that got to be in there. So, um, I'm keeping quiet, and I'm just going to let you do your thing, and I'll wait and be happy when I hear them. 

Lou: All right, sounds good.

Paulie: Llaughs)Okay.  

Lou: Here we go. We're going to number six. 

Paulie: Number six. 

Lou: Now, let's put a little bit of an asterisk on this one. 

Paulie: (Groans)

Lou: Just a little bit. Just a little bit.

Paulie: Why,did Barry Bonds or Mark McGuire get involved? What's going on?

Lou: So this... was technically their third album, but it was really their first album in the States. 

Paulie: Oh, okay... 

Lou: So, in their home country, they had released two albums before, and they released this one. But it is technically the US debut that came in 1970—I'm sorry, 1976. And, um, so I think it qualifies. And, uh, you'll know this right off the bat.

What band would have the cojones to go ahead and do bagpipes on a rock album? AC/DC, baby!

Paulie: That's the only one, I— Either that or Big Country, that'd be the only ones I could think of. 

Lou:  (Laughs)

Paulie: (Laughs) AC/DC, yeah. You know, we, we talk a lot about ACDC on, I think, on our show. You know, they've come up quite a bit in different episodes and things like that. So, there's a reason for that, I think. Without a doubt, they are, uh, just amazing. Angus Young, just his little school-boy, English school-boy look, doing his little kick dance across the stage, and... Just amazing, amazing band. They've just been putting hits out for years. 

Lou: They really have. And they have a new album out now, too. And it's, that's really good. Um, you know, Bon Scott, obviously, the original vocalist, he played bagpipes on this. Yeah, I didn't even realize he was the guy who played the bagpipes on that. So that's really cool. 

Paulie: So, he was the one? Wow. 

Lou: Yeah. So, you had the classic lineup of Bon Scott, Angus Young, Malcolm Young, Mark Evans, and Phil Rudd. Of course, Phil, who's been the drummer most of the time, so...

So, let me talk about why it was an asterisk. So, in Australia, they released this album, High Voltage, then they released T.N.T. And in this album, what they did was they took the best— When they released it for the States, they took the best of High Voltage and T.N.T. and put it on here. 

So, this album had, um, "Rock 'n' Roll Singer," "The Jack," "Live Wire," "T.N.T." uh, "Can I Sit Next to You, Girl," "High Voltage," and, of course, "It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll)." So, a lot of hits. Um, just... What a great entry into being one of the legendary bands of all time. 

Paulie: I agree with you. I like "T.N.T." That's a good song.  

Lou: That's a great song, great song. But I had to do the one with the bagpipes because I just dig it. 

Paulie: No, that's a cool thing. I think that's something cool to put onto this show because then it's that interesting little tidbit there of Bon Scott playing the bagpipes, so there you go!

Lou: That's right.I like it. And if you remember... If you're, if you like the Jack Black movie School of Rock, they played the song on there.

Paulie: Yes, they did.

Lou: Okay, so I think we're ready for top five.

Paulie: Wow! You know, I'm very, very curious on the top five because I can think of five off the top of my head that should probably be in there, so I'm hoping all five are there. 

Lou: I hope so, too. All right (laughs). Otherwise, I may have let you down. 

All right, number five.

Paulie: Oh, man... 

Lou: Oh, Lynyrd Skynyrd, love them. Um, such tragedy that they went through and then kind of recovered. And, um, this album was fantastic. So, you had "Gimme Three Steps," "Simple Man," "Tuesday's Gone," and, of course, "Free Bird" was on this album. So, what a fantastic way to debut.

Paulie: And that was their debut album? 

Lou: Debut album. 

Paulie: God, with those songs on there?

Lou: Yeah. Yeah. 

Paulie: That's like, that's like, go down— "Let's go down in rock history" right there.

Lou: Yeah.

Paulie: You know what I mean? Like, especially "Free Bird."

Lou: Yes. 

Paulie: You know, and then "Simple Man" is a great song. I mean, without a doubt. It's such a fantastic vocals on that. Yeah, just great song. 

Lou: Yeah, andthen, you know, and then they— Obviously in '77, they had the big plane crash. They lose Ronnie Van Zant and, um, and, uh, guitarist Steve Gaines. Um, you know, they took 10 years off, and then his brother, his younger brother takes over, Johnny Van, Zant, and, uh, the band continues. 

Um, what's interesting— I don't know if you know this. There's three Van Zant brothers. 

Paulie: Yes. 

Lou: So, the middle Van Zant is Donnie Van Zant. And he sings for—or did sing for—one of your favorite bands. 

Paulie: One of my favorite bands?

Lou: Yeah. In the Southern style. 

Paulie: Really? Idon't know... 

Lou: 38 Special. 

Paulie: Oh, yes, that's right (laughs). I do like 38 Special. Oops, my bad (laughs).

Lou: So, I think that's pretty cool, just that you had three vocalists that came out of that household, man. Wow. 

Paulie: Yeah, that's, that's, yeah, that's a talented household, that's for sure. 

Well, the funny thing about "Simple Man" is that... When you hear that song and, and you know, I mean, now, you could almost— That song can be played like as a nineties grunge kind of song. You know what I mean? It's kind of got, like, that sound, like that Alice in Chains, like Stone Temple kind of sound. You know what I mean? Like... They were kind of ahead of their time. Yeah. Kind of ahead of their time, man. 

Yeah, just, every time I hear it, I'm like, "Wait a minute, is this...? Oh, okay." I got to, like, think about it. Like, "Oh, I, now I... Oh, it's Leonard Skinner. Okay." I had to think, you know, real quick because you hear it, you think— I’m thinking grunge. It's crazy, I don't know. 

Lou: I'm thinking we have to do a grunge episode. 

Paulie: Yeah,Grunge. I'll get my flannel cutoff on. We'll do it.   

Lou: Nice. All right. 

Okay, here we go. Top four. 

And then... Lynyrd Skynyrd, that was in 1973, and the album's (Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd), it's called. 

Um, this one... The next three came out in 1978.  

Paulie: Wow. Okay, so '78 was a good year

Lou: Great year. 

Paulie: Not quite as good as December 1963, but it was a good year. 

Lou: (Laughs) Okay.And here we go. Get ready. 

Paulie: Let's do it!

Lou: Talk about an album that was full of hits. 

Paulie: Love the Cars. 

Lou: Love them. Out of the nine songs on this album, six are fantastic. 

Paulie: Yeah, that's crazy. 

Lou: So, band out of Boston here. And, um, Ric Ocasek, Benjamin Orr, Elliot Easton, um, the three main guys. Um, and Rick and Benjamin would kind of, you know, trade up on vocals. They each did different songs. "Good Times Roll," "My Best Friend's Girl," "Just What I Needed." Okay? And then you had "You're All I've Got Tonight," "Bye Bye Love," and then, of course, this classic, which you and I both love because we love the movie. 

Paulie: "No shoes, no shirt, nose service." (Laughs). "Learn it. Live it. Love it." Yes. God, I love it. Fast Times at Ridgemont High, man. That's such a great, great, you know, that movie—I'm sorry, the music from that part, obviously the part where Phoebe Cates is at the pool, and, uh, you know, the famous scene where everyone would, I think, probably rewound a lot of that video back and forth. Um, you know, when they were returning them back to Blockbuster, that scene of the video was definitely—it was definitely messed up. 

Lou: Worn out. 

Paulie: Yeah, worn out. Yeah, that's a good word for it technically. But that's such a great song. Oh, yeah, we do love that movie. We love Spicoli. 

Lou: Yes, we do. 

So, how's that, for number four, the Cars?

Paulie: Okay, so I was, uh, Cars was— I wondering if that was going to make it. That was one of them. And obviously it did, so very nicely done. 

Lou: Okay, so here we go. The next one, once again, 1978.

Paulie: Oh, my God, the Police. 

Lou: The Police – Outlandos d'Amour. 

Paulie: And, you know, that, that song right there is probably my favorite song off that album. And I— And there's a, and there's a few other ones on there, trust me, but that is my favorite one.

Lou: That's, you know, that's a good call because that was their first hit off of that album. They tried "Roxanne" initially, and it didn't catch right away. 

Paulie: It just as that, like, that kind of that reggae, funk, ska, punk, you know, that whole sound. And just, it's a good... And for the time that it came out, that's a great, great, you know, sound that they went with. And obviously we've talked about this before, how Stewart Copeland, on drums, he, he did things that I was like, What? How can you do that? You know, he had these different drum beats. And he was—

Lou: Yeah, and the syncopation. Everything was just— The accents he added were just amazing.

Paulie: Yeah, just crazy, crazy. Then obviously with Sting, you know, on, on vocals, and, uh, you know... And, and Sting's real name, obviously, we know is Gordon Sumner.

Lou: Yes

Paulie: And do you know how he got his name String? 

Lou: Why don't you tell us?

Paulie: Okay, so before he joined the Police, he would—I guess in his previous band that he sang in—um, he would wear, like, this kind of black and yellow, uh, thing. And they would call him—like, he looked like a bumblebee. 

Lou: Oh...

Paulie: And so, he got the name Sting from that and went with it. Isn't that great?

Lou: That's a good, good tidbit. 

Paulie: That's a little morsel for you. 

Lou: Yes, I love it (laughs) 

Paulie: Why don't you tell us some of the other tracks that were on that album, though?

Lou: "Next to You," "So Lonely," "Roxanne," "Hole in My Life," 

Paulie: Oh my god...

Lou: "Can't Stand Losing You," "Truth Hits Everybody," which is a great song. 

Paulie: Great song, yeah. 

Lou: Yeah, I mean, so... and then, you know, some other ones, but, I mean, those were all really strong songs. 

Paulie: Well, you know, you got me into the Police. You know, listening— You listening to them, I got really into it. But you were a big part of, of... What you listened to, I listened to, you know, as a kid. So, um, you know, being a few years apart... So Police was, I mean, just...  And when Synchronicity came out, that was like, Oh my God, it was my favorite album. You know?

Um, you know, but I listened to all of the, all of the Police stuff. And even Sting's solo stuff, you know, was a great stuff as well. So, thank you for bringing me into the Police, man, because they are, they are awesome. 

Lou: You're very welcome.  

Paulie: Yeah. Speaking of which, I've also dealt with the police on a personal level. So how about that?

Lou: (Laughs)Ah, that's good. 

All right, and then the final album that came out in 1978. Like I said, what a year for music, when you— 

Paulie: And I know what this is, so—

Lou: You know. Of course, you know.

Paulie: I know. Of course, yeah. This is big for us. 

Lou: Absolutely.

Paulie: Van Heflin (laughs). Well, everyone knows how we feel about Van Halen, man. I mean, that's, that's our, that's our man. You know, Eddie, Eddie, rest in peace, my friend. We miss you so much. Um, it's so sad to know that we're never going to be able to hear nything new from him or anything. 

Lou: Oh, I know. It's hard. 

Paulie: You know, it just sucks so much. It's terrible to think that, but... He has left us a lot of, a lot of great music to listen to, so, um...  That's, that's a great— Oh my god, that's a great album. 

Lou: Itreally is. You know, and, um, I don't know if you knew this or not, but originally Van Halen, um, they were tied to Gene Simmons. Gene Simmons saw them, was trying to get them signed. So, they put out this demo, and it really didn't catch on. And so, Gene went back to touring with Kiss, and then the guys were, you know, were playing in, um, you know, these local concerts in Pasadena, and then they got discovered, and, uh, and then it took off from there.

So, I didn't realize that, uh, Gene had a real connection to Van Halen in that way. But, um, you know—

Paulie: So,I did know a little bit about that. Um, I... because I saw a documentary. I watched a documentary somewhere, and I don't remember which one it was, but they did do the mentioning. Gene talked quite a bit, um, about how, uh, the impact of Van Halen with him and so forth. So, um, I did know a little bit about it, um, which is really kind of cool.

And, um, and people that do— If you listen, if you love Van Halen, go out and watch those documentaries of how they got together. And some of that stuff is so great. Um, you know, how, how they all formed and became the band that they are. You know, I mean, just the legends that they are, for sure. 

Lou: Yeah. Um, you know, when they— Their first tour, they opened for Journey. 

Paulie: Wow! 

Lou: And later in that, um, they went to Europe and opened for Black Sabbath. So what a great way to start, huh? 

Paulie: Jeez, that's pretty impressive I would say, huh?

Lou: Uh, so this album, obviously "Runnin' with the Devil," and, of course, the great instrumental "Eruption," which then goes into "You Really Got Me." "Ain't Talkin' 'bout Love." "I'm the One" is a great song. "Jamie's Cryin'," "Atomic Punk," "Feel Your Love Tonight," "Ice Cream Man," "On Fire." You know, the album's strong top to bottom. 

Paulie: Yeah, I don't think, uh, I don't think there's a bad song on there.  

Lou: No. No, they're all good. 

Paulie: Yeah, just... That's a great, great— I'm going to have go back and listen to that album. I think I'm going to listen to it tonight. How about that?

Lou: All right, I like that. 

Paulie: (Laughs)

Lou: Um, okay, which brings us to the number one debut album. Came out in 1976. I know you know it. We love this band. And, um, we've told— We've had stories about this band.

Paulie: We got to see this band!

Lou: We've seen this band.

Paulie: Yes, we have, together!

Lou: I've seen them many times as well, with and without you, and um—

Paulie: That was U2, sorry. 

Lou: Yes, I had a feeling you were going to go there when I said that (laughs).

Paulie: It is not Bono, sorry. 

Lou: So, uh, we love the way they open up their show. So, let's, uh, let's do it. 

Paulie: Oh, yeah! Boston, baby, Boston! 

Lou: Suchan amazing album, and really because—not only were they just great songs—the sound of that album! You put on headphones, and you listen to the way that that album was recorded and engineered and played. It is just one of the greatest albums of all time. 

Paulie: I agree. And I think, I think it's safe to put it at that number one. I really do. I mean, I, you know, and granted, this is another album— I know you'll tell us the songs on there. And there's so many, so many great songs on that album. But, I mean, you look at some of the other bands that you've talked about. You know, you talked about, you know, Van Halen, which, obviously, that whole album is just a killer album. And a few other ones that we've talked about. 

But the— Man, I don't know what it is about Boston, man. It's just, you know, it's just their songs and their music, they really— They just get into you, and they take over you. It's insane. I can't even explain it. 

But, uh, going to that concert with you. And we went to see Boston in New Jersey at the Meadowlands. That was an amazing concert, man! We almost didn't go, you know, and we talked about this at an older episode when we talked about our concerts that we went to. And that was one of the best concerts ever, man. They just, they rocked that place! It was amazing. It was insane. 

Lou: It did. And we were lucky to, um... Brad Delp was still alive, and we got to see Brad Delp sing. And his voice, just pristine.  

Paulie: And, and people, he sounded exactly like he does on the album. His voice was insane. It is amazing. God bless and rest in peace, Brad.

Lou: Yes. So, Boston, um. You know it's amazing, Boston is really about Tom Scholz. It really is. It's Tom Scholz and Brad Delp, because you hear the guitars, you hear the, um, you know, and, of course, his great vocals. But Tom Schultz, you know, he's an MIT— He's got a master's from MIT. Smart as hell. And he's a guy that recorded the album in his basement. 

And he, you know, even when he was signed, he refused to record this stuff. The record label—um, I think it was, uh, Epic Records—they, um, they want him to record it in their studios out in LA. And Tom was a control guy. And so he hired somebody to essentially fake record it in LA while he was really recording the real album in his basement.

Paulie: (Laughs)That's awesome!

Lou: It's such a great story. And, um, you know, you just, you hear all the, you know, everything he went through to get it done. And he's a guy who just takes a lot of time, a lot of care in just producing this Boston sound. And it's about these just crazy guitar sounds and great synth, you know, synth keyboards, and, uh, and, of course, those searing vocals.

So, uh, love Boston, um, and, uh... This album's got "More Than a Feeling," "Peace of Mind, the "Foreplay/Long Time," you know, combination. Of course, "Rock & Roll Band," "Smokin'," which is a great song. "Hitch a Ride" is a great song. "Something About You," which is one of my favorites, and "Let Me Take You Home Tonight." There's not a bad song on that album.

Paulie: No, that's pretty, pretty solid. Yeah, pretty solid. I mean, you know, um... What was it? Uh... "Foreplay" on... I remember, um, Rock Band was big on PlayStation. That was one of the songs on there. And, uh... Oh, I remember just jamming out to that on my guitar and playing, you know, playing "Foreplay" on the PS3, I believe it was. You know, the Rock Band stuff, that was good stuff. 

And, um, just amazing, amazing songs, man. God, the guitars are just so key, though. You're so right. You know, it kind of, it kind of reminds me of, a little bit of, kind of how the Night Rangers guitarists. But, you know, how they—that was that guitar sound when they would go back and forth with their stuff.

And, you know, I mean, just... I don't know, it just— I love that. I love that stuff, though. I love that, that, um, those back-and-forth guitars. You got different guitar players playing. They're taking over stuff and doing things. And, uh, the vocals. I mean, obviously those vocals are insane. Just sick. 

Lou: Yeah, it's, um... It used to be the, uh— It was the number one debut album of all time for a, for a long period of time. And I forget who it took it over, but—I think The Bodyguard soundtrack or something—but, um... And then after that, I don't know what's taken that over, but, um... Yeah, just an amazing group, amazing album.

And, uh, you know— Though, they've put out other things, you know, that really probably is— They led out with their best, and, um, nothing, nothing lived up to it after that.

Paulie: Yeah, well, what, Third Stage wasn't bad. 

Lou: Third Stage wasn't bad. Don't Look Back was kind of disappointing of an album, but—

Paulie: A little bit, yeah. But Third Stage, I think, was probably their next best one after, after that debut, I think. Uh, Don't Look Back was a little bit of a disappointment. I think you're right. Um, I think— But you know, when you're coming off of such a, such a monster album, it's hard to, you know, it's hard to recreate that again and do that. 

So, you know... And people thinking, Oh, you're musicians. They could do that. It's not that easy all the time. I mean, look at Marillion, everyone. That's a biggest clue right there. They come out with "Carrie," and that was it. Or "Kayleigh," whatever it was. I don't know. I can't even remember the song. That's how bad it was. 

Lou: Yes, "Kayleigh." Yes. You know, it's funny, Marillion had an album— Their debut album was in the seventies. And one, one publication actually had that as one of the best albums of all time. 

Paulie: Are you serious?

Lou: Yeah. Yeah. I mean, that was pre, you know, "Kayleigh." But oh my gosh! Really, Marillion? Okay. 

Paulie: God, way to go, Fish. Jeez, that's terrible. 

Lou: Yeah 

Paulie: You're going to put Marillion in the same, in the same group with these name that you just talked about? Not even close. Not even close. Yeah, so funny. 

Lou: So, uh, so there we go. 

Paulie: That's a good list, man.

Lou: I think it's a really good list. Yeah. Anything there that you thought was, you know, maybe not quite up to par or...?

Paulie: No, I don't think so. You know, I was kind of surprised a little bit by Steely Dan in there a little bit. I thought that was kind of interesting, but good, I mean, good, good choice. Bad Company, great choice. Um, I mean, I think everything you, uh, you called out there today was really good. Good stuff. Yeah, I'm with you. 

Lou: I think that top 10 is pretty darn solid, too.  

Paulie: Oh, that is real solid, yeah. Real solid. Top three, top four, are very solid. 

Lou: Yeah, that top four is really sick. 

Paulie: Just make a playlist on iTunes with those bands, and you're set. Holy crap. 

Lou: Yeah, absolutely.   

Paulie: Good stuff. I like it.  

Lou: Well, great. 

Paulie: I like it. Good list. Yeah. I think that's a fun, uh... That was a fun episode. I like doing these episodes when we do stuff like this, when we're doing, you know—

Lou: I do, too.  

Paulie: —we're talking about music because, you know, obviously music is so important to both of us. You know, we— It's such an impact on our lives, from the seventies, eighties, and nineties, and today. It's still to this day, where it's still impacting us. So, um, I like the idea of doing the grunge thing. That would be fun. 

Lou: And I would love to do something that you're really, really into. I could see you doing some hip hop, some dance, you know, house music, whatever. It'd be fun to—

Paulie: What about, like, a nineties rap one?

Lou: Yeah. Yeah. 

Paulie: You know, we're talking about Biggie and Tupac and Dr. Dre, and all that good stuff. That would be a fun one to do, wouldn’t it?

Lou: I tell you, I work with a lot of people that are, um, a little bit younger than I am. So, they were really into the nineties hip hop, you know, scene. And so, if we were to do that, they, yeah, they would be just all over it. 

Paulie: Well, you know, and now, you know, with our station that we have, our, on Live363, our Back in Time Brothers Radio. We're going to be putting together a nineties hip hop show, so that's going to be kind of fun to do. 

Lou: Yeah, I can't waitto, um, to start doing that. And, folks, we'd love for you guys to over, go to Live365.com, and you can download the app there, and, uh, and then search us out: Back in Time Brothers Radio. Um, and then we also have, uh, have it on our homepage.

And, uh, I think I'm going to probably redo the website so that we have a full dedicated radio page.

Paulie: That'd be good, yeah. And then we could scheduling. We could put schedules of our shows. I think would be a great idea for people to know what's coming up, because I know we're going to be doing like a seventies, like a classic rock show. We're going to be doing some eighties stuff, nineties rap. And then we're also going to be doing—which, uh, kind of my forte a little bit—on the weekend, in the evenings, we're going to be doing like a mix show of playing seventies, eighties, and nineties stuff.

So, I'm looking forward to it. And I got a lot of DJs that I've worked with in the past that are going to be part of the show and do some mixes for us as well. So that's going to be a lot of fun. I'm looking forward to that. 

Lou: Yeah,absolutely. Really, really happy that this could kind of come together. And look forward to getting these shows out, and hopefully we'll get a good response. 

Paulie: I think so. I'm looking forward to it as well. And, um, you know, and our, and also our, our shows are going to be on the radio station. So we'll be playing, um, you know, blocks of our shows at different hours, probably in the mornings. There might be something we talked about. 

So, um, you know, and you can also listen to our, of course, our episodes on iTunes and Spotify and Buzzsprout and, God, everything else that we're on. We're on so many different platforms. And, and we thank you guys for all the downloads and all the listens. And just keep that going. And we just want to be able to give you good content, stuff you can listen to and enjoy. So, I think that's what we're trying to do, so...

Lou: Yeah, I mean,if, you know, if it just conjures up a great memory for you, or, you know, or whatever, i's, um, it's nice to know that we did that for you, because that's what we're doing. We're just kind of reliving, uh, you know, sharing some of our old stories and memories that we had.

Paulie: Yeah, you're right. That's what we're doing.

Lou: Yep. 

Paulie: Yep. Yep. That's what we do!  

Lou: (Laughs)

Paulie: That's what we do. Or... well... is it, though? I mean... you know... who knows? I don't know, so... 

Lou: Haven't had one of those in a while, yeah. 

Paulie: Yeah, well, I haven't had a reason to. We've had, uh, we've had some really good shows, so just moving forward with it, you know? And Mama Bird hasn't been on. So there you go! That helps everything. 

Lou:  Well, very good, brother. 

Paulie: Yeah. So, let's wrap it up, guys. Um, a great show, Lou, great list. Thank you so much for bringing it out to us. Um, we're going to wrap things up today. This is going to conclude another episode of Back in Time Brothers Show. I am DJ Paulie, and I got my brother Lou, and we are out of here. Thank you, guys. And have a great one.

Lou:  See you guys!

 [AL1]I'm not sure what you're saying here. What doesn't fly?

 [AL2]I have no idea what Paul is saying here. 

 [AL3]This is technically the name of the album, but I'm not sure if you want me to write that up. 

 [AL4]I'm not sure if he's actually saying "Benatar" here or just making a joke.