Face the Music: An Electric Light Orchestra Song-By-Song Podcast (And Other Shows)

Aerosmith, in the mid-1970s, was hated by critics and loved by their loyal fans, the Blue Army. They were one of the biggest hard rock acts of the time, selling millions of records and having back-to-back platinum albums with Toys in the Attic and Rocks. Unfortunately, not only was success going to their heads, but plenty of other things were going into their veins and up their noses. As a result, Draw the Line would be a laborious recording process, and almost the end of the band.  Background music: "Organ" by Eric Fourman

The top 40 songs for December 1, 1958

A 2013 Christmas message from The Eric Paul Johnson Radiotrola Program. The names have changed, but the sentiment is the same.(Just to give you a heads up, there are some very unChristmas words in this.)

It's a cornucopia of guest stars. Eric's young cousins, and The Mike & Eric & Kim & Tammy in the Morning Without Tammy Show, plus many other goodies.

Abbott & Costello have a dinner party. November 25, 1943

It's the closest we're gonna get to Thanksgiving songs.

Accept was one of the most popular heavy metal bands in Europe, and in fact the world, and they remain so today. There is one major exception: the United States. Balls to the Wall went Gold in the U.S., and with Accept pursuing a decidedly more commercial sound, 1985's Metal Heart should have pushed them over the top. Instead, despite being one of the band's favorite albums, it pushed them toward their initial breakup.

The top 40 hits for November 24, 1958.

Bevan transports a rhino on a Turkish tram. Whatever that means. Donate to the podcast through Patreon... https://www.patreon.com/ELOPodOr PayPal eloftmpodcast@gmail.com P.O. Box 1932Superior, AZ85173.

It's a best of Radiotrola Thanksgiving episode!

Tom Turkey is no match against Sam Spade.November 24, 1950

The Christmas gift nobody wants.

The first #1 record on Billboard's first sales chart.

After weathering the death of lead vocalist Bon Scott and releasing one of the biggest selling albums at all time, AC/DC were at the top of their career. So, what came next? Like what you hear? Donate to my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/ericwincentsen Background Music: "Organ" by Eric Fourman

The top 40 songs for November 17, 1958.

We're looking on to the third Move album, and the first album with new member Jeff Lynne. Donate to the podcast through Patreon... https://www.patreon.com/ELOPodOr PayPal eloftmpodcast@gmail.com P.O. Box 1932Superior, AZ85173.

Mike & Eric finish up at KZZP, and move on to KDDX.

Fibber McGee & Molly go on a search for the best Thanksgiving Turkey.November 24, 1955Plus, Falstaff's Fables explains why we have turkey on Thanksgiving delivered in rhyme.

We cover four versions of the Christmas tune by very avant garde group The Residents.

Randy Newman's song was everywhere!Well...almost everywhere.

It took a while for Pink Floyd to regain their focus but, when they did, it eventually resulted in the 1973 album The Dark Side of the Moon. One of the most popular and well-known albums in the world, it shot the band to a level of stardom they previously failed to achieve. After a long tour, a long recording session and Roger Waters coming more to the forefront of the band, Wish You Were Here was released in 1975. Partially a tribute to Syd Barrett, partially a warning about the music industry, it gives their previous album quite a challenge for the best in the group's catalog.

The top 40 songs for November 10, 1958.

Lightning strikes twice with the same song. Donate to the podcast through Patreon... https://www.patreon.com/ELOPodOr PayPal eloftmpodcast@gmail.com P.O. Box 1932Superior, AZ85173.

The last few bits from The Jock-A-Thon, plus segments from December 28, 1982.

Groucho Marx brings the main course to the Thanksgiving dinner at Dinah Shore's home. November 22, 1945

Is there a more holly jollier Christmas story than killing 80 people in a bus accident?

ELO and Olivia Newton-John together and apart.

The three-piece version of Genesis became increasingly popular from 1978 onward, with 1986's Invisible Touch being their biggest yet. Phil Collins managed a successful solo career starting in 1981 and was popular enough that Mike Rutherford and Tony Banks expected him to leave. However, he came back for one more album, We Can't Dance, in 1991. It again spawned a number of hits, but also was their longest since The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway.

The top 40 hits for November 3, 1958.

Jeff Lynne joins The Move!!! Donate to the podcast through Patreon... https://www.patreon.com/ELOPodOr PayPal eloftmpodcast@gmail.com P.O. Box 1932Superior, AZ85173.

Another Solve a Crime, and a call to The Man Called Bear: Hero at Large!

Word is Orson timed the Martian invasion to happen when people tuned away from Charlie McCarthy & Edgar Bergen's #1 radio show. This recreates that using the shows from October 30, 1938.

I know tomorrow is Halloween, but next week we start running episodes of Christmas Carol Catastrophes from last year in buildup to the start of NEW episodes of the series on December 4th.

There are other Halloween songs besides "Monster Mash."

After nearly a decade apart, the Mark II version of Deep Purple reformed and made a successful comeback album with Perfect Strangers. It wasn't long before the same tensions that led to lineup changes previously resurfaced and, between a long tour behind the album and slow-going coming up with new ideas, it was three years before The House of Blue Light was released. The album was a blatant attempt to sound like the bands they had influenced.

The top 40 songs for October 27, 1958.

The last thing on the Shazam album.Donate to the podcast through Patreon... https://www.patreon.com/ELOPodOr PayPal eloftmpodcast@gmail.com P.O. Box 1932Superior, AZ85173.

It's the birth of Mike & Eric classics "Solve a Crime," and "Dueling Abbys."

A wacky radio DJ spends a night in a haunted house with his tape recorder. June 23, 1949

It's a longer, looonnnnnngerrrr winding road in this expanded episode. (Song Facts music, "Sunday Morning" by Nicolai Heidlas from Hooksounds.)

George Burns battles it out with Journey, Blondie, and Gary Numan for chart dominance in 1980.

After leaving for two albums Joe Perry returned to Aerosmith for 1985's Done with Mirrors, which also saw the band moving to Geffen Records. The band was clean and sober, but the album didn't click with the public. In order to change that Bruce Fairbairn, the producer behind Bon Jovi's Slippery When Wet, was brought in, as well as an army of writers to make Permanent Vacation in 1987. The pattern was repeated with Pump in 1989, which solidified the band's comeback, and on Get a Grip from 1991. The latter became the band's best selling album, but was filled with even busier production, more guests and more outside writers. For better or worse it solidified the direction Aerosmith would take for the rest of their career. Donate to the podcast through Patreon... https://www.patreon.com/ericwincentsen P.O. Box 1932Superior, AZ85173.

The top 40 hits for October 20, 1958.

Carl asks you not to turn his baby into a Smurf. Donate to the podcast through Patreon... https://www.patreon.com/ELOPodOr PayPal eloftmpodcast@gmail.com P.O. Box 1932Superior, AZ85173.

A featurette explaining the process of remastering the old Mike & Eric tapes. Plus, the Mike & Eric story moves on as they start their own radio station.

A trio of women are stalked by a killer tombstone. October 22, 1971

Songbird sings longer with Eniac. (Song Facts music, "Sunday Morning" by Nicolai Heidlas from Hooksounds.)

This song spent the most weeks in the Hot 100 without ever getting into the top 40.

The B-52's suffered a major tragedy with the death of guitarist Ricky Wilson and, though they managed to get 1986's Bouncing Off the Satellites put together and released, it appeared that may be their final album.In 1989, however, they came back in a big way with Cosmic Thing and the hit "Love Shack". Cindy Wilson left to focus on her family in 1990 and, tired, with one member down and under pressure to replicate the success of "Love Shack", the B-52's went into the studio and recorded 1991's Good Stuff.

The top 40 hits for October 13, 1958.

People are like plants. Bury them in the ground, and see if they work their way up through the dirt. Donate to the podcast through Patreon... https://www.patreon.com/ELOPodOr PayPal eloftmpodcast@gmail.com P.O. Box 1932Superior, AZ85173.

Mike & Eric do their first official show.

A talking doll drives a man to kill! August 4, 1950

It's an extended encore. (Song Facts music, "Sunday Morning" by Nicolai Heidlas from Hooksounds.) PayPal...eloftmpodcast@gmail.com Eric Wincentsen PO Box 28490 Tempe, AZ 85285

The song that would not die!

Molly Harvey became both a recognizable voice for the Residents beginning with 1999's Wormwood and the ensuing tour, singing lead on many songs from 2002's Demons Dance Alone.  Her influence and vocals are still heavily felt on her last album with the band, Animal Lover, from 2005, which is often considered one of the best of the latter-day Residents recordings.

The top 40 hits for October 6, 1958.

Cherry Blossom Clinic....the place so nice, you'll wanna visit twice!(CORRECTION: It's Carl Wayne, not Bevan.) Donate to the podcast through Patreon... https://www.patreon.com/ELOPodOr PayPal eloftmpodcast@gmail.com P.O. Box 1932Superior, AZ85173.

Who the hell are Mike & Eric? This will answer those questions.

A little something to add to the spookiness of your Halloween.A group of friends walk through a forest of killer trees made out of HUMAN FLESH! December 5, 1941

More goin' out in this expanded episode. (Song Facts music, "Sunday Morning" by Nicolai Heidlas from Hooksounds.) Cover art by Tracer Anthony.Donate to the podcast through Patreon. Patreon...https://www.patreon.com/ELOPod PayPal...eloftmpodcast@gmail.comEric WincentsenPO Box 28490Tempe, AZ 85285

Do you remember what you were listening to in the summer of 1890?

There was a three-year gap between Heartbeat City and Door to Door, and in the 1980s that might as well have been an eternity. Though the hits from the former still got played on the radio, the sound was now considered dated and the band itself was more interested in pursuing their solo careers. Still, they made one last album before calling it quits for the next 24 years.  Donate to the podcast through Patreon... https://www.patreon.com/ericwincentsen P.O. Box 1932Superior, AZ85173.

The Top 40 hits for September 29, 1958.

A short one for a short song. Donate to the podcast through Patreon... https://www.patreon.com/ELOPodOr PayPal eloftmpodcast@gmail.com P.O. Box 1932Superior, AZ85173.

More sci, less fi in this expanded episode. Cover art by Tracer Anthony.

What song spent the most week on Billboard's Hot 100 in 1983. It's not who you think.

After the success of 1977's Song from the Wood, Ian Anderson decided to do another song based on English country traditions. However, with Heavy Horses, he left the fantasy and nostalgia behind for a look at the more realistic side of rural England. It doesn't have as many great songs as its predecessor, but it is a worthwhile companion.

The top 40 songs for September 22, 1958.

The Move tries to get Susie's attention without being naked. Donate to the podcast through Patreon... https://www.patreon.com/ELOPodOr PayPal eloftmpodcast@gmail.com P.O. Box 1932Superior, AZ85173.

Let it run one more time for one more longer time! (Song Facts music, "Sunday Morning" by Nicolai Heidlas from Hooksounds.)Donate to the podcast through Patreon. Expanded Episodes for 2 bucks a throw only at Patreon.Cover art by Tracer Anthony PO Box 28490Tempe, AZ 85285

The first song by The Beatles to hit the Billboard charts in America!No, it's not that one.

After the success of Trash, Alice Cooper continued his comeback with 1991's Hey Stoopid. Although it didn't sell as well, it continued to produce songs that received airplay on Hard Rock stations and videos that got attention on MTV. Featuring guests such as Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Nikki Sixx, and Elvira, the album is overproduced but still managed to give us a number of Cooper classics.

The top 40 songs for September 15, 1958.

The message here...do drugs, slack off, get a song written about you by Jeff Lynne. Donate to the podcast through Patreon... https://www.patreon.com/ELOPodOr PayPal eloftmpodcast@gmail.com P.O. Box 1932Superior, AZ85173.

More losing in this expanded episode. (Song Facts music, "Sunday Morning" by Nicolai Heidlas from Hooksounds.)Cover art by Tracer Anthony.

Eric Paul Johnson unleashes his take on the September 6, 2024 ELO concert.(WARNING: There are spoilers!)

It's Eric Wincentsen's own podcast!After the success of the 1983 Yes comeback album 90125 guitarist Trevor Rabin found himself under pressure to come up with another hit single.  He also found himself trying to hold the band together as well as make something decent out of the recording sessions for their next album Big Generator.  The album was released in 1987 and, though successful, still remains controversial among fans of the group.

The top 40 songs for September 8, 1958.

Dewey Hopper knew more in his weather forecasts than he let on about. Donate to the podcast through Patreon... https://www.patreon.com/ELOPodOr PayPal eloftmpodcast@gmail.com P.O. Box 1932Superior, AZ85173.

More of the same, only more of it. (Song Facts music, "Sunday Morning" by Nicolai Heidlas from Hooksounds.)Donate to the podcast through Patreon. Expanded Episodes for 2 bucks a throw only at Patreon.Cover art by Tracer Anthony.

The top 40 hits for September 1, 1958

The top 40 songs from August 25, 1958

The top 40 songs from August 18, 1958.

The top 40 songs from August 11, 1958.

The top 40 songs from Billboard's first Hot 100 chart.

There are gonna be a few changes at our Podbean port. Donate to the podcast through Patreon... https://www.patreon.com/ELOPodOr PayPal eloftmpodcast@gmail.com P.O. Box 1932Superior, AZ85173.

It's episode 13 of Eric Wincentsen's own podcast What Came Next...

Hear what Madelyne thinks of an ELO song for the last time in the season finale of What does Madelyne Think?. Who lives? Who dies? Who gets promoted? Who gets revenge? Donate to the podcast through Patreon... https://www.patreon.com/ELOPodOr PayPal eloftmpodcast@gmail.com P.O. Box 1932Superior, AZ85173.

More all for "All My Love." (Song Facts music, "Sunday Morning" by Nicolai Heidlas from Hooksounds.)Cover art by Tracer Anthony.

What does a 12 year-old girl think about a boy? Donate to the podcast through Patreon... https://www.patreon.com/ELOPodOr PayPal eloftmpodcast@gmail.com P.O. Box 1932Superior, AZ85173.

Extra helpings in this expanded episode. (Song Facts music, "Sunday Morning" by Nicolai Heidlas from Hooksounds.)Donate to the podcast through Patreon.Cover art by Tracer Anthony.

How many times has the podcast covered "Time After Time?" Would it be time after time after time. Donate to the podcast through Patreon... https://www.patreon.com/ELOPodOr PayPal eloftmpodcast@gmail.com P.O. Box 1932Superior, AZ85173.

There's more nowhere to go around. (Song Facts music, "Sunday Morning" by Nicolai Heidlas from Hooksounds.)

Will Madelyne walk away from "Don't Walk Away"? Donate to the podcast through Patreon... https://www.patreon.com/ELOPodOr PayPal eloftmpodcast@gmail.com P.O. Box 1932Superior, AZ85173.

It's the 10-minute guitar solo version of this episode. (Song Facts music, "Sunday Morning" by Nicolai Heidlas from Hooksounds.)Donate to the podcast through Patreon.

Madelyne tries to torture Eric into crying mama. Donate to the podcast through Patreon... https://www.patreon.com/ELOPodOr PayPal eloftmpodcast@gmail.com P.O. Box 1932Superior, AZ85173.

A bigger mind for Jeff Lynne to be on. (Song Facts music, "Sunday Morning" by Nicolai Heidlas from Hooksounds.)Cover art by Tracer Anthony.