61. 'Hackney Diamonds' - The Rolling Stones (2023)

'Rock Ain't For Keeping'

The Who cemented themselves as one of the most iconic and important Hard Rock bands with their 5th album, ‘Who’s Next’. We explore the groundbreaking sounds, innovative techniques, and timeless themes that make this album a cornerstone of rock music.

Bringing a host of progressive and innovative features to the forefront - such as the use of synthesisers and electronic effects, continuity of conceptual themes/lyrics, dynamic songwriting - all mixed with raw Hard Rock energy proved that The Who were the best in class at the beginning of the 70s, leading from the front in the development and progression of Hard Rock!

Episode Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3Rj6T45qnQRRoVqasCqeZc?si=4c13c3098c924538

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‘The Freedom Of Music’

Rush’s 7th studio album, ‘Permanent Waves’, marked a departure from their earlier sound and embraced a more diverse musical palette. Incorporating synthesisers more heavily and refining songs into simpler structures with a more radio friendly accessibility, Rush changed their own trajectory and gained many new fans/plaudits from this release.

Whether you’re a die-hard Rush fan or discovering ‘Permanent Waves’ for the first time, join us as we dive into Rush’s most successful album (up to that point) and explore the fine balance achieved between Progressiveness and Accessibility coupled with Peart’s traditional lyrics commenting on society and freewill.

Episode Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4CTo9bgiankLVXVWLANSTW?si=bb539147f1b94ef8

Rush Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5HiEOSJmuI

Rush Interview 2: https://youtu.be/i1H_vxrb4b0?si=ExMxAZXnMyRsU3KU

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Episode 64 - ‘Praise For Absolution’

Muse’s third album, ‘Absolution’, presents us with everything that worked for ‘Origin Of Symmetry’, but elevated to the next level!

The genius of Matt Bellamy, Dominic Howard and Chris Wolstenholme is on display as electronic soundscapes, symphonic elements and classically inspired passages are combined with Hard Rock to give us this innovative record that didn’t necessarily introduce new musical concepts, but helped redefine the possibilities within Alternative Rock.

Join us as we reflect on the legacy of ‘Absolution’ and its impact on Muse's career and how they established and implemented a signature sound whilst combining so many musical elements!

Episode Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/album/2Eq6RyxCm7qEAF2YLOxa4s?si=K6G80QOhTSyzVe-aEo5siA

Making Of ‘Absolution’ Documentary: https://youtu.be/MzIhYH9ZGLE?si=Z-pBRP4gJpxHEKx3

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Are Holograms and Avatars the future of live music? 

Last year, KISS announced that they would “live on eternally” through their brand new avatars who would take over the roles of KISS from their human counterparts and opened up a world of touring and viewing options for them. ABBA successfully executed the Voyage tour - using 160 cameras to capture facial expressions and body movements to simulate a real show. Meanwhile Dio, Tupac and Zappa’s deaths did not stop them from touring- as their holograms were tested with real live bands backing them to, again, try to simulate a real show.

In this episode, we debate and discuss in great depth the pros and cons of all of the experiments listed above, try to ascertain whether or not this tarnishes or furthers a legacy and ask ourselves: Would we go to a virtual gig?

Viewing Material:

• Frank Zappa Hologram: Frank Zappa - Zappa Band Hologram Tour - Dirty Love - Scottish Rite Auditorium May 02 2019
• Dio Hologram: Ronnie James Dio Hologram Rocks Pollstar Awards
• Tupac Hologram: Tupac Hologram Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre Perform Coachella Live 2012
• ABBA Voyage: ABBA Voyage: The Journey Is About To Begin
• KISS Avatar Announcement: Kiss Avatar announcement - NYC final show
• Gorillaz - Clint Eastwood Live: Gorillaz - Clint Eastwood (Live BRITs Performance)

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‘You Can Hear The Hats & The Beards!’

ZZ Top’s US breakthrough came in 1973 - in the form of the short, but sweet ‘Tres Hombres’!

Tastefully and seamlessly combining Rock, Blues, Soul and Boogie, ZZ Top carried the torch for the traditional Blues/Soul efforts, but fused it with the 70s Hard Rock of the time, whilst also paving the way for many future Rock bands to adopt this multi-genre approach.

A simple album in sound and feel, yet a substantial and important effort from the famed Texans. Laz & Felipe look into this album!

Episode Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7xfBcoOI63BPa8AgBzTU38?si=ac508ae430154470

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‘Sweet Sounds Of Stones’

Dubbed as their best work in decades, The Rolling Stones are back with a brand new album!

‘Hackney Diamonds’ is their 24th (UK) studio album and is their first original work since 2005’s ‘A Bigger Bang’.

Receiving great critical praise and enjoyed by the fans, Laz & Felipe ask: how did The Rolling Stones create another brilliant album so deep into their career?

Episode Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0pzCCtCpHnfUafRkWInTye?si=040fcb1b8647466a

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‘Rock’s Run Riot’

Following Rick Allen’s loss of his left arm after a car accident, Def Leppard’s follow up to their momentous ‘Pyromania’ was a long process. Beginning in 1984 and ending in 1987, ‘Hysteria’ took 3 years and several producers to complete!

The band set out to make a Rock version of Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ - hoping every song could be a hit single. This goal came to fruition when Leppard released SEVEN of the twelve tracks from the album over an 18 month period and, subsequently, sold over 20,000,000 copies - 12,000,000 of which coming from the USA.

Glam Metal or Hard Rock? Hair Metal or Pop Rock? Accessible or selling out? Laz & Felipe analyse and discuss Def Leppard’s best selling album!

• Episode Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2hIX05YTa4qPSMRMhodAOC?si=891f97b825264c25

• Follow the Podcast on Social Media: https://linktr.ee/longlivernrpod
• Get in touch and/or leave us a review: longliverocknrollpodcast@gmail.com
• Podcast Music: "Bring The Pain"
• Music provided by https://Slip.stream Free Download/Stream: https://get.slip.stream/2njAKT
• Podcast Art by Ross Davidson (@ross_feelshame)

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Episode 59: Understanding Eddie Van Halen - Interview with Steven Rosen

In the newest episode we have the absolute pleasure of chatting with and interviewing Steven Rosen - a renowned rock journalist who has finally released his long-awaited book about the friendship he shared with the late great guitar player Edward Van Halen.

Steve has previously authored seven other books including biographies on Jeff Beck, Free/Bad Company, Black Sabbath and Randy Rhoads, and writes about what it was like being friends with one of the most iconic guitar players in the world - with whom he shared many hours at his Hollywood home, his 5150 studio, on aeroplanes, in cars - and even jamming on several occasions with Van Halen!

Steve was authorised to write Edward’s biography back in 1985 but due to several delays by Eddie, followed by his illness and then a disagreement with Rosen, the book never came to light. In order to tell the story accurately, Steven pored over hours of interviews and peered deep inside distant memories to create a book unlike any other out there.

Laz & Felipe are delighted to have Steven on the show and to talk about all things Eddie Van Halen!

‘Tonechaser – Understanding Edward: My 26-Year Journey with Edward Van Halen’ by Steve Rosen is out now and available for purchase here: TONECHASER BOOK  (tonechaserbook.com)- a must have for any Van Halen, Guitar or Rock fan this Christmas! 

‘Now And Then, We Miss You’

60 years after forming the most iconic band the world has ever seen, The Beatles are back (we still can’t believe we’ve typed this sentence!) with a brand new song and their last ever new single.

Using John Lennon’s voice from a 70s demo, George Harrison’s guitar work from a 90s session and new Drum and Bass tracks recorded by Ringo and Paul in 2023, the Fab Four have continued their legacy as innovators and pioneers by using new AI technology to extract audio and splice these different tracks together to create a brand new song!

In an emotionally charged episode, Laz & Felipe discuss, in detail, the last ever new Beatles song.

Before you listen to the episode, we encourage you to watch the short documentary documenting the making of the song and the music video…

Documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APJAQoSCwuA&ab_channel=TheBeatlesVEVO

Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opxhh9Oh3rg&ab_channel=TheBeatlesVEVO

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‘All I Want To Be (Is At Your Gig)’

In the mid-70s, when the novelty of your favourite rock band releasing a live album was still fresh and exciting, standing out from the rest was Peter Frampton’s ‘Frampton Comes Alive!’!

Boasting a host of fantastic attributes - such as excellent production, fantastic performances and accessible music - this album is one of the best selling live albums of all time - registering a staggering 20,000,000 sales!

Laz & Felipe analyse how and why this album was so successful!

• Episode Playlist: https://spotify.link/WY3Pp4Fl3Db

• Follow the Podcast on Social Media: https://linktr.ee/longlivernrpod
• Get in touch and/or leave us a review: longliverocknrollpodcast@gmail.com
• Podcast Music Track: "Bring The Pain" Music provided by https://Slip.stream  Free Download/Stream: https://get.slip.stream/2njAKT
• Podcast Art by Ross Davidson (@ross_feelshame)

LONG LIVE ROCK ‘N’ ROLL