tom petty and the heartbreakers

What the Riff!?! delves once again into the great (and not so great) Christmas songs to add a little cheer as you rock around the Christmas tree this year.

“Carol of the Bells” by Mannheim Steamroller
Mannheim Steamroller covers a Ukrainian carol from 1922.  They highlight a 3 against 2 polyrhythm that is present in the original song, and add a major key change that is not present in the original.  This is off their second Christmas album released in 1988 entitled "A Fresh Aire Christmas."  

“O Come O Come Emanuel” by Bad Religion
This fast-paced rendition takes an 8th century song and puts a punk twist to it.  It is a quick song, like most bad Religion tracks. 

“Yellin' at the Xmas Tree” by Billy Idol
Rocker Billy Idol reminisces about times with his drunk father yelling at the Christmas tree.  "Oh the Christmas bells are ringing and the carolers are singing, but Daddy, he don't hear 'em, he's yellin' at the Christmas tree."

“Space Christmas” by  Shonen Knife
This Japanese punk-pop band was inspired by the girl groups of the 60's and the Ramones.  This sci-fi Christmas track has a "bubblegum pop" sound with a punk edge.  

“Taking Care of Christmas” by Bachman Turner Overdrive
When Rob covered "Bachman Turner Overdrive II" earlier this year we discovered this Christmas remake of their classic single.  It is surprisingly catchy for a song overhauled for Christmas.  Randy Bachman did an all-Christmas album in 2008 including this song.

“Christmas All Over Again” by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
This original song was penned by Tom Petty on a ukulele in 1992.  It was used in the motion picture "Home Alone 2:  Lost in New York," and also appeared in "Jingle All the Way."  Jeff Lynne co-produced the song, played bells, bass, timpani, sang background vocals, and wishes for a Chuck Berry Songbook in the song.

“God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” by the REO Speedwagon
REO Speedwagon keeps the original feel of the carol in their rendition of this classic.  It was released on their 2009 album, "Not So Silent Night...Christmas with REO Speedwagon."  The original English carol dates back to the 1650's.  

“Santa Claus” by The Sonics
This song with a fuzzy guitar appeared on the debut album from The Sonics back in 1965.  The Sonics were a garage band out of Tacoma, Washington in the 60's, and influenced the punk and grunge movement.  They are likely best known for their party song, "Louie, Louie."

“Santa's Messin' with the Kid” by Eddie C. Campbell
Blues guitarist and singer Eddie C. Campbell was well known in the Chicago blues scene and learned guitar from Muddy Waters.  This song was released on his 1977 Christmas album.

“What Christmas Means to Me”  by Stevie Wonder
This original song was released on Tamla records in 1967 on Wonder's eighth studio album entitled "Someday at Christmas."  It was the final track on the album which consisted of a mix of Christmas standards and original music. 

“Merry Christmas Darling” by the Carpenters
No Christmas playlist would be complete without Karen Carpenter's voice.  This song was originally recorded by The Carpenters in 1970.  The lyrics date back to 1946 when songwriter Frank Pooler wrote it about a love interest at the time.  He had The Carpenters perform it when they were his music students at California State University, Long Beach.

“White Christmas” by Bing Crosby
Bing Crosby originally performed this song composed by Irving Berlin in 1940.  It was performed for the first time in December 1941, and appeared in the motion picture "Holiday Inn" in 1942.  

(and there might be a bonus song...)

We at What the Riff?!? wish every one a blessed and Merry Christmas!

Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?” 

NOTE: To adjust the loudness of the music or voices, you may adjust the balance on your device. VOICES are stronger in the LEFT channel, and MUSIC is stronger on the RIGHT channel.

Please follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/whattheriffpodcast/, and message or email us with what you'd like to hear, what you think of the show, and any rock worthy memes we can share.

Of course we'd love for you to rate the show in your podcast platform!

**NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.

SUMMARY:
We chat with Rock & Roll Hall of Famer and Song of the Year Grammy nominee Mike Campbell, who's best known for his work with Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, but is also a songwriter who co-wrote "Refugee," “Here Comes My Girl,” “You Got Lucky,” “Runnin’ Down a Dream,” “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around," "Boys of Summer," “The Heart of the Matter," and many more. He chats about working with Tom, collaborating with Chris Stapleton, and his fantastic band The Dirty Knobs. 

PART ONE:
Paul and Scott chat about the contenders for "Best American Rock Band of All Time" and talk about the conclusion of season one of Songcraft (which lasted for 8 years and 200 episodes). Find out what's next! 

PART TWO:
Our in-depth conversation with Mike Campbell

ABOUT MIKE CAMPBELL:
Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Mike Campbell is best known as the lead guitarist for Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, but is also a prolific songwriter who co-wrote some of the band’s best-known classics. Among them are “Refugee,” “Here Comes My Girl,” “You Got Lucky,” “Runnin’ Down a Dream,” “Makin’ Some Noise,” and “You Wreck Me.” He’s also a co-writer of the Stevie Nicks duet “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around,” as well as the Don Henley classics “The Heart of the Matter” and “Boys of Summer,” the latter of which earned Mike a Grammy nomination for Song of the Year. In addition to collaborating with Petty, Nicks, and Henley, Campbell has written songs with Bob Dylan, John Prine, Jeff Lynne, Chris Stapleton, The Dixie Chicks, Roger McGuinn, Cheap Trick, Marty Stuart, JD Souther, Susanna Hoffs, and others. He’s performed on albums by a list of luminaries that includes Aretha Franklin, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Jackson Browne, Bob Seger, Linda Ronstadt, Michael McDonald, and Warren Zevon. Additionally, the ten-time Grammy nominee was named one of the top 100 guitarists by Rolling Stone magazine. In recent years, Campbell has been focused on his previous side project, The Dirty Knobs. Though they formed over 20 years ago, the group released its debut album in 2020. Their second album, and most recent release, is called External Combustion. 
 

INTRO

• 2mins - 'going to concerts all the time' in my teenage years
• 6mins - growing up in a family listening to a diverse and eclectic mix of music
• 9mins - going to the Coliseum to see USC football games
• 10mins30s - memories of the show and lasting impression of Prince that day. 'He blew me away...and definitely captured my imagination'.
• 11mins - a concert that started to 'get a little scary'
• 12mins30s - negative energy as things start being thrown onto the stage
• 14mins - '...the way he was dressed was just too much for The Rolling Stones fans...they weren't ready for it.'
• 16mins - lasting impressions on Prince that evening. 'So dynamic...there was a confidence and stage presence there.'
• 18mins - Prince feeling vital again with 3rd Eye Girl and the Piano & Microphone tour.
• 20mins - Book of Prince fan memories: The Day I Was There. Ricci recalls the Purple Rain tour in 1985 - 'wear something Purple!'
• 25mins - Andre Cymone and the influence of Adam Ant and the New Romantics.
• 26mins - The euphoria of the LA Forum in '85 - 'it was so inspiring, the whole visual of it.'
• 29mins30s - The 1980s - an era of separations, divorces and broken homes...the role Purple Rain the movie played in the teenage psyche.
• 31mins30s - 'A.U.T.O-matic' - Ricci's rock memorabilia story
• 35mins - Furthest lengths / greatest expense to see a show...
• 37mins30s - Feelings on posthumous releases from Prince's vault.
• 38mins30s - any things you'd like to hear in future?
• 40mins - Reflections on the Prince community, and what it all means ultimately. Love 4 One Another...

How Can U Just Leave Me Standing? In Search of Prince... is produced and arranged by Sam J. Bleazard - but couldn't exist without the fabulous contribution from all of our guests!

The show also features significant original music compositions from Gavin Calder.

LINKS

Please follow me on Instagram and Facebook if you'd like to interact with the show on social media.

Email me at: bleazas@hotmail.com if you have any ideas for future episodes, or if you'd like to share any feedback on the show. 

#prince4ever #love4oneanother

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers are one of the great rock bands of all time, but they might not have ever achieved the same level of success if not for record promo man Jon Scott. As an early believer in Tom’s talent, Jon put his career on the line to champion the young band in 1977. The rest is history, as Jon writes in his book, “Tom Petty and Me.” I chat with Jon about his 40-year relationship with Tom in this debut episode of season three of KMB.

LINER NOTES: 

Earlier this year, Kris sits down with filmmaker Mary Wharton, director of the documentary Tom Petty Somewhere You Feel Free, which made it's debut at the SXSW Festival. 

The film was recently picked up by You Tube Originals, and will be available to stream beginning November 11. 

For more on the film, CLICK HERE. 

For more from Mary Wharton, CLICK HERE. 

--

About the Podcast: 

‘TEXT PROSE AND ROCK N ROLL’- is the only podcast dedicated to the written account of musicians. From artist memoirs to band bios, and anything in between. You'll hear first accounts from those who lived the lifestyle; a Book Club that rocks - literally. 

It was Created, Hosted & Executive Produced by Kris Kosach. 

It was Produced & Edited by Charlene Goto of Go-To Productions. 

For more on the show, visit the website. 

Or follow us on Instagram and Facebook @Textproserocknroll

Follow Kris on Social Media: @KrisKosach

Follow Producer Char on Social Media: @ProducerChar

Cops and Writers visit Clevland Ohio where you can find the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and our special guest J Thorn!

Hugh Howey, Matthew McConaughey, James Patterson, Justine Bateman, Ex CIA Spook Alma Katsu, Andy Weir, and little old me. What do we all have in common? We have all been guests on the Writers Ink Podcast co-hosted by today's guest, J Thorn!

J is an accomplished author, coach, and podcaster. J. Thorn has published two million words and has sold more than 185,000 books worldwide. J. co-hosts the Writers, Ink podcast with J.D. Barker, Zach Bohannan, and has interviewed some of today's most successful authors. 

In today’s episode you will learn:

·      Wow J’s early years in being in a band influenced his writing. 

·      How many podcasts J has been on and the impact they have had on his life. 

·      The effectiveness of podcasts and who and why someone should start one.

·      The similarities between being an author and being a musician and songwriter.

·      The importance of putting yourself out there.

·      The future of being an author and what to do to prepare yourself for the inevitable subscription model of business heading our way.

All of this and more on today’s episode of the Cops and Writers podcast.

Visit J Thorn at his website, The authorlife.com
Listen to The Writers Ink Podcast

Please visit the Cops and Writers website.
If you have a question for the sarge, hit him up at his email.
Come join the fun at the Cops and Writers Facebook group
Check out my affiliate link to Adam Richards new Crime Fiction Guns Course 

Only for Cops and Writers Podcast listeners! Get 50% off the audiobook version of the F.B.I. K-9 thriller, Avenging Adam by Jodi Burnett. Use code, https://jodi-burnett.com/copsandwriters/

Damn the Torpedoes is the third studio album by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and is the album where the group truly broke out into serious commercial success.  They had done well with their first album, with "Breakdown" breaking into the top 40, and "American Girl" receiving some air play.  But this album took the group to a different level.  Damn the Torpedoes was their first top 10 album, peaking at number 2 on the Billboard album charts for 7 weeks.  They were unfortunately kept out of the number 1 slot by the release of Pink Floyd's The Wall.

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers are Mike Campbell on guitars and keyboards, Benmont Tench on keyboards and backing vocals, Ron Blair on bass, Stan Lynch on drums and backing vocals, and of course Tom Petty on lead, rhythm guitar, and harmonica.  Petty also produced the album.

Damn the Torpedoes takes its name from Admiral Farragut's famous Civil War quote, but also reflects an attitude that the band was feeling.  At the time ABC Records was their distributor and assigned the contract to MCA.  Petty said that they couldn't assign the contract without permission.  MCA sued, and Petty declared bankruptcy as a strategic move to keep MCA at bay.  They finally settled by signing a new contract with Backstreet Records, which was an MCA subsidiary.

The times were good for Petty's style of throwback rock and roll.  Disco was quite commercial and beginning to wane, and New Wave was just beginning its run.  MTV would also be a couple of years in the future.  The rock world was starved of solid rock and roll, and Petty was ready to step into the void with tight, radio-friendly singles

We think this album is a winner, but as you know, even the losers get lucky sometimes!

Refugee
This is the second single from the album, released in January 1980.  It went to number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100.  Petty and Mike Campbell wrote this, and it was one of the first songs Campbell wrote.  The song reflects the band's reaction to the pressures of the music business, and the struggle they had with MCA.

What Are You Doin' In My Life?
A deeper cut, this track is about a stalker girl that the guy can't make go away.  "Well, you're the last woman in the world that thrills me.  Now you got my girlfriend trying to kill me.  Honey, my friends think that I've gone crazy.  Can't you figure out that you ain't my baby?"

Even The Losers
Believe it or not, this was not released as a single on the album outside of Australia.  There's a story behind this song.  Petty had a crush on a girl named Cindy in junior high school.  Years later in Gainesville, Florida, he hooked up with Cindy.  The next morning, Cindy told him their relationship consisted of only that night.  During that night, Petty realized that he needed to be in a rock and roll band, and this song sums up that night.

Don't Do Me Like That
This is the first single from the album.  Petty wrote the song back in 1974 with a band called Mudcrutch.  This was Petty's first top 10 hit, reaching number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100.  The singer relays the story of a friend who got his heart broken, and asks that his girlfriend not do the same.  I really like the sound of the organ on this piece.

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

The Rose by Bette Midler (Main Theme from the motion picture The Rose)
The song was a huge hit for Midler.  She played the main character, Mary Rose Foster, in this movie loosely based on the life of Janis Joplin.

STAFF PICKS:

You're Only Lonely by JD Souther
Rob starts off the staff picks with a track  from Detroit born, Amarillo raised JD Souther.  His former roommate, Glenn Frey, sings backup on this song, along with Phil Everly and Jackson Browne.  JD Souther co-wrote a number of songs for the Eagles, which explains why this song may have a bit of an Eagles sound to it. 

Driver's Seat by Sniff N' The Tears
Wayne's brings us a one hit wonder.  It maintains a simple chord structure throughout, but builds in intensity as the song progresses.  Although we think of it as a driving song, the lyrics are really about disjointed feelings following a breakup, and not understanding how things would be over with someone you had been with so long.

Good Girls Don't by The Knack
Brian's staff pick was the follow-up to the massive hit "My Sharona."  Lead man Doug Fieger wrote this song in 1972, but couldn't get anyone to pick it up at the time.  He hated it by the time The Knack tried it, and they got it right in one take. 

Jane by Jefferson Starship
Bruce brings us a hit from Jefferson Starship while Georgia native Mickey Thomas was front man.  It peaked at number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100.  Bassist David Freiberg wrote the lyrics (along with Jim McPherson) inspired by an old girlfriend.

INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:

Is There Anybody Out There by Pink Floyd
When The Wall kept Damn the Torpedoes stuck at number two, Tom Petty told Westwood One, "I love Pink Floyd but I hated them that year."

Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?” 

NOTE: To adjust the loudness of the music or voices, you may adjust the balance on your device. VOICES are stronger in the LEFT channel, and MUSIC is stronger on the RIGHT channel.

Please follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/whattheriffpodcast/, and message or email us with what you'd like to hear, what you think of the show, and any rock worthy memes we can share.

Of course we'd love for you to rate the show in your podcast platform!

**NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.

Because Christmas is so  magical and special to us all there has to be a part 2. There truly is tons of rock christmas  music out there and we cant fit it in one show or even two for that matter.  We are truly blessed to have fans like you listening or if your a new listener welcome and thanks for pressing play. Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas from all of us @ ROCK PHOENIX LIVE!!! We will see you all  New Year's Eve, we are going to take Christmas off as all of you should , to relax and  remember what really matters and check out all the weird gifts or cool ones . Thanks for the socks  merry christmas. Write to us and tell us your great or funny or even WTF christmas moments (rockphxlive@gmail.com) or just say hey.  We'll talk about them next show. 

Trans Siberian Orchestra- Ornament*

Trans Siberian Orchestra- An Angel Came Down*

Trans Siberian Orchestra- Christmas In The Air*

Trans Siberian Orchestra- Midnight Christmas Eve*

Twisted Sister- Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow *

August Burns Red- Carol Of The Bells*

August Burns Red- Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy*

August Burns Red- Joy To The World*

August Burns Red- O Come O Come Emmanuel*

Cheap Trick- Father Christmas*

Cheap Trick- I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday*

MxPx- Christmas Day*

Billy Squier- Chistmas Is The Time To Say I Love You*

Andy Williams- Its The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year*

Perry Como, The Fontane Sisters- Its Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas*

Spinal Tap- Christmas With The Devil*

Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers- CHristmas All Over Again*

Warrant- Father Christmas*

Halford- Christmas For Everyone*

CRISPY COATED ROBOTS LISTEN TO...

Jim & George discuss the 1979 hit album DAMN THE TORPEDOES! by Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers.
[Original Air Date: 11/22/20 on Houston Radio Platinum]

Don't have the recording?

Listen to it on YouTube for free here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82jXfi5fW8c&t=16s

It's time for another Blotto Beatles chaser!  We recently recorded an episode with author Chris McKittrick that won't be released for a few weeks, but Tuesday marked the release of Chris's new book SOMEWHERE YOU FEEL FREE, which centers on Tom Petty's connection to Los Angeles.  We didn't want to let this auspicious occasion go by without giving you a taste of that conversation.  Enjoy this segment as we discuss Chris's book, Petty, and the starship Enterprise.

As always, you can find Team Blotto Beatles on Instagram (@blottobeatles) and Twitter (@blottobeatles), by emailing us (blottobeatles@gmail.com), or on the web (blottobeatles.com).  We want to hear from you!

Please also take the time to rate and review us on Apple podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

We have a new shop!  Grab some merch.

See the canonical, argument-ending list of Beatles songs we are assembling here: https://www.blottobeatles.com/list; listen to it on Spotify here.

Please remember to enjoy Blotto Beatles responsibly.

Peace and Love.

Hosts: Becker and Tommy
Guest: Chris McKittrick (@ChrisMcKitt; @PettyLosAngeles)
Executive Producer: Scotty C.
Additional Musical Supervision: RB (@ryanobrooks)
#PeteBestGetThatCheck

Karen and Doug talk their favorite rock documentaries. What’s yours?

He was a student of the ’60s who learned from his elders, but put his own deliberate spin on rock ’n’ roll.