We tend to think more of the guitar as a rock and roll instrument, but Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard and Fats Domino were a big part of the early sound of rock and roll. While there are plenty of great rock piano players, that lead guy or gal mostly tends to be playing a six-string. In the 70s and 80s, the big piano frontmen were Billy Joel and Elton John ... Show More
Today
Imbalanced History: Tony Levin: The Stickman Cometh!
Tony Levin's love of the Chapman Stick is legendary! Over the last decade and a half, he's led a group of fellow Stick Men! Tres hombres committed to the sounds, the screaming counter rhythms, and tons of joyous music! The Stick People is a growing tribe, dedicated to this specia ... Show More
35m 36s
Mar 21
Ugly American Werewolf in London: Rush - 2112
By early 1976, things were looking bleak for Rush. Despite their relentless touring schedule and 3 albums - Rush, Fly By Night, Caress of Steel - the record company wasn't happy. The band called the Caress of Steel Tour the Down The Tubes Tour as their crowds got smaller and thei ... Show More
1h 27m
Dec 2022
Billy Joel and Producer Phil Ramone Captured Collaborative Magic on The Stranger
The Stranger didn't just mark Billy Joel’s critical breakthrough, but the beginning of a decade-long creative partnership with producer Phil Ramone. Together, the two would create some of the most lasting songs in music, and it all began with those first sessions in the summe ... Show More
20m 43s
Jun 2021
Richard Thompson, "Beeswing: Losing My Way and Finding My Voice 1967-1975" (Algonquin Books, 2021)
Richard Thompson's Beeswing: Losing My Way and Finding My Voice 1967-1975 (Algonquin Books, 2021) gives fans of his music a tale as rollicking and entertaining as the reels and ballads he recorded with the band Fairport Convention. Fairport Convention was one of the central bands ... Show More
46m 58s
Jun 2019
"Tiny Dancer" and "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" by Elton John
<p>Elton John and his lyricist Bernie Taupin wrote so many great songs over the years that it was impossible to pick a single one for Strong Songs. So, why not do two? Kirk dives into a pair of classics by the storied songwriting duo, talking about Elton's chameleon-like voice, h ... Show More
46m 42s
Jul 2023
Pt 2 w/Jeff Carlisi from 38 Special, plus Todd Ronning from Bad Company & Paul Rodgers' new solo project
In part two of our interview, Jeff Carlisi gives us the back story on 38 Special's first big hit, Rockin' Into the Night, the writing partnerships that produced some of their biggest hits, role changes inside the band, their history with MTV, the shock of finding out they are wri ... Show More
46m 45s
Dec 2024
Jamie XX's songs of surrender
<p>We’re winding out 2024 with a beautiful Take 5. </p><p>Jamie xx is one of my favourite producers, so it’s really special to cap off what’s been a big year, with the man himself. Looking back the last couple of years, the final Take 5 has been really reflective. Caroline Polach ... Show More
31m 29s
Oct 2022
Alice in Chains’ Dirt Is a Work of Dark, Personal Lyrical Genius: The Opus
This season on The Opus: Alice in Chains' Dirt, we've looked at how the band went against the grain of the Seattle scene and how they set themselves apart with their unique compositional approach. Now we peel back perhaps the most powerful layer of, Dirt: its dark, personal lyric ... Show More
21m 21s