The Wolf & Action Jackson grew up worshipping Jimmy Page. So did Christy Alexander Hallberg and that love of Jimmy and his music, especially during his days in Led Zeppelin, inspired her novel Searching for Jimmy Page. Set in North Caroliina in 1988, we follow the story of teenage Luna who is coming to grips with her identity. Of course 1988 marked the release of Jimmy's only real solo record, Outrider, which made a big impression on Christy. We explore the story of Luna, her travels to England to find Jimmy and our experiences with Outrider, Led Zeppelin & all things Jimmy Page. Christy is super knowledgeable about the history of Led Zeppelin, made pilgrimages to LZ sites and is a talented author who put together a fun read.Part of Pantheon Podcasts

Iron Maiden are the greatest heavy metal band on the planet. But in 1992 the wheels were coming off a bit. 1990's No Prayer for the Dying missed the mark as they switched out guitarist Adrian Smith for Jannick Gers. Bruce Dickinson was ready to leave the band for a solo career and it seemed they may have run out of steam. Credit them for trying new things, like a power ballad, but this shows a band in transition. The title track, Fear of the Dark, is a staple of their live show now but the band was on shaky ground at this time.

In 1982, Iron Maiden introduced the world to their new singer Bruce Dickinson and that propelled them to superstardom. His powerful and operatic vocals, spot on songwriting and command of the stage changed Maiden from a power punk band to the heavy metal heavyweights they are today. Action Jackson talks about seeing Bruce perform his one man show live in Jacksonville before we dive into this classic record. Has it been 40 years since we first heard Number of the Beast, Run to the Hills & Hallowed Be Thy Name? Is it their best ever? We'll dive into it on our first of two Maiden reviews back to back.

In the late 80s & early 90s, Tom Petty was huge thanks to a stint with The Traveling Wilburys, solo success with Full Moon Fever, reuniting with the Heartbreakers & a huge greatest hits album.  But in 1982 he had been busy fighting record companies  & the music business while trying to keep his band together.  Though Long After Dark spawned one radio/MTV hit in You Got Lucky, the album is very overlooked and that's a shame. The first side is full of rockers that get under your skin and allows the band to take some chances.  We think you'll like our discussion on this forgotten classic - listen to the album and you'll hear why.

Guns N Roses became the biggest, most dangerous band in the world thanks to raw guitar power & raunchy lyrics. Their debut, Appetite for Destruction, set them on the path to superstardom but it didn't catch fire out of the gate.  It was a bit of a slow burn & needed a kickstart from MTV. But once the world heard Welcome to the Jungle, Sweet Child O Mine & Paradise City they skyrocketed up the charts only to have one of the most spectacular burnouts in rock history. Chris from My Rock n Roll Heaven joins us to discuss this classic.

Neil Young is a man of conviction who isn't afraid to take on governments & corporations. But he has that platform because of all the amazing music he's made over the decades. We look back on Harvest, his 1972 classic which catapulted him to stardom as a solo artist, and Harvest Moon, his reflection on Harvest 20 years later.  Playing with the same cast of characters, Harvest Moon is a great bookend to Harvest which is often overlooked after the monster success of Harvest in 1972.

As a show on classic rock we don't often encounter or review new music. We've been turned onto Steve Hackett in recent years & through discovering his music, we've been introduced to Amanda Lehmann as she has toured & recorded with Steve for years. Her album Innocence & Illusion showcases her talent as a songwriter, singer & guitar player across genres and was one of our top albums of 2021.  A delightful guest, we explore Amanda's origins & career as a musician while talking through her record track by track.

By 1969 The Beatles hadn't toured in 2+ years & had recorded separately using multi-tracks to create their legendary sound. Always ambitious, they decided to write, record & perform live a new album in 2.5 weeks in early 1969 & create a documentary on the process. Peter Jackson pieced together an amazing documentary from the footage showing breakups, hangers on and some extraordinary songwriting & playing.  Neil from DefLepPod, a native Liverpudlian, joins us to review this amazing piece of film.

1972 was a tough time for the Rolling Stones. They'd broken with their management, were forced to leave the UK as tax exiles & Keith was in the middle of his decade long heroin battle. But relocating to Nice allowed them to create the album by which all other Stones albums are measured. Rock, blues, country, gospel & soul elements are weaved throughout this masterpiece thanks to slick slide guitar from Mick Taylor, great piano from half a dozen guests and Mick & Keith's songwriting power.

Van Halen released their debut album in 1978 & rock guitar playing hasn't been the same since. With the virtuoso tapping of Eddie Van Halen, super charisma of David Lee Roth and the thumping backbone of Michael Anthony & Alex Van Halen, this album changed rock n roll forever. In a world where punk was king, Van Halen mixed California sunshine with raw power to create a sound that still resonates to this day. Despite their issues later, this is one of the best rock debuts of all time.

2021 was an odd and difficult year for so many around the world. Live music returned a bit in the UK but not to the extent we all wished. The Wolf & Action Jackson take the opportunity to reflect on their favorite releases, their best (and worst) episodes, to say thanks to all the guests, friends & fans of the podcast and to talk about what they look forward to in 2022. 

The Smiths may not have made it big the US but they were a huge influence on the next generation of rock bands to come out of the UK.  Led by Morrissey's painful laments, Johnny Marr's innovative guitar work and a solid rhythm section of Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce, The Queen is Dead may just be the best record they ever made. Not a band destined to last, or apparently to ever reunite, The Smiths occupy a special place in rock history that can't be ignored.

Fans of our show know that love to work Asia into our conversations consistently. The band have released a box set of 5 shows from different tours to show how the band & setlist evolved over the course of 30 years. Thanks to some new artwork from Roger Dean, words from long time collaborator Dave Gallant & some beautiful packaging, this is a must have for Asia fans.  We'll discuss the evolution of the bands sound & setlist while focusing on what we like and lamenting about what we don't.  Of course we'll work in all sorts of Asia facts as our favorite guilty pleasure band gets the treatment they deserve with this lovely box set.

REM were the darlings of the alternative/college rock scene in the 1980s. The quartet from Athens, GA blended folk, rock & country to create a unique sound while touring relentlessly to build their fan base. By 1987, it was time for them to step up & with the help of Scott Lit, who would go on to produce all their big albums of the rest of the 80s & 90s, evolved their sound to attract a much larger audience. Some diehards may have resisted but this record put REM on a much bigger stage.

30 years ago, U2 wanted to deliver a new, more industrial and techno sound against the backdrop of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Through personal hardships, artistic differences & real world struggles that almost broke up the band, U2 came out on the other side with a new sound that put them back on top for good. It came out just as our intrepid hosts were becoming friends as freshmen in college and this record stirs up lots of memories & emotions for them.

The Wolf lives by Abbey Road & recently he had the extraordinary opportunity to visit the legendary studio down the street.  Celebrating 90 years of setting the standard for recorded music & pushing the envelope of technology, Abbey Road hosted lectures by 2 American authors who led us through the years. Innovation, collaboration & talent still ooze out of the place, the walls definitely talk. Listen to The Wolf grin big as he sits at the control desk, visits the echo room & learns about The Beatles, Pink Floyd & so much more.

In show 50 Pt 2, we not only conclude our review of the movie Highlander & the soundtrack by rock legends Queen but we interview House of the Dragon producer/creator/writer Ryan Condal.  Ryan wrote a screenplay to reboot Highlander and we ask him how he came to the film, how things are going on the Game of Thrones series he's running, House of the Dragon, and his prop collection which he discusses on The Stuff Dreams Are Made Of Podcast

Highlander was released in 1986 to an underwhelming box office. Though the film lost money it gained a huge cult following thanks to cable tv & rental stores. A classic clash of good vs. evil with Sean Connery playing mentor to Christopher Lambert as they battle Clancy Brown's Kurgan character. It spawned several sequels & tv shows but none of them compare to Russel Mulcahey's original featuring the music of Queen. Part 1 of our 50th show on this fantasy classic!

1971 was a tumultuous time for The Doors as Jim Morrison faced legal troubles, battled substance abuse, and their longtime producer walked out. But out of that they created what might be their best album showing their ability to play blues, pop, psychedelic and classic Doors music. It would prove to be their last record and we go in depth while also measuring the impact of the 1991 Oliver Stone movie and Action's visit to Jim's grave.

Bruce Dickinson is a true polymath & renaissance man. After his one man show was delayed due to his contracting COVID, he returned to the stage in London & The Wolf was fortunate enough to see him.  We continue our reviews of classic records turning 50 with the extraordinary Who's Next. Pieced together from Pete Townshends attempt at the concept album Lifehouse, Who's Next stands as one of the true triumphs of rock history with Baba O'Reilly, Won't Get Fooled Again, Bargain, Going Mobile and more from a truly talented band who had come into their own.

In 1971 Marvin Gaye found himself in a time and place that he didn't recognize.  Political unrest, social injustice, an unpopular war and his own personal hardships weighed heavily on him.  But out of that came an album that would not only reflect the times in which he was living but one that holds stark similarities to the times we find ourselves in now.  Call it rock, soul, R&B - it's extraordinary music with a timely & timeless message.

November 2021 will mark the 50th anniversary of the release of Led Zeppelin's untitled 4th album which has sold nearly 40 million copies around the world. Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones & John Bonham took all that they'd learned from the first 3 records to create a true rock masterpiece at Headley Grange. We discuss what we love, what we think is overplayed, how it's stood the test of time & reminisce about growing up in American & discovering Led Zeppelin.

Curt Angeledes has been a Rolling Stones fan since 1963 and has seen the band over 100 times. But in the mid-70s, he started to bring his camera into shows capturing the band over the years, evading security and selling prints to get to the next show. His book Go For Broke, Vol. 1 chronicles more than 40 years of Stones tours through his lens & captures some incredible moments.  Mac B & Action Jackson interview him on his extraordinary life.

Live music has returned to London! The Wolf had the honor of seeing Steve and his extraordinary band live at the London Palladium after almost 2 years without live music.  Along with some new & classic solo material, the band played the live Genesis classic Seconds Out start to finish including the epic Supper's Ready. Action interviews the Wolf on a special night out in London.

The Wolf & Action Jackson are joined this week by Neil from Def Lep Pod to discuss the diamond selling 1987 juggernaut from Def Leppard, Hysteria.  With 6 Top 20 Billboard hits, Hysteria dominated the US charts for 2 years.  However, this album almost never came to be due to Rick Allen's horrific car accident, losing their producer, accumulating debt and changing musical landscape.  We discuss with Neil the difference between Def Lep's success in the States vs. the UK and dive deep into the album, b-sides and the band's history.