Released in 1976, KISS Alive! changed the fortunes of KISS and transitioned them from a strong opening act to an international headliner. This success forced the band to come up with the goods in the studio and they were up to the task with Destroyer, Rock & Roll Over and Love Gun. These records gave us songs that would strengthen KISS's hold on the public and allow them to tour for decades.  Alive II captures the best songs from the catalog with the band at the height of their powers before success and excess changed the band forever. It's overlooked vs. Alive! but stands on it's own and the test of time.

In 1989, The Rolling Stones hadn't toured for 8 years, they're past few records didn't sell well and Mick & Keith were fighting and releasing solo records. But Steel Wheels put the Stones back on top of the world, set them up for an enormous tour and gave them the chance to continue their careers for several more decades.  We talk all about it this week on the Wolf!

By 1976, The Eagles had sold millions of records and done successful tours. But lineup changes, infighting and the pressures of being a big rock band were starting to weigh on the band. From that, they released Greatest Hits Vol 1 which went on to become the biggest selling album of all-time and Hotel California, their greatest triumph as a hard rock band.

Iron Maiden has earned their place in the pantheons of hard rock & heavy metal.  Their 1985 live album, Live After Death, from the 190 date World Slavery Tour is a great souvenir from a moment in time.  The Wolf & Action Jackson honor the band, pay tribute to the record and hope there's a day when they can see them play live again soon.  Up the Irons!! 

At the end of the 70s, Black Sabbath had lost their way.  The excess of the decade and the departure of Ozzy Osbourne left the future of the band in limbo.  However, after the addition of American powerhouse Ronnie James Dio on vocals, the band was reborn and came back with two classic albums - Heaven & Hell and Mob Rules. 

At the end of the 70s, Black Sabbath had lost their way.  The excess of the decade and the departure of Ozzy Osbourne left the future of the band in limbo.  However, after the addition of American powerhouse Ronnie James Dio on vocals, the band was reborn and came back with two classic albums - Heaven & Hell and Mob Rules.  Here's a 2:30 preview of the episode which is released 18-Feb.

Recorded in 1983 at Hammersmith Odeon, Alchemy captures Dire Straits at their tightest and showcases the extraordinary talents of Mark Knopfler as a guitar hero.  They slow it down with classic tracks like Romeo & Juliet but rock out on Solid Rock.  They also stretch out some songs to give all band members a chance to shine, sometimes slowing things down only to build into a crescendo on Sultans of Swing.  This double live masterpiece offers the epitome of what Dire Straits offered as a live band thanks to the talent of Knopfler.

For the MTV Generation, the summer of 1983 can't be remembered without the sounds of Synchronicity by The Police.  The album vaulted The Police to international megastardom, sent Sting's stock soaring even higher, boosted MTV to greater cultural significance, and broke up the band for more than two decades.  We remember buying the cassette & LP and recall our first real encounters with rock n roll of our own.

Released in 1979, Led Zeppelin's In Through the Out Door doesn't usually make it to the top of most hard rockers fave album lists.  But The Wolf thinks this masterpiece has aged quite well and given us a glimpse into what might have been for a proggier, more democratic and experimental Led Zeppelin.  We go track by track and compare it to the rest of the catalog while relaying our personal experiences with LZ and seeing Jimmy Page & Robert Plant live.

Growing up in America during the early 80s, MTV was a cultural touchstone for a generation of kids.  In 1983, with the assistance of super producer Mutt Lange, Def Leppard released the chart-topping sensation Pyromania.  The classic claims 3 MTV video hits and a special place in the hearts of hard rockers everywhere.  38 years after its release and 30 years after the tragic loss of guitarist Steve Clark, we revisit this treasure.

As we conclude our 2 part episode on Rush and pay our respects to Neil Peart, we review some of the concerts we saw over the years from the Roll the Bones Tour to the final R40 Tour.  We compare them to other live bands of their era and contemplate our favorite moments, albums and eras on our very favorite live band.

The Wolf & Action Jackson discuss their favorite all-time band, Rush. The Canadian trio displayed a level of talent and intelligence rarely found in the world of rock n roll. On the one year anniversary of the passing of legendary drummer & lyricist Neil Peart, the boys reminisce about camping out for Rush tickets, the first time they saw them on the Roll the Bones Tour and explore their own discovery of the different eras of Rush.

The Wolf & Action Jackson discuss their favorite all-time band, Rush. The Canadian trio displayed a level of talent and intelligence rarely found in the world of rock n roll. On the one year anniversary of the passing of legendary drummer & lyricist Neil Peart, the boys reminisce about camping out for Rush tickets, the first time they saw them on the Roll the Bones Tour and explore their own discovery of the different eras of Rush.

Here's Part 2 of our incredibly popular episode on guitar legend Steve Hackett and his time in and out of Genesis.  The Wolf and Action Jackson also talk a little bit about live stream concerts and the recent Liam Gallagher Down By the River stream.  By exploring 70s era Genesis and Steve Hackett throughout the years, we hope this opens the door for some folks to discover or re-explore this extraordinary progressive rock catalog.

After the overwhelming success of Part 1, we've launched a preview for Part 2 of our 2 part show on the great Steve Hackett & Genesis

This week, The Wolf and Action Jackson take a close look at the career of Steve Hackett - a legendary guitarist, former member of Genesis and Rock n Roll Hall of Fame inductee who is criminally underrated.  We have so much to cover that we've made it a two-parter - this is part one where we also discuss artists selling their publishing, what's up in rock news and more!

Here's a preview of our 2 part episode exploring Steve Hackett, his days in Genesis and as a solo artist

The 1981 animated classic, Heavy Metal, was a groundbreaking film supported with one of the all-time greatest soundtracks - not only for the heavyweights who played on it but for the way the tunes were incorporated into the film and score by Elmer Bernstein.  The Wolf and Action Jackson talk about how they found the flick and the album, shows coming up and fond memories from back in the day (how about a Blue Oyster Cult show that almost didn't happen??)

The Wolf and Action Jackson dive deep into the recently rereleased and remastered Pink Floyd masterpiece, The Delicate Sound of Thunder.  After a long break and breakup, Pink Floyd returned in the late 80s with a new album and the biggest tour the world had ever seen.  We remember it's effect on us as teenagers through the live album and film, the Delicate Sound of Thunder, learn more about the musicians on the tour and discuss it's importance in the Floyd legacy. 

This week The Wolf and Action Jackson discuss how the rock n roll world and 2020 were affected by Covid-19.   We also take time to honor and discuss those we've lost this year, with special time dedicated to Neil Peart of Rush (see our last podcast for the Eddie Van Halen Tribute show) and we go over some gift ideas for the holidays. 

The Ugly American Werewolf in London Podcast hosted by Mac B. and Gary Action Jackson from just off Abbey Road in London presents: The Eddie Van Halen Tribute.  After the recent passing of the guitar legend, the boys remember seeing Eddie live, finding his music via MTV and the back catalog prior to 1984 and pay homage to one of the true greats.