MODERN MUSICOLOGY

#141 - 40 Years of LIVE AID

July 13 is the 40th Anniversary of LIVE AID, one of the greatest rock festivals of all time! We each share our memories of watching it live on the day, the excitement that surrounded the event, and some of the stories behind bands that didn't appear for various reasons. Each of us has picked our five favorite performances / bands / moments to talk about at length, and we mention some of the lowlights as well (and yes, there were a few). Some of the acts that get a mention are Duran Duran, Black Sabbath, Madonna, Run DMC, Elton John, the Who, Simple Minds, Judas Priest, Tom Petty, the Pretenders, and many others. And of course, it's virtually impossible to have any discussion about Live Aid without mentioning Queen, Bowie, and U2. Hope you'll join us for a fun discussion!
Do you have a special memory of Live Aid? WERE YOU THERE?? Drop us a line at modernmusicology1@gmail.com or just leave a comment on our socials or whatever podcast platform you're listening to us. 
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Modern Musicology is part of the ESO Podcast Network. https://esonetwork.com/ 
Find more about us:
Rob Levy: https://kdhx.org/shows/show/juxtaposition Stephanie Seymour: www.therearebirds.com  R. Alan Siler: www.kozmiccreative.com  Anthony Williams: https://watchers4d.podbean.com/

#140 - No Original Members?

In nearly every case when you see a classic band in concert now, it's not the original line-up. Does that dampen your experience? Many legacy bands currently on the road are down to only one original member--and a few have none. Is it still the band if no one who started that band or wrote the iconic music is involved? Is there a key member whose absence has too great an impact? Rob and Alan discuss those questions and more in this week's episode! We cite some big-name examples, like Rush, Queen, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Yes, Kansas, Asia (who are back in the news with a new line-up and record label), The Beach Boys, and more.
First, though, we take a few moments to pay tribute to Brian Wilson, Sly Stone, and Douglas McCarthy (of Nitzer Ebb). And at the end, we talk about some of our favorite new releases in our Picks of the Week! 
Drop us a line at modernmusicology1@gmail.com or just leave a comment on our socials or whatever podcast platform you're listening to us. 
Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ModernMusicology 
Check us out on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modernmusicologypodcast/ 
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ModrnMusicology 
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk-MlcGy5u3fK1j4bVty1Kw 
Modern Musicology is part of the ESO Podcast Network. https://esonetwork.com/ 
Find more about us:
Rob Levy: https://kdhx.org/shows/show/juxtaposition Stephanie Seymour: www.therearebirds.com  R. Alan Siler: www.kozmiccreative.com  Anthony Williams: https://watchers4d.podbean.com/

#139 - Should Have Been Their Last Album?

We all can think of those artists or bands that we feel went just one album too far (and sometimes more!) and what might have been a great ending, capping off an iconic career, is undermined by a less-than-stellar follow-up. This week Anthony and Alan talk about some of the examples they came up with -- including Metallica, Weezer, Fleetwood Mac, Heart, Marillion, October Project, Asia, Judas Priest, Queen, Black Sabbath, and a whole lot more!
Then we do some #PicksOfTheWeek and talk about new releases from Marina, Bloodywood, Sparks, Styx, et al 
We really would love to hear from you! Do you have an example of an album that would have been an amazing career-capper for a particular band or artist but wasn't? Let us know! Drop us a line at modernmusicology1@gmail.com or just leave a comment on our socials or whatever podcast platform you're listening to us. 
Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ModernMusicology 
Check us out on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modernmusicologypodcast/ 
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ModrnMusicology 
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk-MlcGy5u3fK1j4bVty1Kw 
Modern Musicology is part of the ESO Podcast Network. https://esonetwork.com/ 
Find more about us:
Rob Levy: https://kdhx.org/shows/show/juxtaposition Stephanie Seymour: www.therearebirds.com  R. Alan Siler: www.kozmiccreative.com  Anthony Williams: https://watchers4d.podbean.com/

#138 - THE CLASH With Author IAIN KEY

This week Rob and Alan chat with author Iain Key about his new book All the Young Punks: A People's History of the Clash, an oral history of one of the most seminal bands in modern music. Iain is well-known to Louder Than War regulars as the presenter of his own Indie Brunch show on Louder Than War Radio, and in his first foray as a published author, he indulges his fascination with his favourite Punk icons to great effect. In our discussion, we talk about what made the Clash unique, why they connected with such a broad audience, their rise in popularity in America, and a whole lot more. 
The book is published by Spenwood Books. You can get more information and purchase your copy on All the Young Punks: A People's History of the Clash by visiting the publisher's website. 
Connect to Iain on:
Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/iain.key.5 
Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/iain.key/ 
X at https://x.com/iainkey 
 
Let us know if you enjoyed this episode! Drop us a line at modernmusicology1@gmail.com or leave us a comment on our socials!
Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ModernMusicology 
Check us out on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modernmusicologypodcast/ 
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ModrnMusicology 
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk-MlcGy5u3fK1j4bVty1Kw 
Modern Musicology is part of the ESO Podcast Network. https://esonetwork.com/ 
Find more about us:
Rob Levy: https://kdhx.org/shows/show/juxtaposition Stephanie Seymour: www.therearebirds.com  R. Alan Siler: www.kozmiccreative.com  Anthony Williams: https://watchers4d.podbean.com/

#137 - Ranking the Music of SNL Season 50

This week Alan unveils his ranking of the 15 best performances on the 50th Anniversary season of Saturday Night Live! It was a particularly good year for music, made even bigger by a special anniversary episode that included five musical performances in addition to the ones in the 20 regular season episodes. 
So who made the cut? You'll have to listen to find out! But here's a hint: the list features legends like Sir Paul McCartney, Paul Simon, and Stevie Nicks, as well as some newcomers like Gracie Abrams, Shaboozey, and Mk.Gee!
Let us know if you enjoyed this episode and what you thought of SNL this year. Who were some of your favorite performers on the show this season? Drop us a line at modernmusicology1@gmail.com or leave us a comment on our socials!
Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ModernMusicology 
Check us out on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modernmusicologypodcast/ 
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ModrnMusicology 
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk-MlcGy5u3fK1j4bVty1Kw 
Modern Musicology is part of the ESO Podcast Network. https://esonetwork.com/ 
Find more about us:
Rob Levy: https://kdhx.org/shows/show/juxtaposition Stephanie Seymour: www.therearebirds.com  R. Alan Siler: www.kozmiccreative.com  Anthony Williams: https://watchers4d.podbean.com/

#136 - Reviewing the 2025 ROCK HALL Inductees

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame announced the 2025 roster of inductees on April 27 at 8:30 pm during a live broadcast of American Idol. 15 minutes later, we recorded an episode analyzing the announcements! What you get in this episode is our immediate reaction in a raw, unrehearsed discussion. Rob and Alan are joined by our good buddy JM Tuffley (@tuffley or @jmtuffley) and we talk about the people who made it in this year, the ones who didn't make it in this year, the biggest surprises on the list, and more!
This year's list includes:
Performer Category:
Bad Company
Chubby Checker
Joe Cocker
Cyndi Lauper
Outkast
Soundgarden
The White Stripes
Musical Influence Award:
Salt-N-Pepa
Warren Zevon
Musical Excellence Award:
Thom Bell
Nicky Hopkins
Carol Kaye
Ahmet Ertegun Award:
Lenny Waronker

#135 - Filmmaker OLIVIA SERAFINI-SAULI

A year ago we interviewed filmmaker OLIVIA SERAFINI-SAULI on the completion of her film Endless Calls For Fame: The Story of the New Rising Sons. Since then, that film has found North American distribution and is now available on all major streaming platforms in a slightly reworked / updated format. We catch up with Olivia to learn about her journey over the past year -- clearing the rights to all the music, what went into getting the film picked up, putting together the gala screenings, and the joy of seeing her film on the big screen. It's a conversation you don't want to miss! Endless Calls For Fame is the story of a band from the New York 90s scene who got signed to a major label and were poised to be the next big thing, until ... it just didn't happen. It's an incredible story that music lovers will enjoy. 
Learn more about Olivia and Endless Calls For Fame at the Via73 Films website. Watch Endless Calls For Fame on AppleTV, Prime Video, Fandango At Home, and other streaming sources.
After our chat with Olivia, we share our memories of fallen Blondie drummer Clem Burke. Alan talks about the first time he heard Clem's playing, and Stephanie tells a great story about being in a band with him! 
Let us know if you enjoyed this episode and what you thought of the film! Drop us a line at modernmusicology1@gmail.com or leave us a comment on our socials!
Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ModernMusicology 
Check us out on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modernmusicologypodcast/ 
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ModrnMusicology 
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk-MlcGy5u3fK1j4bVty1Kw 
Modern Musicology is part of the ESO Podcast Network. https://esonetwork.com/ 
Find more about us:
Rob Levy: https://kdhx.org/shows/show/juxtaposition Stephanie Seymour: www.therearebirds.com  R. Alan Siler: www.kozmiccreative.com  Anthony Williams: https://watchers4d.podbean.com/

#134 - The Music of 1975

This week we set the controls of our Wayback Machine to the funky days of 1975 and celebrate the 50th anniversary of some iconic albums! It's a year of highs for a lot of bands we now think of as classic rock; it was a key year for funk and disco; the Philly Soul sound was very much in fashion; and it was a year of reinvention for some well-established acts. We talk about albums by Elton John, KISS, KC and the Sunshine Band, Queen, Parliament, Roxy Music, Fleetwood Mac, Aerosmith, the Boss, and the weirdest album Lou Reed ever made. We even get a history lesson on the Third (THIRD!) Great Cod War! 
If you'd like to follow along with our discussion, we have a Spotify Playlist highlighting all the music that we talk about in the show!
Let us know your favorite artist, album or song from 1975, especially if it's one that we didn't cover. Drop us a line at modernmusicology1@gmail.com or leave a comment on our socials wherever you see this episode posted!
#podcast #podcastersofinstagram #podcasting #podcastlife #podcaster #podcasters #podcasts #music #musicnerd #1975 #70smusic
Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ModernMusicology 
Check us out on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modernmusicologypodcast/ 
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ModrnMusicology 
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk-MlcGy5u3fK1j4bVty1Kw 
Modern Musicology is part of the ESO Podcast Network. https://esonetwork.com/ 
Find more about us:
Rob Levy: https://kdhx.org/shows/show/juxtaposition Stephanie Seymour: www.therearebirds.com  R. Alan Siler: www.kozmiccreative.com  Anthony Williams: https://watchers4d.podbean.com/

#133 - 2 Tone Records with author DANIEL RACHEL

This week we're joined by author Daniel Rachel, whose book Too Much Too Young: The 2 Tone Records Story: Rude Boys, Racism, and the Soundtrack of a Generation, which transports us to the late 70s and the explosion of 2 Tone Records, the home of such recording artists as The Specials, The Selecter, Madness, The (English) Beat, The Bodysnatchers, and more. Our conversation goes beyond the music, though, and touches upon the socio-political environment in which 2 Tone existed, and the history and truths that the artists brought to light about social issues, racism, class, and gender struggles. 
You can buy your copy of Too Much Too Young HERE.
Visit Daniel's website HERE.
Let us know what you thought of this episode, and if you're a fan of the 2 Tone era! Drop us a line at modernmusicology1@gmail.com or leave a comment on our socials wherever you see this episode posted!
#podcast #podcastersofinstagram #podcasting #podcastlife #podcaster #podcasters #podcasts #music #musicnerd #2tone #2tonerecords #ska #funk #england #greatbritain #danielrachel #70smusic #80smusic
Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ModernMusicology 
Check us out on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modernmusicologypodcast/ 
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ModrnMusicology 
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk-MlcGy5u3fK1j4bVty1Kw 
Modern Musicology is part of the ESO Podcast Network. https://esonetwork.com/ 
Find more about us:
Rob Levy: https://kdhx.org/shows/show/juxtaposition Stephanie Seymour: www.therearebirds.com  R. Alan Siler: www.kozmiccreative.com  Anthony Williams: https://watchers4d.podbean.com/

#132 - Bands & Their Fans

There are artists and bands who are very well known for their very loyal and ultra-supportive fanbase. Some of those include Elvis, the Beatles, the Grateful Dead, and Taylor Swift. But what about when that devotion maybe gets taken too far? Anthony leads us in a discussion about the extreme side of fandom, both the good and the bad. We talk about some of our very positive experiences in fandom as well as a few darker examples. How has fandom shifted over the years, and particularly how has social media radically shifted the way that fans interact with their fans and each other?
Please tell us your favorite (or least favorite) fandom story! Drop us a line at modernmusicology1@gmail.com or leave a comment on our socials wherever you see this episode posted!
#podcast #podcastersofinstagram #podcasting #podcastlife #podcaster #podcasters #podcasts #music #musicnerd #fandom #fans #elvis #beatles #gratefuldead #taylorswift #kiss #duran #duranduran
Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ModernMusicology 
Check us out on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modernmusicologypodcast/ 
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ModrnMusicology 
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk-MlcGy5u3fK1j4bVty1Kw 
Modern Musicology is part of the ESO Podcast Network. https://esonetwork.com/ 
Find more about us:
Rob Levy: https://kdhx.org/shows/show/juxtaposition Stephanie Seymour: www.therearebirds.com  R. Alan Siler: www.kozmiccreative.com  Anthony Williams: https://watchers4d.podbean.com/

#131 - Favorite Album Cover Art

ALBUM COVER ART
Never judge a book by its cover, but sometimes you really can judge an album by its cover! This week on Modern Musicology we're talking about album covers! We each pick five of our favorite album covers and talk about the story behind them and why we love them so much. This is a recording of a LIVE show that we did on our YouTube Channel, so we include some comments that we got from viewers with some of their favorites as well. 
Let us know your favorite cover art or artist! Drop us a line at modernmusicology1@gmail.com or leave a comment on our socials wherever you see this episode posted!
#podcast #podcastersofinstagram #podcasting #podcastlife #podcaster #podcasters #podcasts #music #musicnerd #albumcover #albumcovers #albumart #blacksabbath #duranduran #rio #rainbow #theclash #londoncalling #grandillusion #heavymetal #punk #emo #60smusic #70smusic #80smusic #90smusic #classicrock #guitarmusic
@ralan.siler @rob_levystl @englishmaninatl @there_are_birds @eso_network 

#130 - THE KINKS w/ Author Chris Kocher

The Kinks was one of the most influential bands to come out of England in the 60s, with a career that lasted up through the late 90s. Their style and sound changed numerous times over the decades and they amassed a legion of dedicated fans. We talk with author / editor Chris Kocher about his new book, Thank You For The Days: Fans Of The Kinks Share 60 Years Of Stories, which celebrates the band's legacy and fans' special connection to it. Among the contributors are Ron Sexsmith, Glen Burtnick, John Wesley Harding, Crouch End Festival Chorus musical director David Temple, plus touring musicians, fan club leaders, and "average Joe" fans with extraordinary stories. 
Thank You For The Days is currently available in the UK and will be released in the US in March 2025. Order your copies HERE.
After that, we spend a few minutes remember Marianne Faithful, who passed away just a couple of days before we reccorded this episode. 
Are you a Kinks fan? Do you have a cool Kinks story that you'd like to share with us? LET US KNOW! Drop us a line at modernmusicology1@gmail.com or leave us a comment on our socials. 
Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ModernMusicology 
Check us out on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modernmusicologypodcast/ 
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ModrnMusicology 
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk-MlcGy5u3fK1j4bVty1Kw 
Modern Musicology is part of the ESO Podcast Network. https://esonetwork.com/ 
Find more about us:
Rob Levy: https://kdhx.org/shows/show/juxtaposition Stephanie Seymour: www.therearebirds.com  R. Alan Siler: www.kozmiccreative.com  Anthony Williams: https://watchers4d.podbean.com/