80sography - 80s music interviews

From the audio to the visual, we delve into the wondrous world of the album sleeve with Bill Smith, of Bill Smith Studios, responsible for some wonderful images in the 80s.

 1. THE JAM (1977-1981)

 After getting his foot in the door at Polydor in the 70s, Bill has a breakthrough with The Jam. He is responsible for the artwork for all their albums up to and including Sound Affects as well as a number of single sleeves. More ...

And our Was (not Was) odyssey comes to an end with the glory years of What Up, Dog? and Walk The Dinosaur alongside working with Elvis Costello, Roy Orbison and Frank Sinatra Jr.

7. WHAT UP, DOG? (1986-88)

A two year process begun with a rejected album by Geffen. Then former podcast guest, David Bates saves the day and one of the best albums of the 80s results.

Special focus made on the superlative ballads from the LP; Anytime Li...

Aaaand we are back for part 2 of the magnum octopus that is the David Weiss/Was interview with a cast list including Ozzy Osbourne, Madonna, Mel Torme, Kim Basinger, Bob Dylan, Versace, George Harrison, Rickie Lee Jones, etc, etc.

3. OUT COME THE FREAKS (1981-90)

After a brief preamble taking in his relationship with Don and diversions with The Rolling Stones and Rickie Lee Jones, we tackle the many iterations of the WNW classic...

Next up is an intriguing chat with one half of the Was Brothers (Was (not Was)) (too many brackets), the eternally interesting Mr David Weiss.

We spoke for a looong time so this will end up in three parts (still lost a couple of hours of tangents in the process).

Part 1 will cover the early years of Was (not Was) including their debut LP as well as plenty of talk of Walk The Dinosaur as well as diversions involvin...

A very special episode with a great guest on a brilliant, underrated classic LP of the 80's, one of my personal favourites, Hearts and Bones by Paul Simon (second only in his back catalogue to Bridge Over Troubled Water in my book...)

NOT an audio commentary so no syncing up required so sit back, relax, close your eyes and indulge (unless driving) with the legendary producer, Russ Titelman, on the majestically be...

Part 2 with keyboard magic-dust provider, ~Andy Richards with more hits, more number ones (including a potential 2 more to make the full 10).

And so much brilliant 80s pop…

5. GEORGE MICHAEL

An opportune meeting, a Sunday afternoon session and more immortality as Andy works with George on the iconic Careless Whisper. A later session with David 
Cassidy (on yet another top 10 smash) allows him the opportunity to work with Geor...

A great guy, a wonderful chat and a borderline genius of the keyboard, Andy Richards played on seven number ones of the 80s and loads more hits besides (as I attempt to define throughout the conversation). 

1. THE EARLY YEARS (PRE-1980-83)

Andy’s background in music culminating in him reaching the studio,

And how working on jingles set him up for 80s chart success (cf Relax).

2. FRANKIE GOES TO HOLLYWOOD (1983-86)

An...

Parts 6-10 of Billy's 80:10...

 6. UNRELEASED SOLO LP (1983)
 
Inbetween Ultravox albums, an attempt is made at a
solo album. Billy explains why this does not come to pass.
 
 
7. LAMENT (1984)

Another belter of an album is made and tracks such
as Dancing With Tears In My Eyes, Man of Two Worlds and the
wondorous title track are discussed.
[Check out the 12" mix. 8...

Part 1 of the 80:10 for Ultravox keyboard player, Billy Currie, with lots of fabulous music discussed in lovely bite-sized pieces.

Part one covers 1-5;


1. FADE TO GREY (1980/81)

After a pre-amble, setting up where Billy was come 1980, we start with the first of Billy’s seminal hits of the 80s, Fade to Grey by Visage.

This is a 5 minute excerpt of Billy’s chat about F2G. The full version can be found on the Anat...

Final part of the magnum opus (my favourite ice cream, actually) with DP, DP...

1985

Don Henley - Not Enough Love In The World

Tina Turner - We Don’t Need Another Hero

Phil Collins - No Jacket Required Tour (live video)

Cyndi Lauper - Live in Paris (live video) (1987)

1986

Lionel Richie - Dancing on the Ceiling

Paul McCartney - Stranglehold

Wham! - The Edge of Heaven/Where Did Your Heart Go

1...

More honesty and endeavour from Mr Pearl and we cover just the one year in part 2. And below just a slither, a morsel of the work done in these twelve months.

Enjoy.


1984

U2 - Pride (in the name of love)

Bruce Springsteen - Dancing In The Dark (original, unreleased)

The Cars - Drive

Ray Parker Jr - Ghostbusters

Phil Collins - Against All Odds

Elton John - Passengers

Van Halen - Hot For Teacher

Duran Duran - The ...

And we are back (after a brief hiatus, apologies...) for season 8 and an interview from 2023 I finally get around to releasing (apologies to Mr DP)

As you will find out in these three parts, Daniel Pearl has had a quite phenomenal
career as a DP/cinematographer - working on Texas Chainsaw Massacre at the age of 23 would be enough for immortality. Add that to filming some of the most iconic music videos of the 80s ...

Finally got round to doing one of these (always have the idea in the summer when it's too late). The best of the guests of 2023.

 TREVOR HORN on "Leave It" - Yes
 PETER COX on his voice
 DAVE BASCOMBE on Tears For Fears
 TRACEY BELLAND on meeting Morrissey
 KEVIN GODLEY on "Two Tribes" video - Frankie Goes To Hollywood
 HUGH PADGHAM on "Anything She Does" - Genesi...

We return to part two of Thomas Dolby's 80:10 with production work with two songwriting icons; one massively successful the other less so, plus playing Live Aid with yet another. Plus lots of film work and a technicolour third solo album...

6. PREFAB SPROUT (1985-89)

Producer for Steve McQueen, From Langley Park to Memphis and Jordan: The Comeback (recorded 1989, released in 1990, pedants!)

7. D...

Hi,

Another episode, another format. 80:10 breaks down a guest's 80s into 10 parts - whether a song, album, artist or category. The inaugral guest is the uniquely brilliant Thomas Dolby.

1. NEW TOY (1981)

Songwriter for Lena Lovich

2. FOREIGNER (1981)

Musician for hire for Foreigner as well as Def Leppard, Malcolm McLaren & Belinda Carlisle

3. THE GOLDEN AGE OF WIRELESS...

Another day, another great Billy Currie episode - this time another Anatomy of a Song released in 1980 which hit the charts in 1981; the eternally brilliant Fade to Grey by Visage.

Chris Payne on F2G as referenced in episode can be found on YouTube here;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmF_jeokUX8

billycurrie.com
80sography@gmail.com



                                            ...

Pt 2 of the chat with John including lots more excellent 12" mixes and much more besides (including TWO quickfire rounds...)

POTOKER'S PREFERENCES

John's favorite film/TV/book/LP/live event of the decade

1985

Thompson Twins - Roll Over/Here's To Future Days
Phil Collins - Sussudio (12")/One More Night (12")
Paul McCartney - Spies Like Us (Party Mix)
...

And we have returned after a little break at 80sography Towers to indulge in more
80s goodness with Engineer, Producer and 12" Mixmaster John 'Tokes' Potoker.

Before we enter the realm of the extended mix we first travel with John through the early part of the 80s and John's part in some truly iconic music with Steely Dan and Talking Heads. Plus plenty more besides....

1980

Steely...