Classic Rock Album Olympics

In this episode of Classic Rock Album Olympics music historians Gary Wenstrup and Robert Rodriguez roll Linda Ronstadt’s Heart Like A Wheel to select their favorite tracks and award their gold, silver and bronze medals accordingly.

Medal Winners

Faithless

Heart

You’re

Keep

When

Bonus Tracks

Different Drum –

Different

Long

Dark

The

Making

It’s

That’ll

Blue

Heart

You’re

Lonely

Thank

You’re

The

The

Heart

Drop

I

You

You

You’re

Cathy’s

Willin’

Willin’

I

It

It

You’re

One

Released in November 1974, Heart Like a Wheel was Linda Ronstadt’s fifth solo studio album and the record that made her into a major pop superstar. The album was produced by Peter Asher, who had also become Ronstadt’s manager and was instrumental in establishing the polished yet emotionally powerful sound that would define her great albums of the 1970s. 

The musicians were an extraordinary collection of Los Angeles studio players and Ronstadt associates. Andrew Gold played guitar, piano, electric piano, drums and percussion and became one of the album’s most important musical architects, while Kenny Edwards, Ronstadt’s former Stone Poneys bandmate, played bass. 

The singles were particularly successful. “You’re No Good” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, giving Ronstadt her first No. 1 pop single and “When Will I Be Loved” reached No. 2 on the Hot 100.  The album itself was an even bigger success. Heart Like a Wheel became Ronstadt’s first No. 1 album on the Billboard.

Its impact went far beyond sales. Heart Like a Wheel helped establish the template for the sophisticated country-rock/pop crossover that would dominate much of Ronstadt’s career and influence artists who followed. She demonstrated that an album could move effortlessly between rock, country, R&B, folk and pop without sounding stylistically confused. Just as importantly, Ronstadt became a major interpreter of songs by emerging writers such as J.D. Souther, Lowell George and Anna McGarrigle,

Ultimately, Heart Like a Wheel was the album that established the Linda Ronstadt formula: an extraordinary singer, first-rate musicians, carefully chosen songs, country roots and rock muscle, all held together by Peter Asher’s elegant production. It was both a commercial breakthrough and an artistic statement—and the beginning of one of the most successful recording careers by an American female artist of the 1970s.

Track Listing

Side 1

You’re No Good

It Doesn’t Matter Anymore

Faithless Love

The Dark End Of The Street

Heart Like A Wheel

Side 2

When Will I Be Loved

Willin’

I Can’t Help It (If I’m Still In Love With You)

Keep Me From Blowing Away

You Can Close Your Eyes

#LindaRonstadt #HeartLikeAWheel #PeterAsher #AndrewGold

Contact Info

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Gary Wenstrup⁠⁠⁠⁠

Podcast Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Home - Classic Rock Album Olympics⁠⁠⁠⁠

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We know "the people" liked it. Did you?

In this episode of Classic Rock Album Olympics music historians Gary Wenstrup and Robert Rodriguez analyze R.E.M.’s Automatic For The People add award their gold, silver and bronze medals to the album’s

Medal Winners

Ignoreland

Everybody

Monty

Drive

Find

 Released in October 1992, Automatic For The People is widely regarded as one of the defining albums of the 1990s and a peak artistic statement in R.E.M.'s career. Following the massive success of Out of Time, the band moved away from jangly college rock toward a more introspective and melancholic sound. The album’s themes revolve around mortality, aging, loss and memory, giving it a reflective tone that feels both intimate and cinematic.

The album was produced by Scott Litt alongside R.E.M.  A defining feature of the record is its use of orchestral instrumentation arranged by John Paul Jones (of Led Zeppelin).  The production emphasizes acoustic guitars, piano, mellotron, strings, and restrained percussion, marking a stark contrast from the more energetic sound of their earlier work.

R.E.M. at this time consisted of Michael Stipe, whose abstract, emotionally direct lyrics and distinctive vocal delivery anchor the album; Peter Buck, whose guitar work shifted toward mandolin, acoustic

Commercially, Automatic for the People was a major worldwide success. It reached #2 on the Billboard 200 in the United States and charted highly across Europe, including #1 in the UK Albums Chart. The album produced

The cultural significance of Automatic for the People lies in its ability to bring introspective, even somber themes into mainstream rock at a massive commercial scale. At a time when alternative rock was becoming

Bonus Tracks

Radio

Sexual

The

Rock

This

Fall

Harbor

Nightswimming

New

Man

Rockin’

Cinnamon

Track Listing

Drive Side

Drive

Try Not To Breathe

The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite

Everybody Hurts

New Orleans Instrumental No. 1

Sweetness Follows

Ride Side

Monty Got A Raw Deal

Ignoreland

Star Me Kitten

Man On The Moon

Nightswimming

Find The River

Hashtags: #AutomaticForThePeople #REM

Info

Website: ⁠⁠⁠Gary Wenstrup⁠⁠⁠

Podcast Website: ⁠⁠⁠Home - Classic Rock Album Olympics⁠⁠⁠

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠(556) Classic Rock

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In this episode (#28) of Classic Rock Album Olympics music historians Gary Wenstrup and Robert Rodriguez turn their attention to Moondance

Released in January 1970, it was Morrison’s third solo album and transformed him from a critically admired cult artist into a major

Medal Winners – Remarkably Gary and Robert picked the exact same 3 songs in the exact same order – a first and probably a last…

Moondance

Into

Caravan

Dissatisfied with having limited creative control during the making of Astral Weeks, Morrison assumed responsibility for producing Moondance, carefully shaping the arrangements and performances. The result was a polished yet organic recording that featured tight ensembles, memorable horn arrangements, and an effortless blend of jazz improvisation and pop

Van Morrison and John Platania played guitar with Jack Schroer and Collin Tilton on horns, Jef Labes on keyboards, John Klingberg on bass and Gary Mallaber on drums.  The musicians created an intimate, swinging

Commercially, Moondance became Van Morrison’s breakthrough album. It reached #29 on the Billboard 200 in the U.S., #32 on the UK Albums Chart while remaining a steady seller for decades.  Come Running was the only single released from the album and reached #39 on the charts. Over time, however, “Moondance,” “Into the Mystic,” “Caravan,” and “And It Stoned Me” became FM radio staples. 

Moondance has influenced generations of musicians across rock, folk, jazz, Americana, and soul, including Bruce Springsteen, Bonnie Raitt and Elvis Costello.  More than fifty years after its release, Moondance remains a beloved album, celebrated for its effortless musicianship and timeless melodies.  It is consistently ranked among the greatest albums ever and stands as the defining work in Van Morrison’s remarkable career.

Bonus Tracks

Moondance

East

Autumn

Brown

Domino

Gloria

Chuck

Midnight

Caravan

Punky’s

Come

And

Glad

Crazy

Brand

Everyone

I

I

I

I

Rainy

Doo

Track Listing

Side One

And It Stoned Me

Moondance

Crazy Love

Caravan

Into The Mystic

Side Two

Come Running

These Dreams of You

Brand New Day

Everyone

Glad Tidings

Hashtags: #Moondance #VanMorrison #ClassicRock

Contact Info

Website: ⁠⁠⁠Gary Wenstrup⁠⁠⁠

Podcast Website: ⁠⁠⁠Home - Classic Rock Album Olympics⁠⁠⁠

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠(556) Classic Rock

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Podcast Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠

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In this episode of Classic Rock Album Olympics music historians Gary Wenstrup and Robert Rodriguez turn on Remain In Light by Talking Heads and award gold, silver and bronze medals to their favorite songs.

Medal Winners

Crosseyed

Once

The

Listening

 Remain In Light, released in the fall of 1980, was the band’s fourth studio album and was an artistic leap as they blended new wave, funk, African polyrhythms, electronic music, and experimental rock into a new sonic texture. 

Building on ideas first explored on Fear of Music, the album challenged conventional rock songwriting by emphasizing rhythm, layered textures, and hypnotic grooves over traditional verse-and-chorus structures.

The album was produced by Brian Eno, whose creative partnership with Talking Heads reached its peak during these sessions. Rather than recording songs in the traditional manner, the band developed many of the tracks through extended group improvisations that were edited into intricate rhythmic patterns before lyrics and melodies were added.

Inspired by the work of Nigerian musician and activist Fela Kuti, as well as electronic pioneers and minimalist composers, Eno and the band crafted a dense, layered production that pushed the boundaries of what a rock album could be.

Talking Heads consisted of David Byrne, lead vocals, guitar, and many of the album’s lyrics; Jerry Harrison, keys and guitar; Tina Weymouth, bass and Chris Frantz, drums.

Commercially, Remain in Light became Talking Heads’ highest-charting album to that point. It reached #19 on the Billboard 200 and earned widespread critical acclaim upon release. Two singles were issued from

The cultural significance of Remain in Light is immense. It helped introduce African musical concepts to mainstream rock audiences in a respectful and creatively transformative way while demonstrating that experimental music could also be accessible. 

Bonus Tracks

Take

And

The

Burning

Road

Artist

Water

Zombie

Take

Love

Little

Interstellar

DJ

Hashtags: #RemainInLight #TalkingHeads #DavidByrne

Contact Info

Website: ⁠⁠⁠Gary Wenstrup⁠⁠⁠

Podcast Website: ⁠⁠⁠Home - Classic Rock Album Olympics⁠⁠⁠

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠(556) Classic Rock

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In this episode of Classic Rock Album Olympics music historians Gary Wenstrup and Robert Rodriguez take Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On for a spin and award gold, silver and bronze medals for their favorite tracks.

Medal Winners

What’s

Flyin’

Mercy

What’s

Inner

The album was released in the summer of 1971 and is widely regarded as one of the greatest albums ever made.  It marked a dramatic artistic transformation for Marvin Gaye and for Motown itself. Rather than focusing on romantic love songs, Gaye created a deeply personal concept album that addressed war, poverty, racial injustice, environmental concerns, police brutality, drug abuse, and spiritual renewal. Inspired in part by conversations with his brother Frankie, who had recently returned from service in Vietnam, What’s Going On captured the hopes, frustrations, and uncertainty of America during one of the nation’s most turbulent periods.

What’s Going On was produced by Marvin Gaye, making him one of the first Motown artists to exercise complete creative control over a major project. Recording sessions took place at Detroit’s Hitsville U.S.A. studio and at Golden World Studios, also in Detroit. Gaye experimented with layered vocals, sophisticated orchestration, jazz-influenced harmonies, and seamless transitions between songs, creating one of the first truly unified concept albums in soul music.

Marvin Gaye handled the lead and background vocals and worked with Motown’s famous house band – The Funk Brothers.  They included bassists James Jamerson and Bob Babbit, drummer Chet Forest, percussionist Jack Ashford, keyboardist Earl Van Dyke and guitarists Robert White and Joe Messina.  The album’s lush orchestral arrangements and rich vocal textures combined elements of soul, jazz, classical music, gospel, and rhythm and blues into a sound unlike anything Motown had previously

Commercially, the album became one of the biggest successes of Marvin Gaye’s career, reaching #6 on the Billboard 200.  Three singles emerged from the album. The title track, “What’s Going On,” reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, “Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)” climbed to #4 and became one of popular music’s earliest environmental anthems. “Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)” reached #9.

The cultural significance of What’s Going On is difficult to overstate. It transformed expectations of what soul music could address and

Artists ranging from Stevie Wonder to Prince, Bruce Springsteen, D’Angelo, and many others have cited it as a landmark achievement.

Hashtags: #WhatsGoingOn #MarvinGaye #Motown

Bonus Tracks

I

Stoned

War

Ball

Love

Right

Save

Sadly, a demo version of What’s Going On does not exist

Track Listing

Side One

What’s Going On

What’s Happening Brother

Flyin’ High (In The Friendly Sky)

Save The Children

God Is Love

Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)

Side Two

Right On

Wholy Holy

Inner City Blues (Makes Me Wanna Holler)

Contact Info

Website: ⁠⁠⁠Gary Wenstrup⁠⁠⁠

Podcast Website: ⁠⁠⁠Home - Classic Rock Album Olympics⁠⁠⁠

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠(556) Classic Rock

Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠(7) Facebook⁠⁠⁠

Podcast Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠

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In this episode of Classic Rock Album Olympics music historians Gary Wenstrup and Robert Rodriguez turn their attention to the self-titled album by The Band and award their gold, silver and bronze medals accordingly.

Medal Winners

Jemima

Whispering

The

Rockin’

Across

Released in the fall of 1969, the album arrived roughly a year after the group’s acclaimed debut, Music From Big Pink.  At a time when psychedelic rock and hard rock dominated popular music, The Band looked backward instead of forward, drawing inspiration from American folk traditions, country, blues, gospel, and early rock and roll to create a sound that helped lay the foundation for what would later become known as Americana.

The album was produced by John Simon, who had also produced

The Band consisted of Robbie Robertson who served as the principal songwriter and lead guitarist.  Levon Helm played drums, mandolin, and sang many of the group’s most memorable lead vocals.  Rick Danko

Commercially, The Band was a significant success. It reached #9 on the Billboard 200 album chart in the United States.  Two singles were released from the album. “Up on Cripple Creek” became the band’s biggest American hit, climbing to #25 on the Billboard Hot 100 and “Rag Mama Rag” reached #57. 

At a time when rock music often celebrated excess and experimentation, The Band created an album rooted in history, tradition, and compelling storytelling. Its songs explored themes of community, hardship, faith, work, and the changing American experience, helping redefine what rock

The album became influential on later generations of musicians, inspiring artists such as Eric Clapton, Elvis Costello, Wilco, and countless Americana, country-rock, and folk-rock performers.

Bonus Tracks

The

The

Stage

Chest

Up

Tears

I

Side 1

Across The Great Divide

Rag Mama Rag

The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down

When You Awake

Up On Cripple Creek

Whispering Pines

Side 2

Jemima Surrender

Rockin' Chair

Look Out Cleveland

Jawbone

The Unfaithful Servant

King Harvest (Has Surely Come)

Hashtags: #TheBand #TheBrownAlbum #ClassicRock

Contact Info

Website: ⁠⁠⁠Gary Wenstrup⁠⁠⁠

Podcast Website: ⁠⁠⁠Home - Classic Rock Album Olympics⁠⁠⁠

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠(556) Classic Rock

Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠(7) Facebook⁠⁠⁠

Podcast Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠

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In episode #26 of Classic Rock Album Olympics music historians Gary Wenstrup and Robert Rodriguez award their gold, silver and bronze medals for songs from David Bowie’s Station To Station.

Released in January 1976, Station to Station represented Bowie’s transition away from American soul influences toward the avant-garde European sensibilities that would define his late-1970s work with Brian Eno.

Station To Station introduced Bowie’s mysterious “Thin White Duke” persona — elegant, detached, and emotionally fractured. Recorded in Los Angeles during a turbulent period of Bowie’s life, the album blended art rock, funk, krautrock influences, and hypnotic electronic textures into one of his most acclaimed works.

The album reached #3 on the US Billboard 200, making it the highest charting album of Bowie's career.  The major single from the album was Golden Years which peaked at #10 on the Billboard Hot 100.  Second single TVC 15 reached #64.

The musicians on the album formed one of Bowie’s most celebrated backing bands. Guitarist Carlos Alomar anchored the music with sharp

Culturally, Station to Station became enormously influential on post-punk, new wave, gothic rock, and alternative music. Its cold elegance and rhythmic experimentation inspired artists ranging from Joy Division and Talking Heads to later musicians such as Nine Inch Nails and Radiohead.

Medal Winners

Wild

TVC

Station

Stay

Golden

Bonus Tracks

Fame

Young

Space

Rebel

Cat

Wild

(Just

Rockin

When

Baby

The

Rawhide

Town

Town

Wild

Wild

Do

Bennie

Funeral

Autobahn - Kraftwerk

Track Listing

Side One

Station To Station

Golden Years

Word On A Wing

Side Two

TVC 15

Stay

Wild Is The Wind

#StationToStation #DavidBowie #ThinWhiteDuke #GoldenYears

Contact Info

Website: ⁠⁠⁠Gary Wenstrup⁠⁠⁠

Podcast Website: ⁠⁠⁠Home - Classic Rock Album Olympics⁠⁠⁠

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠(556) Classic Rock

Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠(7) Facebook⁠⁠⁠

Podcast Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠

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In episode #25 of Classic Rock Album Olympics music historians Gary Wenstrup and Robert Rodriguez sail with Reggatta de Blanc by The Police and award their gold, silver and bronze medals for their favorite songs.

Released October 1979, Reggatta de Blanc was the second album by The Police and the record that transformed the trio from promising new-wave outsiders into stars. Produced by Nigel Gray along with the band, the album expanded the reggae-rock and post-punk sound introduced on Outlandos d’Amour.

The title – Reggatta de Blanc - loosely translates to “white reggae,” reflecting the group’s fusion of punk energy, reggae rhythms, jazz textures, and pop songwriting.  

The album featured the classic Police lineup: Sting on bass and lead vocals, Andy Summers on guitar and Stewart Copeland on drums.  Together they created a sparse but highly rhythmic sound built around Summers’ atmospheric guitar work, Sting’s melodic bass lines, and Copeland’s inventive drumming.  

Reggatta de Blanc became the band’s first UK No. 1 album. In the United States it reached No. 25 on the Billboard album chart, helping establish the band’s growing American audience.

The singles “Message in a Bottle” and “Walking on the Moon” both reached No. 1 in the UK.  The singles did not fare as well in the US. “Message” hit #74 and "Moon" did not chart.  The instrumental title track earned the band its first Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance.  

The album captured the restless energy of the late-1970s post-punk era while proving that reggae influences could coexist with mainstream rock radio. The Police stood apart from both traditional punk and arena rock by emphasizing space, rhythm, and sophistication over heavy guitar excess.

Many critics and fans view Reggatta de Blanc as the album where the band honed its signature sound, paving the way for later classics like Zenyatta Mondatta and Synchronicity.

Medal Winners

No

Message

The

Bring

Reggatta

Bonus Tracks

Roxanne

Next

Nothing

Truth

So

Visions

Fall

Behind

Be

Mirror

Further Reading

Shot

Track Listing

Side One

Message In A Bottle

Reggatta de Blanc

It's Alright For You

Bring On The Night

Deathwish

Side Two

Walking On The Moon

On Any Other Day

The Bed's Too Big Without You

Contact

Does Everyone Stare

No Time This Time

#ThePolice #ReggattaDeBlanc #Sting #AndySummers

Contact Info

Website: ⁠⁠⁠Gary Wenstrup⁠⁠⁠

Podcast Website: ⁠⁠⁠Home - Classic Rock Album Olympics⁠⁠⁠

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠(556) Classic Rock

Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠(7) Facebook⁠⁠⁠

Podcast Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠

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In episode # 24 of Classic Rock Album Olympics music historians Gary Wenstrup and Robert Rodriguez dig into Silk Degrees by Boz Scaggs and award their gold, silver and bronze medals accordingly.

Medal Winners

Georgia

Harbor

Lido

We’re

Bonus Tracks

We

Finding

Dinah

Near

Brandy

Look

Harbor

Low

Love

Sooner

Long

What

Lone

Jump

Silk Degrees by Boz Scaggs was released in March 1976 and became the defining album of his career, blending blue-eyed soul, smooth pop, and West Coast R&B into a polished, radio-friendly sound that helped define

Recorded at CBS Studios in San Francisco, the album benefited from a group of top-tier session musicians, many of whom would soon form Toto, including David Paich (keyboards), Jeff Porcaro (drums), and David

The album was produced by Joe Wissert, whose clean, layered production emphasized rhythm, melody, and Scaggs’ smooth vocal delivery.

Several hit singles emerged, including “Lowdown,” “Lido Shuffle,” “What Can I Say,” and “It’s Over,” with “Lowdown” becoming the biggest success, reaching #3 on the Billboard Hot 100.  “Lido Shuffle” also performed strongly, reaching the Top 20, helping sustain the album’s momentum across radio formats.

Silk Degrees peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200 and became a multi-platinum success, eventually selling over five million copies in the United States. Its crossover appeal—bridging pop, R&B, and soft rock—made it a staple of FM radio and a key influence on the emerging yacht rock sound.

Critically and commercially, the album marked the high point of Scaggs’ mainstream popularity, cementing his place in 1970s music and showcasing a seamless blend of craftsmanship, musicianship, and accessibility.

Track Listing

Side One

What Can I Say

Georgia

Jump Street

What Do You Want The Girl To Do

Harbor Lights

Side Two

Lowdown

It’s Over

Love Me Tomorrow

Lido Shuffle

We’re All Alone

Hashtags

#BozScaggs #SilkDegrees #1970sMusic #YachtRock

Contact Info

Website: ⁠⁠Gary Wenstrup⁠⁠

Podcast Website: ⁠⁠Home - Classic Rock Album Olympics⁠⁠

YouTube: ⁠⁠(556) Classic Rock

Facebook: ⁠⁠(7) Facebook⁠⁠

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In episode #23 of Classic Rock Album Olympics music historians Gary Wenstrup and Robert Rodriguez discuss London Calling by The Clash and award their gold, silver and bronze medals accordingly.

Medal Winners

Lost

Spanish

The

Rudie

Clampdown

Train

 London Calling by The Clash was released in the U.S. in January 1980, marking a turning point not just for the band but for late-1970s rock. Expanding far beyond their early punk sound, the double album blends reggae, ska, rockabilly, R&B, and pop into a politically charged yet musically adventurous statement that captured the turbulence of the era—economic decline, nuclear anxiety, and social unrest—while still delivering sharp songwriting and energy. 

The album is considered the most “musical” punk album and its most ambitious.

The core lineup featured Joe Strummer (lead vocals, rhythm guitar + lyrics), Mick Jones (lead guitar, vocals + music), Paul Simonon (bass), and Topper Headon (drums). The album was produced by Guy Stevens with mostly just 1 or 2 takes for each song. 

While the album only reached #27 on the U.S. Billboard 200, its reputation grew steadily, and it is now widely regarded as one of the greatest albums of all time.  The lone single released from the album in the U.S. was “Train in Vain.” The song was added at the last minute and unlisted on early pressings, reaching #23 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Critically, London Calling has been celebrated for its ambition and range, often cited alongside landmark albums in rock history for its fusion of genres and its ability to translate political urgency into compelling music.

Its iconic cover—featuring Simonon smashing his bass, photographed

Original album title: The Last Testament

For more information: Route 19 Revisited: The Clash and

Bonus Tracks

Vanilla

London

Guns

Clampdown

The

Track Listing

Side One

London Calling

Brand New Cadillac

Jimmy Jazz

Hateful

Rudie Can’t Fail

Side Two

Spanish Bombs

The Right Profile

Clampdown

The Guns of Brixton

Side Three

Wrong ‘Em Boyo

Death Or Glory

Koka Kola

The Card Cheat

Side Four

Lover’s Rock

Four Horsemen

I’m Not Down

Revolution Rock

Train In Vain    

Hashtags  

#TheClash #LondonCalling #PunkRock #ClassicAlbums

Contact Info

Website: ⁠⁠Gary Wenstrup⁠⁠

Podcast Website: ⁠⁠Home - Classic Rock Album Olympics⁠⁠

YouTube: ⁠⁠(556) Classic Rock

Facebook: ⁠⁠(7) Facebook⁠⁠

Podcast Facebook: ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠(17) Gary Wenstrup | LinkedIn⁠

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