This week: a fascinating in-depth interview with The Bee Gees, circa 1976. Roger Ashby talks about the recent success of the “Main Course” album (with songs like “Nights On Broadway”, “Jive Talkin’” and “Fanny”), as well as their latest album, “Children of The World”, where they dabble in disco for the first time (“You Should Be Dancing”).  They also discuss their vocal influences, including The Everly Bros and The Mills Bros.  The brothers are in fine form!

          Then we chat with Nancy Wilson of Heart in 1982. The group has just been streamlined to a quintet and Nancy couldn’t be happier – now having more of a chance to shine. Nancy is so charming and friendly in this chat – even when she’s talking about serious causes like the anti-nuke movement.  She also talks about the band's Canadian roots.

          And finally, we jump ahead to 2011 with an excellent interview with Michael Buble.  Marilyn Denis has a blast talking to Michael about his recent marriage… and what his future wife REALLY thought about Michael on the night they first met. 

          He also explains the advice that David Foster gave him and why he doesn’t get nervous before a big concert.  It’s a wildly entertaining conversation between Michael and Marilyn!

 

David Crosby was a towering figure in music history. As a founding member of The Byrds and then with Crosby, Stills & Nash, and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, he was there at the start of the folk rock era and was an essential element in the sound of those bands. His unique approach to vocal harmonies helped to define those groups and their influence is heard to this day.

  Christopher interviewed Crosby in 1989 as he was undergoing a resurgence that would last more than 30 years... and that's after everyone had written him off.  The interview is amazing... capturing Crosby's gregarious nature, love of storytelling, and his deep love for music.  

  We also have a series of clips from around 1970, as Crosby talks exuberantly about Crosby, Stills & Nash. He explains why they chose the name, even though it sounded like a law firm and why he had such a strong connection to his bandmates.

We also talk about Crosby's legacy and the latter day arguments that tore his friendships apart. Yet, after his passing, those friends chose to remember him fondly. 

David Crosby passed away on January 18 2023 at the age of 81.

Special tribute episode: 

In light of the recent passing of Lisa Marie Presley at the age of 54, we have two interviews.  One is with Lisa Marie from 2005, promoting her second album. Lisa Marie is very candid and personal during this chat with Roger Ashby and Marilyn Denis, as she talks about her music, her childhood, and trying to raise her kids in a normal way. As you can imagine, the whole thing is tinged with tragedy.

The second interview is with Priscilla Presley a year later in 2006.  Priscilla was promoting a line of linens, but Roger and Marilyn talk to her about everything from Lisa Marie to being married to Elvis, to their divorce, to the one book about Elvis that she would recommend.  Both interviews are fascinating to hear.  

What is the great song lyric ever?  Tom & Christopher argue about Bob Dylan and Paul Simon before Tom comes up with the best (and funniest) answer.

          This week, our show features two Canadian superstars… Shania Twain and Celine Dion.

          Frist, we have Tom’s 2003 chat with Shania as she talks about touring and how her songs and concerts are a celebration.  Tom asks her about a secret staff of darker songs and finds out about the moments that changed her life.

          Then, we fast forward to 2015 as Shania talks to Marilyn Denis about her Vegas residency.  All told, it’s a pretty revealing set of interview clips with Shania.

We also have a 1992 interview with Celine Dion, just as she was starting to experience superstardom. Her gratitude is sincere and heartfelt. She also talks about her then-manager (and future husband) Rene Angelil and how her first audition for him made him break down in tears.

          And we finish up with a fascinating interview with the late great Warren Zevon.  Sure, Warren is best known for the 1978 classic, “Werewolves Of London”, but his skills as a songwriter were deeply admired by other artists.  In these interview clips, Zevon talks about creating “Werewolves”, dealing with critics and writing songs about the darkest parts of life, but doing it with humour.  We’ll also talk about Warren’s deep gratitude to David Letterman.

       Famous Lost Words, hosted by Christopher Ward and Tom Jokic, is heard in more than 100 countries worldwide and on radio stations across Canada, including Newstalk 1010 Toronto, CJAD 800 Montreal, 580 CFRA Ottawa, AM 800 CKLW Windsor, Newstalk 1290 London, 610 CKTB St Catharines, CFAX Victoria, AM1150 Kelowna and 91x in Belleville. 

What is the greatest year in music history?  Christopher and Tom weigh in and, not surprisingly, their answers are very different.  It prompts a rather lively and contentious discussion.

          Plus we pay tribute to the many artists we lost in 2022. But don’t expect this to be a mournful show.  Think of it more as a celebration of these artists.   Included this week:

• Olivia Newton-John talks about her career
• Meatloaf on how “Paradise By The Dashboard Light” could appeal to people of any era
• Ronnie Hawkins on his love of Canadian music, and other sordid tales
• Jerry Lee Lewis in one of the most weirdly chilling clips in our collection
• Dan McCafferty explains how Nazareth got their name
• Plus a clip from the most listened to episode in FLW history

And on When Rock Stars Attack – Jann Arden takes hilarious aim at an American singer.

We finish the show with another edition of the epic smackdown that is “TJ vs The VJ” as Tom & Christopher try to stump each in a test of musical knowledge.

 

Famous Lost Words is heard in 31 countries worldwide and on radio stations across Canada, including Newstalk 1010 Toronto, CJAD 800 Montreal, 580 CFRA Ottawa, AM 800 CKLW Windsor, Newstalk 1290 London, 610 CKTB St Catharines, CFAX Victoria, AM1150 Kelowna and 91x in Belleville. 

 

          This week, a relaxed and very interesting chat with The Tragically Hip circa 1991.  Gord Downie and the band are promoting their second album, “Road Apples”. They talk about working in New Orleans, road testing their new songs and how many chances a song gets in the studio before they toss it out. They also talk about the time they were booked into a hip hop club as well as the time they played an Alberta gig on the worst possible night – it was the day that Gretzy got traded to L.A.

          Then, we have a 1980 chat with Rick Nielsen and Bun E. Carlos of Cheap Trick.  This is a weirdly fun series of clips, as the band breaks down their history… going all the way back to the American Civil War???  And Rick talks about the wild success of “I Want You To Want Me” from their “Budokan” album.  This is a fun segment.

          Bo Diddley was one of rock’s pioneers. And in a couple of brief clip, Bo tells us about his previous career and then how he helped propel rock and rock to popularity. It’s great to hear rock history from an artist who was there at the beginning!

          And we finish off the show with a very entertaining chat with Nick Lowe. Nick talks about his history as an in-demand producer and how breaking the rules is so much easier when you don’t know them in the first place. He also tells us about working with Dave Edmunds and Elvis Costello. And we also find out the funny story behind Nick’s nickname, “Basher”.

      Famous Lost Words is heard in 31 countries worldwide and on radio stations across Canada, including Newstalk 1010 Toronto, CJAD 800 Montreal, 580 CFRA Ottawa, AM 800 CKLW Windsor, Newstalk 1290 London, 610 CKTB St Catharines, CFAX Victoria, AM1150 Kelowna and 91x in Belleville. 

This week – a 2005 interview with Madonna as she promotes her album “Confessions On A Dance Floor”.  Madonna is predictably smart and passionate about her music, but she can also be a bit cranky.   WARNING – this interview contains perhaps the most awkward moment in FLW history.

            Then, a wonderful ‘80s interview with Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders. Chrissie talks about the influences of the ‘60s on her music, how motherhood affected her life and how her anger with the world is a motivating force.  It’s  a great chat with the great Pretender.

            Also, we have some weird and wonderful clips from the legendary Frank Zappa. Frank is both strongly opinionated and very clever in these. Christopher has been waiting a long time to play them for you!

            And we finish off the show as Christopher and Tom go toe-to-toe on another edition of the epic smackdown known as TJ vs The VJ!

This week: an extraordinary 1989 interview with the legendary Tina Turner. Tina talks about her rise to fame, how her stage act was her own personal fitness routine, how she chooses her songs and whether or not she considers herself sexy.

            Then, a fun 2003 chat with Cher during her first farewell tour. Cher discusses the highlights of her stage show, what she loves about her fans… and why the cops were called when one of her wigs went missing from the tour! It’s an hilarious interview with Marilyn Denis and Roger Ashby.

            And finally, the incredible Melissa Etheridge from 1996, when she was promoting her new album “Your Little Secret”. She tells us the charming backstory of the album’s title as well as the inspiration behind her first hit, “Bring Me Some Water”.  Melissa also explains how she managed to “un-tabloid” her personal life by being so open about it.  And finally she talks about performing her Janis Joplin tribute at “Woodstock 25”.

            Plus, Christopher and Tom talk about the greatest debut singles of all time, from “I Want You Back” to "More Than A Feeling" to “Baby, One More Time”.  (And for some reason, Tom feels compelled to sing “Rock Lobster”, but you can fast forward past that part.)

        Famous Lost Words, hosted by Christopher Ward and Tom Jokic, is heard in more than 100 countries worldwide and on radio stations across Canada, including Newstalk 1010 Toronto, CJAD 800 Montreal, 580 CFRA Ottawa, AM 800 CKLW Windsor, Newstalk 1290 London, 610 CKTB St Catharines, CFAX Victoria, AM1150 Kelowna and 91x in Belleville.

            This week – the finale of our epic 3-part series on The ‘60s!  It’s a show chock full of highlights…

• Van Morrison explains how “Brown Eyed Girl” almost got banned from the radio
• Neil Sedaka talks about the creation of “Breaking Up Is Hard To Do”
• Gene Pitney on writing one of the ‘60s biggest hits, touring with the Dick Clark Caravan of Stars and hanging with The Stones
• Dick Clark talks about the early days of American Bandstand and how the idea of watching “teenagers dance on TV” was a hard sell to the station owners
• Frankie Valli explains how Clark Gable inspired one of the Four Seasons’ biggest hits
• The Hollies on how they got their name and their first taste of international fame.
• Blood, Sweat & Tears talk about playing at Woodstock – and why their performance wasn’t included in the movie
• Freddy Cannon – on how one of his concerts was interrupted by a bunch of stampeding horses.
• Connie Francis talks about the moment her life changed forever
• Tom has a great chat with Felix Cavaliere of The Rascals
• The legendary Sylvia Tyson explains how the music of “Ian & Sylvia” holds up
• Carole King talks about the extraordinary gift of her songwriting partner, Jerry Goffin
• Lulu talks about landing the role (and title song) for “To Sir With Love”
• Interview clips with Paul Revere & The Raiders, The Shirelles, The Byrds, Procol Harum, The Fifth Dimension, Moody Blues, Del Shannon, The Impressions and Bobby Vee.
• Plus – how an Aretha Franklin recording session almost devolved into a fistfight.

Famous Lost Words, hosted by Christopher Ward and Tom Jokic, is heard in more than 100 countries worldwide and on radio stations across Canada, including Newstalk 1010 Toronto, CJAD 800 Montreal, 580 CFRA Ottawa, AM 800 CKLW Windsor, Newstalk 1290 London, 610 CKTB St Catharines, CFAX Victoria, AM1150 Kelowna and 91x in Belleville.

In part 2 of our ‘60s series, Christopher and Tom try to choose the ultimate ‘60s all-star band. Christopher puts together a great line-up, but Tom’s choices raise a few eyebrows! 

          Other highlights this week:

• Art Garfunkel tells the story behind Simon & Garfunkel’s last (and most contentious) hit, “Bridge Over Troubled Water”
• The wild history of The Mamas & The Papas – as told by one of the Papas.
• James Brown describes his music in the most James Brown way
• Pete Townshend talks about The Who’s breakthrough
• Stevie Wonder tells the story behind one of his biggest hits of the decade
• Tommy James describes the chaotic recording session for “Mony Mony”
• The stories behind Gerry & The Pacemakers greatest songs
• And we hear from a band who had their biggest hit… AFTER they broke up!

Famous Lost Words, hosted by Christopher Ward and Tom Jokic, is heard in more than 100 countries worldwide and on radio stations across Canada, including Newstalk 1010 Toronto, CJAD 800 Montreal, 580 CFRA Ottawa, AM 800 CKLW Windsor, Newstalk 1290 London, 610 CKTB St Catharines, CFAX Victoria, AM1150 Kelowna and 91x in Belleville.