Planet LP

On Episode 115 of the Planet LP Podcast, Ted Asregadoo dives deep into a pivotal moment in The Who’s history — their 1978 album Who Are You — with longtime Who aficionado Jason Hare.

Who Are You may not top most fans’ lists of the band’s greatest albums, but it remains one of the most significant. Released on August 18, 1978, it was the last record to feature the original lineup and arrived at a moment when the band — and Pete Townshend in particular — were confronting their own fading relevance. As rock critic Greil Marcus noted in his 1978 Rolling Stone review, much of the album is shaped by Townshend’s anxieties about obsolescence, artistic exhaustion, and the shifting musical landscape.

Forty-seven years later, Who Are You gets the full Super Deluxe treatment, just as The Who call it quits (again) after their final “This Song Is Over” tour in 2025 — a greatest-hits victory lap for casual fans, but not always the deep-cut celebration hardcore devotees were hoping for.

Ted and Jason unpack what this new box set offers: the unheard material, the surprises, what genuinely adds to the album’s legacy, and where the collection may come up short. They also take a candid look at Keith Moon’s final performances — the brilliance, the decline, and the tragedy of a 32-year-old who seemed decades older.

It’s an episode for fans who want more than nostalgia — they want context, history, and a dash of humor in The Who's transitional chapter.

Steve Fox’s Old School sponsors the Planet LP podcast! Steve Fox’s Old School. It’s the first place to go to stream R&B dance hits from the 1970s to the 1990s.

Read Greil Marcus's 1978 review of "Who Are You" in Rolling Stone magazine.

Ted Asregadoo is joined by a very special guest: original Planet LP co-host John Young! John returns to the mic for a hilarious, lighthearted episode dedicated to the universal experience of the misheard lyric, or "mondegreens." From classic rock blunders like AC/DC's "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap" to modern mix-ups like Taylor Swift's "Starbucks Lovers," they share famous examples from their own list and some from Ultimate Classic Rock that will make you rethink your favorite songs. Ted and John also share their personal misheard lyrics, including John's interpretation of The Police's "Driven to Tears" and Ted's brother's misheard lyric in "Spirits in the Material World." Tune in for a laugh and see how many lyrical mistakes you've been singing all these years!

Steve Fox's Old School sponsors the Planet LP podcast! Steve Fox's Old School. It's the first place to go to stream R&B dance hits from the 1970s to the 1990s.

On episode 113 of the Planet LP podcast, host Ted Asregadoo welcomes guest John Maschino to dive deep into the world of protest songs. While many immediately think of the 1960s, this episode explores how rebellious anthems have evolved and continue to be a powerful force in music. From the satirical observations of Devo's "Beautiful World" to the deeply personal liberation in Chappell Roan's "Pink Pony Club," and the unflinching social commentary of Childish Gambino's "This is America" and Public Enemy's "Fight the Power," this episode covers a wide range of musical rebellion.

Ted and John also discuss examples of religious rebellion, such as The Lovestrange's "Hey Now, People," along with economic injustice in Oliver Anthony's "Rich Men North of Richmond," the fight for marriage equality in The Gossip's "Standing in the Way of Control," and the broader landscape of protest in the music of Kendrick Lamar, Beyoncé, and more. Jump right into a deep discussion on the intersection of music, change, and rebellion.

Planet LP's sponsor is Steve Fox's Old School. The first place to go to stream R&B dance hits from the 70s, 80s, and 90s.

On this week's episode, host Ted Asregadoo sits down with two of his biggest Billy Joel fan friends, Jeff Giles and Jason Hare, to discuss the recent HBO documentary, And So It Goes.

Jeff is the founder of Popdose, host of The Record Player podcast, and creator of the new site Harmonic, while Jason is also a co-founder of Popdose and an avid triathlete. Ted, who was once a DJ imprisoned by the monotony of adult contemporary radio, has a complicated relationship with Joel’s music. Forced to play the same nine hit songs on repeat for 13 years, he now has an aversion to tunes like "Piano Man" and "Just the Way You Are."

The conversation about the documentary leads to a much deeper discussion of Joel's albums, particularly his 1982 masterpiece, The Nylon Curtain. Both Ted and Jeff agree that this melancholy and often sad album is Joel's creative peak—a personal and generational biography of being a Baby Boomer.

In contrast, Jason shares a more foundational love for Joel's music, recalling how hearing "Scenes From an Italian Restaurant" as a kid was what inspired him to start taking piano lessons.

Join the trio as they dissect the documentary, debate the brilliance of The Nylon Curtain, and explore Billy Joel's music.

______________________________________

This episode of Planet LP is sponsored by Steve Fox's Old School. If you’ve been looking for a radio station that plays the true "Old School" music you grew up with, look no further. Steve Fox's Old School is the real thing, from classic soul and funk to the disco era and hip hop. Find them on TuneIn and let them know what you want to hear.

Spring 2025 Season Finale 

Host Ted Asregadoo closes out the spring season by shining a spotlight on the most essential—yet often overlooked—members of any great band: the drummers. Reuniting with John Young (John was a co-host during the first year of Planet LP’s existence in 2021), this episode serves as both a musical celebration and a reminder that creativity and joy persist even in the darkest of times.

Or, to quote Sting, "When the world is running down, you make the best of what's still around."

Rhythm Masters Featured:

🥁 Ringo Starr - John Young champions the Beatles' timekeeper with infectious enthusiasm on “I Feel Fine.” This 1965 classic demonstrates why Ringo Starr is such an inventive drummer, who fashions an R&B rhythm with roots in Ray Charles’ “What’d I Say.”

🥁 John Bonham - A masterclass breakdown of Led Zeppelin's "Fool in the Rain," exploring how Bonham seamlessly weaves samba rhythms with Bernard Purdie's signature shuffle. Zep gets rightly criticized for ripping off black musicians, and while Bonham does use the Purdie shuffle on this song, he does so in a way that serves the song well. 

🥁 Clyde Stubblefield - The funky foundation of James Brown's "Cold Sweat" and his lasting impact on groove-based music. What makes this rhythm so great is that it’s not only funky as hell, but Stubblefield also pulls the time in the song ever so slightly to make it a unique funk rhythm.

🥁 Gina Schock - The Go-Go's powerhouse, whose driving beat combines punk energy with pop sensibility, creating the infectious rhythm that made "Head Over Heels" such a fantastic tune and The Go-Go’s a band that has consistently rocked it for over four decades. 

🥁 Neil Peart - Rush's mathematical drummer dissected through the complex patterns of "Subdivisions." Peart was a very much a compositional drummer, whose approach to the instrument was more from the head than the heart. His drum composition on “Subdivisions” is some of the most complex and exciting drumming in Rush’s catalogue. Although most people would point to “Tom Sawyer” as the pinnacle of Peart’s drumming, “Subdivisions” is right up there in terms of compositional ingenuity, rhythmic variety, and just effing awesome chops. 

🥁 Karen Carpenter - Celebrating her overlooked drumming prowess before she became known primarily as a vocalist for The Carpenters. Karen’s mastery of the drums can be seen in this 1976 performance. While the music is kind of cheesy, her abilities behind the kit are not. John Bonham infamously slagged Karen when she won a Playboy magazine survey of best rock drummers (with Bonham as number two), saying that she wouldn’t last two minutes drumming on a Zep song. One look at her soloing on YouTube will disabuse you of that notion.

A concluding note:  this episode isn't about ranking the "best" drummers—it's about appreciating the artists who make our ears perk up and remind us why the beat is essential to a lot of the music we love. 

Episode 111 proves that sometimes the best medicine for troubled times is simply great music and the people who create it.

This episode of the Planet LP Podcast, hosted by Ted Asregadoo, delves into the unexpected musical blind spots of even the most accomplished music journalists. Ted is joined by prolific music writer and co-host of The Record Player podcast, Jeff Giles (Popdose, Ultimate Classic Rock, Diffuser FM, Jefitoblog, and Harmonic.fm).

The discussion centers on highly-regarded albums that, despite their critical acclaim or widespread popularity, have somehow been overlooked by these experienced listeners. Prepare for candid revelations as Ted and Jeff explore records that often elicit the incredulous response: "Wait, you've NEVER listened to that?!"

The episode features a diverse selection of genres and eras. It begins with Gang of Four's Entertainment! (1979), examining its groundbreaking sound and lasting influence on popular music. Next, the focus shifts to Jefferson Airplane's Surrealistic Pillow (1967). While acknowledging its iconic status and memorable tracks, the host shares a surprisingly critical perspective on this San Francisco classic.

Finally, the conversation turns to Donna Summer's Bad Girls (1979). The episode explores its commercial success, Grammy recognition, and even an unexpected link to New Order, while posing the question of how such a significant album could have been a "miss" for a dedicated music aficionado.

Tune in for an engaging and often surprising exploration of influential albums that, for some, remained undiscovered territory.

In this episode of The Planet LP Podcast, host Ted Asregadoo takes listeners on a deep dive into Pat Benatar's groundbreaking early career, examining her first four albums that established her as a pioneering force in hard rock. The episode explores how Benatar shattered the glass ceiling for female artists in a male-dominated genre during the late 1970s and early 1980s, while also revealing the creative challenges that emerged with her fourth release.

The journey begins with Patricia Mae Andrzejewski's transformation from a military wife to rock icon, following her path from New York City through various singing gigs to her breakthrough 1979 debut "In the Heat of the Night." Ted analyzes the album's standout tracks, including the chart-topping "Heartbreaker," the new wave-influenced "We Live For Love," and her cover of Johnny Cougar's (later known as John Mellencamp) "I Need a Lover."

The episode highlights "Crimes of Passion" (1980) as Benatar's commercial and artistic peak, featuring the iconic "Hit Me with Your Best Shot" and reaching 4x platinum status. Ted shares personal anecdotes about discovering the album during high school and addresses the controversy surrounding the song "Hell Is for Children," clarifying its powerful message about child abuse rather than satanic themes.

Moving through "Precious Time" (1981), the discussion covers Grammy-winning track "Fire and Ice" and the explosive "Promises in the Dark," while examining Benatar's creative partnership with guitarist Neil Giraldo. However, the episode takes a bit of a critical turn when analyzing "Get Nervous" (1982), revealing how, despite producing solid singles, the album as a whole felt uneven and suggested that the signature "Pat Benatar Sound" had begun to lose its edge. Ted discusses how the formula that had worked so well across three albums was showing signs of creative fatigue, setting the stage for the dramatic reinvention that would come with "Love is a Battlefield" – a song that would refresh her sound and prove she could evolve beyond her established hard rock persona.

In this Spring 2025 episode of the Planet LP Podcast, host Ted Asregadoo shares his first-hand experience at the Cruel World Music Festival in Pasadena, California, held on May 17, 2025. Attending his very first music festival to celebrate a milestone birthday, Ted is joined by longtime friend and fellow music superfan John Maschino for a lively recap of the day's highlights.

Together, they dive into performances from a stellar lineup of 1980s new wave, post-punk, and synthpop icons, including:

Whether you love ’80s alternative bands, live music experiences, or just want the inside scoop on the 2025 Cruel World Festival, this episode is packed with nostalgia, highlights, and passionate commentary.

In this episode of "The Planet LP Podcast," host Ted Asregadoo welcomes back guest Scott Malchus for a nostalgic dive into the world of midnight movies.

Remember those late-night screenings of cult classics like "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" and "Pink Floyd: The Wall"?

Scott and Ted share their favorite music-related films, including Ted's picks like "This is Spinal Tap," "Stop Making Sense," and "Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage." Scott's selections include "Almost Famous," "A Hard Day's Night," "Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: Runnin' Down a Dream," and more. The guys also discuss how groundbreaking and weird David Lynch's "Eraserhead" was and the pros and cons of the Bob Dylan biopic, "A Complete Unknown."

Get ready for a lively discussion on the magic of cinema and the enduring power of music in film!

IT’S THE FINAL EPISODE OF 2024!

Join Planet LP host Ted Asregadoo and Popdose's Keith Creighton as they wrap up an incredible year of music! In this jam-packed episode, Ted and Keith dive into their favorite songs and albums of 2024—not with a ranked list, but with thematic categories that make for a thoughtful and entertaining retrospective.

In the first segment, Keith and Ted talk about bigger music trends like:

Breakthroughs and Debuts

Keith talks up the music by and film about Kneecap -- a hip-hop trio whose raps are entirely in Galic. Their current album Fine Art is available now.

The second song is As For The Future's track "The Mob" -- a sly, samba-infused commentary on populism that's as counter-cultural as it is catchy. If you're a fan of Sergio Mendes and Brazil '66 or were hooked on Swing Out Sister back in 1987, this song will strike a chord. With its smooth grooves and clever lyrics, "The Mob" blends nostalgia with a fresh, modern edge—proof that As For The Future knows how to make a bold musical statement.

Another UK Invasion

The Last Dinner Party is a UK band that formed during COVID-19. Surprisingly, before they had a single out, they opened for The Rolling Stones. The Last Dinner Party is what Keith called a total "buzz band" that entertained the public and press with their live shows, fashion, and visual style. Their album,