Records & Rockstars

“Hey little Donna, still wanna? You said to ring you up when I was in Toronna”.

Or perhaps: “Nothing matters but the weekend from a Tuesday point of view!”

That's right, the Kings are here, with new music and the “Always Off The Deep End” Special, featuring the single of the same name and more of their latest songs that sound as great as their timeless hit “This Beat Goes On/Switchin' To Glide”, which we'll revisit because how do you deny the tune that all those years ago got them signed to a world-wide deal back when world famous producer Bob (Pink Floyd The Wall, KISS, Peter Gabriel) Ezrin dropped by to visit and checked the band out and liked what he heard. He agreed to mix the tracks The Kings had recorded but soon discovered that the whole thing needed to be re-done. He approached ElektraRecords in Los Angeles with The Kings’ tapes and the unknown band was signed.

The project was released as “The Kings Are Here”. ‘Switchin’ To Glide’, was put out and did get noticed but the tune was really two songs in one and the band insisted they be released together.

So when the segue ‘This Beat Goes On/Switchin’ To Glide’ was released radio really picked up on it. Even at over five minutes in length, it caught on all over the USA and Canada with huge airplay in every major market and stayed on the Billboard Hot 100 for six months. 40 plus years later, it sounds as good as it did the first time.

So, Jeff and David Diamond and Mr. Zero dig in to all that and the newest Kings music too, created with collaborators including Ezrin, GGGarth Richardson, Harry Hess, and other world class producers and mixers. Lots of stories and music to go with. 

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Jeff welcomes special guests Craig Smith and Ariana Dalie of Four Winds Music Fest for a preview of the July 14-16 2023 concert festival brought to you by The Happiness Mafia in partnership with Elephant Thoughts, at Riverstone Eco Retreat near the Town of Durham, Ontario on 136 acres of historic farmstead with diverse forests and the majestic Saugeen River running through it. The property is home to extensive wildlife. Riverstone is designed to accommodate persons with allergies or respiratory problems. All buildings are also accessible for persons using walking aids and/or wheelchairs. This event welcomes campers and is licensed. Ariana and Craig chat with Jeff about what you can expect from the festival, and they spin select music from participating artists.

The Happiness Mafia is a premier live music event, and production company dedicated to bringing you the best in live music entertainment, passionate about promoting live music with the understanding that music is more than just a sound, it’s an experience. Elephant Thoughts is a non-profit organization dedicated to reducing poverty, promoting equality, and creating opportunities for children and youth facing obstacles through educational outreach and opportunities.

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Amy Gabba is up front and center in her band Amy Gabba and the Almost Famous and she's singing up a storm on her June 2023 album “Screaming at the Top of My Lungs”, as she brings guitarists and joins Jeff Woods at his Wild Woods Blue Studio to perform songs from the record, and an AC/DC Bon Scott era gem, and Amy and Jeff make their way through cuts on the slick and energetic new record, throwing to songs and gabbing about life and music and relationships and adventures, like old friends would, including their Sunday fun-day trip to Psilocybin-land. Also contains the ultimate f-you Covid song.

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Here's some hints as to the albums in the spotlight this time: Red & Blue, Blue Collar, The Exorcist and Richard Branson's Virgin. If that doesn't pique your interest, who are you even? ;)

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The second of two parts featuring stories about bands and signings and concerts and clubs and events that went down in New York City, as we flashback to CBGB, and Central Park, and stories of artists including a former Playboy Bunny, a band of Dolls, plus rats on the west side, bed bugs up town, and more nods to Bowie, who in his own words tells of the why he loved living there, just like his New York pal John Lennon had, plus Ramones, and Sid Vicious, and KISS, and Aerosmith and Lou, too. Are you tuning in? Why wouldn't you. Come along for another trip to New York City. 

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The last time we did a 90 minute world album premiere special was with David Bowie, and I can tell you this session with Justin often moved me in similar ways, in both the stories and the new music. Here's a man from Toronto who himself has negotiated major changes and overcome obstacles and found so many better ways forward. His growth as a recording artist, engineer and producer has been immense. This record is a profound work. Come along for the ride, as we dig deep into Justin Rutledge's 10th album, “Something Easy”, moving through the record cut by cut with stories behind each song, plus Justin picks up his guitar and plays a live performance of “Head for the Hills”.

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The first of two parts on New York finds a London Ontario, Canada band delivering one of the finest of New York anthems from the late seventies, and how and with whom the Beatles got high with a little help from their new friend, and a story about two shy souls named Smith and Hendrix, hanging together on the stairs of Electric Lady Studios, plus Lennon, Bowie, and the duo originally known as Tom & Jerry.  If you know that last bit, you win our undying admiration.  Let's go, to New York City.  

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Songs this time that were born out of necessity, chance, in teenage bedrooms, and rooftops, and during jams, rehearsals, sound-checks, and at least one song, over drinks. An episode of happy accidents that didn't result in baby showers.

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This time we'll put some fun between your legs -- some “wind therapy” as they say. Here comes an episode featuring motorcycle anthems, mostly.  We'll hear memory from RUSH drummer/lyricist Neil Peart about his motorbike riding adventures, and his influence on one of Jeff's bike choices, and the storied history of Woods' rides.  And hear music from The Byrds, Steppenwolf, Prince, Richard Thompson, Neil Young, The Allman Brothers, and more.

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Sometimes there's themes that bear repeating. And this is one of those. Cover versions you mightn't expect, or haven't heard before, or will be thrilled to hear again. Songs that popped for me. With 3 set ups from my chat in 2012 with Carlos Santana on 3 he nailed with Chris Cornell, Scott Weiland and Joe Cocker.  Luther Wright and the Wrongs inspired this episode, so they're back with a Pink Floyd gem, and Bowie with a tribute to Nina Simone, and how about Aretha's cover of a song by the Band! All here, and some bonus podcast only content, of the weekly radio series show. Enjoy.

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