The Ugly American Werewolf in London Rock Podcast

Listeners of The Wolf know that despite the fact that The Wolf lived mere yards (or meters) from Abbey Road, he and Action Jackson aren't huge Beatles fans. While he did go through a Beatles stage in high school, it was really an education on how the band evolved and created some amazing music which is still enjoyed and studied today.

However, thanks to a run of 60s rock related movies that ran on Cinemax one night in the 80s, The Wolf became very familiar with Help! as he recorded the movie on VHS and watched it over and over. It was in technicolor, unlike A Hard Day's Night, and showed the boys having fun in exotic locales like Switzerland, The Bahamas, Stonehenge and Buckingham Palace. The seven tunes on the album that were included in the movie all hold up well and are fun to sing along with while you're watching. But the album is the first step moving from being bubble gum pop stars into more respected recording artists.

We review the UK version of the album as the US version is shorter with orchestrated score tunes from the movie. The whole first side of the UK album features beloved songs from the movie like the title track, Ticket To Ride, You've Got To Hide Your Love Away and The Night Before. But the second side also features some Beatles classics like Ringo singing Act Naturally, I've Just Seen A Face and the all-time classic Yesterday.

It's amazing that the boys were all so young (21-24) and were maturing before our eyes as they were now able to write more robust tunes with more mature themes. Bob Dylan had introduced them to marijuana by now and they'd done their first LSD trips which would show up more on an album from later in 1965, Rubber Soul (and after). But this one has one foot in the old, teenage dream Beatles phase and one in the more mature and experimental Beatles. We can't believe it's turning 60 but we went track x track to celebrate.

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While the average rock fan may not know the name Nicky Hopkins, the average rock legend knows the name very well and most likely worked with him at some point. A classically trained pianist, Nicky Hopkins would go onto play with the greatest rock bands of all time - The Beatles, The Rollings Stones, The Who, The Kinks - and that was just the 1960s!! Finally, Nicky has been chosen for induction into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame!

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Ritchie Blackmore is known as a guitar legend and as one of the more mercurial figures in rock. The Rock N Roll Hall Of Famer rose to power with Deep Purple and unleashed some of the most classic, hard rock riffs on the world, including the simple and ever-present Smoke On The Water. But Ritchie was known to be aloof, distant from his bandmates and would often fly into critical rages about their performance. After the departure of Ian Gillan and Roger Glover, he was dissatisfied with the musical direction of the band. However, once he saw a diminutive American singer opening for Purple in a band called Elf, he started to devise a way out of DP.

That singer was Ronnie James Dio, the powerhouse lead vocalist who would eventually move on to replace Ozzy in Black Sabbath (and record two killer Sabbath albums, Heaven And Hell & Mob Rules) and fill arenas in the 80s with his own band, Dio. After recording what was supposed to be two sides of a single, Ritchie knew that Ronnie was his ticket out of Purple and onto his own project. So with his bandmates from Elf, they recorded Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow showcasing Ronnie and showing the world the Ritchie still had the goods.

Songs like Man on the Silver Mountain and Snakecharmer are built on the power of Ronnie's soaring vocals and Ritchie's heavy riffs. But songs like Catch The Rainbow show an almost proggy, fantasy side of the band as well as Temple of the King and Sixteenth Century Greensleaves.

Of course, before the first tour Ritchie fired or scared off the remaining members of Elf to replace them with Jimmy Bain and Cozy Powell which led to a triumphant Rising the next year. But to celebrate the real worldwide introduction of Ronnie James Dio (he appeared on albums with Elf but they received nowhere near the exposure of working with Blackmore) at 50, we reminisce on how we discovered Ronnie, Rainbow and it's legacy today.

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As The Wolf & Action Jackson grew up throughout the 1980s and their taste for guitar driven rock music grew, the legend of Jimi Hendrix always loomed large. A left-handed virtuoso who blew away all the other guitar gods of his generation, Hendrix remains a legend more than 50 years after his death. When the boys created First Concert Memories to help capture and share true rock n roll stories, they hoped that one day they'd have someone on to talk about the legendary Jimi Hendrix. Thanks to DJ Danny Meyers of What's Hot In The Strip Clubs Podcast, they got a first hand account and are sharing it with the world!

We go back to Friday, November 15, 1968 in Cincinnati, Ohio where we find a 13 year old Danny hanging out at his buddy's house. At some point, his buddy asks his dad if he'd take them to the Jimi Hendrix show at Cincinnati Gardens. Not only did his dad say yes but $20 got all four of them tickets, a soft drink and a dime for a phone call to come get them afterward. Soon the teenagers found themselves in front of the guitar legend, hoping that he would break his guitar on the stage at the end and waiting for their favorite, Purple Haze.

Hear about the show, the boys quest to buy beer, the trials of attempting to get backstage and the atmosphere of the show. Danny also let's the guys in on life in the late 60s with no MTV, Creem magazine or internet to help them get to know the artists of the day. It's a great trip down memory lane with our Pantheon Podcasts brother!

Visit Danny's website: www.djdannymeyers.com

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By 1975, Fleetwood Mac had already had many iterations and lineups. Started by veterans of John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, early Fleetwood Mac were a blues based band with limited success on the US Billboard chart. By 1975, they had lost their main singer, lead guitarist and main songwriter in Bob Welch and remaining members Christine McVie, John McVie and Mick Fleetwood were on the search for a spark. While working at Sunset Studios, they heard the debut album from a duo that was also a couple, Buckingham Nicks. Though at first they were interested in hiring on Lindsey Buckingham as their singer and guitarist, they soon found out that he would only join if they took his singer/songwriter girlfriend Stevie Nicks as well. The rest is pop/rock history as the 1975 product of the five piece, Fleetwood Mac, would go on to sell over 7 million copies in the US alone.

Now with three lead singers/songwriters in the band, they could choose the best of the best for inclusion on the record. While the choices for singles didn't always make sense (Warm Ways was the 1st UK single, World Turning wasn't released as a single), the chemistry did and the world heard harmonies that were unknown before. While Christine McVie held her own with lilting love songs (Warm Ways, Over My Head, Say You Love Me), Lindsey Buckingham offered more upbeat rockers like Monday Morning and the brooding So Afraid.

However, the real star in the making was Stevie Nicks who turned the album's and the band's fortunes with her all-time classic Rhiannon. It really introduced the world to Stevie Nicks and the power she possessed in her voice and songwriting. She also offered the sweet Landslide, another track on this album that would go on to be a rock radio staple and part of their live show.

The success of Fleetwood Mac gave them the opportunity to release Rumours in 1977, an album that would sell over 40 million copies worldwide. But this album laid the groundwork for Rumours and all the future success for the band for the next 50 years.

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By 1985, REM had carved out a following both in their home base of Athens, GA and at colleges and indie radio stations around the US. Their first two albums Murmur and Reckoning gave them a foothold as they learned how to craft songs and play live. But they were ready to take the next step so instead of retreating to North Carolina where they'd recorded their first two albums, they went to London to broaden their horizons and up their songwriting and recording game.

Because REM had grown into a solid live band, some songs were worked out on the road like their classic travel song Driver 8. But they also sought inspiration from some of the odd characters they encountered in Athens and around the South with songs like Wendell Gee, Life And How To Live It and Old Man Kensey. They also drew from their travels to create some great road songs like Can't Get There From Here, Maps & Legends and Feeling Gravity's Pull. Guitarist Peter Buck does his jangly best here while breaking out a little banjo in spots. Mike Mills not only locks down the bass but provides harmonies and counterpoints to Michael Stipes desperate and personal lyrics. This album would portend the next two REM records - Life's Rick Pageant and Document - both favorites of The Wolf.

While the band would go onto become multi-platinum international pop superstars in the 90s, this album saw the band not ready to become that big but ready to take the next step in their journey. It's a fun one to dive into as it turns 40!

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The Wolf & Action Jackson are so happy to be able to share the story of Night 2 of Metallica in Nashville on Saturday, May 3. While the first night of the No Repeat Weekend was great, including the opening acts Suicidal Tendencies and Pantera, Saturday, May 3, 2025 was a special night in the boys lives as friends, fans and concert goers. Though their seats were solid on Thursday Night, the setlist wasn't white hot and the surroundings went downhill as the night progressed. However, through working some connections the boys were upgraded to a suite on Saturday night. And not just any suite, the Owners Suite - a double box on the 50 yard line, fully catered with an open bar, and easy chair seats that sat just back from the open windows.

That experience alone would make it a special night. But the fact that there was a lightning strike within 8 miles of the stadium which necessitated clearing everyone out of their seats and off the field while delaying Metallica's set by more than 30 minutes, it made for a stress free night with great people. We shared stories with folks we'd just met, learned about the new rooftop stadium being built next door, got an early gander at the setlist and enjoyed Metallica themed cocktails until the boys came on around 9:30.

Hear all about the odd and bloody openers Ice Nine Kills and how amped Fred Durst got the crowd during Limp Bizkit's set. The boys compare the setlists and favor Saturday's over Thursday's easily and, as a courtesy to Metallica, discuss how they would improve the setlist. Listen up for on stage banter from James Hetfield on a truly special night for 2 old metalheads.

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Though The Wolf saw Metallica kickoff their 72 Seasons/No Repeat Weekend Tour in Amsterdam in 2023, Jackson was not able to join. In fact, Action Jackson hadn't seen Metallica live since 1993 when he, The Wolf and their buddies saw them in Naples during their sophomore year in college. As our show is on the same network, Patheon Podcasts, as The Metallica Report, we hoped we'd have the chance to see James, Lars, Kirk and Robert live together again one day. That day came on May 1 in Nashville as Metallica continues their unique and killer tour for a 3rd year and we descended upon Nashville to witness our heavy metal heroes live again together after 32 years.

You'll want to hear Jackson's reaction to the stage setup on a beautiful night in Nashville. Suicidal Tendencies opened the night and got the crowd ready. However, it was a reformed Pantera featuring Zakk Wylde on guitar and Charlie Benante on the drums filling in for Dime and Vinny that we were really excited about and they did not disappoint. By the time Metallica came on, we were ready for them to blow us away and they delivered as they always do.

We want to thank our long time listener Dex and his family for putting us up in their home - a very generous offer we're so happy we took them up on. And we want to thank the folks who crashed into the seats in front of us for reminding us that it takes all kinds to make up the Metallica Family and we're glad to be a part of it (and also glad we're not related to any of them).

Night 2 was even better as we worked our way to the OWNERS SUITE but that show will be out on May 15 - so stay tuned!!

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We are happy to welcome our fellow Pantheon Podcast brother Jon Verno, host of Metal Mayhem ROC, to share his first EVER concert at the age of 13 - Ted Nugent live in Rochester, 1980. Hear Jon share what it was like as a brand new teenager to witness the sights, sounds and smells of his first ever live show and how it made an impression that has lasted to this day. Verno has seen hundreds, if not thousands, of shows over the years but you never forget your first. Nor do you forget the first time the lights come up and you see Ted Nugent in full force. You never forget the first time you inhaled the smell of pot wafting through the crowd. You always remember how cool the lights were, directing your attention to different parts of the stage.

Dropped off by his older brother with a friend his age, he almost didn't make it to the show as a frisbee landed next to him which he immediately threw into the head of a biker. Also, Verno and his pal had no idea what an encore was so they were walking out when they heard the crowd cheering. Upon return they found Terrible Ted swinging like Tarzan around the stage, one of his signature 70s stage acts. As Verno was familiar with Ted's live album Great Gonzos, the setlist ripped into his favorites and left him desperate for more.

These stories of innocence which turn to experience with the backdrop of a killer rock concert is exactly what we do on First Concert Memories, the monthly sidecast from your friends at The Ugly American Werewolf in London Rock Podcast.

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By 1985, Motley Crue were in a tough place. Though they'd achieved success, wealth and worldwide fame thanks to their first 2 albums Too Fast For Love and Shout At The Devil, the band were suffering from some setbacks. Vince Neil had driven his Ferrari while drinking and caused a crash that ended up killing his friend Razzle Dingley of Hanoi Rocks. As he worked to stay sober and navigate his legal issues, Nikki Sixx was deep into a heroin addiction that forced producer Tom Werman to get someone else in to rerecord his bass parts. But Shout At The Devil went 4x platinum and the record company needed a follow up to keep the band's momentum alive and in the public eye.

The result was Theater of Pain, an album the band in later years has said was too polished and they blamed Tom Werman (not their own substance issues or limits as musicians) for the end product. However, it resonated with the public and sold another 4 million copies thanks to the big radio hits and MTV videos Smokin In The Boys Room (a Brownsville Station cover) and power ballad Home Sweet Home. Theater of Pain is less raunchy than Shout At The Devil, a byproduct of the slick production. We felt the riffs weren't as killer as they had been and outside of the big hits their aren't too many standouts. Louder Than Hell is a heavy song more akin to Black Sabbath than typical Motley but was from the Shout At The Devil sessions and doesn't sound like anything else on TOP. Use It Or Lose It might feature Mick Mars best solo shredding effort with typical cliche lyrics.

But the songs had the Motley Crue attitude, had a couple of radio friendly hits and they toured for 8 months around the world to propel sales and keep themselves in the public eye. It may not be our favorite Crue record but it's the one that got our attention back in 1985 and we give it our track x track review at 40.

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