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Sunshine Pop is back for Part 2, with 4 more ridiculously catchy records from the late ’60s and early ’70s, and some of the strangest stories behind them.

This time, Christopher digs into Edison Lighthouse, The Cyrkle, The Association, and The Grass Roots, and discovers just how much was happening behind some of the happiest-sounding records on AM radio.

How do you score a massive number 1 hit when your band doesn’t actually exist? Why did John Lennon end up naming an American college band? How did Paul Simon help launch that same group, only for The Beatles to later keep them out of the number 1 spot? And how did a song originally written as a gentle waltz become one of the defining pop records of the summer of 1967?

Along the way, there’s a session singer seemingly everywhere at once, a Paul Simon song somebody probably wishes they hadn’t turned down, an all-night recording session, a surprising Leonard Bernstein connection, and a lyrical coincidence that suddenly takes us from Sunshine Pop to a 1980 country hit.

It’s another trip through an era when great melodies, huge harmonies, and unforgettable hooks could make even a breakup song sound like the best day of your life.

And after the music, we head to the bar for a bright, refreshing cocktail inspired by one of the songs in the episode: The Red Rubber Ball.

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Who Ordered the Pie? a music history podcast with custom cocktail pairings.
Show notes, recipes, and extras: WhoOrderedThePie.com
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Some songs challenge you. Others just make you feel good.

In Episode 44, we're diving into the bright, ridiculously catchy world of Sunshine Pop with 4 songs that helped define the happiest side of AM radio in the late '60s and early '70s.

The Foundations turn romantic misery into the irresistible "Build Me Up Buttercup." The Hollies bring their unmistakable 3-part harmonies to "Carrie Anne," along with one of the most unexpected instruments ever dropped into a British pop hit. Then things get wonderfully strange with The Archies and "Sugar, Sugar," a number 1 smash recorded by a band that didn't actually exist, promoted on the backs of cereal boxes, and connected in a surprising way to a much heavier hit nearly 20 years later.

Finally, we climb aboard the psychedelic bus with The Partridge Family and "I Think I Love You," where television fiction and real-life pop stardom collided in a way that almost sounds too perfect to have actually happened.

Along the way, we'll uncover the stories behind the singers, songwriters and studio tricks that made these records nearly impossible to forget.

And after all that musical sunshine, we'll head to the bar for this episode's featured cocktail, "The Sugar Rush."

4 songs. 4 great stories. And enough hooks to stay stuck in your head for the rest of the day.

This is "Sunshine Pop | The Happiest Hits of the '60s and '70s."

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Who Ordered the Pie? a music history podcast with custom cocktail pairings.
Show notes, recipes, and extras: WhoOrderedThePie.com
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Rush, The Police, and ZZ Top became rock institutions. But what about the other great power trios of early ’80s FM radio?

In Episode 43 of “Who Ordered the Pie?,” we explore three bands whose defining moments arrived in three consecutive years: Triumph with “Magic Power” in 1981, Taxxi with “I’m Leaving” in 1982, and Zebra with “Who’s Behind the Door?” in 1983.

Discover how Rik Emmett’s childhood transistor radio inspired one of Triumph’s greatest songs, why the British trio Taxxi relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area, and how a perfectly timed radio broadcast helped Zebra turn an Atlantic Records rejection into a record deal.

Then we make “The Cocktail Queen,” an equal-parts Canadian Boulevardier named after one of Taxxi’s most memorable songs.

It’s a story of power trios, FM rock, unlikely breakthroughs, and three musicians sounding larger than life.

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Who Ordered the Pie? a music history podcast with custom cocktail pairings.
Show notes, recipes, and extras: WhoOrderedThePie.com
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In the early days of MTV, one unforgettable music video could make a band look like the next superstar. In this episode of Who Ordered the Pie?, we revisit five 1980s bands that had the songs, the talent, the image, and the MTV exposure to become household names, but somehow never reached the level everyone expected.

We dig into the stories behind Big Country’s “In a Big Country,” Haircut One Hundred’s “Love Plus One,” Scandal’s “The Warrior,” The Motels’ “Only the Lonely,” and The Hooters’ “And We Danced.”

Why didn’t Big Country’s massive American breakthrough last? What caused Haircut One Hundred to fall apart just as they were becoming stars? Why did Patty Smyth hate Scandal’s iconic “The Warrior” video, and what happened when Eddie Van Halen asked her to join Van Halen? What was really happening in Martha Davis’s life when The Motels recorded “Only the Lonely”? And how did The Hooters go from helping Cyndi Lauper create “She’s So Unusual” to opening the Philadelphia stage of Live Aid?

It’s another installment of our ongoing Right Song, Wrong Timing series, exploring the music history, MTV videos, chart success, behind-the-scenes stories, and bad timing that turned five potential 1980s superstars into some of the decade’s greatest what-ifs.

And because every Who Ordered the Pie? episode deserves something in your glass, we’re pairing this one with The Video Star, our tropical twist on the Pornstar Martini.

Here’s to loud riffs, quiet sips, and the stories in between.

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Who Ordered the Pie? a music history podcast with custom cocktail pairings.
Show notes, recipes, and extras: WhoOrderedThePie.com
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This week marks the 45th anniversary of Rick Springfield's "Jessie's Girl" reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it the perfect time to take a deep dive into one of the biggest songs of the 1980s.

What do a stained glass class, a mystery woman, and one of rock's most iconic songs have in common?

In this episode of "Who Ordered the Pie?", Christopher uncovers the incredible true story behind "Jessie's Girl."

Discover how a chance encounter with another man's girlfriend inspired the song, why it almost became "Gary's Girl" or "Randy's Girl," how legendary producer Keith Olsen and guitarist Neil Giraldo helped shape the record, and why RCA Records almost missed the biggest hit of Rick Springfield's career.

You'll also hear the surprising connection to "General Hospital," the song's remarkable 19-week climb to No. 1, the mystery of the real "Jessie's Girl," and a personal story about how Rick Springfield inspired Christopher to pierce his left ear after seeing the cover of "Living in Oz."

As always, the episode ends with a featured cocktail inspired by the story. This week, it's "The Stained Glass," a bright, refreshing drink celebrating the unexpected moment that changed music history.

Here's to loud riffs, quiet sips, and the stories in between.

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Who Ordered the Pie? a music history podcast with custom cocktail pairings.
Show notes, recipes, and extras: WhoOrderedThePie.com
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Some guitarists become legends.

Others seem destined for superstardom... until something gets in the way.

In this episode of Right Song, Wrong Timing, we're revisiting five incredible guitarists who had the talent, the songs, the look, and the momentum to become some of the biggest rock stars of the 1980s.

From Charlie Sexton and Lita Ford to Andy Taylor, Robin George, and Aldo Nova, we'll explore the moments when everything seemed to be falling into place, and the unexpected twists that changed the course of their careers.

Some battled image.
Some battled record labels.
Some were caught in changing musical trends.
And one lost the opportunity of a lifetime almost overnight.

Plus, we'll mix up The Tube Screamer, a cocktail inspired by one of the most iconic guitar pedals ever made.

So pour yourself a drink, turn it up loud, and join me as we ask one simple question...

What happened?

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Who Ordered the Pie? a music history podcast with custom cocktail pairings.
Show notes, recipes, and extras: WhoOrderedThePie.com
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Turn up the radio and roll the windows down.

This week on Who Ordered the Pie?, we're reopening five more musical case files featuring FM rock bands that had everything it took to become arena legends.

Big guitars.

Huge choruses.

Arena-ready production.

Songs people still crank in the car.

So why didn't they become the next Journey, Foreigner, or REO Speedwagon?

Join me as we investigate the stories behind Shooting Star, Saga, Red Rider, The Outfield, and Donnie Iris. We'll uncover the twists of timing, record label setbacks, changing musical tastes, and unexpected turns that kept these incredible bands from reaching even greater heights.

Along the way, I'll mix this episode's featured cocktail, Josie's Vacation, inspired by one of the most unforgettable songs of the decade.

Here's to loud riffs, quiet sips, and the stories in between.

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Who Ordered the Pie? a music history podcast with custom cocktail pairings.
Show notes, recipes, and extras: WhoOrderedThePie.com
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Have you ever heard a song and wondered, "How was that band not huge?"

In this brand new recurring series, Christopher reopens five musical case files to investigate artists who had the right song, the right sound, and every reason to become major stars, but somehow never reached the level of success they seemed destined for.

This episode features The Smithereens' "Blood and Roses," Marshall Crenshaw's "Someday, Someway," Michael Penn's "No Myth," The Plimsouls' "A Million Miles Away," and The Producers' "What's He Got."

Along the way, you'll hear the stories behind the songs, the chart success, MTV exposure, record label decisions, and missed opportunities that shaped these careers. You'll also hear Christopher's personal memories of discovering Marshall Crenshaw through Beatlemania and why the missing Valley Girl soundtrack frustrated music fans for years.

Then it's time to close the case files, open the bar, and mix this episode's featured cocktail, "The Power Pop."

If you love classic rock, power pop, new wave, MTV, and the stories behind the songs, this episode is for you.

Here's to loud riffs, quiet sips, and the stories in between.

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Who Ordered the Pie? a music history podcast with custom cocktail pairings.
Show notes, recipes, and extras: WhoOrderedThePie.com
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Every Fourth of July has a soundtrack.

In Episode 37 of Who Ordered the Pie, Christopher explores the stories behind the songs that have become part of America's Independence Day celebrations. Discover the surprising history behind Chicago's "Saturday in the Park," Kim Wilde's "Kids in America," Robert Earl Keen's "The Fourth of July," Robert Vaughn & The Dead River Angels' "4th of July," Bruce Springsteen's "4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)," Pete Droge's "4th of July," Shooter Jennings' "4th of July," and the unexpected story of Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture."

You'll learn why one of the most American-sounding songs of the 1980s was written by a British family, how Bruce Springsteen turned Asbury Park into one of rock's most memorable settings, why Steve Poltz's songwriting gave Robert Earl Keen one of his most beloved songs, how Shooter Jennings accidentally wrote the biggest hit of his career, and why the "1812 Overture" became the unofficial soundtrack of American Fourth of July fireworks despite having nothing to do with the holiday.

Plus, Christopher mixes the episode's featured cocktail, the Porch Swing—a bright bourbon lemonade that's crisp, refreshing, and perfect for a warm summer evening.

If you love classic rock, country, Americana, alternative country, music history, and the stories behind the songs, this episode belongs on your Fourth of July playlist.

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Who Ordered the Pie? a music history podcast with custom cocktail pairings.
Show notes, recipes, and extras: WhoOrderedThePie.com
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This is Part 2 of our two-part series on the Parental Advisory label and the controversy that changed music forever.

In Episode 35, we explored Prince's "Darling Nikki," the PMRC, and the infamous Filthy Fifteen. Now the story moves from record stores to Washington, D.C.

In 1985, three unlikely allies found themselves defending artistic freedom before the United States Senate: Dee Snider of Twisted Sister, Frank Zappa, and John Denver.

What followed became one of the most fascinating moments in music history.

Why was John Denver one of the strongest voices against warning labels?

How did Dee Snider completely shatter expectations?

What was Frank Zappa's argument against government involvement in music?

And how did a simple black-and-white sticker intended to warn listeners become a badge of honor that helped sell millions of albums?

Join Christopher as he explores the Senate hearings, the creation of the Parental Advisory label, and the unintended consequences that still shape music, media, and free expression today.

Cocktail of the Week: The Warning Label

Here's to loud riffs, quiet sips, and the stories in between.

#ParentalAdvisory #PMRC #DeeSnider #FrankZappa #JohnDenver #TwistedSister #MusicHistory #RockHistory #80sMusic #WhoOrderedThePie #MusicPodcast #RockPodcast

Support the show

Who Ordered the Pie? a music history podcast with custom cocktail pairings.
Show notes, recipes, and extras: WhoOrderedThePie.com
Follow: Apple Podcasts • Spotify • YouTube • Instagram