Summer, 1992! Weird Al Yankovic took over MuchMusic for a day, and it became AlMusic! This entry is dedicated to good pals Sarca Sim and Mars!
Check out Weird Al’s hilarious “interviews” with:
AlMusic was a full day of comedy and music, but I only taped the parts I knew I needed to have for my VHS Archives.
“If somebody woulda told me what this business was like before I got into it, I still woulda done it.” — Blackie Lawless
The MuchMusic personality here is as yet unidentified (best guess is Angela Dohrmann; help anyone?), but that is definitely Blackie Lawless. The W.A.S.P. mainman (and only remaining member at this point) looks to be in England, judging by the red double decker busses behind. His new album, The Crimson Idol, was the reason.
The Crimson Idol is a concept album about the hazards of the music business, and Blackie offers his perspective. His beloved horses are discussed again. He also speaks of W.A.S.P.’s past as a shock rock group in an interesting way. Check it out.
MuchMusic’s Denise Donlon asked Steven Tyler of Aerosmith about their brand new video, “Dude (Looks Like a Lady)”. This broadcast was the first time my friends and I ever heard the song!
Set your time machine back to fall 1987 and check out this funny interview.
This one goes out to good pals Mars and Sarca Sim! I know they love the nostalgia of old MuchMusic bumpers. Here’s a collection of them that I assembled into one mega-bumper!
The bumpers are generally somebody saying, “Hi, I’m [insert name] from [insert band], and you’re watching the Power Hour on MuchMusic!” Some flub their lines (Craig Goldy), some put in that extra 10% (Poison) and some do both (Anvil).
It’s either they got only one take, or these are the best ones!
Check out these hilarious rock star ads below, including (in order): Mark Metcalf, Motorhead, Poison, Lita Ford, Anvil, Dio, Rik Emmett, David Coverdale and a couple surprises.
“The object of being an artist is to stir the minds of men…Unless you’re saying something musically, lyrically, or you’re touching people emotionally somehow, you are not an artist. You are a factory that makes records.” — Blackie Lawless
Erica Ehm was never gun shy about her distaste for W.A.S.P., yet she helmed the best interview I’ve ever seen with frontman Blackie Lawless. It’s not a shorty either, so grab a beverage.
Blackie was doing press for W.A.S.P.’s “get serious” album The Headless Children. He was invited to co-host the Pepsi Power Hour (live!) in 1989. Erica wasn’t about to throw softball questions, but it’s quite clear that Lawless wins her over. Blackie is remarkably forthright, with a dash of humour. He also picked the tunes for the show, and you’ll find out what songs he chose and why.
The myriad subjects discussed:
The Headless Children is the main focus, and for good reason. It’s an amazing record, and a terrific interview.
MuchMusic introduced me to Sword when they premiered the white hot “F.T.W.” back in 1987. When Rick Hughes stopped by the Pepsi Power Hour a few months later, I was ready to record!
With sometimes-host Christopher Ward, Rick discussed touring with Motorhead and what Lemmy’s really like. He also touches on the long awaited second Sword album, on-stage injuries, and what the metal scene was like in Montreal at the time.
Check out this smashing live interview with the always cool Rick Hughes!
I found this ad in the commercials as I was fast-forwarding a tape. In 1987, MPI Home Video released The Beatles movie Help! on VHS for the first time. But wait, there’s more! Order now, and get Sixties Headlines for free! Regular price: $74.95? Holy shit! The 80s were expensive!
I was going to put this video online myself, but a more complete version already exists. No point in duplicating it, but I still wanted to make a post for it. I had this in my VHS collection on one of my 1985 tapes.
I didn’t know what show this was from, since it came from the “Balasz Tapes” recorded off my next door neighbour. I watched and treasured it, because it was the only video I had of Peter Criss as a kid. My only Catman footage. Not to mention it was Kiss! Kiss in makeup too, and there wasn’t much of that in the mid-80s.
This was from a TV show called 3-2-1 Contact, and it’s a pretty cool demonstration of what goes in to putting on a Kiss concert.
George used to complain about one detail. The sound tech shows how he can use a harmonizer to create the Gene Simmons “God of Thunder” monster voice. “He does that with his own voice!” protested George. As for me, I’m more upset that the sound tech thinks it was Darth Vader who says “My the Force be with you”.
From way back on the Dynasty tour, check out this really cool Kiss clip.
I always liked this interview clip. Jeff Pilson seemed so friendly and enthusiastic. Don, meanwhile, didn’t even know how many songs were slated for the Back for the Attack album! I think he forgot “Mr. Scary”.
Back for the Attack wasn’t out yet, so Laurie Brown asked Dokken about Under Lock & Key. Check it out!
This public service announcement from Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider mostly likely aired on an episode of Toronto Rocks’ Midweek Metal Mania show, the prototype for the Power Hour. It’s probably from 1984 or 85. I don’t know its exact origin because this comes from one of the “Balasz Tapes” — stuff originally recorded by next door neighbour George and then taped by me in one of our childhood recording sessions.
It’s lower quality because it’s a tape of a tape, but I think it’s still pretty cool.
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