Pete Jones

We Love Paul Di’Anno: A Thorough and Engrossing Tribute to the Iron Maiden frontman with Pete Jones, Johnny Metal, Metal Roger & Harrison Kopp

This week, we lost the monolith of metal known as Paul Di’Anno.  Born as Paul Andrews, he gripped the world in 1980 fronting the almighty Iron Maiden.  The spark was brief but bright.  His two Iron Maiden albums, plus some EPs and singles, carved an identity.  Those who get it loved him.  Some of them followed Paul into solo outings and new bands.  And this show has a wealth of appreciation for it all.

With Professor Pete Jones on board as surprise guest, we talked about all things Paul.  Pete was there from the very beginning, buying the first album in store upon sight.  He goes deep into the music and the early Iron Maiden sound, supplanted by the late great Clive Burr on drums.  Harrison Kopp, in a mighty return to Grab A Stack of Rock after nearly nine months away, gave us a run through Paul’s career, highlighting live songs and memorable tracks suck as “Marshall Lockjaw”.   Johnny Metal and Metal Roger contributed their own personal stories and what Paul’s music meant to them.  As John said so well:  thank you.

Meanwhile, I let the boys do most of the talking.  Instead, I presented an interview I did with Paul’s old guitar player Steph Honde.  He tells a tale of picking up Paul at the airport, and playing live without rehearsal.  I also played Bruce Dickinson’s tribute to Di’Anno, and friend Brian Richards’ thoughts about the tribute from the perspective of an audience member that night.  Finally, I read a loving statement from friend Thor Blackmore, towards the end of the show.

I know we will all miss Paul Di’Anno.

The Contrarians Live: BROWN Album Covers tonight at 7:00 PM EST!

A sequel to last week’s show!  Last Wednesday, we saw quite a few brown album covers when we looked at minimalist album art.  This week we’re following that up with brown album covers!  I will be joining the Contrarians LIVE tonight at 7:00 PM EST for this excellent topic idea.  Each of us has ten picks.  I will have the honour of sitting on a panel with:

  • Grant Arthur
  • Tim Durling
  • John “Johnny Homework” Clauser
  • Jamie Laszlo
  • Peter “The Professor” Jones.

60 unique picks for brown cover art.  I’ve given my list a twist:  all Canadian artists!

THE CONTRARIANS – Brown Album Covers – Wed. October 23 7:00 PM EST

Rock Daydream Nation: Deep Purple – Desert Island Steve Morse Albums

This is a show I was made for! Spoiler alert: Regular readers already know my favourite Steve Morse era Deep Purple album.  I was already trying to kickstart a Purple collection when he joined the band in 1995.  His addition made me a completist – had to get every album.  And, within a few years of his joining, I achieved and maintained that.  Morse’s additional made me a superfan.  I just love when a band has a significant lineup change that actually works.  Deep Purple was transformed into something a little different, but just as good.  Just new flavours in the soup.  A new freedom to experiment and stretch out.  It wouldn’t have worked if the band couldn’t write new songs with the new axeman, but their chemistry flourished over seven studio original studio albums.

Now that Steve is gone from the band, and they are carrying on with another new ingredient in Simon McBride, it is a perfect time to look back upon the Morse era.  Joining myself and Peter Kerr on Rock Daydream Nation is “Music Swami” Pete Jones.  Together, we passionately discuss three favourite albums, and the key tracks that you need to check out for yourself.  We don’t just shower praise, but we break down and analyze.

Here’s what Mr. Kerr has to say:

Rock Daydream Nation is joined by Peter Jones (The Contrarians) and Mike Ladano (Grab a Stack of Rock) to choose their desert island Deep Purple album featuring Steve Morse….Are any of these albums better than Deep Purple Ritchie Blackmore?
Check out the show!

We have a winner – Powerslave vs. Defenders of the Faith (Maiden vs. Priest)

It was a marathon, but it was never dull!  With Pete Jones on board, we completely dissected every track on these two 40 year old albums:

  • Judas Priest – Defenders of the Faith – 13 January 1984 – peaked at #18 in the US and went platinum.  Produced by Tom Allom, his fifth with Priest.
  • Iron Maiden – Powerslave – 3 Sept 1984 – peaked at #21 in the US and went platinum.  Produced by Martin Birch, his fourth with Maiden.

Harrison Kopp arrived at the end of the show and between he, Peter and myself, we chose a winner.  It was a 2-1 vote.

Lyrically and musically we broke down each track to the individual parts.  We shone light and appreciation on all the players, for what they contributed to each of these epic metal masterpieces.  At the end of the day, it was clear that though both bands are often lumped together, these two albums are completely different.  They have different moods, different directions, and different lyrical themes.  Both are important albums to 80s metal, and to the respective band catalogues.

Subject matter broken down in detail:

  • The bass, drum, and guitar parts to each song.
  • Lyrical themes to each song and album.
  • The B-sides and bonus tracks.
  • The true and hilarious story behind Mission From ‘Arry.
  • Connections between Becket and Iron Maiden.
  • Personal stories and impact of these records.
  • Live performances and songs that have never been played live.

You will also be treated to a live performance of “Freewheel Burning” by Mike!

They call Peter the Professor and for good reason.  He came prepared with tour information and intimate knowledge of the construction of these songs.

Though it pained me to have to pick a winner, we did!

We hope you enjoyed the show, and a big thank-you to Peter for contributing two hours of your Friday night!  Of course, always nice to see Harrison.

This is likely the last evening show of the summer of 2024.  Afternoon shows occur at 3:00 PM on Fridays, when I have an available co-host.  Thanks for watching, and stay tuned…

The next show is an interview with author Angie Moon, regarding her debut music/true time book, Crime of the Century, June 21 on Grab A Stack of Rock!

The Battle of ’84: Iron Maiden – Powerslave vs. Judas Priest – Defenders of the Faith

GRAB A STACK OF ROCK With Mike and the Mad Metal Man
Episode 62: The Battle of ’84: Iron Maiden – Powerslave vs. Judas Priest – Defenders of the Faith

It is finally time:  the Battle of ’84 has arrived!  40 years ago, two metal monsters released crucial albums:

  • Judas Priest – Defenders of the Faith – 13 January 1984 – peaked at #18 in the US and went platinum.
  • Iron Maiden – Powerslave – 3 Sept 1984 – peaked at #21 in the US and went platinum.

But which album, track for track, is better?

Tonight, Peter Jones and I will attempt to answer that question.  After appearing once with Pete on a favourite episode of Rock Daydream Nation, he finally joins Grab A Stack of Rock.  Peter is a musician, who understands the vocabulary of drums and will explain it all tonight.  (Check out his latest Contrarians episode with Martin Popoff!)  Will the drumming colour his impressions of these two landmark albums of the 80s?  We shall see tonight.

We shall dissect each and every track, including the bonus tracks & B-sides.  Who shall reign?  Find out tonight…live!

 

 

Friday June 7 at 7:00 P.M. E.S.T. / 8:00 P.M. Atlantic.   Enjoy on YouTube or on Facebook!

This is likely the last evening show of the summer of 2024.  Afternoon shows occur at 3:00 PM on Fridays, when I have an available co-host.  Thanks for watching, and stay tuned…

The next show is an interview with author Angie Moon, regarding her debut music/true time book, Crime of the Century, June 21 on Grab A Stack of Rock!