Pantheon - Podcasts for Music Lovers

Back in the 80s, we thought they were selling out. Turns out, they were ahead of the curve. Rolling Stone’s Andy Greene rounded up some of his favorite commercials featuring 80s rock icons from David Bowie and Genesis to Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson. We revisited those ads, plus a few more we couldn’t forget, to bring you this special episode celebrating 80s music commercials. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

JJ French has lived the full arc of American heavy metal — from club-level survival to global legacy. As guitarist, co-founder, and longtime strategist behind Twisted Sister, JJ French reflects on what it actually takes to last 50 years in a business designed to burn artists out. This is not a nostalgia interview. It is a candid conversation about discipline, reinvention, timing, and truth. JJ discusses the early definition of success, why the UK embraced Twisted Sister before the U.S., the cultural divide between punk and metal at CBGB, the PMRC hearings and their real-world consequences, lineup decisions for the current era, and why the band is returning in 2026 for select 50th-anniversary performances. The conversation also covers milestone performances — including post-9/11 New York City shows, Sweden Rock 2022, and the Morristown Twisted Christmas concert — along with reflections on legacy, music licensing, health, and perspective earned the hard way. Chapters are included for easy navigation.   CHAPTER MARKS 02:59 – Did You Ever Expect Twisted Sister to Last 50 Years? 04:03 – What “Success” Really Meant in the Early Years 06:00 – When the Band Shifted from Survival to the Long Game 12:12 – Was the Live Album Recorded at That Legendary Show? 13:09 – Why the UK Embraced Twisted Sister Before the U.S. 14:31 – Why Twisted Sister Was Never Accepted at CBGB 19:22 – Why the 2026 Twisted Sister 50th Anniversary Shows Are Happening 21:25 – Choosing the Lineup: Joey Franco & Russell Zuto Explained 22:15 – Why Mark Mendoza Isn’t Part of This Version 23:10 – Setlists Today: Deep Cuts or Greatest Hits? 29:57 – Why the Rochester Show Was Recorded for King Biscuit Flour Hour 33:00 – Reflections on 9/11 NYC, Sweden Rock 2022 & the Final U.S. Christmas Show 35:17 – PMRC 40 Years Later: JJ French Looks Back 38:09 – Are “We’re Not Gonna Take It” & “I Wanna Rock” the Most Licensed Metal Songs? 39:22 – What JJ French Hopes This Tour Adds to the Legacy   LINKS Official Twisted Sister Website https://twistedsister.com JJ French Official Website https://www.jayjayfrench.com Metal Mayhem ROC https://www.metalmayhemroc.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SPECIAL EPYSODE: The 2025 "In Memoriam" Fantasy Band Discussion. GUESTS: Uncle Herff and Christian Swain. In this special epysode, we honour the artists who left us in 2025 by building the ultimate “In Memoriam” Fantasy Band. Through reflection and a deep appreciation for their musical legacies, we imagine what it would sound like if these departed legends shared the same stage. We discuss their standout contributions, the impact they made on their genres, and why their absence leaves such a lasting void. It’s part tribute, part creative celebration, and all heart. Whether you love fantasy band drafts, year-end music retrospectives, or simply want to remember the voices that shaped the soundtrack of our lives, this epysode offers a heartfelt and thoughtful sendoff. The great gig in the sky added some incredible talent this year. From all of us here, and on behalf of all the fans throughout the world, we say thank you for the incredible music you leave behind. RIP. ===CONNECT & SUPPORT=== Transport yourself into the realm of grooviness by supporting us on Patreon for as little as $2/month using this link --> patreon.com/FarmerJohnMusic Use this link to follow us on Facebook --> https://www.facebook.com/farmerjohnmusic/ Use this link to follow us on Instagram --> https://www.instagram.com/vinylrelics/ Use this link to follow us on TikTok --> https://www.tiktok.com/@vinylrelicspodcast Use this link to follow us on BlueSky --> https://bsky.app/profile/farmerjohnmusic.bsky.social And find us on X @VinylRelicsPod Email me @ ⁠[email protected]⁠   ===THE MUSIC=== Songs used in this Epysode, in order of appearance. Here's a link to a Spotify playlist for all the tracks featured. *denotes track is not available on Spotify. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0qpwMQ1gWbDiVAu7VwoEEH?si=1cf3a9b654974061 SLY & THE FAMILY STONE "Thank You" JANIS JOPLIN "Kozmic Blues" BLONDIE "Heart Of Glass" THE PRETTY THINGS "Don't Bring Me Down" THE BEACH BOYS "God Only Knows" CHAKA KHAN "Move Me No Mountain" JOHN MARTYN "Solid Air" BOOKER T. & THE MG'S "Green Onions" *WATCHPOCKET "Four Walls" OTIS REDDING "Try A Little Tenderness" TOM LEHRER "The Folk Song Army" THE BAND "Ophelia" THE BAND "Chest Fever" THE BAND "Whispering Pines" TERRY REID "Superlungs My Supergirl" TERRY REID "To Be Treated Rite" SLY & THE FAMILY STONE "Everyday People" SLY & THE FAMILY STONE "I Wanna Take You Higher" (live) CHRIS REA "The Road To Hell Part 2" JOE ELY "The Road Goes On Forever" THE YOUNGBLOODS "Get Together" KISS "Shock Me" ROBERTA FLACK "Killing Me Softly With His Song" THE ALARM "Rain In The Summertime" BADFINGER "I Can't Take It" MARIANNE FAITHFULL "Broken English" OZZY OSBOURNE "Crazy Train" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, host Jesse Jackson speaks with Denise Green, a dedicated Bruce Springsteen fan and scholar. Denise discusses her recent presentation on how Springsteen's songs can be seen as modern Christian hymns. She shares her personal journey with Springsteen's music, including how pivotal tracks provided comfort during difficult times. The conversation delves into Denise's unique perspective on Springsteen's lyrics, the thematic structure of his music, and its profound impact on her life and scholarly work. Denise also reminisces about attending various Springsteen concerts and meeting fellow fans from around the world. https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/traffic.megaphone.fm/PAN3285391808.mp3?updated=1766608076 02:20 Meet Denise: A Lifelong Springsteen Fan 03:53 Growing Up in a Strict Household 06:55 Discovering Springsteen and College Life 11:16 Springsteen Concert Memories 14:26 Springsteen's Songs as Christian Hymns 23:57 Exploring the Depths of Springsteen's Lyrics 25:31 The Power of Music and Community 26:35 Springsteen's Influence and Gospel Inspirations 27:22 Personal Reflections and Fan Experiences 29:24 Springsteen's Songs and Their Impact 32:27 Analyzing Springsteen's Music and Lyrics 39:03 Future Projects and Scholarly Interests 43:57 Final Thoughts and Farewell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s ImmaLetYouFinish... #239! Court & Amy kick off 2026 by asking if Doeechi is an industry plant( she isn’t), when Robyn’s album will drop, and if anyone cares about Drake’s legal issues. ImmaLetYouFinish... Podcast is a proud member of Pantheon Media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices