Grabbed another interview that would've gobsmacked the 14-year-old-me. Stephen Hague, the producer responsible for some of the most joyously beautiful pop music of the 80s - that most joyously musically beautiful of decades. Lots on West End Girls obvs but part 1 is a fascinating interview covering Stephen's earlier career as musician, writer and producer before the big breakthrough with The Rock Steady Crew. Hey you! Check this mother out! (sorry, don't know why I typed that..) Pre-1980s (1.41)...
Aug 18, 2021•1 hr 27 min•Season 3Ep. 9
More goodies in the second part of the interview with Clive Langer & Alan Winstanley, exploring the years 1983-89. More Madness! Excess Costello! Bowie! Morrissey! Dexys! And more importantly, Marilyn!! (I mock, but it's a cracking one hit wonder) Clive and Alan on top form - this is one of my favourite episodes so far. So enjoy... 1983 (2:29) Elvis Costello - Punch The Clock Elvis Costello - Everyday I Write The Book Madness/Elvis Costello - Tomorrow's Just Another Day Madness - Wings Of A ...
Aug 04, 2021•1 hr 36 min•Season 3Ep. 8
Next up for the deep dive into their 80sography is the magnificent production team of Langer/Winstanley. Such a thrill to speak to the guys about their incredible 80s. In part 1 there is a lot of Madness, Dexys, a Teardrop Explodes and we find out what links Shipbuilding and Ullo John Got A New Motor. Beware - there is some exceptionally fruity language from the off. So if easily offended avert yer ears. 1980 (9:01) Madness: My Girl/Embarrassment 1981 (20:53) Madness: Return Of The Los Palmas 7 ...
Jul 21, 2021•1 hr 24 min•Season 3Ep. 7
2nd part of the interview with the great Stephen Lipson covering a lot of ground in the 80s (plus I indulged myself in allowing a few post 80s questions at the end. Mea culpa, etc) From Grace Jones to Macca. Frankie to The Pets - it's all here... 1985: Slave To The Rhythm - Grace Jones (03:25) Duel - Propaganda (13:00) 1986: Liverpool - Frankie Goes To Hollywood (19:31) 1987: Tomorrow (12" mix) - The Communards (27:48) 1988: Left To My Own Devices - Pet Shop Boys (34:14) 1989: Flowers In The Dir...
Jul 06, 2021•1 hr 11 min•Season 3Ep. 6
2nd guest for the My 80sography is music producer, Stephen Lipson. An incredibly successful career for over 40 years who really made his mark in the 80s working with Trevor Horn. Episode 1 focuses largely on his incredible work with Frankie Goes To Hollywood on their epic double album, Welcome To The Pleasuredome and the massively successful singles; 1980/81; Lindisfarne (07:07) Stop and Smell The Roses - Ringo Starr (11:01) 1982: Undercover - The Rolling Stones (16:41) 1983: Relax - Frankie Goe...
Jun 20, 2021•57 min•Season 3Ep. 5
* INCLUDES PREVIOUSLY UNHEARD MATERIAL * We conclude the epic season on The Boys From Bath with a compendium of interviews based on The Seeds of Love era (many thanks to listener Tom Teodorczuk for the idea). CHRIS HUGHES * (01:40) DAVE BASCOMBE ** (22.40) NICKY HOLLAND (44.09) DAVID BATES (65.12) IAN STANLEY (78.00) CLIVE LANGER/ALAN WINSTANLEY ** (97.51) HUGH PADGHAM * (105.41) SUMMARY (113.02) MY TOP 10 TFF SONGS OF THE 80S (115.20) * some unheard material ** completely new stuff Thanks for l...
Jun 06, 2021•2 hr 10 min•Season 2Ep. 11
We reach the end of the 80s Padgham Parade where we began with more success with Phil, Sting & Genesis. Plus more besides including an ex-Beach Boy (THE Beach Boy), Hojo’s last big hit and an underrated gem of an LP. In PART 4; 1986 (part 2); Invisible Touch – Genesis (1:50) No One Is To Blame – Howard Jones (20:35) 1987; …Nothing Like The Sun – Sting (24:00) Remembrance Days – The Dream Academy (32:25) 1988; Julia Fordham- Julia Fordham (46:01) Brian Wilson – Brian Wilson (51.44) 1989; Woma...
May 23, 2021•1 hr 32 min•Season 3Ep. 4
Plenty more to uncover in the 3rd part of Hugh Padgham's 80sography as we hit the mid-80s with further success with Genesis, the task of following era defining hit albums with Human League and David Bowie, multi-platinum mega success of peak Collins and issues arising from working with an ex-Fab. In PART 3; 1983 (part 2): King of Pain - The Police (2:40) Genesis - Genesis (5:31) 1984: Hysteria - The Human League (18:49) Tonight - David Bowie (27:00) 1985: No Jacket Required - Phil Collins ( 50:0...
May 09, 2021•1 hr 33 min•Season 3Ep. 3
Welcome back to the second part of the Ian Stanley interview. Much explored including the following; * The Working Hour * Mothers Talk (masterpiece!) * Listen * THE Big Chair (see picture, courtesy of Ian) * Which major pop act did Ian & Roland try to write a song for? * Sowing The Seeds of Love * The Quickfire Round and so much more... A great thrill - much thanks to Ian (and also David Bates - check out his fantastic 2-part interview too and Carole at Helium). Please Listen (see what I did...
Apr 25, 2021•1 hr 42 min•Season 2Ep. 10
We could not end the interview section for the Tears For Fears season better than with our final interviewee; Mr Ian Stanley - band member from the beginning and part of the key creative unit behind Songs From The Big Chair. Chatting to Ian was a great thrill and we cover the early part of the decade here from initial meeting to working on The Hurting with diversions into the making of both Everybody Wants To Rule The World and Shout. * Many thanks to Carole and, especially, David Bates who was ...
Apr 11, 2021•1 hr 32 min•Season 2Ep. 9
We are back for the 2nd part of the “My 80sography” interview with Hugh Padgham. Much to cover here in a phenomenally busy & successful stage of Hugh’s career. Discover the unique contribution he made to Maneater, the film David Bowie turned him on to and the one thing Sting is not good at (surprisingly, it’s not acting…) And much, much more. Also two quickfire rounds discussing Hugh’s favourites of the 80s and random questions on his career. IN PART 2; 1982: Something’s Going On – Frida (03...
Mar 28, 2021•1 hr 27 min•Season 3Ep. 2
Welcome to “My 80sography” a new 80sography series where we talk to key figures who had a cultural and creative impact in what is, of course, the most entertaining and enjoyable of decades. We start with a season on music producers and what better place to start than with Hugh Padgham; a man responsible for as many hits and platinum albums in the 80s as anyone. So much covered (and HUGHge thanks to Hugh for that) that I’ve had to break it down into 4 parts. In part 1; Pre-1980: Ad Nauseum – Dere...
Mar 14, 2021•1 hr 24 min•Season 3Ep. 1
Second part of fascinating chat with A & R guru, David Bates where he details the years of success with the band (both in the UK and US). Worth listening out to discover; * Who fainted recording a vocal * Who won the bet with his US equivalent over which TFF single would sell the most * Which single actually helped shift the most copies of Big Chair * How he wangled dinner with Kim Basinger * Details of the last row between Curt & Roland * His answers to the world famous* quickfire round...
Mar 01, 2021•52 min•Season 2Ep. 8
Another great interview to add to the collection with the man who signed the boys in 1981 and was the only person there from the beginning through to the end of the 80s; A & R guy, David Bates. We spoke for three hours so edited it into two parts (2nd part next week). In this part, discover; * Which other huge band David wasn't allowed to sign * What caused Curt to cry while recording The Hurting * What was Curt's unique contribution to Everybody Wants To Rule The World * Why their success i...
Feb 16, 2021•1 hr 6 min•Season 2Ep. 7
Another Tears For Fears related interview - in The Big Chair this time is the wonderful Nicky Holland, co-writer of 62.5% of The Seeds Of Love and key member of the live band during The Big Chair tour. A real thrill to speak to her and if you are a fan you will find plenty here to engage and entertain from Fun Boy 3 to Tears 4 Fears. Contact Nicky on Twitter @NickyJLHolland on Facebook at NickyHollandMusic Contact 80sography on Twitter @80sography email 80sography@gmail.com Also, PLEASE rate &am...
Jan 19, 2021•1 hr 8 min•Season 2Ep. 6
Something a bit different this time as we run through The Seeds of Love, track by track, with Co-Producer, Engineer and Mixer of said album, Dave Bascombe. Was a wonderfully enlightening conversation covering many aspects of the recording of the classic LP. Much to enjoy if you are a fan, love the album (and especially own the box set). So get set up on your devices....any 2 of the following will suffice; phone tablet computer laptop smart TV CD player record player cassette player 8-track DAT r...
Dec 22, 2020•59 min•Season 2Ep. 5
Managed to nab the great Chris Hughes (T4F producer & Merrick from Adam & The Ants) for a 2 hr interview recently. Some of the interview relating to Seeds of Love will be siphoned off for Episode 4 but that leaves plenty of T4F content discussed from first meeting to last goodbye. Find out; * Who was really behind the SFTBC album title * Which song inspired Roland's guitar solo in Shout! * Which 3 words best describe Roland and Curt * What two songs Chris thinks they should do live as me...
Nov 10, 2020•1 hr 22 min•Season 2Ep. 4
37-year-old Loretta Castorini, an Italian-American widow, works as a bookkeeper and lives in Brooklyn Heights , New York, with her family: father Cosmo...wait, that's the synopsis for "Moonstruck" Hold on...copying from wrong bit... We are now halfway through the mid-80s TFF meisterwork that is Songs From The Big Chair and conclude with side two and all the goodies therein contained (actually that reads terribly, should I go back to the plot of "Moonstruck"? Was Cher ever better?*) Songs Include...
Sep 27, 2020•1 hr 4 min•Season 2Ep. 3
As John Lennon once remarked in song "Life is what happens to you while you're trying to finish episode 2 on a series of Tears For Fears podcasts.." (slight paraphrase there) Apologies - work, family, hospital stay (NOT the dreaded C-19) got in the way. But nothing (I say NOTHING) will deter us in our quest following Roland & Curt through the 80s jungleland to pop perfection (and horrific hairstyles - even for the 80s). Songs included; Mothers Talk Shout! (yes, it should have a !) Everybody ...
Aug 10, 2020•1 hr 5 min•Season 2Ep. 2
And we are back! Back!! BACK!!! with an act very much defined by this glorious decade; Tears For Fears. Not picked purely cos their hometown is located not 30 miles from 80sography Central. If location was the definer then this would be part 1 of 4 of Douggie Alsopp’s Banjo Ragtime Razzamataz combo from Lechlade. And it’s not (that's further down the line between Huey Lewis and The Cure*). First up we explore the early years of Roland and Curt; the ska-inflected/infected early band, the failed s...
Jun 04, 2020•1 hr 11 min•Season 2Ep. 1
And the Elton journey has endethed (breathes sigh of relief..) and we have our summary episode and also an interview with Neil Barrett, host of the premium EJ podcast, “I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Elton John Podcast”. 00:00: The Elton interview 03:25: The Summary 06:36: The Worst 5 EJ Songs of the 80s 07:39: The Top 10 Best EJ Songs of the 80s 08:36: The Album Rankings 09:39: The Interview with Neil Barrett 43:30: The EJ Fan Feedback 46:55: The Further Listening/Recommendations/Thanks Th...
Jan 20, 2020•56 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Finally our travails lead us to the end of the 80s road for Elton - and here he negotiates his rockiest terrain (regarding quality not style) but the final destination is a happy one creatively and commercially. Songs included; Slow Rivers Candle In The Wind (live) I Don't Wanna Go On With You Like That Healing Hands Sacrifice These Dreams - Heart Give Me Love Your Way 0:01:22: 1986 0:03:42: "Leather Jackets" 0:38:14: 1987 0:45:15: 1988 0:46:18: "Reg Strikes Back" 1:13:50: 1989 / "Sleeping With ...
Dec 12, 2019•1 hr 45 min•Season 1Ep. 3
We’ve reached peak 80sElton with the middle trilogy as Our Reg re-locates his mojo and the hit parade and Bernie regains sole lyricist status. The peak was covered with plenty of snow. Songs included; I’m Still Standing I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues Sad Songs (say so much) Passengers Nikita I’m Not Getting Married 02:25: 1983 / “Too Low For Zero” 33:02: 1984 / “Breaking Hearts” 41:24: William, It Was Really Nothing 1:01:50: 1985 1:04:54: “Ice On Fire” Please review & rate on iTun...
Nov 17, 2019•1 hr 40 min•Season 1Ep. 2
We start the 80s odyssey with Sir Reginald Hercules Dwight - an 80s of excess both in and out of the recording studio but was quality control maintained? (spoiler alert - er, possibly...) S First doors, the prequel years of 80sElton - the lean times with the odd smash and a smattering of, shock, non-Bernie lyrics! Songs included; Little Jeannie Sartorial Eloquence Nobody Wins Blue Eyes Empty Garden Love Truth and Emily Stone 02:32: 1980 / "21 at 33" 29:29: 1981 31:41: "The Fox" 42:12: innocuous ...
Nov 03, 2019•1 hr 35 min•Season 1Ep. 1
