The Smithereens dominated modern rock radio in the early 80s to mid 90s with songs like "Only A Memory" and "A Girl Like You". Despite the tragic loss of their lead singer, Pat DiNizio, the band soldiers on with guest vocalists Marshall Crenshaw and The Gin Blossoms Robin Wilson taking the vocals. Guitarist Jim Babjak and drummer Dennis Diken visit the What Difference Does It Make virtual studios and talk up their passion for 60s pop songs, the road to success, and this mysterious lost album fro...
Sep 30, 2022•56 min•Season 10Ep. 19
Thanks to Rob Juarez, founder of the Lost 80s Live concerts, this is quite possibly our most 80s music episode ever. We went down to San Diego to learn why the artists and fans keep coming back to these shows. We talk with members of Wang Chung, Animotion, and The Untouchables. We also talk to some passionate fans that still love the music that shaped their lives. We wrap it all up by talking with the man himself, Rob Juarez. The What Difference Does It Make Podcast are proud members of Pantheon...
Sep 23, 2022•32 min•Season 10Ep. 18
Director Andy Fickman has brought Heathers back to life. Yes, the beloved dark comedy classic, Heathers, is now a movie musical and it is so "very". Andy takes us through the ten year process of making this daydream a reality. And Andy may be so crazy, you'd swear he had a "brain tumor for breakfast". After you listen to our podcast, watch the movie, now a musical, and streaming on Roku. We are a proud member of Pantheon Podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 16, 2022•37 min•Season 10Ep. 17
This year, David Bowie would have turned 75. To recognize this occasion, Rock Historian/Author/Podcaster Martin Popoff has authored a coffee table book, simply called Bowie @75. One might think Martin would love everything about Bowie, but being the contrarian he is, Martin makes his opinion known as we touch on a number of the significant landmark moments in Bowie's storied career. We are a proud member of Pantheon Podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 09, 2022•51 min•Season 10Ep. 16
Twin brothers Adam and David Moss have been harmonizing together since their days as kids trapped in their parents car, forced to listen to 60s folk and show tunes. As it turns out, they actually love this music, and now we benefit from it, courtesy of The Brother Brothers latest album, Cover to Cover. It's a love letter of sorts, dedicated to the music that has inspired them throughout their lives. Adam and David talk with What Difference Does It Make to detail the journey that led them to cove...
Aug 26, 2022•46 min•Season 10Ep. 14
Rob Juarez is the mastermind behind the Lost 80s Live shows. This year marks the 20th Anniversary of the concert series that features so many of your favorite 80s bands like Devo, ABC, and A Flock of Seagulls. We get into Rob's story on how he came to create the brand, and all the hard work that goes into putting on a show. It's all on The What Difference Does It Make podcast. We are a proud member of Pantheon Podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 19, 2022•47 min•Season 10Ep. 13
We continue our look at the first songs played on MTV by reviewing videos 16 to 25. In this episode, we agree that Iron Maiden segueing into REO Speedwagon is a horrible idea. Holly learns about Mr. Briefcase, AND she teaches Dave about the real meaning behind Phil Collins, "In The Air Tonight". After all this excitement, we test ourselves with a little MTV trivia quiz. It'll make you demand, "I want my MTV podcast!" We are a proud member of Pantheon Podcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Vi...
Aug 05, 2022•34 min•Season 1Ep. 7
It was the early days of MTV, and it was also the early days of our podcast, circa 2018, when we dissected the videos played on August 1, 1981, the day MTV was launched. This day was so important, we made it a two-part episode. In the first part, we debate our way through the first 15 videos played on MTV. We discover that one of our favorite Pat Benatar songs is, in fact a cover. We question the musical direction of Styx. And, Holly learns the definition of brass when it's in one's pocket. We a...
Jul 29, 2022•34 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Simon Morrison is a Professor of Music at Princeton University, with an emphasis on the musical, cultural, and political histories of the Soviet Union, Russia, the United States, and France. With all that said, he's also a fan of pop music, in particular a band from the UK called Roxy Music, their lead singer Bryan Ferry. He wrote a 33 1/3 book on the band's 1982 album, Avalon. His Princeton homepage quotes him saying "I can explain why and how music matters then as now." and that's exactly what...
Jul 22, 2022•59 min•Season 10Ep. 11
Carla Olson is a true musician. She might be best known to our listeners for her work with the Textones, but she has had and is continuing to have quite a full career. Carla played guitar in Bob Dylan's first music video, she was the first woman to sing with John Fogerty, and she now has a compilation album comprised of many of her musical friends playing train-themed songs, called Americana Railroad. Carla has an endless supply of stories, so hop aboard! We are a proud member of Pantheon Podcas...
Jul 15, 2022•1 hr 5 min•Season 10Ep. 10
Our summer got off to a great start with an invitation from the good folks at Podopolo to hang out at the Feast It Forward house in Napa, California. As it happens, it was also the week of BottleRock, so we had the opportunity to talk to Ron Artis II, Mama Said, Kosha Dillz, and Chef Roy Choi. Special thanks goes out to Amanda Morck of My Rock Moment podcastand Al Mancini of the Food and Loathing in Las Vegas podcast. We are a proud member of Pantheon Podcasts Learn more about your ad choices. V...
Jul 08, 2022•47 min•Season 10Ep. 9
John Easdale of Dramarama has quite an origin story. Local Jersey kid and his high school friends work at a record store and dream of being in a band, they make a record that gets picked up by a French DJ. The record makes its way to Los Angeles and is mistaken by a famous DJ for a French band. Yes, "Anything, Anything" can happen when it comes to rock and roll. We then segue to 1985, the year Dramarama's Cinéma Vérité was released and look at the top 10 year-end songs from KROQ, the radio stati...
Jun 24, 2022•1 hr 8 min•Season 9Ep. 12
Paul Myers is many things: Artist, Author, Producer, Podcaster, but above all else, he is a music and comedy fan. You can currently hear Paul as host of The Record Store Day Podcast. He is also a producer of the just-released documentary, Kids In The Hall: Comedy Punks. We touch on all the hot topics: Beatles vs. Stones, comedy troupes, and donuts. Get a month of Amazon Music courtesy of your 80s music aficionados at What Difference Does It Make. We are a proud member of Pantheon Podcasts. Learn...
Jun 10, 2022•1 hr 5 min•Season 10Ep. 8
Hans Everling is the owner of SOB Audio Imaging in Amsterdam, and this week he takes on the challenge of giving his professional and honest opinion of songs #20 to #11 from the 1985 KROQ year-end playlist. Can any of these tunes possibly compare to his beloved favorite band, Earth, Wind & Fire? Hear your favorite 80s songs with a free month of Amazon Music, courtesy of your 80s music aficionados at What Difference Does It Make podcast. getamazonmusic.com/wddimpodcast We are a proud member of...
Jun 03, 2022•55 min•Season 9Ep. 11
Hear at Home is an artist interview segment hosted by Andy Chanley on 885FM, but today we switch roles with Andy and WE talk to HIM about his radio career. Andy also helps us dive into songs from the 1985 KROQ year end list. In this episode, it’s songs #30 to #21. Get a month of Amazon Music for free courtesy of your 80s music aficionados at What Difference Does It Make. getamazonmusic.com/wddimpodcast We are a proud member of Pantheon Podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone....
May 20, 2022•1 hr 9 min•Season 9Ep. 10
David Wild has many friends, including us. He has just released a podcast with his good friend, Phil Rosenthal, entitled Naked Lunch. Fortunately, it's audio so we don't know if there's any actual nudity involved but there is definitely food and friends. David steps into our virtual studio to talk to us about the podcast, the friends, and the food, all on the What Difference Does It Make Podcast. Get a month of Amazon Music for free courtesy of your favorite 80s music aficionados at What Differe...
May 13, 2022•1 hr•Season 10Ep. 5
Ann Wilson, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer and Heart vocalist, isn't one to rest on her laurels during a hiatus with the band. Finding inspiration through her songwriting, and creating thrilling new arrangements of cover songs with her band "The Amazing Dawgs", we have an Ann Wilson solo album called Fierce Bliss. We talk about the past, present, and future with Ann, including 2023 plans for a 50th Anniversary Celebration of Heart. It's all on the What Difference Does It Make Podcast. Hear Ann Wi...
Apr 29, 2022•34 min•Season 10Ep. 4
Suzi Quatro has been rockin' for over half a century and is showing no signs of slowing down. As the recent documentary, Suzi Q, shows, she is still as passionate today about her music as the day she strapped on her bass guitar at the age of 14. We get into all of it, from her beginnings with the Quatro family band, The Pleasure Seekers, all the way to her latest album, The Devil In Me, playing and producing with her son, Richard Tuckey. Revisit the entire Suzi Quatro catalog with a free month o...
Apr 22, 2022•46 min•Season 10Ep. 3
How does Martha Wainwright survive growing up in the shadow of not only her father, Loudon Wainwright III, and her mother, Kate McGarrigle, but also her beautiful and extremely talented brother, Rufus Wainwright? It's all described in Martha's memoir, Stories I Might Regret Telling You. Martha steps into the What Difference Does It Make virtual studio to discuss her childhood, and finding her own way in her artistic family. Listen to all of Martha's music including her latest, Love Will Be Rebor...
Apr 15, 2022•53 min•Season 10Ep. 2
Thomas Robsahm, Director of the just-released documentary, a-ha THE MOVIE, is our guest this week. Depending on where you live in the world, the band a-ha may be considered an 80s one-hit wonder band, but that is simply not the case. a-ha is still one of the best-selling live bands in the world. They've released ten albums, and eight of them hit number one in their home country of Norway, and sold nearly 100 million copies. Thomas is also the Producer of The Worst Person in The World, a surprise...
Apr 08, 2022•46 min•Season 10Ep. 1
Palle Bo is a radio legend in Denmark. He's been in the game since the 80s, and now this "Radio Guru" is taking his act on the road, traveling the world and sharing his exploits in a podcast called The Radio Vagabond. Palle took a break from his hectic schedule to talk to us about his early days in Danish radio, and to discuss songs #40 to #31 from the KROQ Los Angles 1985 year-end chart. You can hear all music discussed with a free month of Amazon music courtesy of your 80s music aficionados at...
Mar 25, 2022•1 hr 2 min•Season 9Ep. 9
Bob Waugh's radio career brought him to the best of the best radio stations at the perfect time. When the excitement of New Wave first struck New York in the 80s, Bob was spinning records at "Dare To Be Different" WLIR on Long Island, just outside New York City. In the early 90s, when Alternative music became pop music, Bob was in charge at WHFS in Washington DC. He recently wrapped up the "first leg" of his career at WRNR in Annapolis, where he was able to play his favorite classic songs while ...
Mar 18, 2022•59 min•Season 9Ep. 8
Keith Coes was destined for radio ever since he "won" a shift on the Vanderbilt University radio station, without ever actually attending the school. And he even became the Music Director! This metal-loving dude has now been the Music Director for WRLT Lightning 100 in Nashville for nearly 30 years. This makes him a great guest to discuss songs #60 to #51 on the 1985 year-end chart from KROQ in Los Angeles. Hear all the music discussed with a free month of Amazon Music courtesy of your 80s music...
Mar 04, 2022•50 min•Season 9Ep. 7
Self-Proclaimed "Hippie, Rocker, Seeker", Zeb Norris, enters the What Difference Does It Make virtual studio. Zeb was a K-Pop star long before any member of BTS was even born. In Zeb's case, KPOP was a radio station in Sacramento spinning rock of the 80s. After that, he departed the West Coast, making his way across the country to WNCS in northern Vermont. He now happily resides as the Program Director/Morning Guy at WCVT in Plattsburgh/Burlington, Vermont. CVT stands for Classic Hits Vermont. T...
Feb 25, 2022•59 min•Season 9Ep. 6
In 1985, Tami Heide was a host on WBCN, Boston's #1 rock radio station at the time. Today, Tami steps into the What Difference Does It Make virtual studio to discuss her career trajectory from Boston to Los Angeles, where she became a host on KROQ in 1991. In between Tami's fart jokes, we're given some insight into her life as a music fan and radio talent. We also manage to discuss songs #80 to #71 from the 1985 KROQ year-end chart! Hear all the music we discussed by getting a month of Amazon Mu...
Feb 18, 2022•58 min•Season 9Ep. 5
Brad Savage is a self-described radio nerd, traversing the United States sharing his love of music via his love of radio. He's been with REV105 and KTCZ in the Twin Cities. Moved to Columbia, Missouri to program The Buzz and 102.3 KBXR. This led to Madison, Wisconsin and WMAD, when it was an Alternative rock station, and then on to WQKL "107one" in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He launched The Corner 106.1 WCNR in Charlottesville, Virginia, before finally landing at The Summit in Akron. He's always said ...
Feb 04, 2022•1 hr 9 min•Season 9Ep. 4
Larry "The Duck" Dunn steps into the What Difference Does It Make virtual studio to provide some insight into the New York 80s music scene. Larry started his career at 92.7 WLIR, where he became the Music Director and helped shape the sound of this influential New York radio station. In between our banter about WLIR, Larry's personal experiences with the artists, and his time in the clubs, we look to Los Angeles and the 1985 year-end chart from KROQ. This episode, we look at songs #100 to #91. T...
Jan 28, 2022•1 hr 17 min•Season 9Ep. 3
It's a new year in more ways than one for the What Difference Does It Make podcast, as we go "back to the future" and begin our look at the songs KROQ in Los Angeles played in the year 1985. In this episode, we look at 6.7 songs. We start at the bottom, with song #106.7, and for the first time since we started this look back at each year of the 80s, we actually have access to this earworm of a song. If you're ready to relive the music from 1985, you've come to the right place. Get a month of Ama...
Jan 21, 2022•33 min•Season 9Ep. 2
1985 was a year filled with incredible highs: LIVE AID!, The Breakfast Club, Eddie Murphy, and some soul-crushing lows: New Coke, the Super Bowl halftime show, the film Gymkata. It's all worth revisiting, so join us as we celebrate some of the most unforgettable moments in pop culture from 1985. Get a month of Amazon Music for free courtesy of your 80s music aficionados at What Difference Does It Make We are a proud member of Pantheon Podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.f...
Jan 14, 2022•50 min•Season 9Ep. 1
Welcome to our greatest hits episode! First time to What Difference Does It Make? This is the perfect start to discovering our 80s music podcast. We look back at the highlights from 2021, as we talk with some of our favorite music artists and other creators. New episodes every Friday! Get a free month of Amazon Music courtesy of What Difference Does It Make. Your 80s music aficionados. We are a proud member of Pantheon Podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jan 07, 2022•1 hr•Season 8Ep. 35
