The UCR Podcast

Ultimate Classic Rock•ultimateclassicrock.com

The UCR Podcast explores the past, present and future of rock and culture's biggest legends. Hosted by Matt Wardlaw and members of the UCR team, you'll stay up to date with the latest interviews, news, roundtable discussions and more.

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Episodes

The Best and Worst Classic Rock Holiday Songs

The UCR gang is together today to discuss a bunch of holiday-related topics. How do we feel about Whamageddon, why do people hate and love songs like "Last Christmas" and "Wonderful Christmastime" so much? What is it that makes a holiday song good? Allison Rapp, Bryan Rolli and Corey Irwin join Matt to dig through this and other festive topics!

Dec 18, 2024•39 min

Foreigner's 'Agent Provocateur' at 40

Matt Wardlaw, Nick DeRiso and Jeff Giles discuss Foreigner's polarizing fifth album. We also dip into the UCR Archives to revisit a career-spanning 2013 interview with Foreigner founder and guitarist Mick Jones.

Dec 13, 2024•1 hr 5 min

Pearl Jam's 'Vitalogy' Turns 30

As Pearl Jam's Vitalogy album marks its 30th anniversary, longtime band associate Brett Eliason joins Matt Wardlaw and Chuck Armstrong to look back. We discuss everything that was happening in that time period, as well as the early days of the group and his memories of the days prior to the release of Ten. The guys talk about numerous other highlights, including Brett's experience being in the studio with Pearl Jam and Neil Young as they worked on the album that became 1995's Mirror Ball.

Dec 07, 2024•45 min

The 501 Essential Albums of the '90s

UCR correspondent Gary Graff joins Matt to discuss some essential '90s albums and what made it such an important decade for music. They also talk about what makes an album essential and why some of the biggest bands aren't in Gary's new book. You'll hear tales of Woodstock '94, the days when Gary used to take a "coffin" to the concerts he was covering and he shares one of his most interesting interview experiences.

Dec 04, 2024•36 min

AC/DC Roundtable: The 2025 Tour

Matt Wardlaw, Bryan Rolli and Matthew Wilkening break down today's AC/DC tour announcement. The guys discuss what they'd like to see happen with the upcoming shows and what the future of AC/DC might look like.

Dec 02, 2024•24 min

Heart Were Surprised to Be ‘Singled Out as Women'

Heart's Nancy Wilson joins the podcast to talk about a variety of subjects, including the band's early days and her upcoming appearance at Women's Rock Camp in December. Matt Wardlaw and Allison Rapp also discuss UCR's Rock Reading List: 35 Music Books Released in 2024.

Nov 26, 2024•1 hr 2 min

The Top 40 Glam Metal Songs

Matt Wardlaw and Bryan Rolli discuss Bryan's recent UCR list of the top 40 glam metal songs and what makes glam metal special. In our featured interview, legendary producer Tom Allom joins Matt to talk about Judas Priest's new remix of their debut album, Rocka Rolla, plus numerous highlights from his long career.

Nov 20, 2024•54 min

David Gilmour Is Already Thinking About His Next Album

In the first episode of the UCR Podcast, the Pink Floyd legend takes stock of his musical career, past, present and future, including his latest album, Luck and Strange. Matt Wardlaw and Matthew Wilkening also analyze Gilmour's recent tour and how his set list compares to the one from Roger Waters' last outing in 2022-2023.

Nov 13, 2024•33 min

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