Rob presents the debut album from The Firm (Radioactive / Closer / Money Can’t Buy / Satisfaction Guaranteed) ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: “Lunatic Fringe” - performed by Red Rider. STAFF PICKS: How Soon is Now” by The Smiths — Bruce. “Relax” by Frankie Goes to Hollywood — Wayne. “California Girls” by David Lee Roth — Brian. “Call to the Heart” by Giuffria — Rob. LAUGH TRACK: “I Drink Alone” by George Thorogood and the Destroyers.
If you're forming a rock group for success in the 1980s, you can't go wrong with Paul Rodgers (Bad Company) on lead and Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin) on guitar. Throw in Tony Franklin on bass and Chris Slade on drums, and you have the supergroup known as The Firm. Their self-titled debut album was propelled to the top of the charts on the strength of their hit “Radioactive” and “Satisfaction Guaranteed.” Chris Slade suggested the name of the group, initially as a joke based partially on the fact that Rodgers’ previous group was “Bad Company,” and everyone gravitated to it immediately. The Firm only put out two albums before the members went their separate ways.
Join us as we explore this soulful supergroup.
“Radioactive”
This was the big commercial success on the album reaching number 28 in the U.S.
“Closer”
You can hear Jimmy Page's influence on this track. "The main aim is to play some rock and roll and have some fun." was a quote from Page about the formation of the group.
“Money Can't Buy ”
This track has a heavy Paul Rodgers influence. You really get a good sense of Rodgers’ vocal strength here. Tony Franklin was famous for playing the fretless bass.
“Satisfaction Guaranteed”
This song got some great airplay back in the day. It has a slow anthem quality to it, combining both elements of Led Zeppelin and Bad Company.
“Lunatic Fringe” - performed by Red Rider
This track is off the soundtrack from the movie “Vision Quest.” A soundtrack is LOADED with talent of the day.
“How Soon is Now” by The Smiths
The Smiths were a staple of alternative rock in the mid-'80s. Bruce shares their most popular song, but it didn't go very high in the charts because it had been released previously as a B-side. The reverb is distinctive and the lyrics are melancholy.
“Relax” by Frankie Goes to Hollywood
Wayne steps away from his typical HARD ROCK and presents this song that is easy to identify with 1985, although it was controversial due to its lyric content. It was banned in the UK at the time. Frankie say...Relax!
“California Girls” by David Lee Roth
One of Brian’s favorite videos — Roth shows off his entertainment chops on the video to this Beach Boys cover. This solo effort may have added fuel to the fire that eventually resulted in the departure of David Lee Roth from Van Halen.
“Call to the Heart” by Giuffria
Rob shares one of the precursors to the hair bands of the late '80s. Gregg Giuffria had a Steve Perry-esque sound. The album peaked at #26 on the album charts.
“I Drink Alone” by George Thorogood and the Destroyers
We close out on this podcast with some amazing lyrics....“Every morning just before breakfast, I don't want no coffee or tea. Just me and by good buddy Wiser, that's all I ever need!”