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The Ledge #550: 1978

The Ledge #550: 1978

Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve been hinting that I’ll be starting 2023 with a big announcement. Well, tonight’s the night!In my eyes, “Teenage Kicks” is a perfect pop song; the greatest punk-inspired single of all time. Two minutes and 27 seconds of rock and roll at its finest. The sentiments are the same youthful expressions of the original rock and roll explosion of the 1950s. Instead of Little Richard or Jerry Lee Lewis boogie woogie piano, it’s buzzsaw guitars that accompany Undertones vocalist Fergal Sharkey’s desire for that “girl in the neighborhood” that he wishes “was mine she looks so good”. It’s the musical template later utilized by Husker Du, Pixies, Green Day, and hundreds of other pop-punkers for decades to come (for better or worse).Since I love the song so much, I have found myself collecting all kinds of versions over the years. In fact, a little glance at my master iTunes library a few months ago showed that I owned over 30 covers of this tune. Just two weeks ago, I discovered that a Minneapolis band I loved in the 90s had released a remake as a now rare b-side (more on that next week). With […]

The Ledge #513: 1977 (US Version)

The Ledge #513: 1977 (US Version)

A few weeks ago, I put together a show featuring nothing but UK rock and roll from 1977. Well, here’s the US counterpart, two hours of some of the greatest records ever produced. And this show jumps around through genres quite a bit more than the UK episode, with not only some blistering punk rock but power pop, classic rock, and even some more experimental material that greatly influenced bands that came years and decades later. What’s also remarkable is just how much material some of these artists created in this fabulous year. Cheap Trick, Iggy Pop, and The Ramones all put out two full albums during these twelve months, while others followed up with another new album at the beginning of the next year. It was certainly a year of creativity. I would love it if every listener bought at least one record I played on either of these shows. These great artists deserve to be compensated for their hard work, and every purchase surely helps not only pay their bills but fund their next set of wonderful songs. And if you buy these records directly from the artist or label, please let them know you heard these tunes […]

Rural Ledge-ucation #76: Election Day

Two days away from the U.S. elections, Hudson compiled some of his favorite politician-related tracks.

Live Ledge #67: 1977

Is 1977 the greatest year in rock ‘n’ roll? Check out this show and judge for yourself.

Rural Ledge-ucation #52: Tax Deductible

Nothing but songs about taxes and the government on this awful day where only accountants are happy.

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