Phil Harding had his hands in as many hits in the 80s/90s as anyone you care to mention. We will only concern ourselves with the better decade as we look into his career as producer/engineer and mixer. 1. THE EARLY YEARS (Pre-1980-83) How Phil got into the business in the 70s, working with the likes of Gerry Rafferty (Baker Street!), The Walker Bro…

Second part with Bill discussing more great LP/single artwork courtesy of Bill Smith Studios... 6. QUEEN (1984) BSS work with Queen on The Works LP and associated singles. Also discussed is other work in the rock world; AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones and Shakey. 7. LOOSE ENDS (1985 - 88) Location! Location! Location! Bill draws the short s…

From the audio to the visual, we delve into the wondrous world of the album sleeve with Bill Smith, of Bill Smith Studios, responsible for some wonderful images in the 80s. 1. THE JAM (1977-1981) After getting his foot in the door at Polydor in the 70s, Bill has a breakthrough with The Jam. He is responsible for the artwork for all their albums up …

And our Was (not Was) odyssey comes to an end with the glory years of What Up, Dog? and Walk The Dinosaur alongside working with Elvis Costello, Roy Orbison and Frank Sinatra Jr. 7. WHAT UP, DOG? (1986-88) A two year process begun with a rejected album by Geffen. Then former podcast guest, David Bates saves the day and one of the best albums of the…

Aaaand we are back for part 2 of the magnum octopus that is the David Weiss/Was interview with a cast list including Ozzy Osbourne, Madonna, Mel Torme, Kim Basinger, Bob Dylan, Versace, George Harrison, Rickie Lee Jones, etc, etc. 3. OUT COME THE FREAKS (1981-90) After a brief preamble taking in his relationship with Don and diversions with The Rol…

Next up is an intriguing chat with one half of the Was Brothers (Was (not Was)) (too many brackets), the eternally interesting Mr David Weiss. We spoke for a looong time so this will end up in three parts (still lost a couple of hours of tangents in the process). Part 1 will cover the early years of Was (not Was) including their debut LP as well as…

A very special episode with a great guest on a brilliant, underrated classic LP of the 80's, one of my personal favourites, Hearts and Bones by Paul Simon (second only in his back catalogue to Bridge Over Troubled Water in my book...) NOT an audio commentary so no syncing up required so sit back, relax, close your eyes and indulge (unless driving) …

Part 2 with keyboard magic-dust provider, ~Andy Richards with more hits, more number ones (including a potential 2 more to make the full 10). And so much brilliant 80s pop… 5. GEORGE MICHAEL An opportune meeting, a Sunday afternoon session and more immortality as Andy works with George on the iconic Careless Whisper. A later session with David Cass…

A great guy, a wonderful chat and a borderline genius of the keyboard, Andy Richards played on seven number ones of the 80s and loads more hits besides (as I attempt to define throughout the conversation). 1. THE EARLY YEARS (PRE-1980-83) Andy’s background in music culminating in him reaching the studio, And how working on jingles set him up for 80…

Parts 6-10 of Billy's 80:10... 6. UNRELEASED SOLO LP (1983) Inbetween Ultravox albums, an attempt is made at a solo album. Billy explains why this does not come to pass. 7. LAMENT (1984) Another belter of an album is made and tracks such as Dancing With Tears In My Eyes, Man of Two Worlds and the wondorous title track are discussed. [Check out the …

Part 1 of the 80:10 for Ultravox keyboard player, Billy Currie, with lots of fabulous music discussed in lovely bite-sized pieces. Part one covers 1-5; 1. FADE TO GREY (1980/81) After a pre-amble, setting up where Billy was come 1980, we start with the first of Billy’s seminal hits of the 80s, Fade to Grey by Visage. This is a 5 minute excerpt of B…

Final part of the magnum opus (my favourite ice cream, actually) with DP, DP... 1985 Don Henley - Not Enough Love In The World Tina Turner - We Don’t Need Another Hero Phil Collins - No Jacket Required Tour (live video) Cyndi Lauper - Live in Paris (live video) (1987) 1986 Lionel Richie - Dancing on the Ceiling Paul McCartney - Stranglehold Wham! -…

More honesty and endeavour from Mr Pearl and we cover just the one year in part 2. And below just a slither, a morsel of the work done in these twelve months. Enjoy. 1984 U2 - Pride (in the name of love) Bruce Springsteen - Dancing In The Dark (original, unreleased) The Cars - Drive Ray Parker Jr - Ghostbusters Phil Collins - Against All Odds Elton…

And we are back (after a brief hiatus, apologies...) for season 8 and an interview from 2023 I finally get around to releasing (apologies to Mr DP) As you will find out in these three parts, Daniel Pearl has had a quite phenomenal career as a DP/cinematographer - working on Texas Chainsaw Massacre at the age of 23 would be enough for immortality. A…

Finally got round to doing one of these (always have the idea in the summer when it's too late). The best of the guests of 2023. TREVOR HORN on "Leave It" - Yes PETER COX on his voice DAVE BASCOMBE on Tears For Fears TRACEY BELLAND on meeting Morrissey KEVIN GODLEY on "Two Tribes" video - Frankie Goes To Hollywood HUGH PADGHAM on "Anything She Does…

We return to part two of Thomas Dolby's 80:10 with production work with two songwriting icons; one massively successful the other less so, plus playing Live Aid with yet another. Plus lots of film work and a technicolour third solo album... 6. PREFAB SPROUT (1985-89) Producer for Steve McQueen, From Langley Park to Memphis and Jordan: The Comeback …

Hi, Another episode, another format. 80:10 breaks down a guest's 80s into 10 parts - whether a song, album, artist or category. The inaugral guest is the uniquely brilliant Thomas Dolby. 1. NEW TOY (1981) Songwriter for Lena Lovich 2. FOREIGNER (1981) Musician for hire for Foreigner as well as Def Leppard, Malcolm McLaren & Belinda Carlisle 3. THE …

Another day, another great Billy Currie episode - this time another Anatomy of a Song released in 1980 which hit the charts in 1981; the eternally brilliant Fade to Grey by Visage. Chris Payne on F2G as referenced in episode can be found on YouTube here; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmF_jeokUX8 billycurrie.com [email protected] Hear The Notes…

Pt 2 of the chat with John including lots more excellent 12" mixes and much more besides (including TWO quickfire rounds...) POTOKER'S PREFERENCES John's favorite film/TV/book/LP/live event of the decade 1985 Thompson Twins - Roll Over/Here's To Future Days Phil Collins - Sussudio (12")/One More Night (12") Paul McCartney - Spies Like Us (Party Mix…

And we have returned after a little break at 80sography Towers to indulge in more 80s goodness with Engineer, Producer and 12" Mixmaster John 'Tokes' Potoker. Before we enter the realm of the extended mix we first travel with John through the early part of the 80s and John's part in some truly iconic music with Steely Dan and Talking Heads. Plus pl…

Interview with one of the chief architects discussing simply one of the best songs of the 80s; Ultravox keyboard player/violinist, Billy Currie on the making of Vienna. www.billycurrie.com Support the podcast via PayPal at [email protected] So mystic and soulful x Send us a text

Antiques! Do we have a special episode for you, or what? (answer: not 'what') Only an audio commentary of one of the very best albums of the 80s (if not all time) Prefab Sprout's Steve McQueen, with producer, Thomas Dolby and Sprout bassist, Martin McAloon. Much covered, much discussed, much to enjoy. Sync up or standalone listen to possibly my fav…

Another day, another part of the ZTT story, another member of the Art of Noise and another great guest, Mr JJ Jeczalik. 1980 : Yes-Drama (LP) 1981: Kate Bush - Sat In Your Lap 1982: ABC - The Lexicon of Love (LP) 1983 : Malcolm McLaren - Duck Soup (LP) Yes - Owner of a Lonely Heart Frankie Goes To Hollywood - Relax 1984: Frankie Goes To Hollywood -…

Another audio commentary and another Hugh Padgham to add to the collection. Following The Police and Phil Collins we had to have a Genesis one and why not their most successful and (IMHO) their best, Invisible Touch? Sync up and enjoy this fab outing from Phil and the boys (or Tony and the guys. Or Mike + the non-Mechanics) PayPal Contributions gra…

Pt II of chat with Kevin Godley on his music video career in the 80s. So many great videos of great songs so delay no more and dive in... 1984 The Police - Synchronicity Live Video Yes - Leave It Frankie Goes To Hollywood - Two Tribes (destructo mix) (audio commentary) 1985 Duran Duran - A View To A Kill Howard Jones - Life In One Day Artists Again…

Pt 1 of chat with 25% of original 10cc line up and 50% of Godley & Creme, the 100% Kevin Godley. The discussion focuses exclusively on his music video directing career (bar the opening chat around a 10cc track). So much great music and great visuals discussed. Was an absolute pleasure to speak to Mr G. Pre-1980 10cc - Iceberg Godley & Creme - An En…

Audio Commentary time with the wonderfully effervescent debut LP by Voice of the Beehive, Let it Bee analysed by singer/songwriter and Queen Bee, Tracey Belland aka Tracey Bryn. Lots covered beyond the album including Michael Stipe, Chrissie Hynde and Roland Rat. At the end of the experience I was buzzed. You will be too. Enjoy. https://www.faceboo…

Pt 2 of the Dave Bascombe interview and much success with Tears For Fears and Depeche Mode plus mega hits with Danny Wilson & Red Box. Plus Peter Gabriel, Danny Wilson and Val Doonican. Not enough of old VD, to be honest. My fault, sorry. Let's get that Wiki page created for DB! 1985 Tears For Fears - Songs From The Big Chair Red Box - Lean On Me 1…

Part 1 of a My 80sography chat with the great Producer/Engineer/Mixer, Dave Bascombe, and what an eclectic mix it is; PRE-80'S Maida Vale studios BBC sessions/Top of The Pops recordings 1980 Tony Banks - A Curious Feeling (1979) Mike Rutherford - Smallcreep's Day Genesis - Duke 1981-83 Elkie Brooks - Pearls II Marti Webb - I'm Not That Kind Of Girl…

Another episode, another audio commentary for a great album and another great guest in singer/songwriter and 50% of Go West, Peter Cox. Peter goes through the debut Go West album, called, er, Go West (listen to hear peter's nixed alternate title) and what a massively underrated joy of an album it is too. After a brief background to the formation of…

Hello again. What better way to start a new season of 80sography than with a Random Questions with a man who defined the 80s more than anybody, the great producer Trevor Horn. It was a great pleasure to speak with Trevor and is definitely a big tick off the bucket list. Frankie, Buggles, ABC, Yes, McCartney, Dollar and much more covered within. Enj…

Part 2 of the interview with the great musician/producer/arranger/songwriter, Rob Mounsey and so much to discuss; A couple of Simon's, a couple of hugely iconic No 1 power ballads, Billy, Brian, Aretha and so much more. Let me tell you all about it... 1984 Chaka Khan - Eye To Eye Joe Cool - Party Animals Phil Collins - Against All Odds 1985 Madonna…

We end season 5 (cripes, we nearly up to season 6??) with a two-parter with massively talented musician/producer/songwriter/horn & string arranger, Rob Mounsey. With the iconic likes of Diana Ross, Steely Dan and Karen Carpenter in his 80s CV as well as classic albums from the likes of Donald Fagen, Paul Simon and Billy Joel and his role as part of…

It's only taken 23 years but 80sography has finally reached the 50th episode milestone! Hurrah to all and sundry! (sorry, don't know why I typed that...) Why not celebrate with another Anatomy of a Song episode and it's a real toe-tapper pop-pickers - the 1984 smash from Shakatak, Down on the Street. We speak to main Shakataker, musician/songwriter…

This feels like a very special episode. Engineer Toby Scott takes us track-by-track through the 80s behemoth that is Bruce Springsteen’s Born In The USA. Toby goes through the working process on one of the most iconic albums of the (best) decade. Enjoy a bit of background to the making and then listen and/or sync up for the audio commentary of the …

Hello shoes, I'm sorry but I'm going to have to stand on you again... Unique episode as we enter the world of comedic pop with the wonderful neil (always lower case) and his epic 80s cover of the Traffic classic, Hole In My Shoe. neil's alter ego, the great Nigel Planer explains all things neil from initial character through to making of the Young …

A Brucie bonus! For background, I was lucky to chat to legendary engineer, Toby Scott on his time in the 80s with Mr Bruce Springsteen - the majority of which will be in a future episode. These are the extra bits not relevant to that chat which I could not bear to lose. Hear Toby talk about the process of recording, mixing and mastering Nebraska (4…

Next up on the 80sography odyssey is Carol Decker, lead singer and co-writer of T’Pau and an Anatomy of a Song episode on their worldwide smasheroonie, Heart and Soul. We do side-track venture into China In Your Hand-land also (why not) but the main focus is on the effervescent brilliance of their first hit. Enjoy! Carol can be reached on Twitter @…

Aaaaaaand we are back with part 2 of the interview with the infectious energy and enthusiasm of songwriter/musician Martin Page. So many songs and artists to cover (and enjoy) so delve on in... 1985 (2:23) Starship - We Built This City * Maurice White - Maurice White 1986 (13:33) Heart - These Dreams 1987 (29:17) Bernie Taupin - Tribe Robbie Robert…

The wonderful renaissance man, Martin Page, returns for the full My 80sography experience. Because I had extracted two parts of our interview from last year for Anatomy of a Song episodes this was pushed back to make way for other interviews but now has its time to shine. Martin was extremely good value in the single longest interview I have done y…

Wow, this is a biggie...and part 14 of the TFF saga.... I have been trying to set this up for the longest time, an audio commentary for simply one of THE best albums of the 80s with two of the key guys behind it's creation; Songs From The Big Chair - Tears for Fears with engineer, Dave Bascombe, and co-writer/musician, Ian Stanley and it's a deligh…

The second part of the interview with the very talented, very successful and very Australian producer/engineer Julian Mendelsohn. Nik, Kate, Macca, The Pets, Liza and Dusty - they are all here... 1985 (1:46) Kate Bush - Hounds of Love Nik Kershaw - The Riddle Level 42 - World Machine Endgames - Natural 1986 (20:41) Paul McCartney - It's Not True (1…

Another My 80sography episode and another 2-parter with another great Producer, Engineer; Julian Mendelsohn. involved in so many hits (as you will hear) he is not sure which he worked on and which he didn't but he was an absolute delight and a great interview so enjoy. [also find out who Julian thinks is a genius above all he worked with - the answ…

And we are back! Back!! BACK!!! with season 5 and another audio commentary with legendary producer Hugh Padgham. This time it is the first solo LP from Phil Collins; the massively successful and wonderful Face Value, Enjoy Hugh's track by track assessment as an interview or queue up your device and enjoy the album as we discuss the classic LP. You …

Shorter interviews require new formats! Personal one for me this, getting to interview the great Midge Ure, a man whose music I have loved for over 40 years. Effectively an extended Quickfire Round, I grill Midge on random questions relating to his 80s career. Enjoy. [thanks to Erika] midgeure.com [email protected] Different Words Said In Differ…

Another Anatomy of a Song and another wonderful guest; the great Dee C Lee. As well as discussing the classic single, See The Day, we also cover her time with Wham! and The Style Council as well as Girls Aloud, Strictly and her life and career in the 80s. Contact Dee at her website: www.deeclee.com [email protected] Also on Twitter/Instagram: @8…

To celebrate the 80th birthday of Sir Fab Macca Whacky Thumbs Aloft we have the collated interviews with past guests discussing their experiences working with McCartney. Starting off with an unheard interview with Chris Hughes, enjoy the return to Pepperland so just press to play... CHRIS HUGHES (02:50)* Motor of Love Figure of Eight (single versio…

Pt 2 of the Gary Langan interview - great music, lawsuits, self-assembly Grammys, rock guitar hero's and punk garlic. All human life is here. 1984 (02:48) Art Of Noise - Close To The Edit Art of Noise - Moments of Love 1985 (18:19) Art Of Noise v ZTT Scritti Politti - Absolute Frankie Goes To Hollywood - Welcome To The Pleasuredome (12" mix) Billy …

It was a pleasure to speak to the renowned engineer/producer and Art of Noiser, GaryLangan. Consider part one the Trevor Horn era of his career where he was involved with some massive hits and some of the most perfect pop of the decade. Much to enjoy here (with even more in pat 2); Pre-1980/1980 (2:52) Meeting Trevor Horn Boogatti - Come Back Maria…

Another gem of a AOOS with songwriter/musician Martin Page and is there anything more iconic and anthemic than the equally loved and (wrongly) derided 80s classic, We Built This City. Loads to enjoy here - Martin's enthusiasm is infectious. And does Marconi play the Mamba? Check out Martin here; twitter: @martinpagemusic facebook: martin page websi…