Classic Rock Album Olympics cover art

Classic Rock Album Olympics

Classic Rock Album Olympics

By: Evergreen Podcasts
Listen for free

About this listen

 The CLASSIC ROCK ALBUM OLYMPICS is a podcast celebrating the most popular albums of the 1960s, 70s and 80s. In each episode music historians Gary Wenstrup and Robert Rodriguez will pull a classic rock album off the shelf and discuss which songs earn our gold, silver and bronze medals. It’s a fun, insightful and passionate journey through some of the greatest albums of all-time. Let the games begin!45903249 Music
Episodes
  • Rough Mix by Pete Townsend & Ronnie Lane...Episode #20

    Rough Mix by Pete Townsend & Ronnie Lane...Episode #20
    Apr 1 2026
    In this episode of Classic Rock Album Olympics music historians Gary Wenstrup and Robert Rodriguez smoothly assess Rough Mix by Pete Townsend and Ronnie Lane and share which songs from the album earn their gold, silver and bronze medals. Medal Winners Keep Me Turning Annie April Fool My Baby Gives It Away Heart To Hand Onto Bonus Tracks Something In The Air – Thunderclap Newman Rough Mix Misunderstood Street In The City Till The Rivers All Run Dry There’s A Heartache Following Me – Jim Reeves He’ll Have To Go – Jim Reeves Released in 1977 Rough Mix is a collaborative studio album by Pete Townshend — the guitarist and principal songwriter of The Who — and Ronnie Lane, the former bassist and singer from Small Faces and Faces. Unlike the arena rock that defined much of Townshend’s work with The Who or the soulful R&B-tinged rock of Lane’s earlier bands, Rough Mix explores a more roots-oriented blend of rock, British folk rock, and heartfelt singer-songwriter material that reflects both artists stepping outside their band identities. The album showcased both Townshend and Lane as co-lead vocalists and multi-instrumentalists, with Townshend contributing guitars and songwriting and Lane bringing his melodic bass playing, acoustic sensibilities, and songwriting presence; the sessions also featured contributions from notable musicians such as John Entwistle of The Who, Eric Clapton on dobro and guitar, and Charlie Watts of The Rolling Stones on drums, among others, adding depth and variety to the arrangements. Rough Mix was a modest success reaching #45 on the US Billboard 200. In the US “My Baby Gives It Away” (with “April Fool” as its B-side) and “Keep Me Turning” (backed by “Nowhere to Run”) were released as singles. Neither became a hit. Rough Mix holds a special place in both artists’ catalogs as a creative detour that revealed different facets of their songwriting and musical identities. The album is a meeting of kindred spirits from the British rock scene and appreciated by fans for its warm interplay and musical generosity. Track Listing Side One My Baby Gives It Away Nowhere To Run Rough Mix Annie Keep me Turning Catmelody Side Two Misunderstood April Fool Street In the City Heart To Hang Onto Till The Rivers All Run Dry Hashtags capturing its enduring appeal include #RoughMix, #PeteTownshend, #RonnieLane, #ClassicRock, #1977Albums, and #FolkRockCollab. Contact Info Website: ⁠⁠⁠Gary Wenstrup⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Website: ⁠⁠⁠Home - Classic Rock Album Olympics⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠(556) Classic Rock Album Olympics - YouTube⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠(7) Facebook⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠(17) Gary Wenstrup | LinkedIn⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    58 mins
  • One Of These Nights by The Eagles...Episode #19

    One Of These Nights by The Eagles...Episode #19
    Mar 17 2026
    Welcome to episode #19 of Classic Rock Album Olympics. In this episode music historians Gary Wenstrup and Robert Rodriguez turn the light on the Eagles’ One Of These Nights and select their gold, silver and bronze medal winning songs. Medal Winners Visions Take It To The Limit One Of These Nights After The Thrill Is Gone Lyin’ Eyes Bonus Tracks If You Don’t Know Me By Now – Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes The Thrill is Gone – B. B. King Hearts – Marty Balin Hearts On Fire – Randy Meisner Within Without You – Beatles I Can’t Tell You Why – Eagles Journey Of The Sorcerer – Eagles I Wish You Peace – Eagles Too Many Hands – Eagles One Of These Nights, released in 1975, is the Eagles 4th album and their first to hit #1 on the Billboard 200. It cemented the Eagles’ status as international superstars. The core lineup on this album consisted of Glenn Frey on vocals, rhythm guitar and keyboards, Don Henley on drums and vocals, Bernie Leadon on guitars and banjo, Randy Meisner on bass and vocals, and Don Felder on guitar — this would be the last Eagles studio album with that original configuration before Leadon’s departure and eventual replacement by Joe Walsh. Produced by Bill Szymczyk, the album blends rock, country rock, folk, and soft rock influences. Three singles from the record became Top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100: the title track “One of These Nights,” which became the group’s second No. 1 hit; “Lyin’ Eyes,” which peaked at No. 2 and and “Take It to the Limit,” reaching No. 4. Artistically, the album marked a shift toward sleeker production, stronger rhythmic drive, and a more urban, R&B-inflected groove — particularly evident in the bass line and feel of “One of These Nights.” Glenn Frey and Don Henley’s songwriting partnership came into sharper focus here, emphasizing ambition, disillusionment, and romantic fallout with a sharper lyrical edge than earlier records. P.S. Tom Morello mentioned in the podcast is the guitarist from Rage Against The Machine and a frequent Bruce Springsteen collaborator. Track Listing Side One One Of These Nights Too Many Hands Hollywood Waltz Journey Of The Sorcerer Lyin’ Eyes Side Two Take It To The Limit Visions After The Thrill Is Gone I Wish You Peace Hashtags #OneOfTheseNights, #Eagles, #ClassicRock, #1975Albums, #BillboardNo1, and #GrammyWinner. Contact Info Website: ⁠⁠Gary Wenstrup⁠⁠ Podcast Website: ⁠⁠Home - Classic Rock Album Olympics⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠(556) Classic Rock Album Olympics - YouTube⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠(7) Facebook⁠⁠ Podcast Facebook: ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠(17) Gary Wenstrup | LinkedIn⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    59 mins
  • Are You Experienced by Jimi Hendrix...Episode #18

    Are You Experienced by Jimi Hendrix...Episode #18
    Mar 3 2026
    In this episode of Classic Rock Album Olympics music historians Gary Wenstrup and Robert Rodriguez discuss the songs that win their gold, silver and bronze medals from Jimi Hendrix’s Are You Experienced. Medal Winners The Wind Cries Mary Are You Experienced? Fire Hey Joe Purple Haze Bonus Tracks Incense & Peppermints – Strawberry Alarm Clock Ruby Tuesday – Rolling Stones The Real Me – Who Hey Joe – Tim Rose Down By The River – Neil Young Oh Woman, Oh Why – Paul McCartney Come And Get It – Badfinger Little Wing – Derek And The Dominos Red House – Jimi Remember – Jimi 51st Anniversary – Jimi Are You Experienced VH1 Classic video Green Door – Jim Lowe Released in the United States in 1967, the album introduced American audiences to The Jimi Hendrix Experience and instantly redefined what a rock music could sound like. The album showcases Hendrix’s unique blend of blues roots, psychedelic experimentation, and innovative and explosive guitar tones. Are You Experienced expanded the vocabulary of rock music. Its use of feedback, studio effects, and genre-blending songwriting helped shape psychedelic rock, hard rock, and future guitar-driven music for decades to come. The U.S. version of the album differs from the original UK release by replacing three album tracks with the band’s breakthrough singles, creating a punchier, hit-driven sequence tailored for the American market. The album peaked at #5 on the Billboard charts and includes “Purple Haze” – one of Hendrix’s signature recordings that became a defining anthem of psychedelic rock, “Hey Joe” – a reimagined folk standard that helped break Hendrix internationally and “The Wind Cries Mary” – a melodic counterpoint to the album’s heavier tracks, highlighting Hendrix’s lyrical and emotional range. Besides Jimi, the band included Noel Redding – bass guitar, backing vocals and Mitch Mitchell – drums, backing vocals. The album was produced by ex-Animal bass player Chas Chandler. Track Listing (U.S. Version) Side One Purple Haze Manic Depression Hey Joe Love Or Confusion May This Be Love I Don’t Live Today Side Two The Wind Cries Mary Fire Third Stone From The Sun Foxey Lady Are You Experienced? #AreYouExperienced #JimiHendrix #ClassicRock #1967 #RockHistory #PsychedelicRock #GuitarLegend #AlbumDebut #MusicPodcast Contact Info Website: ⁠⁠⁠Gary Wenstrup⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Website: ⁠⁠⁠Home - Classic Rock Album Olympics⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠(556) Classic Rock Album Olympics - YouTube⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠(7) Facebook⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠(17) Gary Wenstrup | LinkedIn⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    58 mins
No reviews yet