Continuing a look back at my first exposure to a number of rock 'n' roll acts and superheroes (or other denizens of print or periodical publication), some of which were passing fancies, and some of which I went on to kinda like. They say you never forget your first time; that may be true, but it's the subsequent visits--the second time, the fourth time, the twentieth time, the hundredth time--that define our relationships with the things we cherish. Ultimately, the first meeting is less important than what comes after that. But every love story still needs to begin with that first kiss.
THE LONG RYDERS
I first heard The Long Ryders on WBNY-FM in Buffalo in the mid '80s. BNY jumped on the Ryders' "Looking For Lewis And Clark," and I rode right along. When the group did a much-criticized (by dunderheads) commercial for Miller beer, singing "Miller's made the American way!," I put together a Long Ryders wall display at my record store, proclaiming the group's music as Made The American Way! "Looking For Lewis And Clark" came from their State Of Our Union album, which also contained a great song called "Lights Of Downtown." I subsequently snagged their Native Sons album, and fell hard for its closing track, "Run Dusty Run." Ultimately, my favorite Long Ryders song was the awesome "10-5-60," which I didn't discover until PolyGram issued a Long Ryders anthology CD in the '90s.
MARY LOU LORD
December 28th, 1998: the very first episode of This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio with Dana & Carl. I'd never even heard of Mary Lou Lord, but Dana played "Lights Are Changing" on our debut show, and I was smitten. She played a disastrous Syracuse date in 1999, but we had a chance to meet her and chat for a while. She was a new mom at the time, and my daughter was just shy of four years old, so we spent a bit of time comparing notes; the experience led me to say later on that if someone had told me years ago I'd spend an evening in conversation with a major label recording artist, and that we'd spend most of the time talking about our kids...well, I'd have been skeptical of that claim, I guess. Mary Lou Lord is one of the defining artists of This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio's long and storied history, and I'm grateful we had that chance to connect. Oh, and her version of Nick Saloman's "Aim Low" is The Greatest Record Ever Made.
LYRES
I originally intended to cover Lyres as a main feature in The Everlasting First, but then I realized I didn't really have all that much to say about them. As with The Long Ryders, my first taste of Lyres music came via WBNY. "I Really Want You Right Now" was my first Lyres track, followed in short order by "Don't Give It Up Now" and "Help You, Ann," all on BNY. Well, I was convinced! I picked up Lyres' first album, On Fyre, and saw 'em play a terrific show at Buffalo's Tralfamadore Cafe. On Fyre remains one of my favorite albums of the '80s, and it's been a staple on TIRnRR, although in recent years the song "You Won't Be Sad Anymore" (from the second album, Lyres Lyres) has become my go-to Lyres track. Oh! And "Here's A Heart" with Stiv Bators, from the third album, A Promise Is A Promise. Plus Lyres' transcendent cover of The Scavengers' obscure garage gem "But If You're Happy." And...and...and...!
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Our new compilation CD This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio, Volume 4 is now available from Kool Kat Musik! 29 tracks of irresistible rockin' pop, starring Pop Co-Op, Ray Paul, Circe Link & Christian Nesmith, Vegas With Randolph Featuring Lannie Flowers, The Slapbacks, P. Hux, Irene Peña, Michael Oliver & the Sacred Band Featuring Dave Merritt, The Rubinoos, Stepford Knives, The Grip Weeds, Popdudes, Ronnie Dark, The Flashcubes,Chris von Sneidern, The Bottle Kids, 1.4.5., The Smithereens, Paul Collins' Beat, The Hit Squad, The Rulers, The Legal Matters, Maura & the Bright Lights, Lisa Mychols, and Mr. Encrypto & the Cyphers. You gotta have it, so order it here.
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