Let Christy Take It

On this week’s episode we are joined by Mike Lindup. Mike Lindup is a British musician and songwriter, best known as the keyboardist and vocalist for the band Level 42. Born on March 17, 1959, in the Isle of Wight, England, Lindup formed Level 42 in the early 80s, contributing to their unique blend of jazz, funk, and pop. The band achieved significant success during the 80s and early 90s, with hit...

On this week’s episode we are joined by Albert Bouchard. Albert Bouchard is an American musician and songwriter, best known as the drummer and co-founder of the rock band Blue Öyster Cult. Born in New York in 1948, Bouchard played a significant role in shaping the band's sound, contributing to their unique blend of hard rock, heavy metal, and progressive elements. He was instrumental in writin...

On this week’s episode we are joined by Joe Esposito. Joe Esposito, also known by his nickname "Bean," is an American singer, songwriter, and musician. He formed the vocal group Brooklyn Dreams in the 1970s, alongside Eddie Hokenson and Bruce Sudano. The trio quickly gained recognition for their harmonious sound and songwriting abilities with their big break coming when they collaborated...

Pete Best is a British musician who is best known as the original drummer for The Beatles. Best joined The Beatles in 1960 when they were still known as The Quarrymen. He played with the band during their early years in Liverpool and their initial trips to Hamburg, Germany. However, Best's time with The Beatles came to an end in 1962, just before the band achieved worldwide fame. He was replac...

Bruce Sudano is a musician, songwriter, and producer. Sudano's career took off in the 1970s when he became a member of the popular disco group, Brooklyn Dreams who had hit songs such as "Heaven Knows" and "Music, Harmony, and Rhythm" In addition to his success as a performer, Sudano has also made a name for himself as a prolific songwriter. He has written songs for numerous...

Chaz Jankel is a musician, composer, and producer. Best known for his work with Ian Dury and the Blockheads, Jankel played a pivotal role as the band's keyboardist and guitarist. His songwriting collaborations with Ian Dury resulted in several major hits, including "Hit Me with Your Rhythm Stick," which topped the UK Singles Chart, "Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll" an...

Ivan Doroschuk is a Canadian musician best known as the lead vocalist and songwriter for the band Men Without Hats. Born on October 9, 1957, in Champaign, Illinois, USA, he formed Men Without Hats in 1977 with his brothers Stefan and Colin. Doroschuk's distinctive vocals and quirky lyrics contributed to the band's success, particularly with their hit song "The Safety Dance." Throughout his career,...

John McEuen is a highly acclaimed American musician, best known as a founding member of the iconic country and bluegrass band, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Born on December 19, 1945, in Garden Grove, California, McEuen's musical journey began at an early age. Renowned for his virtuosic skill on multiple stringed instruments including the banjo, guitar, mandolin, and fiddle, McEuen has left an indel...

On this week's episode we are joined by Kevin Killen. Hailing from the vibrant music scene of Dublin, Ireland, Kevin's journey began with a passion for sound and a relentless pursuit of sonic perfection. His early experiences laid the groundwork for what would become a storied career. One of Kevin's defining collaborations was with the visionary Peter Gabriel, with whom he worked on seminal albums...

Desmond Child is a prolific American songwriter and producer, best known for his work in the pop and rock music genres. Born on October 28, 1953, in Gainesville, Florida, Child began his career in the music industry during the 1970s. He gained widespread recognition for his collaborations with renowned artists such as Bon Jovi, Aerosmith, and Kiss. Child is celebrated for his ability to craft catc...

Rumer, born Sarah Joyce, is a British singer-songwriter celebrated for her soulful voice reminiscent of 1970's pop and jazz. Rumer's musical journey began with her early exposure to her parents' eclectic record collection, which included artists like Burt Bacharach, Carole King, and The Carpenters influencing her signature sound. After honing her craft around various London clubs, Rumer gained rec...

Gina Schock is an American musician best known as the drummer for the iconic all-female rock band, The Go-Go's. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Schock began playing drums at a young age and honed her skills in local bands before joining The Go-Go's in 1979. With her energetic drumming style and vibrant stage presence, Schock played a pivotal role in the band's success during the 1980s. The Go-Go's ac...

Alex Cox is a British film director, screenwriter, and actor. Cox is best known for his work in the punk and independent film movements. One of his most notable films is "Repo Man" (1984), a cult classic that blends science fiction and black comedy. Cox's other notable works include "Sid and Nancy" (1986), a biographical film about the relationship between punk rock musicia...

Dennis Locorriere, the legendary lead vocalist and guitarist of Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show, has etched his name into the annals of music history with a voice that is both distinctive and timeless. Born with the gift of a soulful, emotive delivery, Locorriere became the voice behind some of the band's most iconic hits, including the poignant "Sylvia's Mother" and the chart toppers "When You're in...

We are joined by the iconic Suzi Quatro. Suzi and her trademark leather jump suit, big bass guitar and a back catalogue of classic hits is a rock icon. We discuss her formative years, discovering Elvis and preforming with her sisters in the band " The Pleasurer Seekers" who would evolve into the group "Cradle" where Suzi was spotted preforming by the producer Mickie Most who en...

On this week's episode we are joined by English musician, producer and songwriter Nick Van Eede. The decade of the eighties threw up a host of timeless tunes and Nick and his band Cutting Crew certainly contributed to this with the classic "I Just Died In Your Arms" which was a global chart topper. We discuss the impact of this song on the band many dubbed an overnight success. However Nick had ye...

Stephen Tobolowsky is an American actor who has graced the stage, cinema and television with over 200 appearances in movies and TV shows. Stephen's CV is impressive and varied playing such rolls as Ned Ryerson in the classic Groundhog Day, Clayton Townley in the incredible Mississippi Burning, Sammy Jankis in Christopher Nolans stunning Memento and being pursued by Stephen Segal in The Glimmer man...

Damon Minchella is a base player who was a member of the band Ocean Colour Scene for 14 years. The band were one of the biggest of the Brit Pop era and sold millions of records scoring five top ten albums and 15 top 20 singles. When Damon left the band he would go on to play in Paul Weller’s band, racking up equally impressive chart stats and playing live across the world. Damon's reputation a...

Liam Ó Maonlaí is a founding member of the Irish band Hothouse Flowers. Liam blends an eclectic mix of folk, blues, gospel, soul, rock, and more with his amazing vocals and an array of instrumental mastery from piano to flute, harmonica to bodhran. Liam formed the Hothouse Flowers in 1985, cutting their teeth busking on the streets of Dublin their reputation grew and soon they would sign to U2 lab...

On this week’s episode we are joined by Andy Cairns who is the singer, songwriter and guitarist of Therapy? Formed in 1989 in Northern Ireland Therapy? are an alternative rock band who quickly gained a cult following for their live performances and cleverly crafted songs in the early 90’s. Their debut album, Nurse, would see the band get recognition in Ireland and the UK but it was the 1994 follow...

John Parr is a Grammy-nominated English singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist who hit it big in the mid-'80s with a pair of chart-topping singles, Naughty Naughty and the iconic St. Elmo's Fire from the 1985 classic movie of the same name. We discuss the inspiration behind the writing of St. Elmo's Fire and how it generated millions for charity. Parr also contributed songs to o...

On this week’s episode we are joined by Sharon Alston. When the Forever Young Festivals began in 2019 it gave Irish retro music fans a chance to spend the weekend in the company of the top music acts from the 80’s and 90's. We wanted to find out just what it takes to run an event on this scale so who better to talk to than the lady that had the brainwave to run a retro festival. Sharon is the driv...

Billy Steinberg is an American songwriter who was inducted into the songwriters hall of fame in 2011. Billy has had Number 1 hits in the USA with "Like A Virgin" (Madonna), "True Colors" (Cyndi Lauper), "So Emotional" (Whitney Houston), "Eternal Flame" (The Bangles) and “Alone” (Heart). Billy co-wrote other well-known Top 10 hits, including "I'll St...

On this week’s episode we are joined by Colin Blunstone, Colin is an English singer, songwriter, and musician. He started his career in 1962 while still in school as a singer and founding member of The Zombies where he remained until the band split in 1968. The group had British and American hits with "She's Not There" and "Tell Her No". Shortly before the band split, they...

Peter Dillon is an Irish stunt coordinator, stunt performer and actor. Having spent several years working as a secondary school teacher in Ireland, Peter took a career break in 1998, which saw him trek the Himalayas to an altitude of 18,000 feet, teach scuba diving in the South China Sea, and further his study of Chinese Martial Arts in Malaysia and China. Arriving in New Zealand it wasn't lon...