Sadly, it arrived at my house and Iâm on the road again until at least September. So I very much appreciate it but will have to live vicariously through you folksâ comments on it.
Yes indeed.
He influenced my collection for quite a while.
No Doubt!! My Computer & CD collection is well influenced by Radio Paradise. My listening habits with the station in retirement are different than they used to be, but I still get a "Hey who is this?" reaction on occasion.
We're all from the same demographic and grew up in more-or-less the same culture, so you'd expect we'd all have similar experiences of music. While there's some overlap we all took fairly different paths thru that culture. That's pretty cool. Nice to get a tour of the musical neighborhoods we grew up in.
Growing up the radio was always on while my mom did housework and I played around. Top 40 pop mostly. We had one of those old stand up all-in-one wooden stereos similar to the one if the background here. They bought me a Disney album after we visited Disney Land in CA when I was really young. I recall playing the Tiki Room song over and over again. As I got older my uncle bequeathed me with some of his 45's and The Beatles, Beach Boys, Troggs, Chicago got regular playing time.
My folks eventually upgraded to one of those monster stereo cabinets that I wasn't allowed to touch. Dad was into classical and some jazz. He had the Taste of Honey LP, which for me was like Playboy magazine. Mom loved her Streisand and Broadway tunes. I believe my love of female artists and Prog Rock probably came from that mixture.
So this was east coast? The concept of Top 40 was a great homogenizer of musical tastes across the country. There are still regional differences, where in some parts of the country all you hear on the radio is country music, but it's the same Top 40 country everywhere. We can feel lucky that we grew up with live DJs and at least a little local color.
My dad built a Heathkit stereo he was very proud of but honestly was kind of crap. By the time I was trusted to use it I had heard much better sound. My little brother bought a cheap Pioneer 8-track/receiver and it sounded massively better, but my collection was vinyl so I didn't get to hear some of my records on quality gear until I left for college.
I think every house in my neighborhood had a Herb Alpert record, and every boy in the neighborhood knew where their dads hid it.
When I had a paper route and started making my own dough I would save up for records. Started with 45's of songs I liked from the radio and eventually graduated to albums. The first 3 I bought, and still have to this day, were Desolation Boulevard by Sweet, Band of the Run and Alice Cooper's Greatest hits. I really got into Cooper, started buying all his stuff much to my parent's chagrin.
There is an interesting overlap between Alice Cooper and the world of show tunes; they (sort of) covered the Jets song on School's Out and did a speculative Bond movie theme that never got used.
In Jr High music was everywhere, we are talking mid 70's here. My friend and I would go to the department store and spend hours in the record department. We often would buy records without knowing anything about the band, cause the cover or the band looked cool. That is how I ended up with my first Todd Rundgren album, Utopia's Oops Wrong Planet. Something about his music spoke to me on some level and my life long journey as a Todd fan began.
It was during these years and many a "discovery" record buy that my friend and I started down the road to Progressive Rock. He had an older brother who played guitar. That guy had a great collection of vinyl. He was a big Steve Howe fan and turned us on to Yes. We would hang out in his room for hours playing records. I loved those days.
When high school came around all the kids developed their musical identities. Most were into the popular stuff of the time, Talking Heads, Springsteen, The Cars, stuff like that. I gravitated to tunes off the beaten path. Nobody in my class was listening to Rundgren, very few were into Zappa. King Crimson was virtually unknown. So I developed my own identity thru what was in my wheel house.
Envious that you had at least some company on your musical journey! I pawed thru all those bins by myself. Nobody I knew shared my tastes.
We'll have to compare Alice Cooper and Zevon collections sometime.
Putting this mix together really gave me an understanding of why I like what I like. And finding Radio Paradise later in life solidifies that. I'm always hearing things here that appeal to me and still feel like it's my own, as very rarely do I come across somebody who knows RP. Now if William would only put some Todd into the rotation....
To Bill, and the variety of music he's brought into our lives!
One of the things that I like about Todd is he is always re-inventing himself and his music. After his iconic Something/Anything LP with his biggest hits (Hello It's Me, I Saw the Light) and people were comparing him to Carol King he went in a totally different direction with A Wizard A True Star (where Is It My Name if from) which was very innovative for its time. Most fans will say that this era of his career was his best. But I think the period when he put out Nearly Human and Second Wind was his best work. I will have to work some tracks from those albums on a future mix one day.
Thanks for the feedback and glad you enjoyed the Cold Miser experience!
Absolutely right that Nearly/Second is the high point, although there are plenty of other great periods.
Since his nature is to swing and miss sometimes, there are periods I donât like: Faithful, Hermit, White Knight/Space Force.
But, Gentle Reader, if youâve never watched this - which I admit that I post hourly - please indulge me. Itâs my personal peak Todd.
Funky, life-affirming, unique. If you have to pick a musician to latch on to, you could do worse.
âIn a world full of misery / WHY should we be happy?â¦â
Todd. Always liked Todd. But thereâs some Iâve never dug into. Iâm glad you have introduced these songs to me. I liked âIs It My Nameâ the best. Need to do some more digging for sure.
One of the things that I like about Todd is he is always re-inventing himself and his music. After his iconic Something/Anything LP with his biggest hits (Hello It's Me, I Saw the Light) and people were comparing him to Carol King he went in a totally different direction with A Wizard A True Star (where Is It My Name if from) which was very innovative for its time. Most fans will say that this era of his career was his best. But I think the period when he put out Nearly Human and Second Wind was his best work. I will have to work some tracks from those albums on a future mix one day.
Thanks for the feedback and glad you enjoyed the Cold Miser experience!
Location: Really deep in the heart of South California Gender:
Posted:
Apr 22, 2025 - 5:38pm
ColdMiser wrote:
My long overdue follow up to the other members "where did your musical influences come from" mix that Lazy suggested we all put together. I had a lot of fun sifting thru my record collection and putting the pieces together of my musical journey.
Growing up the radio was always on while my mom did housework and I played around. Top 40 pop mostly. We had one of those old stand up all-in-one wooden stereos similar to the one if the background here. They bought me a Disney album after we visited Disney Land in CA when I was really young. I recall playing the Tiki Room song over and over again. As I got older my uncle bequeathed me with some of his 45's and The Beatles, Beach Boys, Troggs, Chicago got regular playing time.
My folks eventually upgraded to one of those monster stereo cabinets that I wasn't allowed to touch. Dad was into classical and some jazz. He had the Taste of Honey LP, which for me was like Playboy magazine. Mom loved her Streisand and Broadway tunes. I believe my love of female artists and Prog Rock probably came from that mixture.
When I had a paper route and started making my own dough I would save up for records. Started with 45's of songs I liked from the radio and eventually graduated to albums. The first 3 I bought, and still have to this day, were Desolation Boulevard by Sweet, Band of the Run and Alice Cooper's Greatest hits. I really got into Cooper, started buying all his stuff much to my parent's chagrin.
In Jr High music was everywhere, we are talking mid 70's here. My friend and I would go to the department store and spend hours in the record department. We often would buy records without knowing anything about the band, cause the cover or the band looked cool. That is how I ended up with my first Todd Rundgren album, Utopia's Oops Wrong Planet. Something about his music spoke to me on some level and my life long journey as a Todd fan began.
It was during these years and many a "discovery" record buy that my friend and I started down the road to Progressive Rock. He had an older brother who played guitar. That guy had a great collection of vinyl. He was a big Steve Howe fan and turned us on to Yes. We would hang out in his room for hours playing records. I loved those days.
When high school came around all the kids developed their musical identities. Most were into the popular stuff of the time, Talking Heads, Springsteen, The Cars, stuff like that. I gravitated to tunes off the beaten path. Nobody in my class was listening to Rundgren, very few were into Zappa. King Crimson was virtually unknown. So I developed my own identity thru what was in my wheel house.
Putting this mix together really gave me an understanding of why I like what I like. And finding Radio Paradise later in life solidifies that. I'm always hearing things here that appeal to me and still feel like it's my own, as very rarely do I come across somebody who knows RP. Now if William would only put some Todd into the rotation....
Itâs interesting to get into this groups minds when it comes to music.
Lots of artist I know about, but unfamiliar songs for sure.
The Tiki, Tiki, Tiki Room. I find it amazing the stuff from our past, even something as trivial as music from Disneyland still affects us today.
My personal favorite from Disneyland is the music played at the Mad Tea Party Ride. https://youtu.be/tMQO6SzcMCE?si=RsBSq8TWzD5jGW6c
Sloop John B. My last CD mix here says all I need to say about the Beach Boys.
Beatles. Yep. Definitely a influence on any breathing sole around.
Herb Albert. My parents had all his LPâs. This was when I was in Jr. High/ Freshman.
So, I never had to purchase his music. But I did listen to him.
Barbara Streisand. Never got into her. She really could sing though. I did like her take on âStoney Endâ.
West Side Story. Was never a fan of musicals. Sorry.
Alice Cooper. I have a few favorites from them/ him. This is one Iâve never heard.
Sweet. I just remember their âTop 40â hits. Well, even my influencer radio station, KROQ- Los Angeles played them back in the day. Good olâ Glam Rock. So, this is a pleasant surprise.
Paul with Wings. Paul later stuff has always been hit or miss with me. But thereâs a lot I liked from him during this period. And this was one of them.
Todd. Always liked Todd. But thereâs some Iâve never dug into. Iâm glad you have introduced these songs to me. I liked âIs It My Nameâ the best. Need to do some more digging for sure.
Rush. They have also been a hit or miss band for me. One of my favorite songs is done by them. This one is pretty decent. Not my favorite one though.
Crack in the Sky. Another band Iâve never got into much. They are on that progressive side of life. Not bad.
Yes. Yes! Always liked these guys. Nice inclusion in your influences.
Rickie Lee Jones. I have a few of her songs on my playlist. I do like her story telling/ upbeat ones the most. This one is kid of heavy.
Frank. I love his sense of humor and his over-the-top musicianship. Which all comes with this song. And an added bonus of a Wolfman Jack cameo appearance at the end!
Warren Zevon. I remember Scott from Wyoming commenting once, somewhere, someplace this was played on a jukebox over and over. I thought what a cool jukebox that would even have this in it to play. He said it was a flipside to his hit "Werewolves of London" thatâs why it was in there. Oh.
Great song.
Awesome display of what and why you are who you are.
Thanks for your effort in showing us all what happened to you.
My long overdue follow up to the other members "where did your musical influences come from" mix that Lazy suggested we all put together. I had a lot of fun sifting thru my record collection and putting the pieces together of my musical journey.
Growing up the radio was always on while my mom did housework and I played around. Top 40 pop mostly. We had one of those old stand up all-in-one wooden stereos similar to the one if the background here. They bought me a Disney album after we visited Disney Land in CA when I was really young. I recall playing the Tiki Room song over and over again. As I got older my uncle bequeathed me with some of his 45's and The Beatles, Beach Boys, Troggs, Chicago got regular playing time.
My folks eventually upgraded to one of those monster stereo cabinets that I wasn't allowed to touch. Dad was into classical and some jazz. He had the Taste of Honey LP, which for me was like Playboy magazine. Mom loved her Streisand and Broadway tunes. I believe my love of female artists and Prog Rock probably came from that mixture.
When I had a paper route and started making my own dough I would save up for records. Started with 45's of songs I liked from the radio and eventually graduated to albums. The first 3 I bought, and still have to this day, were Desolation Boulevard by Sweet, Band of the Run and Alice Cooper's Greatest hits. I really got into Cooper, started buying all his stuff much to my parent's chagrin.
In Jr High music was everywhere, we are talking mid 70's here. My friend and I would go to the department store and spend hours in the record department. We often would buy records without knowing anything about the band, cause the cover or the band looked cool. That is how I ended up with my first Todd Rundgren album, Utopia's Oops Wrong Planet. Something about his music spoke to me on some level and my life long journey as a Todd fan began.
It was during these years and many a "discovery" record buy that my friend and I started down the road to Progressive Rock. He had an older brother who played guitar. That guy had a great collection of vinyl. He was a big Steve Howe fan and turned us on to Yes. We would hang out in his room for hours playing records. I loved those days.
When high school came around all the kids developed their musical identities. Most were into the popular stuff of the time, Talking Heads, Springsteen, The Cars, stuff like that. I gravitated to tunes off the beaten path. Nobody in my class was listening to Rundgren, very few were into Zappa. King Crimson was virtually unknown. So I developed my own identity thru what was in my wheel house.
Putting this mix together really gave me an understanding of why I like what I like. And finding Radio Paradise later in life solidifies that. I'm always hearing things here that appeal to me and still feel like it's my own, as very rarely do I come across somebody who knows RP. Now if William would only put some Todd into the rotation....
That was funny, but man does Joisey get a bad rap from The Sopranos and Jersey Shore. I lived in the North-West section and you'd be surprised at the outdoor community there. Lots of hiking, fishing, hunting, farming. But if you've ever driven the Jersey Turnpike you can see where the reputation fits to a wife-beater T.
