Advertise on podcast: Planet LP

What does it actually mean for a song to be a "hit"? In this episode, I sit down with music critic Jeff Giles — founder of Popdose, contributor to Ultimate Classic Rock and Diffuser FM, co-host of The Record Player, and the writer behind the "Old Music Friday" spotlight on Discord — to put the 1986 Billboard Hot 100 side by side with the chart as it stands today. It's a bigger gap than it looks: in 1986, "That's What Friends Are For" topped a year-end chart that mixed AC ballads, synth-pop, and rock because everyone was competing for the same radio airwaves and record store shelves. Right now, country artists are holding four of the top five spots on the Hot 100, and Ella Langley's "Choosin' Texas" just logged its 19th week at #1 — numbers that would've been unthinkable by 1980s chart standards. Jeff and I dig into where "repeat play" as a hit-making signal actually started (hint: it's a bar jukebox, not a radio station), whether that jukebox was ever measuring pure, uncurated taste, and why the "good old days" of Casey Kasem's countdown weren't quite the trustworthy democracy nostalgia remembers. I also share a story from my own time working in radio at KKIS, where a program director kept The Burns Sisters Band's "Listen to a Beat of a Heart" in rotation for reasons that had a lot more to do with personal charm than listener demand. We close out asking whether the last 40 years are really a story of decline — or just a story of the same old mechanisms wearing new clothes. This episode is proudly sponsored by Steve Fox's Old School — classic soul and R&B brought to life with the timeless grooves, voices, and culture that shaped generations. Press play and experience a party in a box at stevefoxoldschool.com.

Folk-rock artist Allie Sandt returns to the Planet LP Podcast to talk about her debut album, In Pursuit of a Good Time. Known for blending folk, blues, jazz, and vintage rock into songs that feel both intimate and timeless, Allie opens up about the years-long journey behind the record — from songs that trace back to her time in the upstate New York indie circuit to new material written specifically for this project. We dig into the stories behind some tracks, and Allie talks about self-producing the album and assembling the accomplished group of musicians who helped bring it to life (also documented in her behind-the-scenes YouTube mini-doc). She shares how listeners have responded to the record so far, and looks ahead to her upcoming tour plans — including an exciting run opening for British-Brazilian folk-pop and bossa nova singer-songwriter Liana Flores on the U.S. leg of her tour. We also get into her thoughts on breaking through in an era of endless new music releases. As a Planet LP exclusive, Allie also performs a stripped-down acoustic version of "In Pursuit of a Good Time" — a highlight you won't want to miss. This episode of Planet LP is brought to you by Steve Fox's Old School, celebrating classic soul and R&B with the timeless grooves, voices, and culture that shaped generations. Tune in and relive the hits at stevefoxoldschool.com.

A Review/reaction to Neneh Cherry's memoir "A Thousand Threads" Neneh Cherry was, for a brief but unforgettable stretch, one of the most influential voices in British pop — a punk-rock-raised, hip-hop-fluent artist who fused genres before it was fashionable, and who famously performed "Buffalo Stance" on Top of the Pops eight months pregnant. Her 2024 memoir, A Thousand Threads, was shortlisted for the 2025 Women's Prize for Non-Fiction, and on this episode, Ted shares his personal take on the book — one he first picked up at Powell's Books in Portland. The verdict, right up front: a B minus. What works, and works well, is the book's throughline about Cherry's mother, Monika "Moki" Karlsson — a Swedish textile artist who lived an unconventional, bohemian life with jazz musician Don Cherry, running what amounted to an artist colony out of an old schoolhouse. The memoir is, at its heart, a daughter's love letter to her mother, and that material is where the book comes alive. What doesn't work, at least for a longtime fan of her music, is how little space the book gives to the records themselves — especially Homebrew, Cherry's excellent 1992 follow-up to her debut. Ted highlights the moment that best captures the problem: Cherry's collaboration with Michael Stipe of R.E.M. on the song "Trout" gets exactly one sentence in the entire book (page 218). The long-rumored backstory behind "Buddy X" — reportedly inspired by Lenny Kravitz's infidelity while touring together — goes unaddressed entirely. Ted also touches on a pattern common to a lot of musician memoirs: artists who've told the story of their career a thousand times to press and interviewers end up skipping over it in their own books, in favor of the material they haven't already talked to death — usually family, identity, and personal struggle. That's very much the case here. Is it worth reading? Yes — it's a compelling, honestly told story about growing up between cultures and finding identity through family. Just don't expect much insight into the music that made Neneh Cherry a household name. Grade: B- Leave a comment below about this episode, or comment away at Planet LP's Facebook and Instagram pages. This episode is sponsored by Steve Fox's Old School — commercial-free 90s R&B, hip hop, and classic soul, streaming 24/7 at stevefoxoldschool.com.

Guest of the pod, Elaine Leung, has seen Earth, Wind & Fire close to 25 times — and by her own admission, that still makes her a rookie in EWF fan circles. She joins Planet LP host Ted Asregadoo this week to dig into the band's "fire years," the run of albums from the mid-to-late '70s that turned Maurice White's group into one of the biggest acts in music. The conversation covers a lot of ground: the jazz- and bossa nova-inflected 1971 debut most casual fans have never heard, the All 'n All one-two punch of "Serpentine Fire" and "Fantasy," and the humble kalimba — the thumb piano that shows up throughout the catalog and became so central to White's sound he named his publishing company after it. Ted plays a couple of clips from Questlove's new HBO documentary, Earth, Wind & Fire (To Be Celestial vs. That's the Weight of the World), including Maurice White on the kalimba and Stevie Wonder on how "Shining Star" inspired "I Wish." Elaine and Ted also get into the harder parts of the story: White's difficult childhood, the band's brief pivot to a slicker, David Foster-produced pop sound on 1979's I Am, and the tension that came with it — plus why the band's lyrics seldom use gendered pronouns, and what that says about their whole philosophy of inclusivity and positivity. Elaine closes things out with a genuinely lovely story about her brother, "September," and why this song means so much to her. __ This episode is sponsored by Steve Fox’s Old School — classic soul, R&B, and hip hop from the golden era. Listen at stevefoxoldschool.com.

After 11 years and the unimaginable loss of Neil Peart, Rush is back on the road — and Planet LP host Ted Asregadoo was there to see it. In October 2025, Rush announced their surprise "Fifty Something" tour, celebrating five-plus decades together with Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson, joined by new drummer Anika Nilles and keyboardist Loren Gold. Ted flew to LA to catch the June 13th show at the Kia Forum and met up with an old friend: Dan Reed, a high school buddy of Ted's who now calls LA home. Dan's also the former drummer for Overwhelming Colorfast and Semprini. This episode is a two-part conversation with Dan — one before the show, full of anticipation (and a little skepticism about ticket prices), and one after, recorded while the high of an unforgettable night was still very much alive. Ted's seen Rush close to ten times since 1981, and he says this performance is right up there with the best of them. Tune in for talk of setlists, Neil Peart tributes, the thrill of hearing these songs played live again, and what it means when a band gets it right at the very start of a long tour, when so much can go sideways. This episode is sponsored by Steve Fox's Old School — classic soul, R&B, and hip hop from the golden era. Listen at stevefoxoldschool.com.

For over 40 years, Sade has been making music that defies trends, ignores fads, and sounds just as fresh today as it did when Diamond Life dropped in 1984. On this episode of Planet LP, host Ted Asregadoo is joined by his wife, Julie, to talk about the band that has become the soundtrack of her daily life. With only six studio albums to their name — Diamond Life, Promise, Stronger Than Pride, Love Deluxe, Lovers Rock, and Soldier of Love — Sade has built one of the most devoted fanbases in music history. The band's lineup of Sade Adu, Stuart Matthewman, Andrew Hale, and Paul Denman has never changed since 1982, and their music carries a consistency and elegance that is nearly impossible to find anywhere else. Julie breaks down her favorite songs from every album, talks about what draws her back to Sade's music day after day, and makes the case for why this band deserves a spot in any serious music lover's rotation. Whether you're a longtime Sade fan or someone who's only heard Smooth Operator on the radio, this episode will make you want to hit play on the entire discography. Special Thanks to our Sponsor: This episode is brought to you by Steve Fox’s Old School. It’s a "party in a box" featuring the best of Classic Soul, Disco, Hip-Hop, and '90s R&B. Listen now at SteveFoxOldSchool.com.

On January 8th, 2016, David Bowie celebrated his 69th birthday with the release of his 26th and final studio album, Blackstar. Two days later, Bowie was gone after succumbing to liver cancer. Now, a decade after its haunting release, host Ted Asregadoo revisits Bowie’s final masterpiece. Was it a "pretentious" swan song or a stroke of avant-garde genius? From its "dark jazz" undertones to the incredible musicianship of the Donny McCaslin Quartet, we break down why this record remains a monumental final statement in a career defined by constant reinvention. Joining the conversation is long-time friend of the pod and veteran radio broadcaster Michael McGauley (KCBS/KNX). Michael shares why Blackstar has climbed the ranks to become his favorite Bowie record and recounts his first experiences with the Thin White Duke’s legendary catalog. In This Episode, We Discuss: Track-by-Track Breakdown: We dive into the "guts" of the record, from the experimental merging of parts in the title track to the "Cure-esque" tones of Lazarus. The Power of the Band: A look at how drummer Mark Guiliana and the Donny McCaslin Quartet blew away even seasoned producers like Tony Visconti. The Death of Rock? We pivot to Billy Corgan’s recent "paranoid" claims about the decline of rock music. Is it a conspiracy, or has the genre run its course -- which is why Bowie kept pushing into new music territory. The Emotional Weight of Musical Icons: Ted reflects on a 2016 blog post written after the deaths of Bowie and Prince. He explores why we grieve for artists we never met—not just for the loss of the person, but for the loss of the "touchstones" to our own youth and the era of "immortality" we felt in our teens. Read the full post here. Special Thanks to our Sponsor: This episode is brought to you by Steve Fox’s Old School. It’s a "party in a box" featuring the best of Classic Soul, Disco, Hip-Hop, and 90s R&B. Listen now at SteveFoxOldSchool.com.

Episode 118 is here, and we're doing something a little different! This time, we're spotlighting a killer new track: "Wormslayer" by Kula Shaker – the title track from their 8th studio album. This seven-minute prog-rock journey is EPIC. It starts with a meditative mantra, builds through psychedelic keyboards, and then the guitars absolutely kick in. Kula Shaker has been fusing Anglo-British rock with Indian influences for 30 years now, and "Wormslayer" shows them at their best – tempo changes, Hindi vocals, and that perfect blend of styles that traces back to everyone from The Beatles to Cornershop. Plus, we're premiering the video on Popdose! It's got major Stranger Things vibes with D&D gameplay, anime characters, and all the campy fun you could want. Will this finally be Kula Shaker's moment to break through in the US? Listen and decide for yourself! Sponsored by Steve Fox's Old School – stream classic soul, R&B, and disco at stevefoxoldschool.com Wormslayer by Kula Shaker is available to purchase at the band's website: https://kulashaker.os.fan/

Hey, it's the first episode of the Planet LP Podcast for 2026! Host Ted Asregadoo kicks off the new year by looking back at the memorable music-related experiences from 2025 with special guest Jeff Giles, co-host of The Record Player Podcast and author of Jefitoblog. While best-of lists may feel less relevant in today's era of personalized music consumption, Ted and Jeff take a different approach—reflecting on the moments, albums, books, concerts, and documentaries that made 2025 memorable for them personally. Jeff shares an update on his work-in-progress novel, "Largo's Dream," inspired by the 1998 album, Largo, produced by Rick Chertoff and Rob Hyman, which drew inspiration from Dvořák's New World Symphony. Ted dives into his reading highlights, particularly Eric M. Shade's "It's All Over the Place: The Rise of the Bangles from the LA Underground," a detailed chronicle that gave him newfound respect for the band's musicianship and their struggles navigating the music industry's challenges. The guys also talk about that nine-part documentary about The Beatles on Disney+ -- which gets mixed reviews, but was still memorable. The episode also covers Ted's impressive concert year, including the all-day Cruel World festival in Pasadena featuring Midge Ure, a 'Til Tuesday reunion, DEVO, The Go-Go's, She Wants Revenge, Garbage, New Order, and a standout performance from Nation of Language. Ted also recounts seeing Wolf Alice at the Fox Theater in Oakland—a show that turned him into an even bigger fan—and experiencing Belly perform their album "King" in its entirety at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco. Plus, he shares his thoughts on the prolific and experimental Steven Wilson, whom he saw live at The Masonic Theater in San Francisco. Jeff reflects on Ted's dedication to Rush, noting the $300+ tickets Ted purchased to see them in LA and San Jose—a level of commitment that Jeff admits he can't match, even for his own favorites, such as The Doobie Brothers and Billy Joel. Join Ted and Jeff for an engaging conversation about what made 2025 a memorable year for them. Maybe it'll get you to reflect on your own music experiences, too. Steve Fox’s Old School sponsors the Planet LP podcast! Steve Fox’s Old School. It’s the first place to go to stream R&B dance hits from the 1970s to the 1990s.

Host Ted Asregadoo is flying solo this week to dive into the music of a band that defined the 1990s alternative scene for him: Belly. Belly, fronted by the immensely talented singer-songwriter Tanya Donelly, ascended quickly through the '90s alt-rock ranks. Donelly's journey is a fascinating tapestry of essential bands, starting with Throwing Muses (1986-1991) and a short but significant tenure in The Breeders, before she formed Belly with brothers Tom and Chris Gorman, later joined by bassist Gail Greenwood. The band captured the attention of alternative radio with standout hits like "Feed the Tree," "Slow Dog," "Now They'll Sleep," and "Super-Connected." They went from underground darlings to becoming the "it" alt band in 1995, landing the cover of Rolling Stone and performing on late-night shows. However, after a grueling tour supporting their second album, King (1995)—Ted’s personal favorite—Belly famously broke up. Donelly then embarked on a solo career, marked by the release of three albums and her collaborative Swan Song Series EPs. But the story didn't end there! In this episode, Ted explores: The band's rise and sudden break-up in the mid-'90s. Tanya Donelly's evolution as an artist through her solo work. The profound personal connection the music had to Ted's own transformative decade of the 1990s. The unexpected reunion! The band got back together to record the 2018 album Dove and is now, as of this recording, wrapping up a 2025 tour celebrating the 30th Anniversary of King. Join Ted for a nostalgic trip down memory lane to celebrate two really solid albums that meant—and still mean—the world to him. Steve Fox’s Old School sponsors the Planet LP podcast! Steve Fox’s Old School. It’s the first place to go to stream R&B dance hits from the 1970s to the 1990s.

On Episode 115 of the Planet LP Podcast, Ted Asregadoo dives deep into a pivotal moment in The Who’s history — their 1978 album Who Are You — with longtime Who aficionado Jason Hare. Who Are You may not top most fans’ lists of the band’s greatest albums, but it remains one of the most significant. Released on August 18, 1978, it was the last record to feature the original lineup and arrived at a moment when the band — and Pete Townshend in particular — were confronting their own fading relevance. As rock critic Greil Marcus noted in his 1978 Rolling Stone review, much of the album is shaped by Townshend’s anxieties about obsolescence, artistic exhaustion, and the shifting musical landscape. Forty-seven years later, Who Are You gets the full Super Deluxe treatment, just as The Who call it quits (again) after their final “This Song Is Over” tour in 2025 — a greatest-hits victory lap for casual fans, but not always the deep-cut celebration hardcore devotees were hoping for. Ted and Jason unpack what this new box set offers: the unheard material, the surprises, what genuinely adds to the album’s legacy, and where the collection may come up short. They also take a candid look at Keith Moon’s final performances — the brilliance, the decline, and the tragedy of a 32-year-old who seemed decades older. It’s an episode for fans who want more than nostalgia — they want context, history, and a dash of humor in The Who's transitional chapter. Steve Fox’s Old School sponsors the Planet LP podcast! Steve Fox’s Old School. It’s the first place to go to stream R&B dance hits from the 1970s to the 1990s. Read Greil Marcus's 1978 review of "Who Are You" in Rolling Stone magazine.

Ted Asregadoo is joined by a very special guest: original Planet LP co-host John Young! John returns to the mic for a hilarious, lighthearted episode dedicated to the universal experience of the misheard lyric, or "mondegreens." From classic rock blunders like AC/DC's "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap" to modern mix-ups like Taylor Swift's "Starbucks Lovers," they share famous examples from their own list and some from Ultimate Classic Rock that will make you rethink your favorite songs. Ted and John also share their personal misheard lyrics, including John's interpretation of The Police's "Driven to Tears" and Ted's brother's misheard lyric in "Spirits in the Material World." Tune in for a laugh and see how many lyrical mistakes you've been singing all these years! Steve Fox's Old School sponsors the Planet LP podcast! Steve Fox's Old School. It's the first place to go to stream R&B dance hits from the 1970s to the 1990s.

On episode 113 of the Planet LP podcast, host Ted Asregadoo welcomes guest John Maschino to dive deep into the world of protest songs. While many immediately think of the 1960s, this episode explores how rebellious anthems have evolved and continue to be a powerful force in music. From the satirical observations of Devo's "Beautiful World" to the deeply personal liberation in Chappell Roan's "Pink Pony Club," and the unflinching social commentary of Childish Gambino's "This is America" and Public Enemy's "Fight the Power," this episode covers a wide range of musical rebellion. Ted and John also discuss examples of religious rebellion, such as The Lovestrange's "Hey Now, People," along with economic injustice in Oliver Anthony's "Rich Men North of Richmond," the fight for marriage equality in The Gossip's "Standing in the Way of Control," and the broader landscape of protest in the music of Kendrick Lamar, Beyoncé, and more. Jump right into a deep discussion on the intersection of music, change, and rebellion. Planet LP's sponsor is Steve Fox's Old School. The first place to go to stream R&B dance hits from the 70s, 80s, and 90s.

On this week's episode, host Ted Asregadoo sits down with two of his biggest Billy Joel fan friends, Jeff Giles and Jason Hare, to discuss the recent HBO documentary, And So It Goes. Jeff is the founder of Popdose, host of The Record Player podcast, and creator of the new site Harmonic, while Jason is also a co-founder of Popdose and an avid triathlete. Ted, who was once a DJ imprisoned by the monotony of adult contemporary radio, has a complicated relationship with Joel’s music. Forced to play the same nine hit songs on repeat for 13 years, he now has an aversion to tunes like "Piano Man" and "Just the Way You Are." The conversation about the documentary leads to a much deeper discussion of Joel's albums, particularly his 1982 masterpiece, The Nylon Curtain. Both Ted and Jeff agree that this melancholy and often sad album is Joel's creative peak—a personal and generational biography of being a Baby Boomer. In contrast, Jason shares a more foundational love for Joel's music, recalling how hearing "Scenes From an Italian Restaurant" as a kid was what inspired him to start taking piano lessons. Join the trio as they dissect the documentary, debate the brilliance of The Nylon Curtain, and explore Billy Joel's music. ______________________________________ This episode of Planet LP is sponsored by Steve Fox's Old School. If you’ve been looking for a radio station that plays the true "Old School" music you grew up with, look no further. Steve Fox's Old School is the real thing, from classic soul and funk to the disco era and hip hop. Find them on TuneIn and let them know what you want to hear.

Spring 2025 Season Finale  Host Ted Asregadoo closes out the spring season by shining a spotlight on the most essential—yet often overlooked—members of any great band: the drummers. Reuniting with John Young (John was a co-host during the first year of Planet LP’s existence in 2021), this episode serves as both a musical celebration and a reminder that creativity and joy persist even in the darkest of times. Or, to quote Sting, "When the world is running down, you make the best of what's still around." Rhythm Masters Featured: 🥁 Ringo Starr - John Young champions the Beatles' timekeeper with infectious enthusiasm on “I Feel Fine.” This 1965 classic demonstrates why Ringo Starr is such an inventive drummer, who fashions an R&B rhythm with roots in Ray Charles’ “What’d I Say.” 🥁 John Bonham - A masterclass breakdown of Led Zeppelin's "Fool in the Rain," exploring how Bonham seamlessly weaves samba rhythms with Bernard Purdie's signature shuffle. Zep gets rightly criticized for ripping off black musicians, and while Bonham does use the Purdie shuffle on this song, he does so in a way that serves the song well.  🥁 Clyde Stubblefield - The funky foundation of James Brown's "Cold Sweat" and his lasting impact on groove-based music. What makes this rhythm so great is that it’s not only funky as hell, but Stubblefield also pulls the time in the song ever so slightly to make it a unique funk rhythm. 🥁 Gina Schock - The Go-Go's powerhouse, whose driving beat combines punk energy with pop sensibility, creating the infectious rhythm that made "Head Over Heels" such a fantastic tune and The Go-Go’s a band that has consistently rocked it for over four decades.  🥁 Neil Peart - Rush's mathematical drummer dissected through the complex patterns of "Subdivisions." Peart was a very much a compositional drummer, whose approach to the instrument was more from the head than the heart. His drum composition on “Subdivisions” is some of the most complex and exciting drumming in Rush’s catalogue. Although most people would point to “Tom Sawyer” as the pinnacle of Peart’s drumming, “Subdivisions” is right up there in terms of compositional ingenuity, rhythmic variety, and just effing awesome chops.  🥁 Karen Carpenter - Celebrating her overlooked drumming prowess before she became known primarily as a vocalist for The Carpenters. Karen’s mastery of the drums can be seen in this 1976 performance. While the music is kind of cheesy, her abilities behind the kit are not. John Bonham infamously slagged Karen when she won a Playboy magazine survey of best rock drummers (with Bonham as number two), saying that she wouldn’t last two minutes drumming on a Zep song. One look at her soloing on YouTube will disabuse you of that notion. A concluding note:  this episode isn't about ranking the "best" drummers—it's about appreciating the artists who make our ears perk up and remind us why the beat is essential to a lot of the music we love.  Episode 111 proves that sometimes the best medicine for troubled times is simply great music and the people who create it.