318 episodes

Every week, “WHAT THE RIFF?!?” takes a look at a ROCK AND ROLL album that debuted or peaked on the U.S. Billboard charts during a random month between 1965-1995. Four friends discuss the artists and 4 tracks from the album as it plays in the background. Then we riff on 4 “staff picks” of other artists that were also in the charts during that month and year. You’ll hear some familiar tunes as well as some deeper cuts and entertainment tracks as we share a little look into the culture and happenings of that day— having fun recalling that “old time rock and roll.”

We hope to bring back memories for you — and we encourage you to find and purchase the tracks and albums from iTunes, Spotify or your other favorite music service.

You’ll find each episode with a short blog on this site. Please subscribe so you don’t miss any release! We also invite you to follow us and learn more about us @whattheriffpodcast on Facebook.

What the Riff?!‪?‬ Rob Marbury, Wayne Rowan, Bruce Fricks and Brian Dickhute

    • Music
    • 5.0 • 1 Rating

Every week, “WHAT THE RIFF?!?” takes a look at a ROCK AND ROLL album that debuted or peaked on the U.S. Billboard charts during a random month between 1965-1995. Four friends discuss the artists and 4 tracks from the album as it plays in the background. Then we riff on 4 “staff picks” of other artists that were also in the charts during that month and year. You’ll hear some familiar tunes as well as some deeper cuts and entertainment tracks as we share a little look into the culture and happenings of that day— having fun recalling that “old time rock and roll.”

We hope to bring back memories for you — and we encourage you to find and purchase the tracks and albums from iTunes, Spotify or your other favorite music service.

You’ll find each episode with a short blog on this site. Please subscribe so you don’t miss any release! We also invite you to follow us and learn more about us @whattheriffpodcast on Facebook.

    1970 - August: Creedence Clearwater Revival "Cosmo's Factory"

    1970 - August: Creedence Clearwater Revival "Cosmo's Factory"

    Wayne riffs on the fifth studio album from Creedence Clearwater Revival, “Cosmo's Factory” from August of 1970 (Who'll Stop the Rain / Run Through the Jungle / Up Around the Bend / Travelin' Band). ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: Main theme from the vampire soap opera “Dark Shadows” STAFF PICKS: “Tears of a Clown” by Smokey Robinson & the Miracles — Lynch. “Long Long Time” by Linda Ronstadt — Rob. “Ain't No Mountain High Enough” by Diana Ross — Bruce. “Vehicle” by the Ides of March — Wayne. NOVELTY TRACK: “Chicken Strut” by the Meters.

    **(NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.)

    • 30 min
    1986 - January: Michael McDonald "Sweet Freedom"

    1986 - January: Michael McDonald "Sweet Freedom"

    Lynch riffs on the greatest hits album from Michael McDonald, “Sweet Freedom” from January of 1986 (Sweet Freedom / Yah Mo B There / On My Own / I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near)). ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: Main Theme from the television game show “Card Sharks.” STAFF PICKS: “Too Late” by Asia — Rob. “Goodbye” by Night Ranger — Bruce. “Walk Like An Egyptian” by The Bangles — Wayne. “These Dreams” by Heart — Lynch. INSTRUMENTAL TRACK: “Shade Gate” by Hawkwind.

    • 39 min
    1986 - March: Van Halen "5150"

    1986 - March: Van Halen "5150"

    Rob riffs on the seventh studio album (and first with Sammy Hagar as vocalist) by Van Halen, “5150” from March of 1986 (5150 / Summer Nights / Why Can't This Be Love / Love Walks In). ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: “A Kind of Magic” by Queen (from the motion picture “Highlander”) STAFF PICKS: “The Big Money” by Rush — Bruce. “Don't Want to Know If You Are Lonely” by Husker Du — Wayne. “Kyrie” by Mr. Mister — Lynch. “In My Dreams” by Dokken — Rob. COMEDY TRACK: “Inside” by Van Halen.

    **(NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.)

    • 46 min
    1989 - March: George Thorogood and the Destroyers "The George Thorogood Collection"

    1989 - March: George Thorogood and the Destroyers "The George Thorogood Collection"

    Wayne riffs on the greatest hits album from the George Thorogood & the Destroyers, “The George Thorogood Collection” from March of 1989 (I Drink Alone / Bad to the Bone / Move It On Over / Gear Jammer). ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: “Bad Boys” by Inner Circle (from the television series “COPS” STAFF PICKS: “You're What You Want to Be” by the Cruel Story of Youth — Rob. “Girl You Know It's True” by Millli Vanilli — Bruce. “Eternal Flame” by The Bangles — Lynch. “You Got It” by Roy Orbison — Wayne. INSTRUMENTAL TRACK: “Ytse Jam” by Dream Theater.

    **(NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.)

    • 41 min
    1988 - October: The Traveling Wilburys "The Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1"

    1988 - October: The Traveling Wilburys "The Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1"

    Bruce riffs on the debut album by The Traveling Wilburys, “The Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1” from October of 1988 (Margarita / Handle With Care / Not Alone Any More / End of the LIne). ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: "Baby Doll" by Devo (from the motion picture "Tape Heads" STAFF PICKS: “Big League” by Tom Cochrane and Red Rider — Wayne. “Didn't Know It Was Love” by Survivor — Rob. “Kokomo” by The Beach Boys — Lynch. “What's On Your Mind (Pure Energy)” by Information Society — Bruce. COMEDY TRACK: “A Nightmare on My Street” by DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince

    **(NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.)

    • 38 min
    1993 - January - Stone Temple Pilots “Core”

    1993 - January - Stone Temple Pilots “Core”

    Lynch riffs on the debut studio album from the Stone Temple Pilots, “Core” on the charts in January 1993 (Creep / Sex Type Thing / Plush / Wicked Garden). ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: main theme from the television series “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” STAFF PICKS: “Love Is On the Way” by Saigon Kick — Bruce. “Regret” by New Order — Rob. “Teen Angst (What the World Needs Now)” by Cracker — Wayne. “All Apologies” by Nirvana — Lynch. COMEDY TRACK: “Bedrock Anthem” by "Weird Al" Yankovic.

    **(NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.)

    • 41 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
1 Rating

1 Rating

Uusikylä ,

Very pleasant listening

A really nice format, like an excellent 45 minute radio show.

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