Fun facts and sidetracks

Al and Marty
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Into random facts? This could be the podcast for you. Good mates Al & Marty take a fun look at all sorts of pop culture stories they’ve discovered. In this episode of 'Fun Facts, Sidetracks,' hosts Al and Marty delve into iconic albums produced under challenging circumstances, discussing Fleetwood Mac's 'Rumours' and Nirvana's 'In Utero.' They also explore albums that achieved double diamond status, highlighting iconic albums by The Beatles, Michael Jackson, and more.  The boys discuss the making of 'Jaws,' revealing behind-the-scenes stories, production challenges, and lasting impacts, including memorable lines.  Marty shares a pretty scary experience that was just like something out of the movie ‘Duel’. The episode wraps up with a fun segment on common sayings originating from Shakespeare's works, enduring through the ages. A blend of music history, movie trivia, and literary fun facts makes this episode a fun and diverse listen. 00:00 Welcome to Fun Facts Sidetracks 00:55 Shoutouts and Listener Feedback 01:26 Iconic Albums Recorded Under Duress 01:42 Fleetwood Mac's Rumours: Behind the Scenes 04:43 Double Diamond Albums: The Elite List 11:08 The Eagles' Turbulent Recording Sessions 12:36 Nirvana's In Utero: A Tortured Creation 14:39 Foo Fighters' Perfectionism in the Studio 16:02 Bob Dylan's Controlled Chaos 17:05 Classic Albums That Were Difficult to Produce 17:20 Diving into Jaws: A Cinematic Phenomenon

Episodes

  1. 08/16/2025

    Muhammad Ali to the Mandela Affect

    Exploring the Wonders of Japan & Diving into Iconic Pop Culture Memories In this engaging episode of Fun Facts and Sidetracks, Marty and Al  discuss Marty's recent trip to Japan. They  celebrate their podcast's ninth birthday and delve into nostalgic pop culture, recalling old shows like HR PufnStuf and Banana Splits. They discuss the Mandela Effect, revealing misremembered movie quotes, and share fascinating behind-the-scenes stories from the Rocky franchise's music selection. The episode wraps up with an entertaining story of a bar incident involving undercover cops and a detailed retelling of the legendary 'Rumble in the Jungle' fight between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman. 00:00 Welcome to Fun Facts and Sidetracks 00:31 Mart's Adventures in Japan 02:06 Podcast Milestone: Ninth Birthday 02:23 Listener Feedback and Nostalgia 05:14 The Mandela Effect Explained 09:21 Rocky and the Eye of the Tiger 14:48 A Crazy Bar Story 20:12 Unbelievable Coincidences 21:00 Listener Requests: Muhammad Ali 21:27 The Legend of Muhammad Ali 23:34 Ali's Iconic Fights 25:31 Ali's Legacy and Personal Life 36:14 Debbie Harry's Surprising Shopping Trip 37:49 Wrapping Up and Listener Engagement If you have a fun fact you’d like us to share, send us an email to: funfactsandsidetracks@gmail.com or leave us a comment online at our social pages on Facebook or Instagram Thanks for listening and never be afraid to get sidetracked. The boring disclaimer: We do try to double-check all of the facts we talk about. If something isn’t quite correct, we humbly apologise. Credit to our many sources including, A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs, Tim from Kicking Harold, Mental Floss, Wikipedia and so many more.

    39 min

  2. 08/01/2025

    Music regrets and a gig to forget

    Music regrets and a gig to forget: From Court Cases to Space Elevators In this episode of 'Fun Facts and Sidetracks,' hosts Marty and Al explore the controversial world of music plagiarism, discussing famous cases such as George Harrison's 'My Sweet Lord' vs. The Chiffons' 'He's So Fine', Vanilla Ice vs. Queen and David Bowie, and many others. The episode delves into the nuances of creativity, subconscious influences, and some downright weird aspects of music litigation. The boys then shift to share fascinating facts about the history of flight, from the first hot air balloons to the rapid progression from the Wright brothers' first flight to the moon landing, and even talk about future concepts like Japan's space elevator. As usual Mart has a hilarious stories about a gig he’d rather forget and the  lively English-style pub parties at his home in suburban Brisbane.   00:00 Welcome to Fun Facts and Sidetracks 00:27 Exploring Famous Plagiarism Cases in Music 01:07 The George Harrison vs. The Chiffons Case 04:09 Vanilla Ice and the Under Pressure Controversy 04:46 John Fogarty Sued for Sounding Like Himself 05:40 Blurred Lines and Marvin Gaye's Legacy 06:58 The Rolling Stones vs. The Verve 07:52 Ghostbusters and Huey Lewis 09:43 The Beatles and Chuck Berry 11:38 A Regrettable Job Experience 17:57 Fun Facts About Flight 19:42 Man Lands on the Moon: A Giant Leap in 66 Years 20:32 The International Space Station: Orbiting Every 90 Minutes 21:28 NASA's Countdown: Inspired by a Silent Movie 22:29 Bert Hinkler Museum: A Tribute to Aviation 26:25 Space Elevator: The Future of Space Travel 30:26 Growing Up as a 10 Pound Pom in Australia 32:26 Building Bars and Boxing Day Parties 37:15 Conclusion  If you have a fun fact you’d like us to share, send us an email to: funfactsandsidetracks@gmail.com or leave us a comment online at our social pages on Facebook or Instagram Thanks for listening and never be afraid to get sidetracked. The boring disclaimer: We do try to double-check all of the facts we talk about. If something isn’t quite correct, we humbly apologise. Credit to our many sources including, A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs, Tim from Kicking Harold, Mental Floss, Wikipedia and so many more.

    38 min

  3. 07/20/2025

    Baby, Baby to Babysitters

    Fun Facts and Sidetracks: The Ones That Got Away, Surprising Celebrity Babysitters and Stolen Inventions In this episode of 'Fun Facts and Sidetracks,' Al and Marty discuss famous songs that were initially intended for other artists, including tracks by The Supremes, Kylie Minogue, Seal, and Kenny Loggins. They delve into amusing and surprising stories about celebrity babysitters such as Alice Cooper babysitting Keanu Reeves and Cher babysitting Anthony from the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Additionally, the episode explores intriguing facts about famous buildings like the Eiffel Tower and the Great Wall of China, and uncovers the true origins of well-known inventions, revealing famous figures like Thomas Edison who capitalized on others' innovations. The hosts wrap up with a discussion on LEGO and other noteworthy inventions. 00:00 Introduction and Greetings 00:55 The Ones That Got Away: Iconic Songs Rejected by Artists 09:12 Celebrity Babysitters: Unexpected Connections 15:56 Hollywood Connections: Keifer Sutherland and Gwyneth Paltrow 16:57 Builder's Journey: From Music to Construction 18:07 Famous Buildings Around the World 22:38 Lego: The Ultimate Building Block 25:32 Famous Inventions and Their True Origins 32:06 Wrapping Up: From Supremes to Eiffel Tower If you have a fun fact you’d like us to share, send us an email to: funfactsandsidetracks@gmail.com or leave us a comment online at our social pages on Facebook or Instagram Thanks for listening and never be afraid to get sidetracked. The boring disclaimer: We do try to double-check all of the facts we talk about. If something isn’t quite correct, we humbly apologise. Credit to our many sources including, A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs, Tim from Kicking Harold, Mental Floss, Wikipedia and so many more.

    33 min

  4. 07/03/2025

    Sharks, Shakespeare and a Shotty

    If you have a fun fact you’d like us to share, send us an email to: funfactsandsidetracks@gmail.com or leave us a comment online at our social pages on Facebook or Instagram Thanks for listening and never be afraid to get sidetracked. The boring disclaimer: We do try to double-check all of the facts we talk about. If something isn’t quite correct, we humbly apologise. Credit to our many sources including, A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs, Tim from Kicking Harold, Mental Floss, Wikipedia and so many more.

    37 min

  5. 06/22/2025

    Rescued recordings and kooky kids tv

    If you have a fun fact you’d like us to share, send us an email to: funfactsandsidetracks@gmail.com or leave us a comment online at our social pages on Facebook or Instagram Thanks for listening and never be afraid to get sidetracked. The boring disclaimer: We do try to double-check all of the facts we talk about. If something isn’t quite correct, we humbly apologise. Credit to our many sources including, A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs, Tim from Kicking Harold, Mental Floss, Wikipedia and so many more.

    33 min

  6. 06/07/2025

    Sci-Fi, Spinal Tap and Simpsons

    If you have a fun fact you’d like us to share, send us an email to: funfactsandsidetracks@gmail.com or leave us a comment online at our social pages on Facebook or Instagram Thanks for listening and never be afraid to get sidetracked. The boring disclaimer: We do try to double-check all of the facts we talk about. If something isn’t quite correct, we humbly apologise. Credit to our many sources including, A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs, Tim from Kicking Harold, Mental Floss, Wikipedia and so many more.

    36 min

  7. 05/23/2025

    Ep3 Costello, Carrie and the Crazy Piano Pushbike

    In this episode, Marty and Al dive into the fascinating world of famous songs that were initially turned down by well-known artists, revealing surprising backstories behind hits from Kylie Minogue, John Denver, Aerosmith, and Tina Turner. They explore quirky celebrity pseudonyms, bizarre historical coincidences, and fun facts about the British royal family. The duo also shares a hilarious personal anecdote about a musical bike performance at the 1988 Brisbane Expo. Tune in for a mix of music trivia, royal insights, and laugh-out-loud moments. 00:00 Introduction and Hosts' Banter 01:09 The One That Got Away: Iconic Songs Rejected by Artists 02:36 Unexpected Song Origins and Artist Stories 08:31 Celebrity Hotel Aliases 10:42 Crazy Coincidences in History 15:44 Random Facts and Trivia 16:54 Reflecting on Elvis and Austin Powers 17:32 The Story of the Traveling Wilburys 19:08 Fast Facts About Royalty 22:58 Bicycle Fun Facts and History 26:47 The Mobile Piano Player at Expo 88 33:11 Wrapping Up with Final Thoughts If you have a fun fact you’d like us to share, send us an email to: funfactsandsidetracks@gmail.com or leave us a comment online at our social pages on Facebook or Instagram Thanks for listening and never be afraid to get sidetracked. The boring disclaimer: We do try to double-check all of the facts we talk about. If something isn’t quite correct, we humbly apologise. Credit to our many sources including, A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs, Tim from Kicking Harold, Mental Floss, Wikipedia and so many more.

    34 min

  8. 05/07/2025

    Music, martial arts and toy mayhem

    If you have a fun fact you’d like us to share, send us an email to: funfactsandsidetracks@gmail.com or leave us a comment online at our social pages on Facebook or Instagram Thanks for listening and never be afraid to get sidetracked. The boring disclaimer: We do try to double-check all of the facts we talk about. If something isn’t quite correct, we humbly apologise. Credit to our many sources including, A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs, Tim from Kicking Harold, Mental Floss, Wikipedia and so many more.

    24 min

  9. 04/23/2025

    Twists of Fate and Ten Pound Poms

    Al and Marty chat about all sorts of fun facts and take a few side roads along the way.  The ones that got away The boys discuss songs that were passed on by famous artists. We all know who ultimately made these songs a hit but who were they offered to first? Call me, Toxic, Umbrella, Physical, We built this city, Don’t you forget about me and Golden Years.   Ten Pound Poms A fun discussion about the scheme initiated by the Australian Government in 1945 after the Second World War to increase our population. The Ten Pound Poms were British citizens who migrated with assisted passage to Australia on chartered ships and aircraft. Paying the princely sum of ten pounds for adults and free travel for kids. As a Ten Pound  Pom himself, Marty recalls his family’s adventure of making the big move from London to Brisbane in the sixties. And we chat through a list of famous Aussies from the fields of sport, music and public life who we’re glad also made the trip to this wide brown land.   Dangerous toys We discuss dodgy and dangerous toys from our childhood. Especially Click Clacks and the Slip ‘N Slide.  Of course, Marty has a cracking story to share about some highly dangerous fun from when he was knocking around in The Gap as a kid.   Random facts that changed history These events prove that the truth really is stranger than fiction. You can’t help but wonder how things might have been if they hadn’t happened. Bill Murray becomes a stand-up comedian. A key moment in the Titanic disaster. The man who survived two atomic bomb blasts. Elanor Rigby’s grave.   Random fun facts The Night's Watch cloaks Lemons and limes A T-Rex with feathers? Say ‘Prunes’ A crazy Pulp Fiction fact Apparently Quentin Tarantino’s favourite Bewitched scene. Here’s the link:  https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3cFkXSgfjg   If you have a fun fact you’d like us to share, send us an email to: funfactsandsidetracks@gmail.com or leave us a comment online at our social pages on Facebook or Instagram Thanks for listening and never be afraid to get sidetracked. The boring disclaimer: We do try to double-check all of the facts we talk about. If something isn’t quite correct, we humbly apologise. Credit to our many sources including, A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs, Tim from Kicking Harold, Mental Floss, Wikipedia and so many more.

    40 min
  • 9 Episodes

About

Into random facts? This could be the podcast for you. Good mates Al & Marty take a fun look at all sorts of pop culture stories they’ve discovered. In this episode of 'Fun Facts, Sidetracks,' hosts Al and Marty delve into iconic albums produced under challenging circumstances, discussing Fleetwood Mac's 'Rumours' and Nirvana's 'In Utero.' They also explore albums that achieved double diamond status, highlighting iconic albums by The Beatles, Michael Jackson, and more.  The boys discuss the making of 'Jaws,' revealing behind-the-scenes stories, production challenges, and lasting impacts, including memorable lines.  Marty shares a pretty scary experience that was just like something out of the movie ‘Duel’. The episode wraps up with a fun segment on common sayings originating from Shakespeare's works, enduring through the ages. A blend of music history, movie trivia, and literary fun facts makes this episode a fun and diverse listen. 00:00 Welcome to Fun Facts Sidetracks 00:55 Shoutouts and Listener Feedback 01:26 Iconic Albums Recorded Under Duress 01:42 Fleetwood Mac's Rumours: Behind the Scenes 04:43 Double Diamond Albums: The Elite List 11:08 The Eagles' Turbulent Recording Sessions 12:36 Nirvana's In Utero: A Tortured Creation 14:39 Foo Fighters' Perfectionism in the Studio 16:02 Bob Dylan's Controlled Chaos 17:05 Classic Albums That Were Difficult to Produce 17:20 Diving into Jaws: A Cinematic Phenomenon

Information

  • Creator
    Al and Marty
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Fun facts and sidetracks
  • Show Website
    Fun facts and sidetracks