1988 - May: Cinderella "Long Cold Winter"

One of the big acts on the 80's glam metal scene was Cinderella.  Singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Tom Keifer and bassist Eric Brittingham formed the band in suburban Philadelphia.  Gene Simmons of Kiss tried to get the band a deal with PolyGram, but was unsuccessful at getting the label to take interest.  Jon Bon Jovi was more successful with getting them a contract with Mercury/Polygram Records.  Keifer and Brittingham added guitarist Jeff LaBar and drummer Jim Drnec to the band.  Their debut album entitled Night Songs was released in 1986, and it achieved triple platinum status.  Shortly after the recording of that album, Jim Drnec left the group.  

This, their follow-up album Long Cold Winter, would continue the band's progression in the glam metal genre, but would see a subtle shift towards more blues rock.  It would also see the introduction of Fred Coury as drummer for the group, though this would come after the album was recorded utilizing percussionist Cozy Powell for almost all tracks on the album.  This second studio album would be a commercial success as well, reaching number 10 on the US charts and achieving double platinum status before the end of the year.  The album included the rock ballad “Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone),”which would reach number 12 on the Billboard charts, the highest charting single for the band.  Video was a significant factor in the success of the band, and they released a video compilation in 1990 called “Tales from the Gypsy Road” featuring their promo videos and live medleys.

Cinderella would be predominantly an opening band through the late 80's and early 90's, touring with Poison, Bon Jovi, and David Lee Roth.  Unfortunately the band would decline by the mid 90's due to various setbacks and drama with personnel as well as shifting popularity in the music industry.  Their last performance was in 2014.

Break out the hair spray as Wayne leads us through this album.

Bad Seamstress Blues/Fallin' Apart at the Seams
The leading track to the album starts with an acoustic blues number paired with a heavier blues song, complete with slide guitar and harmonica.  The lyrics are of a life that has come full circle.  No regrets, but a mixture of success and sorrow.  “Look in the mirror at what I found, It's just the past and it's over now.”

Gypsy Road
These lyrics discuss perseverance to achieve success, but also the loneliness and doubt that come with realizing that dream.  The song is a composite of a life on the road, complete with hotel rooms and overnight rides on the tour bus.  This song hit number 51 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Take Me Back
The final song on the album features blues instrumentation including the slide guitar and more cow bell!  The lyrics reflect on a younger life from a distance.  The singer reminisces about how he was raised and wanting to be reminded of what he left behind.

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

Axel F (Main Theme from the motion picture “Beverly Hills Cop”)
This movie from the mid-80's made its debut on network TV this month.

STAFF PICKS:

Electric Blue by Icehouse
Lynch gives us a cool start to the staff picks with Australian band Icehouse's biggest US hit.  The lyrics tell the tale of a man pursuing the love of a woman who seems above his station.  “Icehouse” is an Aussie slang term for an insane asylum.  This song was written by lead singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Iva Davies, and Jon Oates of Hall & Oates fame.

Heaven Tonight by Yngwie Malmsteen's Rising Force
Bruce features neoclassical metal guitar virtuoso Yngwie Malmsteen paired with the vocals of former Rainbow and Deep Purple front man Joe Lynn Turner.  This is off Malmsteen's fourth studio album, “Odyssey.” This album went to number 40 on the Billboard 200 charts, the highest charting Malmsteen album to date.

Wait by White Lion 
Rob brings us a power ballad that peaked at number 8 on the US charts in May 1988.  It was originally released in June 1987, but did not enter the charts until February 1988, based on the strength of their video on MTV.  The video featured Christie Muhaw who died at the age of 24 in a car accident less than a year after the video was released.

Damn Good by David Lee Roth
Wayne's staff pick continues the blues focus  with a power ballad from Roth and 12-string work by virtuoso Steve Vai.  The lyrics were inspired by an encounter Roth had with an old high school friend who had some high school pictures.  It is a wistful song remembering friends and good times from the past.  

NOVELTY TRACK:

Killer Klowns by The Dickies
We close out this week's podcast with a track of punk rock's The Dickies.  This is off their EP and the movie "Killer Klowns from Outer Space. "

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