The CLASSIC ROCK ALBUM OLYMPICS is a podcast celebrating the most popular albums of the 1960s, 70s and 80s. In each episode music historians Gary Wenstrup and Robert Rodriguez will pull a classic rock album off the shelf and discuss which songs earn our gold, silver and bronze medals. It’s a fun, insightful and passionate journey through some of the greatest albums of all-time. Let the games begin!
Classic Rock Album Olympics
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26 episodes
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Podcast Overview
The CLASSIC ROCK ALBUM OLYMPICS is a podcast celebrating the most popular albums of the 1960s, 70s and 80s. In each episode music historians Gary Wenstrup and Robert Rodriguez will pull a classic rock album off the shelf and discuss which songs earn our gold, silver and bronze medals. It’s a fun, insightful and passionate journey through some of the greatest albums of all-time. Let the games begin!
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Publishing Since
3/25/2025
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Recent Episodes
June 9, 2026
Reggatta de Blanc by The Police...Episode #25
In episode #25 of Classic Rock Album Olympics music historians Gary Wenstrup and Robert Rodriguez sail with Reggatta de Blanc by The Police and award their gold, silver and bronze medals for their favorite songs. Released October 1979, Reggatta de Blanc was the second album by The Police and the record that transformed the trio from promising new-wave outsiders into stars. Produced by Nigel Gray along with the band, the album expanded the reggae-rock and post-punk sound introduced on Outlandos d’Amour. The title – Reggatta de Blanc - loosely translates to “white reggae,” reflecting the group’s fusion of punk energy, reggae rhythms, jazz textures, and pop songwriting. The album featured the classic Police lineup: Sting on bass and lead vocals, Andy Summers on guitar and Stewart Copeland on drums. Together they created a sparse but highly rhythmic sound built around Summers’ atmospheric guitar work, Sting’s melodic bass lines, and Copeland’s inventive drumming. Reggatta de Blanc became the band’s first UK No. 1 album. In the United States it reached No. 25 on the Billboard album chart, helping establish the band’s growing American audience. The singles “Message in a Bottle” and “Walking on the Moon” both reached No. 1 in the UK. The singles did not fare as well in the US. “Message” hit #74 and "Moon" did not chart. The instrumental title track earned the band its first Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance. The album captured the restless energy of the late-1970s post-punk era while proving that reggae influences could coexist with mainstream rock radio. The Police stood apart from both traditional punk and arena rock by emphasizing space, rhythm, and sophistication over heavy guitar excess. Many critics and fans view Reggatta de Blanc as the album where the band honed its signature sound, paving the way for later classics like Zenyatta Mondatta and Synchronicity. Follow-up Note: As speculated in the podcast, The Police did not perform at Live Aid. Sting however did play a few Police hits with outside musicians. Medal Winners No Time This Time Message In A Bottle The Bed’s Too Big Without You Bring On The Night Reggatta de Blanc Bonus Tracks Roxanne Next To You Nothing Achieving Truth Hits Everyone So Lonely Visions Of The Night Fall Out Behind The Camel Be My Girl/Sally Mirror In The Bathroom – English Beat Further Reading Shot In The Heart -Mikal Gilmore Track Listing Side One Message In A Bottle Reggatta de Blanc It's Alright For You Bring On The Night Deathwish Side Two Walking On The Moon On Any Other Day The Bed's Too Big Without You Contact Does Everyone Stare No Time This Time #ThePolice #ReggattaDeBlanc #Sting #AndySummers #StewartCopeland #NewWave #PostPunk #ReggaeRock #ClassicAlbums #1979Music Contact Info Website: Gary Wenstrup Podcast Website: Home - Classic Rock Album Olympics YouTube: (556) Classic Rock Album Olympics - YouTube Facebook: (7) Facebook Podcast Facebook: Facebook LinkedIn: (17) Gary Wenstrup | LinkedIn Intro & Outro Music by Flwers Flwers Something About The Beatles Podcast somethingaboutthebeatles.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 25, 2026
Silk Degrees by Boz Scaggs...Episode #24
In episode # 24 of Classic Rock Album Olympics music historians Gary Wenstrup and Robert Rodriguez dig into Silk Degrees by Boz Scaggs and award their gold, silver and bronze medals accordingly. Medal Winners Georgia Harbor Lights Lido Shuffle We’re All Alone Bonus Tracks We Were Always Sweethearts – Boz Finding Her – Boz Dinah Flo – Boz Near You - Boz Brandy (You’re A Fine Girl) – Looking Glass Look What You’ve Done To Me – Boz Harbor Lights – Platters Low Down - Boz Love Me Tomorrow - Boz Sooner Or Later – Grass Roots Long Tall Glasses (I Can Dance) – Leo Sayer What Do You Want The Girl To Do – Boz Lone Me A Dime – Boz Jump Street – Boz Silk Degrees by Boz Scaggs was released in March 1976 and became the defining album of his career, blending blue-eyed soul, smooth pop, and West Coast R&B into a polished, radio-friendly sound that helped define mid-1970s adult contemporary music. Recorded at CBS Studios in San Francisco, the album benefited from a group of top-tier session musicians, many of whom would soon form Toto, including David Paich (keyboards), Jeff Porcaro (drums), and David Hungate (bass), along with guitarist Fred Tackett. Their tight, groove-oriented playing gave the record its sleek, sophisticated feel. The album was produced by Joe Wissert, whose clean, layered production emphasized rhythm, melody, and Scaggs’ smooth vocal delivery. Several hit singles emerged, including “Lowdown,” “Lido Shuffle,” “What Can I Say,” and “It’s Over,” with “Lowdown” becoming the biggest success, reaching #3 on the Billboard Hot 100. “Lido Shuffle” also performed strongly, reaching the Top 20, helping sustain the album’s momentum across radio formats. Silk Degrees peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200 and became a multi-platinum success, eventually selling over five million copies in the United States. Its crossover appeal—bridging pop, R&B, and soft rock—made it a staple of FM radio and a key influence on the emerging yacht rock sound. Critically and commercially, the album marked the high point of Scaggs’ mainstream popularity, cementing his place in 1970s music and showcasing a seamless blend of craftsmanship, musicianship, and accessibility. Track Listing Side One What Can I Say Georgia Jump Street What Do You Want The Girl To Do Harbor Lights Side Two Lowdown It’s Over Love Me Tomorrow Lido Shuffle We’re All Alone Hashtags #BozScaggs #SilkDegrees #1970sMusic #YachtRock #ClassicAlbums #Lowdown #LidoShuffle Contact Info Website: Gary Wenstrup Podcast Website: Home - Classic Rock Album Olympics YouTube: (556) Classic Rock Album Olympics - YouTube Facebook: (7) Facebook Podcast Facebook: Facebook LinkedIn: (17) Gary Wenstrup | LinkedIn Intro & Outro Music by Flwers Flwers Something About The Beatles Podcast somethingaboutthebeatles.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 12, 2026
London Calling by The Clash...Episode #23
In episode #23 of Classic Rock Album Olympics music historians Gary Wenstrup and Robert Rodriguez discuss London Calling by The Clash and award their gold, silver and bronze medals accordingly. Medal Winners Lost In The Supermarket Spanish Bombs The Right Profile Rudie Can’t Fail Clampdown Train In Vain London Calling by The Clash was released in the U.S. in January 1980, marking a turning point not just for the band but for late-1970s rock. Expanding far beyond their early punk sound, the double album blends reggae, ska, rockabilly, R&B, and pop into a politically charged yet musically adventurous statement that captured the turbulence of the era—economic decline, nuclear anxiety, and social unrest—while still delivering sharp songwriting and energy. The album is considered the most “musical” punk album and its most ambitious. The core lineup featured Joe Strummer (lead vocals, rhythm guitar + lyrics), Mick Jones (lead guitar, vocals + music), Paul Simonon (bass), and Topper Headon (drums). The album was produced by Guy Stevens with mostly just 1 or 2 takes for each song. While the album only reached #27 on the U.S. Billboard 200, its reputation grew steadily, and it is now widely regarded as one of the greatest albums of all time. The lone single released from the album in the U.S. was “Train in Vain.” The song was added at the last minute and unlisted on early pressings, reaching #23 on the Billboard Hot 100. Critically, London Calling has been celebrated for its ambition and range, often cited alongside landmark albums in rock history for its fusion of genres and its ability to translate political urgency into compelling music. Its iconic cover—featuring Simonon smashing his bass, photographed by Pennie Smith—echoes the design of Elvis Presley’s debut album, visually linking past and present while signaling a reinvention of rock tradition. Original album title: The Last Testament For more information: Route 19 Revisited: The Clash and London Calling by Marcus Gray Bonus Tracks Vanilla Tapes – The Clash London Calling - The Clash Guns Of Brixton – The Clash Clampdown – Bruce Springsteen The Clash - Live on Fridays 1980 Track Listing Side One London Calling Brand New Cadillac Jimmy Jazz Hateful Rudie Can’t Fail Side Two Spanish Bombs The Right Profile Clampdown The Guns of Brixton Side Three Wrong ‘Em Boyo Death Or Glory Koka Kola The Card Cheat Side Four Lover’s Rock Four Horsemen I’m Not Down Revolution Rock Train In Vain Hashtags #TheClash #LondonCalling #PunkRock #ClassicAlbums #MusicHistory #JoeStrummer #MickJones #PaulSimonon #TopperHeadon Contact Info Website: Gary Wenstrup Podcast Website: Home - Classic Rock Album Olympics YouTube: (556) Classic Rock Album Olympics - YouTube Facebook: (7) Facebook Podcast Facebook: Facebook LinkedIn: (17) Gary Wenstrup | LinkedIn Intro & Outro Music by Flwers Flwers Something About The Beatles Podcast somethingaboutthebeatles.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
26 total episodes available
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- What is Classic Rock Album Olympics?
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This podcast updates daily.
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This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
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Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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