Pluto (1971): From Record Bin Oddity to Cult Classic

Ever wondered why some killer 70s rock albums slipped through history’s cracks? This week, Dig Me Out listeners unearth Pluto’s self-titled 1971 LP—an overlooked slab of psychedelic hard rock, boogie vibes, and vintage cosmic groove. Join us as we dig up the story of the London band with festival creds, a jaw-dropping album cover, and a sound that’s part Blue Öyster Cult, part proto-metal pioneers, but all obscurity.Pluto wasn’t a household name, but they were closer to the big leagues than you’d think: opening for Thin Lizzy and T. Rex, dropping a record with colored vinyl (ultra-rare for the era!), and chasing UK stardom with ace basslines and fuzzed-out guitars. In this episode, we debate the lost art of 70s rock vocals, the magic of live-in-the-room dynamics, and why some racks collect dust while others become classics. If you’re into Deep Purple, Blue Öyster Cult, early Rush, or chasing forgotten bands through dusty record bins, this is your episode.Episode Highlights0:00 – Theme & Intro – Welcome to the 70s Rock spotlight; how Pluto edged out Trapeze, Julian’s Treatment, and Dr. Z in the October poll7:30 – Band Origins & Album History – London roots, the Foundations connection, gigging with scene legends, and a wild album art backstory15:20 – The Sound of the Era – Acid rock vs. proto-metal: where Pluto lands, and why categories were still blurry in ‘7122:45 – “She’s Innocent” – Acoustic/electric interplay and why this track defines Pluto’s subtle power27:10 – B-Side Deep Dive – From “Beauty Queen” to “Mr. Westwood”: the grooves, the jams, and the dream of finding this record for $833:50 – “Ragabone Joe” – The oddball campfire sing-along that splits the hosts—endearing or skippable?39:00 – Better Album, EP, or Single? – The ultimate verdict: trimming, sequencing, and fantasy resurrections with a killer vocalistReady to keep the needle moving? Subscribe, tell your friends, and dig even deeper with us at digmeoutpodcast.com and dmounion.com. Suggest the next lost classic for our polls, join our Discord, and fuel our record hunts across decades. Let’s keep unearthing rock’s forgotten gems—together! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.digmeoutpodcast.com/subscribe