Fun facts and sidetracks

Band Name Origins, Final Recordings, Shell’s Unlikely Beginnings, and Salty LanguageAl and Marty, hosts of Fun Facts and Sidetracks, broadcast from their studio in a converted oil tanker and cover off music trivia, company history, the origins of word  and lots more. They explain where several bands got their names (including Radiohead, Motörhead, Simple Minds, Roxette, The Rolling Stones, The Pretenders, Judas Priest, Deep Purple, Jet, Panic! at the Disco, Death Cab for Cutie, Flock of Seagulls, Lady Gaga, Nazareth, and Franz Ferdinand). They discuss notable artists’ final recorded songs or last material, including Otis Redding (“Sittin’ On The Dock of the Bay”), Janis Joplin (“Mercedes Benz”), Jim Morrison (“Riders on the Storm”), Elvis (“Way Down”), John Lennon (working on “Walking on Thin Ice” and demo “Grow Old with Me”), Amy Winehouse (“Body and Soul”), Freddie Mercury (“Mother Love”), Warren Zevon (“Keep Me in Your Heart”), Chris Cornell (“You Never Knew My Mind”), David Bowie’s “Blackstar” track (“Lazarus”), and Glen Campbell (“I’m Not Gonna Miss You”), plus last recordings by bands breaking up - Roxy Music’s “Avalon,” The Police’s 1986 tracks, The Beatles’ last full-group session “Because,” and Cream’s “Badge”. They then trace Shell from an 1833 London seashell/antiques business to bulk oil shipping, the first tanker through the Suez Canal, a 1907 merger with Royal Dutch, wartime roles, “Seven Sisters” status, and supertankers and end with an etymology segment linking “salary,” “salad,” “salsa,” “sausage,” “salami,” “sauce,” and “sauté” to salt.00:00 Welcome and Setup01:35 Band Names Origins03:32 Deep Purple Sidetrack04:09 More Name Inspirations06:42 Last Songs Intro07:08 Sudden Final Recordings15:07 Lennon Sidetracks19:30 Knowing It Was The End23:04 Bowie and Gervais Story25:58 Glen Campbell Farewell26:41 Bands Final Tracks27:06 Guest Vocalist Discovery27:53 Session Musicians Pay28:38 Police Final Sessions31:18 Police Live Memories32:19 Beatles Last Recording33:43 Cream Goodbye Album35:05 Shell Origin Story37:48 Oil Tankers And Branding43:21 Wars And Seven Sisters46:54 Modern Shell Mega Projects50:49 Salt Words Etymology54:54 Wrap Up And FarewellIf you have a fun fact you’d like us to share, send us an email to: [email protected] 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.

If you have a fun fact you’d like us to share, send us an email to: [email protected] 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.

Al and Marty share stories behind famous songs: Split Enz’s “Six Months in a Leaky Boat”,  allegedly pulled from UK radio during the Falklands War; Mart adds trivia about migrating on the SS Canberra, later used as a Falklands hospital ship. They discuss alleged inspirations and feuds including Taylor Swift/Katy Perry, “Uptown Girl,” “Black Velvet,” Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes,” Toto’s “Rosanna,” Pink’s “So What,” Johnny Cash’s “I Walk the Line,” Carly Simon’s “You’re So Vain,” Alanis Morissette’s “You Oughta Know,” multiple songs about Courtney Love, Clapton’s songs about Pattie Boyd, Phil Collins’ “In the Air Tonight,” Elvis’ “Heartbreak Hotel,” Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline,” and Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” They cover origins of English town-name suffixes (Saxon, Viking, Roman), outline the Hearst media empire and Patty Hearst’s kidnapping/conviction/pardon, and end with a Pulp Fiction fact: DeVito’s company helped finance it, and Vincent/Jules nod to Twins.If you have a fun fact you’d like us to share, send us an email to: [email protected] 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.

Episode 10 Timeline Season Two Kick-off: Cracking covers, Ketchup and the Card CalendarAl and Marty return for season two of “Fun Facts and Sidetracks,” describing the show as light, non-political conversation about music, movies, history, and anything that makes them laugh. 00:00 Season 2 Kick-off: What This Show’s About (Fun Facts, Sidetracks & No Politics)01:21 Cover Versions 101: Why Covers Matter & What Counts as a Cover02:48 From Slavery Songs to Ram Jam: The Wild History of “Black Betty”03:43 Personal Faves: Joe Cocker, Beatles Covers & Making a Song Your Own06:35 Deep Cuts & Classics: Ian Moss, Amy Winehouse, Talking Heads, Hendrix & More13:22 When Covers Become Samples: Grammys, Pop Hits & “Sampling the Samples”15:23 Listener Picks + Fun Facts: “Yesterday” as the Most-Covered Song Ever21:00 New Segment: Famous Companies—The Origin Story of Heinz23:36 57 Varieties & Superfactories: Heinz’s Branding, Worker Benefits & Growth26:38 Heinz in Wartime & Royal Approval: Beans for the Queen27:35 Ketchup Goes to Space: NASA, ISS, and Bean Jokes29:48 Corporate Shake-Ups: Burger King CEO, McDonald’s Split & Kraft Heinz Merger31:25 Challenger Anniversary Sparks a Time Travel Chat34:00 Mind-Bending Timeline Facts: Dinosaurs, Mammoths & Ancient Civilizations41:54 Deck of Cards = A Calendar? The Hidden Math & Fortune-Telling Origins52:51 Sampling Gone Wrong: P. Diddy, Sting & $2,000-a-Day Royalties54:39 Wrap-Up: Send Your Fun Facts & Favourite Covers Check out some of our favourite covers:Ray Charles – Eleanor Rigby (Check out the kooky set design and dancers too.)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kK2HF-5-b-Q Ian Moss (Cold Chisel) - Georgiahttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhFXjzRRv4w&list=RDNhFXjzRRv4w&start_radio=1 Spiderbait – Black Bettyhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nU1VfYYKMDk&list=RDnU1VfYYKMDk&start_radio=1 The Lemonheads – Mrs Robinsonhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2C0sANgB9Qk&list=RD2C0sANgB9Qk&start_radio=1 David Byrne – Don’t fence me inhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuMvkNDuOuQ&list=RDuuMvkNDuOuQ&start_radio=1  The White Stripes – I just don’t know what to do with myselfhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzDG0jA3XVYIf you have a fun fact you’d like us to share, send us an email to: [email protected] 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.

Exploring the Wonders of Japan & Diving into Iconic Pop Culture MemoriesIn 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 Sidetracks00:31 Mart's Adventures in Japan02:06 Podcast Milestone: Ninth Birthday02:23 Listener Feedback and Nostalgia05:14 The Mandela Effect Explained09:21 Rocky and the Eye of the Tiger14:48 A Crazy Bar Story20:12 Unbelievable Coincidences21:00 Listener Requests: Muhammad Ali21:27 The Legend of Muhammad Ali23:34 Ali's Iconic Fights25:31 Ali's Legacy and Personal Life36:14 Debbie Harry's Surprising Shopping Trip37:49 Wrapping Up and Listener EngagementIf you have a fun fact you’d like us to share, send us an email to: [email protected] 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.

Music regrets and a gig to forget: From Court Cases to Space ElevatorsIn 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 Sidetracks00:27 Exploring Famous Plagiarism Cases in Music01:07 The George Harrison vs. The Chiffons Case04:09 Vanilla Ice and the Under Pressure Controversy04:46 John Fogarty Sued for Sounding Like Himself05:40 Blurred Lines and Marvin Gaye's Legacy06:58 The Rolling Stones vs. The Verve07:52 Ghostbusters and Huey Lewis09:43 The Beatles and Chuck Berry11:38 A Regrettable Job Experience17:57 Fun Facts About Flight19:42 Man Lands on the Moon: A Giant Leap in 66 Years20:32 The International Space Station: Orbiting Every 90 Minutes21:28 NASA's Countdown: Inspired by a Silent Movie22:29 Bert Hinkler Museum: A Tribute to Aviation26:25 Space Elevator: The Future of Space Travel30:26 Growing Up as a 10 Pound Pom in Australia32:26 Building Bars and Boxing Day Parties37:15 Conclusion If you have a fun fact you’d like us to share, send us an email to: [email protected] 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.

Fun Facts and Sidetracks: The Ones That Got Away, Surprising Celebrity Babysitters and Stolen InventionsIn 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 Greetings00:55 The Ones That Got Away: Iconic Songs Rejected by Artists09:12 Celebrity Babysitters: Unexpected Connections15:56 Hollywood Connections: Keifer Sutherland and Gwyneth Paltrow16:57 Builder's Journey: From Music to Construction18:07 Famous Buildings Around the World22:38 Lego: The Ultimate Building Block25:32 Famous Inventions and Their True Origins32:06 Wrapping Up: From Supremes to Eiffel TowerIf you have a fun fact you’d like us to share, send us an email to: [email protected] 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.

If you have a fun fact you’d like us to share, send us an email to: [email protected] 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.

If you have a fun fact you’d like us to share, send us an email to: [email protected] 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.

If you have a fun fact you’d like us to share, send us an email to: [email protected] 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.

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' Banter01:09 The One That Got Away: Iconic Songs Rejected by Artists02:36 Unexpected Song Origins and Artist Stories08:31 Celebrity Hotel Aliases10:42 Crazy Coincidences in History15:44 Random Facts and Trivia16:54 Reflecting on Elvis and Austin Powers17:32 The Story of the Traveling Wilburys19:08 Fast Facts About Royalty22:58 Bicycle Fun Facts and History26:47 The Mobile Piano Player at Expo 8833:11 Wrapping Up with Final ThoughtsIf you have a fun fact you’d like us to share, send us an email to: [email protected] 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.

If you have a fun fact you’d like us to share, send us an email to: [email protected] 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.

Al and Marty chat about all sorts of fun facts and take a few side roads along the way. The ones that got awayThe 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 PomsA 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 toysWe 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 historyThese 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 factsThe Night's Watch cloaksLemons and limesA T-Rex with feathers?Say ‘Prunes’A crazy Pulp Fiction factApparently 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: [email protected] 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.