PigzFromaGun

On what would've been his 90th birthday, today we honor Buddy Holly and his chirping Crickets. When it comes to The Beatles' early influences, they might've been the strongest!

Last week's news about Dolly Parton hurt. It changed my plans for the podcast. I had to dedicate this week's episode to her and the excellent music she's made.

Today we cover another late 60s counterculture icon, just as we did last week. It's maybe the most legendary guitarist there ever was... Jimi Hendrix!

Janis Joplin did a lot of living in her 27 years. We discuss the girl who sang the blues in this episode, and just how powerful her voice truly was.

Today we discuss one of the top rock acts of the mid-60s in the US, The Lovin' Spoonful! They had plenty of sunshiney songs, and yet it was a tune that had a little more edge to it that was their biggest hit.

Today we return to my all-time favorite a capella group, The Persuasions! They had some excellent albums in the early 1970s called "We Came to Play" and "Spread the Word". "The Sun" became an iconic a capella classic.

This episode tells the story of Manfred Mann, both the musician and the band! The OG band had some classic British invasion songs from the 60s, but the musician would reform an "Earth Band" for one more big hit in the 70s.

Today we celebrate The Spinners, one of the legendary R&B acts of the 1970s! They had plenty of great hits in that decade, but there's one in particular that has a special place in my heart.

Today we discuss one of the most popular doo wop groups, the "international ambassadors of musical good will"... The Platters! Their smooth sound is definitely a contrast from the street-corner harmony that we've discussed on the podcast.

Happy belated 250th birthday to the United States. I thought there'd be no better song to discuss than this oft-misunderstood tune by The Boss!

The Carpenters were the most famous act of the early 70s, with the beautiful harmonies of siblings Richard and Karen being the driving force. But sadly for Karen, the pressures of fame took their toll on her. 

This episode explores the early history of The Beach Boys, from 1962-63. They had a lot of hits on their rise to stardom, not least of which was "Surfin' USA".

The late 50s were a tumultuous time for Johnny Cash. Moving to a new record label and a new city, discovering pills, and being catapulted into country fame. But his story-telling music from this time was among his very best, including this underrated song!

This episode talks about one of my all-time favorite Billy Joel songs, on one of my very favorite albums of all time... Turnstiles! It's a true example of quality over quantity, where a homesick New Yorker put together 8 excellent songs about his return to the Big Apple. 

It's up a week late because of technical difficulties, but rest assured... we had to talk about The Drifters at some point on the podcast! Their legendary seven decade run began with Clyde McPhatter's bunch. And let's be honest, that's when the group was at their peak.

Today we delve into one of the most iconic pop stars of the 1980s, Cyndi Lauper. Her eclectic fashion sense was seen on MTV, and her synthy music dominated the airwaves. But this episode also explores how she was and is a key ally to the LGBT community, in particular with the song "True Colors".

Lionel Richie may have been the superstar of this famous R&B group... but it's Clyde Orange who delivers the vocals on my favorite of their songs. 36/24/36, oh what a winning hand!

It's the song that kicked off Beatlemania! We discuss this tune, as well as "She Loves You", "From Me To You", "This Boy", and many other classics from 1963. Enjoy!

More and more, this 1950s star has become one of my favorite country artists. He had a rather flamboyant lifestyle and nasally tenor voice... it's Webb Pierce!

Today, we go over one of my favorite one-hit wonders of the 1980s... Mickey! While Toni Basil didn't have the longest of music careers, her skills in dancing and choreography make for a fascinating story.

In honor of a certain unofficial holiday today, I decided to tell the tale of this controversial tune in the psychedelic rock genre! I dive into what makes it a great song, as well as other Byrds hits like "Mr. Tambourine Man".

Today's podcast is a half-hour dedicated to one of my all-time favorite doo wop groups, The Harptones. The legend of Willie Winfield and Raoul Cita's group lives on in 2026. 

I believe this is the longest episode of PigzFromaGun I've done yet, clocking in at nearly half an hour! But when you have an artist whose background is as fascinating as Johnny Cash... there's a lot to unpack. And we've just begun diving into his legendary music.

Now this is a tune that rock radio can't get enough of... "Heart of Glass" was a big hit for Blondie, and it wasn't there only one! In this episode, we chat about all of Blondie's big successes of the late 70s and early 80s. 

Today, we continue a story we started all the way back in episode 7! Whether it be the soaring lead tenor of Clyde McPhatter, the deep bass of Bill Brown, or even the authoritative leadership of Billy Ward... the early 50s Dominoes were a very interesting R&B group. And with songs like "Have Mercy Baby", those Dominoes were simply an excellent group as well.

Today is a hauntingly beautiful late 60s country song that perfectly exemplifies the Nashville sound. That being a tune I had heard of initially from a British YouTuber I like... he introdcued me to one Glen Campbell!

Today's episode features the epic hair metal band that rocked MTV in the mid-80s, Twisted Sister!

Today's episode introduces the greatest acapella group of all time and their powerful version of this classic song from the 1920s.

For today's episode, all I'm asking is that you respect that Aretha Franklin had more great songs than "Respect"! Here's a deep dive into her career, including that song that was her signature tune.

What Motown group is more legendary than The Temptations? Probably none, and a big reason to do with that is this #1 hit from 1965 that is still as amazing today as it was six decades ago. Do you know this song? Of course you do, it's "My Girl"!

We just had the Super Bowl, so it only makes sense we discuss the man with the most legendary halftime show in the game's history. And that would be none other than Prince! And in this episode, we focus in particular on what I think is quite deservedly his signature tune, the marathon masterpiece "Purple Rain". 

Last week I couldn't upload because of the snowstorm. But today, I have an excellent doo wop song in store for you. As one hit wonders go, this one strikes quite a chord!

Over 50 years after this iconic tune's release, and the waitress is still practicing politics, and the businessman is slowly getting stoned. If ever there was a song that has aged like fine wine... it's the song that gave Billy Joel his name. The Piano Man!

We pick up where we left off in the Sam Cooke story! He had just become a pop sensation with "You Send Me"... but he outgrew his label. He'd sign with RCA, where his very first single with them would be this masterpiece.

In our first episode of 2026, the Fab Four make their grand entrance! This episode explores their early history, dating back from the 1956 formation of the Quarrymen, all the way to their debut 1962 hit in the UK.

This is the longest episode yet, but it's about a song well worth your time! It's a four and a half minute masterpiece, telling of an epic trip through a little old town called Nazareth. Here, our narrator encounters eccentric, you might even say crazy, residents. Enjoy the story of "The Weight"!

This episode features 12 doo wop classics to get us in the mood for the holiday season! With such songs as "Jingle Jangle", "Hey Santa Claus", and of course... "Christmas Morning", you simply can't go wrong. Merry Christmas everyone :)

Today's episode today discusses not just into music, but also kids' books and a little bit of politics. Because hey, we're talking about the legendary Dr. Seuss! And the song that emerged from his most cretinous creation.

There's always a feeling of Christmas in the air as long as Bing Crosby is singing! This episode celebrates his career, and in particular, his holiday-themed tunes. Although, the prolific artist recorded over 1,600 different songs in his lifetime.

We're in the holiday spirit now on this podcast! This week's episode features songs from a famous 1964 Christmas album... you could say it's a story that you've all been told. But I'm telling it again here!

Today's episode is my longest one yet... over 23 minutes! But with a song as legendary and iconic as this John Denver classic, I'd say it's worth it.

This episode is dedicated to 5 obscure Brooklyn doo wop songs, and what little I can tell of their artists. All 5 of them lived their vocal group lives like a candle in the wind! And the episode was all inspired by an uptempo ditty called "Ankle Bracelet".

Today we cover the fascinating career of Nancy Sinatra, a swinging sixties lady whose swagger and signature song helped separate her from her father's shadow. Are you ready? Start listening!

We're in 1967, the summer of love! And with this particular episode, the young narrator needs a quick airplane ride to find his lover. Sorry, aeroplane.

When I finished last week's episode by saying we'd discuss an R&B legend... this is who I had in mind! Sam Cooke is as good as it gets for late 50s/early 60s R&B. In this episode we cover his soul-stirring gospel beginning, to his secular transformation. 

This week's episode is on one of my favorite groups of the late 50s... The Paragons! Produced by a cranky man, their raw vocal harmony shined on the 1959 album "The Paragons Meet The Jesters". Here's 20 minutes about their story. 

Got this dance that's more than real! We're skipping straight into the 1980s with our latest episode. It features a spotlight on a trio of , goofy New Yorkers turned hip hop stars.

We have an 18-minute long episode for Episode 18! This one is all about The Shirelles run of hits in the early 60s, with a particular emphasis on one legendary slow jam.

We begin our era of randomness with this 1961 uptempo song! The Quotations are pure, street corner harmony.

The legend of Hank returns one more time before we start the random format of our podcast! And what better way to wrap up 1951 than with a great uptempo song of his?