My Classic Album with Mike Norris

This month has been christened 'Sicksense September' here on 'My Classic Album' as members of this fantastic new band join Mike to discuss the classic albums that have inspired them! First up it's Robbie J. Fonts (also of Stuck Mojo) who has chosen the debut album from metal legends Slipknot!

Emerging from the Iowa music scene, Slipknot turned metal on it's head upon signing to Roadrunner Records and releasing their first album in ...

Deepfall vocalist Terry DeWit drops by My Classic Album to chat about Alice In Chains's uncompromising second studio album 'Dirt'.

In the throes of a heroin addiction, AiC vocalist Layne Staley approaches 'Dirt' with unflinching honesty which still hits hard to this day. Together Mike and Terry discuss the state of the band and the world around them as they recorded the album that would make them one of the cornerstones of 90's roc...

Leader of Down's Tim Atkinson joins Mike on this edition of 'My Classic Album' to celebrate the album that ushered in a new era for Motorhead... 1986's 'Orgasmatron'.

From a member of the Motorhead fan club to forming a band with their legendary guitarist Wurzel, Tim has a truly enviable perspective of the Motorhead story with today's chosen album being Wurzel's first with the iconic band.

Why did Lemmy not appreciate the productio...

The best selling debut album of the new Millennium gets the 'My Classic Album' treatment as Fame on Fire vocalist Bryan Kuznitz joins Mike to chat about Linkin Park's 'Hybrid Theory'.

An important album in both Mike and Bryan's formative years, together they discuss the early days of one of the biggest bands of the 21st century and how 'Hybrid Theory' is still influencing music over 20 years on.

How did Chester Bennington react to ...

Arran Day from UK rockers These Wicked Rivers drops by 'My Classic Album' to chat with Mike about 'Deja Vu' from Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young!

Already a force to be reckoned with as a trio, the addition of Stephen Stills's former Buffalo Springfield bandmate foreshadowed an album that would inspire many including Arran for decades to come.

How much creative involvement did Neil Young have on the album?

Which historic musical event ...

30 years after its initial release, Tori Amos's debut album is still inspiring musicians including Loz Campbell who joins Mike to chat all things 'Little Earthquakes'.

On a crusade to make the piano more than a passive instrument, Tori created an album that kickstarted a critically acclaimed career.

 

Which professional wresting legend has singled out 'Winter' as his favourite song?

How did Tori react to her label rejecting her ini...

50 years after its initial release, Wishbone Ash's third studio album is still influencing rock bands the world over. In a special anniversary episode of 'My Classic Album', Mike is joined by Firekind bass player Dan Morris to celebrate the album 'Argus'.

From hearing it around the house in childhood to touring with founding Wishbone member Martin Turner, Dan's emotional connection to the album is evident making him just one of gen...

Mike is joined by Goodbye June guitarist Tyler Baker as they enter 'Bayou Country' with Creedence Clearwater Revival!

The first of three studio albums released by CCR throughout 1969, Tyler and Mike discuss how the band took the world by storm with their swamp rock sound.

Which popular TV show recreated the 'Born on the Bayou' riff for it's transitional scenes?

Who does Tyler believe recorded the definitive version of 'Proud Mary'....

All aboard!!!

Guitarist extraordinaire Sammy Boller stops by to chat with Mike about 'Blizzard of Ozz', the iconic debut solo album from the Prince of Darkness himself Ozzy Osbourne.

Together Mike and Sammy celebrate the album that resurrected Ozzy after his dismissal from Black Sabbath and hail the ungodly talent of guitarist Randy Rhoads.

 

How much of an influence has Randy's guitar playing been on Sammy?

Why were the contributi...

Fred Hale and Andy 'Moose' Muse make up two fifths of UK Southern Rock band Sons of Liberty. Fred and Moose kindly took time out to chat with Mike about the southern rock album that started it all - the debut album from Lynyrd Skynyrd.

After ten years on the live circuit, Skynyrd took full advantage of their big break. Together Fred, Moose and Mike explore why the songs on 'Pronounced' have endured so strongly for nearly 50 years.

...

Lzi Hayes, one quarter of rising UK rockers The Hot Damn joins Mike to geek out over one the majesty of Toto and their celebrated fourth studio album.

A band with mixed fortunes in the early 80's, Toto were in danger of being dropped by their label while simultaneously contributing to Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'. Lzi and Mike explore why Toto IV brought the band back from the brink.

 

How was 'Rosanna' influenced by John Bonham's ...

Before Neil Young waged war on Spotify, he was already one of the most acclaimed singer songwriters of all time. Mike is joined by British blues rock guitarist and songwriter Jack J Hutchinson to celebrate Young's breakthrough album 'After The Gold Rush'.

A regular on greatest album lists, 'After The Gold Rush' saw Neil build on his success with Crosby, Stills and Nash and record an album that still resonates with listeners over 50...

Ale, Dany and Pau make up a trio of sisters who also happen to be one of the fastest rising bands in rock today! The Warning take time out to join Mike and celebrate their chosen classic album: My Chemical Romance’s ‘The Black Parade’.

An album influential on all three sisters, The Warning share the impact the story of The Patient’s journey to the afterlife has had. Together Mike and the band explore the album in full including how...

Mike returns with all new episodes of 'My Classic Album' as the podcast begins its 4th season! Season 4 kicks off with our most ambitious episode yet as Mike is joined by the King of Slide Guitar Troy Redfern to break down all three acts of Frank Zappa's rock opera 'Joe's Garage'.

Released in two parts by Zappa in 1979, Troy and Mike explore 'Joe's Garage' as a whole; often ambitious, constantly surreal yet ultimately packing an em...

One of the most successful and critically acclaimed albums of all time; Nirvana's second album 'Nevermind' becomes only the 5th album to earn an anniversary special on 'My Classic Album'.

Martha's Nathan Stephens-Griffin returns to the podcast to sit down with Mike and discuss an album that changed music forever, and played a huge role in their friendship as teenagers as well as their mutual love of music.

Why do we have the Pixie...

Singer songwriter Riva Taylor joins Mike to share her love for 'Diva', the debut solo album from the iconic Annie Lennox.

After ruling the 80's with Dave Stewart as part of Eurythmics, Annie kickstarted her solo career with an album full of career defining songs including 'Why', 'Little Bird' and 'Walking On Broken Glass'. Together Riva and Mike discuss how Annie was able to forge her own path throughout the 90's and beyond.

Which ...

One of the most accomplished guitarists on the planet Ron 'Bumblefoot' Thal joins Mike to share his love of Yes and their 1977 album 'Going For The One'.

From the moment Ron first heard the title track as a child growing up in Staten Island, he was transported into a world created by the sheer beauty he heard across the five tracks on 'Going For The One'. Together with Mike, Ron shares why his love for this album still runs deep an...

Emlee Johansson, drummer of Swedish rockers Thundermother joins Mike to discuss Iron Maiden's iconic 5th album 'Powerslave'.

Amongst an unparalleled run of albums from Maiden in the 1980s, for many (including Emlee), 'Powerslave' sits as the pinnacle of the legendary metal band's career. Emlee recalls hearing opening track 'Aces High' for the first time and how this directly impacted her own journey into music.

Which song on 'Power...

The legendary David Bowie finally makes his 'My Classic Album' debut courtesy of Def Leppard guitarist Phil Collen. Phil joins Mike on this episode to discuss Bowie's celebrated album 'Aladdin Sane'.

With a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame career of his own, Phil reveals the impact David Bowie had on him in his formative years and how this album set him on his own musical journey... and of course with Mike being such a huge Def Leppard fan...