Episode 48: Right Song, Wrong Timing | The Power Pop Pioneers

Send us Fan MailBefore Cheap Trick, The Cars, The Knack and the power pop bands that followed, a handful of artists were already combining loud guitars, huge hooks and ’60s-inspired harmonies into something that would help define the genre.In this installment of “Right Song, Wrong Timing,” Christopher goes back to the power pop pioneers who had the songs and the sound, but ran into bad timing, record label problems, changing musical trends and some truly bizarre twists of fate.This episode features Big Star’s “September Gurls,” The Raspberries’ “Overnight Sensation (Hit Record),” Dwight Twilley Band’s “I’m on Fire,” The Rubinoos’ “I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend,” and The Real Kids’ “All Kindsa Girls.”Along the way, you’ll hear how Alex Chilton and Big Star became one of rock’s most influential cult bands, how Eric Carmen blended Beatles melodies, Beach Boys harmonies and the power of The Who, how “Jaws” helped derail Dwight Twilley’s follow-up to a Top 20 hit, why The Rubinoos played “Sugar, Sugar” to a Jefferson Starship crowd, and how a French music journalist helped The Real Kids make their first record.The story also crosses paths with The Ramones, Tom Petty, John Lennon, Jonathan Richman and more as we trace the roots of the sound that became power pop.Then it’s time to turn down the guitars, open the bar, and mix this episode’s featured cocktail, “The Overnight Sensation.”If you love classic rock, power pop, ’70s rock, Big Star, The Raspberries, music history and the stories behind the songs, this episode is for you.Support the showWho Ordered the Pie? a music history podcast with custom cocktail pairings. Show notes, recipes, and extras: WhoOrderedThePie.com Follow: Apple Podcasts • Spotify • YouTube • Instagram