Back Issue Banter #31: Remembering Gerry Conway

60 years ago, The Beach Boys released an album that was their definitive musical statement.  However, some fans and even band members didn't see it that way. Of course we're talking about Pet Sounds, and once again, I got Brad Page (I'm In Love With That Song podcast) to take a deep dive into the music and the stories behind the songs Here today, we'll go off on a few tangents as we explore Beach Boy Brian Wilson's masterwork.  Hang on to your egos, kids, because this episode's gonna cause some waves for sure!   Check out Brad Page's even deeper dive into "You Still Believe In Me" at https://lovethatsongpodcast.com/tag/beach-boys/  

Here they come!  Who would have thought 60 years ago that a band put together for a TV show would still continue to impact pop culture? We do, that's who!  In this episode, Jeff Harris (Behind The Grooves) and me delve into the lore and legend of The Monkees, tackling the origins, the TV show and their first four classic albums. We had fun poring over the songs, the visuals, and the madness that comprised what was then cynically referred to as "The Pre-Fab Four." Listen to this podcast and you'll...be a believer! Check out Jeff Harris' Behind The Grooves music blog!  patreon.com/behindthegrooves

Once again, we've brought our cohort Brian Linnen (Permanent Record Podcast) into the fray, as he himself suggested this episode's topic! We delve into the second-ever comics miniseries, The Untold Legend Of The Batman by John Byrne and Jim Aparo.  This is an alternate look back at the Batman's mysterious origin and pre-history (pre Crisis, of course) and it's an interesting take on the then 40 year old character. We had a lot of fun dissecting this series  with our old friend Brian and you will too if you dare to listen!   Check out Brian and Sarah Linnen's Permanent Record Podcast:  https://www.permanentrecordpodcast.com/

All aboard! This time, we  take a lot at Ozzy Osbourne's first decade as a solo artist, a decade in which the Prince of Darkness himself, (aka "The Madman") established himself as one of the biggest acts in rock! Julian Gill (KISS FAQ Podcast) helps me go through analyze the five studio albums and two live albums that Ozzy and his band generated in that decade, finding out what made these classic albums tick, and why they're testaments to the greatness that is Ozzy!

This episode, we delve into the 80s classic, The Rocketeer, by Dave Stevens. We take a fun look at a classic book that harkened back to older times, yet was fun, adventurous, and a rollicking romp for any comic book fan. We'll go through the history of this book and leave no stone unturned!  

We go back to the 80s for a further look at the discography one of rock's greatest groups, the champions themselves, Queen. Once again, Brian Linnen (Permanent Record Podcast) and me take a deep dive into Queen's second decade, a time when Queen was experimenting with different musical styles and incorporating new elements like synthesizers into the mix. We had fun -- as we always do -- delving into the varied music by this legendary band! Check out Permanent Record Podcast's deep dive into Queen's A Kind Of Magic:  https://permanentrecordpodcast.com/queen-a-kind-of-magic-1986-part-1

This episode, we celebrate the life and career of a legend, Gerry Conway, who passed away on April 26, 2026. Mr. Conway had a long and storied career, and we delve into some of his most enduring works, such as The Death Of Gwen Stacy in The Amazing Spider-Man #121 as well as many others. We both enjoyed Mr. Conway's work mightily over the years and decades and we reminisce about his many great stories and works.  

30 years ago, the hottest band in the land (KISS) reunited with its original lineup of Paul, Gene, Peter, & Ace and took over the concert landscape, eclipsing top grossers like Garth Brooks, among others. The Alive Worldwide tour reinvigorated KISS and brought them back to prominence after years of diminishing returns.  Lee Conrad (KISSstory Science Theatre) had much to say about this significant period in...wait for it...KISSstory! We had fun discussing KISS as always and how a series of events led to the reunion that the fans had been demanding for years! Check out Lee Conrad's caricature site at https://www.leeceethedrawguy.com/  !!!

Let's take a trip back to the turbulent 70s, when a comic book dared to tackle the real life issues that plagued America!   Of course, we're covering the legendary Green Lantern / Green Arrow run by Denny O' Neil and Neal Adams, which dared to take on such burning issues as bigotry, sexism, and an unflinching look at the perils of drug abuse. This would change the course of modern comics, making the comic companies realize they could balance super heroics with gritty realism.  The comics world would never be the same...

50 years ago, a boy band from the UK -- more specifically, Scotland -- overtook America during it's Bicentennial year and the US hasn't been the same ever since. It was the year that The Bay City Rollers occupied the hearts of minds of every young woman in America and to that end, two of those young ladies have returned to share their thoughts on what it was like to be a Rollermaniac back in 1976! Laura Donahue Brady (Dedication - Fans Remember The Bay City Rollers) and uberfan Debbie Smith Clarke were not shy about sharing their memories of what it was like to be young and in love with five boys from a land far, far away. As the Rollers' year started off with their first #1 hit in the US, it was a sign that the Tartan clad BCR would take over and we had a lot of fun talking about it!