From the Desk of CLASSICKONG | WTSG-DB Digital Broadcasting
Welcome to November
Good morning, friends, and welcome to Sunday, November 1, 2026!
Well, Halloween is officially behind us. The vampires have returned to their coffins, the werewolves have gone home, and somewhere there’s a kid wondering how much Halloween candy he can eat before breakfast.
I hope everybody had a fantastic Halloween!
And now, here we are, beginning a brand-new month. Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and we’ve got plenty to be thankful for, including another great day of music!
Today’s journey takes us from the remarkable jazz guitar of Pat Martino to the hard-rock sounds of Scorpions, Ratt, and Megadeth. We’ve got legendary songwriters, birthdays, unforgettable records, and some fascinating chart history.
So grab that cup of coffee, settle in, and let’s get this show rolling!
Salute to Service
November is National Veterans and Military Families Month, a time to recognize the men and women who have served our country and the families who stand beside them.
To our veterans, active-duty military personnel, and their loved ones, thank you for your service, your sacrifices, and your commitment.
As a fellow veteran, I’m proud to recognize you here at WTSG-DB.
And as Veterans Day approaches, we’ll have another opportunity to honor those who’ve worn the uniform.
National Days
National Author’s Day
Today we recognize the writers whose words entertain us, challenge us, make us laugh, and sometimes change the way we see the world.
And let’s not forget our songwriters!
Some of the greatest stories ever told last only three or four minutes.
Of course, that pretty much leaves this podcast out of the running!
Around here, we need at least that long just to get through the introduction!
National Cinnamon Day
November 1st is also National Cinnamon Day.
Cinnamon rolls, apple pie, cinnamon toast… now we’re talking!
There’s something about the smell of cinnamon that makes a kitchen feel like home.
Just remember, if you’re putting cinnamon in my coffee, you might want to ask first.
I take my coffee seriously, friends!
Pat Martino — Remembering a Master of Jazz Guitar
August 25, 1944 – November 1, 2021
Five years ago today, the music world lost one of its truly extraordinary guitarists, Pat Martino, at the age of 77.
Born Patrick Azzara in Philadelphia, Martino became one of the most respected jazz guitarists of his generation.
His playing combined remarkable speed, precision, complex harmonies, and a musical voice that was unmistakably his own.
He began performing professionally as a teenager and worked with outstanding musicians including Willis Jackson, Jack McDuff, and Richard “Groove” Holmes.
By the late 1960s, Martino was recording albums under his own name, establishing himself as a major talent.
Among his essential recordings are El Hombre (1967), Desperado (1970), and Consciousness, recorded in 1974 for Muse Records.
That last album has a special place in my memory.
My dad was an amazing guitarist who also made a living playing and performing professionally. He was a tremendous admirer of Pat’s playing. I remember hearing his records around the house when I was growing up.
And when you listen to the man’s playing, it’s not hard to understand why.
But there’s another part of Martino’s story that deserves attention.
In 1980, following serious neurological problems, he underwent brain surgery and experienced devastating memory loss.
Among the things he struggled to remember was how to play guitar.
Imagine that, friends.
You’ve spent your life mastering an instrument, developing your own musical language, and earning the respect of fellow musicians.
And suddenly, much of that knowledge is gone.
But Pat Martino wasn’t finished.
He gradually rebuilt his abilities, using his earlier recordings as part of the process of rediscovering his musical identity.
By 1987, he had returned to recording with an album appropriately titled The Return.
What an extraordinary achievement.
Martino continued performing and recording for decades, inspiring musicians and listeners around the world.
His legacy isn’t simply about technical brilliance. It’s about dedication, perseverance, and an extraordinary love for music.
And today, five years after his passing, that music continues to speak for itself.
Must-Have Discogs
- El Hombre — 1967, Prestige Records
- Desperado — 1970, Prestige Records
- Consciousness — recorded 1974, Muse Records
- The Return — 1987, Muse Records
- Remember: A Tribute to Wes Montgomery — 2006, Blue Note Records
Hard Rock and Heavy Metal — Turn It Up!
All right, friends, time to change gears!
We’re going from sophisticated jazz guitar to some serious hard rock and heavy metal.
And we’ve got three terrific bands lined up.
Scorpions, Ratt, and Megadeth!
Turn those speakers up!
Scorpions — Fly to the Rainbow
Released November 1, 1974 | RCA Records
Fifty-two years ago today, German rockers Scorpions released their second studio album, Fly to the Rainbow.
And if you’re familiar primarily with their huge 1980s hits, this album might surprise you.
The Scorpions of 1974 were still exploring their musical identity.
With Klaus Meine on vocals, Rudolf Schenker on rhythm guitar, and Uli Jon Roth on lead guitar, the band combined hard rock with progressive and psychedelic influences.
The album features “Speedy’s Coming,” an energetic rocker that gives listeners a taste of the band’s developing sound.
But the lengthy title track reveals another side of the group, with adventurous guitar passages and a much more atmospheric approach.
This wasn’t yet the polished, arena-filling Scorpions of Blackout or Love at First Sting.
It was a band experimenting, growing, and laying the foundation for everything that would follow.
And Uli Jon Roth’s guitar playing is a major reason this album remains worth exploring.
Must-Have Discogs
- Fly to the Rainbow — 1974, RCA Records
- In Trance — 1975, RCA Records
- Virgin Killer — 1976, RCA Records
Ratt — Reach for the Sky
Released in 1988 | Atlantic Records
Now we’re jumping forward to 1988 and one of the most recognizable bands of the Sunset Strip era.
Ratt’s fourth studio album, Reach for the Sky, delivered another helping of the band’s distinctive hard-rock sound.
Stephen Pearcy’s unmistakable vocals, Warren DeMartini and Robbin Crosby’s guitars, Juan Croucier’s bass, and Bobby Blotzer’s drumming gave Ratt a sound all their own.
The album includes “Way Cool Jr.” and “I Want a Woman.”
And Warren DeMartini? Man, that guy could play!
His guitar work had style, precision, and personality. He knew how to deliver a great solo without losing sight of the song.
But while we’re talking about Ratt, we absolutely have to mention their breakthrough album, Out of the Cellar, released in 1984.
That record gave us “Round and Round,” “Wanted Man,” and “Back for More.”
It’s one of the defining albums of the band’s career and an essential part of any serious 1980s hard-rock collection.
So today, we’re giving Ratt a well-deserved salute as Reach for the Sky celebrates its 38th anniversary year.
Must-Have Discogs
- Out of the Cellar — 1984, Atlantic Records
- Invasion of Your Privacy — 1985, Atlantic Records
- Reach for the Sky — 1988, Atlantic Records
Megadeth — Youthanasia
Released November 1, 1994 | Capitol Records
Thirty-two years ago today, Megadeth released its sixth studio album, Youthanasia.
And what a lineup this band had!
Dave Mustaine on vocals and guitar, Marty Friedman on lead guitar, David Ellefson on bass, and Nick Menza on drums.
Following the enormous success of Countdown to Extinction, Megadeth continued exploring a more deliberate, groove-oriented sound without abandoning the power and precision that made them famous.
The album opens with “Reckoning Day,” a song that immediately lets you know the band means business.
Then there’s “Train of Consequences,” with that unforgettable guitar riff.
And “The Killing Road” gives Marty Friedman another opportunity to demonstrate what an exceptional guitarist he was.
Youthanasia reached No. 4 on the Billboard 200, continuing Megadeth’s impressive commercial success.
And there’s another memorable song on this album with a French title.
But friends, after spending enough time trying to learn Fortnite build mode, I’m not about to start taking French lessons on the air!
We’ll just say it’s a beautiful song and leave it at that!
Must-Have Discogs
- Rust in Peace — 1990, Capitol Records
- Countdown to Extinction — 1992, Capitol Records
- Youthanasia — 1994, Capitol Records
Jim Steinman — A Birthday Salute to a Larger-Than-Life Songwriter
November 1, 1947 – April 19, 2021
Today would have been the 79th birthday of songwriter, composer, and producer Jim Steinman.
And friends, when we talk about Jim Steinman, we’re talking about a man who believed music should be BIG!
Big melodies. Big emotions. Big arrangements.
And songs that sounded like they belonged on a theater stage as much as they did on a rock album.
His legendary partnership with Meat Loaf helped create Bat Out of Hell, one of the most celebrated rock albums ever recorded.
Steinman also wrote Bonnie Tyler’s “Total Eclipse of the Heart” and Air Supply’s “Making Love Out of Nothing at All.”
We’ve spent plenty of time celebrating Jim’s remarkable music on recent broadcasts, so today we’re simply going to raise our hats and wish him a heavenly happy birthday.
Jim, you gave us music that was dramatic, unforgettable, and absolutely one of a kind.
And for crying out loud, we’re sure glad you did!
Must-Have Discogs
- Meat Loaf — Bat Out of Hell — 1977, Cleveland International/Epic Records
- Jim Steinman — Bad for Good — 1981, Cleveland International/Epic Records
- Meat Loaf — Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell — 1993, MCA Records
David Foster — Celebrating a Master Producer
Born November 1, 1949
Happy 77th birthday to Canadian musician, songwriter, arranger, and producer David Foster!
Few people have had a greater impact on the sound of popular music over the past several decades.
Foster’s work stretches across pop, rock, adult contemporary, and R&B.
His credits include work with Chicago, Earth, Wind & Fire, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, and Barbra Streisand.
He co-wrote Earth, Wind & Fire’s beautiful “After the Love Has Gone,” a song that demonstrates how sophisticated musicianship and a memorable melody can work together.
His production work with Chicago also helped shape some of the band’s biggest hits of the 1980s.
And if you’ve ever listened closely to a David Foster production, you know how much attention he pays to every detail.
The arrangements, the harmonies, the instruments, and the vocals all have their place.
That’s the work of somebody who understands not just how to make a recording, but how to make a song come alive.
Happy birthday, David, and thanks for all that wonderful music!
Must-Have Discogs
- Earth, Wind & Fire — I Am — 1979, ARC/Columbia Records
- Chicago — Chicago 16 — 1982, Full Moon/Warner Bros. Records
- Chicago — Chicago 17 — 1984, Full Moon/Warner Bros. Records
Rick Allen — The Thunder God and the Meaning of Loyalty
Born November 1, 1963
Today we’re wishing a very happy 63rd birthday to Rick Allen, the longtime drummer of Def Leppard.
Rick joined the band as a teenager and went on to help power some of the most successful hard-rock albums of the 1980s.
His drumming can be heard on classics including High ‘n’ Dry, Pyromania, and Hysteria.
But Rick’s story took a devastating turn in December 1984 when he lost his left arm in an automobile accident.
For most people, losing an arm would seem to mean the end of a career as a professional drummer.
But Rick Allen wasn’t ready to give up.
Working with specially adapted electronic drums and pedals, he gradually developed a new approach to playing his instrument.
And he returned to the stage.
That’s an extraordinary story of determination all by itself.
But there’s another part of Rick Allen’s story that deserves recognition, and that’s the loyalty of his bandmates.
Following Rick’s devastating accident, Def Leppard stood behind him as he worked to return to the drums.
They gave him the time, encouragement, and opportunity to continue doing what he loved.
And friends, I think that says an awful lot about the character of those musicians.
In an industry where money, fame, and commercial success can sometimes overshadow everything else, Def Leppard demonstrated that friendship and loyalty still mean something.
They didn’t simply stand behind a drummer.
They stood behind their friend.
And to me, that’s worth more than any platinum record hanging on the wall.
So today, happy birthday to Rick Allen. And a heartfelt salute to his bandmates, including Joe Elliott, Rick Savage, Phil Collen, and the musicians who helped make his remarkable comeback possible.
That’s a band worthy of our respect.
Must-Have Discogs
- High ‘n’ Dry — 1981, Vertigo/Mercury Records
- Pyromania — 1983, Vertigo/Mercury Records
- Hysteria — 1987, Bludgeon Riffola/Mercury Records
The Beatles — Abbey Road Tops the American Album Chart
November 1, 1969
On this date in 1969, Abbey Road reached No. 1 on the American album chart.
Although Let It Be would be released the following year, Abbey Road contained the Beatles’ final album recording sessions together.
And what an extraordinary album it was.
“Come Together,” “Something,” “Here Comes the Sun,” and the famous second-side medley helped make it one of the group’s most admired recordings.
George Harrison’s contributions were particularly impressive, demonstrating how far he had developed as a songwriter.
Then there’s the production, the musicianship, and that instantly recognizable album cover.
Four musicians walking across a London street became one of the most famous images in music history.
More than half a century later, Abbey Road remains essential listening.
Must-Have Discogs
- Abbey Road — 1969, Apple Records
- Revolver — 1966, Parlophone/Capitol Records
- Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band — 1967, Parlophone/Capitol Records
Elvis Presley — Suspicious Minds Reaches No. 1
November 1, 1969
The Beatles weren’t the only music legends celebrating a major chart milestone on this date.
On November 1, 1969, Elvis Presley reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Suspicious Minds.”
Written by Mark James and recorded by Elvis at American Sound Studio in Memphis, the song became one of the defining recordings of his late-1960s comeback.
That unforgettable opening, the dramatic arrangement, and Elvis’s passionate vocal performance helped turn it into a classic.
And who can forget the way the recording fades out, only to come roaring back for one final burst of energy?
That’s the kind of record that demands your attention right to the very end.
And speaking of suspicions, does anybody remember Eddie Rabbitt’s “Suspicions”?
Between Elvis’s “Suspicious Minds” and Eddie’s “Suspicions,” I’m beginning to think somebody around here knows something they’re not telling us!
Of course, I’m not suspicious.
I’m just asking questions!
Must-Have Discogs
- From Elvis in Memphis — 1969, RCA Victor Records
- “Suspicious Minds” — 1969, RCA Victor single
Lyle Lovett — Celebrating an Original American Voice
Born November 1, 1957
Happy 69th birthday to Texas singer-songwriter Lyle Lovett!
Lovett has always been difficult to place into a single musical category.
And that’s one of the things that makes him special.
His music draws from country, jazz, folk, blues, gospel, and western swing.
His songwriting can be funny, thoughtful, heartfelt, and occasionally all three in the same song.
Albums such as Pontiac and Joshua Judges Ruth demonstrate a musician who follows his own instincts rather than chasing whatever happens to be fashionable.
And here at WTSG-DB, we appreciate musicians who understand that good music doesn’t need to fit inside a neat little box.
Happy birthday, Lyle!
Must-Have Discogs
- Pontiac — 1987, MCA/Curb Records
- Joshua Judges Ruth — 1992, MCA/Curb Records
Final Spin
You know, friends, the older I get, the more I realize that some of the most valuable things in life aren’t things at all.
They’re the people who stand beside us when the going gets tough. The ones who believe in us when we’re having trouble believing in ourselves.
Talent is a wonderful gift. Success is something to celebrate. But loyalty? Friendship? Those are things you can’t put a price tag on.
And sometimes the greatest comeback isn’t about getting back to where you were. It’s about discovering what you’re still capable of becoming.
Of course, at my age, some mornings just remembering why I walked into the kitchen feels like a pretty impressive comeback!
But seriously, friends, if you’ve got somebody in your life who’s stood by you through thick and thin, don’t wait for a special occasion to tell them what they mean to you.
I hope everybody had a wonderful Halloween! And now, as we turn the calendar to November and begin looking forward to Thanksgiving, let’s remember that being thankful isn’t something we should save for one day a year.
Every day we’re given is a gift. Every friendship is a blessing. And every opportunity to make somebody else’s day a little better is worth taking.
And a special shout-out to my Gaming Kong Crew! Thanks for the friendship, the laughs, and all the great times we’ve shared. Win or lose, it’s always a pleasure hanging out with you guys.
Although some of you really do need to put down those controllers and TOUCH GRASS once in a while!
Love you guys!
And that’s gonna do it for today, friends. Hopefully I’ve maybe put a smile on your face, and a song in your heart. Take care of yourselves, help others when you can, and always, always, keep the music playing.
GREAT MUSIC. GREAT RADIO. GREAT COMMUNITY!
CLASSICKONG | WTSG-DB Digital Broadcasting
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References and Further Reading
- Pat Martino — Official Discography
- Pat Martino — Official Biography
- Scorpions — Fly to the Rainbow
- Megadeth — Official Website
- Ratt — Reach for the Sky, Apple Music
- Ratt — Out of the Cellar, Apple Music
- Def Leppard — Rick Allen
- Rick Allen — Official Biography
- The Beatles — Abbey Road Chart History
- Billboard Hot 100 — November 1, 1969
- National Day Calendar — National Cinnamon Day
