The Profs are back, and this time with a very special and very much in-demand guest.  R Alan Siler is the Co-host of the Modern Musicology Podcast, owner and author at kOZMIC Press, and host of The Doctor Who A-Z Podcast.  We invited him on to talk all things rock and metal in the 1980s.  In this freeform episode, we asked Alan to ponder and discuss the following topics and more:  What was/is the value of keyboard in hard rock and metal;  what qualified as "rock" music in the 1980s, and how have our perceptions changed?; should metal ever be mainstream?; our shared love of KISS; DIO and Bowie holograms touring "live"; songs that didn't age well; 1970s rock bands that were unable to transition successfully into the 80s culture of bombast and glitz, and much more!  As always, Court and I thank all of you for your patience, as we are producing few episodes these days due to other time commitments.  We are so grateful to all of you who download, listen, and interact with us on the Rock and Metal Profs Facebook page.  You are appreciated!  

The Profs are back after a long hiatus.  Matt traveled Italy in search of a great rock and metal store, but to no avail. Apparently, Italians LOVE Jazz!  Court visited Chicago, and saw Mr. Speed in Chattanooga, a fantastic KISS tribute act.  Now, the profs are chomping at the bit.  We tackle the Sunset Strip: the Talented, the Determined, and the Deluded!  We want to thank all of our listeners for being patient and sticking with us while we blew off some steam.  Let's do this!!!

The early 1980s was a time of tremendous change and transition for KISS.  Just a few years prior, the "Hottest Band in the World" was selling out arenas and their albums shipped platinum.  However, by 1981, Peter Criss was out of the band, with Ace Frehley soon to follow.  The next few years brought line-up changes, a disastrous concept album (Music from the Elder), a return to rock album that sold poorly (Creatures of the Night), and the momentous decision by the band to finally reveal their true identities to the public.  KISS re-imagined and re-branded with their 11th studio album "Lick it Up", and began their ascent to the top once more.  Embracing the 80s hard rock bombast, guitar shredders, and all the glam and glitter of the decade, KISS showed they were still the Kings of the Mountain.  Court, Matt and Tim discuss the often misunderstood and much maligned "Music from the Elder", the return to form with "Creatures of the NIght", and the brilliance of the first two non-makeup albums, "Lick it Up" and "Animalize."