HOT 102.7FM HOT 1027 Classic Countdown: Backstory

HOT 1027 Classic Countdown: Backstory

The Backstory is your exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the songs, artists, and albums featured on this week's Classic Countdown with Steve Bishop on HOT 102.7FM. From iconic comebacks to unforgettable chart-toppers, we dive into the stories that shaped the hits you love.
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13 Episodes

Rod Stewart gets real about heartbreak, honesty, and songwriting

With that gravelly charm and a heart full of stories, Rod Stewart has spent decades turning real-life love and heartbreak into music that lasts. In a candid chat, he reveals why emotion can’t be taught — and why honesty remains his greatest instrument.
15 Oct 1 min

The untold story behind Christopher Cross’s meteoric rise

Before Christopher Cross became a household name in the early 1980s, he was quietly honing his craft in one of America’s most musically fertile cities: Austin, Texas. For a decade, Cross immersed himself in the city’s eclectic scene, surrounded by talents like Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Johnson, and Billy Gibbons…
1 Oct 1 min

The sweet and silly secret behind Bananarama’s band name

Back in the early 1980s, three fun-loving friends in London found themselves caught up in a whirlwind of music, fashion, and possibility. Little did they know their quirky choice of name — “Bananarama” — would follow them for decades, even as they went on to become one of the most…
17 Sep 1 min

How ABBA Took over the world - without even trying

It was the end of summer in 1974 — and the start of something truly special. ABBA had just performed Dancing Queen, and the world was about to fall head over heels for four Swedes who never imagined how big things would get.
17 Sep 1 min

Vince Clarke’s bold leap: from Depeche Mode to Yazoo

When Depeche Mode burst onto the scene in the early ’80s, their synth-driven sound was spearheaded by Vince Clarke — a quiet, determined figure with a clear sense of direction. While the rest of the group were still finding their footing, Clarke already seemed to have a master plan. So…
27 Aug 1 min

More than music: Prince’s fight to own his masterpieces

Behind the grooves, glitter, and genre-defying hits lies a deeper story — one of creative defiance and a fierce fight for artistic ownership. When we spin a Prince track today, we’re not just hearing timeless music. We’re hearing the legacy of an artist who stood up for the right to…
6 Aug 1 min

From soundtrack sleeper to airplay giant: The story of Iris

🎙️ The Backstory is your exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the songs, artists, and albums featured on this week's Classic Countdown with Steve Bishop on HOT 102.7FM. From iconic comebacks to unforgettable chart-toppers, we dive into the stories that shaped the hits you love.
16 Jul 1 min

Natalie Cole’s Comeback Ride in a *Pink Cadillac*

In the mid-1980s, Natalie Cole was a woman fighting to reclaim her voice — and her place in the music world. By the age of 34, after years of struggling with drug addiction and dwindling record sales, she found herself nearly written off by the industry. But all of that…
9 Jul 1 min