Tag: Shep Pettibone

June 12, 2026

The B-52’s – Wig (UK 12″) (1987)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

Wig! The B-52’s Let Their Hair Down

Some songs tell you to fit in. Then there are songs like “Wig” by The B-52’s that practically dare you to stand out.

Released as a single in the UK in 1987 from the album Bouncing Off the Satellites, “Wig” is one of the most gloriously offbeat entries in The B-52’s remarkable catalog. It may not have achieved the commercial heights of later hits like “Love Shack” or “Roam,” but for longtime fans, “Wig” remains an irresistible celebration of individuality, self-expression, and having the confidence to be exactly who you are.

And really, what could be more fitting for Pride Month than that?

By the time Bouncing Off the Satellites finally arrived in record stores, The B-52’s had endured unimaginable heartbreak. Original guitarist Ricky Wilson had passed away in October 1985 from complications related to AIDS. Devastated by the loss of their friend, bandmate, and creative force, the group chose not to tour in support of the album’s original U.S. release.

Instead, the record became something of a transitional chapter. It captured the final recordings created with Ricky’s unmistakable musical fingerprints while hinting at the resilience that would eventually propel the band into their next era.

“Wig” perfectly embodies the playful absurdity that made The B-52’s unlike anyone else. Built around a buoyant groove and punctuated by Fred Schneider’s unmistakable spoken declarations, the song encourages listeners to throw caution to the wind and embrace transformation.

Need confidence? Put on a wig.

Need an attitude adjustment? Put on a wig.

Need a little extra fabulousness? You know what to do.

Beneath the campy humor lies a surprisingly empowering message. Long before conversations about authenticity and chosen identity became commonplace, The B-52’s understood that fashion, performance, and self-invention could be acts of liberation. Whether it was teased hair, thrift store glamour, vintage dresses, or outrageous accessories, they championed the idea that identity could be joyful, fluid, and entirely your own.

The UK embraced “Wig” enough to send it into the Top 80, peaking at No. 79 on the singles chart. Released to coincide with the delayed British issue of Bouncing Off the Satellites, it allowed the band to reconnect with audiences overseas through television appearances and promotional performances. Although it was a modest chart success, the song developed a devoted following among fans who appreciated its eccentric charm.

Years later, the band rediscovered their affection for the track and began performing it live again, beginning in 2010. A live version would eventually appear on their concert album With The Wild Crowd! Live in Athens, GA, proving that even deep cuts can have a second life when audiences are finally ready to celebrate them.

The B-52’s always occupied a unique space in popular music. Emerging from Athens, Georgia, in the late 1970s, they blended new wave, surf rock, kitsch, dance music, and pure art school weirdness into something entirely their own. Their thrift store aesthetic and joyful embrace of the unconventional made them icons for generations of outsiders.

For LGBTQ+ listeners especially, The B-52’s represented possibility. They invited everyone onto the dance floor. Misfits were welcome. Individuality was encouraged. The stranger you were, the better.

So this Pride Month, if the world feels a little too serious, take a cue from Fred, Kate, Cindy, Keith, and Ricky.

Turn up the volume.

Strike a pose.

Adjust your attitude.

And if all else fails…

Put on a wig.

Whether you remember buying the 7-inch back in 1987 or are discovering this wonderfully weird gem for the first time, “Wig” remains a reminder that self-expression should be celebrated, joy should never be underestimated, and life is simply more fun when you’re not afraid to be a little outrageous.

SIDE A:
Wig 4:30
Producer – Tony Mansfield
Written-By – The B-52’s

Summer Of Love (Remix) 4:00
Producer – Tony Mansfield
Remix [Re-Mix], Producer [Additional Production] – Shep Pettibone
Written-By – C. Wilson, K. Pierson, K. Strickland, R. Wilson

SIDE B:
Song For A Future Generation 3:59
Producer – Steven Stanley
Written-By – The B-52’s

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

Chart Performance — The B-52’s: Wig (1987)
Chart	Peak Position	Date
UK Singles Chart	#79	1987

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label:Island Records – 12 BFT 2
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Single
Country: UK
Released: Jun 1987
Genre: Rock
Style: Pop Rock

CREDITS:

Design – Island Art
Photography By – Mike Prior (2)
Stylist [Styling] – Sue Venning

NOTES:
Track A2 Produced For – Mastermix Productions

But the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for BURNING THE GROUND

THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon Concorde Music Black
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Ject Tube Box DS2
Phono Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
Audio Interface: MOTU M4
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Cleaning Solution: Turgikleen Record Cleaning Solution
Scanner: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner

SOFTWARE:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 25 (Recording)
Down Sampling/Dither: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator

RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi

PLEASE READ

There are two 24-Bit links; if one does not work, try the other

**24-bit FLAC Only Available For SIX Days!

Password: burningtheground

You can help show your support for this blog by donating using PayPal.

I appreciate your help.

March 25, 2026

Louie Louie – Sittin’ In The Lap Of Luxury (US 12″) (1990)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

The late ‘80s and early ‘90s were filled with larger-than-life personalities, and few embodied that flashy, genre-blending spirit quite like Louie Louie. A singer, dancer, and actor with undeniable charisma, Louie Louie carved out a unique space in pop with his 1990 hit “Sittin’ in the Lap of Luxury.” Now, with the news of his passing on March 20 at the age of 63, it feels like the right moment to revisit the song that brought him into the Top 40—and into the memories of pop fans everywhere.

Released as the lead single from his debut album The State I’m In, “Sittin’ in the Lap of Luxury” perfectly captured the slick, polished sound of its era. Built on a groove that blends pop, dance, and a touch of new jack swing attitude, the track showcased Louie Louie’s confident vocal style and flair for theatrical delivery. It wasn’t just a song—it was a statement. And audiences responded.

The single became Louie Louie’s only entry into the Billboard Hot 100 Top 40, peaking at #19 in 1990. While he never repeated that level of mainstream chart success, the track remains a defining moment of his recording career—a glossy, infectious anthem of indulgence and ambition that still sounds right at home alongside the era’s biggest dance-pop hits.

Before his recording career took off, Louie Louie paid his dues as a dancer in Las Vegas, where he honed the stage presence that would later define his performances. That same charisma caught the attention of pop royalty—he famously appeared as the love interest in Madonna’s iconic 1984 video for “Borderline,” a role that gave him early exposure on MTV and helped establish his on-screen appeal.

By the time he stepped into the spotlight as a recording artist, Louie Louie had already built a strong visual identity—and that carried over into the music video for “Sittin’ in the Lap of Luxury.” Directed by a then up-and-coming Michael Bay, the clip is a stylish, high-energy affair filled with striking imagery and attitude, hinting at the cinematic flair Bay would later bring to Hollywood blockbusters.

Over the years, Louie Louie released four albums and even found himself connected to the orbit of Prince through collaborations tied to the Paisley Park scene. While he never became a household name on the level of his contemporaries, his work reflects a fascinating cross-section of late ‘80s pop—where dance, R&B, and visual storytelling collided in bold, colorful ways.

“Sittin’ in the Lap of Luxury” stands today as both a time capsule and a testament: a reminder of an artist who brought style, ambition, and undeniable presence to everything he did. With his recent passing, the song takes on an added poignancy—capturing Louie Louie at his brightest, living out the very dream he sang about.

For those who remember it, it’s a nostalgic return to a vibrant moment in pop history. And for those discovering it now, it’s a perfect introduction to an artist who, if only for a moment, truly sat in the lap of luxury.

SIDE A:
Sittin’ In The Lap Of Luxury (Sheps Jam – Louie’s Fav) 6:48
Sittin’ In The Lap Of Luxury (Shep’s Dub Deluxe) 6:40

SIDE B:
Sittin’ In The Lap Of Luxury (Shep’s / Dizzy Acid Mix) 5:06
Sittin’ In The Lap Of Luxury (Urban 7″) 4:14
Sittin’ In The Lap Of Luxury (Shep’s Shortcut) 4:26

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

Chart Performance – Louie Louie: *Sittin’ In The Lap Of Luxury* (1990)
Chart	Peak Position	Date
US Billboard Hot 100	#19	1990
US Billboard Hot Dance Music / Club Play	#11	1990
US Billboard Hot Dance Music / Maxi-Singles Sales	#17	1990
US Billboard Hot R&B / Hip-Hop Singles	#74	1990
Australia (ARIA)	#51	1990
Canada Top Singles (RPM)	#34	1990

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: WTG Records – 41 73168
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1990
Genre: Electronic, Funk / Soul, Pop
Style: New Jack Swing, Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Edited By – Tony Shimkin
Engineer [Remix] – Goh Hotoda
Producer – Frankie Blue, Les Pierce
Programmed By – Alan Friedman
Remix – Shep Pettibone
Written-By – Les Pierce, Louie Louie (2)

Also available: “The State I’m In” on WTG cassettes, compact discs and records.

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for BURNING THE GROUND

THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon Concorde Music Black
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
Audio Interface: MOTU M4
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner

RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi

**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!

Password: burningtheground

You can help show your support for this blog by donating using PayPal. I appreciate your help.

October 10, 2025

Will To Power – Fading Away (US 12″ Promo) (1988)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

NEW 2025 Transfer
NEW Meticulous Audio Restoration

Original post date: June 10, 2013

I have given “Fading Away” a brand-new 2025 transfer, ensuring that every synth, beat, and vocal nuance hits with pristine clarity. It’s the ultimate way to experience this late-80s dance gem, whether on the club floor or through your own speakers at home.

When Will To Power released their self-titled debut album in 1988, most listeners immediately noticed the massive medley Baby, I Love Your Way/Freebird Medley. But another track from that era, Fading Away, deserves just as much attention for its emotive vocals, lush synths, and undeniable dance floor energy.

Produced by Bob Rosenberg, Fading Away blends heartfelt emotion with polished late-80s dance-pop production. The lyrics deal with the pain of a fading love, and the arrangement—soft atmospheric synths building into a driving beat—creates the perfect tension between introspective balladry and club-ready rhythm.

On the charts, Fading Away had modest mainstream success, peaking at #65 on the US Pop chart in February 1989 and reaching #84 in the UK Singles Chart the following month. However, the track found its true audience in the dance world. It climbed to #2 on the Billboard Hot Dance Singles Sales chart and spent two weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart—making it Will To Power’s second chart-topper in clubs, after Say It’s Gonna Rain in 1988.

A big part of its dance success came from the remixes by Shep Pettibone, one of the era’s premier remixers. Pettibone extended the song’s ethereal synths and accentuated its rhythmic pulse, transforming Fading Away into a club-ready anthem that DJs could spin for peak-hour energy.

BONUS DISCONET EDIT

As a special treat for collectors and DJs, there’s also the rare Disconet Remix service edit, remixed by one of New York’s exciting editors, Mervyn “Funkmaster” Jordan. This explosive, non-stop edit turns the song into a floor-packing powerhouse—perfect for DJs looking to blow the roof off the house. Jordan’s edit highlights the track’s infectious energy while adding his own signature punch, making it a standout in any collection.

For fans of 80s synth-pop, freestyle, and dance music, Fading Away remains a standout track. It’s a reminder that Will To Power’s artistry went beyond their big medley hit, and that some of the best moments in dance-pop history lie just beneath the surface, waiting to be rediscovered.

SIDE A:
Fading Away (Power House Mix) 8:42
Fading Away (Power House Dub) 6:43

SIDE B:
Fading Away (Big Beat Mix) 8:35
Fading Away (The Rhythm Dub) 6:14

BONUS TRACK:
Fading Away (Disconet Edit) 7:00
Edited By – Mervin “Funkmaster” Jordan

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

Chart Performance — Will To Power: Fading Away (1988)
Chart	Peak Position	Date
US Billboard Dance Music / Club Play	#1	1989
US Billboard Hot 100	65	1989
US Billboard Dance Music / Maxi-Singles Sales	#2	1989
UK Singles Chart	#84	1989
Australia (ARIA)	#153	1989

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Epic – 49 08183
Format: Vinyl, 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo
Country: US
Released: 1989
Genre: Electronic
Style: Freestyle, House

CREDITS:

Edited By – Chep Nunez*
Mastered By – Ted Jensen
Producer – Bob Rosenberg
Producer [Additional Production], Remix [Re-Mix] – Shep Pettibone
Written-By – B. Rosenberg*

NOTES:
DEMONSTRATION
NOT FOR SALE
Additional Production/Remix for Mastermix Productions
Special Version From The Epic LP: “WILL TO POWER”

DISCONET EDIT taken from Volume 11 Program 2

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for BURNING THE GROUND

THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon Concorde Music Black
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
DAC: Alpha Design Labs GT40a USB DAC
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner

RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi

**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!

Password: burningtheground

You can help show your support for this blog by donating using PayPal. I appreciate your help.

May 29, 2025

Duran Duran – I Don’t Want Your Love (UK 12″ Promo) (1988)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

NEW 2025 Transfer
NEW Meticulous Audio Restoration

Original post date: June 17, 2014, February 21, 2018

Rhythm Is The Power

In 1988, Duran Duran returned to the dancefloor with a bold and funky new single that marked a sharp evolution in their sound: “I Don’t Want Your Love.” Released as the lead single from their Big Thing album, the track showed the band embracing a tougher, more club-oriented edge, blending their signature synth-pop sensibilities with house and funk elements that fit right into the late-’80s musical landscape.

Produced by Jonathan Elias and Duran Duran, and mixed by Shep Pettibone, this post features the UK 12″ promo, which includes the extended “Big Mix” and the rare “Dub Mix,” the latter of which remained exclusive to this promo for over a decade until it finally saw CD release on 1999’s Strange Behaviour remix compilation. The Big Mix, handled by the legendary Shep Pettibone, stretches out the track’s groove with bold synth layers, tight guitar riffs, and an elastic bassline that’s pure club gold. Meanwhile, the Dub Mix strips things down, zeroing in on rhythm and texture—essential for DJs and remix heads alike.

Lyrically, “I Don’t Want Your Love” was a defiant departure from the romanticism of earlier hits like “Save A Prayer.” Here, Simon Le Bon delivers a pointed, almost confrontational message, distancing himself from a manipulative relationship. The attitude was matched by a sleek, high-concept video directed by Steve Lowe, with courtroom drama imagery underscoring the song’s themes of judgment and rejection.

Despite—or perhaps because of—its shift in tone and style, “I Don’t Want Your Love” became a commercial success. It peaked at #4 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and #14 in the UK, giving the band one of their last major Top 10 hits in the States. For longtime fans, it signaled that Duran Duran wasn’t content to rest on their New Romantic laurels—they were ready to evolve with the times and challenge expectations.

This marks the third time I’ve transferred this 12″ for Burning the Ground—but with the benefit of time, experience, and cutting-edge tech, I truly believe the third time’s the charm. This brand-new 2025 transfer was done using my latest high-end setup, including the phenomenal Ortofon Concorde Music Black cartridge, delivering every nuance with stunning clarity and depth.

SIDE A:
I Don’t Want Your Love (Big Mix) 7:34
Engineer [Mix] – Bob Rosa
Producer [Additional], Mixed By – Shep Pettibone
Programmed By [Uncredited] – Alan Friedman

SIDE B:
I Don’t Want Your Love (Dub Mix) 7:36
Engineer [Mix] – Bob Rosa
Producer [Additional], Mixed By – Shep Pettibone
Programmed By [Uncredited] – Alan Friedman

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1988	I Don’t Want Your Love	U.S. Billboard Hot 100	#4
1988	I Don’t Want Your Love	U.S. Billboard Modern Rock Tracks	#13
1988	I Don’t Want Your Love	U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play	#1

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: EMI ‎– 12 YOUR DJ 1
Format: Vinyl, 12″, Promo, 45 RPM
Country: UK
Released: 1988
Genre: Electronic, Pop
Style: House, Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Producer – Daniel Abraham, Duran Duran, Jonathan Elias
Recorded By, Mixed By – Daniel Abraham
Written-By – Taylor*, Rhodes*, Le Bon*

NOTES:
Recorded and mixed for White Falcon Productions.
Additionally produced and mixed for Mastermix Productions.
Mastered at Sterling.

From the Duranduran album “BIG THING”

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for burningtheground.net

THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon Concorde Music Black
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
DAC: Alpha Design Labs GT40a USB DAC
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner

RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi

**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!

Password: burningtheground

You can help show your support for this blog by donating using PayPal. I appreciate your help.