Long Way to the Top

Go West became one of the defining pop acts of the 1980s with timeless hits including We Close Our Eyes, Call Me, Don't Look Down and the global favourite The King of Wishful Thinking.
In this episode of Long Way to the Top, Shayne Brian sits down with Peter Cox, the unmistakable voice of Go West, to discuss the band's incredible 40-year journey, the stories behind their biggest songs, and why their music continues to connect with audiences around the world.
Peter reflects on Go West's rise during the golden age of MTV, the success of The King of Wishful Thinking after its appearance in Pretty Woman, and the band's enduring popularity. He also talks about returning to Australia after touring here with Nik Kershaw in 2024, and what fans can expect from the new Australian tour alongside Debbie Gibson.
If you love classic 1980s music, behind-the-scenes stories, songwriting, and the artists who created the soundtrack to a generation, this is an episode you won't want to miss.
In this episode:
The origins of Go West
The story behind We Close Our Eyes
How The King of Wishful Thinking became a worldwide classic
The impact of Pretty Woman
Touring Australia with Nik Kershaw and now Debbie Gibson
Life on the road after four decades
Peter Cox's thoughts on legacy and longevity
Shayne's Fast Five
AUSTRALIAN TOUR AND TICKET INFORMATION
Tour dates, venues, VIP packages and tickets:
https://www.destroyalllines.com/tours/go-west
Official Ticketek ticket page:
https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/Show.aspx?sh=GOWEST26
Debbie Gibson official website:
https://debbiegibsonofficial.com/
Subscribe to Long Way to the Top for more in-depth conversations with the artists who created the songs, albums and unforgettable moments that shaped popular music.
Visit:
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#GoWest #PeterCox #TheKingOfWishfulThinking #DebbieGibson #LongWayToTheTop #80sMusic #ClassicPop #WeCloseOurEyes #PrettyWoman #MusicPodcast #ShayneBrian #AustralianTour #RetroMusic #NewWave #PopMusic
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Debbie Gibson joins Shayne Brian on Long Way to the Top ahead of her long-awaited return to Australia as special guest on Go West’s 40th Anniversary Tour.
Debbie became one of the defining pop artists of the late 1980s with an extraordinary run of hits including “Only in My Dreams,” “Shake Your Love,” “Out of the Blue,” “Foolish Beat,” “Electric Youth” and “Lost in Your Eyes.”
At just 17, “Foolish Beat” made Debbie the youngest female artist to write, produce and perform a Billboard Hot 100 number-one single, a record she continues to hold. Every one of her US Top 20 singles was written solely by Debbie, establishing her as much more than a teenage pop star. She was a songwriter, musician and producer determined to maintain control of her own music.
In this revealing conversation, Debbie takes us inside the writing and production of her biggest songs. She discusses the heartbreak behind “Foolish Beat,” the enduring emotional connection fans have with “Lost in Your Eyes,” and why the message of “Electric Youth” remains relevant decades later.
Debbie also reflects on the pressures of achieving international fame as a teenager, fighting to be recognised as a serious songwriter, and the important role her mother played in protecting her creativity and career.
The conversation explores her remarkable life beyond the original hits, including her extensive musical theatre career, starring roles in productions such as Les Misérables, Grease, Beauty and the Beast, Chicago and Cabaret, her return to the charts with “Girls Night Out,” and the release of her album The Body Remembers.
Debbie also discusses her bestselling memoir, Eternally Electric, the meaning behind its title, and what she has learned from more than four decades of reinvention, resilience and making music on her own terms.
Debbie Gibson returns to Australian stages for the first time since 1989, joining Go West for shows in Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Hobart and Brisbane from 25 August to 4 September 2026. Audiences can expect a celebration of classic pop featuring Debbie’s greatest hits alongside Go West favourites including “We Close Our Eyes,” “Call Me” and “King of Wishful Thinking.”
AUSTRALIAN TOUR AND TICKET INFORMATION
Tour dates, venues, VIP packages and tickets:
https://www.destroyalllines.com/tours/go-west
Official Ticketek ticket page:
https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/Show.aspx?sh=GOWEST26
Debbie Gibson official website:
https://debbiegibsonofficial.com/
Subscribe to Long Way to the Top for more in-depth conversations with the artists who created the songs, albums and unforgettable moments that shaped popular music.
Visit:
https://facebook.com/thelongwaytothetoppodcast
#DebbieGibson #GoWest #ElectricYouth #FoolishBeat #LostInYourEyes #OnlyInMyDreams #EternallyElectric #GoWestTour #AustralianTour #80sMusic #80sPop #PopMusic #Songwriting #MusicInterview #LongWayToTheTop #ShayneBrian
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Angry Anderson has made a massive announcement exclusively on Long Way to the Top with Shayne Brian, confirming the final Rose Tattoo shows ever.
After more than five decades of blood, sweat, beers and uncompromising rock ’n’ roll, one of Australia’s most influential bands is preparing to take its final bow. In this special episode, Angry Anderson reflects on the extraordinary Rose Tattoo journey, from the pubs of Sydney to international tours with ZZ Top and Aerosmith, and reveals why 2026 will mark the band’s final year on the road.
Angry discusses the fans who have carried Rose Tattoo through every decade, the enduring power of songs including Bad Boy for Love, Rock ’n’ Roll Outlaw, Nice Boys, Scarred for Life and We Can’t Be Beaten, and the emotions behind saying goodbye to a band that has become part of the fabric of Australian rock music.
The farewell concerts will also feature the return of legendary guitarist Rockin’ Rob Riley, joining Angry Anderson, Mick Arnold, Steve “Kingy” King and Paul DeMarco. Rob Riley will perform the landmark Scarred for Life album in its entirety with Rose Tattoo, along with more classics from the band’s celebrated catalogue.
For one final time, Rose Tattoo are turning it up loud and celebrating more than 50 years of music, mateship, resilience and authentic Australian rock ’n’ roll.
Rose Tattoo Final Australian Shows 2026
Friday, 18 September
Prince Bandroom, Melbourne, VIC
Final Victorian show
With Willie J’s 6V6’s and Hot Machine
Sunday, 20 September
The Gov, Adelaide, SA
Final South Australian show and early Sunday performance
No support
Friday, 25 September
Factory Theatre, Sydney, NSW
With Willie J’s 6V6’s and Hot Machine
Saturday, 26 September
The Triffid, Brisbane, QLD
Final Brisbane show
With Willie J’s 6V6’s and Hot Machine
The September dates and venues have been confirmed, with tickets now available through the official Rose Tattoo website.
Tickets: https://www.rosetattoo.com.au/
Listen to the full conversation as Angry Anderson joins Shayne Brian on Long Way to the Top to announce the final Rose Tattoo shows and look back on the legacy of a true Australian rock ’n’ roll institution.
Visit:
https://facebook.com/thelongwaytothetoppodcast
#RoseTattoo #AngryAnderson #LongWayToTheTop #AustralianRock #AussieRock #RockNRollOutlaw #ScarredForLife #WeCantBeBeaten #BadBoyForLove #NiceBoys #RoseTattooFarewellTour #FinalShows #FarewellTour #RockinRobRiley #AustralianMusic #ClassicRock #PubRock #HardRock #RockLegends #MusicPodcast #ShayneBrian #LiveMusicAustralia #AustralianRockHistory #RockInterview #RockMusicPodcast
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Forty-five years after changing the sound of Australian rock, Sunnyboys are back to celebrate one of the greatest debut albums in Australian music history.
In this special episode of Long Way to the Top with Shayne Brian, guitarist Richard Burgman reflects on the band's remarkable journey, the enduring legacy of Sunnyboys, and the release of the stunning 45th Anniversary 4LP vinyl box set. Packed with rare demos, live recordings, the original Phantom Records EP, exclusive interviews and previously unreleased material on vinyl, this collection tells the complete story of the band's unforgettable first year.
Richard shares behind-the-scenes memories of recording classic songs including Happy Man, Alone With You, I Can't Talk To You and Tunnel of Love, while discussing the brilliance of songwriter Jeremy Oxley, the explosive Sydney music scene of the early 1980s, and why Sunnyboys continue to inspire generations of Australian musicians.
The conversation also explores the band's highly anticipated one-off reunion performance in Brisbane, what fans can expect from the show, and why the music still resonates more than four decades later.
Whether you've loved Sunnyboys since 1981 or you're discovering one of Australia's most influential guitar bands for the first time, this is a fascinating look inside the making of an Australian rock masterpiece.
In this episode:
The story behind the Sunnyboys 45th Anniversary 4LP vinyl box set

Rare demos, live recordings and never-before-released material

Richard Burgman's memories of Sunnyboys' rise to fame

Jeremy Oxley's songwriting and lasting influence

The making of Australian classics including Happy Man and Alone With You

Behind the scenes of the upcoming Sunnyboys reunion show

The band's legacy in Australian rock history

Subscribe to Long Way to the Top with Shayne Brian for in-depth conversations with the artists, musicians and music legends who created, and continue to create, the soundtrack of our lives.
Visit:
https://facebook.com/thelongwaytothetoppodcast
#Sunnyboys #RichardBurgman #JeremyOxley #AustralianRock #AustralianMusic #LongWayToTheTop #ShayneBrian #Vinyl #ClassicRock #MusicPodcast #HappyMan #AloneWithYou #WarnerMusic #RockHistory #AussieMusic
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This is a special re-release of an interview I recorded with Martin Kemp from Spandau Ballet late last year. It was such a fascinating conversation that I knew it deserved to be heard again.
Long before True, Gold, Only When You Leave, and Communication became worldwide hits, Spandau Ballet were at the centre of a cultural revolution that transformed music, fashion, and pop culture. In this in-depth conversation, Martin takes us back to the band's formative years, from the legendary Blitz Club in London's Soho to becoming one of the defining bands of the 1980s.
The interview also celebrates the release of Everything Is Now – Vol. 1: 1978–1982, the definitive box set chronicling Spandau Ballet's groundbreaking early years. Martin shares stories about the band's rise from underground innovators to international superstars, the creative energy that fuelled their first recordings, and the friendships that helped shape one of Britain's most successful bands.
In this episode you'll hear:
The incredible story of how Spandau Ballet was born at London's legendary Blitz Club

The making of the early classics including To Cut a Long Story Short, The Freeze, Chant No. 1, and Instinction

Behind-the-scenes stories from the band's formative years

How the New Romantic movement changed music and fashion forever

Martin's reflections on the journey that led to timeless hits like True, Gold, and Communication

Why Everything Is Now – Vol. 1: 1978–1982 is the ultimate collection for Spandau Ballet fans

Whether you've been a fan since the New Romantic era or you're discovering Spandau Ballet for the first time, this conversation offers a unique look inside one of the most influential bands of the 1980s.
Subscribe to Long Way to the Top with Shayne Brian for in-depth conversations with the artists, musicians, and industry legends who created, and continue to create, the soundtrack of our lives.
Visit: https://facebook.com/thelongwaytothetoppodcast
#MartinKemp #SpandauBallet #EverythingIsNow #True #Gold #NewRomantic #BlitzClub #80sMusic #ClassicPop #BritishMusic #LongWayToTheTop #ShayneBrian #MusicPodcast #ToCutALongStoryShort #Communication
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