The Ledge #535: The Queen Is Dead

Once I heard the news of Queen Elizabeth's death on Thursday morning, I knew I had to dump my planned broadcast for this week. Surely I could put together a show that both celebrates and criticizes not only the monarchy but the entire country.

For me, the quintessential British rock band is The Kinks. There may be better bands from that country (name them!) but nobody captures that country like the writings of Ray Davies. Same with The Jam and The Clash a decade later, or Billy Bragg, The Smiths, Robyn Hitchcock, and mny others a decade after that. Pairing a few highlights of those artists with some samplings of the great British punk movement of the late 70s, and you have two hours of fantastic British tributes...even if a couple of the artists are actually American. 

I would love it if every listener bought at least one record I played on either of these shows. These great artists deserve to be compensated for their hard work, and every purchase surely helps not only pay their bills but fund their next set of wonderful songs. And if you buy these records directly from the artist or label, please let them know you heard these tunes on The Ledge! Let them know who is giving them promotion! You can find this show at almost any podcast site, including iTunes and Stitcher...or

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1. The Smiths, The Queen Is Dead 

2. The Kinks, Waterloo Sunset

3. The Kinks, Sunny Afternoon

4. The Kinks, The Village Green Preservation Society

5. The Kinks, Victoria 

6. The Jam, London Traffic

7. The Jam, London Girl

8. The Jam, Eton Rifles

9. Billy Bragg, A New England

10. Billy Bragg, England, Half English

11. Graham Parker, England's Latest Clown

12. Robyn Hitchcock & The Egyptians, Veins Of The Queen (Royal Mix)

13. Andy Partridge, When We Get To England

14. Nick Lowe, The Rose of England

15. The Clash, London Calling

16. The Clash, London's Burning

17. The Clash, English Civil War

18. The Clash, This is England

19. Carbon/Silicon, The Gangs Of England

20. The Pogues, London Girl

21. The Pogues, Dark Streets Of London

22. The Pogues, London You´re A Lady

23. Screaming Lord Sutch, London Rocker

24. The Pretty Things, London Town

25. The Adicts, England

26. Sham 69, Red London

27. Horrorcomic, England 77

28. JOHNNY THUNDERS, LONDON BOYS (Alternate Mix)

29. Cock Sparrer, England Belongs to me

30. The Lurkers, London Jeepster

31. The Go-Go's, London Boys [Live]

32. Idol Threats, Sick on England

33. Anti-Nowhere League, Streets of London

34. Frank Turner, Long Live The Queen

35. Sex Pistols, God Save The Queen