Stan Ridgway

While enjoying a multifaceted and successful solo career, Stan Ridgway is best remembered by some as the maestro behind Wall Of Voodoo's classic early 80's hit, "Mexican Radio." And while "Mexican Radio" is undeniably a great tune, it only hints at the full range of Ridgway's palette as a songwriter, film composer and performer. Originally conceived as a soundtrack company for low budget sci-fi and horror films, Wall Of Voodoo formed in 1977 in Hollywood, with singer/songwriter Ridgway as the focal point. They released their self-titled debut EP in 1980, followed by their first full length LP Dark Continent. With 1982's Call of the West, featuring the ubiquitous "Mexican Radio," the band found major success, but Ridgway left for a solo career shortly after the band appeared at 1983's US Festival. Ridgway's first solo album, The Big Heat, was released late in 1985, and included the underground hit, "Drive, She Said," as well as "Salesman," and the title track, a brooding piece of electr