Was 'Press to Play' really a failure—or is it one of Paul McCartney's most misunderstood albums?<br /><br />In this episode of Booked On Rock, I sit down with author Luca Perasi to explore the fascinating story behind McCartney's 1986 album Press to Play. Drawing from extensive research and interviews with key figures involved in the project, Luca examines the album's ambitious blend of cutting-edge 1980s production, experimental songwriting, and classic McCartney melodies.<br /><br />We discuss the album's troubled reputation, McCartney's creative partnership with Eric Stewart, the influence of producer Hugh Padgham, the impact of Live Aid and the Michael Jackson catalog controversy, and why Press to Play may deserve a major reappraisal. If you're a Paul McCartney fan—or simply curious about one of the most debated albums of his solo career—this is an episode you won't want to miss.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Paul-McCartney-Press-Unmistakable-Milestones/dp/B0FC2Y11JZ" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Purchase a copy of <i>Paul McCartney: Press to Play. That Unmistakable 80s Sound (Milestones)</i></a><br /><br />Follow Luca Perasi<br /><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/lucaperasi.bsky.social" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bluesky</a><br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/lucaperasi/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Facebook</a><br /><a href="https://www.instagram.com/lucaperasi/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Instagram</a><br /><a href="https://x.com/LucaPerasi" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">X</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.lily-publishing.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Visit the L.I.L.Y. Publishing website</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@PaulMcCartneyMusicIsIdeas" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Visit Luca Perasi's YouTube channel PaulMcCartneyMusicIsIdeas</a><br /><i></i><br /><i>----------<br /><br />🎧 <b>Listen Ad-Free on Patreon</b><br />Support Booked On Rock and get every new episode completely commercial-free with the Backstage Pass.<br />Join here: https://www.patreon.com/cw/BookedOnRock<br /><b></b><br /><b>🛒 Old Glory -  Iconic music and sports fan merch<br />💰 Get 15% OFF | Promo Code: BOOKEDONROCK<br /><a href="https://oldglory.com/discount/BOOKEDONROCK" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://oldglory.com/discount/BOOKEDONROCK</a></b><br /><br />Booked On Rock is part of <a href="https://goboneless.lovable.app/?fbclid=IwY2xjawOMsP5leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF2cEY4eFB5TmpSVUluSTVEc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHiXRejfcz_gRmAxaQK4dbTkOj2N59C0pfXMJWeqnykjej-GyrqUfijU-CoaM_aem_YNBvODDs-m0nzGcX5CiKfA&amp;brid=dSbyFOgxjRZ6bBq2zjvCbQ" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Boneless Podcasting Network</a><br /> <br /><a href="https://www.bookedonrock.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BookedOnRock.com</a><br /> <br /><a href="https://bookedonrock-shop.fourthwall.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Booked On Rock Store</a><br /> <br /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbqUFiA-IGq97wkB5FEJB4Q" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Booked On Rock YouTube Channel</a><br /> <br /><b>Follow The Booked On Rock with Eric Senich:</b><br /><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/bookedonrock.bsky.social" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BLUESKY</a><br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/bookedonrockpodcast" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FACEBOOK</a><br /><a href="https://www.instagram.com/bookedonrockpodcast" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">INSTAGRAM</a><br /><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@bookedonrock" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TIKTOK</a><br /><a href="https://twitter.com/bookedonrock" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">X</a><br /> <br /><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/indie-store-finder" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Find Your Nearest Independent Bookstore</a><br /> <br /><b>Contact The Booked On Rock Podcast:</b> [email protected]<br /> <br /><b>The Booked On Rock Music:</b> “Whoosh” by <a href="https://www.crowander.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Crowander</a> / “Last Train North” &amp; “No Mercy” by <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCALNf7YM2pEGJvIHf1zxftA" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TrackTribe</a></i>