When John Lennon returned in 1980 with some of the most contented sounds of his career, it gave greater weight to an earlier tune like this.

Tom Scholz had been mulling over the smash hit “Amanda,” which arrived this month in 1986 as part of Boston’s ‘Third Stage,’ for some six years.

Ben Folds’ ‘Way to Normal,’ released in September 2008, found him recalling past glories, even as he became ever more potty mouthed.

Released this week in 1981, ‘Discipline’ found a retooled King Crimson stirring new wave elements into their essential prog sound.

AndersonPonty Band’s “I See You Messenger” is a meeting of the minds between two still-vibrant and visionary musicians from the ’70s.

‘The Incident,’ released this week in 2009, helped establish Porcupine Tree as a melodically inclined, less wank-inclined progressive rock band.

The Electric Light Orchestra never rocked harder than they did on “Do Ya,” released this week in 1976 as part of ‘A New World Record.’

Ronnie Wood remembers a hilarious mishap from his pre-Rolling Stones solo project ‘I’ve Got My Own Album To Do, released on Sept. 13, 1974.

Pink Floyd’s ‘Wish You Were Here’ arrived on Sept. 12, 1975 after a lengthy, very difficult period of creative inertia, Nick Mason says.

Danny Seraphine joins us to discuss how a shocking loss sparked “Take Me to Chicago,” released on Sept. 12, 1977 as part of ‘Chicago XI.’