| IMAGINE | With 38-Across, band with the hit "Radioactive," and a hint to the ends of the answers to starred cl |
| DUANE | Founding member of 38-Across band |
| BON | With 44-Across, band with the #1 hits "Bad Medicine" and "Livin' on a Prayer" |
| GRAPESOFWRATH | As per #1-Across... Band, with The, from Kelowna, BC: 3 wds. |
| MIDDLEEAR | Site of the hammer, anvil and stirrup ... and a hint to the hidden word in the answers to starred cl |
| BEONTHEBALL | Demonstrate effectiveness, and a literal hint to the puzzle theme found in the answers to starred cl |
| BCS | Recently retired NCAA football ranking system, and, as a plural, a hint to the answers to starred cl |
| POSITIVE | Word (suggested by the black shape in this grid's center) that can precede the answers to starred cl |
| CHEAPTRICK | *Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band with the hits "The Flame" and "I Want You to Want Me" |
| THETIMES | With 38- and 52-Across, 1964 Bob Dylan song ... or a hint to the answers to this puzzle's starred cl |
| RATT | Heavy-metal band with the hit albums "Out of the Cellar" and "Infestation" |
| CHARLOTTE | Identical twins Joel and Benji Madden front the rock band with the hit Keep Your Hands Off My Girl, |
| YES | Band with the hit album "Close to the Edge" |
| SURVIVOR | Rock band with the hit Eye of the Tiger (8) |
| STYX | Band with the hits The Best of Times and Babe |
| SLADE | Spelling-challenged band with the hits "Cum On Feel the Noize" and "Mama Weer All Crazee Now" |
| REPO | Across' band: "___ Love Her" |
| ELO | Band with the hit album 'A New World Record' |
| CREED | Band with the hit song "With Arms Wide Open" |
| REM | Band with the hit 1991 album Out of Time |
