Redbeard’s Blog

Jethro Tull- The Zealot Gene- Ian Anderson

Not since "Aqualung" over half a century ago had Ian Anderson addressed the historic  characters and iconography of the Old and New Testament Bible this head on, mixed with twentieth century and even current events, as on "The Zealot Gene" by Jethro Tull. Ian Anderson is my guest here In the Studio.

Jackson Browne-

This interview with Jackson Browne features highlights"Doctor My Eyes","Jamaica Say You Will", and "Rock Me on the Water" from his January 1972 debut; "Late for the Sky" 's  title song as well as "Fountain of Sorrow" from 1974; his commercial breakthrough and multi-million seller "The Pretender" in November 1976 with "Here Come Those Tears Again" and the timeless title song; and a 2010 live acoustic version of the 1977  Jackson Browne mega-hit "Running on Empty".

Charlie Daniels Band- The Devil Went Down to Georgia 1-13-79

Charlie Daniels told me that he had just finished writing "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" before he and the Charlie Daniels Band performed it at their annual Volunteer Jam in Nashville on January 13,1979 , making this performance the first ever before a live audience .-Redbeard

David Bowie- Toy

The late David Bowie was already sowing the seeds of the fabled "Toy" project, which would remain unreleased until 2022, even as I watched him perform live at New York City's Kit Kat Klub on November 19, 1999 and then sit with me In the Studio for this in-depth interview. -Redbeard
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Pink Floyd- Animals- Roger Waters, David Gilmour, Nick Mason

How did Pink Floyd evolve from the sublime introspection of "Dark Side of the Moon" in 1973 to the madness and despair of "The Wall" six years later? David Gilmour, Nick Mason, and  Roger Waters explore the dark, ominous, yet vitally important transitional musical missing link, January 1977's "Animals" here in my classic rock interview, an album that was highly anticipated.

The Doors- the late Ray Manzarek

In January 1967 when John Densmore's snare drum cracked like a rifle shot before Ray Manzarek's nimble fingers made their intricate run of baroque-sounding notes on that reedy Farfisa organ, all on the introduction to jazz/flamenco guitarist Robbie Krieger's composition "Light My Fire", it clearly and boldly announced a unique approach to rock and roll that really has no peer. And all of that before Jim Morrison stepped up to the microphone to introduce one of the greatest voices and hedonistic personalities in rock history. Not unlike Creedence Clearwater Revival from the same period, no other American bands put out more albums in less time which were more influential in the last 50+ years. And like CCR, no one ever sounded like The Doors ever since. Here is Doors co-founder the late Ray Manzarek with me In the Studio to mark The Doors anniversary. -Redbeard
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Sammy Hagar- Standing Hampton 45th Anniversary

The 45th anniversary of the pivotal album in Sammy Hagar's long career, "Standing Hampton"...Sammy joins me In the Studio.

Sammy Hagar-Marching to Mars/One Way to Rock-Cabo San Lucas 5-97

Sammy Hagar live from Cabo Wabo Cantina in 1997 with a smoking medley of "Marching to Mars/ There’s Only One Way to Rock”
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Eddie Money- Can’t Hold Back

The late Eddie Money's sojourn with his most popular album "Can't Hold Back" took him from the top of the charts with "Take Me Home Tonight" back to the hospital where his drug overdose six years earlier had paralyzed his leg. "The first time I heard 'Take Me Home Tonight' on the radio I was doing the dishes in rehab," Eddie tells us incredulously. "I said to myself, 'What's wrong with this picture?' "
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David Bowie- Hunky Dory- David Bowie, Mick Ronson

"Hunky Dory", David Bowie's December 1971 fourth album, hard to believe when reading all of the revisionist raves now, that "Hunky Dory"  was a commercial flop, so much so that it failed to even make the Billboard Top 200 sales chart. The late great David Bowie joined me here In the Studio  for the tale, as did his original wingman, guitarist Mick Ronson, for the scoop on "Changes","Andy Warhol", and "Life on Mars?"