Archive for category: Classic Rock Interviews

These are the interviews from the most recent editions of the weekly national radio broadcast of In The Studio .

,

Billy Joel- The Stranger

Billy Joel is certainly not "The Stranger" to spectacular popularity, or the record books documenting same. And it's not as if Billy Joel had not been a prolific recording singer/songwriter or an infrequent touring musician prior to his fifth album, "The Stranger", in Fall 1977. But strangely his album sales were in a decidedly negative trend after "Piano Man". "The Stranger" changed all that, permanently. Billy Joel joins me In the Studio on the album's 45th anniversary.
,

Steely Dan- Aja- Donald Fagen, the late Walter Becker

Two purveyors of progressive pop, rock, and jazz in Steely Dan, singer/piano player Fagen and the late guitarist Walter Becker,  discuss  "Aja" with Redbeard In the Studio.
,

Yes- Close to the Edge- Jon Anderson, Steve Howe , Rick Wakeman, Bill Bruford

A half century ago, YES's Close to the Edge was stunningly popular, with Top Five sales in both the U.S. and UK. In these thoughtful, detailed classic rock interviews, YES lead singer/lyricist Jon Anderson, guitarist Steve Howe, extraordinary drummer Bill Bruford, and keyboard innovator Rick Wakeman provide a surprisingly candid recounting of the undisputed peak of the Progressive Rock era.
,

Pink Floyd- A Momentary Lapse of Reason- David Gilmour, Nick Mason

In the first half of the Eighties, Pink Floyd was M.I.A. for five long years,  conspicuous in their absence for instance at the largest one day gathering of rock royalty, Live Aid, in July 1985. It was not until the end of that year that Roger Waters' official departure from Pink Floyd was revealed to the other band members, and this bowling ball revelation left the group with the musical equivalent of the dreaded 7-10 split. David Gilmour spills the beans & spills his guts, & drummer Nick Mason analyzes the net effect, here In the Studio for "A Momentary Lapse of Reason"
,

R.E.M.- Document- Michael Stipe, Peter Buck

"Document" was the mainstream breakthrough for R.E.M. in a five album stubbornly eclectic alternate route to the top of the US album sales chart in September 1987. Guitarist Peter Buck and singer Michael Stipe are my guests In the Studio for the "Document" 35th anniversary..
,

Rush- Signals- Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, the late Neil Peart

Rush "Signals" interview with Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, the late Neil Peart In the Studio
,

Aerosmith- Permanent Vacation- Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Tom Hamilton

Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, and Tom Hamilton join me In the Studio in this classic rock interview for the back story on "Permanent Vacation" & "Magic Touch","Dude Looks Like a Lady","Rag Doll", and the #3 power ballad "Angel" which erased all doubts...to the tune of over 5,000,000 sold beginning in August 1987...
,

John Mellencamp- The Lonesome Jubilee 35th anniversary

He had already influenced the sound of Pop music earlier in the Eighties by moving drummer Kenny Aronoff up front in the mix on the #1 hit "Jack and Diane" and "Hurt So Good", and with his ninth album "The Lonesome Jubilee" in August 1987, John Mellencamp not only influenced Pop and Rock but infiltrated the citadel sound of Nashville as well. Almost instantly, acts as diverse as Paul Simon and The Talking Heads took notice. John Mellencamp is my guest In the Studio.
,

Def Leppard- Hysteria- Joe Elliott, Ric Savage

Def Leppard lifers Joe Elliott and Ric Savage join Redbeard In the Studio for the mega-hit "Hysteria".
,

Guns ‘n’ Roses- Appetite for Destruction- Slash

By the time Guns'n'Roses "Appetite for Destruction" passed the 18,000,000 sales point early in the 21st century, several rock magazines and websites had revised their original reviews from the July 1987 release. My guest In the Studio GNR lead guitarist Slash certainly remembers, fondly in most cases, but admits to at least one rookie mistake that left a scar that smarts to this day.