Medium Rare Interviews

Rare classic rock interviews by Redbeard from the vast In the Studio archive

Peter Frampton- Shine On Early Best

The sub-title of this classic rock interview should probably be "Frampton Barely Survives". Everybody knows that young Englishman Peter Frampton revolutionized the recording industry in early 1976 with his live double set  "Frampton Comes Alive". But where did those now-iconic songs like "Show Me the Way", "Lines on My Face", "Baby I Love Your Way", "All I Want to Be (Is By Your Side)", and "Do You Feel Like We Do" originally come from? Peter joins me In the Studio to trace the days after he left Humble Pie, his struggles with four solid but woefully under-exposed solo studio albums, his phenomenal transformation into pop superstardom with the live album, and the tumultuous years immediately afterward trying to survive it all.

The Cult- Electric/Sonic Temple- Billy Duffy

This late 1987 interview with The Cult lead guitarist/co-writer Billy Duffy reflects  the frustration, duplicated effort, and enormous expense the band incurred making the preceding album, "Electric", as well as the subsequent success they found with the final results, pointing ahead to the platinum success with "Sonic Temple".

YES- Talk- Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin

YES innovated in early 1994 with “Talk”, and singer/lyricist Jon Anderson singer/guitarist/composer Trevor Rabin joined me In the Studio to talk about “Talk”.

Collective Soul- Hints, Allegations… 30th Anniversary- Ed Roland

The story of Collective Soul emerged a little more than thirty years ago from the basement of Stockbridge, Georgia songwriter Ed Roland's parent's basement. But after selling over a million copies of the album "Hints, Allegations,& Things Left Unsaid", primarily on the phenomenon of "Shine" alone...Ed Roland is my guest In the Studio.

Chicago V- VI- VII- Robert Lamm

In the Studio with composer/singer Robert Lamm for Chicago's third #1 selling album, "Chicago VII".

Journey- Evolution 45th anniversary- Steve Perry, Neal Schon, Gregg Rolie

Journey co-founders Neal Schon and Gregg Rolie are joined In the Studio by singer/songwriter Steve Perry for the 45th anniversary of the triple platinum "Evolution".

Def Leppard- Yeah! (covers album)- Joe Elliott, Phil Collen

In the case of Def Leppard, now celebrating forty-five years since the Sheffield, England band's introductory "On Through the Night" was released in March 1980, anyone wishing to understand where they come from musically would do well to listen here to my guests Def Leppard lead singer Joe Elliott and lead guitarist Phil Collen. The tunestack on "Yeah!" is a virtual look at the playlists of BBC Radio One and Radio Luxembourg circa 1973.

Sammy Hagar- Best, Round 2

in 1982 Sammy Hagar answered the bell  and came out swinging, scoring a technical knockout with his first mainstream hit "Your Love Is Driving Me Crazy" from his seventh solo album "Three Lock Box". Then in 1987 Sammy won by a knockout with his solo album I Never Said Goodbye, at #14 his highest charting album ever, and that while being newly installed as Van Halen's lead singer. Hagar reveals some deeply held intensely personal insights into what has driven him to this day.
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Creedence Clearwater Revival- Bayou Country/Green River- John Fogerty

With the January 1969 release of Creedence Clearwater Revival's second album, "Bayou Country", the mind-boggling hat trick began in 1969 where "Bayou Country", "Green River", and "Willy & the Poor Boys" albums were all released by Creedence Clearwater Revival in a 12-month period. John Fogerty is my guest In the Studio.

George Harrison- Best pt 2

My second George Harrison interview that focused on his return to performing in England for the first time in over 25 years on stage at London's Royal Albert Hall; the support of his longtime friend,Eric Clapton; and several examples of his delightful impish sense of humor.

The Babys- Head First 45th Anniversary- John Waite, Jonathan Cain

John Waite and Jonathan Cain put on their big boy pants for a frank conversation about The Babys on the 45th anniversary of "Head First", the album which featured their hit,"Every Time I Think of You"" in Winter 1979.

Emerson, Lake, and Palmer- Brain Salad Surgery- Carl Palmer

Emerson, Lake, and Palmer were HUGE arena fillers and sales monsters ( UK #2 sales, Top 10 US ) and quite innovative progressive rockers when "Brain Salad Surgery" came out in late 1973. And you must hear Keith Emerson, Greg Lake, and Carl Palmer tell the story of visiting Swiss cover artist the late H.R.Giger! 
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The Police- Outlandos d’Amour- Sting, Andy Summers, Stewart Copeland

"Outlandos d'Amour' has a certain grotesque, naive charm about it," Sting confesses in my interview about the Police debut,"but 'Regatta de Blanc'  was infinitely a much better record." Police founding drummer Stewart Copeland, guitarist Andy Summers & Sting join Redbeard here In the Studio.

Billy Idol- Rebel Yell 40th Anniversary

Billy Idol joined me In the Studio for the fortieth anniversary of "Rebel Yell" to invoke the eleventh commandment: thou shalt have no Idols before Billy! -Redbeard
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AC/DC Halloween Party- Angus Young, Brian Johnson

Halloween is the perfect post-pandemic party time! So to "Power Up" your Halloween party playlist, I invited those monsters of rock, AC/DC's Angus Young and Brian Johnson, to join me here In the Studio  to share stories from Halloweens past while putting together a playlist of haunted hits by Van Halen, The Eagles, Metallica, The Outlaws, Blue Oyster Cult, Santana...and of course "Hell's Bells" and classic AC/DC!