Medium Rare Interviews

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

Alice Cooper- Love It to Death/Killer 55th Anniversaries

"Love It to Death" in March 1971 may have been the third album by the band Alice Cooper, but that doesn't change the fact that nobody bought the first two. By December of that same year, EVERYBODY had heard "I'm Eighteen" off of Love It to Death , and Alice Cooper had written and recorded a soon-to-be-classic additional full album, "Killer". And it was. Alice proves in my classic rock interview that  you can project practically any fringe, edgy, sociopathic image in rock and get away with it - as long as you deliver the hits.

38 Special- Wild-Eyed Southern Boys 45th- Donnie Van Zant, Jeff Carlisi

Former singer/songwriter/co-founder Donnie Van Zant and original 38 Special lead guitarist Jeff Carlisi recall band headquarters in an abandoned auto parts garage in a swamp to work up songs, on the 45th anniversary of "Wild-Eyed Southern Boys".

Judas Priest- Point of Entry 45th Anniversary- Rob Halford

Judas Priest's "Point of Entry" 45th anniversary, & Rob Halford is In the Studio with Redbeard "Heading Out to the Highway" for some "Hot Rockin'".

Joe Cocker Tribute to Ray Charles- American Black History Month

To continue celebrating American Here's the late Joe Cocker's tribute to Ray Charles.

Jackson Browne- Lives in the Balance 40th Anniversary

Jackson Browne had grown increasingly active in a series of high-profile humanitarian causes including nuclear energy moratorium, climate change awareness, famine relief, and anti-apartheid in South Africa...But not until the February 1986 release of "Lives in the Balance" had the popular singer/songwriter turned his introspective mirror around in his songs. Jackson Browne joins me here In the Studio for the 40th anniversary.

ZZ Top 55th Anniversary- Billy Gibbons, Frank Beard, the late Dusty Hill

ZZ Top 55th anniversary interviews with Billy Gibbons, Frank Beard, and the late Dusty Hill.

Genesis- A Trick of the Tail- Phil Collins, Mike Rutherford

The first album in the post-Peter Gabriel era, Genesis "A Trick of the Tail" interview In the Studio with Phil Collins, Mike Rutherford.

Grateful Dead’s Bob Weir Passed at 78

The Grateful Dead's "other one", Bob Weir, has died from cancer at 78.

Mark Knopfler- Solo Best pt 1

"Dire Straits' success came with a lot of baggage...I think a sense of humor is critical to doing this," reveals guitarist/singer/songwriter Mark Knopfler in part one of his solo best of, including "Sailing to Philadelphia" (2000), "The Ragpicker's Dream" (2002), and 2004's " Shangri La". Mark Knopfler is my thoughtful guest here In the Studio for part one of his post-Dire Straits 21st century output.

Alex Lifeson- Victor 30th Anniversary

The January 1996 solo project release "Victor"  by Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson was a highly personal rock Rorschach test for the gestalt guitarist, primal scream therapy with a beat. Alex Lifeson lies down on the couch here In the Studio on the album's thirtieth anniversary.. 

R.E.M.- Fables of the Reconstruction- Michael Stipe, Peter Buck

With R.E.M. lead singer Michael Stipe and lead guitarist Peter Buck in my classic rock interview. Includes the earliest days of the Athens GA band, with songs from their first four full albums Murmur, Reckoning, Fables of the Reconstruction, & Life's Rich Pageant.

Spirit- Twelve Dreams of Dr Sardonicus 55th- Jay Ferguson

In order to explore the best of Spirit plus the concept album "The Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus", we sat down with singer/ songwriter/ keyboard player Jay Ferguson to hear "I Got a Line on You", "Dark-Eyed Woman", "Animal Zoo"," Mr Skin", and "Nature's Way".

The Kinks- Sir Ray Davies

For "Lola", Kinks singer/songwriter Sir Ray Davies In the Studio discussing those essential Kinks recordings.

The Outlaws- Ghost Riders- Henry Paul, the late Hughie Thomasson

November 1980 The Outlaws released "Ghost Riders". Henry Paul and the late Hughie Thomasson, the only musician to perform on every Outlaws album, joined me In the Studio for this classic rock interview in what sadly turned out to be Hughie's final one.

Todd Snider, Prolific Songwriter, Gone at 59

So many of my personal friends and music business professionals who I love and respect clearly loved singer/songwriter Todd Snider.To them and to all of Todd Snider's fans, I offer my 2007 conversation with him where Todd is very much alive.