Medium Rare Interviews

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

Jethro Tull- Benefit @55- Ian Anderson

They were the changes in musical direction and key personnel made on Jethro Tull's critical preceding third album,"Benefit", in April 1970, which provided the oxygen in "Aqualung" 's tank a year later. Ian Anderson is my guest for your "Benefit".

Medium Rare

Van Halen- Women and Children First- Eddie & Alex Van Halen, David Lee Roth

It always seemed that the Van Halen 1980 third album, "Women and Children First" , suffered from "middle child syndrome". David Lee Roth, bass player/ harmony singer Michael Anthony, drummer Alex Van Halen, and fretmeister Eddie Van Halen remind us of a time 45 years ago when Van Halen was establishing itself as America's premiere hard rock band with songs "And the Cradle Will Rock" and "Everybody Wants Some!".

Medium Rare

Lynyrd Skynyrd- Nuthin’ Fancy- the late Gary Rossington, Leon Wilkeson, Ed King

"Nuthin' Fancy" indicated a creative well running low for Lynyrd Skynyrd which would only worsen soon on "Gimme Back My Bullets". No doubt the non-stop pace of nearly constant touring partly was to blame, but there was something darker and even more sinister which no one outside the band knew, nor anyone in it would admit. This tour had casualties...United once again in Eternity, Gary Rossington, Leon Wilkeson, & Ed King played it like they felt it here In the Studio.

Medium Rare

Badfinger- Straight Up- the late Joey Molland & Mike Gibbins

It was over fifty years ago that US audiences were introduced through a Paul McCartney song,"Come and Get It", to a little-known English band The Iveys, soon to be rechristened Badfinger and to become second only to The Beatles in sales on the Apple Records label.

Medium Rare

Steely Dan- Katy Lied- Donald Fagen, the late Walter Becker

Steely Dan's 1975 fourth album, "Katy Lied", is a perfect example of a "sleeper", but it's not simply the passage of time that obscures its many-faceted brilliance. Here are Donald Fagen & the late Walter Becker interviewed.

Medium Rare

Damn Yankees- Tommy Shaw, Jack Blades, Ted Nugent, Michael Cartellone

The Nineties' first supergroup Damn Yankees actually lived up to the hype in February 1990: containing Styx singer/songwriter/guitarist Tommy Shaw, Night Ranger's singer/songwriter Jack Blades, drummer Michael Cartellone, and whackmaster Ted Nugent, the Damn Yankees debut sold a whopping two million copies. They're all with me In the Studio.

Medium Rare

James Taylor- Mud Slide Slim & the Blue Horizon

James Taylor is still recording wonderfully satisfying albums like "American Standard", and being chosen to open brand new live music venues, fifty-five years after the album "Sweet Baby James" captured the country's attention. Now that’s finding the keys to a real time machine. James Taylor joins me In the Studio.

Medium Rare

Van Morrison- Moondance/Tupelo Honey

This ultra-rare, fascinating Van Morrison interview with the reclusive "Howard Hughes of Rhythm 'n' Blues" is nothing short of a revelation...

Medium Rare

David Lee Roth- Best Of

The incomparable David Lee Roth interview about his solo albums here In the Studio.

Medium Rare

Chicago II- Robert Lamm

"Chicago II" climbed to #4 sales in America, #6 in the UK, a Grammy nomination for Album of the Year and sales of over a million, igniting a legacy of thirty-six releases in fifty years together. Chicago co-founder Robert Lamm tells the insider tale of Chicago "II".