Redbeard’s Blog

Rush- 2112- Dallas 2012

In 2012 Rush projected exactly one hundred years into a most uncertain future with this performance of the "2112 Overture/ Temples of Syrinx" medley during what sadly turned out to be one of their last concerts there.

U2- Until the End of the World- NYC Yankee Stadium 1992

U2's "Until the End of the World", it is imperative that the listener understand that the singers' (plural) perspectives change every time the stanzas do. The singer in the first stanza is Jesus Christ; the singer in the second stanza is Judas; and in the final stanza, it's you and me.

Pink Floyd- Division Bell World Premiere- Miami 3-30-94

One thing is incontrovertible about Pink Floyd: their collective creative imagination has always innovated, and usually in a very big way. Such was Pink Floyd's decision to debut their Division Bell album, seven years in the making, live on…

Procol Harum- Best- Gary Brooker, Keith Reid, Matthew Fisher, Robin Trower

“Live with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra" from the eclectic British band Procol Harum, which has the distinction of placing two of the most unlikely songs at the top of the singles chart five years apart with "Whiter Shade of Pale" in 1967 and "Conquistador" in 1972. My ultra-rare interview features organist Matthew Fisher, lyricist the late Keith Reid, guitarist on the first three studio albums, Robin Trower, and the late singer/pianist Gary Brooker.
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Led Zeppelin- Presence 50th Anniversary- Jimmy Page

The recorded performances of "Achilles' Last Stand", "Nobody's Fault but Mine", and "For Your Life" from Led Zeppelin "Presence" were so realistic as to be almost palpable, about which the sonic slam startles even now half a century later. Jimmy Page is my guest In the Studio.

Led Zeppelin- For Your Life- London 12-10-07

In the December 2007 reunion concert at London's O2 Arena to pay tribute to Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun, Led Zeppelin trotted out "For Your Life", a song which lead singer Robert Plant informs us that the original band with the late drummer John Bonham had never performed in concert.
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Van Halen- 5150 @40- Sammy Hagar, Alex Van Halen, Michael Anthony, the late Eddie Van Halen

For the 40th anniversary, the late Eddie Van Halen's interview In the Studio is included with Sammy Hagar, brother Alex Van Halen, & Michael Anthony for the story of "5150".

Queen- Innuendo 35th Anniversary- Brian May, Roger Taylor

Queen's Brian May and Roger Taylor In the Studio with Redbeard on the 35th anniversary of "Innuendo", Freddie Mercury's final album, which Rolling Stone magazine called "Queen's last masterpiece."

The Late Ozzy Osbourne- Tribute to Randy Rhoads

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame honored posthumously guitarist Randy Rhoads during 2021 annual induction ceremony ....My guest Ozzy Osbourne paid tribute In the Studio  in my classic rock interview.
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Doobie Brothers- Takin’ It to the Streets 50th- Tom Johnston, Pat Simmons, Michael McDonald

The fact that the Doobie Brothers reinvented themselves for their March 1976 album "Takin' It to the Streets"  is quite widely known, but the reasons for the musical shift, and the manner in which they made it work so successfully, is a fascinating back-story worthy of an HBO mini-series.. On the album's 50th anniversary, Tom Johnston, Pat Simmons, & Michael McDonald are all here In the Studio to recall how it really went down.