Posts

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

Keith Reid, Procol Harum lyricist, has passed away March 23. “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. This ultra-rare interview features organist Matthew Fisher, lyricist Keith Reid, guitarist on the first three studio albums,Robin Trower, and the late singer/pianist Gary Brooker.
,

Moody Blues- Days of Future Passed- Justin Hayward, John Lodge

"Days of Future Passed" Moody Blues mainstays Justin Hayward and John Lodge document the fascinating story of a true Hail Mary pass to avoid abject poverty and starvation, resulting not only in timeless hits "Tuesday Afternoon" and "Nights in White Satin" but also igniting a musical movement, Progressive Rock,

Cream- Wheels of Fire- Eric Clapton, the late Jack Bruce

Cream's breakthrough album "Disraeli Gears" only nine months earlier tee'd up the English/Scottish trio's June 1968 third release, "Wheels of Fire", for some impressive numbers. It went almost immediately to #3 sales in the UK and a bonafide #1 in the US, becoming the first double album to sell over a million copies. Eric Clapton & the late Jack Bruce are my guests.

The Doors- Strange Days- the late Ray Manzarek

"Strange Days", The Doors' second album in only nine months,  was uncanny in capturing seismic changes already underway in America which would signal the end to the all-too-brief "Summer of Love" in 1967. The Doors’ late co-founder Ray Manzarek In the Studio for "Strange Days" to mark its 55th anniversary.
,

Jimi Hendrix- Are You Experienced?- Mitch Mitchell, John McDermott, Eddie Kramer

Jimi Hendrix mutated rock’s DNA & we have been trying to decode the Hendrix genome for more than half a century ever since "Are You Experienced?" was released in the UK May 1967. Jimi Hendrix Experience drummer the late Mitch Mitchell, Hendrix recording engineer Eddie Kramer, & expert Hendrix biographer/ archive producer John McDermott are my guests In the Studio..

Jefferson Airplane- Surrealistic Pillow- Grace Slick, the late Marty Balin & Paul Kantner

To carve in three dimensions the zeitgeist of the Summer of Love in 1967 America, you would have to chisel the Jefferson Airplane's second album "Surrealistic Pillow" into any Mt. Rushmore of Rock...Jefferson Airplane co-founder singer/songwriter Marty Balin (who passed away 2018), Grace Slick, and rhythm guitarist/songwriter Paul Kantner,  who died in 2016, joined me for this landmark recording "Surrealistic Pillow" released the first week of February 1967.

The Doors- Ray Manzarek

In January 1967 when John Densmore's snare drum cracked like a rifle shot before Ray Manzarek's nimble fingers made their intricate run of baroque-sounding notes on that reedy Farfisa organ, all on the introduction to jazz/flamenco guitarist Robbie Krieger's composition "Light My Fire", it clearly and boldly announced a unique approach to rock and roll that really has no peer. And all of that before Jim Morrison stepped up to the microphone to introduce one of the greatest voices and hedonistic personalities in rock history. Not unlike Creedence Clearwater Revival from the same period, no other American bands put out more albums in less time which were more influential in the last 50+ years. And like CCR, no one ever sounded like The Doors ever since. Here is Doors co-founder the late Ray Manzarek with me In the Studio to mark The Doors anniversary. -Redbeard

Monterey Pop Festival -Art Garfunkel

The first great rock festival blossomed fifty years ago June 16-17-18 as the Monterey Pop Festival. One of the performers and Artistic Directors, Art Garfunkel of Simon and Garfunkel, recalls the pioneering event.