rock music interview Archives

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Robert Plant- The Principle of Moments 40th/Now and Zen 35th Anniversaries

"The Principle of Moments", Robert Plant's second solo album, first convinced us forty years ago that Plant could sustain a viable solo career outside of the legendary Led Zeppelin, which he fronted for twelve fabled years. But for me personally it was "Shaken 'n' Stirred" in 1985, served pre-release on a Walkman at 40,000 feet over the Atlantic Ocean, that began my professional relationship with the complicated singer. And then with 1988's "Now and Zen", Plant scored with his most popular effort to date, "Now and Zen". Robert Plant is my guest In the Studio.

Alice Cooper- Billion Dollar Babies

In February 1973 when Alice Cooper's sixth album "Billion Dollar Babies" went #1 sales, we all thought that Marshall McLuhan, Andy Warhol, and Alice Cooper were being hyperbolic with their predictions about video fame's impact on society. We laughed then, but as it turns out, the joke's on us...Alice Cooper is my fascinating guest on the 50th anniversary of “ Billion Dollar Babies”.

Beard's Blog, Classic Rock Interviews

Journey- Infinity- Gregg Rolie, Neal Schon, Steve Perry

With their 1978 fourth album,"Infinity", some rock writers even today attempt to reduce the remarkable transformation by the San Francisco band Journey as "talented veteran but commercially struggling group hires world-class singer, which anybody would recognize; shortens song arrangements; and instantly becomes the biggest band in America". "Wrong," says Journey lead guitarist/songwriter/co-founder Neal Schon ."Wrong!"

Beard's Blog, Classic Rock Interviews

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,

Medium Rare

Night Ranger- Dawn Patrol 40th anniversary- Jack Blades

Night Ranger's Jack Blades goes out on "Dawn Patrol" forty years later to report back on the first American band to break big simultaneously on radio & MTV with "Don't Tell Me You Love Me","You Can Still Rock in America", & the mid-'80s phenomenon "Sister Christian" here In the Studio.

Medium Rare

Pete Townshend- Who Came First 50th Anniversary

Was "Who Came First" a question or a declarative statement in October 1972? Pete Townshend joins me In the Studio for the answer on the golden anniversary of his first of many great solo albums, which we feature here.

Beard's Blog, Classic Rock Interviews

Alice Cooper- Love It to Death- Killer

"Love It to Death" in March 1971 may have been the 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

Beard's Blog, Classic Rock Interviews

Kansas- Leftoverture- Kerry Livgren, Phil Ehart, Steve Walsh, Richard Williams, the late Robbie Steinhardt

By 1976, it was go big or go home for this intrepid six-man band from Topeka, Kansas. Because of the hit "Carry On Wayward Son" ( submitted by the prolific Kerry Livgren even as the band was packing up to leave rehearsals ) and radio hits "Miracles Out of Nowhere","The Wall", "Cheyenne Anthem", and "What's On My Mind ", Leftoverture gave Kansas rock statehood to the tune of over four million sold. Livgren is joined by Richard Williams, Phil Ehart, Steve Walsh, & the late original Kansas violinist/singer Robbie Steinhardt here In the Studio.