On this episode of The It's Only Rock And Roll Podcast, we feature a wide-ranging, cathartic interview with LOU GRAMM, the former lead singer and principal co-songwriter for 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominees Foreigner. Topics covered include his early life growing up in Rochester, a parent-defying trek to a 1965 Rolling Stones concert, the lea…

On this episode of The It's Only Rock And Roll Podcast, legendary Texas blues guitarist and founding member of The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Jimmie Vaughan talks about his life in music, starting in his early teens working with Dallas's best established bands, sharing stages with major acts like Jimi Hendrix. Jimmie discusses both his and his baby bro…

On this episode of The It's Only Rock And Roll Podcast, we revisit my 2007 interview with singer/guitarist DENNY LAINE, who tragically passed away this week at the age of 79. Our conversation covered his entire career including his early influences, forming his first band Denny & The Diplomats (with future Move/ELO drummer Bev Bevan), and co-foundi…

On this episode of The It's Only Rock And Roll Podcast, record producer, arranger, musician, and music business veteran TONY VISCONTI discusses his life both in and out of the recording studio, working with future legends like David Bowie and Marc Bolan at the start of their careers, straight through to superstardom. Additionally, Tony recounts how…

On this episode of The It's Only Rock And Roll Podcast, record promoter / press liaison / artistic director TONY KING discusses his seven decades as a behind the scenes figure in rock & roll, whose work proved vital in both the careers and lives of artists like Roy Orbison, John Lennon, Elton John, and most notably The Rolling Stones, as tour press…

On this episode of The It's Only Rock And Roll Podcast, guitarist and hit songwriter for one of rock's most mythical and influential bands The Doors, ROBBY KRIEGER talks about his early years as a Jewish kid living in an upper-middle class “waspy” neighborhood, and how a penchant for blues slide-guitar earned him a slot in the now iconic quartet. W…

On this episode of The It's Only Rock And Roll Podcast, we feature 1960's hit-maker TOMMY JAMES, who along with his band The Shondells, released a string of classics including “Crimson and Clover”, “Mony Mony”, “Hanky Panky”, “I Think We're Alone Now”, and others. Tommy discusses how he went from a middle-America upbringing, to working and recordin…

On this episode of The It's Only Rock And Roll Podcast, we feature true rock royalty – producer, session musician, A&R man, and omnipresent figure throughout the rock era, AL KOOPER. We discuss a career that began at age 15 playing guitar with The Royal Teens (“Short, Shorts”), and later included playing Hammond on Bob Dylan's “Like A Rolling Stone…

On this episode of The It's Only Rock And Roll Podcast, renowned rock sideman / guitarist EARL SLICK regales us with tales along his musical journey, starting in the clubs of New York City to years of touring the world and recording with David Bowie, as well as working on sessions for what would be John Lennon's final albums “Double Fantasy” and th…

On this episode of The It's Only Rock And Roll Podcast, singer, songwriter, guitarist, and founding member of the legendary band Traffic, DAVE MASON talks about his sometimes-tumultuous tenure with the band, and how moving from England to the United States over fifty years ago introduced him to a slew of like-minded musicians from Gram Parsons to C…

On this episode of The It's Only Rock And Roll Podcast, founding member and drummer of The Yardbirds, JIM McCARTY talks about the band's multi-decade career, starting out as England's most authentic rhythm & blues band, that gave rise to guitarists Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, and helped usher in progressive and heavy rock. We discuss the b…

On this episode of The It's Only Rock And Roll Podcast, Tuscon native CHRIS O'DELL tells how she parlayed a chance meeting with Beatle's publicist Derek Taylor into a career behind the scenes in the world of rock, first as secretary for The Beatles owned Apple Records, personal assistant to The Rolling Stones on their “Exile On Main Street” tour, t…

On today's episode of the It's Only Rock And Roll Podcast, we sit down with DENNIS LOCORRIERE, the voice behind a laundry-list of Top 40 hits released by Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show (later shortened to Dr. Hook) between 1971-1985, including “Sylvia's Mother”, “When You're In Love With A Beautiful Woman”, “Sexy Eyes”, “Sharing The Night Together”, …

On this episode of the It's Only Rock And Roll Podcast, we talk to drummer GINA SCHOCK, the outspoken, hard-rocking heartbeat behind rock's first #1 charting all-female band, The Go-Go's. Gina gives us a peek into her inner sanctum, pulling out some of her favorite 45's from an immense collection of not only vinyl, but additionally forty plus years…

On this episode of The It's Only Rock And Roll Podcast, we visit with American folk-rock troubadour and founding frontman of The Lovin' Spoonful, JOHN SEBASTIAN. We talk of his childhood in NYC as the son of show-business parents, growing up around frequent house guests like Woody Guthrie, Burl Ives, and godmother Vivian Vance. He recounts his earl…

On today's episode of The It's Only Rock And Roll Podcast we speak to ALLAN CLARKE, former singer and songwriter for the legendary British Invasion band The Hollies. Topics include his longtime partnership with Graham Nash (including his eventual departure to form CSN&Y), their first U.S. Concert tour on a bill with Little Richard (whose group feat…

On today's episode of The It's Only Rock And Roll Podcast, famed drummer for the iconic band The Doors, JOHN DENSMORE tells of his tenure with the legendary act that pushed the artistic limits, and in the process created some of rock's most enduring music. We also discuss several of the individuals who influenced him personally, professionally and …

On today's episode of The It's Only Rock And Roll Podcast, we have a multi-topic, jam-packed conversation with heavy-metal's most prolific bass player, RUDY SARZO. The former Cuban refugee turned metal-master details his embrace of the LA heavy rock scene of the late-70's - including how working with his friend the late Randy Rhoads in Quiet Riot l…

On today's episode of The It's Only Rock And Roll Podcast, the World's Most Dangerous keyboardist, PAUL SHAFFER talks highlights from his 50 years in show business, including dropping the “F-bomb” on network television, his "conversation" with Mick Jagger backstage at Saturday Night Live, how backing up his hero James Brown left The Godfather of So…

On today's episode of The It's Only Rock And Roll Podcast, heavy rock drumming pioneer and innovator CARMINE APPICE recounts his illustrious and musically-varied career, starting with his days in the 1960s hard psychedelic band Vanilla Fudge, to his years on the road with Rod Stewart (including co-writing two of his classics “Do You Think I'm Sexy”…

On this episode of The It's Only Rock And Roll Podcast, rock's first celebrated female bass-playing frontwoman, SUZI QUATRO talks about leaving behind her native Detroit (as well as her resentful, former band-mate sisters) to achieve super-stardom across the pond with mega-hits like “Can The Can”, “The Wild One”, and “Devil Gate Drive”. And after a…

On today's episode of The It's Only Rock And Roll Podcast, founding member and former frontman/keyboardist for Styx, DENNIS DEYOUNG sits down for a wide-ranging, no-holds barred interview talking everything from lazy rock journalism, to his new and final studio album, to the true reasons behind why Styx are no longer the multi-platinum-selling band…

On today's show, powerhouse drummer BEV BEVAN gives us a bird's eye view of what it was like to be a founding member of two of rock's biggest acts - notorious 1960's British band The Move, and 1970's world-dominating rock juggernaut, Electric Light Orchestra (ELO). Additionally, he covers his early days working with Denny Laine, touring in the mid-…

Frontman/guitarist for 70's supergroup Argent and prolific songwriter, RUSS BALLARD joins The It's Only Rock And Roll Podcast, covering a career which began as a teen and included writing rock classics like “Liar” (Three Dog Night), “New York Groove” (Hello / Ace Frehley), “Since You've Been Gone” (Rainbow), “Winning” (Santana), “God Gave Rock & Ro…

We kick-off year two of the It's Only Rock And Roll Podcast with founding member and frontman / pianist for Procol Harum, GARY BROOKER. He discusses a wide array of topics, from co-writing the band's classic singles like “A Whiter Shade of Pale” and “Conquistador”, to working with George Harrison on “My Sweet Lord”, and how he once pissed off the m…

On this episode of the It's Only Rock And Roll Podcast, in-house session drummer for Memphis's legendary Sun Studios, J.M. VAN EATON tells of his time recording and touring in the 1950s with Roy Orbison, Billy Lee Riley, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis, playing on classics like “Whole Lot Of Shakin' Going On”, “Crazy Arms”, and “Great Balls Of Fir…

On this episode of the It's Only Rock And Roll Podcast, we talk with famed keyboard / piano player Chuck Leavell about his enviable career, which includes being a member of The Allman Brothers Band, to recording and touring with the likes of Eric Clapton, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, David Gilmour, George Harrison, and since 1982 The Rolling Stones. …

On this episode of the It's Only Rock And Roll PODCAST, we talk with legendary singer-songwriter MELANIE. With worldwide hits to her credit such as “Brand New Key”, “What Have They Done To My Song, Ma”, and “Lay Down (Candles In The Rain)", this natural-born storyteller shares insight into her career with anecdotes about performing at Woodstock, su…

On this episode of the “It's Only Rock And Roll PODCAST”, we bring you Part 2 of our discussion with drummer SIMON KIRKE. In it, he details his near half-century tenure with the legendary British supergroup Bad Company - from being managed by the notorious Peter Grant, to being signed to Led Zeppelin's Swan Song record label, as well as recounting …

On this episode of the “It's Only Rock And Roll PODCAST”, we ring in the New Year with a special two-part series, featuring drummer and founding member of Free and Bad Company, SIMON KIRKE. In Part 1, Simon discusses his experiences leading up to forming Free with singer Paul Rogers and late legendary guitarist Paul Kossoff, as well as their relati…

On this episode of the “It's Only Rock And Roll PODCAST”, we talk to original guitarist of Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer RICKY BYRD, who spent over a decade with the band touring the world and recording their most enduring classics like “I Love Rock & Roll” and “I Hate Myself For Loving You”. He discusses working his way th…

On this episode of the “It's Only Rock And Roll PODCAST”, we talk with guitarist, singer, principle songwriter, and founding member of Grand Funk Railroad, the legendary Mark Farner. And talk we did, on a wide array of subjects ranging from guitars and writing classics like “Closer To Home”, to the Second Amendment, trademark litigation, and the tr…

On this episode of the “It's Only Rock And Roll PODCAST”, legendary drummer KENNEY JONES talks about forming the British Invasion mod-rock band The Small Faces, getting Rod Stewart into the Faces, explaining how he ended up on a classic Rolling Stones recording “by accident”, and detailing his varied experiences as drummer for The Who. Previous thr…

On this episode of the “It's Only Rock And Roll PODCAST”, we visit with a true witness to rock history and contemporary of a pre-fame Beatles - saxophone player HOWIE CASEY. He recounts his days in the early 1960's as leader of Howie & The Seniors, working the live Liverpool circuit, the seedy clubs of Hamburg, Germany, and eventually cushy world t…

On this episode of the “It's Only Rock And Roll PODCAST”, I chat with the legendary trombonist Tom “Bones” Malone for the hour! We talk about his humble beginnings in Mississippi, to becoming one of the world's most in-demand session players, working with the likes of Blood Sweat & Tears, Woody Herman, Frank Zappa, Paul McCartney, and a few thousan…

On this episode of the “It's Only Rock And Roll PODCAST”, we talk with rock photographer BOB GRUEN, about his spectacular career of shooting some of the most instantly-recognizable photographs in music history. His images of Bob Dylan, Blondie, The Sex Pistols, The New York Dolls, John Lennon, and hundreds more have graced album covers, magazines, …

On this episode of the “It's Only Rock And Roll PODCAST”, the last surviving member of Badfinger, singer/guitarist Joey Molland, recounts his early years as a budding musician in Liverpool, to being in the first band signed to Apple Records, handpicked by The Beatles themselves. Additionally he details the tragic side of rock & roll, with the band …

On this week's episode of the “It's Only Rock And Roll Podcast”, we speak with a living legend. A singer who's arguably the most celebrated and beloved voice of the rock era. 2019 recipient of The Kennedy Center Honors Award for excellence in the performing arts – LINDA RONSTADT.Also co-host Dorothy “Hurricane” Hodge discusses her days as owner of …

On this week's episode of the “It's Only Rock And Roll Podcast”, musician Gary Van Scyoc talks about playing bass for John Lennon and Yoko Ono with his band Elephant's Memory, which included talk show appearances, three studio albums, and the infamous 1972 'One To One Concert' at Madison Square Garden. Also co-host Peter Silva recounts some favorit…

On this episode of the “It's Only Rock And Roll PODCAST”, we talk with legendary record producer JOHN BOYLAN, who helped pioneer the California Country Rock sound, working with Rick Nelson, Poco, and Linda Ronstadt, who because of him, hired the musicians who would later become The Eagles as her backup band. He also discusses his role in developing…

It's an ALL-DRUMMER-EDITION of the “It's Only Rock And Roll PODCAST”, with longtime member of Billy Joel's recording and touring band Liberty DeVitto discussing his professional journey, starting with Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels, to his thirty years with The Piano Man, and now as an author with his best selling autobiography “Liberty: Life, Bi…

On Episode 11 of the “It's Only Rock And Roll PODCAST”, we talk monetizing and respecting the artistic assets entrusted to music estate manager and founder/President of JAM (Jampol Artist Management, Inc.), Jeff Jampol, who currently represents iconic clients like Jim Morrison and The Doors, Janis Joplin, Muddy Waters, Otis Redding and others.Also,…

On Episode 10 of the “It's Only Rock And Roll PODCAST”, music industry mogul Peter Asher discusses his decades of discovering, producing and managing legends like James Taylor and Linda Ronstadt, heading the A&R department for The Beatles owned label Apple Records, as well as being one half of the singing duo Peter & Gordon during the heyday of the…

On Episode 09 of the “It's Only Rock And Roll Podcast”, producer / guitarist and session man on countless of recordings for such diverse artists as Jack Bruce, Art Garfunkel, The Sex Pistols, Paul McCartney, Elton John, Bryan Ferry, Tom Waits and literally hundreds more... direct from the UK Chris Spedding!Also Don DiMuccio and this week's co-host …

On Episode 08 of the “It's Only Rock And Roll Podcast”, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and lead singer / keyboardist of The Rascals, Felix Cavaliere talks about his hit-making career and pulls back the curtain on writing and recording some of rock's most enduring songs.Plus co-host Mike Moran discusses his vast radio career and his experiences a…

On this episode of the “It's Only Rock And Roll PODCAST”, world-renowned singer, blues harp player, and master showman James Montgomery discusses performing live under Covid-19 social distancing requirements, his friendship with Buddy Guy, learning from the blues masters, his upcoming documentary projects, and more.Also Don DiMuccio and this week's…

On Episode 06 of the “It's Only Rock And Roll PODCAST”, we talk to world-renown rock & roll singer extraordinaire Robert Gordon, who along with The Stray Cats and The Blasters, spearheaded a rockabilly revival in the 1980s, which continues to this day. Also Don DiMuccio and co-host Kevin Martin, discuss their thirty-year musical partnership with th…

On Episode 05 of the “It's Only Rock And Roll PODCAST”, Don DiMuccio and co-host Dave Tate mark the 12th anniversary of the passing of rock pioneer Bo Diddley, by revisiting Don's 2006 phone interview with the rock legend. Diddley holds little back while discussing racism in the music business, being cheated out of royalties, and more.Visit the 'It…

On this episode of the “It's Only Rock And Roll PODCAST”, “rockumentary” film producer Stephanie Bennett, discusses stories from her book “Johnny B Bad”, detailing her harrowing experiences working with Chuck Berry on the 1987 motion picture “Hail Hail Rock & Roll”.Also, this week's co-host Eric Fontana talk about his touring with Clarence Clemons,…

On this episode of the “It's Only Rock And Roll PODCAST”, we welcome prolific musician, actor, columnist, radio personality, and RI icon Rudy Cheeks, to discuss his half-century reign as the unofficial King of the Renaissance City's art scene.Also Don DiMuccio and this week's co-host David “DJ Lauria” discuss bad toasts overheard while working the …