One of the perks of this About.com Classic Rock gig is having opportunities to chat with some of the most interesting folks around: classic rock artists.
Several of those opportunities presented themselves in 2007, and as we close the year, we're replaying, in no particular order, some of my favorites.
He was one of several people who, at one time or another, were dubbed "The Fifth Beatle" because of his close association with the band and its music. We learned in our interview with Donovan that it was a combination of music and meditation that brought them together.
As its lead vocalist and one of its founding members, Eric Bloom can tell you pretty much anything you want to know about Blue Oyster Cult. In our interview, he waxed philosophical about how the band struggled to create its identity, and about his cosmic professional relationship with BOC guitarist Buck Dharma.
Foghat’s drummer since the band’s beginning in 1970 makes no bones about his enjoyment of his work. Roger Earl’s philosophy is, "it’s an adventure!" He talked about the challenge of making people aware that Foghat is still an active, vibrant rock band.
"The Wild Man" they called him. Artimus Pyle's tenure as Lynyrd Skynyrd's drummer was, to say the least, turbulent. He was on the plane that crashed in 1977, leaving six people dead and the band in ruins. His departure from the band in 1991 was controversial, and something that he told me he is still in the process of getting over.
Jack Blades was riding high in 2007. Both bands of which he is a member, Shaw-Blades and Night Ranger, released new albums. A live performance by his former band, Damn Yankees, was released on DVD. During a break in his tour with Tommy Shaw of Styx, Blades talked with Alun Williams about his busy banner year.
