Long Way to the Top

This is a reshare of an interview conducted in July 2025 with Patrick Simmons...enjoy! Patrick Simmons of The Doobie Brothers joins Shayne Brian on Long Way to the Top for a conversation spanning more than five decades of music, from the band’s earliest days to their latest studio album, Walk This Road . As a founding member of The Doobie Brothers, Patrick Simmons has been there for one of r...

Suzi Quatro joins Long Way to the Top for a career-spanning conversation about her incredible rock and roll journey, her new album Freedom , recording with Alice Cooper and her massive Down Under 2026 Australian tour. From Can the Can, 48 Crash and Devil Gate Drive to The Wild One, If You Can't Give Me Love and Stumblin' In , Suzi Quatro didn't simply become one of the biggest rock stars of the 19...

Go West became one of the defining pop acts of the 1980s with timeless hits including We Close Our Eyes , Call Me , Don't Look Down and the global favourite The King of Wishful Thinking . In this episode of Long Way to the Top , Shayne Brian sits down with Peter Cox , the unmistakable voice of Go West, to discuss the band's incredible 40-year journey, the stories behind their biggest songs, and wh...

Debbie Gibson joins Shayne Brian on Long Way to the Top ahead of her long-awaited return to Australia as special guest on Go West’s 40th Anniversary Tour . Debbie became one of the defining pop artists of the late 1980s with an extraordinary run of hits including “Only in My Dreams,” “Shake Your Love,” “Out of the Blue,” “Foolish Beat,” “...

Angry Anderson has made a massive announcement exclusively on Long Way to the Top with Shayne Brian , confirming the final Rose Tattoo shows ever. After more than five decades of blood, sweat, beers and uncompromising rock ’n’ roll, one of Australia’s most influential bands is preparing to take its final bow. In this special episode, Angry Anderson reflects on the extraordinary R...

Forty-five years after changing the sound of Australian rock,  Sunnyboys are back to celebrate one of the greatest debut albums in Australian music history. In this special episode of Long Way to the Top with Shayne Brian , guitarist Richard Burgman reflects on the band's remarkable journey, the enduring legacy of Sunnyboys, and the release of the stunning 45th Anniversary 4LP vinyl box set ....

This is a special re-release of an interview I recorded with  Martin Kemp from Spandau Ballet late last year. It was such a fascinating conversation that I knew it deserved to be heard again. Long before True , Gold , Only When You Leave , and Communication became worldwide hits, Spandau Ballet were at the centre of a cultural revolution that transformed music, fashion, and pop culture. In th...

Stan Bush, the iconic voice behind “The Touch” and “Dare” from The Transformers: The Movie, joins Long Way to the Top with Shayne Brian for a powerful conversation about Transformers, 80s rock, motivational music and how to write an anthem that lasts forever. Best known for his unforgettable songs from the 1986 Transformers movie soundtrack, Stan Bush has become one of the...

In this exclusive interview on Long Way to the Top, Shayne chats with  John Brewster , founding member and guitarist of The Angels , as the band celebrates 50 years of their iconic Australian rock anthem “Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again.” From its origins as a deeply emotional song inspired by loss through to becoming one of the most recognisable singalongs in Australian music...

Australian music legend Beeb Birtles joins Shayne Brian on Long Way to the Top for a fascinating deep dive into one of the most remarkable careers in Australian rock history. From the colourful pop explosion of Zoot to the international success of Little River Band, Beeb reflects on six decades in music, songwriting, fame, faith, and the ever-changing music industry. Celebrating the 60th anniversa...

What was it like creating one of the most iconic guitar solos of the 1980s? How do you go from recording with Tears for Fears to performing in front of hundreds of thousands of people with Robbie Williams? And after a lifetime at the top of the music industry, what inspires the next chapter? In this episode of Long Way to the Top , Shayne Brian sits down with legendary guitarist Neil Taylor for a...

Australian rock powerhouse Rose Carleo joins Shayne Brian on Long Way to the Top for a powerful, honest, and deeply personal conversation about her brand-new album 42 Days . In this episode, Rose opens up about the emotional journey behind the record — a raw, blues-rock driven album born from real-life experiences, grief, resilience, and healing. Best known for her commanding vocals and stan...

Australian country rock star Casey Barnes joins Shayne Brian on Long Way to the Top for an in-depth conversation about his brand-new album Made For This , his powerful duet with Pete Murray called Time To Burn , and the incredible journey that has made him one of the biggest names in Australian country music. In this exclusive interview, Casey opens up about the personal stories behind the new alb...

The queen of 80s pop is back — and this is one of the most revealing interviews Kim Wilde has done in years. In this special episode of Long Way to the Top , Shayne Brian sits down with global pop icon Kim Wilde ahead of her 2026 Australian Closer Tour for an in-depth conversation about fame, reinvention, music, creativity, and surviving one of the most defining decades in pop culture histor...

In this episode of Long Way to the Top , host Shayne Brian sits down with legendary New Zealand singer-songwriter Tim Finn for a deep dive into one of the most influential careers in Australasian rock history. From the art-school origins and global breakthrough of Split Enz, to his pivotal role in Crowded House, and a celebrated solo career including the iconic Escapade album, Tim Finn shares the...

What happens when legendary musicians from Procol Harum, Tears for Fears, Robbie Williams and Simple Minds come together to form a brand new band? Welcome to Blue Water Giants — a true rock supergroup made up of some of the most respected players in music. In this exclusive episode of Long Way to the Top , Shayne Brian sits down with: Josh Phillips (Procol Harum) Neil Taylor (Tears for Fears...

INXS sold over 75 million records worldwide, boasting an impressive catalogue of hits that include ten Australian Top 10 singles and seven US Top 10 singles. The band’s accolades include three Grammy nominations, a BRIT Award for Best International Group, five MTV Music Awards, and seven ARIA Awards, with induction into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2001. This year INXS is nominated for the Rock...

As the frontman of Lloyd Cole and the Commotions, Lloyd burst onto the scene in the mid-80s with a sound that blended jangly guitar pop with deeply intelligent, often cinematic lyricism. Songs like Rattlesnakes , Perfect Skin , and Lost Weekend didn’t just stand out on radio… they painted pictures. They made you lean in. They made you think. But Lloyd Cole was never interested in stan...

Welcome to Season 4 of Long Way to the Top, the podcast where we dive deep into the stories behind rock’s biggest names, their defining moments, and the road that brought them here. I’m kicking off this year with a bang. Maybe a little later than planned, but with some incredible guests on the way. Andrew Farriss, Tim Finn, members of Spandau Ballet, and we’ll also be revisiting...

Enjoy this quick little chat with Dave Graney as he finishes up his Coral Snakes tour.  It is the Soft and Sexy Sound of the King of Cool this week. Hit plus or follow to subscribe to the podcast. Check out our socials - https://www.facebook.com/TheLongWayToTheTopPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From Hit and Run and Shape I’m In to Chained to the Wheel and Harley and Rose , Joe Camilleri has written the soundtrack to Australian life. As the frontman of The Black Sorrows and founder of Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons , Joe is one of the most influential voices in Australian rock, soul, and blues. In this special episode, I sit down with Joe Camilleri for an in-depth conversation about his...

From the shadows of Manchester’s post-punk explosion to the neon pulse of the world’s dance floors, few musicians have shaped modern music the way Peter Hook has. As the founding bassist of Joy Division, Hook’s distinctive melodic basslines defined a generation, carrying the raw power of songs like ‘Disorder’ and ‘Transmission’ into the history books. When...

From the psychedelic poetry of ‘The Real Thing’ to the blues-soaked grit of ‘Sharkmouth,’ Russell Morris has lived every verse of the Australian rock story. Across six decades, he’s reinvented himself again and again—never chasing trends, always chasing truth. As he prepares to take his final bow on tour, we sit down with a man who didn’t just witness the...

They’re not just a band — they’re a revolving door of rock royalty. With members who’ve shared stages with Whitesnake, Thin Lizzy, Dio, Mötley Crüe, and INXS, The Dead Daisies have become something bigger than a supergroup. They’re a living, breathing celebration of loud guitars, road-worn truth, and the raw power of rock 'n' roll. On this episode of Long Wa...

If you grew up in the 70’s and 80’s you would have heard at least one of the records that my guest produced. With a string of huge artists like U2, Rolling Stones, Simple Minds, Talking Heads, Ultravox, Peter Gabriel, Steve Lillywhite has been responsible for over 500 records during his career. He has been awarded 6 grammy awards, including U2’s Beautiful Day & Walk On, and t...