'60s '70s '80s - Warm, Candid, Classic, Rock Interviews with Music Legends - A BREATH OF FRESH AIR

The Bee Gees are one of the most influential and enduring acts in popular music history, a band whose songs have soundtracked generations and transcended genres, eras and trends. Formed by brothers Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb , the group’s journey began long before global fame, rooted in family, harmony and an almost instinctive musical bond. Born on the Isle of Man and raised between England an...

Drummer Michael Shrieve’s story reads like a rock-and-roll fairy tale — the kind of musical journey that blends youthful serendipity with restless creativity, and a lifelong appetite for pushing boundaries. Before he was a name on Santana’s classic albums or a Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, he was a kid with sticks and big dreams. Born in California, Shrieve grew up deeply drawn to music. As a tee...

Frankie Miller has one of those voices that stops you mid-sentence — gritty, soulful, aching, and unmistakably real. It’s the sound of lived experience, shaped by smoky pubs, late nights, hard miles on the road, and a deep love of rhythm and blues. Born Francis Miller in 1949, in Glasgow, Scotland, Frankie grew up in a working-class environment where music wasn’t a luxury — it was a lifeline. As a...

On this week’s A Breath of Fresh Air , Sandy welcomes a man whose songs have woven themselves into the fabric of several generations. Tommy James , the legendary frontman of Tommy James & The Shondells, joins us for a deep, revealing conversation about the highs, the heartbreaks and the astonishing twists behind one of the most successful hit-making careers of the 1960s and beyond. Tommy’s jou...

In this deeply personal and wonderfully candid episode, we’re joined by one of rock’s most recognisable and influential drummers: Liberty DeVitto. For three decades, Liberty was the rhythmic engine behind Billy Joel — the man whose explosive, intuitive playing powered classics like “Only the Good Die Young,” “Movin’ Out,” “You May Be Right,” “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant,” and so many more. B...

In this episode, I finally get to sit down with a man I’ve been chasing for more than four years — the incomparable Ian Gillan of Deep Purple. If you grew up on classic rock the way I did, you already know exactly what a monumental figure he is. Ian’s the powerhouse vocalist who helped define the sound of hard rock, pushed the limits of vocal technique, and gave us some of the most enduring songs...

Born Patricia Louise Holte in 1944 in Southwest Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the woman we know as Patti LaBelle was raised in a large family as the second-youngest of five children. Her father worked on the railroad and performed in clubs, while her mother was a domestic worker. From a young age, Patti found solace and purpose in music — she joined her church choir at age 10 and by 12 was singing s...

Bob “Bongo” Starkie was one of Australian rock’s most colourful and enduring guitarists — a player whose sharp riffs, cheeky humour, and rhythmic pulse powered Skyhooks from Melbourne cult heroes to national icons. Bongo's journey before, during, and after the band reflects a musician who never lost his spark. Starkie passed away on 29 November 2025, prompting an outpouring of affection from fans...

Gladys Knight & the Pips hold an essential place in American music history, but within the ensemble’s smooth choreography and signature harmonies, one member often stood out for his quiet consistency, unmistakable stage presence, and velvet-textured vocals: William Guest . His contributions helped shape the unmistakable sound of the group, even if he wasn’t always the one in the spotlight. The...

Jimmy Cliff, born James Chambers on 30 July 1944 in Somerton, St. James Parish, Jamaica, emerged from humble beginnings to become one of reggae’s most beloved and influential figures. His parents worked modest jobs on a rural farm, and from a young age, Cliff showed a natural gift for singing. As a child, he sang in his church choir; by his early teens he had moved with his family to Kingston, det...

Tom Hambridge is a Grammy Award-winning drummer, songwriter, and producer whose fingerprints are all over modern blues and rock music. Known for his powerhouse drumming, soulful songwriting, and Grammy-winning production work, Hambridge has built an extraordinary career that bridges the worlds of stage and studio — working alongside some of the biggest legends in American music. Born and raised in...

In this episode, we dive into the story of Dennis Tufano , the unmistakable voice that brought The Buckinghams to the top of the charts during one of the most exciting eras in American pop and rock music. Dennis Tufano’s journey began in Chicago, a city whose vibrant music scene gave rise to countless legends. Long before he was singing “Kind of a Drag” on national television, Dennis was fronting...

In this episode we explore the remarkable journey of Bernie Leadon , the multi-instrumentalist and songwriter whose artistry helped define The Eagles’ early sound . Often called the unsung hero of The Eagles , Bernie’s contributions — from intricate guitar and banjo work to his soaring harmonies — helped shape a sound that has resonated for decades. From his early exposure to bluegrass and folk mu...

Few artists in Australian rock can rival the mystique and creative longevity of Steve Kilbey , the visionary frontman, bassist, and chief songwriter for The Church . In this captivating and wide-ranging episode of A Breath of Fresh Air with Sandy Kaye , Steve joins Sandy for an honest, funny, and deeply revealing conversation about his extraordinary life in music — before, during, and long after T...

Few names shine as brightly in the story of American rock and roll as Dion DiMucci . Known to fans worldwide simply as Dion , this Bronx-born legend isn’t just another voice from the golden age of doo-wop—he’s one of the few artists who managed to bridge the gap between early rock, blues, folk, and contemporary roots music. With a career spanning more than six decades, Dion has gone from street-co...

From Birmingham to the Rock Hall: the life, legacy, and love of Moody Blues bassist John Lodge. John Lodge (July 20, 1943 – October 10, 2025) was far more than the bass player for The Moody Blues — he was the gentle soul and musical anchor behind one of rock’s most beloved bands. With his distinctive melodic bass, soaring harmonies, and thoughtful songwriting, Lodge helped turn The Moody Blues fro...

Get ready for an unforgettable conversation with Shelly Clark , the powerhouse singer, dancer, and actress who helped shape the sound of 1970s R&B as a founding member of the chart-topping girl group Honey Cone . Born in Brooklyn and performing professionally by the age of six, Shelly Clark’s career began on Broadway before she went on to tour with legends like Cab Calloway and work as an Iket...

When you think of catchy pop anthems from the late ’60s and ’70s, chances are Andy Kim’s fingerprints are all over them. The Canadian singer-songwriter carved out a space in music history with a string of hits that defined an era, yet his journey stretches far beyond his chart-toppers. From his humble beginnings in Montreal to penning global hits, stepping away from fame, and eventually enjoying a...

This week, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Graeme Clark , founding bassist of Wet Wet Wet , and the band’s newest frontman, Kevin Simm . Together, they take us on a journey through the band’s humble beginnings, meteoric rise to fame, their unforgettable hit Love Is All Around , and how they’ve kept the magic alive four decades later. Wet Wet Wet formed back in 1982 in Glasgow, Scotland. Fo...

Sixto Rodriguez, known simply as Rodriguez, lived one of the most extraordinary and unlikely journeys in modern music history. Born in Detroit, Michigan, he grew up the son of Mexican immigrants in a city teeming with both industrial promise and economic struggle. His upbringing in Detroit’s working-class neighbourhoods profoundly shaped his worldview and his music. Rodriguez’s songs spoke of pove...

Leo Sayer, born Gerard Hugh Sayer in Shoreham-by-Sea, England, in 1948, has been one of the most enduring figures in pop music for more than five decades. Known for his curly hair, soulful voice, and boundless energy, Leo’s journey from art student to international pop superstar is the stuff of legend. His career has taken him from intimate folk clubs in the UK to packed arenas across the globe, m...

In 1968 while Joplin, Hendrix, the Doors and Jefferson Airplane were singing about sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll, Bobby Goldsboro was singing about “Honey.” After a career in which he sold more than 35 million records, hosted a national TV show, wrote six best-selling children’s books and produced a national PBS show, you’d think the almost 85 year old Goldsboro would be winding down. Think again....

When you think about '70s rock ’n’ roll, few names bring to mind teenage rebellion and raw energy like Cherie Currie, the original lead singer of The Runaways. She was only 15 years old when she fronted one of the most groundbreaking all-girl rock bands of the era, making waves with her powerhouse voice, striking stage presence, and that iconic corset-and-chains outfit that became part of rock...

Lee Shapiro’s story is one of those great Jersey tales — a local kid with a gift for music who ends up on the world stage, shaping the soundtrack of an era. Born in 1953, Lee was a piano prodigy from the start. By the time he was a teenager, he wasn’t just playing other people’s songs — he was arranging, orchestrating, and leading his own big band. That early love for music, especially jazz and sw...

Robert “Kool” Bell is more than just a name in music history — he’s the steady heartbeat behind one of the most enduring funk, soul, and R&B bands of all time: Kool & The Gang. Born in Youngstown, Ohio, Robert grew up in a musical household that would shape his destiny. When the family moved to New Jersey, he and his brother Ronald Bell — later known as Khalis Bayyan — began experimenting...