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

In 1969, Mark Farner , along with Don Brewer (drums and vocals) and Mel Schacher (bass), formed the band Grand Funk Railroad .  They quickly gained recognition for their energetic, bluesy rock sound.  The band's name was a play on words, inspired by the Grand Trunk Western Railroad that ran through their hometown of Flint, Michigan.  Grand Funk Railroad achieved massive success in the early 19...

New York born, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, guitarist /singer- songwriter  Ricky Byrd  (inducted in 2015 with Joan Jett and The Blackhearts) , has had a career in music, spanning more than 40 years. He spent over a decade as a member of Joan Jett and the Blackhearts where he contributed music and background vocals to two platinum albums,  I Love Rock 'n Roll  and  Up Your Alley , the gold cert...

Jamaican Reggae legend JIMMY CLIFF was born in 1948 as James Chambers and proved to be an accomplished performer at an early age. At 14 he moved to Kingston and took the surname Cliff as a proclamation of the heights he imagined he would reach. In Kingston, Jimmy released the 1962 hit,  Hurricane Hattie  and numerous other recordings throughout the rest of the 1960s. Jimmy Cliff moved to the UK in...

Drummer SIMON KIRKE kept the beat for two of the '70s most popular bluesy hard rockers: Free and Bad Company. Born in London, Simon developed an interest in music at a young age and joined a local band called the Maniacs to play drums and sing. He negotiated a deal with his parents after graduating high school, that if he couldn't make it as a drummer in a band within a two-year period, he...

Formed as a jazz ensemble in the mid-'60s, Kool & the Gang became one of the most inspired and influential funk units during the '70s, and one of the most popular R&B groups of the '80s after their breakout hit "Celebration." Just as funky as James Brown or Parliament (and sampled almost as frequently), Kool & the Gang relied on their jazz backgrounds and long fri...

English singer-songwriter,  NIK KERSHAW was a 1980s teen idol; he spent 62 weeks on the UK Singles Chart in 1984-5 and beat every other solo artist at the time. He appeared at Live Aid in 1985, and penned a number of hits for other artists, including a UK number one single in 1991 for Chesney Hawkes "The One and Only”. Nik played guitar and sang in a number of underground bands from 76 before...

Soft rock singer/songwriter, guitarist, pianist and producer KENNY LOGGINS had a consistent string of hits in the '70s, '80s and '90s. After playing in several bands in the late '60s and honing his songwriting chops as a staff songwriter, Kenny rose to prominence with Loggins & Messina, a duo with fellow singer/songwriter Jim Messina. The two were together from 72 to 76, and re...

In the heart of the ‘Swinging Sixties’, a British rock band called Savoy Brown was born and almost immediately began to make a profound impact with their pioneering blues-rock sound. Energetic Blues has always been Savoy Brown’s calling card.   In fact, Blues Rock became the catch-all phrase in the late 1960s to describe the band’s music along with that of contemporaries including Cream, Fleetwood...

Steve Katz and Blood, Sweat & Tears (BS&T) are synonymous with the golden era of American rock and jazz fusion. This iconic band, known for its genre-blending music, was founded by Steve Katz and went on to achieve massive success in the late 1960s and early 1970s. In this episode, we explore the fascinating story of Steve Katz and his pivotal role in shaping BS&T's ground-breaking sou...

In the vibrant music scene of New Orleans during the 1960s, a group of exceptional musicians came together to form a band that would redefine funk music. Bassist George Porter Jr. joined forces with Art Neville(keyboards), Joseph "Zigaboo" Modeliste (drums), and Leo Nocentelli (guitar) to create The Meters. The name itself hinted at their precision and rhythm. The Meters introduced a distinctive s...

Dave Warner is an iconic Australian musician, songwriter, and author. He gained popularity in the late 1970s with his band, Dave Warner from the Suburbs, and became known for his unique blend of punk and pub rock. Hailing from Perth in Western Australia, Dave formed Australia’s first punk band PUS back in the early 1970s. By the time The Sex Pistols had formed, Dave had already moved on to a new p...

This week we delve into the life and experiences of singer CANDI STATON, as she discusses her tumultous journey in the music industry, her battles with breast cancer, and the impact of her hit songs. From overcoming addiction and abusive relationships to finding success in the disco era, Candi Staton's story is one of resilience, determination, and the power of music. The 83-year-old exemplifies v...

ROXY MUSIC is the British rock band that emerged in the early 70s and became one of the pioneers of the glam rock and art rock movements. Formed in 1970 by singer and songwriter Bryan Ferry, along with bassist Graham Simpson and saxophonist ANDY MACKAY, the original lineup was completed by Brian Eno (synthesizers and keyboards), Phil Manzanera (guitar), and Paul Thompson (drums). The band's se...

Singer GLENN LEONARD is best known for his time as a member of the iconic Motown group, The Temptations. Glenn joined The Temptations in 1975 as the first new member to join the group after their classic lineup had already achieved immense popularity.  During his time with The Temptations, the group released several successful albums, including "The Temptations Do the Temptations" (1976)...

Wanna know how Steely Dan's Jeff 'Skunk' Baxter became a missile defence expert? Take a listen to this week's episode. Best-known for his work with Steely Dan and the Doobie Brothers, JEFF "SKUNK" BAXTER's versatility and technique as a soloist made him a hugely in-demand session guitarist from the '70s on. Jeff (who still refuses to disclose the origins of his nickname) landed his first recording...

This week we unlock the fascinating tales of three one-hit wonders. Join me on a journey to meet The Royal Guardsmen’s lead singer, Barry Winslow, Balde Silva who is better known as Toby Beau and rediscover that incredible singer songwriter and producer, Terry Jack as we delve into his musical career and back catalogue.  You'll gain insight into the highs, the lows, and everything in between,...

Musician JOHN SPRINGATE is a former member of the British glam rock band Glitter Band. Born in England, John was a bass guitarist and vocalist for the group during their heyday in the 1970s. John's professional career started when he was 19 and worked on the gigging circuit for a few years working with people like Jonny Johnson and the Bandwagon and Clem Curtis and the Foundations before joini...

DAVE HOLE is Australia's premier internationally successful bluesman and a highly acclaimed slide guitar virtuoso. He first burst onto the international scene in 1991 with “Short Fuse Blues”, the first of his seven albums released on the prestigious Alligator Records label.  He is widely regarded as one of the all-time slide guitar greats whose playing is infused with the spirit of such legends as...

Meet the electrifying sister duo from Atlanta, Georgia, who have been setting the music scene ablaze with their soulful harmonies and roots rock sound.  MEGAN AND REBECCA LOVELL  are LARKIN POE . The sisters have taken the music industry by storm with their distinctive blend of traditional influences and modern sensibilities.  From their early beginnings in a musical household to their rise to fam...

In the rich tapestry of rock and roll history, certain bands stand out for their ground-breaking sound and unwavering commitment to pushing musical boundaries. Among these legends is Little Feat, a band known for their seamless fusion of rock, blues, R&B, and country. At the heart of their unique sound was the exceptional talent of keyboardist BILL PAYNE. This week’s episode delves into the re...

Hailed as the new Beatles but "mismanaged and exploited beyond the bounds of human decency" Badfinger's thankless career drove two members to take their own lives. Badfinger could have been huge. What’s more, the band’s connections with The Beatles once earned them the tag of ‘the new Fab Four’. But instead, despite writing and recording some wonderfully memorable music, Badfinger went down in the...

My special guest today is the remarkable BRUCE COCKBURN, a celebrated Canadian singer-songwriter and virtuoso guitarist whose music has been enthralling listeners for more than half a century. Bruce's work is characteriSed by its profound exploration of spirituality, love, and nature, offering a thoughtful perspective on the world around us. His songs are celebrated for their eloquent lyrics and e...

From an isolated and socially awkward teenager in Adelaide to an internationally renowned musician, GRAEHAM GOBLE's journey is one of perseverance and dedication. As a key member of the Little River Band, Graeham strove to compete with the world's best musicians and songwriters, weathering setbacks and challenges along the way. The band's tenacity and talent saw them quickly rise to prominence, ca...

In 1977, the SANFORD-TOWNSEND band's “Smoke from a Distant Fire” raced up the charts, peaking at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100. They seemed to come from out of nowhere, and just as suddenly, they seemed to disappear; the band was never again to have a Top 40 hit. But as my interview with co-founder JOHNNY TOWNSEND reveals, they had paid their dues for more than a decade before they reached that pinn...

Yesterday the world lost yet another legend. GORDON LIGHTFOOT was 84. He was born on Nov 17, 1938 in Ontario, Canada. His parents recognised and encouraged his interest in music; his first guest appearance on stage came just before he turned 13, as the winner of a competition for boys whose voices had not broken yet. After a background in barbershop quartets, and as a member of a duo, Lightfoot st...