Famous Lost Words

In one of the most raucous interviews in our collection, The Bee Gees have a ton of fun with Marilyn Denis in one of their final full-length interviews from 2001. Barry, Robin and Maurice talk about the moment they first harmonized with each other, the legacy of Saturday Night Fever, their late brother Andy Gibb and what annoys their partners most (Maurice has the best answer!).  Also, we&rsq...

Burton Cummings & Randy Bachman reflect on “American Woman” 50 years after it reached #1 for The Guess Who! Gordon Lightfoot writes a classic that is so good, another songwriter "borrows" from it! Kim Mitchell explains what “Go For Soda” is REALLY about (and no, it's not about drunk driving), Gino Vannelli talks about the deeper meaning behind “Black Cars” a...

We kick off Season 5 with a special Canada Day episode!  It’s the stories behind some of the biggest Canadian hits of all time – told by the artists themselves. Geddy Lee of Rush explains how Neil Peart changed a song called “Louie The Warrior” into "Tom Sawyer". Tom Cochrane witnesses tragedy and writes his most celebratory song. Carly Rae Jepsen talks about (and sing...

Upon hearing the news of Little Richard's passing, we honour his life and career with some classic interview clips of Richard talking about his humble beginnings.  He also talks about how "Tutti Frutti" came to be.  Plus, we have Christopher's lively conversation with Little Richard from the late '80s.  

50 years ago today, “American Woman” went to #1 on the Billboard charts – a first for a Canadian rock band. In two new interviews, we speak to Burton Cummings and Randy Bachman about the song’s creation and its meaning. As you might expect, Burton and Randy agree on some details, but disagree on many others.  Even the politics of the song in the era of Vietnam and Nixo...

In honour of Kenny Rogers, we present this special tribute edition of Famous Lost Words. When Kenny passed away, we immediately searched our interview archives and found some great audio from the early '70s and '80s. Kenny talks about how his biggest hits came about - from the psychedelic sound of "Just Dropped In..." to the controversial hit "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town" to the very funny...

          In our Season 4 finale, we have incredible archival interview clips from George Harrison – talking about the history of The Beatles , while he was still in the group! He discusses the early days and what he liked and disliked about The White Album. He also talks about the just-completed Abbey Road, which contained some of his best work.  A guaranteed m...

We have an early career interview with Rihanna from 2005!  She talks about being signed by Jay-Z, how she eats, breathes and sleeps music and how she embraces fashion. It’s a charming chat. We also have an amazing interview with Jann Arden from October of 2001. In this funny yet intimate chat, Tom asks Jann whether her songs are a true reflection of herself. Her answer is both surprisin...

          This week, part 2 of our 1978 interview with Paul McCartney as Paul talks about the joy of songwriting and striving for inner peace. We also play a clip from Christopher’s 1989 interview with Sir Paul as he discusses the creation of the classic “Eleanor Rigby”.           We also have Tom’s brand...

          This week, the great Paul McCartney looks back at some of his biggest post-Beatles hits in this 1978 interview. He also reflects on the breakup of the Beatles and talks about dealing with John Lennon’s pointed song “How Do You Sleep?”.  Paul also talks about getting shafted by Warren Beatty (funny story) and how The Beat...

          What do pretentious rock stars sound like? Have a listen to this episode with The Eagles! Sure, Hotel California is a classic, but Don Henley and Glenn Frey make it sound like it’s a soundtrack for how to live a purposeful life. Henley & Frey DO make some excellent points as well, but Christopher and Tom spend a lot of time having fu...

          With the success of the movie “Rocketman”, we thought we’d dig deep into the archives for an Elton John interview.  In this in-depth chat, Elton talks about why he had to leave Reggie Dwight (his real name) behind, how people misunderstood his music (because of the success of “Your Song”) and how he NEVER tho...

    Judge for yourself...  Christopher & Tom both agree this could be the best interview in our collection.  It’s George Michael from 2004, talking about his early days with Wham!, his personal struggles with fame, plus the embarrassment and freedom that accompanied his very public coming out.  It’s George at his most revealing. A funny, touching and ultima...

It’s one of the most entertaining interviews from our archives!  Beyoncé in conversation with Marilyn Denis from 2006, upon the release of her "B'Day" album.  Beyoncé talks about her upbringing (how her dad made her run and sing at the same time), her inspiration, her movie career and her relationship with Jay-Z, which was still new at the time.  Not only is Beyo...

We’re back with Episode 1 of Season 4! This week, we pay tribute to the late Neil Peart with a very extensive series of interviews with Rush. Although Geddy Lee does most of the talking in these clips, we will hear from Neil when he was just 25 years old. Hosts Christopher Ward and Tom Jokic reflect on Neil’s enormous influence and the great pride he took in his craft.  Also this...

This week - a brand new interview with the legendary Gordon Lightfoot , who talks about his earliest days as a struggling singer-songwriter, writing the Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald and why he decided not to sue Whitney Houston over the song "The Greatest Love Of All". The new documentary about Gordon's Life, "If You Could Read My Mind", is in theatres across Canada this weekend!   Plus, Al...

This week - when we talked to Def Leppard in 1980, they were barely out of their teens.  They talked about their hometown of Sheffield, being the opening act for the Human League and why they couldn't believe their good luck.  Tom and Christopher debate whether they deserve to be in the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame .    We also have a brand new interview with Law...

In celebration of tonight's series finale of "The Big Bang Theory", Tom talks to Barenaked Ladies' Ed Robertson about the incredible story behind the writing of the BBT theme - and why he needed his wife to help him out while he was in the shower!  Great story about one of the classic TV themes of all time.  Plus, Ed briefs us on BNL's summer tour plans. 

This week - one of our favourite interviews ever. When Tom talked to Alanis Morissette in 2002, she told us about dealing with the intense hurricane of fame from Jagged Little Pill and how it almost derailed her life completely.  Alanis also discusses what she looks for in a guy, how her art reflects her life and why she never feels guilty for the money she makes.  It's an intensely reve...

This week, we go back 50 years with incredibly rare interview clips Simon & Garfunkel as they talk about how one song changed everything for them – and how even Paul Simon himself was surprised when it became a hit. We also have a 2014 chat with Canadian singer-songwriter Alessia Cara – who has been red-hot for the last five years with pop songs that stand out for their depth and h...

It's another special '80s edition!   Huey Lewis  talks about the beginning of The News , making hits for the radio, and why "I Want A New Drug" could never have been their first single.   Andy Bell from Erasure  explains how he convinced his idol, Vince Clarke , to hire him - and how he went from groupie to colleague. He also tells us about the moment that changed his...

This week - in-depth conversations with Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey from The Who - as they reflect on how the Stones and Beatles influenced them, how Canada embraced them, the death of Keith Moon and how they saw the future of the band from the vantage point of the early '80s.    Also, a 1978 interview with The Commodores as they talk about "Three Times A Lady", "Easy" and opening f...

This week - some of the most iconic artists in Canadian music history.  We have rare interviews with Robbie Robertson , Rick Danko and Levon Helm from The Band .  Robbie talks about hooking up with Bob Dylan , Levon tells us about working in Canada and life AFTER The Last Waltz and Tom & Christopher discuss the long-standing feud between Robbie and Levon.  &n...

When we spoke to Tom Cochrane in 1991, “Life Is A Highway” was just about to make him a superstar.  Tom talks about being a songwriter as opposed to a rock star and why the song “Lunatic Fringe” was a political song for him (and still resonates today).           Also, a 1982 interview with Martin Fry of ABC as their dance cl...

This week: an exceptional late '70s interview with  R obert Plant  of  Led Zeppelin​  as he talks about how Zeppelin got started.  Robert's in a great mood in this interview.  It's a must listen.  We also have  KC & The Sunshine Band  from 1977,  Boz Scaggs  reflecting on his biggest hit,  "Lowdown" , a very spirited  P...