The Rock Podcast with Denny Somach

The man who wrote Layla with Eric Clapton and was a founding member of Derek and the Dominos lived a life touched by mental illness and marked by murder. Author Joel Selvin reveals the results of his years of research on the inside story of Jim Gordon, one of the most prolific drummers of all time. Joel’s new book, Drums and Demons, raises the larger questions of how we miss the signs that someone – even a great talent - is in trouble.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone...

Denny and Dave Mason go back a very long time – even before Denny was the executive producer of Dave’s late 80s album Two Hearts. Dave holds nothing back, including what happened at his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in this intimate look at Dave’s career. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Known mostly as half of the platinum-selling group, America, with co-founder Dewey Bunnell, Gerry Beckley has recorded and released eight solo albums, the latest titled Aurora. He joined Denny from his home in Australia (the other is in Venice, CA) to talk about his career and answer that eternal question… “Did the horse ever get a name?” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Denny as he shares a comprehensive look at the early years of the #1 progressive rock band, taken from his extensive collection of vintage audio. You’ll hear Chris Squire, Jon Anderson, Rick Wakeman, Tony Kaye, Peter Banks, Bill Bruford, Alan White, Steve Howe, Trevor Rabin, Patrick Moraz, Geoff Downes, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

They’re more than just three of the best rock musicians in the business. When Leland Sklar, Russ Kunkel, and Waddy Wachtel get together with Denny, you feel the connection that has kept them together all these years, even though they’ve also had separate careers with amazing stories. Among others, you’ll hear Waddy on working with Warren Zevon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If anyone deserves the title, it’s George Martin. Here, in a candid interview with Carol Thatcher (daughter of former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, aka the “Iron Lady”) from 1982, he talks about discovering the Beatles, working with them in the studio, and other revelations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Foghat, a legendary band in the pantheon of Rock ‘n Roll, has released a new album, Sonic Mojo. Founding member and leader, Roger Earl, who Denny first met in the 70’s, is this episode’s guest. Roger has seen it all - and he’s sharing it all - on The Rock Podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As lead singer of Free (remember All Right Now?), Bad Company, The Law with Kenny Jones, The Firm with Jimmy Page, and Queen with Paul Rodgers, and with his solo albums,  Paul Rodgers has consistently delighted rock fans. In this episode, he talks about his career, how he and Cynthia, his wife, met tough health challenges, and his newest album, Midnight Rose. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Melanie was just starting her career when she  was the first artist booked to play Woodstock, almost a year before the concert took place. She was an unknown when she walked onto the Woodstock stage and sang for half a million people. By the end of her set, she was a star. In this episode, Denny interviews Melanie, who goes deep into her life and career - past, present, and future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eric Bazilian, one of the founders of the Hooters, catches up with Denny after many years, and you’re invited to tune in to the past, present, and future of this multitalented musician. Stay for a snippet from the performance that Denny featured on Hot Spots, his early 80s show on USA Network!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices