VRP Rocks - Classic Rock Interviews

Live music is slowly returning! On this weeks 'VRP Side 2' we speak to Chris Sumby, an organiser of the Stonedead Festival in the UK about the challenges of organising a music event during these difficult times. We also speak to a big concert fan from the US and get the latest classic rock news with from Tim Peacock, an author and music journalist with Record Collector Magazine and Universal Music's, Udiscovermusic.For more information about the Stonedead Festival visit www.Stonedeadfestival.co...

Having a hit song at 15, partying with Led Zeppelin at 19, a brush with death, the call from Sylvester Stallone that led to The Eye of the Tiger and so much more - Jim Peterik tells some incredible stories from his life and times with bands like Ides Of March, Survivor, Pride of Lions and more with a few songs played on guitar along the way! 

Thunder's latest album crashed into the UK Album Chart at number 3 on its first week of release and the bands frontman stopped by this week to talk all about it! Thunder are one of the biggest English hard rock bands of their generation, formed in the late 80's, they saw off the alternative and Britpop movements to consistently produce music that sold into the 90s and beyond...

Blinded By The Light may be a Bruce Springsteen original, but it was Manfred Mann's Earth Band who had the worldwide hit with it that still sounds great today! On this episode I'm joined by Mick Rogers, guitarist and vocalist who joined Manfred in 1970! He talks openly about his time with the band, having huge hits with other peoples songs, why he lost his head and left the group and then re-joining them, future plans for the Earth Band and more.

Robert Berry is a Grammy nominated singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer and has worked with some of the biggest names in rock - Keith Emerson and Carl Palmer (ELP), Sammy Hagar, Steve Howe (YES) and more. In our interview he talks about being invited over from America to London, working with his musical heroes, the great work he does with the Decemberists and his new album featuring the last track worked on by the late great Keith Emerson...

Another exclusive interview! Mick Box, the legendary guitarist from URIAH HEEP, spoke first to VRP Rocks about the band having to reschedule their 50th anniversary tour. Mick also opens up about his 50 years in rock, the camaraderie and competition with Deep Purple and Black Sabbath in the early 70s, his sadness about not being able to persuade David Byron to re-join the group and the incredible feeling of playing behind the iron curtain...

Including one of the most fun interviews I've ever done, this episode is another double interview show with the great entertainer Greg Kihn telling his wonderful stories that include Bruce Springsteen, flying saucers, after hours events at a church and so much more! Also interviewed is Greg Gilmore, drummer with Mother Love Bone, to talk about previously unreleased music set to be heard from his time in The Living, a group he formed with Guns n Roses man Duff McKagan...

Steve Fossen formed the band that went on to become a multi-million selling phenomenon and Rock Hall of Fame Inductees, Heart! Hear him tell us some incredible stories about his time in the group and with the Wilson sisters plus much more including tours with Nazareth and Rod Stewart and the Faces. Also on this episode we hear from author Edwin Ammerlaan talking about his new Pink Floyd book, 'Lost Souls' and we get the latest rock news from journalist Tim Peacock. 

We have 2 more rock star interviews on this episode, both shooting to fame in the 70s! Thijs Van Leer yodelled his way to the world's attention when his group, prog rockers FOCUS, hit the big time with their single Hocus Pocus. Also on this show we hear from bass player Chris Hook from the band Voyager whose song, Halfway Hotel, became a hit in Europe and in Australia! We also find out the latest classic rock news from our friend, Tim Peacock from UDiscoverMusic...

What a show! It doesn't come any more rock n roll than stories about The Beatles, Thin Lizzy, David Bowie, Alice Cooper and Elvis - and that's what you'll hear from our two guests on this episode! DAMON JOHNSON had number 1 singles in the US rock charts in the 90's and has played with some incredible bands; hear about his musical story and about his new band and fantastic new album...