A Conversation With Tony Brock

Photo: Song Seven Photography

Rod Stewart is the first concert I ever attended and I’m a big fan of The Babys, so it was a pleasure to speak with Tony Brock. He is a founding member of The Babys and the band’s drummer, and he spent 12 years drumming for Rod Stewart, starting with the 1981 album Tonight I’m Yours.

The Babys have a new album coming out, Timeless: Anthology II, and you can be a part of it. Check out the band’s Pledge campaign for all of the great reward and benefits you can get by support this effort. It’s going to be a fantastic record, and I highly recommend that all music fans check it out.

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Carmine Appice: Rock’s Most Influential Drummer Tells All

IMG_6983Carmine Appice, the most influential drummer in rock and roll history, recently released his autobiography: Stick It! My Life of Sex, Drums, and Rock ‘N’ Roll. I met Carmine at his book signing here in Philadelphia and shortly afterward I interviewed him. We touched on everything from how Sharon Osbourne fired him from Ozzy’s band to the revelation that there are a handful of tracks from Paul Stanley’s 1978 solo album featuring Carmine’s drumming that’ve yet to see the light of day. Check out the interview below and pick up a copy of Carmine’s autobiography, which is available now.

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A Conversation With Neal “Vortex” Schon

303Neal Schon is my favorite guitarist and, in my opinion, the greatest melodic rock guitarist of all time. He’s written classic songs, played legendary riffs and had a prolific solo career that is unparalleled in the music industry.

On the heels of the release of his latest solo album, Vortex, which is terrific, Neal took the time to grant me an interview. Speaking with him was an absolute honor, and we covered a lot of ground in our discussion. We spoke about everything, including his thoughts on working with Steve Perry, John Waite and Deen Castronovo, as well as how his latest masterpiece, Vortex, came to fruition.

I hope you enjoy the interview. And don’t forget to pick up a copy of Vortex. If you’re a classic rock fan, or just someone who appreciates inspired instrumental music, you’ll love it.

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Book Review – Rod: The Autobiography by Rod Stewart

Rod The AutobiographyI just finished Rod Stewart’s autobiography, and it was a fascinating look into the life of one of my favorite singers. The book covers all eras of his storied career, and it features multiple sub-chapters that are referred to as “digressions.” I learned about Rod’s love for model railroads, bluesy rock and fine art. I was also delighted to read about the creation of his most famous albums, numerous romantic relationships and legendary musical collaborations. My only complaint is that it didn’t delve deeply into Rod’s albums from the 1980s; instead, it simply touched on them and talked about how he wasn’t giving it his all until Out of Order. That said, I highly recommend Rod Stewart fans and those who enjoy classic rock give Rod: The Autobiography a read. Its written in a refreshingly humble tone, peppered with humor and filled with stories that’ll keep your interest from cover to cover.