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THE

ROCK STAR CHRONICLES

TRUTHS,CONFESSIONS AND WISDOM

FROM THE MUSIC LEGENDS THAT SET US FREE

WHERE HAVE ALL THE ROCK STARS GONE?
Rock and Roll, the Blues, and Jazz are America's contribution to the arts, so why are we not fighting to preserve our own musical legacy and culture?
Rooted from the early blues pioneers, the longevity of rock and roll is second to none. But strangely enough those legendary rock heroes that we were so accustomed to hearing every time we turned on our radios had mysteriously vanished from the mainstream. The music of the 1960's, 70's and even the 80's was an important juncture in all of our lives. So many of us timeline life's precious moments with the music we remember, when the music was so great, when the music mattered. The baby-boomer generation is financially imperative yet many of its entertainment standards have been renounced.
One day, the plug was pulled on those legendary music artists. Hackers began stealing music across the internet. Online music stores popularized cheap digital singles and neglected to promote full-length albums. Radio stations changed formats to accommodate talk show radio jocks while rappers and electronic dance music menaced the airwaves. Notorious record companies began folding in droves. Record companies and radio stations that were once owned and operated by visionaries were now run by accountants and lawyers and the music world began promoting untalented wannabes. The economy plummeted, and radio stations became more concerned about how many consecutive commercials they could run instead of providing quality radio programming and entertainment value. Radio stations became corporate machines leaving no room for innovation. Throughout the 2000s, recording studios and live performances began using an audio processor called "Auto-Tune" to disguise off-key inaccuracies in vocal tracks. The device allowed virtually anyone without music skills to become a singer and new waves of mainstream radio stars were instantly fabricated. The business of music became stronger and more important than the art of music.
For more than a decade, I've been on a rock and roll pilgrimage to help promote and save the greatest music the world has ever known. Before the internet and Napster, virtuoso musicians traditionally introduced their music by way of mainstream radio stations while anxious music enthusiasts hurried to their favorite record stores and purchased a copy of the artist's latest release. Talk radio wasn't popular because there was way too much great music to play over the airwaves. Advertisers didn't rule the airwaves, the music did. Rock legends toured the world to promote their latest albums and prices of concert tickets were extremely affordable. Proficient musicians, singers, and songwriters are what made the music so great.

 

Some of the notable 'Music Artists' Ray has interviewed and helped to promote include...

(Many of these artists will be featured in

THE ROCK STAR CHRONICLES series).

Joe Lala (Blues Image.. Stephen Stills and Manassas.. The Bee Gees.. Firefall)

Jim McCarty (The Yardbirds.. Renaissance)

Eric Burdon (The Animals.. War)

Mark Lindsay (Paul Revere and the Raiders)

Mark Volman (The Turtles.. Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention)

Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow.. Deep Purple)

Gregg Rolie (Santana.. Journey)

Mark Farner(Grand Funk Railroad)

Dave Mason (Traffic)

Jon Anderson (YES)

Ronnie Montrose (Montrose.. Gamma)

Tony Levin (Peter Gabriel.. Levin Torn White.. King Crimson)

Billy Sherwood (YES.. Circa)

Tommy James (Shondells)

Stanley Sheldon (Tommy Bolin.. Peter Frampton)

Kim Wilson (The Fabulous Thunderbirds)

Todd Rundgren (Nazz.. Utopia)

Pat Simmons ( The Doobie Brothers)

Janet Robbins ( Ambient music artist/Daughter of Marty Robbins)

Barry Winslow (The Royal Guardsmen)

Norman Greenbaum (Spirit in the Sky)

Kim Simmonds (Savoy Brown)

Roger McGuinn (The Byrds)

Al Atkins (Judas Priest)

Paul May (Atkins/May Project)

Roger Fisher (Heart)

Greg Lake (King Crimson, Emerson,Lake and Palmer)

Nils Lofgren (Grin, Bruce Springsteen and the E street Band)

Tommy Roe ("Sheila," "Sweet Pea," "Dizzy")

Chris Stein (Blondie)

Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull)- Part 1

Henry McCullough (Joe Cocker & The Grease Band, Paul McCartney & Wings)

Merrell Fankhauser (The Impacts, MU, Merrell And The Exiles, Fapardokly)

Andy Powell (Wishbone Ash)

Frank Marino (Mahogany Rush)

Chris Squire (YES)

Gary Puckett (The Union Gap)

Micky Dolenz (The Monkees)

Michael Des Barres (Silverhead.. Detective)

Eric Johnson ("Cliffs of Dover")

Colin Blunstone (The Zombies)

Suzi Quatro ('Queen of Rock')

Steve Hillage (Gong)

Lou Gramm (Foreigner)

Annie Haslam (Renaissance)

Johnny Winter

Paul Kantner (Jefferson Airplane.. Jefferson Starship)

Peter Rivera (Original lead singer and drummer of Rare Earth)

Jason Sawford (Australian Pink Floyd)

Maria Muldaur

Candice Night (Blackmore's Night)

Tom Rush

Gino Vannelli

Jim "Dandy" Mangrum (Black Oak Arkansas)

Phil Ehart (Kansas)
Pete Best (The Beatles)
Dr. John
Billy J. Kramer (The Dakotas)
John Kay (Steppenwolf)  
Tom Johnston (The Doobie Brothers)
Lita Ford (The Runaways)
Robin Trower
Roger Hodgson (Supertramp)
Joey Molland (Badfinger)
Marky Ramone (Dust.. Ramones)
Mick Box (Uriah Heep)
Jeff Berlin (Virtuoso bassist)
Ian Gillan (Deep Purple)
Gary Lewis (The Playboys)
Chuck Negron (Three Dog Night)
Dave Davies (The Kinks)
Mike Love (The Beach Boys)
Billy Cobham (Mahavishnu Orchestra)
Burton Cummings (The Guess Who)
Gary Wright (Spooky Tooth,"Dream Weaver")
Melanie
Roy Rogers (Virtuoso slide guitarist)
Ted Nugent  
Corky Laing (Mountain.. West,Bruce & Laing.. 'Playing God')
Cherie Currie (The Runaways)
Roger Earl (Savoy Brown.. Foghat)
John Mayall (The Bluesbreakers)
Julian Lennon  
Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top)
Steve Hackett (Genesis.. GTR)
Carmine Appice (Vanilla Fudge.. Cactus.. Beck,Bogert & Appice.. Rod Stewart)
Tony Joe White ("Polk Salad Annie," "Rainy Night in Georgia")
Geoff Downes (The Buggles.. Asia.. YES)
Petula Clark ("Downtown," "A Sign of the Times," "Don't Sleep in the Subway")
Michael Pinder (The Moody Blues)
Joe Bonsall (The Oak Ridge Boys) Part 1 & 2
Wayne Swinny (Saliva)
Judy Collins
Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull) -Part 2
Jack Bruce (Cream.. West Bruce & Laing.. Robin Trower.. Big Blues Band)
Chris Thompson (Manfred Mann's Earth Band- "Blinded by the Light")
Jann Klose (Pop singer & songwriter)
Andy Summers (The Police.. Circa Zero)
Dan McCafferty (Nazareth)

Arthur Brown (The Crazy World of Arthur Brown)
Susanna Hoffs (The Bangles)
Jesse Colin Young (The Youngbloods)
Darryl Way (Curved Air)  
Don Wilson (The Ventures)
Patrick Moraz (YES.. The Moody Blues)
Jonathan Edwards ("Sunshine")
Al Kooper (The Blues Project.. Blood,Sweat & Tears.. Bob Dylan.. Mike Bloomfield)
Mary Sarah (Country music's newest shining star)
Edgar Winter ("Frankenstein," "Free Ride")
Keith Emerson (The Nice.. Emerson,Lake & Palmer)

Jean-Luc Ponty (Frank Zappa.. Mahavishnu Orchestra.. Jon Anderson)

Randy Bachman  (The Guess Who, Bachman-Turner Overdrive)

Robin Trower-2014

Trini Lopez ( "If I Had A Hammer," "Lemon Tree")

Barry Hay (Golden Earring)

Ray Thomas (The Moody Blues)

Nikki Lunden & Lora G.(Lunden Rein)-New Group!

Engelbert Humperdinck ("Release Me,"After The Lovin'," "The Last Waltz")

David Clayton-Thomas (Blood,Sweat and Tears)

Dave Edmunds ( "I Hear You Knocking") Rockpile

Bruce Kulick (KISS,Grand Funk Railroad)

 

RADIO INTERVIEWS

Kevin Godley (10 cc)

John Payne (ASIA)

Martin Barre (Jethro Tull)

Geoff Tate (Queensryche)

Vinnie Moore (UFO)

Beth Hart (World-renowned singer and songwriter)

Magic Dick (J.Geils Band) & Shun Ng (International Music Star)

Gary Lucas(Captain Beefheart) & Jann Klose (Prodigious Singer and Songwriter)

Marky Ramone (Dust, Ramones)

Kenny Aaronson (Dust, Stories, Bob Dylan, Rick Derringer, Joan Jett, New York Dolls,Yardbirds)

Jon Anderson (YES, AndersonPonty Band)

Jamie Glaser (AndersonPonty Band)

Ewan Currie (The Sheepdogs)

Miles Copeland III (Legendary Music Mogul)

Ginger Gilmour (David Gilmour’s Ex Wife)

Albert Castiglia (Blues guitarist)

Fee Waybill (The Tubes)

Roger Earl (Legendary drummer for Foghat)

Lucie Arnaz (Singer,dancer,actress,daughter of Lucille Ball & Desi Arnaz)

Wally Palmar (Lead singer,songwriter,guitarist for THE ROMANTICS)

Janet Robbins (Ambient Multi-instrumentalist artist and daughter of country music icon Marty Robbins)

Dennis Locorriere (Lead singer,guitarist,songwriter for DR HOOK)

Wally Stocker (Lead guitarist for THE BABYS)

Tony Palmer (Legendary British filmmaker & director)

Doug Aldrich (Guitarist & songwriter DIO,Whitesnake,The Dead Daisies)

Laura & Nikki Lunden(Lunden Reign)

Jesse Colin Young (The Youngbloods)

Ed King (The Strawberry Alarm Clock/Lynyrd Skynyrd)

Rick Roberts (The Flying Burrito Brothers/Firefall)

Rich Little (Legendary impressionist & comedian)

Laura & Nikki Lunden (Lunden Reign)

John Hall (Guitarist,songwriter,singer (Orleans)

Carl Palmer (Legendary drummer for ELP & ASIA)

Bobby Kimball (Singer/songwriter/musicians for TOTO)

Ken Hensley (Multi-instrumentalist/songwriter/singer for Uriah Heep)

Henry Paul (Singer/guitarist/songwriter for The Outlaws)

Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr. (The 5th Dimension)

Binky Womack (Singer/songwriter/guitarist/producer & nephew of

R&B legend Bobby Womack)

Alan White  (Legendary drummer with 'Y E S')

John Sebastian (Singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist w/The Lovin'Spoonful)

Jim Messina (Singer/songwriter/guitarist/producer w/The Buffalo Springfield/Poco/

Loggins & Messina

Frank Marino (Monster guitarist/singer/songwriter w/Mahogany Rush)

Billy Cobham (Legendary drummer/Pioneer of Jazz-Fusion)

Suzi Quatro (Rock and Roll Heroine)

Bobby Caldwell (Legendary drummer and songwriter 'Captain Beyond')

Ray Walker (Legendary bass singer with The Jordanaires)

Peter Asher (Peter & Gordon/Legendary Music Producer)

Todd Rundgren (NAZZ/Utopia/Legendary music artist & producer)

Candice Night (Blackmore's Night)

Roger & Mike Fisher ('HEART')

Ian McDonald (King Crimson/Foreigner)

Malik Shakur (Tupac Shakur's cousin/Talk show host)

Cindy Blackman Santana (Lenny Kravitz/Santana)

Kim Simmons (Savoy Brown)

Nona Hendryx (LABELLE)

Derek Shulman (GENTLE GIANT)

Steve Hunter (Lou Reed/Alice Cooper)

Steve Fossen & Michael Derosier (HEART)

Keith Thibodeaux (Little Ricky-I Love Lucy/David & The Giants)

Mason Williams ("Classical Gas"/ TV comedy writer)

Chuck Negron (The voice of Three Dog Night)

Alannah Myles ("Black Velvet" queen)

Mark Stein (Vanilla Fudge)

Mick Box (Uriah Heep)

Kevin Martin (Candlebox)

Joe Deninzon (Stratospheerius)

Lee Kerslake (Uriah Heep/Ozzy Osbourne)

Melanie Safka (The voice of a generation)

Felix Cavaliere (The Rascals)

Michael Des Barres (Silverhead/Detective/Murdoc from McGyver)

Ivan Browne (The Lemon Pipers "Green Tambourine")

Corey Glover (Living Colour)

Tommy Bolin Tribute w/Joe Vitale & Kenny Passarelli (Joe Walsh/Barnstorm)

Mark Andes (Spirit/Jo Jo Gunne/Heart/Firefall)

Jock Bartley (Firefall)

Rupert Holmes ("Escape -The Pina Colada Song")

Eddie "Devil Boy" Turner (Blues Guitarist)

Prairie Prince (The Tubes/Todd Rundgren)

John McNally (The Searchers)

Stephen Bishop ("On and On", "It Might Be You", "Save It for a Rainy Day")

Bobby Goldsboro (He had a string of pop and country hits in the 1960s and 1970s, including his signature No. 1 hit "Honey")

Elias Soriano (Frontman for Nonpoint)

David Huff (David & The Giants)

Greg X. Volz (PETRA)

John Lodge (The Moody Blues)

Bruce Soord (The Pineapple Thief)

Sonja Kristina (Curved Air)

Annie Haslam (Renaissance)

Richard Lloyd (Television)

Bob Kulick (KISS session guitarist/producer)

Neal Smith (Alice Cooper legendary drummer)

Doane Perry (Jethro Tull)

Loretta Swit (Actress M*A*S*H)

Paul Nelson (Johnny Winter)

Robert Berry (Keith Emerson/Greg Kihn Band)

Leo Lyons (Ten Years After)

Pat Vegas (Redbone)

Rick Lambert (Empty Trail)

Dr. Neil Ratner MD (Michael Jackson's Physician)

John Mayall (The Bluesbreakers)

Tom Dreesen (Legendary Stand-up Comedian)

Graham Russell (Air Supply)

David Cousins (STRAWBS)

Don Brewer (Grand Funk Railroad)

Carmine Appice (Vanilla Fudge/Rod Stewart)

Dennis Coffey (The Funk Brothers)

Dave Bickler (Survivor "Eye of the Tiger")

Russell Bizzett (Jose Feliciano)

Andy Powell (Wishbone Ash)

Connie Francis (Legendary Singer)

William King (The Commodores)

Bill Nelson (Be-Bop Deluxe)

Phil Lanzon (URIAH HEEP)

"Jim Dandy" Mangrum (Black Oak Arkansas)

Danny Goldberg (Nirvana's Manager)

Southside Johnny (Asbury Jukes)

Rosalie Cunningham (Prog Rock Singer/Songwriter/Multi-instrumentalist)

Jeff "Skunk" Baxter (Steely Dan/Doobie Brothers)

Gary Pihl (Sammy Hagar/Alliance/Boston)

Mitch Ryder (The Detroit Wheels)

Bernard Fowler (The Rolling Stones)

Derek "Mo" Moore (NEKTAR)

John Ford Coley (England Dan & John Ford Coley)

Greg Kihn (The Greg Kihn Band)

Peter Beckett (Player)

Dionne Warwick (International Superstar)

Robert "Kool" Bell (Kool & the Gang)

Tony Brock (Rod Stewart & The Babys)

Myles Goodwyn (April Wine)

Dennis Diken (The Smithereens)

Martha Davis (The Motels)

Frankie Banali (Quiet Riot)

David Marks (The Beach Boys)

Jack Russell (Great White)

Don Felder (Eagles)

Dave Pegg (Jethro Tull/Fairport Convention)

Bruce Sudano (Legendary Songwriter/Brooklyn Dreams/Donna Summer)

Bob Catley (Frontman for MAGNUM)

Kenny Kramer (The Real Cosmo Kramer from Seinfeld)

Dennis Mackay (Legendary Engineer/Producer)

Steve "Lips"Kudlow (ANVIL)

David Clayton-Thomas (The legendary voice of Blood, Sweat & Tears)

Tom Rush (Master Storyteller)

Mike Finnigan (Legendary studio musician /Jimi Hendrix electric ladyland

Reggie McBride (Stevie Wonder/Rare Earth/Elton John/Tommy Bolin)

Johnnie Bolin (Black Oak Arkansas/Guitar Legend Tommy Bolin Brother)

Bobby Berge (Tommy Bolin/Buddy Miles)

Greg Errico (Original drummer w/Sly & The Family Stone)

Jan Hammer (Mahavishnu Orchestra/Miami Vice Theme)

Andy Tillison (The Tangent)

Mike Pinera (Blues Image/Iron Butterfly/Classic Rock All-Stars)

Chris James (The Burrito Brothers)

Tom Chapin (Singer/Songwriter/Storyteller)

Don Dannemann (The Cyrkle)

Joe Puerta (AMBROSIA)

Lee Oskar (W A R /The LowRider Band)

Kelly Nickels (L.A.Guns)

Vinny Appice (Black Sabbath/DIO/Heaven & Hell/Last in Line

Jimmy Hall (WET WILLIE)

Jonell Mosser(Revered Songstress)

Frank Van Bogaert (Frontman for prog rock group Fish on Friday)

Jorma Kaukonen (Jefferson Airplane/HOT TUNA

Jerome Mazza (Pinnacle Point)

Neal Smith (Alice Cooper)

Shirley King (Daughter of Blues Legend B.B.King)

Joe Louis Walker (Legendary Electric Blues Guitarist)

Larry McCray (Blues Singer & Guitarist)

Artimus Pyle (Lynyrd Skynyrd legendary drummer)

Rick Wakeman (Legendary keyboardist and composer with 'Y E S ')

Rick Wills (Peter Frampton/Foreigner/David Gilmour/Small Faces/Bad Company

Andy Timmons (Danger Danger)

Rik Emmett (Triumph)

John McLaughlin (Mahavishnu Orchestra)

John Oates (Hall & Oates)

Jack Casady (Jefferson Airplane/Hot Tuna)

Brian Bromberg (Jazz bassist/Stan Getz)

James Williamson (Iggy & the Stooges)

Mark Farner (Grand Funk Railroad)

Arpi Alto (Armenian Singing Sensation/Julia Roberts Look-alike)

Marc Urselli (Legendary Producer & Engineer)

Joey Molland (Badfinger)

Albert Bouchard(Blue Oyster Cult)

Rudi Protrudi (The Fuzztones)

Deborah Bonham (Blues/Rock singer/Sister of Zeppelin Legend John Bonham)

Martin Barre (Jethro Tull Guitar Legend)

Arthur Brown (The God of Hellfire)

Matthew Nelson (Nelson)

Kenny Laguna (Producer/Songwriter/Longtime Music Partner w/Joan Jett)

Michael Franklin ( Grammy Award Nominated Producer/Songwriter/Performer)

Jeff Pilson (Dokken/Dio/Foreigner)

Chris Holmes (Metal Guitarist with /W.A.S.P./Mean Man)

Brian Wheat (TESLA)

David Muse (Firefall)

David Ellefson (Megadeth)

George Lynch (Dokken/Lynch Mob)

Danny Zelisko (Legendary concert promoter)

Mike Reno (Loverboy)

Ric Lee (Ten Years After)

Don McLean (Singer/Composer/"American Pie")

Joe Macre (Crack the Sky)

Chuck Leavell (Allman Brothers Band/Rolling Stones)

Mark Farner (Grand Funk Railroad) Special Zoom Interview!

Dar. ra (Indie Rock sensation) Special Zoom Interview

Maria Muldaur ("Midnight at the Oasis")  

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GOLD STAR

WINNER

GOLD STAR

WINNER

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Denny Seiwell (The Allman Brothers Band/Rolling Stones/David Gilmour

/George Harrison/ Special ZOOM Interview)

Robin Trower (Legendary Guitarist)

Annie Haslam (Renaissance)

Robert Berry (Keith Emerson/Greg Kihn Band)

Frank Marino (Mahogany Rush)

Nad Sylvan (Genesis Revisited-ZOOM Interview)

John Hall (ORLEANS)

Tommy Roe (Legendary 60s Hitmaker)

Geoff Downes (The Buggles/ASIA/YES)

Walter Egan ("Magnet and Steel")

Michael Sadler (The voice of SAGA)

Curtis ‘Binky’ Womack (Nephew of Legend Bobby Womack)

Emilio Castillo (Founder of R&B/Funk legends ‘Tower of Power’)

Wendy Dio (Wife of the legendary Ronnie James Dio)

Michael Jahnz (Richrath Project 3:13)

Kim Wilson (The Fabulous Thunderbirds)

Tony Kaye (David Bowie/Detective/CIRCA/YES)

Peter Albin (Big Brother & The Holding Company)

Rogers Stevens (Blind Melon)

Rod Argent (ARGENT/The Zombies)

Bruce Sudano (Brooklyn Dreams/Husband of the late Donna Summer)

Jim McCarty (Renaissance/Box of Frogs/The Yardbirds)

Andy Summers (The Police)

Steve Hackett (Genesis/Genesis Revisited)

Joey Dee (The Starliters)

Marshall Thompson (The Chi-Lites)

Derek Holt (Climax Blues Band)

Yogi Lang ( Frontman for German Prog Rock group RPWL)

Carmine Appice (Legendary drummer w/Vanilla Fudge/Beck, Bogert & Appice/Cactus/Rod Stewart)

Chris Hillman (The Byrds/Flying Burrito Bros./Manassas)

Joe Louis Walker (Legendary electric blues guitarist)

Guy Pratt (Bassist Pink Floyd/David Gilmour/Nick Mason)

Jim Peterik (The Ides of March/Survivor)

DION (The Belmonts)

Livingston Taylor (Legendary folk musician/singer/songwriter)

Kate Taylor (Singer/songwriter/sister of James & Livingston Taylor) with

Peter Asher (Peter and Gordon/Legendary Producer)

Leslie Mandoki (Founder of Mandoki Soulmates)

David Cross (Electric Violinist /King Crimson)

Billy Cobham (Legendary drummer/Mahavishnu Orchestra)

Candice Night (Blackmore's Night)

Steve March-Tormé  (Son of the legendary Mel Tormé) 

Michael Franklin (Producer/musician/songwriter)

Gary Hoey (Blues/Rock guitarist/songwriter/producer)

John Lodge (The Moody Blues)

Steve Rothery (Marillion)

Suzi Quatro (The Queen of Rock)

Dave Bainbridge (IONA/ Celestial Fire/ Lifesigns/ Strawbs

Dale Bozzio (Missing Persons)

Ian Anderson (JETHRO TULL)

Nash Albert (Georgian Singer-Songwriter-musician-poet)

Ross The Boss (Monster guitarist the Dictators/Manowar/Death Dealer)

Micki Free (Native American Blues/Rock Guitarist/ Ex member of SHALAMAR)

Graham Parker (The Rumour)

Rick Barry (NBA Hall of Famer)

Roger & Mike Fisher (HEART)

Greg Martin (The Kentucky Headhunters)

Neal Morse (Transatlantic/The Neal Morse Band)

Pat Travers (The Pat Travers Band)

Lawrence Gowan (Styx)

Ann Wilson (HEART)

Billy Stokes (A Wounded Warrior who became a Rock Star!)

Marc Storace (KROKUS lead singer)

Jimmy Fox (The Outsiders/James Gang)

Members of the Norwegian prog group MEER

Karmen Klinc and  Erina Seitllari  (vocalists of metal group VENUS 5)

Rick Ventura (Guitarist RIOT/RIOT ACT)

Adrian Belew (Frank Zappa/David Bowie/King Crimson)

Chuck Wright (Quiet Riot)

Whitney Tai (Singer/Songwriter)

Melba Moore (Singer/Actress/ Broadway Star)

Les Dudek (Legendary Guitarist Steve Miller/Boz Scaggs/Allman Brothers)

John Waite (The Voice of The Babys & Bad English)

Jack Starr (Burning Starr)

Brian Chatton (The Warriors/Flaming Youth/Boy's Don't Cry/John Miles)

David Spero ("high-profile" music manager)

Linda Gail Lewis (Singer/Songwriter/Pianist/ Sister of Jerry Lee Lewis)

Derek Sherinian (Keyboardist Planet X/Black Country Communion/Sons of Apollo)

Gilbert O'Sullivan (Legendary 70s Hitmaker)

Torsten Kinsella (God Is An Astronaut)

Members of SONS OF SILVER

Andy McCoy (HANOI ROCKS)

Rebecca Pidgeon (Actress/Singer/Songwriter/Musician)

Jeff Berlin (World-Class Bass Player/Educator)

dUg Pinnick (Bassist/Singer/Songwriter of KING'S X)

Kelly Ogden (Lead singer of The DoLLyROTS)

Elliott Randall (Legendary Session Guitarist Famous for Solos on "Reelin in the Years" & "Fame"

Sally Steele (singer/songwriter/publisher/founder/author & filmmaker/ CEO and editor-in-chief of Vegas Rocks! Magazine

Darryl Way (Legendary Curved Air Violinist & Keyboardist)

'Fito' De La Parra (Legendary Drummer with Canned Heat)

Javier Bátiz (Legendary Mexican Guitarist/Composer/Singer who mentored

Carlos Santana)

Larry Tamblyn (The Standells)

Chris Impellitteri (Guitarist/Songwriter/Founder of Impellitteri)

Mary Fahl (Singer/Songwriter/October Project/Solo Artist)

Arthur Brown (The God of Hellfire! The Crazy World of Arthur Brown)

Vinnie Moore (Virtuoso Guitarist & Songwriter/ UFO)

Mark Stein (Vanilla Fudge)

Steve Luongo (Drummer for The John Entwistle Band)

Alan Parsons  (Sound engineer for BeatlesAbbey Road  and Let It Be/ Pink Floyd's The Dark Side of the Moon/ Singer/Musician/Songwriter for The Alan Parsons Project) 

Martin Barre (Legendary Jethro Tull guitarist)

Jon Pousette-Dart (Pousette-Dart Band)

Rick Lambert (Guitarist/Singer/Songwriter w/Empty Trail)

Kenney Jones (Legendary Drummer w/Small Faces/Faces/The Who)

David Fishof (Producer, Sports Agent, Founder of Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy Camp)

David Libert (Member of 60s group The Happenings/Tour manager w/Alice Cooper/George Clinton)

Kathryn Leigh Scott (Actress/Author famed for 'DARK SHADOWS') 

Simon Collins & Kelly Nordstrom (eMolecule)

Richard Williams (K A N S A S)

Brian Hyland (Legendary 60s Hitmaker)

Gary Lewis (Gary Lewis & The Playboys)

Dennis Tufano (The Buckinghams)

Dave Mason (TRAFFIC/Derek & the Dominoes/Fleetwood Mac)

Robin Lane (Robin & the Chartbusters)

Andy Glass (SOLSTICE)

Ross Jennings (Novena/D' Virgilio, Morse & Jennings/HAKEN)

Tommy Roe (Legendary 60s Hitmaker)

Mike Pinera (Blues Image/Iron Butterfly) w/producer Michael Franklin

Yogi Lang (Frontman & songwriter for German Prog-Rock group RPWL)

Jason Bieler (SAIGON KICK/Jason Bieler and the Baron Von Bielski Orchestra) 

Ben Craven (Aussie Prog-Rock singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist)

Jonas Lindberg (Jonas Lindberg & the Other Side)

Clay Melton (Texas Blues/Rock guitarist)

Stu Nicholson (GALAHAD)

William Bell (Legendary Soul singer/songwriter)

Arjen Lucassen (Ayreon/Supersonic Revolution)

Corky Laing (Mountain/West & Bruce and Laing)

Rob Cottingham (Touchtone/CAIRO)

Nick D'Virgilio, Greg Spawton, Alberto Bravin (BIG BIG TRAIN)

Neal Smith (The Alice Cooper Group/Killsmith)

Kevin Sucher (Four-time Grammy nominee/Engineer/Producer) 

Mark Farner (Legendary Grand Funk guitarist/singer/songwriter)

Steve Babb & Hannah Pryor (GLASS HAMMER)

Annie Haslam (Renaissance)

David Minasian (Filmmaker Camel/Alan Parsons/Justin Hayward/Three Dog Night)

Ray Alder (Fates Warning)

Charles Wright (Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band)

John Cusimano (The Cringe/Fastest Land Animal)

Brian George (Roseneath)

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THE ROCK STAR CHRONICLES

BOOK REVIEW

-By Literary Titan (5) STARS     

GOLD STAR WINNER 

 

The Rock Star Chronicles, by Ray Shasho, is a splendid book written by a music enthusiast who has poured their heart and soul into it. It’s a story of a boy who loved rock music, and his obsessive passion of it earned himself the name Rock Raymond. He went to school but instead was schooled in all matters of music while his peers were buried chin-deep in coursework. He then became a radio DJ and has now compiled a book on all interviews he held with Rock gods who raided the airwaves back in the 70s and 80s. It’s a compilation of interviews with outstanding vocalists, legendary guitarists and crazy drummers in the rock music scene. Each interview gives a reader an in-depth view into their personal lives and the philosophies that guide their lives which all serve to humanize these great icons. For readers who are old enough to call themselves baby boomers this book will bring old memories back to life. Millennials, on the other hand, may think of this book as a literal work of the Carpool Karaoke show.

The Rock Star Chronicles is a book I didn’t know I was waiting for. To come across a book that will talk me into trying something new. One brave enough to incite me to venture into new frontiers. This book made me a believer- I am now a bona fide Rock and Roll music fan.

Ray Shasho masterfully gets the interviewees talking. He smartly coaxes answers from them with crafty questions designed to get a story rolling out of them. The artists talk about diverse issues ranging from music, politics, and their social engagements. Having been on the music seen all his life, Ray Shasho knows the buttons to press, how to get them comfortable about talking about their lives.

The book’s cover is befitting of its subject matter with the leather look offering a royal background to the golden letter print. It speaks to how high a level rock music holds in the pecking order- arguably, modern music as we know it has originated from blues and rock music.  The second noteworthy thing is the use of high definition pictures to reference the musician being interviewed in every sub-chapter. This ensures that the book is for both original rock and roll lovers and aspiring new ones. Together is makes for a refreshing and consistently enjoyable read.

I recommend this book to rock music enthusiasts, aspiring musicians wondering what it takes and all readers curious to learn new things by going back in time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ray Shasho

Author Interview

by Literary Titan

The Rock Star Chronicles uses your interviews with rock legends to humanize them and preserve their contribution to the genre.

Why was this an important book for you to write?

I was fortunate to have lived through two of the greatest decades for music. It was a time when radio played incredible music and rock concerts were a bargain and a happening thing to do. Rock groups featured incredibly talented musicians with guitarists and lead singers in the spotlight. There has never been a generation to match that period of music expertise and staying power. I wanted the reader to understand and realize how great a talent they really were and still are. Especially to wannabe musicians and the young. Many of the artists I have interviewed have passed on and others nearing retirement. It was important to me to tell their stories at a vulnerable period in their lives and be recognized as the greatest music legends the world will ever know.

What is one interview in this book that stands out as the most exciting one you had?

Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull has always been a rock hero to me. He has written and performed complex music and always had an incredible stage presence. Going to a Tull concert back in the day was a huge event. I will admit the first time I interviewed Ian Anderson I was quite nervous. I remember when the phone rang for the interview, I thought, that’s Jethro Tull calling me! During the second interview I got him to chat about politics, religion, ancestry, and world events. I tried not to ask the same mundane music questions that have been asked of him many hundreds of times. He was intellectual and I was on my best game that day.

What do you think is one thing modern musicians have to learn from the icons of the rock and roll genre?

Bands must perform live. All the legends started performing at school dances, bars, clubs, and anywhere they could be seen by an audience big or small. If they are talented eventually someone will give them a break, but it will not be easy. Having a You Tube video with a lot of page views is a start, but it will never have the impact of playing in front of live audiences.

What do you find is a common misconception people have about music?

People that pay big money to watch an artist lip sync on stage and still call it a great show. Music lovers who go see a legendary rock band and there are no original members in the band. Ringo Starr would never bill himself as The Beatles, instead he created an All-Starr band. All generations need to do a little homework before purchasing expensive tickets to concerts nowadays. My book will certainly help identify who the real legends are.

Music is a universal language that we all share and cherish.

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Greg Lake Interview

Greg Lake Interview

Greg Lake was the voice and guitar for two of the most recognizable progressive rock bands in music history. King Crimson and Emerson Lake & Palmer were archetypes for British musicians transforming rock and roll into labyrinthine musical arrangements influenced by classical and jazz. Progressive rock groups devised “concept albums” revealing epic stories, fantasy and life’s truths. Read the entire interview in Ray's next book entitled... "Saving Rock and Roll"

Tom Johnston Interview

Tom Johnston Interview

Read the entire interview in Ray's next book entitled... "Saving Rock and Roll"

Jann Klose Interview

Jann Klose Interview

Read the entire interview in Ray's next book entitled... "Saving Rock and Roll"

John Kay Interview

John Kay Interview

Read the entire interview in Ray's next book entitled... "Saving Rock and Roll"

Dr John Interview

Dr John Interview

Read the entire interview in Ray's next book entitled... "Saving Rock and Roll"

Joey Molland Interview

Joey Molland Interview

In 1969, British rock band Badfinger and Apple Records launched what should have become … one of the most successful unions in rock history. Read the entire interview in Ray's next book entitled... "Saving Rock and Roll"

Billy J Kramer Interview

Billy J Kramer Interview

Billy J. Kramer, the British Invasion crooner and Merseybeat legend generally associated with The Dakotas, is on an incessant and heartfelt crusade to land Brian Epstein into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Brian Epstein was both Kramer’s friend and manager. Read the entire interview in Ray's next book entitled... "Saving Rock and Roll"

Jim Dandy Interview

Jim Dandy Interview

Read the entire interview in Ray's next book entitled... "Saving Rock and Roll"

Gino Vannelli

Gino Vannelli

Internationally renowned singer and composer Gino Vannelli is most recognized for his blue-eyed soulful harmonies and alluring sex appeal. But over the years, Vannelli has cultivated his incredible singing voice to master diverse musical styles while continuing to inspire audiences worldwide. Read the entire interview in Ray's next book entitled... "Saving Rock and Roll"

Paul Kantner Interview

Paul Kantner Interview

Read the entire interview in Ray's next book entitled... "Saving Rock and Roll"

Peter Rivera Interview

Peter Rivera Interview

Read the entire interview in Ray's next book entitled... "Saving Rock and Roll"

Suzi Quatro Interview

Suzi Quatro Interview

Suzi Quatro is an internationally renowned renaissance woman. Although most of her extraordinary achievements in the arts were celebrated outside the United States, she has left a momentous impression as the original first lady of rock ‘n’ roll. Read the entire interview in Ray's next book entitled... "Saving Rock and Roll"

Annie Haslam Interview

Annie Haslam Interview

Read the entire interview in Ray's next book entitled... "Saving Rock and Roll"

Tom Johnston Interview

Tom Johnston Interview

Read the entire interview in Ray's next book entitled... "Saving Rock and Roll"

Henry McCullough Interview

Henry McCullough Interview

Read the entire interview in Ray's next book entitled... "Saving Rock and Roll"

Tommy James interview

Tommy James interview

Read the entire interview in Ray's next book entitled... "Saving Rock and Roll"

Tommy Roe Interview

Tommy Roe Interview

Read the entire interview in Ray's next book entitled... "Saving Rock and Roll"

Roger Fisher Interview

Roger Fisher Interview

Read the entire interview in Ray's next book entitled... "Saving Rock and Roll"

Pete Best Interview

Pete Best Interview

Read the entire interview in Ray's next book entitled... "Saving Rock and Roll"

Roger McGuinn Interview

Roger McGuinn Interview

Read the entire interview in Ray's next book entitled... "Saving Rock and Roll"

Kim Simmonds Interview

Kim Simmonds Interview

Read the entire interview in Ray's next book entitled... "Saving Rock and Roll"

INTERVIEWS

CONDUCTED

BY RAY SHASHO

FOR HIS MUSIC COLUMN

Joe Lala (Blues Image,                                 

Stephen Stills and Manassas)

Jim McCarty (The Yardbirds,Renaissance)

Eric Burdon (The Animals,War)

Mark Lindsay (Paul Revere/the Raiders)

Mark Volman (The Turtles,

Frank Zappa/the Mothers of Invention)

Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow,Deep Purple)

Gregg Rolie (Santana,Journey)

Mark Farner(Grand Funk Railroad)

Dave Mason (Traffic)

Jon Anderson (YES)

Ronnie Montrose (Montrose)

Tony Levin (Peter Gabriel,

Levin Torn White)

Billy Sherwood (YES,Circa)

Tommy James (Shondells)

Stanley Sheldon (Peter Frampton)

Kim Wilson (The Fabulous Thunderbirds)

Todd Rundgren (Utopia)

Pat Simmons (Doobie Brothers)

Janet Robbins (Daughter/Marty Robbins)

Barry Winslow (The Royal Guardsmen)

Norman Greenbaum (Spirit in the Sky)

Demetri Joannou (Blue Moon Harem)

Kim Simmonds (Savoy Brown)

Roger McGuinn (The Byrds)

Al Atkins (Judas Priest)

Paul May (Atkins/May Project)

Roger Fisher (Heart)

Greg Lake (King Crimson,

Emerson,Lake and Palmer)

Nils Lofgren (Grin,

Bruce Springsteen and the E street Band)

Tommy Roe (Sheila,Sweet Pea,Dizzy)

Chris Stein (Blondie)

Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull)-2012

Henry McCullough (Joe Cocker

& The Grease Band,

Paul McCartney & Wings)

Merrell Fankhauser (The Impacts,

MU, Merrell And The Exiles, Fapardokly)

Andy Powell (Wishbone Ash)

Frank Marino (Mahogany Rush)

Chris Squire (YES)

Gary Puckett (The Union Gap)

Micky Dolenz

(The Monkees)

Michael Des Barres

(Silverhead, Detective)

Eric Johnson ("Cliffs of Dover")

Colin Blunstone(The Zombies)

Suzi Quatro(Queen of Rock)

Steve Hillage(Gong)

Lou Gramm (Foreigner)

Annie Haslam(Renaissance)

Johnny Winter

Paul Kantner(Jefferson Airplane,

Jefferson Starship)

 

TELEVISION ICONS

Stanley Livingston

(Chip from My Three Sons)

Barry Livingston

(Ernie from My Three Sons)

Marty Ingels (Comedian)

Rich Little

(Legendary impressionist & comedian)

Michael Des Barres (MacGyver)

Keith Thibodeaux (Little Ricky-I Love Lucy)

Loretta Swit (M*A*S*H)

AUTHOR

Rex Pickett

(Sideways trilogy & motion picture)

Ilana Marks (Author/Fimmaker)


 

 

RADIO INTERVIEWS

CONDUCTED

BY RAY SHASHO (Continued)

Lucie Arnaz (Actress, singer, daughter of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz)

Roger Earl (Foghat legendary Drummer)

Wally Palmar (Singer, songwriter, guitarist for The Romantics)

Dennis  Locorriere (Lead singer for Dr Hook)

Wally Stocker (Guitarist for The Babys)

Tony Palmer (Legendary British filmmaker & director)

Doug Aldrich (Guitarist/Songwriter DIO,Whitesnake,The Dead Daisies)

Laura & Nikki Lunden (Lunden Reign)

Jesse Colin Young (The Youngbloods)

Ed King (The Strawberry Alarm Clock/Lynyrd Skynyrd)

Rick Roberts (The Flying Burrito Brothers/Firefall)

Rich Little (Legendary impressionist & comedian)

John Hall (Guitarist & Songwriter for ORLEANS)

Carl Palmer (Emerson Lake and Palmer/Asia)

Bobby Kimball (Toto)

Ken Hensley (Uriah Heep)

Henry Paul (The Outlaws)

Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr, (The 5th Dimension)

Binky  Womack (Guitarist/songwriter/

producer & nephew of R&B legend Bobby Womack)

Alan White ('Y E S ')

John Sebastian (The Lovin' Spoonful)

Jim Messina (Buffalo Springfield, Poco, Loggins & Messina)

Frank Marino (Mahogany Rush)

Billy Cobham (Legendary drummer & Pioneer of Jazz-Fusion)

Suzi Quatro (Rock and Roll Heroine)

Bobby Caldwell (Johnny Winter-Derringer-Allman Brothers-Captain Beyond)

Ray Walker (The Jordanaires)

Peter Asher (Peter & Gordon-Legendary Producer)

Todd Rundgren (Nazz,Utopia)

Candice Night (Blackmore's Night)

Michael Des Barres (Silverhead/Detective/Murdoc from McGyver

Ivan Browne (The Lemon Pipers "Green Tambourine")

Corey Glover (Living Colour)

Tommy Bolin Tribute w/Joe Vitale and Kenny Passarelli (Joe Walsh & Barnstorm)

Mark Andes (Spirit/JoJo Gunne/Heart/Firefall

Jock Bartley (Firefall)

Rupert Holmes ("Escape -The Pina Colada Song")

Eddie "Devil Boy" Turner (Blues Guitarist)

Prairie Prince (The Tubes/Todd Rundgren)