VRP Rocks - Classic Rock Interviews

In this very special Christmas episode of VRP Rocks, Paul Stephenson sits down with Merseybeat legend Billy J. Kramer to reflect on his incredible career and enduring passion for music. As one of the key figures of the British Invasion, Billy shares unforgettable stories about his early days on the Liverpool music scene, being discovered by John Lennon—who personally championed Billy’s career and even helped shape his iconic stage name - and the influence of Brian Epstein. Billy talks about his chart-topping hits like “Do You Want to Know a Secret” and “Bad to Me”, performing alongside The Beatles, Roy Orbison, James Brown and more, and the surreal experience of conquering America during the height of Beatlemania. We also discuss his latest project, a heartwarming new Christmas song, “Christmas Kind of Feeling” and the emotional return to Abbey Road Studios to record his recent album. At 80 years old, Billy’s love for music remains as strong as ever and his stories from the golden age of rock ’n’ roll are the perfect way to close out the year. Join us for this festive celebration of music, memories and Christmas cheer with one of the greats from rock’s most transformative era. Don’t forget to subscribe for more interviews with rock legends in the new year! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From escaping communist Hungary through a perilous 7-mile tunnel to creating one of the most innovative supergroups in music history, Leslie Mándoki's life is nothing short of extraordinary. In this episode, I sit down with the legendary musician, producer and bandleader behind Mandoki Soulmates. We dive into Leslie's incredible journey, from bootlegging Western music behind the Iron Curtain to his escape to freedom, joining Eurovision sensation Dschinghis Khan and eventually founding the Mandoki Soulmates. Featuring collaborations with legends like Ian Anderson, Jon Lord, Greg Lake and Al Di Meola, Leslie’s evolving supergroup continues to push boundaries in progressive rock and jazz fusion. Leslie also shares stories about working with musical icons, producing the groundbreaking analog album A Memory of Our Future and his mission to use music as a force for freedom and unity. Don’t miss this episode—it’s a conversation about courage, creativity and the unrelenting power of music to change the world. 🎶 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ronnie James Dio: the name alone embodies heavy metal greatness. From Rainbow to Black Sabbath to his legendary solo band, Dio’s unmistakable voice and larger-than-life presence forever changed the world of rock and metal. In this very special episode of VRP Rocks, we celebrate the legacy of one of the greatest voices in music history. You’ll hear incredible stories from those who worked alongside Ronnie, including Tony Carey, Vinny Appice, Jeff Pilson, and Doug Aldrich, as they share their personal memories of the man behind the myth. From studio sessions to the road, they reveal what made Dio not just a phenomenal vocalist, but a remarkable human being. Then, it’s time for the ultimate countdown: the 25 most streamed Ronnie James Dio songs on Spotify. Spanning his time with Rainbow, Black Sabbath, and Dio, these tracks showcase the full power and brilliance of Dio’s musical legacy. With surprising insights, iconic stories, and unforgettable music, this episode is a must-listen for fans of Ronnie James Dio and classic metal alike. 🎸 Don’t forget to subscribe to VRP Rocks and follow us on YouTube as well, where nearly 25,000 fans are enjoying exclusive videos and countdowns. Rock on! 🎶 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zebra frontman Randy Jackson has a career spanning five decades. In this interview, Randy reflects on the incredible journey of Zebra, from their rise in the rock scene with classics like Who's Behind the Door and Tell Me What You Want, to the difficult second album and its follow up. We delve into Zebra’s history, their musical evolution and the upcoming celebration of their 50th anniversary - including plans for a brand-new album and an exciting tour. Randy also shares stories from his time performing with Jefferson Airplane during their reunion shows, offering unique insights into collaborating with such an iconic band. Whether you’re a longtime Zebra fan or discovering their music for the first time, this episode is packed with rock history, exclusive updates and plenty of behind-the-scenes stories. Hit play now and join the conversation with the one and only Randy Jackson! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Paul Langlois, guitarist of Canadian rock legends The Tragically Hip, reflects on the band’s journey from their early days recording their debut record in Memphis, to working with legendary producers like Don Smith and Bob Rock. He shares insights into the newly released Up to Here commemorative box set, packed with unreleased tracks, liner notes and a restored live show from 1990. With 9 #1 albums, 17 Juno Awards and a place in the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, The Tragically Hip remain a defining force in Canadian music. Paul offers fascinating stories about the band’s live energy, their unique songwriting process and the cultural impact of Gord Downie’s lyrics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this My 5 Favourite episode of VRP Rocks, host Paul Stephenson chats with legendary session guitarist Waddy Wachtel, who reveals his top five favourite songs from his storied career. As one of rock’s most sought-after session guitarists, Waddy has shaped the sound of countless hits, working alongside some of the biggest names in music, including Stevie Nicks, Bob Dylan, Iggy Pop, Keith Richards, Linda Ronstadt, Cher, Warren Zevon, Randy Newman, James Taylor, Jackson Browne and many more. In this episode, Waddy shares captivating stories from behind the scenes, from memorable recording sessions to creative collaborations with rock royalty. Each song on his list represents a unique chapter in his career, with insights into the musicianship and studio moments that made these tracks unforgettable. Whether you’re a fan of classic rock, session musicians or the stories behind iconic songs, this episode offers a rare glimpse into Waddy’s incredible journey through music. Subscribe to VRP Rocks for more exclusive interviews with rock legends! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special My 5 Favourite episode of VRP Rocks, host Paul Stephenson sits down with legendary guitarist Bruce Kulick as he reveals his top five favourite albums from his prolific career. Known for his iconic work with KISS, Grand Funk Railroad, and a successful solo journey, Bruce takes listeners behind the scenes of some of his most treasured recordings. From early days as a budding guitarist to his unforgettable years with KISS and beyond, Bruce shares the personal stories, production secrets, and memorable moments that make each of these albums special to him. Fans can expect fascinating insights into the music, including the creative influences and rock legends he’s collaborated with over the years. If you’re a fan of Bruce Kulick, KISS, or just love hearing about the stories behind classic rock albums, don’t miss this episode! Be sure to subscribe to VRP Rocks for more interviews, rock legends, and exclusive My 5 Favourite episodes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special My 5 Favourite episode of VRP Rocks, host Paul Stephenson welcomes back Britt Lightning, the powerhouse guitarist of the legendary all-female rock band Vixen. Following last week’s in-depth interview about her career, Britt returns to reveal her five favourite guitarists, the legends who’ve inspired her the most! Find out who they are in this fun chat with one of rock's rising stars! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of VRP Rocks, Paul interviews Britt Lightning, the lead guitarist of the legendary all-female rock band Vixen. Britt shares her incredible journey, from her early days of touring at just 17 years old to playing with Vince Neil (Mötley Crüe) and Steven Pearcy (Ratt). She also opens up about her work as musical director at Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp, where she mentors musicians alongside rock legends like Nancy Wilson and Stewart Copeland. Britt reveals how she got her electrifying stage name and dives into her love of Van Halen, Metallica and Pantera plus, she gives fans a sneak peek into Vixen’s new music and how she balances paying tribute to the band’s classic hits while adding her own modern flair. Don’t forget to subscribe to VRP Rocks for more interviews with rock legends and check out our YouTube channel for exclusive video content. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of VRP Rocks, Paul welcomes back legendary Grand Funk Railroad frontman Mark Farner for another incredible conversation. Mark shares the inspiration behind his first new album in almost 20 years, "Closer to My Home", and the fascinating story of re-recording his iconic hit "I’m Your Captain (Closer to Home)" in 432 Hz. Mark also reflects on his near-death experience, discusses his collaboration with Mark Slaughter, and gives his unfiltered thoughts on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Grand Funk’s controversial exclusion. Plus, could there be a Grand Funk Railroad reunion in the future? Mark was first featured on episode 85 of VRP Rocks (March 2023), where he told unforgettable stories about Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, selling out Shea Stadium faster than the Beatles, and much more. Be sure to check it out: Episode 85 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this exciting episode of VRP Rocks, Paul sits down with legendary guitarist Bruce Kulick for an in-depth conversation spanning his entire career. From shredding with Kiss during their iconic non-makeup era where he helped shape the band’s sound on iconic albums like Asylum and Revenge. He also takes us back to his early days on the road with Meat Loaf during the Bat Out of Hell tour, reflecting on what it was like to be part of such a ground-breaking live show. He also talks about his long-standing role with Grand Funk Railroad, his new musical projects, and even gives us a preview of his upcoming autobiography. Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to his music, this is a must-listen for anyone interested in the history of rock and the stories behind the songs. Don’t miss this in-depth conversation with one of rock’s most respected guitarists! Check out Bruce's website to make sure you're up to date with everything going on in his world: https://www.brucekulick.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of VRP Rocks, we dive deep into rock history with two legendary segments. First, we pay tribute to the genius of Jeff Beck, as six rock icons share their personal stories and insights on why Beck was the greatest guitarist of all time. Then, we crank up the volume for the ultimate showdown between The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. We analyze their streaming numbers on Spotify to reveal a combined top 25 most-played songs. Tune in for epic tales, classic hits, and rock 'n' roll debate at its finest! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of VRP Rocks, host Paul Stephenson sits down with legendary session musician, guitarist and producer Danny Kortchmar. Known for his work with iconic artists like James Taylor, Carole King, Don Henley and Jackson Browne, Danny shares his top 5 favourite songs that he’s worked on throughout his incredible career. From behind-the-scenes stories to insights into the creative process, this episode offers a fascinating glimpse into the mind of one of music’s most influential figures. Tune in for a deep dive into the music that shaped a generation! Don’t forget to subscribe for more classic rock stories every Monday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today I speak with the founder and CEO of Drum Talk TV, Dan Shinder! Dan is here to talk about his personal 5 Favourite Drummers of all time - and he shares some fascinating stories along the way! Dan's life in drumming started at a really young age and he was in bands supporting the likes of Heart and Blue Oyster Cult when he was just 15 years old! His knowledge and love of music and musicians shines through in the fun, fascinating conversation. Drum Talk TV is a multi-platform enterprise that reaches over 100 million people every single year. Make sure to check it out! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As sad news reached me about an hour ago of the sad passing of Greg Kihn, I thought I'd put out a short episode paying tribute and including some of the funniest stories Greg told me during our interview back in 2021. To hear the full interview check out episode 21 of VRP Rocks Hear behind-the-scenes tales, including a humorous encounter with Bruce Springsteen, and his collaboration with "Weird Al" Yankovic. Get an intimate glimpse into the making of the groundbreaking music video for "Jeopardy," filmed in a historic church, and featuring innovative visual effects - for the time. Greg's infectious humor and jovial spirit shine through in this unforgettable tribute to his lasting musical legacy. #RIPGregKihn #gregkihn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this captivating episode, legendary drummer Simon Phillips takes us on a journey through his illustrious career, sharing insights into his favourite albums he's played on. Simon gives a behind-the-scenes look at recording tracks with musical luminaries like David Gilmour, Pete Townsend, and Jack Bruce. He delves into the intricacies of creating music, the significance of certain tracks he worked on and the impact of playing with Jeff Beck, Judas Priest and Stanley Clark. It's an interesting selection of records for sure! Please check out the full interview with Simon discussing his illustrious career on Episode 108 of VRP Rocks! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Buck Dharma, founding member of iconic rock band Blue Öyster Cult, takes centre stage on todays episode. Buck discusses his latest single "The End of Every Song," and delves into the band's reimagined record "Ghost Stories," using AI to revitalize previously unreleased tracks. Buck also reminisces about the band's early years, sharing insights about their massive hits like "Don't Fear the Reaper" and "Godzilla." We also get insight from the 70's touring, why the government followed them around, why Black Sabbath didn't like supporting them and why he thought the British bands of that era were too competitive. Tune in for an exclusive peek into the extraordinary journey of a rock pioneer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this weeks show we dive deep into some great records for a change. Tony Carey is back to talk about a brilliant collective of musicians who count Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson, Supertramp's John Helliwell and Simon Phillips amongst their number - plus his new efforts to remaster some of his most creative concept records as Planet P Project. The dark matter of Go Out Dancing Part 1: 1931 is fascinating and discussed in detail as is the follow up G.O.D. Part 2: Levittown. Tony shares a great insight into his thought provoking releases and his creative process. Please check out the previous episodes with Tony Carey - Episode 94 he discusses his career from working on the incredible Rainbow Rising album with Ritchie Blackmore and Ronnie James Dio & "Tony Carey My 5 Favourite" where he lets us in on his 5 favourite recording sessions from his storied career! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of VRP Rocks, we delve into the captivating world of music with Tony Carey as he unveils his top 5 most memorable recording sessions. As a renowned musician celebrated for his work with Rainbow and as a solo artist, Tony Carey intricately details the enchanting stories behind his collaborations with some of music's biggest legends. We hear about sessions that prompted the involvement of the German equivalent of the FBI, how one mega star was put to bed so they could get on with finishing the recordings properly, how one song went on to make him a mega star in Germany and the hardest album he ever had to make. Tony Carey's artistic journey is nothing short of enthralling making this episode a must-listen for music aficionados and enthusiasts alike. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode renowned drummer Chris Slade shares captivating stories from his illustrious career. From his time with classic rock legends like AC DC, Jimmy Page, and David Gilmour, to his hits with Tom Jones and Manfred Mann's Earth Band, Chris Slade's journey is a treasure trove of music history. Get an inside look at his new album "Timescape," featuring original material and covers, highlighting his songwriting and self-discovery journey. Dive into discussions about iconic songs like "Thunderstruck" and insights into collaborating with music legends. Gain valuable insights on adaptability, self-belief, and the magic of successful collaboration in the music industry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices