VRP Rocks - Classic Rock Interviews

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

Terry Reid shares stories from his incredible career. From his early start in the industry, touring with the Rolling Stones on his 16th birthday, Reid's experiences are nothing short of legendary. The interview features captivating tales of his interactions with icons like Aretha Franklin, Steve Marriott, and Jimmy Page, offering a rare glimpse into the inner workings of the music industry during the golden era. With mentions of John Lennon, Led Zeppelin, Small Faces and Johnny Depp, this engaging conversation is a treasure trove of music history, providing a behind-the-scenes look at one of the greatest unsung hero's of the rock 'n' roll world. If you haven't checked him out yet, once you've listened to this interview, go and check out his music - he's not nicknamed "Superlungs" for nothing! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Step into the world of music history with renowned drummer Russ Kunkel as he unveils the captivating stories behind his top five favorite records. Experience the behind-the-scenes magic of influential albums that have left an indelible mark on the music industry. From studio collaborations with legendary artists to the creation of timeless classics, Russ shares exclusive insights into the making of platinum-certified, Grammy-honored masterpieces. Discover the artistry and the profound impact of these albums as Russ takes you on a journey through the transformative era of music. Don't miss this extraordinary opportunity to witness the untold tales and unparalleled artistry that shaped a generation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Demon himself, GENE SIMMONS, from KISS joins Paul to chat all about what's going on his world right now! We delve into the end of Kiss and the birth of the "new era", the Avatars! We also get an update on the Kiss Netflix Biopic, the reasons behind selling the music and image rights to the band, what his relationship is currently like with Paul Stanley, what his regrets are about Ace Frehley and Peter Criss, how Gene discovered Van Halen, the influence of the Beatles on the band, Genes solo touring and much more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rock legends (including 2 Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Inductees) share stories from their time playing, recording and touring with The Who! From studio chaos to replacing the irreplaceable, gruelling tour dates to backstage drama, you'll get a glimpse into the minds and actions of icons Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey, John Entwistle and Keith Moon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices