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Wiilie Nile with Johnny Pisano

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Willie Nile a Rocker from Buffalo NY Part One 

In part one, with Willie Nile we discuss the beginnings of his musical career, his band and his time with long time bassist Johnny Pisano. Willie was born in Buffalo, New York into what he called “a gregarious Irish Catholic family”. He studied at the University at Buffalo and lived in Greenwich Village while beginning his music career. he began frequenting such clubs as CBGB, where he saw performers including Patti Smith, Television, the Ramones, and Talking Heads

The New York Times called Buffalo, NY-born Willie Nile “one of the most gifted singer-songwriters to emerge from the New York scene in years.” Bono, Bruce Springsteen, Pete Townshend, Lou Reed, Lucinda Williams, Jim Jarmusch, and Little Steven are among those who have sung his praises”

His studio album The Day The Earth Stood Still features a duet with Steve Earle on the song “Blood On Your Hands.” The London Times called him “A man who embodies the true spirit of rock ‘n’ roll.” The New Yorker wrote that Willie Nile is “One of the most brilliant singer-songwriters of the past 30 years.”

Willie has a new album just released called The Great Yellow Light. MOJO gave it 4 Stars and wrote: “On his 21st album in a career of remarkable consistency, h” Willie will be touring in Europe and in North America this year in support of the new album and lives in New York City.

Willie Nile with Johnny Pisano Part One

 

Here are links to Willie and Johnny

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Paul Crook- Meat Loaf and Anthrax Guitarist

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Paul Crook- Guitarist

Meat Loaf and Anthrax

Paul Crook is an American guitarist best known for recording and performing with Meat Loaf. He has also recorded and toured with Anthrax, Sebastian Bach and Marya Roxx. Since Meat Loaf’s passing on 2023, Paul leads the tribute band Bat (The Meat Loaf Band AKA Neverland Express) with Caleb Johnson from American Idol taking over vocal duties.

Anthrax and Sebastian Bach

Crook met Jack Secret (aka Tony Geranios), the keyboard tech for Geddy Lee of Rush.  Secret introduced Crook to the members of Blue Öyster Cult (BOC), who took Crook out on the road in 1986 as a keyboard/guitar tech. When BOC was touring in 1989, Crook met Anthrax through Rick Downey and soon left BOC to work as the guitar tech for Dan Spitz, and, in 1995, replaced Spitz. Crook toured with Anthrax for the rest of the decade and performed on two records, Stomp 442 and Volume 8: The Threat Is Real. In 1999, Sebastian Bach of Skid Row called Paul to join his band. They toured together until 2004. Their only recording was “Rock Bottom”, on a KISS tribute record.

Meat Loaf and Queen

In 2003 Kasim Sulton, bassist for Meat Loaf‘s Neverland Express, asked Paul to audition for the band. After Paul played a few songs, Meat Loaf applauded and said he was hired. A live DVD was filmed at the end of the tour (in Australia): Bat out of Hell: Live with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.

In 2004 Crook auditioned for the musical We Will Rock You, featuring the music of Queen. He auditioned for Brian May, one of his main influences. May trained Crook personally for the position. Crook relocated to Las Vegas to perform with the musical.

In 2006 Crook hit the studio with Meat Loaf and the Neverland Express to record Bat Out of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose. The album was produced by Desmond Child. While touring Bat Out of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose a camera crew was called in to record every move the band made. This footage later became known as the documentary film: Meat Loaf In Search Of Paradise.

Interview with Paul Crook

 

 

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Gary Mallaber- Part 1, Raven and Zeppelin

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Gary Mallaber

Drummer – Song Writer – Arranger – Producer – Engineer

Raven and Van Morrison

Gary Mallaber started his career in Buffalo, NY, playing drums with his band, Raven, and in 1969 opened for Led Zeppelin, Grand Funk Railroad, and others. Soon after, the band broke up, and he was in search of Van Morrison.  

He found him in the Village in NYC, and soon recorded the album, Moondance. With the success of Moondance, his career took a major turn, and he became an in-demand session drummer in Los Angeles.

Gary has recorded with many artists, but the folks that sent chills up his arm and knew there was something special were Steve Miller,  Eddie Money, and Van Morrison.

Steve Miller, Eddie Money, and More

After the success of The Joker, Steve connected with Gary about recreating more of that magic with bassist Lonnie Turner. Together with Lonnie, they recorded what became Fly Like an Eagle and Book of Dreams.

Gary stayed with Steve through the 1980s. While he was recording with Steve Miller, he was asked to play for the up-and-coming Eddie Money.

Once he met Eddie, he knew it was going to be great. The hits they recorded on the first release were Two Tickets to Paradise and Baby Hold On.

For further reading on the artists he has played and recorded with, check out: Peter Frampton, Poco, Paul Williams, Jimmy White, and Kermit the Frog.

Some of the other artists Gary has recorded with include: Joan Armatrading, The Beach Boys, John Lennon, Gene Clark, David Cassidy, Bonnie Raitt, Tom Rush, Bob Seger, Barbra Streisand, Warren Zevon, and Hughes/Thrall — the list goes on!

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Interview with Gary Mallaber (Part 1)

Gary with A.J. Croce “Operator”

Here are links to Gary

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Sebastian LaBar and Jaron Gulino of Tantric

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Sebastian LaBar and Jaron Gulino of TANTRIC

MACH22, Slash, and Jeff LaBar

Guitarist Sebastian LaBar and bassist Jaron Gulino, of Tantric, talk with MusicXplorer about when they first met in 2014, when they were both in Philadelphia-based band, MACH22, and through their current gig in Tantric.

Sebastian started playing guitar when he was a teen and was influenced by his father, Jeff LaBar (guitarist of the band Cinderella), Angus Young, and all guitarists who have played with Ozzy, including Zack, Randy Rhoads, Jake E. Lee, and Tony Iommi.

Jaron started playing bass when he was a teen because he thought the instrument was pretty cool, and bassists are always in demand due to the lack of them.

Sebastian and Jaron joined the band, MACH22, in 2014, fronted by Lamont Caldwell on vocals. Soon after, they recorded the debut album, Sweet Talk Intervention, engineered by Ronnie Honeycutt, and produced by Sebastian’s father, Jeff LaBar, of Cinderella.

The band produced two more recordings, the EP Like My Chances (2015) and the EP Working Off The Clock (2017), before Sebastian and Jaron joined Tantric.

 

Tantric and Muddfest

Jaron had been doing gigs and holding down a day job, but gave up the desk job when he joined Tantric in 2017. 

He had been doing some gigs that involved drummer Troy Patrick Farrell. Troy asked if he would be interested in helping him with Tantric, and he immediately jumped on the opportunity.

Soon after, Tantric needed a guitarist when Tommy Gibbons left. Jaron immediately thought of Sebastian. He was a great fit and joined in late 2017, and has been playing together ever since.

The band often shares tours with Saving Abel, Puddle of Mudd, Trapt, and Saliva, especially during Muddfest, a summer tour headlined by Puddle of Mudd.

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Interview with Sebastian and Jaron

Tantric- Letting Go

Here are links to Sebastian Jaron

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Rod Morgenstein, Part Three- Winger and Robert Plant

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Rod Morgenstein

Highlights from Part 1 and 2

In our previous two stories, we talked to Rod about his influences and his time at University of Miami in Florida in 1973, where he met Steve Morse, Andy West, and Allen Sloan, playing under the official Studio Music and curriculum title of, Rock Ensemble II.
At the university, The Dixie Dregs recorded their first album in 1975, The Great Spectacular, as a class project. The group was finally signed to Capricorn in 1977, and recorded several albums before they temporarily disbanded in 1983. The band has been nominated six times for a Grammy award.

Winger and Robert Plant

Rod joined Steve Morse’s new band and stayed for two albums before wanting a musical change. In 1987, Rod went to the NYC area, where he hails from, to look for work and his auditions for George Michael, Billy Idol, and Joe Lynn Turner. Rod met Kip Winger and the band in a studio by chance and hit it off. The band released their latest album 7, and currently on tour.
Rod also tells his story about why Robert Plant was looking for him in 1988.

Interview with Rod Morgenstein (Part 3)

Part 2 with Rod Morgenstein

Here are links to Rod

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A Personal Tribute to Gary Rossington of Lynyrd Skynyrd

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Gary Rossington of Lynyrd Skynyrd

Legendary Guitarist Passes away at 71

Lynyrd Skynyrd and Me

I had a passion for music since an early age, at 14 I went to live with my brother Mike in Indiana. He introduced me to Pink Floyd, Bob Dylan REO Speedwagon and Lynyrd Skynyrd  When I heard him playing Skynyrd’s “Nuthin’ Fancy” album, the powerful rock, blues and country songs they offered, Lynyrd Skynyrd was the perfect band. With their variety of different music styles, three distinct guitar sounds, killer keyboards, a powerful rhythm section, and a vocalist who sang from the heart.

End of an Era

Gary was the last member to pass away from the original lineup, as most people reading this know that Lynyrd Skynyrd’s career was cut short by the plane crasjh in 1977. The band was suppose to headline Madison Square Garden with Ted Nugent, and the show was sold out, It is a sad day as the southern rock era took a serious hit. You are in God’s hands God Bless you Gary. THANK YOU

Tribute to Gary Rossington

Tribute to Gary by the band “Tuesday’s Gone”.                    Click on the YouTube link

 

Here are links to Gary

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Matt O’Ree

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Matt O’Ree

King of the Blues Winner

Matt O’Ree is an American blues-rock guitarist, singer, and songwriter, born and raised in Holmdel, New Jersey. He formed the Matt O’Ree Band in 1994, releasing his debut album, 88 Miles in 1998. In 2006, he entered the Guitarmageddon contest, sponsored by Guitar Center and Guitar World Magazine, hosted by BB King and John Mayer. He won after competing against 4,000 other guitar players. O’Ree was the touring rhythm guitarist for Bon Jovi in the 2015 South East Asia Tour. In 2016, he was inducted into the NY/NJ Blues Hall of Fame.

O’Ree has released four studio albums and two live albums, with his latest album, Brotherhood, released in 2016. The album features contributions from Bruce Springsteen, David Bryan (Bon Jovi), Steve Cropper (Booker T & the MG’s), and John Popper (Blues Traveler), to name a few. The band includes his wife and singer, Eryn Shewell.

David Bryan and Bon Jovi

In 2013, O’Ree met David Bryan, and have been friends since. Bryan helped O’Ree with his career by introducing him to Jon Bon Jovi and getting him an audition to be the guitarist in the Bon Jovi band to help support their album, Burning Bridges.
After the South East Asia Tour in 2015, O’Ree did a homecoming show with his band at the The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, New Jersey to a sold-out crowd. The show included David Bryan, where they performed Bon Jovi’s song, Wanted Dead or Alive, as well the song co-written by O’Ree and Bryan, My Everything is You; and their new single, the recorded version of “Black Boots,” featuring  Bruce Springsteen.  Also in 2015, O’Ree and Bryan performed with blues legend, Buddy Guy at B.B. Kings Club, with backing singer, Eryn Shewell.

Video interview with Matt O’Ree

Matt at the King of the Blues Show

Here are links to Matt

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Chuck Burgi – (Part 1 of 3)

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Chuck Burgi – Drummer

Growing up in Montclair, NJ with Joe Walsh

Chuck Burgi’s musical career is simply amazing! He started in Montclair, New Jersey, and he went to the same school as Joe Walsh, who has been a family friend to this day.

Currently, Chuck is the drummer for Billy Joel, and has been for the last 12 years.

 

Allman Brothers Band, Al Anderson & Brand X

After high school, Chuck went to Berklee in Boston with his friend, Al Anderson. They got a chance to meet The Allman Brothers Band when they came to town, and even jammed with them. Jamming with The Allman Brothers Band was the turning point for both him and Al. 

Chuck went on to a successful career, and Al eventually became the lead guitarist for Bob Marley. Chuck’s career has never been dull or status quo.

He has played and recorded with many artists, including Brand X, Hall & Oates, Glen Burtnik, Rainbow, Meat Loaf, and many more

 

Billy Joel & Tokyo Motor Fist

In 2002, Chuck debuted on Broadway drumming for the smash musical, Movin’ Out, which featured the music of Billy Joel. Movin’ Out lasted three and a half years before closing in 2005. While playing the final shows of Movin’ Out, Chuck was approached by Billy Joel to join his band.

He also appears with former Rainbow bandmate and bassist, Greg Smith, Danger Danger vocalist, Ted Poley, and Trixter guitarist, Steve Brown, on the hard rock-styled Tokyo Motor Fist. Their sophomore album, Lions, was released in 2020.

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Interview with Chuck Burgi (Part 1 of 3)

Tokyo Motor Fist “Pickin’ Up the Pieces”

Here are links to Chuck Burgi

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Gary Mallaber Part Two- Finding Van Morrison

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Gary Mallaber

Drummer – Song Writer – Arranger – Producer – Engineer

Highlights From Part One

Gary Mallaber started his career in Buffalo, NY, playing drums with his band, Raven. The band was getting noticed in 1968 and moved to New York City.  They soon found themselves  jamming with Jimi Hendrix and met Eddie Kramer. They were opening for Led Zeppelin, Grand Funk Railroad, and others. George Harrison and Peter Asher were even interested in Raven, but the band fell apart.  Soon after, Gary was in search of Van Morrison.

Searching for Van Morrison and making Moondance

Gary arrived in the Village in NYC, and quickly found Van Morrison at a local music spot. He noticed there were no drums, and asked if he could bring his kit.Gary was in and was soon recording the album, Moondance with Van. We talk to Gary about the history of the album and what it means today. We chat about the tracks, his favorite songs, the mixing of the album, and how Van was open to band contributions; such as, Gary adding Vibraphone on Crazy Love, and helping Van to mix the album.

Interview with Gary Mallaber (Part 2)

Gary with AJ Croce” Operator”

Here are links to Gary

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John Scarpulla- Saxophonist Extraordinaire

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John Scarpulla

Diana Ross, Billy Joel, and the last play at Shea

John is a well-known and established saxophonist, best known for his work with Diana Ross and his association with Billy Joel, and being a part of the Movin’ Out musical.

After Movin’ Out, he continued to work with Tony-nominated Michael Cavanaugh, playing the music of Billy Joel and more with symphonies all over the world.

He has recorded and performed with many music icons, including: Willie Colon, Ruben Blades, Ricky Martin, Hall and Oates, Huey Lewis, Cyndi Lauper,  BB King, and Billy Joel, just for starters.

Besides working with Diana Ross, he performs with quite a variety of bands, as well as working with Funk Filharmonik, and with the Billy Joel Tribute band, ”Big Shot,” led by Mike DelGuidice.

John’s versatility allows him to pursue many avenues of the music culture and many styles of music.

John has had many highlights throughout his career, including as a musical director and co-musical director for the Long Island Music Hall of Fame Awards since its inception in 2004.

He was asked by Billy Joel to join his band for the historic “Last Play at Shea,” the last two concerts at Shea Stadium, where the band was joined by such icons as Don Henley, John Mellencamp, Tony Bennett, Steven Tyler, Roger Daltry, and Garth Brooks.

As if that were not enough, Sir Paul McCartney closed out the second show.

 

Funk Filaharmonic, Tower of Power, and East 4th Horns

John took up the saxophone at an early age and later attended Berklee School of Music and studied with many teachers, including Joseph Viola.

While continuing his studies in Boston, he was hired by the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. When John went back to New York City, he was soon auditioning for Funk Filharmonik and was hired.

At the same time, he and John Wheeler started another horn section they called the “East 4th Horns,” and quickly became a men-in-demand horn section.

In 1996, John received a dream phone call from Emilio Castillo of Tower of Power. Shortly after John sent the demo, he was in the band and stayed through 1999.

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Video interview with John Scarpulla

“Work To Do” Brent Carter and Friends with John Scarpulla

Here are links to other things related to John

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