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John Tobler

John Tobler

A key chronicler of American music for ZigZag, NME, and numerous other magazines, John Tobler (pictured with Beach Boy Mike Love in 1976) has also supplied liner notes for countless reissues. He currently runs the Road Goes On Forever label in Tyneside, England.

The Road Goes On Forever

242 articles

List of articles in the library

By date | By artist | Most recently added

Marsha Hunt: an interview

Interview by John Tobler, ZigZag, October 1969

...

Paul Butterfield Blues Band: The Butterfield Blues Band

Report and Interview by John Tobler, ZigZag, January 1970

THE MEMORY WILL never fade for me of a freezing night near the end of 1966. It was a Friday, and a more-joyful-than-Christmas event was ...

The Everly Brothers: An Interview with Don

Interview by John Tobler, ZigZag, May 1970

THE EVERLY BROTHERS first single 'Bye Bye Love' was released in 1957 and their records have been consistently good since then. Don Everly, now 33, ...

Link Wray

Report and Interview by John Tobler, ZigZag, 1971

FOR ELDERLY rockers like me, it’s pretty incredible to be able to talk to those who were around at the start of their musical interests. ...

The Groundhogs: Tony McPhee… Groundhog

Interview by John Tobler, ZigZag, March 1971

ZZ: Can we talk about your new album first? How did it come to be called Split? ...

Kevin Coyne

Interview by John Tobler, ZigZag, July 1971

"WHEN I WAS very young, a fat-arsed bingo club manager said: 'You're going to the top, right to the top, and I am going to ...

Al Kooper: The (Almost) Complete History of Al Kooper

Interview by John Tobler, ZigZag, October 1971

Tell me about the first Supersession.Well the concept came from that Grape Jam album (given free with Wow in the States but not released here), ...

The Doors Come Full Circle

Review by John Tobler, Let It Rock, October 1972

ROCK JOURNALISTS ARE not born. Probably they’re not made either – it doesn’t work to tell someone that they’re a rock writer, although people do. ...

The Everly Brothers: Looking Back with the Everlys

Retrospective and Interview by John Tobler, Let It Rock, December 1972

SOME OF THE earliest rock’n’roll to capture my imagination was purveyed by the Everly Brothers. "Whatcha mean?" mutters a Brylcreem-encrusted voice, emerging from a Neanderthal ...

Rick Nelson (1973) [transcript]

Audio transcript of interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages transcripts, 1973

This is a transcript of John's audio interview with Rick. Listen to the audio of this interview. ...

Colin Blunstone: One Year After

Interview by John Tobler, Let It Rock, February 1973

Nowadays, degrees and A levels are almost as common rock musicians as they are among aspiring rock critics. But it was headline news back in ...

Love: Prelude To Love

Interview by John Tobler, ZigZag, February 1973

WHILE CHATTING to Jerry Hopkins, Rolling Stone's man in London, at a press reception, I found that he was involved in the early career of ...

West, Bruce & Laing: West Bruce & Laing: Why Dontcha

Review by John Tobler, Let It Rock, March 1973

I DON'T WANT to be boring, but there's a whole heap of over obvious things to say about a band like this, just a couple ...

Neil Sedaka

Profile and Interview by John Tobler, ZigZag, April 1973

How Neil Sedaka Added An Extra Chin And Sang His Own Songs Again ...

Elton John: The Elton John Story: Final Part

Interview by John Tobler, ZigZag, April 1973

ORCHESTRA ONSTAGE ...

Judy Collins, Crabby Appleton, Love, Carly Simon: Jac Holzman Then and Now

Interview by John Tobler, ZigZag, May 1973

IF EVER I've identified with a record company, the nearest thing in my mind to an ideal would be Elektra Records, for many reasons, not ...

Argent: In Deep (Epic)

Review by John Tobler, Let It Rock, June 1973

WHEN I INTERVIEWED Colin Blunstone for Let It Rock one of the points that he made several times was that Argent were just about the ...

The Dillards: Herb Pederson & The Dillards

Retrospective by John Tobler, ZigZag, September 1973

PERCEPTIVE READERS, which I'm sure you all are, will have noticed my enthusiastic reports of a press reception I attended, actually on May 24th this ...

Don Nix: Donald Nix: Of Shoes & Sticks & Donald Nix

Retrospective and Interview by John Tobler, ZigZag, October 1973

NOW THIS here's the story 'bout the Rock Island Line... no, that's not true at all, because it's actually a story about a legendary figure, ...

Kevin Coyne: From a Crushed Dandelion to a Rampant Virgin — K. Coyne Esq.

Interview by John Tobler, ZigZag, October 1973

RIGHT, NOW you've got a sensational headline, now bloody read the words. No, much more important, get off your arses and buy the record, because ...

Bobby Vee (1973)

Interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages audio, November 1973

The veteran rocker talks about his latest album — released under the name Robert Thomas Velline — Nothin' Like a Sunny Day, and his struggles with United Artists. He then looks back at the end of his first phase of popularity, touring the UK, and cutting Sings The New Sound From England! He talks about producer Snuff Garrett and how they cut his hits, and about his collaborations with the Ventures and Crickets. Finally, Bobby looks back at how Buddy Holly's death kick-started his career.

File format: mp3; file size: 39.9mb; Interview length: 41' 35"; sound quality: ****

David Blue (1973)

Interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages audio, November 1973

The singer-songwriter talks about living in Greenwich Village in the early '60s, and being encouraged as a writer by Bob Dylan; signing to Elektra and recording his first album; his brief band American Patrol; signing to Reprise, and the "company freaks"; making These 23 Days in September; Elliot Roberts, David Geffen, and signing to Asylum; Graham Nash producing Nice Baby and the Angel; gettting his live band together, playing live, and his guitarist and future Eagle Don Felder.

File format: mp3; file size: 62.6mb, interview length: 1h 05' 11" sound quality: ****

Rick Nelson (1973)

Interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages audio, November 1973

A year after hitting with 'Garden Party', the former teenthrob talks about getting his new band together; his love of the pedal steel, and his steel player Tom Brumley; his new album Windfall; his against-type TV acting roles; the LA club scene and his favourite, the Palomino; leaving 'Hello Mary Lou' behind, and not being trapped by his past.

File format: mp3; file size: 41.1mb, interview length: 42' 48" sound quality: ****

Van Morrison out of the music

Profile and Interview by John Tobler, ZigZag, November 1973

"YOU COULD FORGIVE him anything after you've listened to his music." (Nicola Hugen-Tobler after first straining to hear the great man's words through the clinking ...

Lowell George, Van Dyke Parks: Van Dyke Parks

Interview by John Tobler, Hot Wacks, 9 November 1973

...with contributions from Lowell George and Pete Frame. ...

Van Dyke Parks (1973)

Interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages audio, 9 November 1973

The great man talks about many things, including his Southern roots; Los Angeles and the California experience; acting in TV and movies as kid; his early music experiences in LA; surfing, and the Beach Boys; his first album Song Cycle; Randy Newman, Ry Cooder, Lenny Waronker, and the whole Warner Bros. Records scene; Brian Wilson, and what happened to Smile; his Discover America, and the associated lawsuit, and writing songs with Lowell George (who makes an appearance)...

File format: mp3; file size: 152.2mb, interview length: 2h 38' 33" sound quality: ****

Jan & Dean: Dean Torrence (1973)

Interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages audio, 12 November 1973

From high school in the late '50s to Kittyhawk Graphics in the '70s, Dean Torrence looks back at his partnership with Jan Berry: early hits such as 'Baby Talk'; being managed by Lou Adler, with Herb Alpert; the L.A. indie labels Dore and Challenge; the evolution of surf music, and collaborations with the Beach Boys from 'Surf City' to 'Barbara Ann'; surf boards, cars and fashions; Jan's accident, and going back to school to become a graphic designer; recording Brian Wilson's 'Vegetables', and the Legendary Masked Surfers album with Terry Melcher and Bruce Johnston.

File format: mp3; file size: 81mb, interview length: 1h 24' 22" sound quality: ****

Arthur Lee, Love: Arthur Lee: Forever Changes

Interview by John Tobler, Melody Maker, 29 December 1973

REMEMBER Arthur Lee and Love? Love was the first rock band to sign with Elektra Records, which they did in late 1965. In approximately their ...

Michael Nesmith: Mike Nesmith: Monkee in the Countryside

Profile and Interview by John Tobler, Melody Maker, 26 January 1974

Do me the gracious favour of not pointing me out as the most talented Monkee ...

David Ackles: Just A Handful Of Songs

Interview by John Tobler, Melody Maker, 16 February 1974

DAVID ACKLES has got a great house in Pacific Palisades, a few miles west of Los Angeles, and thereby close to the ocean, although the ...

Michael Nesmith: 283 Reasons To Like Michael Nesmith

Retrospective by John Tobler, ZigZag, March 1974

THE STORY so far: Michael Nesmith, a Texan singer and guitar player, has left the Monkees, the manufactured group brought together to make television series, ...

Al Kooper, Lynyrd Skynyrd: Al Kooper: Sweetheart Of The South

Interview by John Tobler, Melody Maker, 2 March 1974

AL KOOPER is presumably in accord with Bob Dylan more often than not, as his playing on some the latter's best albums, like Blonde On ...

David Blue: Rambling through with David Blue

Profile and Interview by John Tobler, ZigZag, April 1974

EVERYONE IN any way interested in rock music and its development knows that Bob Dylan spent some of his formative and pre-star years in Greenwich ...

Pete Townshend, The Who: Can You Believe It? Chatting with Pete Townshend

Interview by John Tobler, ZigZag, June 1974

I bet you'd given up all hope of seeing the second part of this little epic, eh? How many of you even remember the first ...

Rick Nelson: The Rick Nelson Story

Retrospective by John Tobler, ZigZag, August 1974

Part 1: The Imperial Years ...

Arthur Lee, Love: Love Leftovers: 64 Questions With Arthur Lee

Interview by John Tobler, ZigZag, December 1974

Who was your first manager then, Herb Cohen? ...

The Butts Band, The Doors: The Life And Death Of The Butts Band

Report and Interview by John Tobler, ZigZag, December 1974

DEFUNCT GROUPS are not normally my stock in trade, or that of ZigZag in general, but very occasionally the opportunity arises to learn something of ...

Elton John: Hammersmith Odeon, London

Live Review by John Tobler, ZigZag, January 1975

THE SUBJECT OF this piece is a man who could justly be called one of ZigZag's favourite people, Elton John. ...

Eric Clapton: Hammersmith Odeon, London

Live Review by John Tobler, ZigZag, January 1975

IT'S ABOUT half past eight, the lights go down, the curtains go up, and we can all see a dimly lit stage, with the drums ...

Arthur Lee, Love: Arthur Lee: Yes Folks, Yet Another Arthur Lee Article

Interview by John Tobler, ZigZag, March 1975

Oh God, please, no!! I thought old Tobler had just about run out of material on Arthur Lee, but it seems he must have a ...

Slade (1975)

Interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages audio, May 1975

The Black Country glam-rockers discuss their struggle to break the States; the importance to them of Top Of The Pops; their first hit 'Get Down and Get With It'; singles versus albums; their Yuletide No. 1 'Merry Xmas Everybody'; Slade Alive!; looking back on their skinhead phase, and meeting manager Chas Chandler for the first time.

File format: mp3; file size: 41mb, interview length: 42' 43" sound quality: ***

10cc: The Original Soundtrack

Review by John Tobler, ZigZag, August 1975

IT'S VERY difficult to express a feeling of disappointment in such a medium as this. Like probably many of you, I'd been looking forward to ...

Clifford T Ward: Escalator

Review by John Tobler, ZigZag, August 1975

THE FIRST thing to say about Clifford is that it is a crime that he isn't yet the big star he inevitably will eventually become. ...

Led Zeppelin: Physical Graffiti

Review by John Tobler, ZigZag, August 1975

NOW I SHOULD make clear in this context that I'm not by nature a fan of this band in the same way that I like ...

Keith West, Moonrider: Moonrider's Keith West

Interview by John Tobler, ZigZag, August 1975

MOONRIDER have had tenuous ties with ZigZag since before they were born. John Weider forecast their birth in ZZ42, the group played a short set ...

Eric Clapton: There's One In Every Crowd

Review by John Tobler, ZigZag, September 1975

A NEW CLAPTON album is a treat at any time, and this is no exception to that personal rule. ...

Elton John: Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy

Review by John Tobler, ZigZag, November 1975

THIS IS PROBABLY the latest review you've read of the record under scrutiny. Having read several other reviews in various weekly and monthly publications, a ...

Kevin Coyne: Matching Head And Feet

Review by John Tobler, ZigZag, November 1975

READERS WHO have survived from the Golden Age of ZigZag will probably know that I'm a bit partial to the outpourings of Mr Coyne. However, ...

Hot Chocolate's Errol Brown (1975)

Interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages audio, 16 December 1975

The Hot Chocolate frontman/songwriter talks about the good year the band have just had: about never being certain of hits and having no fixed following; working without management support; not rushing to go on the road; singles vs. albums; producer Mickie Most; being an integrated band; not being a soul act per se... and why he shaves his head!

File format: mp3; file size: 32.9mb, interview length: 34' 15" sound quality: ***

Eric Clapton: EC Was Here

Review by John Tobler, ZigZag, January 1976

TWO THINGS occur to me. Firstly, if I continue to review every Clapton album and concert, maybe one day I'll get the interview. Join me ...

Pete Wingfield: The Wheel Goes Full Circle

Interview by John Tobler, ZigZag, January 1976

IN THE EARLY DAYS of ZigZag, when Frame and I were young lads, Childs wasn't even born, and San Francisco was where it was at ...

The Kursaal Flyers: Brunel University, London

Live Review by John Tobler, New Musical Express, 24 January 1976

THE ONLY REASON I KNOW for the Kursaal Flyers not to be as popular as sliced bread is that their first album was so badly ...

Elton John: Rock Of The Westies

Review by John Tobler, ZigZag, February 1976

IT DOESN'T SEEM long since the last EJ album, and in fact, it isn't, which I suppose is more fuel for the fire that says ...

Steve Goodman: Jessie's Jig And Other Favourites

Review by John Tobler, ZigZag, February 1976

I HAVE an uncomfortable feeling that this is almost exactly the sort of record that the great majority of the critics on the weeklies have ...

Yvonne Elliman: Rising Sun

Review by John Tobler, ZigZag, February 1976

WELL, IF YOU'RE expecting some kind of Claptonian continuation, you'll very likely be somewhat disappointed in this, the third Elliman album, each, I might add, ...

Boxer: College Of Food Technology, Weybridge

Live Review by John Tobler, New Musical Express, 7 February 1976

BOXER'S WARM-up gig, one of a few, prior to their major tour which starts shortly…and the hall was about a third of the size which ...

Clancy: Kingston Polytechnic, London

Live Review by John Tobler, New Musical Express, 21 February 1976

FOR A BAND which has been going for something like two-and-a-half years, which has survived the pub circuit and come out the other side, and ...

Kokomo, The Kursaal Flyers: Kokomo/Kursaal Flyers: Guildford

Live Review by John Tobler, New Musical Express, 28 February 1976

A VERY strange billing, Kokomo as support to the Kursaal Flyers. Now that seems to say something about relative popularity and the length of time ...

Horslips: Guildford

Live Review by John Tobler, New Musical Express, 27 March 1976

HORSLIPS ARE CURRENTLY between record companies, apparently by their own choice, but unlike thespians, who rest, the group are doing a series of gigs in ...

10cc: How Dare They!

Interview by John Tobler, ZigZag, April 1976

Abbreviations:GG ... Graham GouldmanLC ... Lol CremeES ... Eric StewartKG ... Kevin GodleyHL ... Harvey Lisburgh (manager) ...

James Burton

Profile and Interview by John Tobler, ZigZag, April 1976

IF ANY OF YOU missed seeing Emmylou Harris and the Hot Band on their recent tour, you were either very unlucky or very foolish. I ...

Camel: Guildhall, Portsmouth

Live Review by John Tobler, New Musical Express, 3 April 1976

IT'S MY IMPRESSION that Camel are becoming a band to reckon with. ...

Global Village Trucking Company: Global Village Trucking Company (Caroline)

Review by John Tobler, New Musical Express, 17 April 1976

THIS IS not so much an album, more an epitaph; the GVTC disbanded during last summer, largely due, I suspect, to the fact that they ...

Kevin Coyne: Heartburn

Review by John Tobler, New Musical Express, 24 April 1976

THIS IS KEVIN COYNE'S seventh album in as many years, and I find it the most satisfying record he's made since the second (and final) ...

The Kursaal Flyers: The Great Artiste

Review by John Tobler, New Musical Express, 24 April 1976

I'VE BEEN PLAYING this album to the exclusion of all else over the last couple of weeks: it comes as something of a shock to ...

Guy Clark: Old No. 1

Review by John Tobler, ZigZag, May 1976

THIS RECORD is a positive gem. However, unless some large quantity of record buyers pick up on it, it is destined to languish in the ...

Aztec Two Step: Second Step

Review by John Tobler, New Musical Express, 1 May 1976

A MEANINGFUL title. Three years ago, the duo of Rex Fowler and Neal Shulman made a very good album for Elektra, which received critical acclaim ...

Jimmy Buffett, Steve Goodman: Steve Goodman: Jessie's Jig And Other Favourites; Jimmy Buffett: Havana Daydreamin'

Review by John Tobler, New Musical Express, 8 May 1976

JIMMY BUFFETT and Steve Goodman seem to have a lot more in common than the fact that their names have the same number of letters. ...

Steve Miller

Profile and Interview by John Tobler, New Musical Express, 22 May 1976

"I WASN'T disturbed by having a hit – I was exhausted! Before The Joker became successful we'd done 220 concerts in the previous year. Then ...

The Bellamy Brothers: Let Your Love Flow

Review by John Tobler, New Musical Express, 29 May 1976

YOU MUST have heard the single which gives this its title, and there's little doubt that the Bellamy Brothers are a distinctly classy addition to ...

Bonnie Raitt: At Home with Bonnie Raitt

Interview by John Tobler, ZigZag, June 1976

ON EXAMINING her albums, of which there are five to date, I drew various conclusions about Bonnie Raitt's recording career. ...

The Dillards: Finally Catching Up With The Dillards

Interview by John Tobler, ZigZag, June 1976

THOSE OF YOU who possess that rare back number with Family on the front will perhaps also recall a lengthy treatise of mine about the ...

Ian Matthews: Go For Broke

Review by John Tobler, ZigZag, June 1976

I'VE ALWAYS HAD a strong affection for Ian Matthews' music since the Fairports, and just like a lot of other people, I suppose, I've wondered ...

Jesse Winchester (1976)

Interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages audio, June 1976

The songwriter-in-exile talks about his religious background; his stay in Munich; getting his draft notice and moving to Montreal; meeting Robbie Robertson and signing to Ampex; being managed by Albert Grossman and joining Bearsville; his recorded output; favourite covers of his songs; being supported by Joan Baez, and still not being allowed back into the USA.

File format: mp3; file size: 40.6mb, interview length: 42' 16" sound quality: **

Jesse Winchester

Profile and Interview by John Tobler, New Musical Express, 5 June 1976

CERTAIN QUALITIES seem to be needed for a musician to become a hero to the man in the street who buys a lot of records ...

Steve Goodman: Words We Can Dance To

Review by John Tobler, New Musical Express, 12 June 1976

AFTER A three year gap since his two Buddah albums, this is Steve Goodman's second LP in less than a year, which presumably means that ...

John Prine: Regent's Park, London

Live Review by John Tobler, New Musical Express, 31 July 1976

IT MUST have been a terrible choice between seeing John Prine (and perhaps Steve Goodman?) at Regent's Park, and checking out the first British gig ...

Country Joe & The Fish: Country Joe MacDonald: The Essential Country Joe McDonald

Review by John Tobler, New Musical Express, 21 August 1976

ALTHOUGH THERE have been three compilations of his work with the Fish, this is the first collection covering Country Joe's seven solo albums. ...

Loudon Wainwright III: Open Air Theatre, Regents Park

Live Review by John Tobler, New Musical Express, 21 August 1976

IT'S A LITTLE disturbing to discover yourself in the minority, the camp who really didn't much like the star. But that was the way it ...

Dion: Born To Be With You, Greatest Hits and Streetheart

Review by John Tobler, ZigZag, September 1976

THE THREE most recent albums to come on to the British market, and as a measure of my own commitment to the artist, the 16th, ...

Fairport Convention, Ian Matthews, Matthews' Southern Comfort: Goin' Back With Ian Matthews, part 1

Retrospective and Interview by John Tobler, ZigZag, September 1976

IT CAME AS no great surprise to me that Ian Matthews should come quite so high in the recent poll concerning who you'd like to ...

Les Dudek: Les Dudek

Review by John Tobler, ZigZag, September 1976

FOR THE uninitiated, Les Dudek has been connected in various ways with the Allman Brothers (he was one of the guitarists on 'Ramblin' Man'), Steve ...

Don Harrison Band: The Don Harrison Band

Interview by John Tobler, New Musical Express, 25 September 1976

HERE'S A question that's been puzzling me: just how did the Don Harrison Band, who are rather less than a familiar name, get on the ...

The Beach Boys: 14 Minutes With Beach Boy Mike Love

Interview by John Tobler, ZigZag, October 1976

ONE OF THE great omissions of Zigzag's entire life thus far has been a piece on the Beach Boys, who I consider to be the ...

Ian Matthews, Plainsong: Ian Matthews: Goin' Back With Ian Matthews, part 2

Retrospective and Interview by John Tobler, ZigZag, October 1976

LAST MONTH WE left Ian moaning and groaning about the Best Of Ian Matthews' Southern Comfort album, which MCA chose to thrust upon an unsuspecting ...

Kris Kristofferson: Surreal Thing

Review by John Tobler, New Musical Express, 2 October 1976

THERE APPEARS to be a ridiculously large number of "established" artists making records which, were they by an unfamiliar name, would not only sell zero ...

John Hartford: Mark Twang (Flying Fish)

Review by John Tobler, ZigZag, November 1976

MULTIPLE CAUSE for celebration – the return of the amazing John Hartford, and the start of the long overdue British outlet for Flying Fish. Both ...

Elton John: Blue Moves

Review by John Tobler, ZigZag, December 1976

IN A REVIEW of one of Elton's earlier albums I wrote something to the effect that those who already liked Elton would inevitably enjoy that ...

Linda Ronstadt (1976)

Interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages audio, Fall 1976

Ms Ronstadt talks about being brought up surrounded by music; moving from Tucson to Los Angeles and forming the Stone Poneys; the hit she didn't like, 'Different Drum'; her struggles with managers and producers making her first solo albums; meeting the future Eagles at the Troubadour; the move from Capitol to Asylum; getting together with producer Peter Asher, and strongly identifying with fellow women singers like Emmylou, Dolly and Bonnie Raitt.

File format: mp3; file size: 44.2mb; Interview length: 46' 01"; sound quality: *****

Linda Ronstadt (1976) [transcript]

Audio transcript of interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages transcripts, Fall 1976

This is a transcript of John's audio interview with Linda. Listen to the audio of this interview. ...

Ry Cooder (1976)

Interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages audio, Fall 1976

The great guitar player talks about the musicians who influenced him; his friendship with John Fahey; the Rising Sons, and Ed Cassidy and Taj Mahal; his encounter with Captain Beefheart; film scores (and more) with Jack Nitzsche; other things he did and didn't do; his early Warner Bros. albums, and Depression-era songs; his unique album covers; Paradise and Lunch, and not being a songwriter; getting into Hawaiian and Tex-Mex music, and his latest album, Chicken Skin Music.

File format: mp3; file size: 51.1mb, interview length: 53' 14" sound quality: ****

The Beach Boys' Mike Love (1976)

Interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages audio, Fall 1976

Mr. Love talks about his love of oriental girls; on David Marks and Al Jardine; Murry Wilson's harshness; the "indentured servitude" of their Capitol Records contract, and Capitol's hit compilations Endless Summer and Spirit of America; the reception of 'Good Vibrations'; Brother Records... and Brian producing Three Dog Night.

File format: mp3; file size: 16.5mb, interview length: 17' 10" sound quality: ****

The Four Seasons' Frankie Valli and Gerry Polci (1977)

Interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages audio, 1977

First we hear from Frankie Valli: the process of his leaving the Seasons; his solo career and his chronic ear problem; the anonymity of the other members and Frankie's plans for post-Seasons life. Then we hear from Gerry Polci: being recruited into the band; singing lead on 'December '63 (Oh What A Night)'; making the Helicon album... and Bob Gaudio's role as writer and producer.

File format: mp3; file size: 41mb, interview length: 42' 44" sound quality: *****

David Bromberg: How Late'll Ya Play Till?

Review by John Tobler, ZigZag, January 1977

AT A TIME WHEN instrumental virtuosity seems to be undervalued, and is to some extent replaced by skull-numbing mindlessness disguised rather shabbily as "revolution", a ...

Emmylou Harris: Luxury Liner

Review by John Tobler, ZigZag, February 1977

A CLASSICALLY CONCEIVED album for one such as myself – two songs by Parsons, one by the Louvin Brothers, a Rodney Crowell, a Mr. Guy ...

Ry Cooder Part 1: Into The Purple Valley Of Romance And Adventure

Interview by John Tobler, ZigZag, February 1977

"Everything I know, I know from records. I don't live in a place where the neighbours are playing fiddles, I live in the city."   ...

Ry Cooder Part 2: The Prospect Before Us

Interview by John Tobler, ZigZag, March 1977

SINCE THE first half of this interview was written, there's been an opportunity to see Ry and the Chicken Skin Band in action, which was ...

Clover: Unavailable

Review by John Tobler, ZigZag, April 1977

AS FAR AS anticipation goes, this album has been high on my list ever since that memorable Roundhouse gig where Clover were sandwiched between a ...

Michael Nesmith: Mike Nesmith: From A Radio Engine To The Photon Wing

Review by John Tobler, ZigZag, April 1977

NO, I HAVEN'T the faintest idea what it means, but I do feel well chuffed that the task begun in November 1973 has finally made ...

Randy Meisner (1977)

Interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages audio, April 1977

In London with the Eagles on the UK leg of the band's Hotel California tour, bassist Meisner talks to John Tobler about moving to L.A. from his native Nebraska, and about Poco, Rick Nelson's Stone Canyon Band – and how he joined forces with Glenn Frey, Don Henley and Bernie Leadon.

The Eagles (1977)

Interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages audio, April 1977

In order of speaking voices, Messrs. Meisner, Frey, Henley, Walsh and Felder (in London for the UK leg of their Hotel California tour) provide the lowdown on their individual backgrounds. Then Don 'n' Glenn offer a detailed history of the band from its formation to Hotel California itself — the albums, the people, the songs and more.

File format: mp3; file size: 80.7mb, interview length: 1h 24' 00" sound quality: *****

The Byrds, Gene Clark, Chris Hillman, Roger McGuinn: Chris Hillman, Roger McGuinn and Gene Clark (1977)

Interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages audio, 30 April 1977

The three former Byrds discuss the prospect of being onstage together after some years apart; the possibility of a new Byrds album, and their own new bands and albums: Roger McGuinn's Thunderbyrd, Chris Hillman's Slippin' Away, and Gene Clark's Two Sides to Every Story.

File format: mp3; file size: 8.2mb, interview length: 8' 31" sound quality: ****

Michael Nesmith, The Monkees: Michael Nesmith: On The Road To ‘Rio’

Interview by John Tobler, ZigZag, May 1977

IT WAS INEVITABLE that when Michael Nesmith returned to London recently to promote jet lag and his single, 'Rio', we should meet again. My vibrant ...

Blondie, Debbie Harry: Blondie (1977)

Interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages audio, 1 May 1977

Touring the UK with Television, Debbie talks about her first attempts at music: Wind in the Willows, the Stilettos and Blondie mk. 1; her and Chris talk about the New York bands — Television, Patti Smith; their sixties influences and meeting Ellie Greenwich; Frankie Valli and Phil Spector; the band's name and image, and having girl fans too!

File format: mp3; file size: 26.2mb, interview length: 27' 16" sound quality: *****

Blondie, Debbie Harry: Blondie's Debbie Harry & Chris Stein (1977) [transcript]

Audio transcript of interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages transcripts, 1 May 1977

This is a transcript of John's audio interview with Blondie's Debbie and Chris. Listen to the audio of this interview. ...

The Stranglers: IV Rattus Norvegicus (United Artists)

Review by John Tobler, ZigZag, June 1977

THERE'S LITTLE DOUBT that while the first batch of British new wave albums were by the more outrageous elements, and somehow seemed to rely on ...

The Doors: "I Looked Into Her Eyes And Pretty Much Felt That Jim Was Dead"

Interview by John Tobler, ZigZag, July 1977

FOR SOME YEARS now, I've had this big problem. One which often leads to incredulity in those to whom I explain it. It concerns my ...

Bonnie Raitt (1977)

Interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages audio, 28 July 1977

The singer/slide-guitarist talks about how she got into blues; about her albums from her first to her most recent, Sweet Forgiveness, via Takin' My Time and Home Plate; about producers John Hall and Jerry Ragovoy; about politics, feminism and women in music; and about the process of finding songs and not writing anymore. Read a transcript of this interview.

File format: mp3; file size: 30.2mb, interview length: 31' 30" sound quality: *****

Bonnie Raitt (1977) [transcript]

Audio transcript of interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages transcripts, 28 July 1977

This is a transcript of John's audio interview with Bonnie. Listen to the audio of this interview. ...

Michael Nesmith

Discography by John Tobler, ZigZag, September 1977

It's more than a tragedy that Mike Nesmith’s 'Rio' wasn't a bigger hit single. Not for me, because I've seen the amazing film about which ...

Link Wray, Robert Gordon: Robert Gordon & Link Wray: Robert Gordon with Link Wray; Various Artists: Don't You Step On My Blue Suede Shoes

Review by John Tobler, ZigZag, October 1977

THERE'S MORE similarity between these two albums than the fact that they've both got 'Red Hot' on 'em. They're the opposite ends of the rockabilly ...

Radio Stars: The Radio Stars STORY!

Profile and Interview by John Tobler, ZigZag, November 1977

GREAT NAME, and both their records so far have also been pretty neat. There's an imminent album, and a third 45 coming out about the ...

Sex Pistols Sid Vicious and Johnny Rotten (1977)

Interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages audio, 11 November 1977

Amidst a litany of Sid Vicious' belches (and demands for cigs and tea), he and Johnny Rotten are hilariously rude about... well, almost everyone: fellow Pistol Steve Jones; ex-Pistol Glen Matlock; the Bromley Contingent; Malcolm McLaren and Vivienne Westwood; Iggy Pop; the Clash; the taxman; the press; Freddie Mercury... and each other!

File format: mp3; file size: 46.9mb, interview length: 48' 52" sound quality: *****

John Lydon, Sex Pistols, Sid Vicious: Sex Pistols' Sid Vicious and Johnny Rotten (1977) [transcript]

Audio transcript of interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages transcripts, 11 November 1977

This is a transcript of John's audio interview with Sid and Johnny. Listen to the audio of this interview. ...

The Darts: Getting To The Point With The Darts

Profile by John Tobler, ZigZag, December 1977

THIS IS GOING to be a two part feature. This is the first part, as the more astute among you have probably already worked out, ...

Jonathan Richman: The Modern Lovers: The Modern Lovers Live

Review by John Tobler, ZigZag, December 1977

WELL, I think that's the title, but anyway you should know that this is the vinyl result of Jonathan Richman's quite unforgettable concerts here a ...

Jet (UK), Milk 'n' Cookies, Radio Stars, Sparks: Martin Gordon (1977)

Interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages audio, Fall 1977

From writing manuals for oil tankers to Radio Stars, Martin Gordon on his life in music: playing bass in Sparks, being heavily involved with Kimono My House; getting sacked for refusing to play a Fender Precision; the group becoming a dictatorship; forming Jet with two of John's Children and the chaotic David O'List; getting screwed by CBS, then leaving... plus his involvement with Milk 'n' Cookies.

File format: mp3; file size: 30.4mb, interview length: 31' 43" sound quality: ***

The Beach Boys: David Leaf: The Beach Boys and the California Myth (Grosset and Dunlap)

Review by John Tobler, Blank Space, 1978

I SHOULD FIRST of all put into perspective my particular connection with the Beach Boys, which is not quite as simple as merely being a ...

Greg Kihn

Profile by John Tobler, Blank Space, 1978

JUST SO that we understand each other, it might be simpler to detail a few of the things which Greg Kihn (pronounced 'kin', simple as ...

Robert Palmer

Profile by John Tobler, Blank Space, 1978

HANDS UP those who think Robert Palmer’s an American – it’s by no means a complete misapprehension if all you have to go on are ...

The Flamin' Groovies

Profile by John Tobler, Blank Space, 1978

"HOW DO these punks stop the bleeding when they stick pins through their flesh?" enquired a somewhat bemused Cyril Jordan, spending a fast three days ...

David Bowie: Secret Secret Never Seen: An Interview with David Bowie

Interview by John Tobler, ZigZag, January 1978

THE LAST couple of albums, which is really what you're here to talk about, have been, to some people, somewhat inaccessible. I think you said ...

Richard Hell: To Hell and Back: Richard Hell

Interview by John Tobler, ZigZag, February 1978

RICHARD HELL had just got up, and one of the first things he focused on was John Tobler, looming over him with a tape recorder. ...

The Flamin' Groovies: Flaming Groovies: A Thirteen Year Overnight Success Story

Profile and Interview by John Tobler, ZigZag, April 1978

"Right Cyril...left foot forward, two steps back, and then turn around...and when we've finished this old Ike and Tina Turner Review bit we'll go into ...

Patti Smith: Horse Latitudes: The Possession of Patti Smith

Interview by John Tobler, ZigZag, April 1978

This interview with Patti Smith took place last October when she stopped off in London for a day en route for Europe. We were saving ...

The Sex Pistols: Radio Fun!!

Interview by John Tobler, ZigZag, April 1978

JUST FOR A CRACK HERE IS ONE OF THE LAST U.K. INTERVIEWS THE PISTOLS DID ...

Patti Smith: High on Rebellion: Patti Smith Speaks, Part 2

Interview by John Tobler, ZigZag, June 1978

We join Patti Smith and John Tobler mid-conversation one day last October, when Patti was on her way to Europe to do her annual poetry ...

Suicide (1978)

Interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages audio, June 1978

The pioneering electro duo discuss the significance of their name; their respective musical backgrounds; how they've changed since 1972; set lengths: long vs short; their desire to make video discs; their need for a beat, and using drum machines rather drummers; re-recording 'Rocket USA'; people starting to like them, and their bafflement at getting applause.

File format: mp3; file size: 15.1mb, interview length: 15' 42" sound quality: ****

Blue Öyster Cult's Eric Bloom (1978)

Interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages audio, 4 June 1978

The Cult singer/guitarist/keyboard player talks about recording the current UK tour for future release (as Some Enchanted Evening); studio albums vs. live albums; American radio, and their place as an FM band; the band's stage show and use of lasers; the importance of breaking Europe; getting the rights to use the name 'Godzilla', and writing for the pop market while retaining credibility. Note: ends very abruptly...

File format: mp3; file size: 14.1mb, interview length: 14' 41" sound quality: ****

Bruce Springsteen, Mink DeVille: Bruce Springsteen: Darkness On The Edge Of Town; Mink DeVille: Return To Magenta

Review by John Tobler, ZigZag, July 1978

THE RETURN of the street people, which should be a good thing. First, Springsteen, whose scenario of misfortune has been so well publicised that there's ...

Television: T.V. Tube Heart: An interview with Tom Verlaine

Interview by John Tobler, ZigZag, July 1978

I get the impression that the first album was the album that the record company wanted you to make and the new album is more ...

Suicide

Profile and Interview by John Tobler, ZigZag, August 1978

IT IS TO BE hoped that some of you lemmings may have taken a little time out from adoration of the Clash on their current ...

Matchbox

Profile and Interview by John Tobler, ZigZag, September 1978

AS MENTIONED in fab Zigzag 85, this is a feature of their very own concerning Matchbox, who I dubbed the best British rock 'n' roll ...

Patti Smith: 15 Minutes with Patti Smith

Interview by John Tobler, ZigZag, October 1978

DOUBTLESS, many of you will have noted a small item in NME's scandal section recently, which referred to the fact that Patti Smith had broken ...

Mick Farren… Seriously

Interview by John Tobler, ZigZag, October 1978

ONE of the less predictable events of this year has been the re-emergence of Mick Farren on the productive rather than critical side of rock'n'roll. ...

Television: Life After TV: An Interview with Richard Lloyd

Interview by John Tobler, ZigZag, November 1978

TELEVISION were one of my ultra-favourite groups of the past couple of years. The music they made has always seemed to me to combine the ...

Ultravox

Interview by John Tobler, ZigZag, December 1978

I HOPE you're sitting comfortably, because this could be quite long... ...

Patti Smith (1978)

Interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages audio, Spring 1978

The poet/rocker on her fascination with the stars who died young, from Rimbaud to Hendrix; trying to communicate with God; her stage fall; feeling the presence of Jim Morrison in Paris; her love of UK punk and the Clash; how she and Lenny Kaye set out to change things; starting her new album, Easter; keeping rock'n'roll alive, with her guitar as her main weapon; on the death of Elvis, and her optimism for 1978 and the future.

File format: mp3; file size: 44.9mb, interview length: 46' 48" sound quality: ****

Patti Smith (1978) [transcript]

Audio transcript of interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages transcripts, Spring 1978

This is a transcript of John's interview with Patti. Listen to the audio of this interview. ...

Sex Pistols, Sid Vicious: Sid Vicious (1978)

Interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages audio, Spring 1978

The former Pistols "bass player" (one uses the term advisedly) talks about his version of 'My Way'; the break up of the band; The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle film; Ronald Biggs; planning a band with Johnny Thunders; being managed by girlfriend Nancy Spungen, and keeping his name.

File format: mp3; file size: 12.6mb, interview length: 13' 05" sound quality: *****

Sex Pistols, Sid Vicious: Sid Vicious (1978) [transcript]

Audio transcript of interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages transcripts, Spring 1978

This is a transcription of John's audio interview with Sid. Listen to the audio of this interview. ...

Joe Cocker: Part Two Of The Joe Cocker Story

Retrospective and Interview by John Tobler, Blank Space, 1979

PICKING UP FROM last time, we left Joe and the Grease Band about to part company, and go home to England for a holiday. Now ...

Shoes

Interview by John Tobler, Blank Space, 1979

AND DON'T forget that title – it’s not The Shoes, but simply the plural of the footwear without the definite article. There are four Shoes, ...

Van Morrison, Them: Van Morrison (1979) [transcript]

Audio transcript of interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages transcripts, 1979

This is a transcription of John's interview with Van. Listen to the audio of this interview. ...

Ultravox

Interview by John Tobler, ZigZag, January 1979

ZZ: THE MATERIAL on your first album strikes me as not being as unconventional as some of your later stuff, it's pretty straightforward. Does that ...

Van Morrison (1979)

Interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages audio, February 1979

In Belfast to play his first Ulster gig since the '60s, Van talks about his recent period of transition: resolving business issues, and Harvey Goldsmith and Bill Graham; living in the USA; leaving Norther Ireland for London, the Troubles, and being Irish in America; on Wavelength and his previous albums; on Astral Weeks; the difficulty in playing his albums live; his current road band with Peter Bardens; on Hard Nose the Highway and 'Bein' Green'; being his own producer; the live It's Too Late to Stop Now, and what he listens to at home.

File format: mp3; file size: 43.6mb, interview length: 45' 27" sound quality: ***

The Doors: Stoned Immaculate

Review and Interview by John Tobler, ZigZag, March 1979

"The man's been dead for seven years — or gone for seven years — and he's still causing trouble!" — Ray Manzarek ...

Van Morrison (part 1)

Interview by John Tobler, Blank Space, March 1979

Talking to Tobler ...

George Thorogood & The Destroyers: George Thorogood: The Delaware Destroyer!

Profile and Interview by John Tobler, ZigZag, April 1979

IF RECENT REPORTS are to be believed, Beserkley Records may be in some kind of difficulties, at least as far as their English office is ...

Joe Cocker: Part Three of the Joe Cocker Story

Profile and Interview by John Tobler, Blank Space, May 1979

PICKING UP THE threads, the time is 1976, and between albums Joe Cocker was reported to have wanted to make a film about violence. Is ...

Van Morrison (part 2)

Interview by John Tobler, Blank Space, May 1979

IT WOULD BE shrewd to note at this point, the start of the second part of this documentary, that there is no intention here to ...

Phil Spector, Ronnie Spector: Ronnie Spector Says Goodbye To Hollywood

Interview by John Tobler, Hot Wacks, Spring 1979

PHIL SPECTOR......aah, the magic that name still evokes, but what of the former Mrs Phil Spector. Veronica Benett, better known as Ronnie Spector, this is ...

Love's Arthur Lee (1980)

Interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages audio, 1980

The Love legend talks about new Rhino compilation Best of Love; his forthcoming solo album Arthur Lee; ripped-off tapes released as bootlegs; his hopes of reuniting the original Love; the album he did with Jimi Hendrix and how he first met him.

File format: mp3; file size: 20.3mb, interview length: 21' 07" sound quality: *****

Arthur Lee: Love's Arthur Lee (1980) [transcript]

Audio transcript of interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages transcripts, 1980

This is a transcript of John's interview with Arthur Lee. Listen to the audio of this interview. ...

Paul McCartney, Wings: Paul McCartney (1980)

Interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages audio, May 1980

John Tobler and others ask Paul about his new solo album, McCartney II: how he played all the instruments and did all the engineering; how he came up with the songs, and chose those that ended up on the record; his surprise at 'Coming Up' being a hit; the situation with Wings, and his defense of the title 'Frozen Jap'.

File format: mp3; total file size: 27mb, total interview length: 14' 03" sound quality: ****

Paul McCartney, Wings: Paul McCartney (1980) [transcript]

Audio transcript of interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages transcripts, May 1980

This is a transcript of John's audio interview with McCartney. Listen to the audio of this interview. ...

Suicide

Interview by John Tobler, ZigZag, May 1980

NEW YORK'S a lonely town when you've never been there before, and you really don't know too many people (although being there is a problem ...

The Beach Boys' Bruce Johnston (1980)

Interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages audio, June 1980

The part-time Beach Boy talks about producing their latest album, Keepin' the Summer Alive; the band's recording process, and using studio players; on being in and out of the band, and being Brian's "replacement"; his work outside the band, including producing David Cassidy; the relationships within the band; being happy playing the hits; the current state of Brian Wilson, and his hopes for the future.

File format: mp3; file size: 29mb, interview length: 30' 14" sound quality: *****

Jeff Beck: Beck's Blah-Blah

Interview by John Tobler, New Music News, 3 August 1980

JOHN TOBLER Meets a Vintage Guitar Strangler ...

Spirit's Randy California (1981)

Interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages audio, 1981

Spirit's guitarist and guiding light discusses the belatedly-released Adventures of Kaptain Kopter & Commander Cassidy in Potato Land: about re-recording parts for the album why it wasn't originally released; about the album's concept and its influence on Devo. Randy also talks about meeting Jimi Hendrix and playing with him in NYC in 1966.

File format: mp3 File size: 14.6mb Interview length: 15' 14"; Sound quality: *****

Marc Bolan, T. Rex: Tony Visconti on Marc Bolan (1981)

Interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages audio, September 1981

Producer Visconti talks about the newly released T. Rex in Concert: the original stereo recordings, and what he did to improve them; on first meeting Marc in hippie club Middle Earth; why they stopped working together; the definitive version of T. Rex; Bolan vs. Bowie; Marc's charisma and arrogance; the 'Children of Rarn' demos; Bolan's ongoing legacy and the meaning of 'Metal Guru'.

File format: mp3; file size: 18.4mb, interview length: 19' 09" sound quality: ****

Dead Kennedys' Jello Biafra and Klaus Flouride (1981)

Interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages audio, October 1981

Messrs. Biafra and Flouride discuss the differences between punk and new wave; talk about fellow Californians Flipper, D.O.A. and Black Flag; decry Nazi punks; talk about friend and ally Christian Lunch, as well as about Hüsker Dü and the Residents; mock the Plasmatics and Adam & the Ants... and declare their mission to civilize America.

File format: mp3; file size: 20.5mb, interview length: 21' 18" sound quality: *****

The Beat (1981)

Interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages audio, November 1981

David Steele and Ranking Roger talk about playing political benefits; their unconcern with breaking America; changing producers; Malu Halasa's book about them; their record deal; their Go-Feet label, and working with the Congos' Cedric Myton; Saxa taking a back seat and his son Lionel taking over; doing cover versions; their new single 'Hit It', and their opposition to nuclear weapons.

File format: mp3; file size: 19.4mb, interview length: 20' 11" sound quality: *****

The Eagles, Joe Walsh: Bill Szymczyk

Interview by John Tobler, Stuart Grundy, 'The Record Producers', 1982

THERE CAN'T BE too many people whose surnames have eight letters, none of which is a vowel, but it hardly needs to be said that ...

Blondie, Mud, Suzi Quatro, Sweet: Chinn and Chapman

Book Excerpt by John Tobler, Stuart Grundy, 'The Record Producers', 1982

THE YEARS BETWEEN 1971 and 1975 were tucked between psychedelia on the one hand and punk rock on the other, and while they featured country ...

Chris Thomas

Book Excerpt by Stuart Grundy, John Tobler, The Record Producers (BBC Books), 1982

THE END OF 1981 sees Chris Thomas, ex-student of the Royal Academy of Music and also producer of the earliest (and best) Sex Pistols' records, ...

The Beatles: George Martin

Profile and Interview by Stuart Grundy, John Tobler, The Record Producers (BBC Books), 1982

IN MUCH THE same way as Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller were the first American record producers, that accolade in Britain belongs to the man ...

The Beatles: George Martin: From Comedy Records To Rock Classics

Profile by John Tobler, The History of Rock, 1982

While the man himself might deny it with typical modesty, there's little doubt that George Martin is one of the most celebrated record producers of ...

Glyn Johns

Book Excerpt by Stuart Grundy, John Tobler, 'The Record Producers' (BBC Books), 1982

WHILE THE NAMES of George Martin and Mickie Most are probably the best known among British record producers, Glyn Johns was making hit records with ...

Leiber and Stoller

Book Excerpt by John Tobler, Stuart Grundy, The Record Producers (BBC Books), 1982

ELVIS PRESLEY was the King of Rock'n'Roll – anyone who might care to dispute that should try reading another book, for without Presley, neither we, ...

Mickie Most

Profile and Interview by Stuart Grundy, John Tobler, The Record Producers, 1982

THERE HAVE been numerous record producers who have started their own label, including Phil Spector, Richard Perry, Tony Visconti and Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman. ...

Phil Spector

Book Excerpt by Stuart Grundy, John Tobler, The Record Producers (BBC Books), 1982

WHENEVER THE subject of record producers is discussed by anyone born before 1960, one name will always surface, that of Phil Spector. ...

Barbra Streisand, Captain Beefheart, Carly Simon, Harry Nilsson, Leo Sayer, The Pointer Sisters, Ringo Starr, Tiny Tim: Richard Perry

Book Excerpt by John Tobler, Stuart Grundy, 'The Record Producers', BBC Books, 1982

IF ANY PRODUCER could be said to have an instantly identifiable sound, aside from the obvious case of Phil Spector, it would be Richard Perry. ...

Roy Thomas Baker

Book Excerpt by John Tobler, Stuart Grundy, The Record Producers (BBC Books), 1982

RUNNING NORTH off Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood is a steep road which twists and turns upwards into the Hollywood Hills. ...

Todd Rundgren

Interview by Stuart Grundy, John Tobler, 'The Record Producers' (BBC Books) , 1982

WHEN SIFTING through the potential candidates for a book such as this, it is obviously essential to reflect the present and future, as well as ...

Tom Dowd

Book Excerpt by John Tobler, Stuart Grundy, The Record Producers, 1982

CAREERS IN POPULAR music are often notoriously short, particularly in the most creative areas of activity, therefore it is of more than passing interest to ...

David Bowie, T. Rex, Thin Lizzy: Tony Visconti Talks

Book Excerpt by Stuart Grundy, John Tobler, 'The Record Producers' (BBC Books), 1982

IN MUCH THE same way that George Martin is known for his work with the Beatles, anyone who has ever inspected the small print on ...

Toto

Profile by John Tobler, Virgin Yearbook, 1982

A THEORY was circulating during the last two or three years to the effect that the acts dominating the US album charts, and therefore the ...

Brian May, Queen: Queen's Brian May (1982)

Interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages audio, May 1982

The poodle-headed plank-spanker talks about the making of Queen's latest album Hot Space: its slightly torturous recording process; the influence of black music and the Isley Brothers in particular; the failure of 'Body Language' as a UK single; their success in Argentina at the time of the Falklands War; the abuse suffered by support act Bow Wow Wow from Queen fans on tour; making 'Under Pressure' with David Bowie, and their upcoming plans.

File format: mp3; file size: 32.7mb, interview length: 34' 02" sound quality: *****

Steven Van Zandt (1982)

Interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages audio, 18 October 1982

Miami/Little Steve(n) talks about his life in music: playing in covers bands in New Jersey in the late '60s; first meeting Bruce Springsteen; getting sacked when Bruce got signed; the formation of the Asbury Jukes and the Stone Pony scene; joining the E Street Band during the making of Born to Run; forming the Disciples of Soul and recording Men Without Women; and being saved by rock'n'roll...

File format: mp3; file size: 55meg, interview length: 57' 17" sound quality: *****

B.B. King

Book Excerpt by John Tobler, Stuart Grundy, The Guitar Greats (BBC Books), 1983

IN CONSIDERING the dozens of potential candidates for this book, one essential ingredient was a representative of the blues/R&B heritage, for without the inspiration of ...

Queen: Brian May

Book Excerpt by John Tobler, Stuart Grundy, The Guitar Greats (BBC Books), 1983

AT THE START of the 1980s, the rock band which was generally accepted, if not as the most popular group in the world, then as ...

Santana: Carlos Santana

Book Excerpt by John Tobler, Stuart Grundy, 'The Guitar Greats' (BBC Books), 1983

CARLOS SANTANA has continuously led the band that bears his name for nearly fifteen years, and maintained a substantial worldwide popularity, something which requires an ...

Eric Clapton

Book Excerpt by John Tobler, Stuart Grundy, The Guitar Greats, BBC publications, 1983

Out of the long list of potential candidates for this book, very few names were obvious and automatic choices, but one certainty for inclusion was ...

Hank Marvin, The Shadows: Hank B. Marvin

Book Excerpt by Stuart Grundy, John Tobler, 'The Guitar Greats' (BBC Books), 1983

TO DEMONSTRATE to any potential unbelievers the importance of Hank B. Marvin, we must go back to 1977, when a TV commercial was screened showing ...

Elvis Presley, Emmylou Harris, James Burton, Rick Nelson: James Burton

Book Excerpt by Stuart Grundy, John Tobler, 'The Guitar Greats' (BBC Books), 1983

ONE OF THE GREAT rock'n'roll guitarists of the 1950s, but a man who remained virtually unknown to all but the cognoscenti until comparatively recently, is ...

Jeff Beck

Book Excerpt by Stuart Grundy, John Tobler, The Guitar Greats (BBC Books), 1983

AN AMERICAN JOURNALIST once described Jeff Beck as having an oversized heart and soul, which elevates him above most other guitarists and compared him in ...

Jimmy Page, Led Zeppelin: Jimmy Page

Book Excerpt by Stuart Grundy, John Tobler, 'The Guitar Greats' (BBC Books), 1983

THERE ARE CERTAIN guitar players without whom this book could not claim to approach completeness, and, of course, one of our criteria for inclusion was ...

Joe Walsh

Interview by John Tobler, Stuart Grundy, The Guitar Greats (BBC Books), 1983

In 1969, The Who toured Britain, dragging around a support act who were, to say the least, an unknown quantity to all but a very ...

Pete Townshend

Book Excerpt by Stuart Grundy, John Tobler, The Guitar Greats (BBC Books), 1983

PETE TOWNSHEND NEEDS little introduction – he is, although he would perhaps reject the term, a celebrity. Pete was born on 19 May 1945, in ...

The Everly Brothers, Phil Everly: Phil Everly (1983)

Interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages audio, 1983

Half of the great duo talks about his new solo album, Phil Everly: being produced by Stuart Coleman and working with players like Mark Knopfler and Pete Wingfield; working with Christine McVie, and memories of meeting her in the '60s. Then he talks about an upcoming Everly Brothers reunion after 10 years apart: how it'll work, his relationship with Don and possible plans.

File format: mp3; file size: 43mb, interview length: 28' 41" sound quality: *****

Phil Everly (1983) [transcript]

Audio transcript of interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages transcripts, 1983

This is a transcript of John's audio interview with Phil. Listen to the audio of this interview. ...

Deep Purple, Rainbow: Ritchie Blackmore

Book Excerpt by Stuart Grundy, John Tobler, 'The Guitar Greats' (BBC Books), 1983

ONE REASON for the selection of ace heavy metal guitarist Ritchie Blackmore as one of our subjects relates to a previous, slimmer and somewhat inferior ...

Ry Cooder

Interview by John Tobler, Stuart Grundy, 'The Guitar Greats', BBC Books, 1983

IT MAY BE that American readers of this book may wonder ‘Why?’ And even perhaps, ‘Who?’ It is an unfortunate fact that Ry Cooder, a ...

Elvis Presley, Scotty Moore: Scotty Moore

Book Excerpt by Stuart Grundy, John Tobler, 'The Guitar Greats' (BBC Books), 1983

THERE CAN BE few more graphic illustrations of the fact that rock'n'roll music is no longer some here-today-gone-tomorrow speck of lint in the wind than ...

Steve Miller

Book Excerpt by John Tobler, Stuart Grundy, 'The Guitar Greats', 1983

WHEN WE MET Steve Miller in the Seattle studio where he mostly works these days, he was planning to make more than one album – ...

Teenage Rampage

Essay by John Tobler, The History of Rock, 1983

Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman orchestrated a British bubblegum revolution ...

Todd Rundgren

Profile by John Tobler, The History of Rock, 1983

THERE ARE FEW FIGURES IN ROCK AS versatile as Todd Rundgren. A skilled producer and engineer, a gifted songwriter and a talented multi-instrumentalist, proficient on ...

John Cale (1983)

Interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages audio, 31 January 1983

The Welsh wizard talks about his new album, Music for a New Society; songwriting and pessimism; his new label ZE; La Monte Young; writing with Sam Shepard; punk, Patti and producing other people; his favourite track 'Taking Your Life In Your Hands', and going back to Wales.

File format: mp3; total file size: 22.6mb, total interview length: 23' 32" sound quality: *****

John Cale (1983) [transcript]

Audio transcript of interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages transcripts, 31 January 1983

This is a transcript of John's audio interview with John Cale. Listen to the audio of this interview. ...

The Gun Club's Jeffrey Lee Pierce and Jim Duckworth (1983)

Interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages audio, 18 April 1983

Jeffrey Lee Pierce talks about writing for Slash magazine; tells possible lies about his "Texas upbringing"; forming the band in Los Angeles; on people like Phast Phreddie Patterson, Alex Chilton, and the Panther Burns; running the Blondie fan club; Geoff Travis editing Duckworth off the Panther Burns album; why the band keeps changing personel; bass player Patricia Morrison, and on being produced by Chris Stein.

File format: mp3; total file size: 29.2mb, total interview length: 30' 22" sound quality: *****

The Doors (1983)

Interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages audio, 1 November 1983

Messrs. Manzarek, Krieger and Densmore – in London for a Doors conference at the ICA – discuss new live album Alive, She Cried: the tracking down of the original recordings including tapes from their Roundhouse show in 1968; Danny Sugerman's new Illustrated History of the band; and what the trio are doing now... including Ray Manzarek's "jazz-rock" version of Carl Orff's Carmina Burana.

File format: mp3; file size: 13.4mb, interview length: 13' 57" sound quality: *****

Jimmy Page, Led Zeppelin: Jimmy Page: The Life And Times Of A Guitar Prophet

Interview by John Tobler, Musician, January 1984

JIMMY PAGE was born in Heston, West London, on January 9, 1944, and moved with his family to nearby Feltham during his infancy. He spent ...

Terry Allen: Architect's Association, London

Live Review by John Tobler, Melody Maker, 26 May 1984

BEFORE YOU ask "Who?", Terry Allen is the singer/songwriter from Lubbock, Texas, who, unlike the other two internationally known Lubbock musicians, is (a) not dead, ...

Guy Clark (1986)

Interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages audio, 1986

The Texan songsmith talks about having his songs covered by others; not regarding himself as a country singer but as a songwriter; writing for himself rather than for other people; collaborating with his wife, painter-songwriter Susanna; his writing process; his musical roots in folk and blues, and his relationship with language.

File format: mp3; file size: 45mb, interview length: 46' 52" sound quality: ***

The Moody Blues' Graeme Edge (1986)

Interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages audio, 9 May 1986

Drummer Graeme talks about touring in support of Chuck Berry in 1965; on the Birmingham band scene; why the band have stayed together for so long; Justin Hayward's never wanting to be above the band, and the intra-band dynamics; ex-members Denny Laine, Clint Warwick and Mike Pinder; outside projects with Adrian Gurvitz; playing live with the Moodys; loving the new CD technology, and the crude sound of the band's old albums.

File format: mp3; file size: 36mb, interview length: 37' 32" sound quality: ****

World Metal On Rise; Europe Leads Trends

Report by John Tobler, Billboard, 10 May 1986

THAT HEAVY metal is a force to be reckoned with in chart terms seems beyond dispute, though it's fast becoming apparent that Europe and, to ...

Chris Isaak (1987)

Interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages audio, April 1987

Pre-'Wicked Game', the proto-Americana icon talks about the process of recording; the current state of Jerry Lee Lewis, and his love of vintage rock'n'roll; working as a longshoreman; starting to play, and learning country from his brother; getting his band together; doing videos, and developing his raps; Gene Vincent and Bill Haley; meeting producer and manager Erik Jacobsen; his desire for hit records, and to get into films.

File format: mp3; total file size: 42.6mb, total interview length: 44' 25" sound quality: ****

Townes Van Zandt (1987)

Interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages audio, 16 October 1987

The cult Texan troubadour talks about the difference between the pro-active Butch Hancock and his own laid-back self; making live albums and playing solo versus having a band; his sometime roommate Roky Erickson; seeing Elvis on The Ed Sullivan Show and obtaining his first guitar; his oft-covered 'Pancho and Lefty'; the UK hurricane of 1987; his pals Steve Earle, Jerry Jeff Walker and Guy Clark, and the death of "Skinny Dennis" Sanchez; plus Lyle Lovett, Chips Moman... and Scotty Moore's guitar.

File format: mp3; file size: 55.6mb, interview length: 57' 57" sound quality: ****

Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark (1988)

Interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages audio, 11 February 1988

OMD's Andy McCluskey and Paul Humphreys talk about their just released "best-of" album; its accompanying video compilation, and making videos from back in the day to now; the bad contracts they signed and their management issues; their not-very-good book; suffering a consistently bad press, their relative longevity; being seen as an electro-pop band, the ethics of sampling; not doing cover versions, and their veneration of Kraftwerk and Eno.

File format: mp3; file size: 34.7mb; Interview length: 36' 08"; sound quality: *****

Joe Ely (1988)

Interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages audio, 30 October 1988

The Texan Troubadour talks about the disappearance of the honky-tonks and the resulting change in his music; a 13-year-old Charlie Sexton playing in his band; his association with the Clash; his album Hi-Res and the lost final MCA album; Lord of the Highway and his new band; his latest album Dig All Night; fellow Flatlanders Butch Hancock and Jimmie Dale Gilmore; how Shelby Singleton screwed that trio; playing solo versus with playing with a band; and his hometown of Austin, Texas.

File format: mp3; file size: 64.8mb, interview length: 1h 07' 33" sound quality: ****

Don McLean (1989)

Interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages audio, 1989

The singer/songwriter talks of his environmental concerns; being too commercial for the folk world; working in Nashville; choosing the musician's life; his association with the Weavers' Lee Hayes; his early albums including American Pie; playing with the Persuasions and Jordanaires; keeping his copyrights, and the importance of ideas.

File format: mp3; total file size: 38.4mb, total interview length: 40' 01" sound quality: *****

King Sunny Ade, Anthrax, Jimmy Cliff, Melissa Etheridge, Marianne Faithfull, Jethro Tull, Salif Keita, Bob Marley & the Wailers, Millie, Robert Palmer, Spencer Davis Group, Cat Stevens, Traffic, U2: Interview: Island Records' Chris Blackwell (1989) [transcript]

Audio transcript of interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages transcripts, 1989

This is a transcript of John Tobler's 1989 audio interview. Listen to the audio of this interview. ...

Island Records' Chris Blackwell (1989)

Interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages audio, 1989

Following the sale of his Island label to Polygram – and the end of his relationship with Sweden's Sonet Records – Blackwell gives a (slightly Scandinavian-centric) history of the label, from 'My Boy Lollipop' to U2 via, amongst others, Jimmy Cliff, King Crimson, Cat Stevens, Bob Marley and Marianne Faithfull. He ends by explaining the difficulty of remaining independent in the now-global music business, and the need to sell the company.

File format: mp3; file size: 51.5mb, interview length: 53' 36" sound quality: *****

Kenny Rogers (1989)

Interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages audio, 1989

Mr. Rogers talks about re-recording his old hits; his uneasy relationship with the Country Music industry; changing labels; his time with the New Christy Minstrels; growing up listening to doowop and R&B; his huge back catalogue... and not writing (many) songs anymore.

File format: mp3; file size: 24.3mb, interview length: 25' 17" sound quality: *****

Kenny Rogers (1989) [transcript]

Audio transcript of interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages transcripts, 1989

This is a transcript of John's audio interview with Kenny. Listen to the audio of this interview. ...

Malcolm McLaren (1989)

Interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages audio, 1989

The manager/artist/impresario bemoans the state of the music business today: the conservative corporate culture; the equally conservative artists; the inability to create new Gods; becoming an artists himself, and the manager as artist; his ambitions and predictions; how England hates artists, and his optimism for Europe.

File format: mp3; file size: 26.8meg, interview length: 27' 57" sound quality: *****

Malcolm McLaren (1989) [transcript]

Audio transcript of interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages transcripts, 1989

This is a transcript of John's audio interview with Malcolm. Listen to the audio of this interview. ...

Miles Copeland (1989)

Interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages audio, 1989

The IRS chief talks about the label and its successes on both sides of the Atlantic: R.E.M., the Go-Go's, Fine Young Cannibals and more; being saved from bankruptcy by punk, and his labels Faulty Products, Deptford Fun City and others; Squeeze and the Police; IRS's relationship with Jerry Moss at A&M, then moving, via MCA, to EMI; the Night of the Guitars tour, and its participants; London v Los Angeles; how he got into the business; the current state of pop, and his predictions for its future.

File format: mp3; file size: 75.2mb, interview length: 1h 18' 19" sound quality: ****

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Traveling Wilburys: Tom Petty (1989)

Interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages audio, 1989

The lead Heartbreaker talks about the album Southern Accents; his long association with guitarist Mike Campbell; his Backstreet record label, and his previous label Shelter; his 1982-'86 sabbatical; Roy Orbison and the Traveling Wilburys; embracing the spirit of punk; his partnership with Bob Dylan; his 1979 bankruptcy; people who cover his songs; live album Pack Up The Plantation, and his current solo album Full Moon Fever.

File format: mp3; file size: 55.1mb; Interview length: 57' 25"; sound quality: ****

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers: Tom Petty (1989) [transcript]

Audio transcript of interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages transcripts, 1989

This is a transcript of John's audio interview with Tom. Listen to the audio of this interview. ...

The Carpenters' Richard Carpenter (1989)

Interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages audio, November 1989

Richard takes us, in depth, through the Carpenters' career: listening to pop radio as a kid, and learning piano; the family move from Connecticut to California; their first groups; signing to A&M, and first single 'Ticket to Ride'; co-writing first hot 'Close to You' with Burt Bacharach; the family vocal blend; the succession of hits, including 'We’ve Only Just Begun', 'Superstar', 'For All We Know' and 'Rainy Days and Mondays'; 'Goodbye to Love', and Tony Peluso's guitar solo; covering older songs; Karen qualities as a singer and drummer, her solo career, anorexia and death.

File format: mp3; file size: 84.4mb, total interview length: 1h 27' 52" sound quality: *****

Kirsty MacColl (1989)

Interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages audio, Spring 1989

The singer-songwriter talks about her family background; early recordings and Stiff Records; working with the Pogues and Tracey Ullman; her new album Kite and being produced by husband Steve Lillywhite; meeting the Smiths; the position of women in the arts; songwriters she admires... and writer's block.

File format: mp3; file size: 62.2mb, interview length: 1h 04' 50" sound quality: *****

The Crickets, Sonny Curtis: Sonny Curtis (1990)

Interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages audio, 1990

From Buddy Holly to the Clash: songwriter/guitarist Curtis talks about his time with Holly and his lengthy association with the Crickets; the number of mistakes in the movie The Buddy Holly Story; backing the Everly Brothers, plus their cover of his 'Walk Right Back'; writing 'I Fought The Law', the mystery of Bobby Fuller's death, and the Clash's version of his most famous song; hanging out with Eric Clapton; writing The Mary Tyler Moore Show theme tune, and jingles; his lengthy association with Waylon Jennings, and his return to Nashville.

File format: mp3; file size: 68.3mb, interview length: 1h 11' 10" sound quality: *****

Joan Armatrading (1990)

Interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages audio, Spring 1990

The singer songwriter charts her recording career from her debut (with Pam Nestor), Whatever's for Us, up to her current release Hearts and Flowers: producers like Gus Dudgeon, Glyn Johns and Steve Lillywhite; musicians like Dave Mattacks, Jerry Donahue and Sly & Robbie and songs such as 'Love and Affection' and 'Me Myself I'. She also talks about real musicians v high tech instruments, being photographed by Robert Mapplethorpe and Lord Snowden, and her love of comics.

File format: mp3; file size: 48.6mb, interview length: 50' 40" sound quality: *****

The Equals, Eddy Grant: Eddy Grant (1991)

Interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages audio, 1991

Eddy Grant talks about forming the Equals with school friends in Tottenham; their hits 'Baby Come Back' and 'Black Skin Blue Eyed Boys'; his heart attack, and leaving the band; contractual issues with manager Edward Kassner, and regaining his copyrights; building his own studio; dying his hair white; his solo albums, and hits 'Walking on Sunshine' and 'Living on the Front Line'; moving to Barbados and building his Blue Wave studio, and about his sporting heroes and friends.

File format: mp3; file size: 131.5mb, interview length: 2h 17' 01" sound quality: *****

Fairport Convention's Simon Nicol (1991)

Interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages audio, 1991

The veteran Fairports guitarist talks about the group's evolution, from first meeting Ashley Hutchings at school to its present day line-up: Richard Thompson and Judy Dyble joining; being signed by Joe Boyd to Witchseason Productions; their first recordings; the introduction of Sandy Denny, and the move towards more traditional folk; the crash that killed drummer Martin Lamble; new members Dave Mattacks and Dave Swarbrick; albums such as Unhalfbricking and Liege and Lief; Sandy and Ashley leaving, and then Nicol's own comings and goings to and from the band, setting up the Cropredy festival, and the band's continuing existence.

File format: mp3; file size: 50.2mb, interview length: 52' 16" sound quality: *****

Fairport Convention's Simon Nicol (1991) [transcript]

Audio transcript of interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages transcripts, 1991

This is a transcript of John's audio interview with Simon. Listen to the audio of this interview. ...

Shirley Collins (1991)

Interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages audio, 17 May 1991

Brit-folk doyenne Shirley Collins revisists her 1971 No Roses album track by track and discusses how the songs were chosen – and the move away from folk tradition. Collins also talks about 10,000 Maniacs' cover of 'Just as the Tide was a-Flowing'; working with Maddy Prior and Fairport Convention; the Albion Country Band... and about the state of folk today.

File format: mp3; file size: 55.1mb, interview length: 57' 22" sound quality: *****

Shirley Collins (1991) [transcript]

Audio transcript of interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages transcripts, 17 May 1991

This is a transcript of John's audio interview with Shirley. Listen to the audio of this interview. ...

Jerry Jeff Walker (1992)

Interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages audio, 1992

The 'Mr Bojangles' man talks about his current place in music; his favourite albums; his adoptive hometown of Austin, Texas; meeting the real Mr. Bojangles; his problem with studio musicians; his musical background, and becoming a songwriter; his friend Guy Clark; on "manager" Michael Brovsky; inventing his name; his long-lasting marriage; Hondo Crouch, and Luckenbach, Texas; the Lost Gonzo Band; restarting his career after trouble with the IRS, and playing golf!

File format: mp3; file size: 64.3mb, interview length: 1h 06' 56" sound quality: ****

John Prine (1992)

Interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages audio, July 1992

The singer-songwriter talks about writing a song with Phil Spector; on Bruce Springsteen and Bonnie Raitt; on songwriting; favourite songwriters; writing with Shel Silverstein; setting up his own label Oh Boy; recording in Memphis and Nashville; his friendship with Steve Goodman... and being covered by John Denver.

File format: mp3; file size: 61.3mb, interview length: 1h 03' 52" sound quality: ****

Joe Ely: I’m A Honky Tonk Man…

Profile and Interview by John Tobler, Country Music People, October 1992

THE CAREER OF Joe Ely, one of the most dynamic performers in the world and a leading light of the Texan singer/songwriter genre, has largely ...

Pete Townshend, The Who: The Who's Pete Townshend (1993)

Interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages audio, June 1993

Framed around his just-released solo album Psychoderelict and the recent stage production of Tommy, Townshend riffs on the nature of rockers growing old; on touring with the Who and his hearing loss; on re-examining his childhood and finding an ending for Tommy; on Who's Next, Ken Russell's Tommy movie... and Keith Moon's four nipples!

File format: mp3; total file size: 55.5mb, total interview length: 57' 49" sound quality: ****

Brian Wilson: Interview with Don Was

Interview by John Tobler, Record Hunter, August 1993

After 32 years together The Beach Boys are one of the longest-lived bands in rock. They've recently performed a string of stadium dates, and Capitol ...

Elvis Presley: Elvis: The Goldman Factor

Essay by John Tobler, 'Aspects of Elvis', 1994

ELVIS PRESLEY WAS THE UNKNOWING centre of controversy in his quite short life: only being screened from the waist upwards on TV so that his ...

Steeleye Span

Retrospective and Interview by John Tobler, Sing Out!, 1994

THE TERM "folk-rock" appears to have different meanings in the UK and the US – American folk/rock means The Byrds, The Lovin' Spoonful and The ...

Ronnie Lane: One For The Road (Edsel)

Sleeve notes by John Tobler, Edsel, 1995

IN 1995, THE WORLD seems to have finally rediscovered The Small Faces, one of the most significant and respected groups of the British beat boom ...

The Groundhogs' Tony McPhee (1997)

Interview by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages audio, 1997

McPhee takes us back to the early days, turning down a gig with John Mayall's Bluesbreakers when Clapton left; his various bands between Groundhogs #1 and reviving the band; the early albums: Scratching the Surface and Blues Obituary; breakthrough album Thank Christ for the Bomb; the mental issues behind Split; subsequent albums, the sacking of drummer Ken Pustelnik, and his path to the present day.

File format: mp3; file size: 72.9mb, interview length: 1h 15' 57" sound quality: *****

Bryan Maclean — obituary

Obituary by John Tobler, The Guardian, 2 January 1999

LOVE ON THE EDGE with the beautiful people ...

Spirit

Sleeve notes by John Tobler, Sony Records sleevnote, 2000

THE TRAGIC AND unexpected death (from drowning) on the second day of 1997 of guitarist and vocalist Randy California effectively silenced Spirit, described by Billboard ...

Harold Bronson: My British Invasion

Book Review by John Tobler, Rock's Backpages, June 2017

MY FIRST ENCOUNTER with Harold Bronson was at the Pasadena Rose Bowl Swapmeet in November, 1973. We have met subsequently on probably more than a ...

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