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Paul Zollo

Paul Zollo

Paul Zollo (pictured, left, with Tom Petty) is a songwriter, author and music journalist. His most recent book is Hollywood Remembered, An Oral History of Its Golden Age (376 pp. Cooper Square Press). The Kirkus Review called it "pure gold" and "a human sunrise." Zollo is also the author of Songwriters On Songwriting, Expanded Edition (656 pp. Da Capo Press). It’s a collection of 52 in-depth interviews he conducted with many of the world’s greatest songwriters, crossing over all genres and generations to provide insightful discussions with everyone from Pete Seeger and Sammy Cahn through Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Randy Newman, R.E.M. and even Madonna. Gavin Martin, writing in Vox magazine, gave it four stars and called it "a veritable goldmine." In MOJO, Barney Hoskyns wrote, "Zollo’s songtalk provides a feast." A new fourth edition of this book, with ten added interviews, will be published this year.

All of the interviews in Songwriters On Songwriting were when Zollo was the editor of SongTalk, the journal of the National Academy of Songwriters. While at SongTalk, Zollo was awarded the John Bettis Fellowship Award for his work at the magazine, which included conducting Bob Dylan’s first interview in more then ten years.

Between 1999 and 2001, Zollo was a contributing writer and Managing Editor of Performing Songwriter magazine. His first book, The Beginning Songwriters Answer Book, was published in 1990 by Writers Digest Books, and is a manual on all aspects of songwriting, from the creative to the commercial. He is currently working on a new edition of this book, which will be entitled The Elements of Songwriting, and will be published by Cooper Square Press. Zollo was a contributing writer since 1989 for Musician magazine, and has also written for Acoustic Guitar, Variety, Hollywood Reporter, L.A. Style, Grammy Magazine, Sing Out!, Performing Songwriter, American Songwriter, Music Connection, Total Guitar, The Oxford American, Video View and others. He has written CD liner notes for many albums, including Paul Simon’s CD boxed set Paul Simon 1964/1993, Laura Nyro’s The Best Of Laura Nyro - Stoned Soul Picnic, Les Brown and His Band of Renown’s Swing Alive! and albums by Dan Fogelberg, Townes Van Zandt, Thom Bishop, James Coberly Smith and others.

Between 1989 and 1993, Zollo was the writer for the National Academy of Songwriters annual "Salute To The American Songwriter" concert (and co-producer in 1993), an event that honored such songwriting legends as Goffin & King, Holland-Dozier-Holland, Bacharach & David, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Joni Mitchell, Jimmy Webb and Smokey Robinson.

Zollo has written for the program of the annual Grammy presentations, awarded by NARAS, contributing the copy for the "Best Song Of The Year" nominees every year since 1997. Between 1982 and 1984 Zollo wrote more than a hundred educational radio scripts and radio dramas for the Hollywood Entertainment Radio Network. He is also the founder and original host of the Acoustic Underground, a Los Angeles acoustic music showcase.

As a songwriter, Zollo has collaborated with many artists, including Steve Allen, Darryl Purpose and Severin Browne. He released one eponymous album with his band The Ghosters, and as a solo artist released the album Orange Avenue, which features a duet with Art Garfunkel.

 

44 articles

List of articles in the library

By date | By artist | Most recently added

Frank Zappa (1988)

Interview by Paul Zollo, Rock's Backpages audio, 1988

The head Mother is brutally frank about the record-buying public and the bankruptcy of pop songwriting; on being exposed to Varese; learning to "draw" music as a kid; the difference between songwriting and composition, and deconstructs the modern pop song (and a whole lot more).

File format: mp3; file size: 81.9mb, interview length: 1h 29' 29" sound quality: ***

Paul Simon: Spirit Voices Vol. I

Interview by Paul Zollo, SongTalk, 1990

"There is a girl in New York City Who calls herself the human trampoline And sometimes when I'm falling, flying or tumbling in turmoil I ...

Paul Simon: Spirit Voices Vol. II

Interview by Paul Zollo, SongTalk, 1990

"Some stories are magical Meant to be sung Songs from the mouth of the river When the world was young And all of these spirit ...

Bob Dylan: The Song Talk Interview

Interview by Paul Zollo, SongTalk, 1991

"I've made shoes for everyone, even you, while I still go barefoot"(‘I and I’) ...

Bob Dylan (1991)

Interview by Paul Zollo, Rock's Backpages audio, 4 April 1991

Bob on why he writes songs, how he writes songs, what he writes songs about, what he doesn't write songs about, the keys he writes songs in, where he likes to write songs, what songs are and aren't, and some memories of his own songs.

File format: mp3; file size: 75.5mb, interview length: 1h 22' 29" sound quality: **½

Suzanne Vega's Book of Dreams, Pt. 1

Interview by Paul Zollo, SongTalk, Winter 1991

"ALL THE MYSTERIES of life come in A minor," Suzanne Vega said, curled up on a couch in Hollywood. ...

Judy Henske: Only a Henske: The Judy Henske Story

Interview by Paul Zollo, SongTalk, Spring 1991

SHE GIVES A raucous interview. Known for being wildly entertaining and energetic on stage, Judy Henske brings as much punch to a conversation as to ...

Johnny Mandel (1992)

Interview by Paul Zollo, Rock's Backpages audio, 1992

Over lunch at Musso & Frank, the Hollywood songwriter and arranger talks about 'The Shadow of Your Smile'; about his collaborations with musicians and lyricists, including Peggy Lee and Shirley Horn; making the Unforgettable album with Natalie Cole and the ghost of her father; the brilliance of Michael Jackson and Barbra Streisand; and writing 'Suicide is Painless' for Robert Altman's classic M*A*S*H.

File format: mp3; file size: 49.3mb, interview length: 51' 20" sound quality: ***

Leonard Cohen (1992)

Interview by Paul Zollo, Rock's Backpages audio, 1992

The Great Canadian talks at length and in detail about the process by which, through sheer hard work, he crafts his songs, from the recent The Future album back to such classics as 'Suzanne' and 'Bird on a Wire'.

File format: mp3 File size: 81.5mb Interview length: 1h 29' 00"; Sound quality: ***

Leonard Cohen On Songwriting

Interview by Paul Zollo, from 'Songwriters On Songwriting', 1992

WE ARE SITTING Indian-style on the second floor of Leonard Cohen’s home in Los Angeles. On his bookshelf are many books that he’s written himself, ...

Yoko Ono (1992)

Interview by Paul Zollo, Rock's Backpages audio, 30 March 1992

Ms. Ono looks back at her youth, training as a musician; her involvement in art music, jazz and meeting Ornette Coleman; her transition, with Lennon, into pop, and – at length – about her songwriting, and particular songs.

File format: mp3; file size: 65.2mb, interview length: 1h 11' 12" sound quality: ***

Tori Amos Finds Herself

Report and Interview by Paul Zollo, Musician, May 1992

"IT ALL COMES from the centre," she says, pointing to her navel. Tori Amos is explaining where her songs are conceived. "It's like a constant ...

Squeeze: Up The Junction With Difford & Tilbrook

Interview by Paul Zollo, SongTalk, Spring 1992

WHEN YOU TALK to Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook of Squeeze, unlike other collaborators who finish each other's thoughts, they sit at opposite ends of ...

Art Garfunkel, Simon & Garfunkel: Breakfast with Art Garfunkel

Interview by Paul Zollo, SongTalk, 1993

SIMON AND GARFUNKEL are rehearsing. We're at the Paramount theatre in Manhattan on an October afternoon, about halfway into their unprecedented 21-night series of sold-out ...

Paul Simon (1993)

Interview by Paul Zollo, Rock's Backpages audio, 1993

Concentrating on Hearts and Bones and Graceland, Paul Simon ruthlessly re-examines such songs as 'Allergies', 'Boy in the Bubble' and 'The Late Great Johnny Ace', covering such issues truth in songwriting, heroes as subjects and musical and lyrical influences. Oh, and he really dislikes 'Slip Sliding Away' as "too simple"!

File format: mp3; file size: 80.1mb, interview length: 1h 27' 27" sound quality: **½

James, Soup Dragons: The Soup Dragons and James Tour America Together

Report and Interview by Paul Zollo, Musician, February 1993

"OUR GREATEST ambition is to play on the NASA Space Station," says Sean Dickson, songwriter and singer of the Soup Dragons. "We want to be ...

Leonard Cohen: Inside the Tower of Song

Profile and Interview by Paul Zollo, SongTalk, April 1993

I said to Hank Williams, "How lonely does it get?"Hank Williams hasn't answered yet.but I hear him coughing all night long,a hundred floors above me ...

Richie Havens (1993)

Interview by Paul Zollo, Rock's Backpages audio, 4 June 1993

Mr. Havens talks about the return of '60s "message music"; at length about his appearance at Woodstock; Greenwich Village and Albert Grossman; his guitar style, and being an interpreter of Dylan, the Beatles... and Judy Henske.

File format: mp3; file size: 29.6mb, interview length: 32' 21" sound quality: ****

Richie Havens (1993) [transcript]

Audio transcript of interview by Paul Zollo, Rock's Backpages transcripts, 4 June 1993

This is a transcript of Paul's audio interview with Richie. Listen to the audio of this interview. ...

Daryl Hall & John Oates, Daryl Hall: Daryl Hall (1993)

Interview by Paul Zollo, Rock's Backpages audio, 7 September 1993

The blonde half of Hall & Oates on his Soul Alone album; the influence of Philly soul, and Thom Bell in particular; writing songs with John Oates; his Sacred Songs album with Robert Fripp, and on such songs as 'Everytime You Go Away' and 'She's Gone'.

File format: mp3; file size: 61.8mb, interview length: 33' 45" sound quality: ***

Grant Lee Buffalo: Born of Oblivion, Bound for Glory

Interview by Paul Zollo, Musician, April 1994

GRANT LEE Buffalo is three: singer/guitarist Grant Lee Phillips, drummer Joey Peters and Paul Kimble on bass. Its evident, after only moments with the band, ...

Dave Brubeck (1995)

Interview by Paul Zollo, Rock's Backpages audio, March 1995

Mr. Brubeck on his family background and first listening to jazz; on playing, writing and arranging; on jazz's place in American culture and history; and on time signatures, Paul Desmond and Joe Morello, and that tune ('Take Five').

File format: mp3; file size: 49.2mb, interview length: 53' 44" sound quality: ***

Peter, Paul & Mary (1996)

Interview by Paul Zollo, Rock's Backpages audio, 1996

The folksome trio talk about the "ownership" of the folk cannon; their unique vocal blend; Bob Dylan and 'Blowin' In The Wind'; the Folk Family, and their songwriting.

File format: mp3; file size: 56.5mb, interview length: 1h 01' 41" sound quality: ***

Dan Fogelberg: Portrait - The Music of Dan Fogelberg from 1972-1997

Sleeve notes by Paul Zollo, Columbia Legacy, 1997

IT'S ONE OF his earliest memories: He's four years old, standing up on a box in front of his father's big band, baton in hand, ...

Robbie Robertson (1998)

Interview by Paul Zollo, Rock's Backpages audio, 1998

The erstwhile Band songwriter talks about his Contact from the Underworld of Redboy album; working with Howie B; the involvement of jailed Native American activist Leonard Peltier; the Peyote religion; writing for the different voices in the Band, and writing film music for Martin Scorsese.

File format: mp3; file size: 48.7mb, interview length: 53' 20" sound quality: **½

Bernie Taupin, Elton John: Bernie Taupin

Interview by Paul Zollo, Musician, January 1998

AS ELTON John's lyricist for three decades, Bernie Taupin is one of the most famous British songwriters of all time. ...

The Lovin' Spoonful, John Sebastian: The Lovin' Spoonful's John Sebastian (1998)

Interview by Paul Zollo, Rock's Backpages audio, 16 March 1998

The Spoonful front-man on his music-packed upbringing in Greenwich Village; starting out playing guitar; becoming a songwriter, and talks about some of his bigger hits.

File format: mp3; file size: 42.7mb, interview length: 46' 39" sound quality: *****

Janis Ian, Stan Ridgway: Songwriting: Sex and Memory

Interview by Paul Zollo, Musician, April 1999

Janis Ian and Stan Ridgway discuss the changing role of gender in modern lyrics. ...

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers: Tom Petty (1999)

Interview by Paul Zollo, Rock's Backpages audio, 3 April 1999

The Head Heartbreaker talks at length about writing and recording latest album Echo; the craft of songwriting in general; the continued pleasure of playing with his band; his youth playing covers in Florida; and how the new technologies (internet, mp3s etc.) are changing the way music is made and consumed.

File format: mp3; file size: 80.1mb, interview length: 1h 27' 28" sound quality: ***

Lou Reed

Interview by Paul Zollo, Performing Songwriter, 2000

"Music was what bothered me, what interested me. I always believed that I have something important to say and I said it. That's why I ...

Steely Dan Continues the Battle

Interview by Paul Zollo, CDNOW.com, January 2000

THEY ARE THE core of Steely Dan – Walter Becker and Donald Fagen – the two friends who long ago disbanded the original lineup of ...

Steely Dan: The Second Coming

Retrospective and Interview by Paul Zollo, Performing Songwriter, January 2000

IN MANHATTAN, a couple weeks before the final Christmas of the 20th Century. Donald Fagen and Walter Becker have arrived together at the 12th floor, ...

Joan Armatrading (2000)

Interview by Paul Zollo, Rock's Backpages audio, March 2000

Ms. Armatrading gives the low-down on her life as a songwriter: where songs come from; what she writes about; how she started writing and playing; the songs she'll talk about and those she won't, plus individual songs like the great 'Love and Affection'.

File format: mp3; file size: 38.4mb, interview length: 41' 56" sound quality: ***

John Lennon, Yoko Ono: Yoko Ono: A 1992 Interview

Book Excerpt by Paul Zollo, 'Songwriters on Songwriting' (rev. edn, Da Capo), 2003

IT WAS A SAD and a little spooky to walk into the Dakota on this dark and rainy winter night, an evening not unlike the ...

Randy Newman (2005)

Interview by Paul Zollo, Rock's Backpages audio, 12 December 2005

The great songwriter, sat at the piano, tells the stories behind the songs: writing in character; geography, the "untrustworthy narrator". Interviewer Zollo plays the tracks in question.

File format: mp3; file size: 108.7mb, interview length: 1h 58' 43" sound quality: *****

Randy Newman (2005) [transcript]

Audio transcript of interview by Paul Zollo, Rock's Backpages transcripts, 12 December 2005

This is a transcript of Paul's audio interview with Randy. Listen to the audio of this interview. ...

The Beatles, James Taylor: James Taylor: Taylor Made

Profile and Interview by Paul Zollo, Record Collector, May 2008

TO GET TO his home, you drive down a winding country road in the heart of rural Massachusetts, under arches of ancient oaks and elms, ...

John Prine (2009)

Interview by Paul Zollo, Rock's Backpages audio, 28 May 2009

The former mailman talks about how he started as a songwriter; on being a performer; on songs such as 'Angel from Montgomery'; the detailed ins-and-outs of songwriting; and looks back at his friend and collaborator Steve Goodman.

File format: mp3; file size: 93.0mb, interview length: 1h 42' 34" sound quality: ** (phoner)

John Prine: The Blue Railroad Interview

Interview by Paul Zollo, Blue Railroad, Summer 2009

"You can write about anything. Anything at all. As a matter of fact, the less familiar, the better." ...

Chrissie Hynde, The Pretenders: The Pretenders' Chrissie Hynde (2010)

Interview by Paul Zollo, Rock's Backpages audio, 22 January 2010

The Pretenders frontwoman on songwriting and songs; being a band member, and an extended exposition on her vegetarianism and the brutality of the meat business.

File format: mp3; file size: 70.8mb, interview length: 1h 17' 22" sound quality: *** (phoner)

Donald Fagen, Steely Dan: Donald Fagen

Interview by Paul Zollo, American Songwriter, January 2013

On the occasion of Donald Fagen's latest non-Steely Dan effort, Sunken Condos, we sat down to talk about this new classic, and the previous ones. ...

The Beatles, Ringo Starr: Ringo Starr (2015)

Interview by Paul Zollo, Rock's Backpages audio, April 2015

The Beatles' tub-thumper talks about his latest album, Postcards from Paradise; the songs he wrote for the Beatles like 'Octopus's Garden' and 'Don't Pass Me By'; on drumming, and on the way Beatles songs would evolve in the studio.

File format: mp3; file size: 19.4mb, interview length: 21' 09" sound quality: ***

The Beatles, Ringo Starr: Ringo Starr (2015) [transcript]

Audio transcript of interview by Paul Zollo, Rock's Backpages transcripts, April 2015

This is a transcription of Paul's audio interview with Ringo. Listen to the audio of this interview. ...

John Lydon, Public Image Ltd, Sex Pistols: John Lydon (2015)

Interview by Paul Zollo, Rock's Backpages audio, 5 August 2015

The venerable (post)punk talks about how he writes, from the Pistols days through PiL: his influences, motivation and about specific songs.

File format: mp3; file size: 31.3mb, interview length: 34' 09" sound quality: ** (phoner)

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