This final episode is a bit of a two-parter. Part one is Bob explaining the impact of, mostly, British rock stars and their crews invading tiny Marissa, Illinois to shop at Ye Old Music. In modern day terms imagine Carrie Underwood strolling into your local music store.    Part two ends 50 Years of Maximum Rock & Roll with a few stories from current Heil Sound employees who keep the fires burning for performers worldwide as they build incredible microphones for the next fifty years....

Bob Heil will explain what he means by a six pack and what Creem Magazine has to do with that. He will share some special stories about some of the Rock n' Roll legends that he's worked with (Jimmie Hendrix) and we'll finally hear how he met Joe Walsh.

This episode is not about rock stars trashing hotel rooms or epic concerts. It is about the innovation and technology that has gone into much of Bob Heil's career. Bob has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the science of audio and we wanted to give our geeky audio fans a very special episode. 

Before ZZ Top were sharp dressed men they were just a little three piece band from Texas. With no beards. But they had "that sound" driven by Billy Gibbons unmistakable guitar and vocal. Bob Heil and Heil Sound were there on the band's early tours perfecting the live sound where, with a trio, everything mattered.   In this episode you will hear a wonderful and wide ranging discussion by Bob of his work with ZZ Top including some of his secrets for getting the critical guitar and bass sounds...

From Joe Walsh trashing hotel rooms to groupies, Bob Heil recalls some of the crazier stories that to the rest of us seem like legend.

After working at venues around the globe some of Bob Heil's favorite live sound venues were actually right in his own backyard. Bob recalls the iconic Mississippi River Fest and how Kiel Auditorium became a live testing venue for Heil Sound. 

In this episode Bob Heil sits down with Dave Hines to talk about The Who's Quadrophenia tour and how a meeting with Pete Townsend in London blossomed into the album Quadrophenia and the technology that Bob Heil developed to allow that album to be performed live the way it was intended.   

Topics   NAMM, Russ Long, Sandra McCracken, Denny Tedesco, The Wrecking Crew   Synopsis   The annual NAMM show in Anaheim, California is a must-attend event for anyone in the music products industry. It’s an opportunity to see old friends, make new connections, and get a peek at the latest innovations in music gear. As you would expect, Heil had a front-row seat to this year’s event.   In this episode, Dave and Bob chat about the highlights from this year’s NAMM show. You’ll hear...

Topics: Pete Townshend, The Who, B.B. King, Journey, Steve Perry   Synopsis   What is it really like to be a professional touring soundman? While some might believe it’s little more than lugging gear and pushing a few buttons, Heil Sound alum Randy Burton will be the first to tell you it’s much, much more than that.   In this episode--the second half of a two-part interview--Randy dives into stories from the road and shares his perspective on what it really means to be an effective...

Topics: Ozark Music Festival, Ted Nugent, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Humble Pie, The Eagles   Synopsis   Music festivals are a staple of the rock ‘n roll industry. Incredible bands, huge crowds, and a rowdy outdoor atmosphere all come together to create an environment where legends are born and history is made.   If you want a firsthand account of some of the craziest and most memorable moments in the history of rock music festivals, look no further than Heil Sound alum Randy Burton. In this...

Topics: Peter Frampton, Talkbox, Joe Walsh, Quadrophenia, Pete Townsend   Synopsis   Peter Frampton is a legend of rock music and the best-known user of the renowned Heil Talkbox. For the last several decades, his innovation and artistry have helped shape the music you know and love. However, there is one man whose creativity and collaboration with Frampton helped shape his signature sound more than any other. That man is Bob Heil.   In this episode, Bob shares how he came to know and...

Topics: Talkbox, Dunlop, Bon Jovi, Slash, Tool Bob Heil is perhaps known best for developing the Talk Box, the renowned device that has been used by rock guitarists for decades to produce a variety of unique sounds. But you might be surprised to learn that the Talk Box didn’t originate in a recording studio or electronics shop.   In this episode, Bob shares the entire history of the famous Talk Box, which has been featured in music by Peter Frampton, Slash of Guns N’ Roses, Richie Sambora...

Topics: Joe Walsh, James Gang, Goldline Pro, The Fin, phantom power   Synopsis   What comes to mind when you think of Joe Walsh? You probably think of his incredible contribution to rock music through The Eagles and James Gang (and other groups), as well as his solo work. But you probably don’t picture him as a ham radio operator or an electronics expert.   But in this episode, that’s the Joe Walsh you’ll encounter. Bob Heil shares stories from his decades-long friendship with Joe that...

Topics: Jeff Beck, Grateful Dead, monitors, The Who, ZZ Top   Synopsis   One of the most important, yet most overlooked, parts of a sound system is the monitor setup. Monitors allow the band members to hear themselves and one another in order to give their best performance. In today’s episode, Bob Heil talks about the critical role he played in developing the modern monitor setup and the rock legends who helped make it a reality.   Other gems you’ll discover in this episode include:...

Topics: The Grateful Dead, Heil Talk Box, Ham Radio, The Who, Joe Walsh   Synopsis: If you’ve ever listened to Joe Walsh’s “Rocky Mountain Way” or “Do You Feel Like I Do”” by Peter Frampton, you of course heard of the Heil Talk Box. In addition to building that iconic device, Bob Heil also built touring systems for The Who, Humble Pie, and the Grateful Dead. Bob has a history in concert sound that few can match. He continues to be an innovator by designing and building microphones that are...