Phil Manzanera is one of the UK’s best-known musicians and record producers, having shot to prominence in the early ‘70’s as the lead guitarist with the seminal band, Roxy Music. He is widely acknowledged as one of the world’s leading guitarists and remains in huge demand.  Roxy Music were inducted into  the US Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019 and recently Phil was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to music. He was born to a British father and Colombian...

Do you know the name Bruce Sudano? Perhaps you've heard of him as the late DONNA SUMMER's husband and collaborator? They sure made beautiful music together. Bruce is a celebrated musician, songwriter, and producer renowned for his extensive contributions to the music industry. With a career spanning several decades, he has written chart-topping hits for legendary artists like Donna Summer, Michael Jackson, and Dolly Parton. He co-founded the bands Alive N Kickin' and Brooklyn Dreams, both...

Guess who was behind hits like the Turtles' "Happy Together" or CSN&Y's "Ohio?" It was renowned drummer Johny Barbata who sadly passed away unexpectedly last month. Johny's extraordinary talent and versatility made him a pivotal figure in rock and pop music. Starting his career in the 1960s, Johny first gained prominence as a member of The Turtles, where his dynamic drumming powered hits like "Happy Together" and "She'd Rather Be With Me." His innovative style and rhythmic precision...

Don McLean III is an American singer-songwriter, best known for his 1971 hit song "American Pie", an 8.5-minute folk rock "cultural touchstone" about the loss of innocence of the early rock and roll generation (US #1 for four weeks in 1972 and UK #2). Though some of his early musical influences included Frank Sinatra and Buddy Holly, as a teenager, Don became interested in folk music, particularly the Weavers' 1955 recording At Carnegie Hall. He often missed long periods of school because of...

Martha and the Muffins is a Canadian new wave band formed in Toronto in 1977. Known for their eclectic sound that blends post-punk, art rock, and new wave influences, the band achieved international success with their hit single "Echo Beach" in 1980. Martha and the Muffins was formed by two art students, Martha Johnson and Mark Gane, at the Ontario College of Art. They were soon joined by David Millar, Carl Finkle, Mark Gane's brother Tim Gane, and Martha Ladly. The band name was chosen as a...

As a founding member of the Grammy-winning, platinum-selling rock band TOTO, songwriter/keyboardist Steve Porcaro had huge pop hits with "Hold the Line," "Rosanna," and "Make Believe." He also co-wrote "Human Nature" which is featured on Michael Jackson's 30 million-selling Thriller album. Steve's other band mates in Toto were his brothers Jeff and Mike Porcaro, David Paich, David Hungate, Steve Luthaker, Bobby Kimball, Fergie Fredericksen, and Joseph Williams. Each of these guys also...

Born in 1952, in Virginia, Stewart Copeland - the son of a CIA agent - spent his formative years in the Middle East but attended college in California before settling in England in 1975. He joined the progressive rock outfit Curved Air, working first as their road manager then as their drummer. In early 77, he founded the Police with singer/bassist Sting and guitarist Henri Padovani (soon replaced by Andy Summers). Their first hit, 79's "Roxanne," set the course for huge success to follow....

Pat Arnold (born Patrica Ann Cole in 1946 in Los Angeles), professionally known as P.P. Arnold, is a soul singer who enjoyed considerable success in the United Kingdom in the 60s and beyond. Born into a family of gospel singers, PP married early, had two children, worked a series of menial jobs until the early 60s, when her friends contacted her with an offer she couldn't refuse. The girls had managed to arrange an audition for them to replace the original Ikettes, the vocal and...

Brian Cadd is an Australian singer-songwriter, keyboardist, producer and record label founder, a staple of Australian entertainment for over 50 years. As well as working internationally throughout Europe and the United States, he has performed as a member of numerous bands including the Groop, Axiom, The Bootleg Family Band and in America with the Flying Burrito Brothers before carving out a solo career in 1972.  Brian produced fellow Australian acts Robin Jolley, Ronnie Burns, Broderick...

John McEuen was born in 1945 and spent his high school years in California’s Orange County. He and lifelong high-school friend Steve Martin both got a job in 1963 in the magic shop at Disneyland when they were just 16. When John saw Missouri bluegrass group The Dillards in an Orange County club a couple of years later, his life changed forever. He knew he wanted to be “a traveling music man”. As a multi-instrumentalist (banjo, guitar, mandolin, fiddle) John has been recognised as a...

Leland Sklar has been a prominent figure among Hollywood session bassists dating back to the 1970s and ever since. Born in 1947 in Milwaukee, Lee has more than 2000 albums to his credit (and still counting), and is considered to be one of the "A" players in the highly selective L.A. rock music community where the competition for recording dates is fierce, and where only the strongest survive. His very recognisable bass playing style has been heard on hits by Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor,...

Tom Petersson is a musician best known as the bassist and co-founder of the iconic rock band Cheap Trick. Born in Rockford, Illinois, Petersson's musical journey began at an early age when he picked up the guitar. However, he later transitioned to bass guitar, a move that would define his signature sound and role in shaping Cheap Trick's distinctive style. In the early 70s, Petersson co-founded Cheap Trick with guitarist Rick Nielsen, drummer Bun E. Carlos, and vocalist Robin Zander. The...

Ian Gillan was one of the foremost vocalists of the heavy metal style of rock that emerged in the ‘70s, earning his greatest celebrity as a member of Deep Purple despite the fact that he also led his own bands. Ian began singing while still in his teens and was a member of several pub rock bands.  It was in one of these that he met bass player Roger Glover, and the two were invited to join Deep Purple in 1969. They debuted with the band in London of the same year. Ian Gillan’s voice was the...

Elliott Randall is one of the greatest guitarists of the Rock era. His solos on Steely Dan’s hit “Reelin’ In The Years” and Irene Cara’s “Fame” are nothing short of iconic. To the uninitiated, it might seem like Elliott has made a career out of saying no to great opportunities. Steely Dan, The Doobie Brothers, The Blues Brothers and Toto all asked him to join their bands and he said no. But Elliot is different. He has always trusted his intuition. Known as one of the greatest session...

British musician Steve Harley, whose glam-rock band Cockney Rebel had an enduring hit with the song Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me), has died at the age of 73. Harley said late last year he was being treated for “a nasty cancer”. Born in London in 1951, Harley worked as a trainee accountant and as journalist on local newspapers, and began his performing career at London folk clubs. He formed Cockney Rebel, which released a debut album The Human Menagerie in 1973 before foundering over...

With his hard, edgy tone, rough and rowdy vocals, and barroom boogie aesthetic, Canadian singer, guitarist, and keyboardist Pat Travers is a fine example of a Canadian bluesy hard rock act. He emerged during the '70s heyday of hard blues-rocking guitar heroes. His 8 albums from his 1976 debut through to 1984 netted seven Top 200 chart placements and two Top 40 singles, including the party anthem classic "Boom Boom (Out Go the Lights)." Pat is equally adept at playing funk, jazz, and prog...

Born in Memphis, singer/songwriter/guitarist, Billy Burnette spent most of his youth in the presence of father Dorsey and uncle Johnny (of the legendary Rock and Roll Trio).  The Trio made the Rockabilly name famous by combining the name Billy and his cousin Rocky for the 1953 “Rockabilly Boogie” – thus making the term Rockabilly a household name. The legendary trio influenced a diverse array of Rock icons including: the Elvis, Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Rod Stewart, Aerosmith, and Ricky Nelson....

The Animals were an English rock band of the 1960s, formed in Newcastle upon Tyne. The original lineup featured Eric Burdon (vocals), John Steel (drums), Hilton Valentine (guitar), and Chas Chandler (bass). The group is most famous for their top-five hit single “House of the Rising Sun” along with other popular songs like “We’ve Gotta Get Out of this Place” and “It’s My Life”. Early Years The Animals were formed in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1962, with Eric Burdon as lead singer and Chas...

Arthur Brown burst out of obscurity in 1968 with "Fire," an energetic fusion of blues, jazz and psychedelia with his over-the-top vocals invoking the dangers of the dark side. “Fire” launched Arthur to fame worldwide. He was born in North Yorkshire in 1942. After attending a grammar school Arthur studied at University where he focused on law and philosophy. His interest in music began to overwhelm his academic pursuits, and he formed his first band, an R&B combo called Blues and Brown....

John Hall is a founding member of the band Orleans and one of the main instigators of the No Nukes and MUSE (Musicians United for Safe Energy) movements. He’s been intimately involved in promoting social change and environmental advocacy, both as a private citizen and as an elected representative in Congress. John was studying piano at 5, playing French horn, guitar bass and drums by 12. He started playing in the clubs of Greenwich Village by 18 and at 21 wrote and directed music for a...

Meet Russell Morris, one of Australia's must enduring, most talented and most beloved singer, songwriters. From his pop stardom in the '60s to pioneering singer-songwriter, Russell has shaped the country's musical landscape for over seven decades. We explore the origins of his iconic hit, "The Real Thing," and the unconventional journey that led him to pursue a solo career. Discover the role Ian Meldrum played in transforming a six-and-a-half-minute epic into a chart-topping sensation,...

Join us this week for an engaging chat with Russell Morris, an enduring figure in Australian music. From his pop stardom in the '60s to pioneering singer-songwriter, Russell has shaped the country's musical landscape for over seven decades. We explore the origins of his iconic hit, "The Real Thing," and the unconventional journey that led him to pursue a solo career. Discover the role Ian Meldrum played in transforming a six-and-a-half-minute epic into a chart-topping sensation, defying...

Allan Clarke is a British musician celebrated for his role as the lead vocalist of the legendary rock band, The Hollies. With a career spanning decades, Clarke's distinctive tenor voice and songwriting prowess have left an indelible mark on the history of rock and roll. Clarke co-founded The Hollies in the early 1960s with childhood friends Graham Nash, Eric Haydock, Tony Hicks, and Don Rathbone. Their harmonious blend and melodic pop-rock sound catapulted them to international stardom. Hits...

Former teen idol Bobby Sherman is 80 years old and still wowing them. He was born in Santa Monica, California and became interested in singing whilst at high school. Following his graduation, he was given the opportunity to sing for Sal Mineo’s band at a party and eventually got a gig as house singer for the ABC show ‘Shindig!’, which ran from 1964 to 1966. His luck changed drastically in 1968 when he was cast in the role of a stammering, bashful logger in the TV drama series ‘Here Come the...