I think we all should define for ourselves what is "cool." At one point it was decidedly uncool to liker the music of the Carpenters, but here I happily celebrated them on an Irish radio show

Here in 1993, I took Jon Bon Jovi to task for using the word "faggots" on stage, and he talks about all that other stuff. A slice of rock history. 

For people like me who love John Lennon's song. A Day in the Life, and early Fleetwood Mac, this little chat is a revelation!

Not one of my favourite interviews and far from one of my favourite interviewees. But here, from my archive is a repost of the Gene Simmons interview from 1996

I knew Bob socially, growing up in Dun Laoghaire, but he complained to an editor that I was "too hard on him: during this interview, You decide. Repost

This is a podcast from my archive, first posted during the COVID pandemic and what Cohen says applies to us all, singers or otherwise

This interview happened by chance when I attended a Chieftains recording session in Zappa's home. It was one of his last interviews

I'm reposting this because it helps set in a historical context Beyonce's country album. Ray went there first, sixty years ago, and we touch on that subject

A repost for a radio slot I did about Dino the week she died. 

Great exchange with the late Gordon Stoker, one of the Jordanaires who tells it like it really was and not as you will read it in books about Elvis and that Sinatra show! 

Mike Love and I backstage at a Beach Boys gig in America in 1989, reflecting on classic albums such as Pet Sounds, and more. 

This was originally a radio show, and it became one of my first podcasts in 2020. Time for a repost, of this revealing encounter with the man who has since become President of Ireland. 

The rapport I had with Nanci, apparent in this 1993 interview, led to her asking me in 1998 to co-write her book Nanci Griffith's Other Voices. I'm told, from Texas, there is a resurgence of interest in her work. That thought delights me. I dedicate this podcast to anyone discovering Nanci!

Joan was a joy to interview, and even meet. Her story is hugely inspiring for those of us who sometimes yield to dark feelings  

I am posting this again because I have learned that I was one of the few journalists to ask Neil about his ties to the Mob, who backed, he says, the Bang record label - with its logo, a smoking gun!!!

Dory Previn said to me in 1986, "I hope that someday you write about my songs and life the kind of  psychosexual study you did of Sinatra's work." We made tapes, starting that year, and recorded up to 2000, with this in mind or me writing a one-woman show about her. Now, my hopes are set more on me and someone who is equally passionate about Dory, making a film.  Here she talks about the background of her songs Theme from Valley of the Dolls,  Leomon Haired Ladies and Beware of Young Girlks....

This clip was recorded backstage in Madison Square Garden at a Bob Dylan/Joni Mitchell gig, and the sound is not great. Be warned! But it is a historic clip, of Joni chatting about the song she wrote, The Magdalene Laundries, that was soon to be released on a Chieftains album, Tears of Stone.    And it will give you a flavour of being backstage 

I previously posted parts of this as podcasts, but after some listeners pointed out that Cillian rarely is as open during interviews, particularly when it comes to his private life and deepest feelings, I decided to post the full exchange. 

I was a fan of Dory Previn, who became her close friend and the person she asked to chronicle her life and songs. We never finished that work, but I have 20 hours of audio and some video and feel duty-bound to spread the word about Dory, one of the most groundbreaking singer-songwriters in rock .

When I was a kid I stole from a local cinema a picture of Elvis and Nancy in Speedway. Interviewing her was a delight. We shared similar views about Elvis. 

Talking with Joan Baez was a total joy for me. I hope fellow fans share this joy. Repost from 2021

I am reposting this becuase it was supposed to be a radio broadcast that was cancelled at the last moment, and never broadcast. Some fans and friends of Sean say it is the best interview he ever gave. 

This is a repost because the subject matter is as relevant today as it was when Tommy and I had this chat. I'm glad to see he is continuing my style of interviewing!

This is a repost from when the song became a hit again. I post it for the Irish diaspora in particular.