The Vinyl Guide - Artist Interviews for Record Collectors and Music Nerds Ep506: Craig Ferguson - Comedian, Actor, TV Host & Music Fanatic
Jul 10, 2025
01:00:29
Comedian, Actor, Author Craig Ferguson discusses his early punk days, making music and comedy records, avoiding David Bowie and many musical moments that influenced his path.
Topics Include:
- Discussion begins about Craig's new vinyl release "I'm So Happy"
- Craig has released most of his comedy specials on vinyl
- His first album was vinyl in 1986 when that was standard
- Vinyl became the poor cousin during the CD era
- Craig's vinyl collection is currently boxed up after moving
- Used red sleeves for expensive records when kids were young
- First owned record: Monkees "Headquarters" from uncle James
- First purchased: Brian Eno "Here Come the Warm Jets" 1976
- Son experienced vinyl for first time with Mogwai album
- Son said he felt "robbed" by digital music quality
- Modern music feels overproduced and digitally assembled to Craig
- Artists release music before it's properly developed or ready
- His first concert: Blue Oyster Cult 1975 Nassau Coliseum
- Still shops at record stores with tour manager Thomas
- Prefers tactile experience over buying vinyl records online
- Has couple of precious singles from his own bands
- Missed lots of music during blackout drunk years 15-30
- Now discovering missed artists like John Cale collaborations
- Doesn't consider himself musician but thinks like one musically
- Stand-up comedy has tempos, moods, feels like musical performance
- Music and comedy both require audience participation for value
- Paul Weller didn't want interview despite initial tour requests
- Never invited David Bowie due to being too in awe
- Never spent time with Iggy Pop except seeing performances
- Drummed for Nico briefly when young and impaired
- Last public drumming was disastrous Rock Bottom Remainders performance
- Billy Connolly's vinyl albums were forbidden contraband as kid
- Vinyl comedy creates different atmosphere than digital formats
Watch "I'm So Happy" on YouTube & order the vinyl here.
High resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide
Listen on Apple: https://apple.co/2Y6ORU0 Listen on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/36qhlc8