Rock & Roll High School With Pete Ganbarg

Scottish-born singer/songwriter Al Stewart pretty much invented the genre of historical folk rock, weaving real world events into cinematic tapestries of song. As he mentions in this episode, Al will sometimes open a world atlas, point to a random spot in the world and write a song about it. His passion for history and the accuracy of which he writes has led to such aural history lessons as "Road To Moscow" and "Nostradamus." Perhaps best known for his run of hits in the mid-late 1970's like "Year Of The Cat," "Time Passages," and "Song On The Radio," Al's story is fascinating. Having started out in the London folk scene of the late 1960's, where he encountered everyone from Paul Simon and Cat Stevens to Jimmy Page and Richard Thompson, Al is currently celebrating close to 60 years in music and is continuing to tour both in the US and abroad throughout 2025.Editor's note: this is one of our favorite episodes of this (or any) season.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In 1965, when Peter Noone was only 17 years old, his band Herman's Hermits had 7 Top Ten singles in America in one calendar year alone! With songs like "I'm Into Something Good," "Mrs. Brown You've Got A Lovely Daughter," "There's A Kind Of Hush," "I'm Henry VIII, I Am," "Can't You Hear My Hearbeat," and many more, Herman's Hermits became one of the most successful acts of the post-Beatles British Invasion.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Along with his two teenage classmates from London’s Central High School, Dewey Bunnell and Dan Peek, Gerry Beckley formed the band America in 1970 - with the name being a nod to the three Americans living in London.Incorporating three part vocal harmony and with all of the band members contributing to the songwriting - America signed with Warner Brothers Records in 1971. Their self titled album debut would ultimately feature two of the band’s signature songs - the #1 hit A Horse With No Name and it’s successful followup “I Need You” - and lead the band to a Best New Artist Grammy Win in 1973 - besting iconic nominees that year like Harry Chapin, Loggins & Messina and The Eagles.Working with legendary Beatles producer George Martin, America continued to release hit after hit in the 1970’s and 80’s with even more classics like Ventura Highway/Tin Man/Lonely People/Daisy Jane and Gerry’s classic “Sister Golden Hair.”With over 20 studio albums, multiple compilations and live albums, America has sold over 30 million records worldwide and continue to tour all over the world.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Gary Kemp wears many hats. As a founding member and principal songwriter of the band Spandau Ballet, Gary’s songs including “Gold,” “Only When You Leave,” “Through The Barricades,” and the all-time classic “True” have become part of the soundtrack of the last 40+ years. His work as an actor includes lead roles in 1990’s The Krays (alongside his brother Martin) and 1992’s The Bodyguard, alongside Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston. Gary’s Rockonteurs podcast with his friend and band-mate Guy Pratt, has released over 250 episodes featuring conversations with fellow musicians like Pete Townshend, David Gilmour, Mick Fleetwood and many more. Gary and Guy also both play in Saucerful Of Secrets, the band founded by original Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason. And Gary’s latest solo album, This Destination, is out now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Randy Bachman is the co-founder of two of classic rock’s greatest bands The Guess Who and Bachman-Turner Overdrive. With over 120 platinum gold and silver album and single awards from all over the world, Randy’s songs are known everywhere by listeners old and young - songs that have sold over a combined 40 million singles and albums.Between 1969 and 1970, The Guess Who sold more records than the entire Canadian music industry combined, and Randy followed that with another string of massive hits with Bachman-Turner Overdrive, leading BTO to become the biggest-selling recording act in popular music in 1974. Songs like Taking Care Of Business, American Woman, These Eyes, Laughing, Let It Ride and You Ain’t Seen Nothin Yet are just some of the songs written and performed by Randy Bachman.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tony Orlando has spent an incredible six decades in entertainment. From signing his first record deal at the age of 15 years old to segueing to the other side of the desk as a successful music publisher working for the legendary Clive Davis to accidentally becoming an even bigger pop star with the accidental pop group Dawn, Tony's career reads like something out of fiction but it all happened. Still going strong today, Tony hosts "Saturday Nights With Tony Orlando," heard worldwide via WABC New York and his music is still heard everywhere. Songs like "Tie A Yellow Ribbon," "Knock Three Times," "Candida," and "He Don't Love You (Like I Love You)," are all part of the fabric of contemporary music. In this episode, Tony tells us about growing up in both New York and New Jersey; how a chance meeting outside New York's famous Brill Building led to being signed by the legendary impresario Don Kirshner and how at 15 he was working alongside fellow teenage rookies Carole King, Gerry Goffin, Cynthia Weill and Barry Mann; and, most comedically, how doing a throw-away favor singing a demo for his friend Hank Medress led to two of the biggest hit records of the year 1970. Even iconic DJ Casey Kasem pays us a visit on this episode. A must listen episode for anyone interested in great stories about many, many big hit records and a remarkable career in music.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Chris Difford is a founding member and primary lyricist for the UK rock band Squeeze. Celebrating their 50th anniversary as a band in 2024, Squeeze has spent the past half-century recording some of the most notable albums of the New Wave era and beyond with songs, including "Tempted," "Pulling Mussels From Shell," "Cool For Cats," and "Annie Get Your Gun," that have all become worldwide favorites. Working alongside his Squeeze co-founder and its principal music writer Glen Tilbrook, Chris' musical and cultural knowledge and passion runs deep with a love for everyone from The Velvet Underground (whose final studio album would give the band their name) to Damon Runyon (whose characters inspired the long dormant "lost" Squeeze album "Trixie's" - to be released later this year). Apart from his creative work, Chris has also worked as a music manager, most notably managing Roxy Music's Bryan Ferry. Chris, Glen and Squeeze will be on tour again, in the US and the UK, in 2025.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Since 1969, Billy Gibbons has been the lead singer, guitar slinger and principal songwriter of the legendary Texas blues-rock band ZZ Top. With his signature smoky growl, 1959 Gibson Les Paul and instantly recognizable chest-length beard, Billy's music has become one of the soundtracks to the history of rock and roll for over six decades. Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, ZZ Top have sold over 50 million records and performed close to 2000 live shows. In this episode, Billy tells us all about his storied career, from growing up in Texas with his bandleader father to meeting his future ZZ Top bandmates on a night that began with Dusty Hill passing out drunk, to bringing the Worldwide Texas tour to life in the late 1970's - a tour that included live buffaloes and rattlesnakes on stage with the band every night. We talk about Billy's friendship with Jimi Hendrix, the night ZZ Top inducted their hero Jimmy Reed into the Rock Hall, and a fateful early gig where the band played an entire show (with encore!) to an audience of only one fan. Billy is a born raconteur and his colorful stories are sure to make you want to re-listen to all of the indelible music he's been sharing with us for over 50 years.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Chaka Khan is a true musical icon. Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2023, Chaka is now celebrating over 50 years of musical excellence. Honored with 10 Grammy Awards, her hits have transcended music genres, embodying the essence of pop, soul, jazz, gospel, classical, and funk. Her career took off in Chicago with the group Rufus and skyrocketed via the Stevie Wonder-penned hit "Tell Me Something Good." This success laid the foundation for an illustrious solo career, beginning with the empowering global anthem "I'm Every Woman." Chaka’s impact on pop culture extends beyond music; she has ventured into theater, made history-making collaborations, and contributed to children's television. Beyond her rich entertainment success, she has mastered the art of business with entrepreneurial ventures, including gourmet chocolates and a signature fragrance, 'Chaka by Chaka Khan.' Her life story is detailed in her autobiography “Through the Fire," serving as a testament to resilience and optimism. Chaka has changed lives through philanthropic efforts focusing on mental health and education. Celebrated by her peers and adored by fans worldwide, she remains a beacon of musical excellence, passion, empowerment, and love, uplifting hearts around the world. She embodies all the qualities of a true legend.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Paul Williams is one of the most beloved and respected music creators in the world today; a lyricist and composer who has won an Oscar Award, three Grammy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, an Ivor Novello International Award and earned induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Williams’ timeless classics range from “We’ve Only Just Begun”, “You and Me Against the World” and “The Rainbow Connection” to "Touch" and "Beyond" on Daft Punk’s chart-topping Album of the Year, Random Access Memories on which he also performed, receiving a Grammy as Featured Artist. As President and Chairman of the Board of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), he is also a leading spokesman for music creators in the digital age.  In addition to music creators’ rights, Paul is also passionate about recovery, and works tirelessly to destigmatize alcoholism and addiction. Sober 33 years, his humorous observations of life, love, and creativity, augmented by the education and knowledge he gained through his studies and certification from UCLA as a Certified Drug Rehabilitation Counselor, has been shared in a best-selling book co-written by Tracey Jackson, entitled Gratitude and Trust: Six Affirmations That Will Change Your Life. While publicly lauded for his work as a songwriter, author and actor, most recently for his role with Billy Bob Thornton in Goliath, Paul predicts he’ll be remembered for playing Little Enos in the Smokey and the Bandit trilogy and for his lyrics to “The Love Boat” theme.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.