Rock & Roll High School With Pete Ganbarg
Pure Tone Music
Season 4 Out Now!Rock & Roll High School is an interview series that tells the story of contemporary music history as told by those who helped create it.Hosted by Pete Ganbarg--------------------------------------About Pete:Pete Ganbarg has been doing major label A&R for over 35 years. He's a 2X Grammy award winning record producer as well as a member of the board of directors of the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Pete has held senior A&R positions at Atlantic, Arista, Epic and SBK/EMI and is currently the president of Pure Tone Music.As a music publisher, Pete operates Songs With A Pure Tone and Margetts Road Music, joint ventures currently in partnership with Warner Chappell Music. Songs published by Pure Tone include 2024's Grammy winning Record of the Year, "Flowers" by Miley Cyrus, the global #1 "Ordinary" by Alex Warren, as well as hits by Benson Boone, Justin Bieber, Maroon 5, Katy Perry, OneRepublic, Charli XCX, Lewis Capaldi, Ed Sheeran, Andy Grammer, Lizzo, Beyoncé, and more.Pete is the recipient of two Grammy Awards for his role as producer on the Original Broadway Cast Recording of Dear Evan Hansen and the Original Broadway Cast Recording of Jagged Little Pill. At Atlantic, among the artists and projects that Pete has overseen are twenty one pilots, Halestorm, Jason Mraz, Christina Perri, Melanie Martinez, Skillet, GAYLE, Brett Eldredge, Matchbox Twenty & Rob Thomas, Theory Of A Deadman, and Icona Pop; as well as the Original Broadway Cast Recordings of Hamilton, Mean Girls, Jagged Little Pill, Dear Evan Hansen, and the multi-platinum Billboard No. 1 soundtrack album The Greatest Showman.Pete began his A&R career in 1989 at SBK Records. In 1997, he joined Clive Davis at Arista Records, where, as Senior Director of A&R, he conceived and A&R’d Santana’s 30x platinum worldwide, nine-time GRAMMY-winning album, Supernatural. Additionally, Pete was named International Music Person Of The Year in 2023 by the music industry organization MUSEXPO.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Feb 17, 2022 • 1h 8min
Kenny Loggins
As a songwriter, a solo artist, and one half of the 70’s duo Loggins and Messina, Kenny has charted close to 20 Top 40 hits including all time classics like “Danny’s Song,” “House At Pooh Corner,” “Your Mama Don’t Dance,” “Whenever I Call You Friend,” and “This Is It,” as well as his hits from the movies: “I’m Alright” (from Caddyshack), “Danger Zone” (from Top Gun), and the #1 iconic title song from Footloose. With a career that started at age 17, Kenny has released 19 Gold or Platinum albums, sold 25 million albums worldwide, earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and won two Grammy Awards (including Song of the Year in 1979 for co-writing the Doobie Brothers classic “What A Fool Believes”), a Daytime Emmy Award, and the ASCAP Harry Chapin Humanitarian Award, among others. This year, he released At The Movies, a compilation album of some of his biggest soundtrack hits, as well as “The Great Adventure,” the theme song for the San Diego Zoo Kids television network. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Sep 9, 2021 • 1h 7min
Robert "Kool" Bell (Kool & The Gang)
One of the founding members of the group that bears his name, Robert “Kool” Bell helped form Kool & The Gang in 1964 with his brother Khalis, and friends Dennis "D.T." Thomas, Robert "Spike" Mickens, Charles Smith, George Brown, and Ricky West. With hits like “Celebration,” “Summer Madness” “Ladies’ Night,” and “Jungle Boogie,” Kool & The Gang earned 25 Top Ten R&B hits and nine Top Ten Pop hits, in addition to selling more than 70M albums worldwide. Kool & the Gang’s legacy endures, with their works being sampled by A Tribe Called Quest, Nas, N.W.A., Anderson .Paak, Wu-Tang Clan, Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, The Notorious B.I.G., Queen Latifah, and many more. And in 2015, their No. 1 mega-hit “Celebration” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. In 2018, Kool was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, an honor that was added to his already impressive list of achievements with the band, which includes two Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, a MOBO Award, and a BET Soul Train Legend Award. One of Kool’s bass guitars is currently on display at the National Museum of African American History and Culture.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Sep 2, 2021 • 1h 24min
The Zombies (Rod Argent & Colin Blunstone)
The Zombies were part of the “British invasion” movement of the 1960s and enjoyed some major success for a short period before they broke up after only a few years. But the band’s acclaimed 1968 album Odessey and Oracle is considered to be one of the greatest albums ever recorded and hits like “She’s Not There,” Tell Her No,” and “Time of the Season” remain all time classics. Rod formed a new band called Argent, which hit big in 1972 with “Hold Your Head Up.” Colin released three solo albums, co-produced by Rod, in the early 1970s. Around 2000, Colin and Rod resurrected The Zombies, ultimately reuniting with the remaining original band members. Their sixth studio album, 2015’s Still Got That Hunger, revived public interest in the band and even led to Odessey and Oracle re-entering the Billboard 100 – nearly 50 years after the album’s release. In 2017, The Zombies went on an Odessey and Oracle tour, performing for a multi-generational fanbase, and in 2019, they were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Aug 26, 2021 • 1h 37min
Todd Rundgren
Groundbreaking singer, songwriter, producer, multi-instrumentalist and 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee Todd Rundgren started his career as a guitarist for Nazz, before fronting the band Runt and eventually pursuing a solo career. His first official solo album, Something/Anything (released in 1972 via Warner Bros. Records), stayed on the Billboard 200 for nearly a year and contained some of his most notable hits, including “I Saw the Light” and “Hello, It’s Me.” Todd became one of the most prolific artists of the 70s & 80s, releasing numerous solo albums, as well as critically acclaimed work with his band, Utopia. Known as a pioneer of music videos, computer software, and internet music delivery, Todd created the first interactive album, organized the first interactive television concert, and founded his own music subscription service. As a songwriter/producer, he’s been behind legendary releases by Badfinger, Grand Funk Railroad, The New York Dolls, and XTC, as well as one of the best-selling albums of all time, Meat Loaf’s Bat Out Of Hell. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Aug 12, 2021 • 43min
Gloria Gaynor
One of the most legendary divas of all time, Gloria's recordings of “I Will Survive,” "Never Can Say Goodbye," and "I Am What I Am" remain all-time classics. The 2-time Grammy Award winner’s career spans over five decades, 20 albums and genres ranging from disco to Gospel. Gloria is also an acclaimed author, the subject of a forthcoming documentary on her life, and a member of the Grammy Music Hall Of Fame. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Jul 29, 2021 • 1h 14min
Jon Anderson (Yes)
Widely regarded as pioneers of progressive rock, Yes were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2017. Formed in London in 1968, Yes' sound is instantly recognizable by the band's jazz and rock playing, and by the singular alto-tenor lead vocal of Jon Anderson. Yes' classic albums, including The Yes Album, Close To The Edge, Fragile, and 90125, are staples of classic rock libraries everywhere, and their iconic songs, like "Roundabout," "And You and I," "I've Seen All Good People," and "Owner Of A Lonely Heart," are known by music fans worldwide. In addition to his work with Yes, Jon has collaborated with Vangelis and Jean-Luc Ponty, and has released many well-received solo albums. Born in England in 1944, he began singing on his brother's daily route as a milkman before falling head first for rock n' roll. After meeting bassist Chris Squire in the late 1960s, he joined a rock group called Mabel Greer's Toy Shop - and the two left to form a band that was later renamed Yes. Jon's music has sold more than 50 million albums worldwide.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Jul 15, 2021 • 1h 27min
Jimmy Webb
A celebrated and prolific songwriter, Jimmy’s works have been recorded by world-renowned artists, such as Glen Campbell, Richard Harris, Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, Nina Simone, Donna Summer, and Tony Bennett, just to name a few. Some of his best known songs include “Up, Up and Away,” “By the Time I Get to Phoenix,” “Worst That Could Happen,” “Galveston,” “Highwayman,” “MacArthur Park” and “Wichita Lineman,” which Bob Dylan has called the greatest song ever written. In 1986, Jimmy became the youngest person ever inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and he later received the organization’s most prestigious honor, the Johnny Mercer Award. Jimmy is also the recipient of the Ivor Novello Special International Award, the National Academy of Songwriters Lifetime Achievement Award, and the ASCAP Voice of Music Award. He is also the only Grammy winner to have won for music, lyrics, and orchestration. An artist in his own right, Jimmy has released several solo albums, as well as collaborations with Linda Ronstadt, Art Garfunkel, The 5th Dimension, Richard Harris, The Supremes, and more. In 2017, he published his riveting autobiography, The Cake and the Rain: A Memoir. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Jul 1, 2021 • 1h 6min
Gamble & Huff
As creators of the "Philly Sound" and their own Philadelphia International Records label, Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff have written and produced over 175 gold and platinum records, including all-time classics by The O'Jays, Billy Paul, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, MFSB, The Three Degrees, Lou Rawls, Teddy Pendergrass, and The Jacksons. Their hits include iconic classics like “Love Train” by The O’Jays and “Me And Mrs. Jones” by Billy Paul. In 1995, they were inducted into the Songwriters Hall Of Fame and in 2008, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Jun 17, 2021 • 1h 21min
Debbie Gibson
Debbie Gibson, a trailblazing pop artist, gained fame at just 16 by writing and producing her own Billboard No. 1 hits, marking her as a pop icon. She shares insights on balancing fame with high school life and the joy of crafting her second album, 'Electric Youth.' Reflecting on her musical journey, Debbie discusses mentorship's importance, the evolution of her brand, and the emotional connection she has with her fans. With anecdotes about early songwriting struggles and the challenges of a male-dominated industry, Debbie’s story is both inspiring and relatable.
Jun 3, 2021 • 1h 40min
Tony Visconti
Tony Visconti is a 3-time Grammy winner and one of the most acclaimed producers in the history of Rock & Roll. Among his seminal productions are "Get It On (Bang A Gong)," from one of 10 albums he produced for T. Rex, as well as legendary albums for Badfinger, Iggy Pop, Thin Lizzy, the Boomtown Rats, The Moody Blues, and Morrissey. Most notably, though, Tony produced 14 albums for David Bowie, with whom he worked for over 45 years. Those albums, including The Man Who Sold The World, Young Americans, Low, “Heroes”, Lodger and Blackstar have helped to define the course of contemporary music. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
