VRP Rocks

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The blues world has lost an icon.

I learned this morning of the sad news of John Mayall's passing, a legendary figure whose music shaped the lives of countless musicians and fans alike. Hauntingly, just days before his departure, I had the privilege of again interviewing musician and producer Tony Carey, who had huge success in the 80s as a solo artist and under the name Planet P Project and before that as a mameber of Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow. During this chat, Tony spoke so fondly of John Mayall and shared some personal stories about working, touring, and partying with him.

From their first meeting on the road to recording sessions and the camaraderie that defined their time together, Tony recounted how John, ever the generous soul, gave him a blue record as a token of their collaboration—a rare and cherished memento. He also spoke about the unique challenges John faced in the latter part of his career, including a poignant story about an album that never got made due to budget constraints.

Tony's anecdotes, filled with humor and warmth, offer a glimpse into the personal side of John Mayall—the man who loved roast chicken wrapped in tinfoil.

I invite you all to watch this short heartfelt interview, recorded as I said, just days before John Mayall left us. It’s a touching tribute to a man whose music and spirit will live on forever. Rest in peace, John Mayall. Your legacy will continue to inspire and resonate through the ages.

VRP Rocks is back with a HUGE guest - 🅶🅴🅽🅴 🆂🅸🅼🅼🅾🅽🆂 from 🅺🅸🆂🆂!!!

🎧LISTEN HERE: https://pod.fo/e/24b20e 🎧

We get updates on the Avatars, Netflix Biopic, selling the bands music rights, his solo tours plus his big regrets about Ace Frehley & Peter Criss, what his relationship is like now with Paul Stanley, the influence of the Beatles and how he discovered VAN HALEN!

Another fantastic interview which you can listen to now on the VRP Rocks podcast, available on all good podcast apps!

I FINALLY got to see on Saturday night. A packed Wembley Arena was treated to hit after hit. More UK shows, please, guys!!

🎧LISTEN HERE: https://t.ly/74oa3 🎧

Dire Straits founding member PICK WITHERS joins me this week for a new episode of "My 5 Favourite"! Pick tells some wonderful stories from his career as he reveals his 5 favourite songs that he's played on.

With tales of Dire Straits, Bob Dylan, Mott the Hoople and Ralph McTell plus insights into working at legendary studios like Rockfield, Muscle Shoals and the Power Station, it's a fun and fascinating listen!

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It's been a stellar few months on VRP Rocks with some HUGE names interviewed on the podcast! I've spoken with stars from the bands in the picture, including 4 lead singers, 2 guitarists, a bass player and a drummer!

If you haven't checked out the show lately, now would be a good time to dive back in!

🔥 After 7 days of voting across multiple heats, semi-finals and a final (which featured 4 heavyweight records!) *Led Zeppelin III* came out victorious with over 35% of the votes! It beat Paranoid into second with 31% with Deep Purple In Rock third with 18%.

For next weeks competition we'll skip to the end of the decade and let 1️⃣9️⃣7️⃣9️⃣'s finest do battle ⚔

LZIII joins Boston's self titled debut (voted as the best of 1976) as a grand finalist as we make our way to find the best rock releases of the 70s.

You can see the final poll here: https://www.youtube.com/post/UgkxsFkKbYckRAuR0eWlOlioS25aXnqHIsSN

🎧LISTEN: https://pod.fo/e/238f54 🎧

Legendary drummer Carmine Appice takes us on an enthralling journey through his iconic music career as he shares the 5 favourite albums that he has played on!
This is no mean feat given he's contributed to hundreds of records over his 60+ year career. Expect stories about working with stars such as Jeff Beck, Rod Stewart, John Sykes and many more!

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The battle is on!🤘 It's the final for the favourite rock album of 1970 on the VRP Rocks YT channel. Get involved, the link is in the comments below, place your vote now!! 🏆

🎧 LISTEN HERE https://t.ly/aW5k1 🎧

There's more to Michael Cartellone than just his incredible drumming in bands like Lynyryd Skynyrd and Damn Yankees... he's also an incredible artist, too!

Check out our full interview to hear all about his art history, as well as his musical career of course!

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🎧LISTEN HERE: https://t.ly/aW5k1 🎧

Episode 121 features a fascinating conversation with drummer Michael Cartellone! We blend the art world with the music world as we hear his stories from working in Damn Yankees with Ted Nugent, Tommy Shaw and Jack Blades, his 26 years as a member of Lynyrd Skynyrd, working with John Wetton, Eddie Jobson and appearing on a Freddie Mercury track too!

Podcasts

🎧LISTEN HERE: https://t.ly/aW5k1 🎧

Lynyrd Skynyrd and former Damn Yankees drummer Michael Cartellone is my guest on this weeks episode!

We delve into his artistic career and musical highlights including the influence Ron Nevison had on his career, working on a Freddie Mercury track, touring with ZZ Top, being the "unknown" member of a supergroup and reminiscences of his time with John Wetton and Eddie Jobson.

Podcasts

✨Over on the VRP Rocks YouTube channel, more than 5️⃣3️⃣,0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ votes were cast over 7 days and multiple heats to find the best rock album of 1976... and I can reveal that the self titled debut release from Boston came out on top!
If you've not subscribed to the channel yet, then head on over and do so, join in the daily fun!

The final proved a close affair with Boston receiving 31% of the votes with Rush's '2112' narrowly behind with 29%, Rainbow 'Rising' finished with 22% and 'Hotel California' by the Eagles got 17%. You can see the final poll here:
https://www.youtube.com/post/UgkxrS5lc0lcxQTYb6KLvudwfSqhcRum658v
Next week we'll travel back to 1970 to see which album comes out on top from that year!

The CHAOS Behind a CLASSIC! Joe Lynn Turner: Working with YNGWIE! Joe Lynn Turner discusses his experience working with guitar virtuoso, Yngwie Malmsteen. Turner delves into the difficult but creatively impressive period wh...

LISTEN HERE: https://t.ly/QmFB0 🎧

This week's interview is a real treat, the legendary former Foreigner frontman LOU GRAMM!
He talks openly and honestly about his incredible career, about his current relationship with Mick Jones, the backlash surrounding one of Foreigners early albums, the hardest conversation he had to have, why he left the band and more! Plus we talk about the Rock Hall nomination, his decision to retire from touring this year, and the inspiration behind his upcoming album scheduled for release in October 2024! 🤘 Don't miss out - tune in now to hear all about it!

Podcasts

LISTEN HERE: https://t.ly/jNsDE 🎧

This week iconic rock vocalist Joe Lynn Turner joins me on the podcast to reveal his 5 favourite albums that he sang on! We hear his personal and wonderful stories behind records that he made with some of the biggest names in rock!

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🎧 LISTEN: https://pod.fo/e/228411 🎧

Have I got an interview for you! In a rare, extensive interview, Survivor guitarist Frankie Sullivan, talks to me about his career - and gets a LOT off his chest! He doesn't do many interviews which makes this one all the more special. He's completely upfront and brutally honest at times as he shares his side of the story.

It's one you are going to want to hear!

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💥Another crazy milestone hit on the VRP Rocks YT channel! 💥

Have you checked out VRP Rocks Radio yet? If not, do it now:
https://live365.com/station/VRP-Rocks-Radio-a61270
Classic rock radio, done differently!

Ready to rock your wardrobe? VRP Rocks has agreed an exclusive deal with OldGlory.com to offer you a 20% discount on all classic rock and heavy metal merchandise on their store! Just quote VRP at checkout to see the discount applied 🤑🤘
Take a look: https://oldglory.com/collections/classic-rock
Just use code VRP and let the music merch madness begin!

LISTEN: https://pod.fo/e/225d9c 🎧

Triumph's RIK EMMETT is my guest this week! We chat all things Triumph, he answers a lot of your questions from on stage injuries to 'never liking MTV' to revealing who was one of the best rock bands he ever saw live - and it might surprise you! Plus we talk about his new release, Diamonds! Give it a listen 🎧

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This weeks BIG interview features so many AMAZING stories!

Russ Ballard, the man behind so many hits for Rainbow, Kiss, Roger Daltrey, Argent, Santana, America, Night Ranger and his own solo work, to name but a few, joins me to talk all about his incredible career in music!

He opens up about his battle with depression, inspiration behind his many hits and future opportunities.

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📩 Leave YOUR questions for RIK EMMETT now! ⬇

The great Rik Emmett is my next guest on VRP Rocks! The Triumph legend will stop by to talk about his new Definitive Hits Collection, which features 2 new songs, and I'd love to put YOUR questions to him too!

Don't be shy, leave your questions for the master guitarist below now!

🎧LISTEN: https://pod.fo/e/22130a 🎧

Saxon legend NIGEL GLOCKLER shares some crazy stories from his time in rock. Hear about Ozzy Osbourne, Motley Crue, Steve Howe, Motorhead, Toyah and a missed chance to party with Freddie Mercury! All that and much more on this weeks BIG interview show!

The amazing Bev Bevan, Rock & Roll Hall of fame drummer, joined me to discuss 'His 5 Favourite Albums' from his illustrious career!

With tales of touring the US with The Move, the inspiration behind the anthem 'Mr Blue Sky', how it felt to join Black Sabbath and the difficult selection process behind Quill's latest album, it's one not to miss!

EXCLUSIVE! Bev Bevan Reveals his 5 Favourite Albums from his career! VRP Rocks, host Paul Stephenson sits down with Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Bev Bevan, for an exclusive and in-depth conversation. Bevan, a true rock legend,...

🎧Listen: https://pod.fo/e/22130a 🎧

Iconic drummer, Nigel Glockler, shares fascinating stories from his career with Saxon and other rock legends on this weeks show!

We hear how he went from Toyah to Saxon, the pressure of replacing Pete Gill, memorable tours with Ozzy Osbourne, Motorhead and Motley Crue, a battle over the bands name and much more! Nigel's stories will keep you on the edge of your seat. Plus, we delve into Saxon's latest album success and upcoming tour plans with Judas Priest and Uriah Heep!!

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LISTEN HERE: https://pod.fo/e/21ecf2

This weeks BIG interview show is ANOTHER Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, JACK CASADY!
The Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna bass player tells some great stories from his career, including Woodstock, working with Jimi Hendrix to create Voodoo Chile, and much more!

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LISTEN HERE: https://live365.com/station/VRP-Rocks-Radio-a61270

📻VRP Rocks Radio is here!!🎧 This is a 24/7 online classic rock station with a difference!

I've personally loaded all the songs onto the system (900+ so far) so I can guarantee you won't hear the same old tired classic rock tracks. Instead you'll get a lot of deep cuts and rare songs that have been overlooked and forgotten. There are some classics thrown in too, of course, and short clips from the many interviews I've done over the years with legendary rock stars too!

Give it a listen, let me know what you think!

🎧Listen: https://pod.fo/e/21c69f 🎧

Eddie "Fingers" Ojeda joins me for a fascinating chat this week! He says:
🟠He regrets Dee appearing at the PMRC hearing
🟢Bandmates were jealous of the attention his guitar got
🟡They created a monster by hiring Dee
🔵Where he got the nickname 'fingers' from
🟣Why he didnt attend the Metal Hall Induction
It's a great chat with the Twisted Sister guitarist that you really shouldn't miss!

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