VRP Rocks - Classic Rock Interviews

The ultimate classic rock podcast with big name interviews on every episode including 30+ Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees! If you love classic rock and want to hear stories of the glory days from the guys who were at the heart of the action then you'll LOVE this comprehensive classic rock podcast, hosted by UK radio veteran, Paul Stephenson!

Check out the VRP Rocks YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@VRPRocks

Proudly part of Pantheon Podcasts Network.

Music Interviews
Music History
Music Commentary
76
Side 2 - Alcatrazz
Rockers Alcatrazz are back with their 3rd new album in 3 years. I'm joined by their lead singer, former Rainbow frontman who's also sung for Yngwie and Michael Schenker, Doogie White! You'll hear all about the groups new release 'Take No Prisoners', his time with Ritchie Blackmore in Rainbow, a what-could-have-been moment with Tony Iommi and about who his first musical love was.
31 min
77
Great Rock Stories Vol.5
In this episode, Great Rock Stories Vol5, we've compiled some of the best short stories and insights from interviews with legendary rock stars, including Jorma Kaukonen, Stephen Pearcy, Steve Lukather, Jeff Pilson, Doogie White, and Paul Carrack. These interviews were originally featured in episodes 32 to 37 from June and July 2021, and in this special episode, we've distilled the best moments into a single, action-packed show. You'll hear hilarious and heartwarming stories from the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Jorma Kaukonen, the electrifying Stephen Pearcy from RATT, the iconic Steve Lukather from Toto, the legendary Jeff Pilson from Dokken, the phenomenal Doogie White from Rainbow, and the incomparable Paul Carrack. Whether you're a die-hard classic rock fan or just looking for some great stories from rock and roll's most iconic stars, this episode of the VRP Rocks has something for everyone. Tune in now to hear these incredible interviews and get your daily dose of rock and roll history!
28 min
78
*THIS DAY ROCKS* Ritchie Leaves
On this day in 1975 Ritchie Blackmore left Deep Purple. With me to talk more about this period is Nate from the Deep Purple Podcast!
4 min
79
87. Francis Dunnery - It Bites
Welcome to this episode of the VRP Rocks, with a fantastic interview with Francis Dunnery, the founding member and former lead vocalist of the British progressive rock band, It Bites. In this interview, Francis shares with us his journey from a working class estate to playing on stage with the likes of Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant! It's a fascinating chat with stories about Ozzy Osbourne, Genesis, Steve Hackett, The Pogues, being arrested, having hits, what he would have done differently and about his new music which is planned for 2023!
40 min
80
*THIS DAY ROCKS* Breakfast in America
On this day in 1979, Supertramp released their multi-million selling, award winning album, "Breakfast in America". On today's episode you'll hear from Supertramp's John Helliwell, about how the band reacted to this crazy level of success!
4 min
81
86. Ricky Byrd - Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
Today’s interview is with another Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee, the 4th in the last 2 months! Todays guest describes himself as a keeper of the faith, the faith of rock and roll that is! With more than 40 years in the business he’s played and toured with the likes of Roger Daltrey, Ian Hunter, Paul McCartney, Alice Cooper, Bruce Springsteen, Steven Van Zandt, Joe Walsh, Graham Nash, Elvis Costello, Ringo Starr and most famously, and with whom he was inducted into the rock hall, as part of Joan Jett and the Blackhearts! He’s a guitarist of great distinction, Ricky Byrd! Ricky is back with new music, glam rock infused music leaning heavily on the music that influenced him growing up, so of course we’ll talk about that plus his time with Roger Daltrey, working with one of his heroes Mott the Hoople's Ian Hunter, a fantastic story about Paul McCartney and a £20 note, working with Joan Jett and his incredible memories of the Rock Hall induction.
38 min
82
*THIS DAY ROCKS* Physical Graffiti
6 min
83
85. Mark Farner - Grand Funk Railroad
Mark Farner was the lead singer of brilliant hard rocking, fun loving, classic American heavy band, Grand Funk Railroad! In my fun interview with him we talk about those early days with their pioneering heavy sound, why they were TOO GOOD to continue touring with led Zeppelin, stories behind their big hits like "I'm Your Captain" and "We're An American Band", why he wanted the group to remain a trio, his friendship with Jimi Hendrix, working with Ringo Starr and much more!
43 min
84
*THIS DAY ROCKS* Randy Rhoads
5 min
85
Side 2 - The Buffalo Skinners
With the 30th anniversary of Big Country's The Buffalo Skinners approaching, I put YOUR QUESTIONS to Big Country guitarist Bruce Watson! Hear about the lead up to this record, recording without Mark Brzezicki, inspiration behind some of the songs, why the UK and US versions differ, why a certain title-track was left off, the energy around the live shows on this tour and much more! If you commented on the album or sent a question, listen out for your name, 21 different people get a mention!
30 min
86
84. Des Tong - Sad Cafe
Sad Cafe broke big in the 70s with the number 3 hit in the UK 'Every Day Hurts'. Their album Facades went top 10 in 1980 and they had a couple of hits that landed on the Billboard chart in the US too! Joining me today is Sad Cafe bass player Des Tong to relive stories from the band, being a child musician, Gladys Knight, playing house-parties with celebs in attendance and the exciting plans for Sad Cafe in 2023!
31 min
87
83. Allan Clarke - The Hollies
Long Cool Memories! Legendary singer, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, Allan Clarke of The Hollies, reflects on his life and long career in music! This weeks extended interview includes stories about his friendship since the age of 6 with Graham Nash and the devastation he felt when Graham left the band, the VERY early days of The Hollies, working on songs with The Beatles, his hits including 'Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress', and how he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He also tells the stories of how his family's battles with cancer changed their lives, how he felt he was unable to ever sing again and a funny story about a trip to Las Vegas to see Elvis Presley!
70 min
88
82. Rich Williams - Kansas
Kansas are a legendary group with a total of 9 gold albums, 1 platinum album, 3 multi-platinum albums and a platinum live album too. They've had a million selling single and have appeared on the US Billboard charts for over 200 weeks! They're a name everyone in classic rock knows thanks to albums like "Leftoverture" and "Point of Know Return" and big hits like "Dust in the Wind" and "Carry on Wayward Son". My guest today is the bands guitarist, RICH WILLIAMS, a founding member of the group. He talks about his career in depth from the beginnings, the hits right through to the newly announced 50th Anniversary tour!
33 min
89
Side 2 - Chaos and Colour
12 min
90
*THIS DAY ROCKS* The Beatles on Ed Sullivan!!!
On this day in 1964 The Beatles performed live on the Ed Sullivan Show... and the world changed forever! Joining me on today's short episode of THIS DAY ROCKS, to dive deeper into this culture shattering event, is host of Rock N Roll Archaeology and CEO of Pantheon Podcast Network, Christian Swain!
12 min
91
81. Rod Argent - The Zombies/Argent
This weeks guest is another Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, a member of two huge bands, whose career spans more than 50 years... from The Zombies and Argent, Mr Rod Argent! The Zombies were part of the British Invasion of America in the 60's scoring big hits with the songs "She's Not There" and "Time of The Season" as well as being remembered for the timeless album "Odessey and Oracle". With the band Argent, they scored the worldwide smash hit "Hold Your Head Up" and the big album "All Together Now". The Zombies are back with a new album for 2023 "Different Game" and a tour crossing the UK, Europe and America. In this fun interview Rod shares stories from his career, what it was like to work with The Who on their anthem "Who Are You" and about the mishap which led tot he brilliant cover art for the new album!
36 min
92
*THIS DAY ROCKS* Harvest
On this day in 1972, Neil Young released his seminal album, Harvest! It became the biggest selling album of the year in America and contained his number 1 single 'Heart of Gold'. With me to tell a fascinating story from the mixing of the record is Pantheon Podcast Co-Founder, Peter Ferioli!
6 min
93
80. Glen Matlock - Sex Pistols
The Sex Pistols were one of the most controversial music acts of all time. They spat at, swore at and ripped up the establishment causing a moral outcry in the UK. Today I'm joined by founding member Glen Matlock to reflect on the sad passing of Vivienne Westwood, talk about the Sex Pistols, those crazy early days, leaving the band, the awkwardness of the reunion, his unhappiness at last years TV show, his famous one-off gig with Sid Vicious, working with The Faces and Ronnie Wood, Blondie, Midge Ure and his new album Consequences Coming. It's a fascinating chat with a man who's worked with so many incredible artists from the world of music.
35 min
94
Jeff Beck Tribute: former bandmates share their...
We heard the sad news yesterday that one of the greatest guitarists of all time, Jeff Beck, had sadly passed away. Unfortunately I never got the chance to interview Jeff but I have spoken with some of his former bandmates; Jim McCarty from the Yardbirds and Carmine Appice from Beck Bogert Appice. In this short episode I'll play out clips from those interviews where they talk about their time with Jeff.
9 min
95
Side 2 - Something Different
Today we hear from a musician whose band has released 70+ albums, holds 3 Guinness World Records and their last album has had over 1 million streams on Spotify alone... and they're taking the fight to Spotify for fairer royalty payments!Mark Christopher Lee from The Pocket Gods has come up with loads of creative ways to highlight the poor pay that musicians receive from the streaming giants and on this episode we explore £1m Vinyl records, an album with 1000 songs on it and the worlds longest song!
20 min
96
*THIS DAY ROCKS* Lennon Shot
Where were you when...? Many moments in history evoke this famous phrase and one on this day in 1980 is certainly one of them. John Lennon was shot dead outside his apartment in New York. With me to talk about his personal account of where he was when he first heard this news is Phil Aston from Now Spinning Magazine.
4 min
97
Side 2 - John Entwistle Rarities
Todays show is John 'The Ox' Entwistle themed. The Ox was of course the bass player with the Who through their thunderous years, one of the greatest bass players of all time. For today’s episode I interviewed his best friend and musical partner for many years after John left the Who, Steve Luongo. In fact they were so close that when Entwistle died in 2002, Johns family asked Steve to read the eulogy at his funeral. Steve has helped to produce and curate a new album of Johns material which is called John Entwistle, Rarities Oxhumed, Volume 1.As well as his time with The Ox, Steve Luongo has an impressive CV having worked with legends like Leslie West, Ann Wilson of Heart, Eddie Money, Cream's Jack Bruce, Todd Rundgren and more and we hear some great stories of his time with Cheap Tricks Robin Zander, Brian Johnson and Cliff Williams from ACDC and a brilliant story of his brief, very brief, time with Ritchie Blackmore. It's definitely a fabulous interview!
52 min
98
*THIS DAY ROCKS* Smoke On The Water
On this day in 1971, a fire at a casino in Switzerland inspired one of classic rocks greats greatest songs - Deep Purple's 'Smoke on the Water'. With me to talk about the events that day at the Montreux Casino is Mac B from the Ugly American Werewolf in London podcast.
6 min
99
*THIS DAY ROCKS* The Wall
On this day in 1979 Pink Floyd released the mega selling double concept album The Wall! Containing legendary songs like Comfortably Numb and Another Brick in the Wall (part II) it became another huge success for the band! With me to talk about the record is Philip Waters from Pink Floyd Collectors!
3 min
100
79. Jim Cregan - Rod Stewart
Jim Cregan has over 50 Gold and Platinum discs to his name, 3 ASCAP awards for outstanding song writing, was Rod Stewarts right hand man for decades and played that iconic solo on the number 1 hit "Come Up And See Me, Make Me Smile" from Steve Harley and the Cockney Rebel!He's worked with so many legends of the music world so it was a pleasure to sit down and chat about his career on this weeks show. I will also give you my Top 5 Rod Stewart solo songs on this episode too!
43 min