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
101
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
102
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
103
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
104
Side 2 - Chaos and Colour
12 min
105
*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
106
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
107
*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
108
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
109
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
110
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
111
*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
112
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
113
*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
114
*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
115
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
116
*THIS DAY ROCKS* Goodbye Freddie
On this day in 1991 we said goodbye to one of the most iconic figures in rock, Freddie Mercury! The Queen frontman's funeral took place on this day at a West London Crematorium. With me to talk about his memories of Freddie and the legacy he left behind is Phil Aston from Now Spinning Magazine!
5 min
117
78. John Helliwell - Supertramp
Give a Little Bit, Breakfast in America, The Logical Song, Take The Long Way Home, Dreamer - the list of instantly recognisable Supertramp hits is long! I'm delighted to be joined today by a man who was part of the band from their breakthrough with the Crime of the Century album, through the major successes of the 70s and 80s and has been a part of the group in it's various forms ever since. John Helliwell provides that unmistakable saxophone sound to the band, a sound so built into the success of the group and he joins me to talk about his time with the band, the major hits and albums and about his new record 'Don't Ever Leave Me'.To find out more about John's new album search for John Helliwell on challengerecords.com or johnhelliwell.com
43 min
118
Side 2 - China in Your Hand
Today's episode of Side 2 features an interview with the lead singer of 80s favourites T'Pau, Carol Decker!
12 min
119
*THIS DAY ROCKS* Young Neil
Today, November 12th, we pay tribute to a 2-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee (should be 3-time argues my guest!) Turning 77 years old today is Neil Young! I'm joined by Pantheon Podcast co-founder Peter Ferioli who will convince you that Neil Young is greater than your favourite artist!
6 min
120
Dan McCafferty - Quick Reaction Tribute
Sad news has just reached me about the passing of Nazareth legend Dan McCafferty. I wanted to record a quick episode to remember him and play out a short clip of an interview I did with his lifelong friend and bandmate Pete Agnew where he talks about Dan.
4 min
121
Great Rock Stories Vol.4
This is Volume 4 of Great Rock Stories from VRP Rocks and you'll hear some great stories told by some great rock stars! We've got 2 Woodstock veterans on the show plus a man who wrote of the biggest movie songs of all time. There's stories about the Sunset strip of the 80's, how one of the iconic classic rock songs was born and how an incredibly unlikely re-union came to pass!6 rock stars tell Great Rock Stories!
30 min
122
77. Fito de la Parra - Canned Heat
They were labelled the 'bad boys of rock' after a stint in jail, they broke through the LA blues scene in the 60s and played at the legendary Woodstock Festival - of course I'm talking about Canned Heat! The band went on to achieve huge success around the world with legendary songs like Going Up The Country, Let's Work Together and On The Road Again. My guest today is Fito de la Parra who joined the band in 1967 and he tells some brilliant stories from his 55 year career with the band. How he joined the group after arriving from Mexico, stories behind the big hits, how he signed up to make no money and of course about that very special festival!
48 min
123
*THIS DAY ROCKS* Quadrophenia
On this day in 1973, The Who released Quadrophenia in the UK! This resounding rock opera remains the groups joint highest charting album in America. With me to talk about this record today is Martin Popoff!Martin Popoff is the author of 115 rock books (see martinpopoff.com for more) and creator of his own podcast here on Pantheon called 'History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff.' - Check out his work!
5 min
124
76. Arthur Brown - The God of Hellfire!
"I am the God of Hellfire and I bring you... Arthur Brown!!!" Ok, I'm not the God of Hellfire, but he sure as heck is! Arthur Brown is my guest on this weeks big interview show, the man who scored a worldwide hit in 1968 with the anthem, 'Fire'! He's dazzled and bewitched fans for decades with elaborate stage shows, a hat of fire, face paint and much more - and now, in the year he turned 80 years old, is back with more new music! Just months after releasing 'Long Long Road', he returns with the spooktacular 'Monsters Ball'! The guests he's got involved on the record is seriously impressive, including Deep Purple's Ian Paice, The Stooges James Williamson, Vanilla Fudge's Carmine Appice and Mark Stein, Hawkwind's Nik Turner and Alan Davey and many more! Arthur joins me to talk about this spooky new record which features a cover of the Syd Barrett written Pink Floyd song 'Lucifer Sam' and a new version of his hit 'Fire'. We also talk about that incredible song, his crazy stage shows, his friendship with Jimi Hendrix which saw them almost form a band together, his new documentary and so much more!This is one not to miss!!
37 min
125
75. Michael Monroe - Hanoi Rocks
"I Live Too Fast To Die Young" may be the name of his new album but it's also a line that could sum up Michael Monroe! The former Hanoi Rocks lead singer is an icon in Finland, he and his band credited as being pioneers of the hair metal movement, have been lauded by legendary icons such as Guns n Roses and the Foo Fighters and in 1985 Sounds magazine even ranked them the second best band in the world! But despite the adulation, they never achieved the commercial success they deserved. In this interview Michael discusses his time in Hanoi, the death of drummer Razzle which tore the bands bright future apart, and about how old wounds are heeling with his former bandmate. He also talks about the brilliant new documentary being made about his life, his new aforementioned solo album, this summer touring with Guns n Roses and Alice Cooper, his friendship with 'Little' Steven van Zandt and Stiv Bators, finally getting to remaster an old Hanoi album and the re-release of Demolition 23. It's an extensive interview with Michael both bright, engaging and incredibly open and honest about what he's been through.
61 min