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
176
31. Simon Kirke - Free & Bad Company
As founder and ever present member of FREE and BAD COMPANY, Simon Kirke has had an incredible career! In this extensive interview he talks openly about many things including his friendship with Paul Rodgers, regrets over what happened to Paul Kossoff, addictions, the stories behind one of the most played rock songs of all time, his honest thoughts on the Brian Howe era of Bad Company, playing live with Led Zeppelin and the time they left a shark in a hotel bath tub! This is one rock and roll interview not to be missed!
50 min
177
30. Rat Scabies - The Damned
Rat Scabies, a name synonymous with the 70's punk scene was an integral part of punk pioneers, The Damned! Hear him talk all about those early formative years of the movement with stories about Malcolm McLaren, Sid Vicious and the Anarchy in the UK tour, the bands transition into the darker goth rock scene, the relationships in the band, the planned reunion for the 2022 tour and about his cigar box guitars!
32 min
178
29. Ric Lee - Ten Years After
Ten Years After shot to worldwide fame with their blistering set at the legendary Woodstock Festival in 1969. Platinum albums, hit singles and more followed with new music on the cards more than 50 years on. RIC LEE tells the story of the band, Woodstock, sharing a room with Janis Joplin and her band, the Isle of Wight Festival 1970, getting a standing ovation in a French pub and much more! 
30 min
179
Side 2 - Artists Choice
On this episode you will find out directly from some legendary musical stars, what their own favourite songs are from their own back catalogue. You'll hear Joe Lynn Turners favourite Rainbow track, Geoff Downes favourite ASIA track, Doug Cosmo Cliffords choice from Creedence Clearwater Revival, the favourite Uriah Heep song from Mick Box, which song meant the most to Lee Aaron, Jim Peteriks favourite Survivor song and many other artists choices too! All these songs have been compiled on a unique playlist at Spotify which you can follow here: Artists Choice Playlist Also on the show, Mike Norris from "My Favourite Album" podcast will take part in the VRP Rocks Classic Album Quiz - see if you can beat his score - find out how you can win a pair of tickets to the Stonedead Festival and we hear all the latest unusual news from the classic world from music journalist Tim Peacock. Follow My Classic Album on Instagram for all the latest on Mike's podcast: @myclassicalbumpodcast
45 min
180
28. Doug 'Cosmo' Clifford - Creedence Clearwate...
Doug 'Cosmo' Clifford has just turned 76 and is battling the effects of Parkinsons disease - but that's not stopping him from releasing another album! As part of Creedence Clearwater Revival, one of the worlds biggest selling groups of the late 60s/early 70s, Cosmo kept the beat as they released hit after hit, selling millions of records, performing at the legendary Woodstock Festival of 1969 and being inducted into the Rock Hall in 1993. In the coming months he's releasing another album featuring some incredible contributions from musicians including Joe Satriani. Hear him talk all about this new album plus last years release, Magic Window - and of course about his time in CCR - in his chat with me on this wonderful episode of Vintage Rock Pod! 
30 min
181
Side 2 - Stonedead
Live music is slowly returning! On this weeks 'VRP Side 2' we speak to Chris Sumby, an organiser of the Stonedead Festival in the UK about the challenges of organising a music event during these difficult times. We also speak to a big concert fan from the US and get the latest classic rock news with from Tim Peacock, an author and music journalist with Record Collector Magazine and Universal Music's, Udiscovermusic.For more information about the Stonedead Festival visit www.Stonedeadfestival.co.uk 
29 min
182
27. Jim Peterik - Ides of March / Survivor
Having a hit song at 15, partying with Led Zeppelin at 19, a brush with death, the call from Sylvester Stallone that led to The Eye of the Tiger and so much more - Jim Peterik tells some incredible stories from his life and times with bands like Ides Of March, Survivor, Pride of Lions and more with a few songs played on guitar along the way! 
34 min
183
26. Danny Bowes - Thunder
Thunder's latest album crashed into the UK Album Chart at number 3 on its first week of release and the bands frontman stopped by this week to talk all about it! Thunder are one of the biggest English hard rock bands of their generation, formed in the late 80's, they saw off the alternative and Britpop movements to consistently produce music that sold into the 90s and beyond.I caught up with lead singer, DANNY BOWES, to talk about the bands new release, ALL THE RIGHT NOISES, and to hear his stories which include a pivotal trip to L.A. that ended up with a crashed car, brush with the law and eyes opened by the Hair Metal scene.
39 min
184
25. Mick Rogers - Manfred Mann's Earth Band
Blinded By The Light may be a Bruce Springsteen original, but it was Manfred Mann's Earth Band who had the worldwide hit with it that still sounds great today! On this episode I'm joined by Mick Rogers, guitarist and vocalist who joined Manfred in 1970! He talks openly about his time with the band, having huge hits with other peoples songs, why he lost his head and left the group and then re-joining them, future plans for the Earth Band and more.
27 min
185
24. Robert Berry - 3/GTR/Ambrosia
Robert Berry is a Grammy nominated singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer and has worked with some of the biggest names in rock - Keith Emerson and Carl Palmer (ELP), Sammy Hagar, Steve Howe (YES) and more. In our interview he talks about being invited over from America to London, working with his musical heroes, the great work he does with the Decemberists and his new album featuring the last track worked on by the late great Keith Emerson. Robert is charming, funny and humble throughout as he tells his incredible stories!  
31 min
186
23. Mick Box - Uriah Heep
Another exclusive interview! Mick Box, the legendary guitarist from URIAH HEEP, spoke first to VRP Rocks about the band having to reschedule their 50th anniversary tour. Mick also opens up about his 50 years in rock, the camaraderie and competition with Deep Purple and Black Sabbath in the early 70s, his sadness about not being able to persuade David Byron to re-join the group and the incredible feeling of playing behind the iron curtain. He also let's us know about the new album on the horizon too! It's an interview not to miss!
33 min
187
22. Greg Kihn - The Greg Kihn Band
Including one of the most fun interviews I've ever done, this episode is another double interview show with the great entertainer Greg Kihn telling his wonderful stories that include Bruce Springsteen, flying saucers, after hours events at a church and so much more! Also interviewed is Greg Gilmore, drummer with Mother Love Bone, to talk about previously unreleased music set to be heard from his time in The Living, a group he formed with Guns n Roses man Duff McKagan.It's another fantastic show with some incredible stories!
36 min
188
21. Steve Fossen - Heart
Steve Fossen formed the band that went on to become a multi-million selling phenomenon and Rock Hall of Fame Inductees, Heart! Hear him tell us some incredible stories about his time in the group and with the Wilson sisters plus much more including tours with Nazareth and Rod Stewart and the Faces. Also on this episode we hear from author Edwin Ammerlaan talking about his new Pink Floyd book, 'Lost Souls' and we get the latest rock news from journalist Tim Peacock. 
47 min
189
20. Thijs Van Leer - Focus
We have 2 more rock star interviews on this episode, both shooting to fame in the 70s! Thijs Van Leer yodelled his way to the world's attention when his group, prog rockers FOCUS, hit the big time with their single Hocus Pocus. Also on this show we hear from bass player Chris Hook from the band Voyager whose song, Halfway Hotel, became a hit in Europe and in Australia! We also find out the latest classic rock news from our friend, Tim Peacock from UDiscoverMusic.com and Record Collector magazine.
40 min
190
19. Damon Johnson - Thin Lizzy / Alice Cooper
What a show! It doesn't come any more rock n roll than stories about The Beatles, Thin Lizzy, David Bowie, Alice Cooper and Elvis - and that's what you'll hear from our two guests on this episode! DAMON JOHNSON had number 1 singles in the US rock charts in the 90's and has played with some incredible bands; hear about his musical story and about his new band and fantastic new album. Plus we speak to David Bowies former manager, STEVE WELTMAN, who tells us stories from his award winning 50 year career in the music business including his work with the late Ken Hensley and his new release My Book of Answers. It's a packed episode you won't want to miss!
50 min
191
18. Geoff Downes - ASIA / YES / Buggles
Geoff Downes has had an incredible life and career, effortlessly succeeding in pop, new wave, prog and rock as part of groups like The Buggles, Yes and Asia! Hear him talk about all the highlights in this wide ranging interview, including news on his new album and possible future releases featuring bandmate John Wetton who sadly passed away a few years ago. 
33 min
192
17. Lee Aaron - Canadian Show
Lee Aaron was one of the few successful hard rock female vocalists of the 80s, going multi-platinum in Canada and having hit records across Europe. In this insightful interview hear her tell us openly about her early life and musical influences, gruelling tours, falling out of love with her hit songs, going bankrupt, bouncing back in the jazz world and then returning to rock with a new album on the horizon!Also on this episode you can test your knowledge in our Canadian Rock Quiz as Editor in Chief of Canadian Musician Magazine, Mike Raine, takes part!
42 min
193
16. Pete Agnew - Nazareth
His band has been rocking for over 50 years, inspired Axl Rose, released what is seen as the first rock ballad and had one of the biggest selling singles in Norway's history! In this episode you'll hear an interview with charismatic Scottish rocker, PETE AGNEW from NAZARETH! He tells wonderful stories which include Deep Purple and Guns n Roses plus plans for a new album and his thoughts on retirement! Also on this episode you'll hear from the very talented IAN DANTER! Best known for presenting across the UK on talkSPORT and Planet Rock, Ian has been involved in the rock music industry for years playing in many bands and releasing two solo albums too. Hear how he gets on when he takes part in the VRP Rocks Quiz!
41 min
194
15. John Parr - Meat Loaf / Roger Daltrey
He shot to number 1 around the world with his hit single "St Elmo's Fire" and his story is incredible! He's written hit songs for the likes of Meat Loaf, Roger Daltrey and Tom Jones and recorded songs for other massive movies like The Running Man, Quicksilver and 3 Men And A Baby... but in our interview he talks about much much more too! Like his 19 year court case that left him unable to work and £150,000 in debt, becoming a family man and seeing both his sons become World Champion martial artists and winning the worlds most famous dog show, Crufts! Also on the show we hear the latest rock news from Tim Peacock, Dietrich from 'That Song From That Movie' podcast takes on the Rock Music in movies quiz and much more!
48 min
195
14. Joe Lynn Turner - Rainbow / Deep Purple
He grew up during the height of the British Invasion of the United States, regularly watching Led Zeppelin, The Animals, The Rolling Stones, Rod Stewart and others performing live. His favourite group though was Deep Purple... fast forward a few years and he'd earned his place as the charismatic frontman of Rainbow, Ritchie Blackmore's incredible group, and then, with the full classic line-up of Blackmore, Lord, Glover and Paice, he fulfilled his dream and became the lead singer of the band he so admired when he was younger - Deep Purple! With incredible stories ranging from his childhood, his time in these monumental bands, other projects that should've received so much more attention, right through to the present day, this captivating chat with Joe Lynn Turner is not to be missed!
51 min
196
Special: Rock Fans & Playlist Update
In this special episode we speak to rock fans around the world to get their stories. Velina from Bulgaria, Joseph and Leah in America and Tim from England all talk about how they first got into rock music, their favourite bands, concerts, albums and more. Plus we update our special Spotify playlist, compiled of songs as chosen by the rock stars themselves. In this update we hear from Klaus Meine from the Scorpions, Suzi Quatro, Steve Harley, Steve Hackett of Genesis and Steve Diggle from Buzzcocks as they each add a track from their back catalogue to our unique playlist. You can find the playlist here https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2hM7XYDDefdizOgEuILFm7?si=FEvQ82bpSEuB4MBxI3qutQ Hit follow so you can see all the other songs that get added as we go! 
43 min
197
13. Steve Hackett - Genesis
Legendary guitar player STEVE HACKETT from GENESIS talks about a wide range of subjects in this brilliant interview with Vintage Rock Pod. Having written and played on some of the best known prog rock albums, he tells about his time in the band, why he left, his brand new album, his spirituality and much more. Plus get all the latest news about our classic rock favourites with Tim Peacock from Record Collector magazine.
36 min
198
12. Pick Withers - Dire Straits
He learnt his trade drumming in bands across Europe before finding fame as a founder member of Dire Straits! Hear the incredible story of PICK WITHER's career which includes working with the legend that is Bob Dylan! You'll also get the latest rock news, some interesting facts behind how famous bands got their names and a rundown of the top 5 alternative Christmas rock songs too! 
46 min
199
11. Steve Harley Cockney Rebel
Despite having hit singles and albums behind them, STEVE HARLEY's band walked out on him. He decided to write a song about it which went on to become a worldwide smash hit! Hear all about the number 1 single and Steve's new special album plus get the latest rock news and some special rock facts on this excellent episode of VRP Rocks.
37 min
200
10. Suzi Quatro
A bumper episode with 2 huuuge interviews! The Queen of Rock n Roll, SUZI QUATRO and illustrious Hall of Fame songwriter, JACK TEMPCHIN talk all about their careers and new singles. Fascinating insights from fascinating stars!
44 min