Classics Du Jour

Legendary rock performer (and actor) Michael Des Barres releases his new album, Key To The Universe on FOD Records on April 7, 2015. Produced by Bob Rose and recorded at Forum Music Village in Rome (famed for spawning Ennio Morricone spaghetti western soundtracks), Key To The Universe once more reunites Des Barres with ex Blondie bassist and Silverhead cohort Nigel Harrison but also showcases the talents of Clive Deamer (Portishead, Robert Plant) on drums and the Jimi Hendrix Live Experience frontman Dani Robinson on guitar.

The album includes the below-the-waist rock ‘n’ roll excess of “Can’t Get You Off My Mind” as well as the delightfully titled “I Want Love To Punch Me In The Face”.

Michael Des Barres is the son of the 25th Marquis Des Barres. Brought up in a Gothic Castle in the U.K., Des Barres appeared alongside Sidney Poitier in the 1967 movie smash To Sir  With Love but abandoned acting in 1972 to form glam rock outfit Silverhead. Des Barres then signed his Detective band to Led Zep’s Swan Song label before subsequently penning Obsession (No.1 in 27 countries), and fronting Chequered Past (featuring Steve Jones and Clem Burke) and Power Station, the latter at the 1985 Live Aid charity concert in Philadelphia.

From 1977 to 1991, Des Barres was married to legendary groupie Miss Pamela who was also a member of the all girl GTO’s band sponsored by Frank Zappa. She became Pamela Des Barres and wrote the famous book “I’m With The Band” in 1987.

During his extraordinary career Des Barres has also appeared in countless movies (including Clint Eastwood’s Pink Cadillac) and TV series such as Frasier, Seinfeld, Ellen, NCIS and Northern Exposure although his most recognizable role is no doubt that of master assassin Murdoc in the TV series MacGyver.

As a rock performer, the list of acts Michael Des Barres has opened for reads like a who’s who of rock n roll:  Fleetwood Mac, The Kinks, Uriah Heep, Nazareth, Kiss, New York Dolls, Kansas, AC/DC, Todd Rundgren, Blue Oyster Cult, Jethro Tull, Iggy Pop, Deep Purple, INXS, Billy Idol, Ratt and Duran Duran.

Des Barres has already said that he believes “audiences are kind of starved for carnal, sensual, sexy blues music” and Key To The Universe confirms that we need starve no longer.