Classics Du Jour

One of Jeff Beck’s early band mates Ronnie Wood, once told a story about he and Jeff having a guitar talk. Beck, forever coming up with new ideas for the electric guitar, showed Woody a couple new finger-flinging lick combinations. “Hey, I just figured this out. Do you ever do this?” Wood, laughing out loud … Continue reading Jeff Beck: Innovator Guitar God →

Willie Nelson once told me, “Paul, fame is funny thing. Some people really want it, but when it comes, they can’t handle it.” Echoing Willie, in an interview talking about Brian Jones, Mick Jagger said, “Fame doesn’t sit comfortably on anyone’s shoulders. But some people’s shoulders don’t seem to fit it on at all.” The … Continue reading The Downside of Fame for Mick Jagger, Bob Dylan, and More →

As soon as I hear Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band are going on tour, I begin to feel exhilarated. And all you Springsteen fans out there know why. Simply, in the world of rock music, there’s hardly anything more exciting or more uplifting than a Bruce Springsteen concert (save possibly for U2, who … Continue reading Bruce Springsteen & the Business of the Unexpected →

I was reading our own Classics Du Jour the other day when I spied, under “Latest Headlines,” that The Rolling Stones were going to release recordings from two small shows they did in Toronto at the El Macombo club in 1977. These shows have been bootlegged for over 40 the years, and I am one … Continue reading It’s Only Rock N’ Roll But I Like It! →

After recently reading about David Bowie’s estate selling his song catalog to Warner Chappell Music for approximately $250 million, I thought it was high time I cover the subject of why so many classic rock artists are rushing to sell their publishing. The music world, and the world in general, was shocked not too long … Continue reading Iconic Artists Are Selling Their Catalogs, and It’s a Slippery Slope →

Recently one of the greatest managers of all-time passed away, Walter “Herbie” Herbert.  He was a valued colleague and friend to a lot of us.  Herbie is best known for creating the band Journey and shepherding the band members through many trials and tribulations to become one of the most beloved and best-selling bands of … Continue reading Herbie Herbert and the Incredible Story of Journey →

CDJ is classic rock centric, but every now and then I write about another genre of music if I am moved to do so.  I am sure a lot of you watched the recent Anderson Cooper 60 Minutes interview with Tony Bennett, titled Tony Bennett – The Final Act.  And I’m sure if you watched … Continue reading Tony Bennett – The Extraordinary Man Who Set Me Straight →

Excited to see concert dates being booked again starting this summer, I happened upon some Loverboy dates.  I had the pleasure of playing a major role in their career and seeing their name sparked a lot of memories. It occurred to me that many of you who appreciate my writings (PS. Thank you very much), … Continue reading The Loverboy Story →

For some reason, Mick Jagger’s new solo offering with Dave Grohl, “Easy Sleazy,” is getting a bit of critical blow back, from well, critics.  Perhaps it’s because when you get so big, part of that celebrity status includes people who want to take pot shots at you to bring you down a notch.  Who knows. … Continue reading Me and Mick Jagger – It’s Only Rock and Roll but I Like It →

Have you watched the Frank Zappa documentary? It’s one of the very best and most moving films you’ll ever see.  I spent $6.99 to watch it and would have spent $100.00.  It’s that good, that compelling, and that important. Unless you’re an avid fan, you probably don’t know that much about Frank Zappa.  I know … Continue reading A Day in the Life with Frank Zappa →

To our generation the music meant everything.  We didn’t have computers, smartphones, and tons of cable TV shows to entertain us.  The music took center stage and the messages from that music helped shape our lives.  It is a generation of music lovers who not only knew the hits but who were also familiar with … Continue reading Remembering Leslie West →

I didn’t know Eddie Van Halen personally.  Only to say hello backstage when our Columbia Records’ band Alice In Chains opened for Van Halen on one of their big tours.  So, unlike my usual fare, I have no personal stories to tell.  Yet, I find it hard to sit back and not write about this … Continue reading Like Picasso or Jimi Hendrix, Eddie Van Halen Was a True Original →