Classic Rock Here And Now

Thursday, October 5, 2017

IAN MCDONALD: KING CRIMSON AND FOREIGNER LEGEND TALKS ABOUT HIS NEW GROUP 'HONEY WEST'

I A N

M C D O N A L D

Legendary Multi-instrumentalist

KING CRIMSON

FOREIGNER

AND NOW HIS NEW BAND 'HONEY WEST'

FOREIGNER

Ian McDonald is an English multi-instrumental musician, best known as a founding member of progressive rock group King Crimson, formed in 1969, and of the hard rock band Foreigner in 1976. He is also well known as a rock session musician, predominantly as a saxophonist. He also plays keyboards, flute, vibraphone, and guitar.

A British rock giant and an acclaimed and respected member of New York's acting community walk into a recording studio ... and produce one of 2017's strongest and most compelling albums.

This odd couple consists of multi-instrumentalist Ian McDonald, and guitarist and lead vocalist Ted Zurkowski, co-founder of New York's celebrated Shakespeare ensemble, Frog & Peach, and a long-time member of the world-famous Actors Studio. Together, this unlikely new songwriting team conjured the album Bad Old World under the banner of their quartet, HONEY WEST.

Bad Old World is filled with memorable melodies and clever and sophisticated lyrics served on a bed of guitar-driven rock 'n' roll played by top-shelf musicians, including drummer Steve Holley, whose credits include Paul McCartney & Wings and many others, and McDonald's son, Maxwell McDonald, on bass. The album also boasts a guest appearance by Graham Maby on bass. While it's a modern sound stamped by Ian McDonald's world-class musicianship and production, it also bears an instant familiarity, thanks to a sonic blueprint recalling such Brit-rock titans as The Move and Mott the Hoople.

Representative of the band's distinct sound is Bad Old World's self-deprecating first single, "Dementia," a four-on-the-floor rave-up that melds a driving beat and rampaging guitars with McDonald's signature baritone sax and Zurkowski's unique brand of lyrical mischief.

With a cheeky nod to McDonald's British roots, there also is a helping of sly humor that permeates HONEY WEST: Witness the new video containing the hard-charging "Generationless Man," which pays homage to both the visual style of the Beatles' influential film A Hard Day's Night, and the wackiness of fellow countryman Benny Hill.

As is usually the case in artistic collaborations, the pairing of McDonald and Zurkowski was the result of fate - and, in this case, proximity as well.

HONEY WEST - named in honor and celebration of the proto-feminist 1960s cult TV spy series starring the ever-alluring Anne Francis - was already up and running when the two came together. For McDonald, discovering the scope and breadth of Zurkowski's talents was the catalyst for wanting to create a musical partnership.

H O N E Y W E S T

BAD OLD WORLD

AVAILABLE AT

AMAZON.COM

IAN MCDONALD

INTERVIEWED ON

THE RAY SHASHO SHOW

BBS RADIO

CLICK BELOW TO LISTEN

BAD OLD WORLD by HONEY WEST is available to purchase at amazon.com

For more information on HONEY WEST visit www.honeywestmusic.com

Or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/honeywestmusic

UPCOMING SHOWS ...

http://www.mercuryloungenyc.com/event/1561043-chapell-honey-west-new-york/

Also, for anyone in the Philly area, their ONLY OTHER gig this year will be DECEMBER 7 @ HAVANA in New Hope, PA:

http://www.havananewhope.com/?tribe_events=honey-west-featuring-ian-mcdonald-of-foreigner-and-king-crimson

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Email us at ray@publicityworksagency.com

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And don’t forget to purchase a copy of my book entitled Check the Gs -the true story of an eclectic American family and their Wacky family business … or the second edition entitled … Wacky Shenanigans on F Street- ‘Proud to be Politically Incorrect in Washington DC’ ... available now at amazon.com.

You’ll live it!!!

Have a great week everybody!

Thursday, September 21, 2017

ROGER FISHER 'HEART' LEGEND: EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW ON THE RAY SHASHO SHOW

R O G E R F I S H E R

LEGENDARY GUITARIST & SONGWRITER FOR

H E A R T

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

W/SURPRISE GUEST MIKE FISHER

Seattle, Washington native ROGER FISHER was the hard driving electric fury that established HEART as a rock and roll powerhouse in the 70’s. Originally known as Hocus Pocus, Heart was formed by guitarist Roger Fisher, bassist Steve Fossen, and Roger’s brother Mike Fisher who became the band’s manager. They met Ann Wilson at one of the bands gigs. Soon thereafter, Roger, Mike, Steve and Ann Wilson moved to Canada. Heart was officially formed in 1973 with their new songstress and songwriter Ann Wilson. The following year guitarist, vocalist, songwriter, and sister, Nancy Wilson joined the band.

With the help of producer Mike Flicker and session guitarist/keyboardist Howard Leese (who became a full- time member of Heart in 1975), the band recorded a demo tape. Heart’s debut album Dreamboat Annie was subsequently recorded for Mushroom Records in Vancouver, Canada. The seductive album cover featured a bare shouldered Ann and Nancy leaning up against each other.

The singles, “Magic Man” and “Dreamboat Annie” quickly gained notoriety over Canadian airwaves. Dreamboat Annie was released in the U.S. on Valentine’s Day 1976. “Magic Man” became the band’s first Top 10 hit. “Crazy On You” reached #35, and the single, “Dreamboat Annie” reach #42 in the U.S. on Billboard’s Hot 100. The album sold over 1 million copies and became a mainstay on AOR radio stations worldwide.

Heart became instantly identifiable as a rock phenomenon. A band fronted by two beautiful and multi-talented women, backed by hard rock virtuosos. It was that very combination which gave the band its true identity. Brothers Roger and Mike Fisher became romantically involved with Sisters Nancy and Ann Wilson, and “Magic Man” was written about Mike’s torrid love affair with Ann.

After the success of Dreamboat Annie, Heart left Mushroom Records due to a publicity stunt that stated the sisters were actually lesbian lovers. The group signed with Portrait Records and later released the album Little Queen in 1977. The album featured, “Barracuda” a tune that would become recognized as Heart’s signature song. Roger Fisher’s pivotal hard rock thrusting intro to “Barracuda” will forever be glorified in rock and roll history. Ann Wilson penned the tune out of sheer anger over Mushroom’s lesbian publicity stunt. Roger Fisher was a co-writer on “Barracuda” and on many other tracks on Little Queen. “Barracuda” reached #11 on Billboard’s Hot 100. Another preeminent arrangement on the album was Roger Fisher’s co-written masterpiece titled, “Love Alive.”

In 1978, Heart released Dog and Butterfly on Portrait Records. The album spent 36 weeks on the charts and peaked at #17 on Billboard’s 200 -highest selling albums. “Straight On” was the first song released from the album reaching #15 on the charts. The title track, “Dog & Butterfly” reached #34 on Billboard’s Hot 100. Dog & Butterfly spawned several profound arrangements including, “Minstral Wind” an incredible rock measure co-written by Roger Fisher.

In 1979, Roger’s romance with Nancy Wilson ended. Later that year, Roger Fisher was voted out of the band. Mike Fisher also left the band after breaking his relationship with Ann Wilson. Heart lost their rock and roll backbone when Roger Fisher was asked to leave the band.

Roger’s songwriting and iconic guitar riffs have been used in numerous TV commercials, TV shows, Guitar Hero (3 songs), and in several movies, including Charlie’s Angels and Shrek 3. Other artists have covered his material, including Eminem. His timeless anthem guitar intro to Barracuda is frequently used as the lead in for America’s number one rated radio talk show, Rush Limbaugh. Tony Robbins refers to Barracuda as part of the turning point in his life. It was also controversially featured by Republican presidential and Vice Presidential candidates, John McCain and Sarah Palin in the 2008 election. The original line-up of Heart was inducted to the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2013.

Roger Fisher’s latest release is album one – ALL TOLD – of a four-album package entitled ONE VISION, with brother Mike, aka Magic Man.

'ALL TOLD'

New album by

Roger Fisher

& the Human Tribe

(a four-album package

entitled ONE VISION,

with Brother Mike,

aka Magic Man.)

Available NOW

at amazon.com

For more information about Roger Fisher and upcoming tour dates visit www.rogerfisher.com

Or visit … Roger’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Rog4Real/

And Roger’s Twitter page at RogerFisher@rrrog

RAY SHASHO INTERVIEWS

ROGER FISHER ON BBS RADIO

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at 3 pm Pacific/6 pm Eastern

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We Make You Shine

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http://bbsradio.com/therayshashoshow

Have a great week everybody!

Wednesday, September 6, 2017

'CANDICE NIGHT' SPECIAL GUEST ON THE RAY SHASHO SHOW

C A N D I C E N I G H T

SINGER-SONGWRITER-MULTI-INSTRUMENTALIST FOR

BLACKMORE'S NIGHT

CANDICE NIGHT is the enchanting singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, for the medieval folk rock group Blackmore’s Night.

Candice was raised on Long Island, New York and began a modeling career at the age of twelve, appearing in print ads, commercials, and promotions at trade shows into her 20s. She hosted a rock show at a local Long Island radio station which helped transform her destiny.

Night met Ritchie Blackmore, legendary lead guitarist for Deep Purple, at a soccer match hosted by WBAB the classic rock radio station she worked at. Blackmore enlisted Night to sing backup vocals for Deep Purples’ The Battle Rages On tour in 1993.

Night went on to co-write and contribute her musical styles to Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow on the tracks, “Aerial” (Charted #2 in Europe), “Hall of the Mountain King,” “Black Masquerade,” and “Wolf to the Moon” for the Stranger in Us All album (1995). Night also toured with Rainbow as a background vocalist.

Candice also provided vocals on Ritchie Blackmore’s version of “Apache” on the album, Twang! A Tribute to Hank Marvin & The Shadows. The compilation features some of the greatest guitarists of our time.

In 1997, BLACKMORE’S NIGHT catapulted the duo of Ritchie Blackmore and Candice Night into a fairytale journey, performing wizardry medieval folk arrangements with a dose of rock and roll. The group’s debut album, Shadow of the Moon endured the European music charts for seventeen weeks. The track “Play Minstrel Play” featured Ian Anderson, the superlative flautist of Jethro Tull.

With her 2nd solo offering, ‘Starlight, Starbright’, Night's vocal quality is richer than in years past, bringing you to a quiet and intimate place with the singer; a place of beauty and dreams. Inspired by the birth of her children, Autumn (5) and Rory (3), she began creating this CD when she was pregnant with her first child. "I really felt just so completely full of love and part of this bigger picture, this miracle," Night remembers. "I wanted to sing to celebrate this incredible life that was occurring inside of me. I've never felt so spiritual."

When her children were born she sang to them each night to lull them to sleep and each morning so they would awaken with the wonderful sound of song. When she spoke to other moms who wished they could sing to their own children but didn't have the confidence in their own voices to do so, Candice decided to create this CD. Not only for her own children but for the moms who wished they had soothing songs to ease their child's journey into dreamland after the sun sets. So many parents enjoyed the songs so much, Candice was reticent in calling this a lullaby CD though that's what she originally intended it to be. Now created for children and adults to relax to she terms it "music to dream by."

On ‘Starlight, Starbright’ you will find new original melodies, some co-written and played with Ritchie Blackmore, some solo by Night; as well as a song originally written by her daughter Autumn when she was 1½. "I walked in one day and she was singing this beautiful song to her dolls as she lay them down to sleep. I recorded it on video without her knowing it and the song has always stayed with me since that first moment I heard it. It's called ‘Lullaby in the Night’. It was the first video I shot for the project as well." ‘Once In A Garden’ is another song that a video was filmed for from this CD. Starring Candice’s children as well as a wonderful group of other children playing pretend as children do, it's a beautiful song about their innocence that the video encapsulates perfectly.

Other songs from the CD include old and new favorites, all rerecorded with the Candice Night magic put to them. As the executive producer of this CD and the woodwind player as well as vocalist and lyricist, each sound recorded was done so under her careful direction to ensure the sound was the beautiful sound of what she felt lullabies should be. Night's velvety vocals add new dimension to John Denver’s ‘Annie's Song’, Plumb’s ‘In My Arms’, as well as Disney favorites ‘So This Is Love’ and ‘Baby Mine’.
Many other songs await you on this musical journey to the land of dreams.

CANDICE

NIGHT

'STARLIGHT STARBRIGHT'

AVAILABLE

AMAZON.COM

For more information and concert dates visit …

www.candice-night.com and www.blackmoresnight.com

Visit their facebook sites at www.facebook.com/candicenightofficial

www.facebook.com/blackmoresnightofficial

Twitter: www.twitter.com/trucandicenight

CANDICE NIGHT

INTERVIEWED ON

THE RAY SHASHO SHOW-BBS RADIO

CLICK BELOW TO LISTEN

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MY YOU TUBE CHANNEL

THE RAY SHASHO SHOW

Bi-weekly Monday Afternoon at 3 pm Pacific/6 pm Eastern

On the BBS Radio 1 Network

THE RAY SHASHO SHOW

IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY

‘THE PUBLICITY WORKS AGENCY’

We Shine Only When

We Make You Shine

Website http://www.publicityworksagency.com/

Email us at ray@publicityworksagency.com

http://bbsradio.com/therayshashoshow

And don’t forget to purchase a copy of my book entitled Check the Gs -the true story of an eclectic American family and their Wacky family business … or the second edition entitled … Wacky Shenanigans on F Street- ‘Proud to be Politically Incorrect in Washington DC’ ... available now at amazon.com. You’ll live it!!!

Have a great week!

Wednesday, August 23, 2017

TODD RUNDGREN: AN INTERVIEW WITH A MUSICAL GENIUS

T O D D R U N D G R E N

THE LEGEND AND HIS MUSIC

INTERVIEWED ON

THE RAY SHASHO SHOW

Todd Rundgren was inspired by virtuoso trendsetters Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Michael Bloomfield and Harvey Mandel. The Philadelphia native directed his creativities into launching the bands ‘Money’ and ‘Woody’s Truck Stop’ achieving regional success. Rundgren then organized the nationally recognized Nazz in 1967. Initially formed as a psychedelic-blues rock band it discovered an array of eclectic musical styles. Todd Rundgren’s huge hit single “Hello It’s Me” was originally recorded with the Nazz in 1968. The Nazz became successful with the psychedelic tune “Open My Eyes” while opening shows for Jim Morrison and The Doors. After Nazz broke up Rundgren recorded several solo albums under the name Runt and Todd scored commercially with his first big solo hit “We Gotta Get You a Woman” in 1971.

The genius of Rundgren became even clearer with the release of his certified gold double album masterpiece Something/Anything? The album spawned the huge Top 40 singles “I Saw The Light” (#16 Billboard) and Nazz original composition “Hello It’s Me” (#5 Billboard).

Utopia was formed in 1973 but the band’s foundation was established in 1974. Rundgren magnified his musical inventiveness by fusing progressive, pop, psychedelic and hard rock into euphonious orchestrations.

Utopia’s signature anthem “Just One Victory” from the 1973 release A Wizard, A True Star is usually played at the end of every concert. Rundgren’s penned “Love Is The Answer” from Utopia’s Oops! Wrong Planet album in 1977 became a huge hit for England Dan & John Ford Coley in 1979 reaching number #10 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts.

Todd Rundgren maintained a highly successful solo career while recording and performing with Utopia. In 1978 Todd Rundgren released the sentimental “Can We Still Be Friends” becoming #29 on Billboard’s Hot 100.

Throughout the 70’s and 80’s Todd Rundgren established himself as an industrious musical genius in the recording studio producing and engineering for legendary artists including classic albums Straight Up by Badfinger, Stage Fright by The Band, The New York Dolls, We’re An American Band and Shinin’ On by Grand Funk Railroad, Bat Out Of Hell by Meatloaf and Skylarking by XTC Rundgren also contributed his extraordinary skills as a first rate musician and composer to a legion of legendary artists.

In 1983 Todd Rundgren wrote “Bang The Drum All Day” All the instruments on the song were performed by Rundgren. The tune is widely heard at professional sporting events around the country and used on TV commercials and movie trailers.

Todd Rundgren continues to perform with Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band. Rundgren recently released his critically acclaimed album “White Knight” on May 12th via Cleopatra Records. The 15-track collection features a dynamic range of original songs and deft studio work by Rundgren, with an impressive array of what he terms “collaborators”, including Dam Funk, Donald Fagen, Daryl Hall, Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross of Nine Inch Nails, Joe Satriani, and Joe Walsh to name just a few. The album is available to purchase now at amazon.com.

Find out about all of Todd Rundgren’s tour dates at

http://www.todd-rundgren.com/tr-tour.html

Visit Todd Rundgren on Facebook

at https://www.facebook.com/toddrundgren