The music of Bread has romantically inspired many people over many, many years. Yet some of the stories behind these hits could affect you in a different way. There's one Bread hit that many would consider to be a love song, which was actually written after the death of David Gates's father. Hearing David Gates tell the story behind this David Gates classic will touch you.
Did you know that it's generally considered that the very first "disco" hit was written and produced by Harry Casey of KC and the Sunshine Band? The twist in the story is that KC didn't sing it! KC put his vocals on the many Sunshine Band hits but NOT on that ground breaking first disco hit. Hear the story in his interview with Ian Keenan.
Ian Keenan calls his interview with Andrew Gold "an all-time favourite". It's a fascinating chat with a man who came from a show business background and then carved his own fantastic musical career. The multi-instrumentalist played a major role in the career of Linda Ronstadt before launching himself as a soloist. He also gave us two of the best TV theme songs of the 80's!
"We Built This City", "Sara" and "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" were all huge hits featuring the voice of Starship's Mickey Thomas, but did you known he sang another huge hit before he joined Starship?
Singer/songwriter Janis Ian has had a wide ranging career. She's won two Grammy Awards, one for singing "At Seventeen" and the other for her spoken-word autobiography. She has been a magazine columnist, a science fiction author and she's said "no" to some amazing acting roles. Janis Ian also explains the meaning behind her album "God and the FBI" as we hear her hit stories.
Do you know which song was given the only Grammy ever awarded for "Best Disco Recording"? If you knew it was a Gloria Gaynor hit then you get full points! In the interview with Ian Keenan you'll hear other reasons why that particular song means so much to her. Gloria Gaynor also reveals something that is common to all her hit cover versions.
Actor, director and singer - you can't say that James Darren is untalented! You might know him as Moondoggie in the "Gidget" movie, others will recall his role as Dr Tony Newman in the TV series "Time Tunnel", or maybe you can still sing along to his 60's hit "Goodbye Cruel World"? There's even something for Star Trek fans in this interview.
Originally when Irene Cara was cast in the movie the movie "Fame" it was in the role of a dancer. When the movie's producers heard her voice they changed the role to that of a singer. The two singles from the movie were both nominated for an Academy Award! The title song became the first of TWO Oscar winning movie themes for Irene Cara.
Just being the daughter of Frank Sinatra is a claim to fame, but Nancy Sinatra is much more than just her father's daughter. She discusses her acting career which saw her as Elvis Presley's leading lady and we discover how her long term musical collaboration with Lee Hazlewood came about.
Not every record producer plays such an important role in the process as Shel Talmy. Shel was behind the mixing desk for some of the most important hits to come out of Britain in the 60's. The Kinks, The Who and The Easybeats all owe him a great deal. Plus there was another Australian band which had a hit produced by Shel Talmy.
