Deeper Digs

Sorry for the delay!

Deeper Digs returns! After taking a three month break, the Rock N Roll Archaeologist is back with a new episode.

But… as you'll hear this may not be a complete return to the weekly podcast. In fact, it is possible Deeper Digs may be retired or may become something that shows up every once in a while. Of course, it may all depend on you!

This week, Christian is joined by Heather Jackson, the chairperson of Realm of Caring. Pantheon Media is a proud sponsor for their upcoming “Rock the Roc” event on April 7th, 2021, to honor the short life of Charlotte Figi, who was the inspiration for ROC and the CBD strain “Charlotte’s Web”.

Realm of Caring (RoC) is creating a world-wide community where access to plant-based medicine is a cornerstone of helping others. Our why is simple: Charlotte Figi and the millions like her. Her story shifted the paradigm of wellness and access for all, as the world watched through the empathetic eyes of Dr. Sanjay Gupta and his captivating docuseries, Weed. Charlotte’s impact remains the footprint of our path forward, toward care for all through the healing power of the earth. Her legacy became a foundation of education, research, and impact, one that grows its sphere of influence to an ever-expanding circle of seekers, families, and souls as they journey toward a more healing future. Charlotte's sudden and tragic passing at the age of thirteen on April 07, 2020, is a heavy reminder that life is precious, that the dignity of choice is critical, and that the courage of innocence is a guidepost for human wellness.

Realm of Caring improves lives through Research, Education, and Community. By funding and conducting Research, we learn more about cannabis and its effects while legitimizing the therapy. Education empowers consumers to select the best products for their individual needs, and informs healthcare professionals about options for their patients. Through Community, we spread the truth about cannabis and expand access to those in need.

Heather Jackson is the Co-Founder and President of the Realm of Caring Foundation (RoC), an internationally acclaimed non-profit primarily serving families who are dealing with life-limiting and chronic health conditions. Her mission, after helping her son transition from hospice to health, is to reimagine the way we think, talk, and respond to plant medicine and the people who use it. To that end, she is committed to innovative scientific research, building global communities and advancing demanded conversations about these life-changing approaches to health. In addition, Ms. Jackson recently co-founded Unlimited Sciences, a psychedelic research and awareness non-profit. She is an international speaker, published researcher and author, and her work has been featured on Dateline, 60 Minutes Australia and CNN with Dr. Sanjay Gupta as well as in the New York Times, National Geographic, TIME and Good Housekeeping. 

https://rocktheroc.org/

https://realmofcaring.org/

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The Rock N Roll Archaeologist’s fourth venture into the Immediate Family band! Today we feature the all around rock n roll Zelig character, the incomparable Waddy Wachtel.

Waddy Wachtel is one of the most well-known and respected performers in the music industry. His career as a guitarist, producer and composer has spanned many decades. From his early beginnings in the L.A. music scene in the 1970's playing with such artists as the Everly Brothers, Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor, Warren Zevon, Bonnie Raitt, Randy Newman, Don Henley and Jackson Browne - to playing and writing with Keith Richards in the X-Pensive Winos - to his recent work as musical director, lead guitarist and vocalist for Stevie Nicks - he's ventured into such creative fields as composing his own songs and writing musical scores for films.

Waddy was born ready....... Ready to Rock It Up! Following Waddy through his musical career, which is an on-going project, is an exploration into the history of Rock 'n' Roll itself. It's also a great example of how one man continues to keep Rock in his soul and gives his music continuously and creatively.

Waddy is not only respected by those in the music industry, but he's treasured and highly valued by all who have worked with him and known him on a personal level as well. 

http://waddywachtelinfo.com/

https://www.facebook.com/TheImmedFamily

https://open.spotify.com/artist/3gdGV7INOTNG7dYBeCSGVm

This show is part of Pantheon Podcasts.

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The Rock N Roll Archaeologist digs deep into the new art book, David Bowie: Icon - The Definitive Photographic Collection. Christian welcomes project editor, Carrie Kania to the show, where they talk about not only the book’s contents, but also how a book like this gets made.

David Bowie: Icon gathers the greatest images of one of the greatest stars in history, into a single, luxurious volume. The result is the most important anthology of David Bowie images that has ever been compiled. Featuring work from many of the greatest names in photography, this book showcases an incredible portfolio of imagery, featuring the iconic, the awe inspiring, the candid and the surprising.

Follow the visual evolution of Bowie over the years, through the lenses of his famous photographer collaborators.

Photography and text by: Gerald Fearnley, Justin de Villeneuve, Terry O'Neill, Masayoshi Sukita, Norman Parkinson, Kevin Cummins, Janet Macoska, Lynn Goldsmith, Geoff MacCormack, Alec Byrne, Brian Aris, Andrew Kent, Vernon Dewhurst, Gavin Evans, Fernando Aceves, Barry Schultz, Ray Stevenson, Chalkie Davies, Markus Klinko, Greg Gorman, John Scarisbrick, Denis O'Regan, Mick Rock, Philippe Auliac, Steve Schapiro.

When David Bowie passed away on 10 January 2016, the world lost an icon. And yet, his legacy lives on. From his humble origins as a teen musician in the 1960s up until the very end, David Bowie's music, lyrics and provocative performances inspired not only his generation, but every generation that followed. While his sound and style underwent several alterations throughout his career, two facts never changed. He was an innovator, and photographers adored him. This book pays homage to this once-in-a-lifetime icon.

https://www.amazon.com/David-Bowie-Definitive-Photographic-Collection/dp/1788840968/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=david+bowie+icon&qid=1608166608&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExOUtESU5UODNETTdWJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUExMDI0NDAyMUxCR1hJVDlaU0w0UyZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwODMwODY3TkVBS0w1SjFTMTg3JndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

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Our final Jimi Hendrix special has Christian join three rock n rollers to discuss what the man means to them. First up is Bassist and perhaps oldest collaborator Billy cox, followed by percussionist Juma Sultan and finally with Hendrix re-creator Jimy Bleu, guitarist for Kiss the Sky.

Billy Cox

Billy Cox is best known for performing with Jimi Hendrix. Cox is the only surviving musician to have regularly played with Hendrix: first with the experimental group that backed Hendrix at Woodstock (informally referred to as "Gypsy Sun and Rainbows"), followed by the trio with drummer Buddy Miles that recorded the live Band of Gypsys album, and, lastly, The Cry of Love Tour trio with Mitch Mitchell back on drums. Cox continues to perform dates with the Band of Gypsys Experience and the Experience Hendrix Tour. As well as sitting in with Kiss the Sky several times.

Today, Billy Cox owns a video production company. He has produced numerous blues and a myriad of gospel shows. He co-authored the books Jimi Hendrix Sessions and Ultimate Hendrix with John McDermott and Eddie Kramer. He released Old School Blue Blues in 2011, and continues to tour with "The Experience Hendrix Tour" each year and his own Band of Gypsys Experience. http://www.bassistbillycox.com/

Juma Sultan

Juma Sultan (born April 13, 1942) is a jazz musician, most often recording as a percussionist or bass player. He may be best known for his appearance at the Woodstock festival of 1969 at Bethel, New York, playing with Jimi Hendrix. He currently plays in the African performance group Sankofa, the band Sons of Thunder, and with the Juma Sultan Band.

Sultan was born in Monrovia, California on April 13, 1942. In 1969, he performed at the Woodstock festival in Hendrix's band, Gypsy Sun and Rainbows and on The Dick Cavett Show and at a special show in Harlem, New York several weeks later. He was interviewed extensively for the documentary films, Jimi Hendrix and Jimi Hendrix: Live at Woodstock. He appears on approximately 12 of Jimi Hendrix' posthumous releases.www.jumasarchive.org.

Jimmy Bleu

Kiss the Sky, who you will see performing at the Historic Bearville Theater in Woodstock New York is fronted by virtuoso guitarist and former Columbia recording artist, Jimy Bleu, and backed by a cast of world-class touring musicians from the NYC metro area. KTS musicians are so 'EXPERIENCED' that all 3 of Jimi's remaining former bandmates and living legends (Billy Cox, Juma Sultan and Jerry Velez) have each played on stage along side KTS performers. Most especially, Jimy Bleu, is the longest running Jimi tribute specialist in the world and even tours with former Hendrix Bassist, Billy Cox and his Band of Gypsys Experience

Jimy Bleu actually met Jimi Hendrix in 1968 while at Warner/Reprise records and a member of the official Hendrix fan club that got Hendrix to address an assembly at his high school of the Performing Arts in NYC. The very next year at Woodstock, Bleu was thrown one of the guitar straps Hendrix used in that famous performance and through this direct musical lineage, Jimy Bleu has carried the figurative baton of the Jimi Hendrix guitar showmanship legacy ever since. Jimy Bleu attended Berklee College of Music on the recommendation of Hendrix himself and went on to become a Columbia/Def Jam recording artist. 

A Hendrix historian, Bleu has given lectures on radio, TV and college campuses about the musical, spiritual and political importance of Hendrix. His musical talents and Hendrix stage show expertise has even landed Bleu a touring member spot with former Jimi Hendrix bassist, Mr. Billy Cox’s band ... The Band of Gypsys Experience! Like Jimi Hendrix...Jimy Bleu is also one of the only lefthanders in the guitar biz... bringing even more authenticity to the concert re-creations he now performs in...KISS THE SKY!

https://www.kisstheskytribute.com/about.html 

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Episode three in our November salute to Jimi Hendrix. This time the Rock N Roll Archaeologist speaks to two very different legends with very different Hendrix ties. First up is the immensely talented blues guitarist John Hammond and then we dig deep on all sorts of topics that weave in and out of the Jimi orbit with Living Colour’s superb guitarist Vernon Reid.

John P. Hammond

John Hammond is one of the world's premier acoustic blues artists: a Blues Hall Of Fame inductee and Grammy award winner with 33+ albums to date, an almost 60 year career, 8 Grammy nominations, 22 Blues Music Award nominations and 10 wins. He is the only person who has ever had both Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton in a band at the same time! Besides Hendrix and Clapton, John has performed or recorded with Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Duane Allman, Mike Bloomfield, JJ Cale, Tom Waits, The Band, John Lee Hooker, Dr. John and many more. A tireless performer, he continues to tour world-wide on an annual basis. Well until this year that is.

He began playing guitar in high school, partially inspired by the album Jimmy Reed at Carnegie Hall. He attended Antioch College for one year but dropped out to pursue a music career. By the mid-1960s he was touring nationally and living in Greenwich Village. Hammond has earned one Grammy Award and been nominated for four others. He also provided the soundtrack for the 1970 film Little Big Man, starring Dustin Hoffman.

http://johnhammond.com/https://www.amazon.com/John-Hammond/e/B000APEEP2?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2&qid=1606153630&sr=8-2

Vernon Reid

As the lead guitarist of Living Colour and a co-founder of the Black Rock Coalition, Vernon Reid has done a great deal to undermine stereotypical expectations of what music black artists ought to play; his rampant eclecticism encompasses everything from hard rock and punk to funk, R&B and avant-garde jazz, and his anarchic, lightning-fast solos have become something of a hallmark as well. Born in London, Reid and his family emigrated to Brooklyn while he was a child; he began playing guitar at age 15, initially studying jazz and progressing quickly. In 1980, he joined drummer Ronald Shannon Jackson's Decoding Society, a cutting-edge jazz group with whom he appeared on six albums; over the course of the decade, Reid went on to work with a wide variety of experimental musicians -- Defunkt, Bill Frisell, John Zorn, Arto Lindsay, and Public Enemy, among others.

Around 1983, Reid formed the first version of what was to become Living Colour; in 1985, with journalist Greg Tate, he formed the Black Rock Coalition, an organization devoted to opening doors in the music business for black musicians who were not content being confined to the roles of soul crooner or rapper. Living Colour did not really begin to jell until their lineup stabilized in 1986, and when Mick Jagger saw the group perform at CBGB's and invited them to appear on his Primitive Cool album. Jagger went even further, producing two demo tracks and helping to convince Epic to sign the group. Living Colour debuted to massive critical acclaim in 1988 with Vivid; the group lasted through Time's Up (1990) and Stain (1993) before disbanding in 1995. 

Vernon Reid Band of Gypsys Revisited Band (VR-BOG-RB) have known each other since 1985, sharing the stage in bands such as the Screaming Headless Torsos, Yohimbe Brothers, Burnt Sugar the Arkestra Chamber and The Black Rock Coalition Big Band.

In the spirit of revisiting, refreshing and further exploring the fun, funk & roll of the “Band of Gypsys Live at The Fillmore East” recording, Vernon Reid, André ‘Dré Glo’ Lassalle, James “Biscuit” Rouse, and Jared Michael Nickerson as VR-BOG-RB look forward to bringing this limited edition performance to your hamlet, city, town, or county fair.

https://twitter.com/vurnt22?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

https://www.vrbogrb.com/

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Part 2 of Deeper Digs’ celebration of Jimi Hendrix! Christian this time sits down with two greats that worked with Jimi, drummer Carmine Appice and percussionist Gerardo Velez.

CARMINE APPICE

"Carmine Appice, the creator of heavy rock drumming as we know it" - Drummer Magazine, UK

“Carmine Appice set the foundation for heavy drumming, before Bonham, before Ian Paice, before anyone else.” - Rick Van Horn, Modern Drummer

One of the premier showmen in rock, Appice became known worldwide for his astonishing live performances, in addition to becoming a highly sought-after session drummer, recording with countless artists throughout his career. In ‘76, he joined Rod Stewart‘s band, touring, recording and writing two of Stewart‘s biggest hits, “Do Ya Think I‘m Sexy’ and “Young Turks.’ He left Stewart to record his first solo album, “Rockers’, and tour Japan and North America with an allstar band. . In the early 80’s, he toured with OZZY Osborne ,Ted Nugent . In the mid 80’s, he formed King Kobra for two Capitol albums and international touring And in the late 80’s, Carmine played on a Pink Floyd record “Momentary Lapse of Reason’ and formed Blue Murder with Whitesnake‘s John Sykes and The Firm‘s Tony Franklin. In the early 90s, he pounded away soul-style for The Edgar Winter Group.

As an educator, Carmine was the first to legitimize rock drumming with his landmark book, The Realistic Rock Drum Method, selling over 400,000 copies (now in video format). He was the first Rock Drummer and Rock Musician to conduct instructional clinics and symposiums around the world.

https://www.carmineappice.net/index.php#about

https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Realistic-Rock-Book-CDs/dp/0897244869/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=carmine+appice&qid=1605826220&sr=8-1

https://www.amazon.com/Stick-Life-Drums-Rock-Roll/dp/0912777664/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=carmine+appice&qid=1605826237&sr=8-4

GERARDO VELEZ

It's a little concert you might have heard of? Woodstock Music and Art Festival in 1969. When Jimi Hendrix took the stage and pointed to the crowd of thousands, sitting right behind him was his percussionist; Gerardo Velez.

Gerardo "Jerry" Velez said, "It was my birthday, and my first professional performance, and I was playing with the greatest guitarist in rock and roll history Jimi Hendrix?.what a weekend!"

"The right place at the right time" has guided Gerardo's legacy in life. Mr. Velez went on to perform with such luminaries as David Bowie, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Destiny's Child, Stevie Nicks, Chaka Khan, Marc Anthony and countless others. Then he was poised for greatness as an original member of the Best Selling Contemporary Jazz Groups of all time Spyro Gyra, garnering multiple Gold and Platinum recording awards, also best new group of 1978, several number one hit songs, Billboard Magazine's Jazz Band of the 80's and 14 Grammy Nominations.

Mr. Velez's event company Gerardo Velez Productions (GVP) has been producing hundreds of shows and events since 1981. Nationally and internationally creating events, gala's, concerts, festivals for such clients as New York Stock Exchange, The Security Traders Association of New York, Bank of America, HBO, Comedy Central, SAP Software, Time Warner, Donna Karan, Chopard Jewelry, Mirimax Films, and Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino just to mention a few.

Mr. Velez's charitable work endeavors have been legendary having collaborated with President William Clinton, Mikhail Gorbachev, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Queen Nora, Lady Ferguson Duchess of York, Dan Rather, Bill Cosby, Michael Jackson, Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Russian Prime Minister Dimitri Medvedev and other worldly power brokers.

https://www.gerardovelez.com/gerardovelezcom/index.html

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November is Jimi Hendrix month here on Deeper Digs! For the next few episodes we will be featuring several interviews with people who played with Hendrix, were inspired by Hendrix or have written extensively about Hendrix.

All of this is in anticipation of the 78th birthday celebration of the man on November 27th, where the incredible recreation act “Kiss the Sky” will be performing their annual concert event virtually from the historic Bearsville Theater!

See why Rolling Stone Magazine has said ""Yes believe the hype! This show lives up to it!” and why AXS-TV crowned Kiss The Sky featuring left handed guitar virtuoso Jimy Bleu, "The World’s Greatest Tribute to Jimi Hendrix”.

Kiss The Sky recreate Hendrix’s most iconic concert moments in full replica wardrobe and gear so well that they have had the honor of playing with all surviving members of Hendrix’s own bands including Billy Cox, The Last Gypsy. 

http://bearsvilletheater.com/events/kiss-the-sky-the-re-experience-worlds-greatest-tribute-to-jimi-hendrix-annual-birthday-celebration/

Today we have two amazing guests to kick things off!

First up is one of the greatest living drummers, Kenny Aronoff. 

Voted one of the top 100 drummers of all time by Rolling Stone Magazine, Drummer Magazine have crowned Kenny Aronoff the #1 Pop /Rock Drummer and the #1 Studio Drummer for his unique and emulated style combining finesse and power. The celebrated musician has contributed his talents to more than 60 Grammy® nominated recordings. Over 300 million records sold worldwide feature his work—1,300 of which are certified gold, platinum or diamond records!

In his autobiography, Sex, Drums, Rock ’n’ Roll! Kenny Aronoff talks about his childhood growing up in both the Berkshires and Mid-West.

At an early age, music inspired him. He studied classical, jazz and every style in between—creating a foundation that evolved him into the versatile drummer he is today, with the talent to play anything. While trying to make it in the music industry in his early 20’s, fate stepped in with the audition that would change his life—it was for John Mellencamp. His work with Mellencamp catapulted Aronoff to the top of the charts with hits like “Hurts so Good,” “Little Pink Houses,” and “Jack and Diane” paving the way for session and recording work for many remarkable artists.

https://www.amazon.com/Sex-Drums-Rock-Roll-Business/dp/1495007936

Batting second is Corey Washington with a very important book “Jimi Hendrix - Black Legacy (A Dream Deferred)” is the culmination of a two decade journey of author Corey Washington's exploration of Jimi Hendrix's complex and misunderstood relationship and impact on the Black Community. Jimi's life has been featured in numerous biographies over the years, but very little has been properly documented, when it comes to his influence on people of color. Hendrix was often seen by many to have transcended race, which is a slap in the face to his deep cultural roots, concerning not only his Black musical traditions, but simply growing up as a Black person in the 40's-60’s.

Corey seeks to add to Jimi's overall legacy, by embracing Jimi's Black culture, including the well known people in Jimi's life, as well as the voices that many do not get to hear from in your traditional Jimi Hendrix biographies.

It was always a strong desire of Jimi Hendrix to garner a more diverse fan base. Although he never got to fully see the fruits of his labor, Jimi Hendrix - Black Legacy, will reveal that his wish ultimately came true.

Corey Washington is a high school History teacher currently teaching in Richmond County, Augusta, Georgia. He holds both a bachelor's and master's degree in Middle Grades Education from Augusta State University. Born in New York City in 1976, he has grown up in a cultural/racial melting pot.

https://www.amazon.com/Jimi-Hendrix-Black-Legacy-Deferred/dp/179346233X/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=corey+washington&qid=1605208270&s=books&sr=1-1

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