Deeper Digs

A real Immortal of the rock n roll pantheon joins Christian for a career breakdown, as well as a focus on new material including a rare political song. Jon Anderson the voice of Yes is the guest on this episode of Deeper Digs!

Jon Anderson is undoubtedly one of the most recognizable voices in progressive rock as the lead vocalist and creative force behind Yes. Anderson was the author and a major creative influence behind the ground-breaking album Fragile as well as the series of epic, complex pieces such as “Awaken”, “Gates of Delirium” and especially “Close to the Edge” which were central to the band’s success. Additionally, Anderson co-authored the group’s biggest hits, including “I’ve Seen All Good People”, “Roundabout”, and “Owner Of A Lonely Heart”.

Never to stand still musically, he is getting ready to release an album he started 28 years ago through Blue Élan Records. The album’s title, 1,000 Hands is a reference to the fact that numerous guest musicians perform on the album, including Ian Anderson, Billy Cobham, Jean-Luc Ponty, Steve Morse, Chick Corea, Zap Mama, Chris Squire, Alan White, Steve Howe and many more. This album, produced by his friend Michael Franklin, really speaks to the power of a musical life still in the throes of a fervent artistic endeavor, always wanting new experiences in music, always wanting to surprise the listener. The album comes out on July 31, 2020 and will be offered on deluxe double gatefold vinyl, CD, and through all digital platforms.

In the mid 70’s he created a pure solo album, in every sense of the word: performing all the music, playing every instrument, writing a storyline, and of course singing all the vocals in the critically acclaimed Olias of Sunhillow… a milestone in recording and adventurous creativity. You only need to look at his output of solo albums over the years to see how inventive his life in music has been, from Animation to Song of Seven, Three Ships to Toltec, City of Angels to The More You Know, to name just a few. All of these albums marked his own progression and adventure through music…leading up to 2009 following his near death, the release of the life affirming album Survival and Other Stories.

In Jon’s words: “Music is our spiritual connection to the soul, that’s why people all over the world connect to Music and to each other through Music.”

1000 Hands, a new album long in the making.

The album originates from sessions for a project to have been called Uzlot (a northern English pronunciation of "us lot") that Anderson had been recording in Big Bear, California, with Brian Chatton in around 1990. Chatton wrote most of the music, played keyboards and also sang. Anderson asked his then Yes bandmates Chris Squire and Alan White to play on the project too. At the time, Yes were preparing for a tour and Anderson put the master tapes in his garage and, as he has recounted, gave them very little thought for many years. In 2016, producer Michael Franklin contacted Anderson about using the tapes and finishing the album. Further recordings followed at Solar Studios in Orlando, Florida. Along with some newly written material, the final result is 1000 Hands.

As the album title suggests, the album was created with a number of guest performers, including Steve Howe, Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson, Brian Chatton, Larry Coryell, Steve Morse, Journey keyboardist Jonathan Cain, Vanilla Fudge drummer Carmine Appice, Rick Derringer, the Tower of Power horn section, violinist Jean-Luc Ponty and pianist Chick Corea.

https://www.jonanderson.com/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1000_Hands:_Chapter_One

https://listen.tidal.com/album/137775169

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Christian gets to add another photographer to the list when he spends time with the great Neal Preston, one of the best to ever point the lens rock n roll’s way!

Neal Preston is one of the most highly respected photographers in the history of the music business. His career in photography,which started in high school and continues to the present, has spanned well over 4 decades. Through his body of work Preston has made a significant contribution to the pop culture history of multiple generations. His archive stands as one of the music industry’s single most elite (and extensive) photographic collections.

For years, his photographs have appeared in every conceivable media outlet: on the covers and pages of hundreds of world-class magazines, newspapers, and books, on television shows, in feature films and documentaries, in Broadway show programs and billboards, in print and electronic advertisements, and on innumerable vinyl and CD/DVD packages. Additionally, he was the key contributor to VH-1’s acclaimed “Behind the Music” documentary series, providing over one thousand still photos used in over 50 episodes.

Although Preston is best known in rock circles as Led Zeppelin’s U.S. tour photographer in the mid-1970’s, his rock-and-roll travels have taken him around the world many times. He has visited Russia with Billy Joel, Japan with Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, and Michael Jackson, China with Wham! , South Africa with Whitney Houston, Canada with Heart, Japan with Duran Duran, and Mexico and South America with Queen in both 1981 and 2015.

In 1985, Preston was chosen as one of the official photographers for the Bob Geldof’s “Live Aid” concert at London’s Wembley Stadium. In 1988 his association with Bruce Springsteen helped land him the job as official tour photographer for Amnesty International’s legendary “Conspiracy of Hope” tour, a 5 week world trek with Sting, Peter Gabriel, and Tracy Chapman appearing along with Springsteen.

An accomplished photojournalist, Preston has shot stories and covers – not only on musicians- for a multitude of world-class magazines including Newsweek, Time, and Rolling Stone. In 1980 he began a 30 year-long relationship with People Magazine and to this day remains the most-assigned photographer in the history of the magazine, with almost 700 shoot days to his credit.

After joining the International Cinematographers Guild in 1999 , Preston served as both the “unit” and “special” photographer for the feature films “Almost Famous”, “Vanilla Sky”, “Elizabethtown” , “We Bought a Zoo”, and “Aloha” , and recently completed work on season 1 of the Showtime television series “Roadies” (all directed by Cameron Crowe). Besides creating the key art for those projects, Preston also provided photos used in the feature films ” *61", “Singles”, “Laurel Canyon” and “Pick of Destiny” among others.

Preston’s work has been displayed at such elite institutions as the Smithsonian in Washington D.C., the National Gallery in London, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio . His iconic photograph of Freddie Mercury is part of the permanent photo exhibit at the new Wembley Stadium in London. His work is included in the permanent collection of the new Yankee Stadium in New York, and close to 100 of Preston’s photographs adorn the walls of the newly renovated Forum in Inglewood, California.

https://www.prestonpictures.com/

https://www.amazon.com/Queen-Neal-Preston-Photographs/dp/1909526711/ref=sr_1_1?crid=IJGH61FDRLVD&dchild=1&keywords=neal+preston+queen&qid=1603925998&sprefix=neal+preston%2Caps%2C216&sr=8-1 (edited)

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This episode the Rock N Roll Archaeologist (of the podcast world) sits down for a deep dig into radio executive and consultant Lee Abrams!

Lee Abrams with decades in the trenches reinventing radio, tv news and print. Passionate about the past but focused on reimagining the future. Consultant to over 1,000 radio stations, 12 major print publications and numerous tv stations and cable networks, several consumer products and the designer of XM satellite radio programming.

In the early 21st Century, Abrams was The Tribune Company’s Chief Innovation Officer responsible for helping re-invent the scores of TV stations, cable channels and newspapers that are owned by Tribune, as well as to help create a new and modern innovation focused culture. While at Tribune, Abrams re-structured and energized the creative departments for the TV and TV News group, led and oversaw the redesigning and restructuring of newspapers including The Chicago Tribune, The Baltimore Sun and The Orlando Sentinel, helping returning them to profitability during a period of crisis in print.

For 10 years before joining Tribune, Abrams was XM Satellite Radio’s Chief Programming Officer. Abrams joined XM as their first employee in June 1998 to create satellite radio. Designing the programming, hiring, overseeing and training a large staff with the mandate to re-invent the sound of radio. With 150 stations to develop and program, Abrams was once again challenged to reinvigorate the radio landscape. Lee Abrams, has been shaping the American radio and media industry for over five decades. During the past 50+ years, he has brought unparalleled ratings and economic success to radio stations in over 400 markets, including 97 of the top 100. Newsweek listed Abrams as one of America’s “100 Cultural Elite” for his contributions to creating the modern radio; and Radio Ink listed Abrams as one of the 75 most important radio figures of all time having designed many if not most of the dominant radio formats.

In 1989, Abrams joined Satellite Music Network (Acquired by Disney) as Managing Director and oversaw the over 11 satellite delivered formats delivered to over 1,000 stations and was instrumental in the creation and launch of Radio Disney.

As a founding partner, in 1973, of Burkhart/Abrams, the Atlanta-based media consulting giant, Abrams invented and built Album Rock, the first successful FM format. He also designed numerous other highly successful radio formats including the first Classic Rock format at San Francisco’s KFOG; the first FM Urban/Dance format at New York’s WKTU, among others. His corporate clients have included every major broadcast group.

Musically, Abrams produced the Grammy-winning CD “Ah Via Musicom” by Eric Johnson—the highest selling rock instrumental album ever, has appeared on several Alan Parsons Project CDs, and worked with major labels and recording artists as a consultant, executive producer and label head. Among his clients have been music industry pioneers, such as The Moody Blues, Yes, Asia, Iron Maiden, Bob Seger, Island Records and Capitol Records. 

Abrams resides in Chicago and is a 9,000 hour Commercial and Instrument rated pilot, musician and is currently writing “Solutions for a Creatively Starved Planet” (working title) to be published in 2021.

https://www.leeabramsmediavisions.com/

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The Rock N Roll Archaeologist digs deep with one of the most sought after guitarist/songwriter/producer in the business, Mr. Danny “Kootch” Kortchmar! Yes, it is number three in our Immediate Family series. Danny joins Russ Kunkel and Leland Sklar and we still have Waddy Wachtel and Steve Postell waiting in the wings. Oh and yes, he is another to have a role in Spinal Tap!

Daniel Kortchmar (born April 6, 1946) is an American guitarist, session musician, producer and songwriter. Kortchmar's work with singer-songwriters such as Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor, David Crosby, Carole King, David Cassidy, Graham Nash, Neil Young, and Carly Simon helped define the signature sound of the singer-songwriter era of the 1970s. Jackson Browne and Don Henley have recorded many songs written or co-written by Kortchmar, and Kortchmar was Henley's songwriting and producing partner in the 1980s.

https://www.facebook.com/TheImmedFamily

https://www.facebook.com/dkootch

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The Rock n Roll Archaeologist does some actual digging with the help of two veteran journalists, Bryan Reesman and Jeff Slate, as they discuss two recent re-releases from the rock n roll golden age, 1965’s POP GEAR and 1973’s That’ll Be the Day.

Without a doubt one of the most ambitious pop group films ever produced, POP GEAR features Britain's top 16 groups and solo acts of the day, from The Beatles to The Animals to Herman's Hermits. Directed by Frederic Goode

That’ll Be the Day. Jim MacLaine is 18-years old and studying for his advanced level exams, beginning to find his work increasingly irksome. He packs a suitcase, hitches a lift to the coast, and starts a new life with a new job. While working at a fairground, he's invited to a university dance by his old friend Terry, where he meets Terry's sister, Jeanette. They fall in love, marry, and when their first child is born, Jim seems content. But it is not long before he once again walks out in search of freedom and irresponsibility. Directed by Claude Whatham.

Jeff Slate's music has appeared on the BBC and in shows like Gossip Girl and One Tree Hill. Jeff writes about music for the New Yorker, Wall Street Journal, Esquire, Rolling Stone, NBC News, and many other publications, contributed liner notes to the 50th anniversary edition of The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band and is the author of The Authorized Roy Orbison, a biography of the legend, with Orbison's sons. In 2018, Jeff wrote the liner notes for Bob Dylan's The Bootleg Series, Vol. 14: More Blood, More Tracks.

Jeff is a regular visitor to SiriusXMs Volume, has appeared on Jonesy's Jukebox, and numerous podcasts -- such as Roadie Free Radio and the Rockonomics Podcast, as well as numerous Bob Dylan- and Beatles-themed shows -- and local TV and radio shows. He has been profiled in publications around the world.

Veteran entertainment journalist BRYAN REESMAN has interviewed countless pop culture luminaries from around the world. He has test driven a Corvette with Rob Halford, visited Lemmy’s apartment, and been an on-camera interviewer of celebrities like Oprah Winfrey and Hugh Jackman. He has contributed to the New York Times, Playboy, Grammy, American Way, MSN Movies, and over 100 other media outlets and written extensive liner notes for rock icons including Judas Priest, Black Sabbath, and AC/DC.

A graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, Bryan is the author of the biography "Bon Jovi: The Story" (Sterling). And of course he is the host of Pantheon Podcast’s own “Side Jam”!

https://jeffslatehq.com

http://www.bryanreesman.com

https://www.kinolorber.com

This show is part of Pantheon Podcasts.

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The Rock N Roll Archaeologist goes back to the Beatles well with author Ken McNab, who’s new book examines the last days of the Fab Four. It’s called ‘And in the End: The Last Days of the Beatles’. Ken and Christian go through the details and the aftermath of demise of perhaps the single greatest cultural phenomenon of the 20th Century.

Ken McNab's in-depth look at The Beatles' acrimonious final year is a detailed account of the breakup featuring the perspectives of all four band members and their roles. A must to add to the collection of Beatles fans, And In the End is full of fascinating information available for the first time.

McNab reconstructs for the first time the seismic events of 1969, when The Beatles reached new highs of creativity and new lows of the internal strife that would destroy them. Between the pressure of being filmed during rehearsals and writing sessions for the documentary Get Back, their company Apple Corps facing bankruptcy, Lennon's heroin use, and musical disagreements, the group was arguing more than ever before and their formerly close friendship began to disintegrate.

In the midst of this rancour, however, emerged the disharmony of Let It Be and the ragged genius of Abbey Road, their incredible farewell love letter to the world.

KEN MCNAB is a lifelong Beatles fan and well-respected journalist with Scotland's Evening Times. He lives in Glasgow with his wife and children.

https://www.amazon.com/End-Last-Days-Beatles-ebook/dp/B084F93TKQ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=20ZDEL9LR594P&dchild=1&keywords=and+in+the+end&qid=1598460144&sprefix=and+in+the+%2Caps%2C238&sr=8-1

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Christian sits down with Pantheon Podcast’s newest host, the incredibly talented Jesse Colin Young! He does have a new show to share with the world, called Tripping On My Roots and that is exactly what he does. Part travelogue, part interview, part personal journey, this podcast follows Jesse as he visits people and places that all had something to do with him becoming the artist that he is.

Jesse Colin Young, is an American singer and songwriter. He was a founding member and lead singer of the 1960s group the Youngbloods. After their dissolution in 1972, Young embarked on a solo career, releasing a series of successful albums through Warner Bros. Records, including Song for Juli (1973), Light Shine (1974), Songbird (1975) and the live album On the Road (1976). Young continued to release music in the 1980s with Elektra Records and Cypress Records, before deciding to release music through his personal label, Ridgetop Music, in 1993. After the Mount Vision Fire in 1995, Young relocated with his family to a coffee plantation in Hawaii, periodically releasing music. Young was diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2012, and decided to retire from music. He began performing again in 2016 with his son Tristan, releasing a new album Dreamers in 2019 through BMG.

Young's song "Sunlight" was covered by Three Dog Night on their album Naturally (1970), and “Darkness, Darkness” by Robert Plant in 2002, which received a nomination for the Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance.

https://www.jessecolinyoung.com/

https://www.jessecolinyoung.com/tripping

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Christian and Russ Kunkel sit down to go over a long illustrious career as first call session drummer, road dog and being the heartbeat of the Immediate Family Band!

Famous drummer Russell Kunkel, better known as Russ, has been a part of the music world for more than two memorable decades. Serving as drummer, and sometimes even as producer, Kunkel has appeared and performed with top musical artists in almost every genre and style known to fans, including Sydney Forest, Stevie Nicks, Wynonna Judd, Aaron Neville, Dan Fogelberg, James Taylor, the Bee Gees, Dolly Parton, Jimmy Buffet, B. B. King, Bob Segar, Carly Simon, and many, many others. Kunkel has also been featured in, and been on the cover of, magazines such as Modern Drummer.

Kunkel was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania but by the age of nine he moved to Southern California. There, he was part of an orchestra at the local elementary school. Prior to moving, he was influenced by his brother and the song "Wipe Out" to play drums. During his high school years he lived in Long Beach, California. He played for approximately six different bands, including the Barons, and appeared at many sock hops and high school dances, playing surf music and Beatles songs. In his last two years of high school he was a jazz drummer and later worked for John Stewart and his band the Kingston Trio.

In early 1970s, while rehearsing for the upcoming tour, he met Chris Darrow, a former player of John Stewart's, who was a friend of Peter Asher, and together along with James Taylor and bassist Leland Sklar they had put out an album. Later on, guitarist Danny Kortchmar came to them from The Flying Machine along with keyboardist Craig Doerge and together, the four of them, had formed a band called The Section. The group existed between 1972 and 1977, during which time they had recorded three albums. 

Three years later, Kunkel participated in the Carly Simon's song "Waterfall" and played a part in the James Taylor's album Gorilla in a song "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)". In 1977 during the recording of Jackson Browne's Running on Empty album, Kunkel played on Pearl and North Drum sets, and went on a tour to promote the album. During the same year, Kunkel played hi-hat on the Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young album CSN. A year later, he worked with Warren Zevon on Excitable Boy as part of the Section.

In 1980 during his tour with Jackson Browne to promote his album Hold Out, he played a tom, a floor tom, a bass drum, a snare drum, and two cymbals. During those years, he also was a drummer for the Lawyers In Love album where he played in a song "Say It Isn’t True". In 1980s album Mad Love by Linda Ronstadt, Kunkel along with Waddy Wachtel and Danny Kortchmar performed in the songs "How Do I Make You" and "Mad Love".

In 1980, Kunkel played in Linda Ronstadt's band for a concert that was shown on HBO, along with the guitarists Kenny Edwards and Danny Kortchmar, bassist Bob Glaub, keyboardist Billy Payne, pedal steel guitarist Dan Dugmore, and backing vocalist Wendy Waldman. 

https://www.facebook.com/TheImmedFamily

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Christian gets the immense pleasure of a long interview with one of the greatest managers in all of rock n roll history, Shep Gordon, the Supermensch himself!. The very man who has helped guide Alice Cooper's career for over fifty years. He also dives into the movies he made, along with his help in creating the celebrity chef, which Emril Legasse says is the first of its kind!

Shep Gordon is known in the entertainment industry as having an eye for talent and an innate understanding of what people find entertaining. After graduating from SUNY Buffalo, Shep moved to LA and in 1969 co-founded Alive Enterprises. Over the years, Gordon has been responsible for managing the careers of Alice Cooper, Groucho Marx, Raquel Welch, Luther Vandross, Kenny Loggins, and countless others. He’s also credited as creating the celebrity chef, which revolutionized the food industry and turned the culinary arts into the multi-billion dollar industry it is today. His clients include culinary legends, Wolfgang Puck, Emeril Lagasse, Nobu, Daniel Boulud and many more. In addition to the impact he’s had on the music, film and food industries, he’s also highly regarded for his philanthropic endeavors. Shep was named one of the 100 most influential people in Rolling Stone magazine. He was the subject of Mike Myers 2013 documentary - Supermensch The Legend of Shep Gordon.

https://www.shepgordon.com/

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