KooperKast

Al talks about being at the first demo that Gene Pitney did for Alan Schroeder, Pitney’s unique talent, and his surprising overseas career.

Al talks about making demos with Jimmy Radcliffe, who had the best weed, and running recording sessions with studio pros while still a teenager.

In this episode, Al talks about writing with Brass and Levine, This Diamond Ring, and being in the Northeast Blackout while on Mescaline.

Al talks about how Dick Clark had to sell his music publishing businesses and how Al went to work for the people that bought them.

Al talks about the three great New York music buildings and his connections with two of them.

Al talks about how he got into the Royal Teens, the Bob Gaudio Royal Teens connection to the Four Seasons, the Charlie Collelo connection, and getting into the 1650 Broadway music scene.

Al talks about his admiration for the bass playing of Herbie Flowers, whose most famous playing is  Walk on the Wild Side, but who played on countless hits.

On his first day at work, Al Kooper argued with  his new boss to release the Zombie's Odessey and Oracle  album in the United States. Hear Al tell the story live, years later, at a Zombies celebration concert in England. 

Al tells about the recording process and the Tube's theatrical stage shows.

Al tells how he came to produce the first album by The Tubes, and bringing Dominic Frontiere to add arrangements.