The Rock Podcast with Denny Somach

Join Denny and Lou Gramm in their exclusive conversation that covers Lou’s career from the very beginning (they go waaay back) through his time as Foreigner’s vocalist, and his successful solo career, including his new album, Released, a collection of unreleased songs recorded in the 1980s during the production of his previous solo albums. Lou reveals details of his stellar career including his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you love rock, you collect it: vinyl, CDs, autographs – and maybe concert tee shirts, posters, guitars, and more. Denny swaps inside stories with Heritage Auctions’ Rock Memorabilia expert. Led Zeppelin is a favorite, so you’ll hear about that rare John Bonham drumhead and learn how auctions work, including how items are authenticated. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This candid conversation with Sir Mick Jagger was recorded in 1982 in Munich, Germany. At the time, Rolling Stones members weren’t speaking with each other, and they weren’t happy that Mick was planning his first solo album, so this is unique and it’s never been broadcast in its entirety. Join Denny Somach, who did that interview with Mick 43 years ago! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff ‘Skunk’ Baxter: you know him from Steely Dan, the Doobie Brothers and a lot of session work. He now has a solo album out, Speed of Heat. This conversation also touches on his parallel career as a consultant for the US intelligence community. Must listen from the popular classic rock podcast! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Denny has a deep-diving conversation with Michael Shrieve, a founding member of Santana, best known for his amazing live performance on Soul Sacrifice at Woodstock. He had just turned 20 years old when he played Woodstock, making him the youngest musician to perform at the festival. That drum solo during Soul Sacrifice has been described as electrifying, as is his new album, Drums of Compassion, which features performances by great drummers including Olatunji (Drums of Passion), who inspired Michael. He also discusses some of the other groups he’s been a part of: Automatic Man, Novo Combo, Go with Steve Winwood, and the short-lived Hagar Schon Aaronson Shrieve Band. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Iain Matthews contemplates retirement and, instead, writes a song about it, adding to his discography of nearly 60 albums. Denny, who’s been a fan since the beginning of Matthews’ career, from Fairport Convention to solo to Matthews Southern Comfort, gets Iain talking about Joni Mitchell, Robert Plant, and in a totally unplanned moment, Amelia Earhart. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Denny celebrates the late Jeff Beck’s birthday with vintage audio from his Classic Rock Archives. Beck, one of the greatest guitar players in rock history, discusses his Yardbirds days and the beginnings of his solo career, in this rare interview. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The man who wrote Layla with Eric Clapton and was a founding member of Derek and the Dominos lived a life touched by mental illness and marked by murder. Author Joel Selvin reveals the results of his years of research on the inside story of Jim Gordon, one of the most prolific drummers of all time. Joel’s new book, Drums and Demons, raises the larger questions of how we miss the signs that someone – even a great talent - is in trouble. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Known mostly as half of the platinum-selling group, America, with co-founder Dewey Bunnell, Gerry Beckley has recorded and released eight solo albums, the latest titled Aurora. He joined Denny from his home in Australia (the other is in Venice, CA) to talk about his career and answer that eternal question… “Did the horse ever get a name?” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

They’re more than just three of the best rock musicians in the business. When Leland Sklar, Russ Kunkel, and Waddy Wachtel get together with Denny, you feel the connection that has kept them together all these years, even though they’ve also had separate careers with amazing stories. Among others, you’ll hear Waddy on working with Warren Zevon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Foghat, a legendary band in the pantheon of Rock ‘n Roll, has released a new album, Sonic Mojo. Founding member and leader, Roger Earl, who Denny first met in the 70’s, is this episode’s guest. Roger has seen it all - and he’s sharing it all - on The Rock Podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Melanie was just starting her career when she was the first artist booked to play Woodstock, almost a year before the concert took place. She was an unknown when she walked onto the Woodstock stage and sang for half a million people. By the end of her set, she was a star. In this episode, Denny interviews Melanie, who goes deep into her life and career - past, present, and future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Denny goes into the void, and through the career of a true English Rock God, Geezer Butler of Black Sabbath. This exclusive interview is where you’ll find the deep story on whatever happened to the Sabbath/Zeppelin jam and the Black Zeppelin album! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices