VRP Rocks - Classic Rock Interviews

In this episode of VRP Rocks, Paul Stephenson is joined by guitarist Chris Poland, best known for his time in Megadeth. Chris is back with a major new project, Nuclear Messiah, and the album Black Flame — a star-studded release featuring an incredible lineup including Arthur Brown, William Shatner, Rick Wakeman, Joe Lynn Turner, Sebastian Bach, Bumblefoot, Marty Friedman, Pat Travers and many more. In the interview, Chris talks about how this ambitious record came together, the unusual and inspired cover song choices, and what it was like hearing so many iconic musicians bring their own style to the album. He also shares his thoughts on standout tracks, working around such a huge cast of players, and why the finished record feels so special. And of course, the conversation also turns to Chris’s early years in Megadeth — recording the first two albums, the story behind These Boots, memories of Peace Sells, and why he ultimately chose not to return for Rust in Peace. A fascinating chat with one of metal’s most distinctive guitarists. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of VRP Rocks, Paul Stephenson is joined by acclaimed guitarist Matt Backer, a musician whose playing has appeared alongside some remarkable artists including Alice Cooper, Marcella Detroit, ABC, and many more. Matt stops by to talk about his brand new album Red Guitars, a record packed with expressive blues-rock guitar playing and great songwriting. Along the way he shares stories from his career working with some of the biggest names in music, what it’s like stepping into different artists’ worlds as a session guitarist, and how those experiences shaped the sound of his new record. Check out VRP Rocks Radio : The online radio station hosted by Paul himself, playing deep cuts and classic hits 24/7! Give it a try: https://live365.com/station/VRP-Rocks-Radio-a70025 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of VRP Rocks, Paul chats with the voice of Canadian hard rock legends Helix – frontman Brian Vollmer. With a career spanning over 50 years, Helix have lived through the highs and lows of the rock world — and Brian’s been there for every single step. From the band's humble beginnings in 1974, through their breakthrough success with Heavy Metal Love, to tours alongside Motörhead, Kiss, Aerosmith and Mötley Crüe — Brian shares it all. You'll hear stories about: The truth behind the story of Michael J. Fox trying out for Helix What it was like touring the U.S. in the ’80s with little money but big ambition How “Rock You” almost didn’t make the album The chaos around a beer commercial that nearly derailed a hit single And we dig into Helix’s brand-new album, Scrap Metal — out January 23rd — including how it evolved from unfinished demos, the emotional ties to late drummer Fritz Hinz, and the stories behind key tracks like “Stuck in the 80s” and “Fast and Furious.” Whether you’ve followed Helix from the early days or you’re just discovering them now, this is a deep, honest and engaging look at one of Canada’s hardest-working rock bands — and the man who kept it all going. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this very special episode of VRP Rocks, host Paul Stephenson swaps his Highland studio for the O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London — joining Foghat legend Roger Earl backstage just hours before the band’s historic return to the UK stage for the first time since 1973! Invited as a special guest by Roger and his wife/manager Linda, Paul takes you behind the scenes of a truly unforgettable night — from soundcheck to dressing room stories, right through to showtime. Roger talks about what it means to finally play in the UK again, reflects on five decades of Foghat, and shares stories of growing up in London. And if you missed it, don’t forget to scroll back and listen to the full 50th anniversary deep-dive into Fool for the City – a must-hear celebration of the album that made them stars. Hit play and join Paul backstage for a unique moment in rock history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when rock legends from two iconic bands lock themselves in a studio with no rules, no label pressure and total creative freedom? In this very special episode of VRP Rocks, Paul Stephenson sits down with Stu Cook of Creedence Clearwater Revival and John McFee of The Doobie Brothers to unearth the incredible lost story of Jackdawg — a band made up of three Rock & Roll Hall of Famers whose early ’90s album was shelved before it ever got a proper release… until now. Hear how this unique project came together, why it disappeared for decades and why 2025 is finally the time for Jackdawg’s music to be heard. 📺 Love classic rock? Check out VRP Rocks on YouTube — with 35,000 subscribers and 11 million views — for even more exclusive interviews and rock history. And if you missed it, scroll back to last week’s episode where Stu dives into his CCR days, and stay tuned for next week’s follow-up as John McFee reveals the 5 greatest albums he’s ever played on — from Van Morrison and Elvis Costello to The Grateful Dead and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Foghat’s Fool For the City is an iconic 70s album — and in this episode, drummer and founding member Roger Earl returns to VRP Rocks to celebrate its 50th anniversary. From the legendary anthem Slow Ride to deep cuts that helped make Foghat a household name in the U.S., this is a full deep-dive into the record that changed everything. In this extended conversation, Roger reveals the stories behind the songs, the recording process with producer Nick Jameson, the creation of that unforgettable album cover and what it felt like to finally crack the American market. If you're a fan of Foghat or classic rock history in general, this episode is packed with insights, laughs and rock 'n' roll tales you won’t want to miss. Be sure to check out Roger’s previous appearances on Episode 38 (career retrospective) and his Side 2 episode on the band’s latest album Sonic Mojo. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Legendary drummer Vinny Appice (Black Sabbath, Dio) returns to VRP Rocks to reveal his 5 favourite albums from his own incredible career. From iconic metal milestones to hidden gems, Vinny shares the stories behind the music, the sessions and the legends he worked with. Plus, don't miss Vinny's full career interview back on episode 104 of VRP Rocks for even more epic tales from the world of rock! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on VRP Rocks, we pay tribute to the late Rick Derringer, the iconic guitarist, singer and songwriter behind Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo and countless other rock staples. Joining me is Kenn Moutenot, Rick’s long-time drummer, manager and close personal friend. Kenn shares heartfelt memories, behind-the-scenes stories and a glimpse into the Rick that fans didn’t always get to see, fun, loyal and deeply committed to music. It’s an honest, moving conversation filled with admiration, reflection and a real celebration of Rick’s life and music. If you were ever touched by Rick Derringer’s music, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Plus, I want to hear from you! When interviews are hard to get, do you want episodes about classic rock topics, rather than gaps in the schedule? Do you want specials, interviews with rock journalists, rock podcasters, quizzes, Top 10 discussions or other such topics? Let me know on all the social media platforms or email me vintagerockpod@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

He’s back! Legendary drummer Simon Kirke returns to VRP Rocks for the third time, and this time it’s all about the songs that defined a band and a legacy. In this special edition of My 5 Favourite, Simon takes us inside his world with his five favourite Bad Company songs—from the unforgettable hits to the deep cuts that still mean the world to him today. With each pick, Simon shares personal memories, behind-the-scenes insights, and the stories that shaped Bad Company’s legacy as one of the greatest classic rock bands of all time. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or just discovering the magic of Bad Company, this is a must-listen for anyone who loves great music and even better stories. ✅ Don’t forget to subscribe for more star interviews 📺 Check out VRP Rocks on YouTube 👍 Follow us on Facebook for classic rock content every day Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

He’s back! After a brilliant deep-dive into his incredible career on last week’s episode, legendary bassist Nathan East returns to VRP Rocks – this time to take on My 5 Favourite. In this special episode, Nathan reveals the five favourite albums he’s ever played on, spanning decades of iconic recordings and unforgettable sessions. From chart-toppers to personal highlights, each pick comes with stories from behind the scenes, insights into his creative process and reflections on the artists who helped shape his journey. Having worked with everyone from Eric Clapton and Phil Collins to Daft Punk, George Harrison, Toto, and Michael Jackson, Nathan has one of the most impressive CVs in the business – and this episode is a must-listen for music lovers, session musician fans and anyone who appreciates timeless records. 🎧 Missed last week’s episode? Go back and catch our full-length interview where Nathan talks about his career, collaborations and memorable moments from the road and the studio. 👇 Subscribe to VRP Rocks for more legendary guests every week 📺 Check out the VRP Rocks YouTube channel – now with over 27,000 subscribers and 8.5 million views 👍 Follow VRP Rocks on Facebook for the latest updates and extras Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Russ Ballard is back on VRP Rocks! In this exclusive interview, the legendary singer, songwriter, and musician talks to Paul about his brand new double album Songs from the Warehouse: The Hits Rewired. Russ opens up about the creative process behind 13 brand-new tracks written during lockdown, including the powerful and emotional “Courageous,” and shares insight into how he reimagined 13 of his biggest hits – from “Since You’ve Been Gone” and “I Surrender” to “New York Groove” and “Voices.” Hear never-before-shared stories about the songs that became huge hits for Rainbow, KISS, Hot Chocolate, Uriah Heep, and more. Plus, the fascinating origins of “Voices” and how it ended up on Miami Vice, the story behind Ace Frehley’s hit version of “New York Groove,” and what it's like for Russ to revisit the songs that made him a rock legend. If you’re a fan of classic rock and great songwriting, this is one you don’t want to miss. 👉 Subscribe now so you never miss an episode 🎥 Check out the VRP Rocks YouTube channel (27k+ subs and 8.5M views!) 📱 Follow VRP Rocks on Facebook for more classic rock content Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of VRP Rocks, Peter Holsapple joins me to talk about his incredible career in music—from co-founding The dB’s, touring and recording with R.E.M., and spending 20 years with Hootie & the Blowfish, to his brand-new solo album, The Face of 68. Peter shares fascinating stories about: The dB’s – Their rise, critical acclaim, and struggles to break through in the U.S. R.E.M. – Touring the world on the Green tour & recording Out of Time, including "Losing My Religion." Hootie & the Blowfish – 20 years on the road and in the studio with one of the biggest bands of the '90s. The Face of 68 – His latest album, inspired by his love of classic British rock, and the stories behind the songs. Whether you’re a fan of power pop, alternative rock, or classic rock, this episode is packed with insights from a musician who’s been at the heart of some legendary bands. 🎧 Subscribe to VRP Rocks for more interviews with rock legends! #PeterHolsapple #TheDBs #REM #HootieAndTheBlowfish #ClassicRock #PowerPop #VRPRocks #Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of VRP Rocks, I sit down with Tony Butler, best known as the bassist for Big Country and a musician with an impressive career spanning collaborations with Pete Townshend & The Pretenders. Tony shares fascinating stories from his time in Big Country, including the making of The Crossing, the pressures of the music industry and why he ultimately stepped away from the band. We also discuss his new solo album, No Profit in a Peaceful World, and his involvement in the Think Loud for Parkinson’s charity project, which features contributions from legends like Pete Townshend, Roger Taylor, and John Illsley. If you're a fan of great bass playing, rock history and behind-the-scenes insights into the industry, this is an episode you won’t want to miss! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices