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Rock & Roll High School With Pete Ganbarg: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Pure Tone Music
Season 5 Out Now!Rock & Roll High School is an interview series that tells the story of contemporary music one artist at a time - in their own words.Hosted by Pete Ganbarg--------------------------------------About Pete:Pete Ganbarg has been doing major label A&R for over 35 years. He's a 2X Grammy award winning record producer as well as a member of the board of directors of the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Pete has held senior A&R positions at Atlantic, Arista, Epic and SBK/EMI and is currently the president of Pure Tone Music.As a music publisher, Pete operates Songs With A Pure Tone and Margetts Road Music, joint ventures currently in partnership with Warner Chappell Music. Songs published by Pure Tone include 2024's Grammy winning Record of the Year, "Flowers" by Miley Cyrus, the global #1 "Ordinary" by Alex Warren, as well as hits by Benson Boone, Justin Bieber, Maroon 5, Katy Perry, OneRepublic, Charli XCX, Lewis Capaldi, Ed Sheeran, Andy Grammer, Lizzo, Beyoncé, and more.Pete is the recipient of two Grammy Awards for his role as producer on the Original Broadway Cast Recording of Dear Evan Hansen and the Original Broadway Cast Recording of Jagged Little Pill. At Atlantic, among the artists and projects that Pete has overseen are twenty one pilots, Halestorm, Jason Mraz, Christina Perri, Melanie Martinez, Skillet, GAYLE, Brett Eldredge, Matchbox Twenty & Rob Thomas, Theory Of A Deadman, and Icona Pop; as well as the Original Broadway Cast Recordings of Hamilton, Mean Girls, Jagged Little Pill, Dear Evan Hansen, and the multi-platinum Billboard No. 1 soundtrack album The Greatest Showman.Pete began his A&R career in 1989 at SBK Records. In 1997, he joined Clive Davis at Arista Records, where, as Senior Director of A&R, he conceived and A&R’d Santana’s 30x platinum worldwide, nine-time GRAMMY-winning album, Supernatural. Additionally, Pete was named International Music Person Of The Year in 2023 by the music industry organization MUSEXPO.
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- 2 days ago1h 33m
Bobby Colomby (Blood, Sweat & Tears)
Bobby Colomby has had an absolutely fascinating career in music.Growing up in Manhattan, Bobby's older brothers were deeply entrenched in the city's thriving jazz scene: one was best friends with Miles Davis, while the other managed Thelonious Monk. That love of jazz rubbed off on Bobby, who, as drummer and co-founder, alongside his friends Al Kooper and Steve Katz, helped create one of the first bands to successfully blend jazz and rock: Blood, Sweat & Tears.Blood, Sweat & Tears became one of the biggest bands in America in the late 1960s and early 1970s, producing a string of hit singles and albums. Their self-titled second album earned the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1970, famously besting The Beatles' Abbey Road.The acclaimed 2023 documentary What the Hell Happened to Blood, Sweat & Tears? tells the incredible story of what happened next: the band's controversial State Department-sponsored tour of Eastern Europe and the swift backlash that followed.But Bobby never stopped.He discovered the groundbreaking jazz bassist Jaco Pastorius, securing Jaco a recording contract with Epic Records and personally producing his landmark debut solo album.While working at CBS Records in the late 1970s, Bobby oversaw and executive produced Destiny by The Jacksons, an album that featured the hits "Blame It on the Boogie" and "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)." The project marked a pivotal moment in Michael Jackson's artistic development as he emerged as a songwriter, producer, and creative force in his own right, serving as a precursor to his solo breakthrough, Off The Wall.Bobby's subsequent artist discoveries include Grammy-winning trumpeter Chris Botti and piano prodigy Jesús Molina.Today, Bobby remains the owner and steward of the Blood, Sweat & Tears name and legacy.Lots of amazing anecdotes, insider stories, and music history await on this episode of Rock & Roll High School.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- 1 weeks ago1h 5m
Jonathan Cain (Journey)
When Jonathan Cain joined Journey in 1980, the band was already successful. But with Cain’s arrival, Journey evolved into something even bigger: one of the defining melodic rock bands of all time.As keyboardist and co-songwriter, Cain helped create some of the most enduring songs in popular music history — including “Don’t Stop Believin’,” “Open Arms,” “Separate Ways,” and “Who’s Crying Now” — while also writing Journey’s iconic road-life ballad “Faithfully” entirely on his own.But Jonathan’s story stretches far beyond Journey. In this episode, we trace his full creative arc: from surviving a devastating childhood tragedy and discovering music as salvation… to his early years with The Babys alongside John Waite… to Journey’s arena-rock peak in the 1980s… to his more recent evolution as a solo artist, author, and faith-driven songwriter.We also discuss Cain’s memoir, Don’t Stop Believin’: The Man, the Band, and the Song That Inspired Generations; the origin stories behind Journey’s biggest hits; the creative chemistry between Cain, Steve Perry, and Neal Schon; and Journey’s current farewell tour.This is a candid and thoughtful conversation with one of the principal architects of arena rock’s golden age.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- 2 weeks ago1h 9m
Patrick Simmons (The Doobie Brothers)
When people talk about the great American bands of the 1970s, The Doobie Brothers are always part of the conversation. Across more than five decades, the band has navigated multiple eras, lineups, and styles—moving seamlessly between biker bar rock, California harmony pop, blue-eyed soul, and FM radio classics while remaining one of the most enduring touring and recording acts in rock history.At the center of that story from the very beginning is Patrick Simmons — guitarist, vocalist, and/or songwriter behind some of the band’s most beloved songs including “Black Water,” “Jesus Is Just Alright” and "Listen To The Music."In this conversation, Patrick reflects on the formation of the band in Northern California, the Doobies’ unlikely rise in the early 1970s, their evolution through multiple musical eras, and the balancing act of maintaining a band identity through decades of change. We also discuss songwriting, harmony singing, life on the road, the band’s enduring live popularity, and what it means to still be making music together more than 50 years later.This episode is a firsthand look at one of America’s defining rock bands—from someone who helped build it from day one.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- 3 weeks ago56 min
"Weird Al" Yankovic
For more than four decades, "Weird Al" Yankovic has done something almost nobody else in popular music has ever pulled off: he built a lasting career out of parody, satire, and sheer musical precision — while becoming one of the most beloved entertainers in pop culture history.From early homemade recordings and cult radio exposure on The Dr. Demento Show to Grammy wins, platinum albums, MTV domination, and sold-out tours, Al transformed novelty music into an art form entirely his own. Along the way, he created unforgettable classics including “Eat It,” “The Saga Begins,” “Amish Paradise,” “Smells Like Nirvana,” and “White & Nerdy,” while also proving himself to be a gifted songwriter, arranger, accordion player, and live performer.In this episode of Rock & Roll High School, Al joins Pete Ganbarg for a wide-ranging conversation about the creative process behind his parodies and originals, the changing relationship between comedy and popular music, navigating fame across multiple generations, and how he’s managed to stay both relevant and respected in an industry that rarely rewards longevity. We also discuss his 2026 Bigger & Weirder Tour, his lifelong love of music fandom, and the surprising discipline required to make funny records that actually last.This is a funny, insightful, and unexpectedly deep conversation with one of the most original musical voices of the modern era.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- May 7, 202649 min
Everlast
Everlast has had one of the most unconventional career arcs in modern music—from his early days as a teenager with Ice-T’s Rhyme Syndicate to mainstream success with House of Pain and their iconic hit Jump Around.After a near-fatal heart episode, he reinvented himself with the deeply personal Whitey Ford Sings the Blues, which went 2X Platinum and features the breakout single What It's Like. He later won a Grammy for Put Your Lights On, his collaboration with Santana from the blockbuster Supernatural.Now, with his upcoming album Embers and Ashes, Everlast returns to the introspective sound that redefined his career.In this episode, he reflects on resilience, reinvention, and the journey behind the music.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- Apr 30, 202649 min
Southern Rock Trilogy Pt. 3: Alan Walden (Lynyrd Skynyrd, Otis Redding, Capricorn Records)
Few figures in the history of Southern music operated as both insider and architect the way Alan Walden did.Best known as the co-founder (with his brother Phil) of Capricorn Records and manager (and music publisher) of both Lynyrd Skynyrd and Otis Redding, Alan helped build the infrastructure behind what became known as Southern rock—long before it had a name. Alongside his brother, he was at the center of a movement that blended blues, country, R&B, and rock into something entirely new.In this conversation, Alan takes us inside the story of how two brothers from Macon, Georgia changed the complexion of the entire music business in the 1960s and 1970s. We also discuss his memoir, Southern Man: Music and Mayhem in the American South—a candid and deeply personal account of the triumphs, tragedies, and cultural forces that shaped both his career and the rise of Southern rock and soul.This is a rare look at the often unseen side of music history: the people behind the scenes who don’t just discover artists—but build the worlds they live in and help shape the course of music itself.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- Apr 23, 202657 min
Southern Rock Trilogy Pt. 2: Don Barnes (.38 Special)
This week, we continue our Southern Rock trilogy with Don Barnes of .38 Special.As the co-founder, lead singer, and chief songwriter behind .38 Special, Don helped define a sound that brought Southern rock squarely into the mainstream—melding muscle, melody, and undeniable hooks. With a string of hits like “Hold On Loosely,” “Caught Up in You,” and “Rockin’ Into the Night,” the band carved out a lane that was both radio-ready and deeply rooted in the traditions of the genre.In this episode, Don takes us inside the 50th anniversary of .38 Special—from their Jacksonville beginnings and relentless touring years to their breakout success and lasting legacy, which includes their latest album, Milestone. We talk about the band’s songwriting approach, the importance of structure and craft in building hits, and how they stood shoulder-to-shoulder with peers like Lynyrd Skynyrd while pushing the sound in an even more melodic, accessible direction.We also get into longevity—what it takes to sustain a career over decades, how these songs continue to connect across generations, and why that balance of grit and precision still resonates today.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- Apr 16, 20261h 22m
Southern Rock Trilogy Pt. 1: Henry Paul (The Outlaws/Blackhawk)
Few artists embody the spirit, resilience, and evolution of Southern rock quite like Henry Paul.A founding member of Outlaws and later the driving force behind Blackhawk, Henry’s career bridges two distinct eras of American music—each rooted in storytelling, musicianship, and a deep sense of place. From the triple-guitar attack of the "Florida Guitar Army" that helped define the Outlaws’ sound in the 1970s to the multi-platinum, chart-topping Country success of Blackhawk in the ’90s, his journey is a masterclass in reinvention without compromise.In this wide-ranging conversation, Henry reflects on the rise of Southern rock, the realities of life on the road, his relationships with Ronnie Van Zant and Charlie Daniels, and the creative instincts that carried him across decades and genres. He also shares hard-earned insights into band dynamics, longevity, and what it really takes to sustain a career in music over the long haul.This episode also kicks off our Southern Rock Trilogy—a three-part series exploring the artists, sounds, and stories that shaped one of rock’s most enduring movements. Be sure to check back next week and the week after as we continue the journey.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
About Rock & Roll High School With Pete Ganbarg
Season 5 Out Now!Rock & Roll High School is an interview series that tells the story of contemporary music one artist at a time - in their own words.Hosted by Pete Ganbarg--------------------------------------About Pete:Pete Ganbarg has been doing major label A&R for over 35 years. He's a 2X Grammy award winning record producer as well as a member of the board of directors of the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Pete has held senior A&R positions at Atlantic, Arista, Epic and SBK/EMI and is currently the president of Pure Tone Music.As a music publisher, Pete operates Songs With A Pure Tone and Margetts Road Music, joint ventures currently in partnership with Warner Chappell Music. Songs published by Pure Tone include 2024's Grammy winning Record of the Year, "Flowers" by Miley Cyrus, the global #1 "Ordinary" by Alex Warren, as well as hits by Benson Boone, Justin Bieber, Maroon 5, Katy Perry, OneRepublic, Charli XCX, Lewis Capaldi, Ed Sheeran, Andy Grammer, Lizzo, Beyoncé, and more.Pete is the recipient of two Grammy Awards for his role as producer on the Original Broadway Cast Recording of Dear Evan Hansen and the Original Broadway Cast Recording of Jagged Little Pill. At Atlantic, among the artists and projects that Pete has overseen are twenty one pilots, Halestorm, Jason Mraz, Christina Perri, Melanie Martinez, Skillet, GAYLE, Brett Eldredge, Matchbox Twenty & Rob Thomas, Theory Of A Deadman, and Icona Pop; as well as the Original Broadway Cast Recordings of Hamilton, Mean Girls, Jagged Little Pill, Dear Evan Hansen, and the multi-platinum Billboard No. 1 soundtrack album The Greatest Showman.Pete began his A&R career in 1989 at SBK Records. In 1997, he joined Clive Davis at Arista Records, where, as Senior Director of A&R, he conceived and A&R’d Santana’s 30x platinum worldwide, nine-time GRAMMY-winning album, Supernatural. Additionally, Pete was named International Music Person Of The Year in 2023 by the music industry organization MUSEXPO.
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