Right Said Fred – brothers Fred and Richard Fairbrass – had a #1 hit in the U.S. and a number of countries around the world with “I’m Too Sexy.” But while they are a “one hit wonder” in the U.S., they had multiple hits elsewhere, And they’re making great music to this day.  They’re serious musicians, but they don’t take themselves too seriously, and were a blast to talk with.  Check them out..I think you’ll enjoy it!

Simon Kirke is a British  drummer best known as an founding member of Free - most famous for "All Right Now" - and Bad Company - which had a string of '70s hits including "Can't Get Enough," "Good Lovin' Gone Bad" and "Feel Like Makin' Love."In the episode, we talk with Simon about...His teenage gig playing drums in a disco.How his parents gave him to years to make it as a drummer, or go back to school.How a lucky coin flip led him to a pub to see a band, which led him to...Meeting guitarist Paul Kossoff , which led him to joining Kossoff's band. Which led him to...Auditioning for Kossof's friend - singer Paul Rodgers - which led to...Formation of Free with Kossoff, Rodgers and bassist Andy Fraser.The motivation that led to Free's hit "All Right Now."Free's success and subsequent breakup, which led to...The formation of Bad Company, it's ups and downs, and long-tern success.

Bertie Higgins is a multi-talented guy…a singer, songwriter, film producer and performer, most famous for his 1981 Top Ten hit – Key Largo. In this episode of RPM45, we talk with him, and even have a cameo appearance from the woman who inspired his big hit.

I woke up to the sad news this morning that Mary Wilson – one of the founding members of The Supremes – died yesterday.   I interviewed Mary Wilson for this podcast in late July. In fact, she was one of the first  guests on the RPM45 podcast.  It was an honor. Mary looked great on our Zoom call, was extremely gracious to me and open to sharing her life experiences, including her beginnings, how she got together with her fellow Supremes. and how she kept the group going after Florence Ballard's death and Diana Ross's departure. Even though Mary had been in the entertainment industry for six decades, she remained enthusiastic and not even thinking about retirement.  Her love of performing burned brightly.And she was committed to a cause.…To have her good friend former Supreme Florence Ballard – who died more than 4 decades earlier - commemorated on a U.S. stamp.  (For more info,  check out this web page: https://about.usps.com/who/csac/#process ) I found Mary Wilson a beautiful person in every way, talented, smart and inspiring. And now, in her honor, I want to share that experience with you.

Richard Monda - known to music fans as Daddy Dewdrop - had a Top 10 hit in 1971 with Chick-A-Boom (Don't Ya Jes' Love It),But there's a lot more to his story than just one hit. He's been in entertainment almost of his whole life,  including roles in major movies when he was a teen in the early '50s. His biggest role was as a young Eddie Cantor in the The Eddie Cantor Story. Dick has  got a lot of great stories to tell.  And we’ve got some of  them right here, including...His experiences in the movie business and why he left it.Starting out in music in record promotion, later becoming a producer and songwriter.The TV cartoon show and the joke that inspired Chick-A-Boom.Seeing his name in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.What he got out of his hit (and what he didn't).What his life is like now.And much more!.

Rick Stevers is the drummer and leader of Frijid Pink, which scored a Top 10 hit with its hard rocking version of  “House of the Rising Sun” in the Winter of 1970.  What’s especially interesting about this hit is how close it came to not happening. If the group didn’t have a little extra studio time and if Rick had been dating a different girl, we probably have never heard Frijid Pink’s version.  in this episode of RPM45,  Rick tells this story, and more...How the band got its name.How a little unused studio time led them to record "House of the Rising Sun."How his girlfriend's dad (a Detroit radio exec) helped make it a hit.When Led Zeppelin was their opening act.When they played for President Nixon.The band's breakup and rebirth.The band's new music, including the EP "Hot Pink."And more!BTW, we had a Zoom problem about halfway through our talk and switched to the phone, which is why rick's audio changes halfway through.

Mark Andes is a legendary rock musician…a bassist with an incredible resume. He was a member of Canned Heat and Spirit in the late ‘60s, while still a teen. Later, he became one of the founding members of Firefall, playing on their first four albums, then spent a decade with Heart, a decade with Dan Fogelberg, and played with numerous other artists before returning to Firefall in the last decade.

Philip Wright is lead singer and drummer of Paper Lace – famous for its 1974 #1 hit “The Night Chicago Died.” But right before then, Paper Lace had another #1 hit– “Billy Don’t Be a Hero” --  in the U.K. and Australia.  (It was covered by Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods here.)In this episode, we talk with Phil about...How he and Paper Lace got started.The band's big break on the TV show "Opportunity Knocks," which led to...Connecting with the hit songwriting team of Mitch Murray and Peter Callander, which led to...The band's big hits "Billy Don't Be a Hero" and "The Night Chicago Died."Chicago Mayor Daley's negative reaction to the song (and the band).What happened after the hits.What he's up to now, including membership in three bands!

Andy Scott was (and is) the lead guitarist of Sweet. He, along with Sweet bassist Steve Priest, drummer Mick Tucker and lead singer Brian Connolly,  went through a musical evolution during the ‘70s. They started out as a bubblegum group with songwriters Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman, but evolved into a legitimate rock band playing their own music. In this episode of RPM45, Andy talks about all that, including their five U.S. hits, their days as a "glam rock" band, the real meaning of "Little Willy," and what's happened since, including their new album – “Isolation Boulevard”

After 33 episodes of RPM45, beginning in June, I thought it would be a cool year-end thing to share my favorite moments from those talks. You'll hear highlights from Judy Collins, Gino Vannelli, Gary Puckett, B.J. Thomas, Dave Mason and members of Air Supply, The Association, Blues Magoos, Brewer & Shipley, The Buckinghams, Cutting Crew, The Cyrkle, The Electric Prunes, Foghat, New Colony Six, Ozark Mountain Daredevils, The Standells,  The Whispers, and Wild Cherry.Our clips cover such topics as:How they got started in music.How groups got their names.If they knew a hit was a hit (before it was a hit).Their challenges getting paid for their chart success.What fan appreciation means for them.And more!One more thing.  In the episode, i refer to some YouTube videos. Here's where you'll find them:Lawrence Welk's "One Toke Over the Line":  https://youtu.be/t8tdmaEhMHEB.J. Thomas gets wet on The Ed Sullivan Show:  https://youtu.be/-GYVu1JHJ9A (rain starts at around 2:00)New Colony Six on Kiddie A-Go-Go: https://youtu.be/hGW4cFMAcS0

Firefall was founded in 1974 by Rick Roberts, Larry Burnett, Mark Andes, David Muse and this episode's guest -- lead guitarist Jock Bartley. By the end of they decade, they had three gold albums and three Top 10 singles: "You Are the Woman," "Just Remember I Love You" and "Strange Way."  In this episode we talk with Jock about...How he got started in music.How the '70s rock scene in Boulder, Colorado boosted his career.How Firefall came together and got its record contract with Atlantic.How the group's first album "Firefall" became the fastest record to achieve gold status in Atlantic Records history.How the group's hits like "You Are the Woman" differed from the band's deeper cuts.Firefall's connection to the Southern California folk rock and country rock sound.How successful musicians don't make as much money as we might think.How the band broke apart in the early '80s.How he brought Firefall back with help from the resurgence of interest in classic rock.The group's new album "Comet," including the song "Way Back When."

Jim Stafford is the singer-songwriter famous for unique ‘70s hits including "Spiders & Snakes", "Swamp Witch," "My Girl Bill", and "Wildwood Weed.”  His great sense of humor and charm led his to success on a bunch of TV variety and talk shows and even his own summer series and regular role on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour.  We talk about all of it on this week’s episode of RPM45.

In the late ‘60s, there were a lot of great groups coming out of Chicago, but the most successful were The Buckinghams – with five major Top 40 hits in the space of little more than a year -- kicked off by "Kind of a Drag"...atop the charts for two weeks in early '67.  In this episode, we talk with the guitarist and singer who continues to perform with the group -- Carl Giammarese. We cover a bunch of topics including...How the band got a big break (and its new name) on a local weekly TV show.How those TV appearances led to the band's first contract with a local record label.How "Kind of a Drag" became a hit.What it was like to have a #1 record while still in high schoolSigning with CBS Records after the success of "Kind of a Drag."How four of the group's hits were written by a member of another Chicago group...all about his breakup with a girlfriend named Susan.Why the band's success didn't make them much money.How the band crashed when the '60s ended, and how he coped with it.Recording in L.A. with legendary producer Lou AdlerReturning to Chicago and success as a jingle singer.The band's reunion at a Navy Pier concert.The '80s resurgence of The Buckinghams and other late '60s bands, fueled by Baby Boomers.And... MUCH MORE!

Bryan Bassett is the guitarist who may be best known for his work in Wild Cherry...he created the famous riff that kicks off the band's platinum smash 1976 hit -- "Play That Funky Music."  He tells the story of that song, as well as the record's multi-racial appeal that made it Number One on both the pop and R&B charts.But Wild Cherry marked only the start of Bryan's success in music.  After he left the band, Bryan became a producer and engineer at King Snake Records, a specialty blues label.  He later joined Molly Hatchet and - for the past two decades - has been a member of Foghat.And in this episode of RPM45, Bryan tells about all of it...and more!

Roger Earl is a founding member and drummer of Foghat – an English rock band most famous for songs like Slow Ride, Drivin' Wheel and I Just Wanna Make Love to You. The band has achieved eight gold albums, one platinum and one double platinum album, and they’re still going strong.Roger is a life-loving, fun-loving guy and we covered LOTS in our talk:How he got started in music.How he got into Savoy Brown and why he got out.Two explanations of how Foghat got its name.Foghat's audition for legendary artist manager Albert Grossman that led to a record deal with his new label.How Foghat fought to make Slow Ride a single, even though it was 8 minutes long.How his longtime friend,  band mate and lead singer Dave Peverett left the band, which resulted in two versions of Foghat touring.Why Dave returned to the band before ultimately succumbing to illness.How Foghat found a new lead singer -- Charlie Huhn -- from Humble Pie and the assembly line at Ford.and... MUCH MORE!!!

Wayne Nelson is the bassist and vocalist of Little River Band, and has been for the past 4 decades… LRB gave us many great ‘80s hits including “Reminiscing,” “Lonesome Loser,” “Lady,” “Cool Change” and “The Night Owls”  It’s gone through numerous changes since then, but carries on. I talk with Wayne about...His beginnings in music in Chicago.Moving to L.A., and  connecting with star performer and producer Jim Messina.How he joined Little River Band.His early experiences with the group, including working with legendary Beatles producer George Martin.The controversy and legal battles behind use of the Little River Band name.How the band began playing with orchestras, leading to its terrific new orchestrated Greatest Hits LP – Black Tie.

James Lowe is the lead singer and guitarist of The Electric Prunes, a psychedelic rock band from Los Angeles famous for its 1966 hit: “I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night).”  The group’s music was sometimes weird, but I found James to be an easygoing, down-to-earth guy with a great sense of humor.We talk about...How he got started in musicHow The Electric Prunes got its nameHow the group was discovered.The recording of "I Had Too Much Too Dream." Why he left the group.What he's done since.And...much more!

Jim Messina has done it all when it comes to making records. He’s been a recording engineer, record producer a singer, songwriter, and guitarist,. He was a member of Buffalo Springfield,  pioneering country rock band Poco,  and the hit-making duo Loggins and Messina.And, on this week’s RPM45, we talk about...His early days in music, including his high school band and hist first album at age 16!Becoming a recording engineer and recording Joni Mitchell's first demo.Being an engineer producer and plarer in Buffalo Springfield.His role in the creation of Poco.How he got together with Kenny Loggins.What broke up Loggins and Messina.What his life is like now.

Gary Puckett & The Union Gap had an amazing run of hit records  from 1968-70: "Woman, Woman,: "Young Girl," "Lady Willpower" "Over You," "Don't Give In to Him" and "This Girl is a Woman Now." In this episode of RPM45, we talk with Gary about beginnings in music, his group's success, the tough times that followed and how he came through it all. (There's also an amazing moment around 10:20 where Gary sings for us!)We talk with Gary about...How he formed the band that became The Union Gap (and how it got its look and name).The group's partnership with producer Jerry Fuller that led to its success.The controversy about some of the songs' lyrics.His tough times in the '70sHow how overcame the tough times and how he found his faith.His turnaround beginning in the '80sWhat his life is like now and what his musical plans are going forward.

In the late ’60s, psychedelic music  emerged on the scene. And one of its most successful groups was Blues Magoos – most famous for their Top 5 1966 hit “We Ain’t Got Nothin’ Yet.” In this episode of RPM45, we talk with its organist and vocalist Ralph Scala.