Rob Shanahan is so good at taking pictures, Ringo Starr has selected him as his personal photographer. For the last 15 years, Shanahan’s work has appeared in countless music magazines, on album covers and inside CD booklets. Now he’s put together his first collection of photographs – appropriately titled Volume One. Through his lens we see a wide array of artists, including legends like Paul McCartney, Keith Richards, Eddie Van Halen, and Elton John, to current pop stars like Christina Aguilera, Avril Lavigne and Jason Mraz. Shanahan talks to Icon Fetch about the string of events that led him to meeting the Beatles’ drummer, and also about getting Ringo together with Stones’ drummer Charlie Watts for afternoon tea.
Tag Archives: podcast
#136 – Pat Dinizio of the Smithereens – 2011
The Smithereens have become legends for their brand of no-nonsense rock n’ roll, scoring hits with “Behind the Wall of Sleep,” “A Girl Like You,” “Only a Memory,” and “Too Much Passion.” Their first album of original material in twelve years – 2011 – is being hailed as one of the best records of their entire career (it made Icon Fetch’s “Sweet Sixteen” – the Best of 2011 list. Icon Fetch talks with lead singer Pat Dinizio about their upcoming tour of the east coast, as well as the revealing story of why it took so long between releases. He also touches on his current, year-long stand in Las Vegas with his “Confessions of a Rock Star.”
#135 – Sophie B. Hawkins – The Crossing
Sophie B. Hawkins first burst on the scene with the sensual hit “Damn, I Wish I Was Your Lover,” from 1992. Her next album yielded another smash in “As I Lay Me Down” in ’95. As she readies her first new full-length album in seven years – The Crossing – for release early 2012, she’s got a song in the brand new hit movie, New Year’s Eve – “Life is a Bomb.” Icon Fetch talks to the native New Yorker about her struggles of trying to do things independently after years of being on a major label. She also discusses how her writing style has changed since becoming a mother, and reveals the interesting story behind “Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover.”
#134 – Suzi Quatro – In the Spotlight
Suzi Quatro is known in the US for her role as Leather Tuscadero on TV’s Happy Days, and her 1978 Top Ten duet with Chris Norman “Stumblin’ In.” But, overseas she’s a bona fide icon – selling a staggering 50 million records worldwide, scoring several number one singles in both the UK and Australia. Quatro has just released her 15th album, In the Spotlight, a strong return to form helmed by longtime producer Mike Chapman, who also worked on many of her earliest recordings. Icon Fetch talks to the “Divine Ms. Q” while on vacation in Miami about writing her autobiography, choosing the eclectic array of cover songs for the new record (including one by Rihanna), and how she actually landed the role on Happy Days.
#133 – Dwight Twilley – Soundtrack
Hailing from Tulsa, Oklahoma, Dwight Twilley teamed with Phil Seymour in the Dwight Twilley Band, hitting gold with their very first single, 1975’s “I’m On Fire” – lauded by the San Francisco Chronicle as “The best debut single by an American rock band ever.” But, a combination of dumb label decisions and bad luck prevented the band’s career from properly taking off.
That didn’t stop Twilley – he’s into his fifth decade of making melodic rock n’ roll – and he’s just released a brand new record called Soundtrack. Inspired by a movie that’s currently in production about his life, Twilley turned inward to write 12 new songs about his long journey and ups & downs in the music business. Icon Fetch talks with the “father of power pop” about his band’s experience playing on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand, the personal nature of these new songs, and the passing of longtime friend and guitarist Bill Pitcock,IV.
#132 – Ben Wilkins – Through to You
You’d never think a young singer/songwriter could make such a classic-sounding album. Ben Wilkins hails from Canada and has just released his self-titled debut album, a combination of his melodic piano work and soaring tenor, augmented by strings, horns and lush background vocals – all adding up to a record that sounds like it could’ve come out in 1973. Wilkins has a knack for writing hook-laden songs that integrate vibrant pop with soulful R&B with a sprinkling of jazz. Icon Fetch talks to the up and coming talent about the circumstances that led to having literally unlimited recording time in a top-notch studio, where his influences come from, and the making of the clever video for his song “Through To You.”
#131 – Nils Lofgren – Old School
Nils Lofgren has been a member of Bruce Springsteen’s E. Street Band since 1984. He’s also played in Neil Young’s band, all the while maintaining a successful solo career. Old School, Lofgren’s first full-length album of his tunes in five years, features guest appearances by Paul Rodgers of Bad Company, Lou Gramm of Foreigner, and Sam Moore of Sam & Dave. Icon Fetch talks to the multi-instrumentalist about recording his latest effort at home, his love of dogs, and the passing of his dear friend and bandmate, Clarence Clemons. He also touches on his online guitar classes
#130 – Mark Linett & Alan Boyd – SMiLE Followup part two
We continue our follow up conversation with Mark Linett & Alan Boyd, co-producers of the SMiLE Sessions box set. They answer more of the questions that you submitted to Icon Fetch, including why there was no sessionography for disc one of the set, why they included Carl Wilson’s vocal on “Surf’s Up,” if they used all the pieces recorded for “Heroes and Villains,” and what’s next in the Beach Boys’ reissue program.
#129 – Carol Kaye – SMiLE Bassist
With over 10,000 sessions to her credit, Carol Kaye is one of the most-recorded musicians in the history of popular music Part of the famous Wrecking Crew, a group of session musicians that backed everyone from Simon & Garfunkel to the Righteous Brothers and the Monkees. But, Kaye is probably best-known as bassist and guitarist on many of the Beach Boys best-loved songs and albums. She was a part of the infamous SMiLE Sessions, and shares her insight into that project, what qualities made up a session run by Brian Wilson, and whether or not she wore a fireman’s hat during the “Fire” session. She also reminisces about the problems that arose during the tracking for “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin'” by the Righteous Brothers.
#128 – Mark Linett & Alan Boyd – SMILE Followup part one
The Beach Boys’ SMiLE Sessions box is out now. Co-producers Mark Linett and Alan Boyd return to Icon Fetch to answer some of the questions you have – including what happened to the background vocals on “Barnyard,” what, if any, songs Brian Wilson nixed from the album, why there isn’t a stereo mix of “Good Vibrations,” and how they assembled “Heroes and Villains part two.” Listen to part one of the interview:
Part two will be posted in a week.