Veteran Rockers

About Veteran Rockers

Classic rockers have staying power even after they leave the world. Host Mike Fox reveals wild stories of those Veteran Rockers. To dive deeper into the conversation, Mike has a MixCloud channel for Veteran Rockers, in which you can actually hear the timeless music from these artists and bands that never tired easily. Rock and Roll never dies, especially on Veteran Rockers.

Publisher

Mike Fox

Category

music

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

3 May 2024

Latest episode

2 Mar 2025

Latest episodes

13 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   2 Mar 2025

   Clapton and Collins

   Experience this episode with the music mentioned in it by clicking on this link: https://www.mixcloud.com/dashboard/my-shows/unlisted/ (https://www.mixcloud.com/dashboard/my-shows/unlisted/). Phil Collins initially became fascinated with the genius of rock legend Eric Clapton after seeing him play with Cream in 1966. Phil never thought that less than twenty years later, not only would Eric play guitar on his debut solo record, but Phil would be asked to produce an album or two by Slowhand. In 1984, Roger Forrester suggested he use Phil as he was riding high at the time. Though Eric wasn't a fan of Genesis, the two of them were friends even before Clapton recorded with Collins on the track "If Leaving Me Is Easy" from Phil's 1981 debut solo album "Face Value." Collins produced and played drums on Eric's 1985 album "Behind The Sun." The collaboration between Clapton and Collins marked a significant moment in both their careers, blending Clapton's iconic guitar work with Collins' distinctive drumming style. This partnership not only showcased their individual talents but also paved the way for further musical exploration and innovation in the rock genre. Not everyone enjoyed this slick new sound at the time, and some critics even thought he was sacrificing his talent for commercial consumption for the masses, as the record contained a few ballads. However, many fans embraced the shift, appreciating the emotional depth and artistry that the ballads brought to the album. When Phil co-produced Eric's 1986 follow-up "August" with Tom Dowd as executive producer, the result was Eric's most successful record to date. After Eric's son Connor was born, he managed to get sober again, but this time, Eric surrendered to a program of recovery, and it showed in the music he ended the decade with. The maturity in his songwriting reflected a newfound clarity and purpose, resonating deeply with listeners who had followed his journey. His 1989 album called "Journeyman" only had one track with Phil Collins called "Bad Love," but this particular collaboration left fans and critics with a sense of nostalgia as Eric's guitar playing was reminiscent of Jimi Hendrix, but Phil's slick drumming beautifully commiserated with the raw emotion of the lyrics. This fusion of styles not only showcased their individual talents but also highlighted the seamless blend of rock and soul that defined the era, leaving an indelible mark on the music landscape. Eric's also played guitar on Phil's 1989 "I Wish It Would Rain Down," from Phil's album "But Seriously," showcasing the emotional depth that both musicians brought to their collaborations. Unlike "If Leaving Me Is Easy," you can hear Eric this time.

2. 

   14 Dec 2024

   Prince's Purple Rain

   Veteran Rockers host discusses the innovative production and pop-oriented sound of Prince's iconic album Purple Rain, exploring its lasting impact on music.

3. 

   7 Dec 2024

   The Kinks-Part 3 (1981-1993)

   The Kinks lead vocalist Ray Davies and his brother Dave discuss the toxic sibling rivalry that led to the band's breakup in the 1990s after struggling with challenges in the 1980s.

4. 

   30 Nov 2024

   The Kinks-Part 2 (1970-1979)

   Ray Davies discusses how The Kinks thrived in the 1970s, despite struggling with experimental songwriting and a dwindling audience, before rebounding with hits like 'Sleepwalker' and 'Misfits'.

5. 

   22 Nov 2024

   The Kinks-Part 1 (1964-1970)

   Veteran Rockers explore The Kinks' early years with Ray and Dave Davies, discovering the pivotal moment when their iconic sound catapulted to the top of the UK charts.

6. 

   21 Oct 2024

   The Cars

   Listen to this episode with music at: https://www.mixcloud.com/veteranrockers/veteran-rockers-ep-7-the-cars/. American rock group The Cars was founded in Boston in 1976. They were composed of Greg Hawkes on keyboards, David Robinson on drums, Eric Ocasek on rhythm guitar, Benjamin Orr on bass guitar, Elliott Easton on lead guitar, and Greg Hawkes on keyboards. Orr and Ocasek first worked together as members of the folk group Milkwood in the early 1970s, before The Cars were formed. They sprang from the new wave era in the late 1970s. Orr and Ocasek took turns leading the group's songwriting and playing lead vocals.American rock group The Cars was founded in Boston in 1976. They were composed of Greg Hawkes on keyboards, David Robinson on drums, Elliot Easton on lead guitar, Benjamin Orr on bass guitar, and rhythm guitarist Ric Ocasek. They came out of the late 1970s new wave era. Orr and Ocasek took turns leading the group's songwriting and playing lead vocals.In the 1978 Rolling Stone Readers' Poll, The Cars came in first place as Best New Artist. Six million copies of the band's debut album, The Cars, were sold, and it spent 139 weeks at number one on the Billboard 200 album chart. "Shake It Up" (1981), "You Might Think" (1984), "Drive" (1984), and "Tonight She Comes" (1985) were the four Top 10 successes for The Cars. At the first MTV Video Music Awards in 1984, the band's "You Might Think" video won Video of the Year. Following the 1987 release of Door to Door, their worst-selling album, The Cars broke up in 1988. During the recording of this album, Ocasek and Orr had a creative falling out that prevented them from speaking for years. After spending the 1990s producing bands like Weezer and Bad Brains, Ric was influenced by the sounds of the day. As a result, he recorded his 1997 album Troubilizing with Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan serving as producer. Orr passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2000. Along with Todd Rundgren and other members, Easton and Hawkes formed the side project band The New Cars in 2007. Move Like This, the band's seventh and last album, was released in May 2011 after the surviving founding members of the Cars got back together in 2010. The band took a brief break after supporting Move Like This on tour before going on sabbatical once more. The Cars got back together to play at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in April 2018. Cardiovascular illness claimed Ocasek's life in 2019.

7. 

   14 Sept 2024

   Both Sides-Phil Collins

   Listen to this episode with music on MixCloud at: https://www.mixcloud.com/veteranrockers/both-sides-phil-collins/. The most authentic and emotionally transparent album of Phil Collins' career is explored. That album, of course, is "Both Sides,"  which was released in October of 1993. From it's opening title track to "Everyday,"  a more run-of-the mill Phil ballad, to a song that's clearly a commentary on domestic terrorism called "We Wait and We Wonder," this record has it all. This record is as raw as Phil gets. I highly recommend streaming it or buying a physical copy. Both Sides was written during an emotionally tumultuous time for the Genesis drummer after concluding their We Can't Dance tour. It's very 90's Phil, but it has aged well despite the Philifiers/rock purists out there. It's also worth pointing out that he plays every instrument on the album.

8. 

   20 Jul 2024

   Paul McCartney-Surviving the 1980's Part 2

   Hear this episode with music on MixCloud at: https://www.mixcloud.com/veteranrockers/veteran-rockers-podcast-episode-5-paul-mccartney-surviving-the-1980s/. Part 2 of Macca surviving the 1980's covers the second half of the decade of decadence, between the years of 1986-1989. Press to Play was an ambitious effort for the former Beatle as he recruited Hugh Padgham for the project. It would receive mixed reviews but Paul would bounce back with a memorable collaboration with Elvis Costello on his 1989 album called Flowers In The Dirt.

9. 

   12 Jul 2024

   Paul McCartney-Surviving the 1980's-Part 1

   Listen to their episode with music at: https://www.mixcloud.com/veteranrockers/veteran-rockers-episode-4-paul-mccartney-surviving-the-1980s-part-1/. The '80's started out very well for the former Beatle and Wings leader with the success of McCartney II, but Paul found himself lost after losing his former bandmate and best friend John Lennon. Paul would also find himself betrayed by Michael Jackson after a memorable collaboration. An attempt at Hollywood failed, but the soundtrack for a movie he made was better received by the critics and the fans. Despite that failed movie attempt, his main title song for a Cold War comedy would hit #1 on the UK charts.

10. 

    29 Jun 2024

    Billy Idol

    Listen to the MixCloud version of this episode at: https://www.mixcloud.com/veteranrockers/veteran-rockers-podcast-episode-3-billy-idol/ Billy Idol is a singer, songwriter, musician, and actor who is both British and American. As the lead singer of the band Generation X, he rose to prominence in the 1970s after emerging from the London punk rock scene. He then started a solo career that brought him prominence on a global scale and elevated Idol to the lead position during the MTV-led "Second British Invasion" in the US. The term "Billy Idol" originated from the way a schoolteacher described him as "idle" ldol started out as a punk rock guitarist in a band called "Chelsea" in late 1976. Idol founded Generation X with Tony James, his former bandmate. The band, which included Idol as the lead singer, was successful in the UK and put out three studio albums on Chrysalis Records before breaking up. Idol relocated to New York City in 1981 in order to work with guitarist Steve Stevens on his solo endeavors. Billy Idol, his 1982 studio debut album, was a commercial hit. With music videos for the hits "White Wedding" and "Dancing with Myself," Idol quickly cemented her place on MTV, which had only recently launched. The popular songs "Rebel Yell" and "Eyes Without a Face" from Idol's 1983 second studio album, Rebel Yell, made the album a huge sales success. He put out Whiplash Smile in 1986. Idol released Idol Songs: 11 of the Best, a greatest hits album, in 1988 after scoring three UK top 10 hits ("Rebel Yell," "White Wedding," and "Mony Mony"). The album earned platinum in the UK. Subsequently, Idol released the concept album Cyberpunk (1993) and Charmed Life (1990). Idol devoted the latter part of the 1990s to his private life, keeping it hidden from the public. Devil's Playground (2005), Kings & Queens of the Underground (2014), and an EP titled The Roadside (2021) and The Cage (2022) marked a new era for Billy Idol.

11. 

    8 Jun 2024

    The Early Years of David Bowie

    The early years of David Bowie are explored. You can hear music on this episode by listening on MixCloud at: https://www.mixcloud.com/veteranrockers/veteran-rockers-episode-2-david-bowies-early-years/. David Bowie was born on January 8, 1947, into a London still scarred from World War II. This was a landscape littered with bomb sites and wreckage, inhabited by a populace that was traumatized by the experience and had to learn to live with rations, austerity, and make due. But then, there was nothing traditional about him from the beginning. The future Starman was born David Robert Jones in Brixton, south London, to Margaret "Peggy" Burns, a movie usherette, and Haywood "John" Jones, a PR officer for the children's charity Barnardo's. His parents were married only eight months after he was born. Both had children from prior marriages, and his father had attempted to launch his former wife Hilda as a singer in an attempt to fulfill his own dreams of being in show business. His efforts were in vain. Bowie's early years were anything but simple by all accounts. Bowie was close to Terry Burns, his older half-brother, despite their 10-year age difference. Terry would go on to have a significant impact on Bowie's life and tried to shield him from the schizophrenia on his mother's side of the family. The half-brothers would split for a couple of years when, in 1956, Terry was called up as part of his National Service. A year later, the Jones family left Brixton for the more staid environs of Bromley, an outer borough of Greater London where he met his lifelong friends Geoff MacCormack – who would later work with Bowie as his backing singer – and George Underwood who’d later make an inadvertent yet significant impact on Bowie’s life. The trio bonded over a love of Americana and rock’n’roll. After receiving a saxophone from his father, Bowie developed a stronger interest in art thanks to an experimental educational program led by Peter's father, Owen Frampton. With a growing fascination for fashion, the youthful Bowie experimented with his appearance. 1962 saw the largest and possibly most notable transformation in Bowie's teenage years. After having a falling out with his friend George Underwood about a girl named Carol who Bowie had attempted to kidnap, the former decided to handle things himself. This decade would be a challenging ride for Davie Jones, but in 1966, his song “Can’t Help Thinking About Me” released with his band The Lower 3rd was his first song recorded as David Bowie. Things would change forever in 1969, when “Space Oddity” would forever free him from obscurity. Please rate and review this episode and share on social media. Follow @veteranrockers on all major social media platforms.

12. 

    1 Jun 2024

    The New Episode One

    Veteran Rockers with Mike Fox is back and this episode explains why the podcast is starting from scratch with a new episode one. To hear music on this episode, click this link: https://www.mixcloud.com/veteranrockers/veteran-rockers-podcast-episode-1/. You can hear Billy Joel's first single in 31 years called: Turn The Lights Back On. I also give a shout out to musician/podcaster/good friend Bruce Chamoff, as it's his birthday today.

13. 

    3 May 2024

    Trailer

    This is the trailer for Veteran Rockers Podcast with Mike Fox. The new podcast debuts on June 1, on all major podcasting platforms. You can also follow Veteran Rockers on MixCloud at: https://www.mixcloud.com/veteranrockers/ to hear rocking music.

Podcast Authority Score: 26 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

52

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

0

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