Welcome To The Music

About Welcome To The Music

The stories and people behind the music. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Publisher

Karim Kanji and Gregg Tilston

Category

music

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

23 Dec 2019

Latest episode

8 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

183 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   8 Sept 2026

   Sean Kelly: The Hard-Rock History of Pointy Guitars

   Why did pointy guitars become icons of hard rock and heavy metal? In this episode of Welcome to the Music, host Karim Kanji speaks with guitarist, author, music historian, and educator Sean Kelly about his book, Battle Axes: A Hard Rockin’ History of Pointy Guitars. Sean explores the evolution of radical electric-guitar designs such as the Gibson Flying V, Explorer, Ibanez Destroyer, Dean guitars, Charvels, and other futuristic instruments that helped define rock’s sound and image. Drawing on interviews with more than 50 musicians, guitar builders, collectors, and industry insiders, Sean shares stories involving Eddie Van Halen, Rick Emmett and Triumph, Phil Collen of Def Leppard, The Edge of U2, Mick Mars of Mötley Crüe, Brad Gillis, Michael Schenker, and K.K. Downing. He explains how Space Age design, arena rock, MTV, glam metal, and 1980s heavy metal transformed once-unusual guitars into enduring cultural symbols. The conversation also covers vintage-guitar collecting, Guitar Acquisition Syndrome, the instruments behind famous rock albums, and the relationship between a legendary guitar and the musician who plays it. It’s an essential listen for fans of guitar history, classic rock, heavy metal, vintage instruments, and behind-the-scenes music stories. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

2. 

   27 Mar 2026

   Rik Emmett Interview: Triumph, Poetry, and the Art of ‘Leaning Into It’

   In this episode of Welcome To The Music, Karim Kanji sits down with legendary Canadian musician Rik Emmett of Triumph for a wide-ranging and deeply thoughtful conversation. Emmett reflects on his return to the stage with Triumph, sharing how preparing for the upcoming tour has renewed his sense of purpose, discipline, and creativity. He opens up about aging, managing physical limitations, and what it means to keep moving forward—both as an artist and as a person. The conversation also explores his latest work as a poet, including the themes behind his new book and the idea of “leaning into it”—embracing challenge, uncertainty, and the creative process itself. Emmett offers candid insights on technology, the modern digital world, and the tension between innovation and humanity. Plus, he looks back on Toronto’s storied live music scene, sharing vivid memories of venues like the Gasworks and the early days of building Triumph into a band that aimed far beyond the bar stage. A reflective, honest, and inspiring discussion with one of Canada’s most iconic voices in music. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

3. 

   25 Jan 2026

   Marc Jordan Returns!

   Marc Jordan discussed his biography, "Rhythm of My Heart," with Karim Kanji, highlighting the collaborative process with author Don Breithaupt and reflecting on his personal experiences, including challenges with dyslexia and substance use that shaped his artistic journey. He shared stories from his early performances at The Gasworks, emphasizing its significance in his career and expressing concerns about the current viability of music venues. Jordan reminisced about Toronto's vibrant music scene, particularly the role of Yonge Street in making live music accessible, while acknowledging the changes in artist support and promotion over the years. He underscored the importance of authenticity in his songwriting, a principle recognized by his publishers, and noted that the biography serves as a way to share his life stories with his children, with the book available for purchase online and in local bookstores. Insights on Biography and Music Industry Dynamics In a conversation with Karim Kanji, Marc Jordan shared insights about his biography, which was written by Don Breithaupt. He recounted how revisiting his past, including his struggles with dyslexia and substance use, provided him with a new understanding of his life. Marc emphasized the importance of authenticity in art and mentioned that he offers advice to his son only when asked, acknowledging the generational differences in the music industry. Memories of The Gasworks In a discussion about The Gasworks, Marc Jordan recounted his early performances there, describing the fear he felt as a new musician. He noted that it was one of the first significant venues he played, which contributed to his growth as an artist. Karim Kanji and Marc also discussed the changes that have occurred at other venues. The Evolution of Toronto's Music Scene Marc Jordan reflected on the historical importance of The Gasworks, noting it was a top venue where many great bands performed. He described the Yonge Street Strip as the heart of Toronto's music scene, where clubs thrived due to their central location. Jordan shared personal memories of discovering music as a teenager, emphasizing the excitement of hearing live performances from artists like Ronnie Hawkins and David Clayton Thomas. Insights on Biography and Music Career Marc Jordan reflected on the writing of his biography, "Rhythm of My Heart," emphasizing the joy of sharing his story with his family. He noted that his approach to songwriting has always been driven by personal meaning rather than commercial considerations, which his publishers recognized early on. Jordan appreciated the freedom he was given to create music authentically. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 25 / 100

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

Quality

38

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

30

Contact Welcome To The Music

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.