Rockonteurs with Gary Kemp and Guy Pratt

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Gary Kemp and Guy Pratt

Rockonteurs with Gary Kemp and Guy Pratt

Rockonteurs is a podcast all about the real stories behind real music.Presented by Spandau Ballet’s Gary Kemp, who wrote and performed megahits like ‘Gold’ and ‘True’, and Guy Pratt, a bass player who shaped songs for the likes of Madonna and Pink Floyd, you’ll hear exclusive stories of life on the road, in the studio and what really happened behind the scenes from artists who wrote, performed and produced the some of the biggest classic rock and pop tracks of all time.Guests include Sir Bob Geldof, Roxy Music’s Phil Manzanera, super-producer Trevor Horn, Chris Difford of Squeeze and their bandmate from A Saucerful of Secrets, Pink Floyd’s Nick Mason

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November 28, 2021

S1E62: Rick Wakeman

This week on Rockonteurs we sit down and chat with Rick Wakeman. He embodies everything this show is all about, great stories from great artists about great songs! We love him and barely scratch the surface on his incredible career from Bowie to Yes, T-Rex to Knights on Ice…hee has sold 50 million albums across 5 decades in music. Rick is a one off and never fails to entertain. Go catch his ‘Not Quite as Grumpy as Last Xmas’ tour this November and Dec. Rockonteurs is produced by Ben Jones and Ian Callaghan for Gimme Sugar Productions 
 

November 21, 2021

S1E61: Arthur Baker

This week on the show, Gary Kemp and Guy Pratt chat to the acclaimed producer Arthur Baker. Arthur has enjoyed an incredibly diverse career from working with Afrika Bambaataa, New Order, the Pet Shop Boys to remixing Springsteen and producing Bob Dylan. We cover some genres on this episode from rock to dance, hip hop and rap this man has had his fingers in some tasty musical pies and shares those stories on this week’s episode of Rockonteurs. Rockonteurs is produced by Ben Jones for Gimme Sugar Production. 
 

November 14, 2021

S1E60: John Illsley

This week Gary and Guy return with another fascinating and insightful episode of Rockonteurs. Our guest this week is John Illsley from Dire Straits. Yes….a bass player! John was one of only a few members to play from the bands start to their finish and remains great friends with Mark Knopfler. He has a new book out this week that charts the bands meteoric rise to the top in the late 70’s and throughout the 80’s and in this episode he shares some of those incredible stories. From pub rock to stadiums, CD’s, sharing studios in Monserrat with Sting to the cultural explosion of MTV – it’s all exactly what this series is all about, great stories from the artists that shaped the music we love. Rockonteurs is produced by Ben Jones for Gimme Sugar Productions. 
 

November 7, 2021

S1E59: Chris Frantz

This week Guy and Gary return with Rockonteurs and are joined by Chris Frantz from Talking Heads. Chris is a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member, a drummer with Talking Heads, Tom Tom Club and an acclaimed record producer too. With stories that range from the NYC punk scene with Blondie and The Ramones to working with Brian Eno and even producing Happy Mondays…it’s another epic set of stories and a great listen. Rockonteurs is produced by Ian Callaghan for Gimme Sugar Limited. 
 

October 23, 2021

S1E58: Tim Rice

In this week’s episode Gary and Guy welcome Sir Tim Rice, a legendary EGOT winner with a 50 year career under his belt, and collaborations with everyone from Rick Wakeman and Abba to Elton John, Freddie Mercury and Elvis. Tim’s best known for his work with Andrew Lloyd Webber, providing the lyrics to the Webber’s music. The duo have co-written a string of musical theatre blockbusters, starting with Joseph And The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat (1968), followed 2 year later by the pioneering rock opera, Jesus Christ Superstar, featuring Ian Gillan on the recorded version. There followed among many other stage hits including Evita, Chess and The Lion King.  
 

October 16, 2021

S1E57: Alan McGee

In this episode of Rockonteurs, Gary and Guy are joined by legendary label boss Alan McGee. The founder of Creation Records and the man who brought us The Jesus And May Chain, Primal Scream, My Bloody Valentine…oh and Oasis. In a fascinating conversation, Alan discusses the influence of 70s rock and glam, making of the game-changing "Screamadelica" album, and the life-changing night in Glasgow where he saw Oasis completely by chance. He's also refreshingly candid about the part pure luck and chancing it can play in success, and why you should never sign a band during a big weekend out. Rockonteurs is produced by Ian Callaghan for Gimme Sugar Productions. 
 

October 9, 2021

S1E56: Pat Leonard

This week on Rockonteurs we are delighted to welcome the hugely talented songwriter and producer Patrick Leonard to the show. Pat is best known as a longtime collaborator with Madonna having worked on albums such as ‘True Blue’, ‘Who’s That Girl’ and ‘Like A Prayer’. But his musical credentials stretch far wider and include Michael Jackson, Pink Floyd, Jeff Beck, David Gilmour, Elton John and Leonard Cohen to name but a few. As you can imagine, the stories come thick and fast and it’s one amazing listen. Rockonteurs is produced by Ben Jones for Gimme Sugar Limited 
 

October 2, 2021

S1E55: Colin Blunstone

Joining Gary and Guy in this episode is Zombie and solo artist Colin Blunstone. With a long, illustrious and incredible career, there's much to discuss. From forming The Zombies with school pals, to rapid success with "She's Not There" to an equally quick descent into obscurity, despite the Zombies second album, "Odessey And Oracle" being rated as one of Rolling Stones top 100 albums, and Paul Weller's favourite. For Colin, what followed was a stint in insurance, a brief career under a pseudonym, then a fully-fledged solo career and finally a return to The Zombies who were rewarded with an induction into The Rock 'n Roll Hall Of Fame in 2019. More fascinating stories shared in Rockonteurs. Produced by Ian Callaghan for Gimme Sugar Limited 
 

September 25, 2021

S1E54: Peter Hook

This week on Rockonteurs we speak to the wonderful Peter Hook. Peter is one of those musicians that really deserves about 4 episodes as he’s had so many incredible chapters, but we’ll try and cover off as much of his journey as we can. From Joy Division, to New Order, the Hacienda to his band ‘Peter Hook and the Light’. This is an open, honest and heartfelt conversation about falling in love with music, falling out of love with your band mates, and the continued drive and desire to play the music you created. We discuss Unknown Pleasures, Closer, Ian Curtis, Regret, and Hooky’s live dates for 2022 among other topics. He is an epic storyteller. Produced by Ben Jones for Gimme Sugar Limited. 
 

September 18, 2021

S1E53: Bob Harris

This week on Rockonteurs, Gary and Guy chat to a titan of music broadcasting, Bob Harris. It’s a fascinating discussion on his remarkable career in radio and TV that takes us from being a John Peel protégé to Radio 1, from his love of country music to The Old Grey Whistle Test and the eclectic artists that show beamed into our lives in the 70’s. Bob is a natural storyteller and this episode features encounters with Elton John, John Lennon, The Eagles and even a life or death moment as he get attacked by some punks back in the day. The Old Grey Whistle Test is 50 years old this week, so there is no guest better than Whispering Bob. Produced by Ben Jones for Gimme Sugar Productions. 
 

September 11, 2021

S1E52: JJ Burnel

This week on Rockonteurs, Guy and Gary chat to musician, producer, bassist (obviously) and founding member of The Stranglers, JJ Burnel! It’s a fascinating chat that takes us from ice-cream vans in Surrey to punk pubs in London. We discuss the massive success of the band with hits like Peaches, Golden Brown and No More Heroes through to the new album Dark Matters (out now) and the recent passing of Dave Greenfield who died from Covid in 2020 but who is very much part of this new record. Stories of fights with Sex Pistols, gigs with The Ramones and naked centrefolds, this episode has it all. 
 

September 4, 2021

S1E51: Steven Wilson

Out today Gary and Guy chat to the excellent Steven Wilson. Singer, songwriter, producer, remixer, and founder of the band Porcupine Tree, Steven is a hugely talented artist and we’re delighted to welcome him to Rockonteurs. He has worked with so many artists from Elton, Roxy Music, Black Sabbath, Jethro Tull, Tears for Fears and many more. It’s another fascinating journey through music connections, shared experiences and a passion for a wide range of songs. Enjoy 
 

August 28, 2021

S1E50: Gaz Coombes

This week on Rockonteurs, Guy and Gary are joined by musician, songwriter and founder of Supergrass, Gaz Coombes. Gaz has been making music since he was a lad and started Supergrass in 1993. They exploded in the mid 90’s with Britpop anthems like ‘Alright’, ‘Caught By The Fuzz’ and ‘Sun Hits the Sky’. Gaz has also enjoyed a successful solo career with albums like ‘Matador’. In this episode Gaz talks to Guy and Gary about his early introduction to music, the huge hits of the 1990’s and how Steven Spielberg almost made a TV show about the band! ‘In It For The Money’ is out now remastered and expanded, plus is available on vinyl for the very first time! Supergrass play the Isle of Wight Festival in September.  This episode of Rockonteurs was recorded before the passing of Charlie Watts. 
 

August 22, 2021

S1E49: Ian Anderson

Joining the Rockonteurs this week is Jethro Tull frontman, bandleader, song-writer and mainstay Ian Anderson. In a deep dive into Ian's career, Gary, Guy and Ian discuss how Jethro Tull grew out of the British blues boom to become one of the leading progressive rock bands, delivering huge selling concept albums like Aqualung and Thick As A Brick. The conversation also covers how and why such a strikingly unique band managed to conquer America (when many of their fellow British acts failed) and the iconic flute as part of the rock band. 
 

July 31, 2021

S1E48: Joe Elliott

This week we welcome Joe Elliott to Rockonteurs. Joe has fronted Def Leppard from their earliest days in Sheffield to the incredible success breaking America in the 1980’s and continues to steer this hugely popular band. From his genuine love of music, his early influences of Bowie and Bolan to the inside stories on albums like Pyromania and Hysteria, from the highs of record breaking awards and album sales to the devasting story of Rick Allen’s accident - this episode is a Rock N Roll tour de force much like Joe! Plus, find out which of our hosts did backing vocals on Animal! It’s all in this episode of Rockonteurs.  
 

July 24, 2021

S1E47: Adam Clayton

This week on Rockonteurs we are joined by Adam Clayton from U2. What can you say about this band? Consistently one of the biggest groups of the last 40 years, hit albums, game changing tours, musically diverse, incredibly creative and risk taking and utter masters of their craft. U2 are one of the truly greatest bands of all time. On the show this week we have an in-depth conversation with Adam about the origins of the band, their influences, the early struggles and the huge success that followed. We discuss the ‘born with’ charisma of Bono who was a ready-made rock star, the virtuoso talent of the Edge and the dedication and passion of Larry. It is a fascinating insight into the workings of a band who will never be forgotten and who continue to create a stunning body of music. 
 

July 17, 2021

S1E46: Martin Kemp

This week the brothers reunite as Martin Kemp joins his older brother Gary on Rockonteurs, along with co-host Guy Pratt it’s a fascinating hour of conversation from discussing musical hero’s through to Spandau, The Krays and even Martin’s appearance on Gary’s new album In Solo. 
 

July 10, 2021

S1E45: Harry Shearer

This week on the show we speak to Harry Shearer – an honorary rockstar! Well, he can play the bass! Harry has had an incredible career thus far that includes American radio drama, Saturday Night Live, Spinal Tap and The Simpsons – to name just a few. We take a whistle stop journey through that impressive CV and get the low down on how Tap almost never got made in the first place and we hear how Harry ended voicing some of those iconic characters in the longest running animated show in TV history, The Simpsons! 
 

July 3, 2021

S1E44: Richard Thompson

This week on Rockonteurs we meet Fairport Convention founder Richard Thompson. Richard rose to fame in the 1960’s as the lead guitarist and songwriter in Fairport and in this open and honest conversation he talks to Guy and Gary about his passion for music, playing in a school band with Hugh Cornwell, the folk scene of the 1960’s, the bands terrible car crash in 1969 and his subsequent success as a solo artist. He’s achieved so much, written some incredible songs and his book Fairport, Folk Rock and Finding My Voice, 1967–75 is a beautiful read. It’s out now! 
 

June 26, 2021

S1E43: Marianne Faithfull

This week, in a short but personal conversation, Guy and Gary chat to Marianne Faithfull. Marianne has been making music for over 50 years and is part of the very fabric of British 60’s culture. On the show this week she talks about her friendship with Anita Pallenberg, her relationship with the Stones, her new collection of romantic poetry ‘She Walks in Beauty’ and also her recent poor health and slow recovery as a result of catching the corona virus last year. 
 

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