Blogcritics Comments on The Rockologist On The Art Of The Interview

Comment by Glen Boyd on The Rockologist On The Art Of The Interview

Sun, 17 Feb 2008 17:15:30 EST

Thats a great story Donald. When I met Bruce, he was actually really nice too. Most of these guys are actually...I mean they are just people, right? But the ones that went badly just make for such a more interesting story ya' know? Anyway, thanks for the comments. -Glen

Comment by Donald Gibson on The Rockologist On The Art Of The Interview

Sun, 17 Feb 2008 11:44:13 EST

One of my favorite experiences meeting an artist was when I met Emmylou Harris after a concert in Tampa a few years ago. There were maybe 15 people waiting outside the theatre afterwards and as she walked out and toward her bus, we all thought she was done for the night. Then she said that she just needed to check on her dog (who was on the bus) and that she'd be happy to meet everyone if they'd join her on the bus as well. So we all lined up and she personally invited each person on the bus. When it was my turn, I went in and she asked me to sit down right next to her (like we were in her living room or something). She was the kindest, most down to earth person and she immediately put this starstruck guy at ease. I told her how much I enjoyed her then-recent work on Elvis Costello's The Delivery Man and she thanked me and talked about how highly she regarded Costello's work. I nervously asked if she'd sign one of my CDs and she wound up signing all 4 of the ones I'd brought. And she asked her assistant to take a photo of us with my camera. Emmylou was the classiest, kindest woman. That experience made up for all the times when I'd had my perceptions of artists crushed by inflated egos or, well, booze. - Donald

Comment by JC Mosquito on The Rockologist On The Art Of The Interview

Sat, 16 Feb 2008 22:54:51 EST

I had this dream once where I met the Boss. I asked him if it was all worth it - he was quite noncommittal and didn't really answer the question at all. I guess I should've dreamed we talked about cars.

Comment by Glen Boyd on The Rockologist On The Art Of The Interview

Sat, 16 Feb 2008 21:28:11 EST

Sometimes they just wanna hear someone say they sounded alright (you'd be surprised how sensitive the egos of some of these artists are). But it's hard to get a read sometimes, so I know what you mean. Interestingly, I actually did meet Springsteen once, back in the seventies during the Darkness tour. We didn't even talk about his music. We talked about cars -- a subject I know F--- all about. Go, figure... -Glen

Comment by Mat Brewster on The Rockologist On The Art Of The Interview

Sat, 16 Feb 2008 21:18:22 EST

and that's always been my problem when I go to concerts where the band hangs out afterwards. I saw Victoria Williams once at a tiny little club and for a spell she stood in the corner waiting on someone to come over. I never made it over there as I couldn't think of something interesting to say, or at least something to say that didn't make me sound like a fool.

Comment by Mark Saleski on The Rockologist On The Art Of The Interview

Sat, 16 Feb 2008 20:28:56 EST

funny, i was having lunch with the wife today and she posed the question...what would i ask bruce if i had a chance to interview him. honestly, i have no idea. i mean, what the heck could i ask him that hasn't already been asked a bazillion times?

Comment by Glen Boyd on The Rockologist On The Art Of The Interview

Sat, 16 Feb 2008 20:18:17 EST

No offense taken Mat. None whatsoever. And like you with Tweedy, I'm sure I'd have much the same sort of reaction if I were to ever interview someone like Springsteen, Dylan, or Neil Young. When I first started this series, the idea was to put down a series of personal experiences related to my years in the music industry with the ultimate goal being to turn them into a book. Lately, I've been writing "The Rockologist" columns much more looking to that original goal I had in mind. I figure with all of these stories I've accumulated, they might as well be put to some sort of practical use. Plus, they usually seem to draw positive reactions (well, for the most part anyway)...so hopefully, I'm on the right track here. Anyway, I'm just glad you and others seem to enjoy the stories. Hopefully, I can get the same sort of interest from a publisher at some point down the road... Thanx for the comments. -Glen

Comment by Mat Brewster on The Rockologist On The Art Of The Interview

Sat, 16 Feb 2008 20:02:51 EST

Don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking you for meeting all those rock guys, or anyone else who tries to meet celebrities (rock or otherwise) it just isn't my thing. Although given the chance to interview Jeff Tweedy or something I'd probably get giddy as a school girl.

Comment by Glen Boyd on The Rockologist On The Art Of The Interview

Sat, 16 Feb 2008 02:11:11 EST

I always considered it "working." When your a kid growing up idolizing rock stars, dreaming you could meet them and what not -- which is exactly what I did as a young fan -- what you soon find out is that it's never quite what you expected. Same goes for when you end up working for a label -- which I also did -- and going to all those "glamourous" parties you read about in magazines growing up. The truth is, that it's a lot less glamourous when you experience it up close -- and it's occasionally quite ugly. Once I acheived my dream, getting to L.A. and hob-nobbing with the big boys and all, I soon discovered I wanted nothing more than the seemingly mundane life of the picket fence and the station wagon. That's still my new dream actually. In the meantime, I write these articles in my drab little smoke-filled house in Seattle, because I discovered a couple years back that I still had something to say. It's kinda nice actually.. Which is what makes BC so cool. I can still pontificate (and in this case, reminisce) about music, but I don't have to live the lifestyle 24/7 anymore. What is it about that old saying "be careful what you wish for..."? -Glen

Comment by Mat Brewster on The Rockologist On The Art Of The Interview

Sat, 16 Feb 2008 01:32:14 EST

I feel the same way Tom. I've been to a few shows where the musicians hung around afterwards signing autographs and what not, but I never felt the need to meet them. I know there isn't a chance of striking up a friendship and meaningless chit chat seems silly. And there's always the chance they'll be total jerks and ruin my respect for them. But good stories Glen.

Comment by Glen Boyd on The Rockologist On The Art Of The Interview

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 17:11:29 EST

Thanx guys. I could've gone on and on here (and yes, I know the article was already a bit long), but you get the drift. Like anybody else, rock stars can be assholes or, as Tom noted, they can very nice people. Speaking of hair metal JC, some day I'll have to tell you my Stryper story... -Glen

Comment by JC Mosquito on The Rockologist On The Art Of The Interview

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 12:52:23 EST

Back in the late 80s, an acquaintance of mine interviewed a certain hair metal lead singer (who shall go unnamed here) and opened with, "So, how do you feel now that your new album's stiffed?" End of interview. The roadie took the videocamera too, I thik.

Comment by Tom Johnson on The Rockologist On The Art Of The Interview

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 11:25:57 EST

Fascinating, Glen. And brave - I don't think I'd last long among these types. Maybe I'm alone, but I've really never had much of an interest in talking to most musicians exactly for the reasons you talked about. The few that I have are the ones that I know are down to earth people to begin with (I met guitarist Mike Keneally at an in-store promo for one of his albums a few years back and he was exactly as nice as I heard he was. He was thrilled to hear that I'd taken time out of my vacation to stop by. Really nice guy - and a killer musician, by the way.)

Comment by Glen Boyd on The Rockologist On The Art Of The Interview

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 10:07:25 EST

Thanx Connie. I've only had instance to do one interview for BC -- so far, anyway -- which was a phoner with Marillion drummer Ian Moseley, and the experience was a good one. I hope to do many more. -Glen

Comment by Connie Phillips on The Rockologist On The Art Of The Interview

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 07:13:38 EST

Nice piece, Glen. As I was reading I was reminded of my own experiences doing interviews for BC Music. Personally, the good experiences have far outweighed the not so good.