33

G'Day Kevin, Ok mate, here goes with some interview questions.
First up - Two Fires' new album Ignition is due out in a couple of weeks. Here's your chance to pitch to the fans why they need to buy this record!
Ignition sees you team with Josh Ramos again, a long time buddy - you two have a great chemistry together, how has this developed since you first teamed with him on the first Storm album?
Actually, Josh and teamed up before the Storm. We did many recordings together starting with TheVU. Our relationship is like any other band or family. We make great music together, but do not always see eye to eye...he is much taller than I am :^)

At what point did you two decide to start a project again together?
I had been having conversations with Frontiers. They asked me to make a CD for them. I called Josh and asked him if he would play on it. He was as frustrated with The Storm parked in dry dock as I was. We were back in the musical swamp together.

How do you carry out the recording process? I know you have your own studio - does Josh stay with you for the duration of the recording?
Josh flies to Chicago where we pick him up from the airport. We drive him to Grand Ridge. He usually pitches his camp at my studio now. Before I built my new studio, he would be a guest in my home. I would usually wake him every morning with a rousing military wake up call.

Haha!
Do you enjoy the time spent in the studio crafting out a record, or does it have it's frustrating side?
Yes and no. I love the writing part, you know that Andrew. You have watch Jim and I in action. It flows like a river, or it drips like a leaky faucet. We try to keep good attitudes, but sometimes tempers flair up. When you are cooped up in the studio night and day, the body needs a break, so we go to a show or a club or something.

I know you are a wonderful songwriter - is the writing process more enjoyable than the recording process?
What really makes my day, is when the two come together. You have your ideas - you make them into tones - the marriage together on tape or hard disc-they become your children and you send them out into the world as your personal ambassadors of your musical emotions.

You co-wrote with Jim Peterik on one track for the first album, but on 7 tracks for the new album. You two make a great team - why do you seem to work so well together? Similar aims/beliefs?
Jim would want me to say something like, "Great minds think alike". It is true in a sense. We have been raised on WLS-Chicago. That station was the number one radio station in the country (USA) for decades. Jim's first major hit was broke into hugeness through that station. I used to sleep with the radio playing next to my head every night as a kid.
I think that is how I learned to sing. Jim and I are like neighbors. He lives about an hour away. I love going there, he hates coming here.
I live in the country-far from the cell-phone-mania of Chicago. We jam on gigs together and enjoy the laughs. Keeping it light and not too confining. He respects my musical slants and I his. What more is there to say?
We are cut from the same music cloth.

For those that don't know, I spent some time with you and Josh and Jim in Manchester 2000. I think seeing you two work together was just extraordinary.
It would have been very cool of you to think of bringing a video camera as a documentary. Jim had a little pocket recorder and we just filled tape after tape in Liverpool. There is truly music flowing through the air in that town. No wonder the Beatles are so huge. They just wrote it all down as it came to them. We did the same thing. I know that this CD has some magical moments, at least for me.
It is like visiting old friends that I haven't seen in a while.
Gregg Rolie is there in Rhythm of the World, so is Carlos Santana. In spirit that is.

Even in a taxi-bus on a day trip out, you started things off with one line and a brief melody and before long Jim had his tape recorder out and you two had a song half written in no time!
I have never seen anything like it!!
Andrew, you must get out more often. Don't you have many places to go down under? Here we have the Discovery Channel on television. Takes you to many corners of the world. Just kidding...thank you!!
We just did what we do and didn't really think anything of it.

Did that song make this album?
Rhythm of the World & Man I Want to Be, to name a couple.

On Ignition you have made a gutsy decision to vary the style of the songs more than ever. I think that really worked. Did you set out to do this, or was it a natural thing?
Andrew, I can't spend my life with my undies in a knot worrying about the critics.
I do respect many of them, but most of them just bad mouth for the shock value. I wrote the songs as the moods of the day came to me. I must say to those who have the critical corner, look at the world through your own eyes.
What you see-is what you write. Not everyone likes my work, I can except that.
I did not like everyone's work either. I am a song guy. I find myself searching for the chemistry in a tune. Cause and effect.
That is why I enjoy writing with Jim and Gregg Rolie too. They understand the crafting of the words to cause an effect on people listening. Josh is more of a musical guy, not a lyricist per say. Jim is a good man to bounce lyrics off of.
He is honest too. If something sucks...it sucks. No sugar pills. Just change it now! I like that. I am like that as well. Not chocolate covered manure.

Tracks like More Than A Mystery are pure 80's...then I See Red is quite aggressive, through to the wonderful sentimental ballad The Man I Want To Be....
Did the songs themselves turn out better than hoped?
When we are writing, we start building a schematic for each song. Sometimes that changes as parts begin falling place on tape. It is much like cooking. You can follow the age old recipe or you can experiment. We did a little of both here. That is why some songs are a bit less reverbed as others. Thus making the tracks sound more honest-as if you are sitting in the room with the band verse in an auditorium. I think that can get a little over done. My motto for this CD was and is...
Less Reverb-More Talent!

What are your favorite songs on the album?
Not a fair question to ask a parent. Which one of your children do you like the best...they all know how to read???? No comment. What is more important is What songs do you like Andrew???

Well, Iike Ignition, Man I Want To Be, I See Red…
I noticed you have a different set of players on the lead title track Ignition. How did that come about?
This is a touchy situation. Frontiers asked me what the title of the CD should be. I wrote down several titles in the next few day. When I spoke to Serafino on the phone, he asked me again.
I told him "Ignition" AHHH! I heard him gasp, that's it! He ran it by Mario and Giulio and Luigi and Carmello and Vido and....all the rest of those Italian names and they said...Ignition it is!
Well, now knowing the name of the CD, I started looking at the songs closer. How can I tie the name of the CD in with the existing music? I thought to myself, I need a title track. But Josh had left already for the west coast. He was working with Mr. Fleishman on his CD. I started searching. I asked Jim to collaborate, but he was committed to another project, Mecca.
So I asked my other co-writer of My Love Will Be There-Chuck Giacinto if he had any ideas. He played me a rough track. I liked it. He burned me a copy and I took it back to my studio and began rewriting it. Chuck came to the studio and we rewrote it again. Then Jim Peterik came to the studio and loved it as well, but we re-wrote some parts again. Jim took it home and called me the next morning with yet another rewrite. We ended up with what you hear. I pulled the players together and bang...we knocked it out. This is the music business, what ever it takes. Michael Garnder played the solo, Alby Odum (collaborator on the Debut Two Fires CD and bassist at the gods 1999) came in and played rhythm guitar on the tune. Kenny Aronoff pounds the beat, Rick Powell played the bass, Chuck Giacinto played the keys, Michael Higgins and Tony DiLucianno and myself did the background vocals and Josh was a little pissed.
I sometimes must do what it takes to complete the project. I am sure that Josh would have preferred being the solo man on the tune, but the situation did not lend itself that way. Frontiers loved the track and did not see it as a problem that Josh did not play on the tune.

What are the worst aspects and biggest frustrations of working in the melodic rock scene these days?
The budgets or the lack of them.

And the biggest rewards?
Fans sending emails directly to me disagreeing with "The Critics"…..you asked.... :^) !

I rate the Two Fires show at the Gods 2000 as one of the best shows I have ever seen - it was just electrifying. Does crowd reaction like that make any frustrations worthwhile?
Those moments were brief. I was in a world of pain with my neck injury just days before. There was a chance that I may not make the trip. Frontiers called me 50 times. Every website said Two Fires will not appear. I call my doctor, we met, he said no.
I said I must, give me pain medication and muscle relaxers. He was not pleased with my decision, but help me make the trip.
So, with ice packs on the planes and meds in the bag...we started off. I did not even rehearse with the band. They had all met in a Chicago soundstage for several days, checking in with me daily. I could not do it. The day came to leave, my wife Judy and my children took me to the airport. You should have seen the look on the bands face when I walked into the International ticket area. They said, "We didn't think you were coming". The show must go on. I didn't want Serafino and Mark Ashton to have to get up in front of thousands of people and have to tap dance with hats and canes to make up for my loss. I couldn't do that to them. With much prayer support and some very powerful medication...we made the trip and it was well worth it.
We saw the faces of that crowd and some even from Chicago and it was like being home. It was truly magical with all of the talent on that stage.

I am hoping for a repeat performance this year?!!
I just played a show last weekend with Jim Peterik's World Stage. I spoke to Kelly Keagy about doing a tour of that line up. He is up for it, if it is done properly. Gods-fest, I don't know. I surely do not want to burn that out year after year. I would much rather tour to more cities and visit fans where they are-instead of making them travel half way across the sky to see me.

You covered a few of Jim's Survivor songs with gusto that night - including anything like that, what are your favourite songs to perform live?
On a good night.....Show Me The Way, You Keep Me Waiting, My Love Will Be There.

What off the new album will you look forward to performing?
I am now rehearsing the touring band. "I See Red" is smoking, "Ignition" is hot, Man I Want To Be, More Than A Mystery.

Are there any live dates planned for the release of Ignition?
We are collecting dates at this time. Some offers have been entertained in Europe as well. Japan is a focus for me personally. We have been working hard to make Japan the next stop.

The Storm was of course another chapter of your long career - was it frustrating again to see the second album sit in limbo for a few years?
Andrew, Limbo is way nicer than HELL. I have been in hell at times in my life. Being limbo is not as bad. I can live with that as long as I am busy. I learned that you can't sit on your butt waiting for the world to come to you. Your heart only gets so many beats, then it's over. What you make of yourself in life is what you leave as your legacy. It can be the size of a thimble or as vast as a fortress.

I know you get asked this a lot - but do you see any chance of a re-union anytime for a third record? After all, you and Josh work together and Gregg and Ron Wikso still work together also...
You are asking the wrong person. You are in a sense...singing to the choir. Ask Gregg why were not making records together. Ron wants to, Josh wants to, Kevin wants to, even Ross would most likely. Gregg Is doing his own thing, but we can't work the name without him. Do you want his number???

I thought it was great to see the VU (The View) album finally released last year. Was that a rewarding thing to see happen (finally!!)
Yes, I hadn't listened to any of those songs in years. Then one day, I got a package from Steven Jarvis (our partner and engineer co producer) He has mastered the tracks and man it rocked. I was excited to see that come together. The artwork was some uncommissioned Journey artwork that Ross was holding on to.

Are there any other Chalfant masterpieces sitting in the vaults, yet to be released?
Maybe...

Is there anything you would like to see happen to the melodic scene in the coming years?
Radio visibility just a little more independent, not so many consultants and mega programmers. They control the purse strings.

What can the average fan / record buyer do to help raise the profile of this scene?
Pool your money and start buying radio stations. Program them yourself with plenty of Two Fires and Kevin Chalfant music. Then, pool more money and build a string of concert venues and hire me and other great bands to do endless shows worldwide in those rock palaces :) or just be relentless when you make requests to your local stations.

Is there anyone Kevin, that you would really like to work with in the future?
Yeah, Steve Smith, Ross Valory, Gregg Rolie, Neal Schon, Pat Morrow, Ted Field, Mutt Lange, and Herbie Herbert.

And I guess I should ask what is next up for you? In 2002 and ahead to 2003 even...
Andrew, I will keep making records/CD's or whatever they call them tomorrow as long as I have air in my lungs. I am doing benefits with the Rainbow Foundation in Chicago, Festival dates, A solo project soon, produce many new artists, who knows.... keep busy is all.

And is there anything you would like to add - anything you would like to say to the Kevin Chalfant/Two Fires/The Storm/VU/707 fans out there?
Thank you Andrew. Even your honesty is appreciated. People, we need to make less of an effort of creating stars and more of an effort helping those around us. Too many people are driven by money and not by love. Gregg Rolie said it best for me. He made a reference once to me that if there was a huge earth quake and a big chunk of the land broke off and began sinking into the ocean and a rescue chopper was sent out to safe as many lives as it could. They pilot would not say, "Hey look, there is baby floating in a basket, but wait...over there....isn't that Gregg Rolie the famous singer keyboardist? Forget the baby, save him! I don't think so. Priorities are a natural thing. The baby must come first. We must be more sensitive to the needs of those less fortunate around us, but not be taken advantage of. Volunteer privately in your own heart to helping someone that you know needs your help.

Looking at that - that's quite an impressive body of work. Looking back, is there one period that you favor over any other?
I wish that I could erase the painful experiences that I have caused others in my life. At times when my ego got out line or I thought that I was someone that I really wasn't. We can sure hurt those close to us. I have done this and have spent years rebuilding relationships. Wouldn't it be great if we could just live and let live? Thanks for caring enough to ask Andrew.

Ok Kevin, thanks again for taking the time to do this interview. I do appreciate it.
God bless you...

SO IT'S 2002 AND SILENT RAGE IS STILL A RECORDING ROCK GROUP! WOULD YOU HAVE EVER BELIEVED THAT YEARS AGO?
Yes, because my experiences as a Recording Artist have been positive, and memorable.
You don't always know what the future holds, but back then I knew that the music was such, a driving force for us, that we would be involved in it for the rest of our lives…

HAS THE BAND BEEN IN HIATUS – MAKING THIS A FULL COMEBACK, OR HAVE YOU BEEN OCCASIONALLY GETTING TOGETHER IN CALIFORNIA?
Yes the band had been on an extended hiatus, and this comeback brings a renewed desire! Occasionally Silent Rage would appear and perform a few songs at some LA clubs.

YOU OBVIOUSLY KEPT IN CONTACT WITH THE REST OF THE GUYS?
Yeah, we'd get together and socialize, you know, birthdays, holidays, some concerts, and even a cruise. Every Christmas Holiday, we throw our annual Silent Rage Christmas Party.

WAS ANY OF YOU AT ALL HESITANT TO MAKE THIS COMMITMENT TO RECORD AGAIN?
We all had questions, and concerns to hash out, and there were plenty of meetings to talk about our different schedules, and all the logistics involved, but when this opportunity came to us we went for it!

WHAT HAVE YOU - AND THE OTHER GUYS – BEEN UP TO IN THE DOWN TIME BETWEEN RECORDS?
I've been songwriting, and recording a lot. I co-wrote songs with Gene Simmons through the 90's for new KISS material, involving the “Revenge”, and “Psycho Circus” CD's. Since then, I've recorded my first Solo CD which is about to be released, and it includes a song co-written by Gene and I!
EJ continued his acting, and modeling career in Hollywood. He landed some roles in film, commercials, and calendars, and continues to keep his chops up jamming in a cover band.
Mark was involved with session singing, and guitar playing on a couple of other Artist's projects, and has produced a number of new band demos. He also keeps his chops up in a cover band.

I THINK MANY ARE VERY CURIOUS – WITHOUT GETTING TO PERSONAL – IN LEARNING HOW MUSICIANS LIKE YOURSELF AND THE GUYS ACTUALLY MAKE A LIVING WHILE ENDURING SUCH A PERIOD OF INACTIVITY. I MEAN IT'S TOUGH OUT THERE FOR ROCKERS!
Like I just got through saying, we kept our interest focused on the music industry, and entertainment industry through our period of inactivity.

TELL US ABOUT THE NEW ALBUM STILL ALIVE – HOW IS IT TAKING SHAPE?
There's brand new material produced by us, as well as some unreleased songs produced by Bob Ezrin.

AND THE SOUND DIRECTION OF THE ALBUM?
It has a hard edge side to it, which satisfies the metal fans, and a melodic side for the rest.
“Still Alive” CD has some of our classic sound, but the band is evolving.

HOW EASY IS IT TO PICK UP WHERE YOU LEFT OFF?
I think for our situation it was easy in the sense that we have a history together, you draw from that.
No doubt there's adjustments to be made. When you've jammed for as long as we have together, ya feel this intuition when ya play live, as well as dealing with business!

IS IT NICE TO SEE YOUR OLD RECORD BACK ON SOME STORE SHELVES AGAIN, IN REGARDS TO Z RE-RELEASING THE CATALOGUE?
Oh yes, it's getting a second life so to speak. We're getting responses with letters and e-mails from lots of our fans, which in turn makes us feel real good that our music's still raging!

MANY BANDS DON'T HAVE CONTROL OVER THEIR CATALOGUE – HOW DID YOU MANAGE THAT?
We own our catalogue, we always have.

AND ESPECIALLY AS GENE SIMMONS AND HIS RECORD LABEL WERE INVOLVED –
THAT'S A RARE FEAT!
Gene is a big supporter of us, and always wishes the band well.

WELL THAT'S VERY COOL….DO YOU HAVE ANY GOOD STORIES ABOUT THE DAYS OF DEALING WITH SIMMONS AND THE LABEL?
One story that stands out is: the first time Gene called us to inquire about the band, and he talked to EJ.
EJ thought it was one of us fucking around, Gene had to reassure him that he was the real Gene Simmons calling! From that point on, we forged a great relationship with Gene and the Label!

WHAT WENT WRONG FOR THE BAND AT THE END OF THE LAST CHAPTER?
RCA cleaned house, causing us to find a new label. Also, the 90's grunge scene came into place, which stirred a lot of change in the industry.

LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING OUT THERE AND PLAYING LIVE AGAIN?
Bet your ass we are. We're doing it for the fans, for us, and for everyone!

Z – ROCK UK IS COMING UP – ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO PLAYING TO SOME CRAZED UK ROCK FANS?
Yeah we're looking forward to it. This is the bands first time abroad, and we can't wait!

AND WHAT THEN JESSE AFTER THE ALBUM RELEASE…. MORE SILENT RAGE ALBUMS
The way things are going, I would say yes. We'll see…

HOW WOULD YOU DISCRIBE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WORKING WITH A MAJOR AND NOW A SMALLER MELODIC LABEL?
A Major Label tends to have more resources in promoting, and launching a band or artist. They also
Reach further markets, and territories due to a bigger staff roster!
Smaller Labels can be more accessible in their working relationships with bands.
Any Label is a step up for an unsigned band; you just have to find out if it's the right one for you!

ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO AD?
To all of the Silent Rage Fans out there, I want to say that YOU are what makes it all worth while.
Thanks for the all the e-mails with your messages of support! Come see us when we hit your town!
Take Care…

It seems like Royal Hunt has been around forever! You have several albums now, but only from 1993, with your debut. Does it feel longer to you?

I never thought about it. I have been writing/recording/performing music all my life, so it has been my natural environment for many years.

Has the music of Royal Hunt progressed in the way you set out for them to do?
All the way and we are still doing it. Every single album is a new experiment, strictly kept under the Royal Hunt roof new ways to express ourselves without loosing our signature, key elements.

I'd like to ask you about song writing.....You are the primary songwriter for Royal Hunt - do you find the pressure to come up with new music a challenge or a bit of pressure on you?
Challenge every time, pressure never (except for occasional deadlines here and there).

The music of Royal Hunt has always been ambitious - never standing still and always trying something new - how do the concepts for each album come to you?
Accidentally it could be a book, a movie or even a phrase you'll pick up at some point it will trigger something inside you that generates your interest in exploring the theme both musically and lyrically.

Let's go straight to The Mission, as I said earlier, ambitious and intricate as always.
The concept story of this album is based on the sci-fi novel by Ray Bradbury Marian Chronicles. I gather you personally are a big fan of this book?
Yes, this particular book. It has all these eternal human aspects and issues, all wrapped up in a slightly sci-fi blanket.

Can you tell those not familiar yet with the story, a little behind it?
It is about colonization of Mars as a stage set, but basically it is all about our ways and values what we possibly bring to a new, pure world if we were given a second chance to start all over.

Are you a big Sci-Fi fan in general?
No, I wouldn t say so.

What are your other favorite Sci-Fi books and TV shows?
I am watching the X-files occasionally and I like some novels by the great Sci-Fi writers like Bradbury, Azimov and Beliaev among others.

What drives you continued passion for writing music and the more complex side of it to say the least?
I don t know my background, perhaps. I grew up with classical music, straight rock bands like Deep Purple and Zeppelin and progressive ones Rush, Yes, Pink Floyd. I kind of mixed all of it in my own, twisted musical vision, and Royal Hunt is a very good example of that.

Do you ever wake up and think to yourself, I'd love to make a simple pop rock album?!!
I just did. My second solo album is like that not pop though but straight ahead hard rock album. I know that your next question would be "When it will be out?" - sometime this year.

The Bio for The Mission says "The music of Royal Hunt has been described as powerful, majestic, melodic, progressive, impressive and elegant."
I love that....it's a great range of passions and emotions.

Reading that, does that make you feel like the messages behind your songs has been successfully received?
I hope so, but you can never be entirely sure it is up to the fans and their perception of your work.

What music/artists do you hear these days that really inspires you?
Way too many to mention, from pop to hard & heavy and mainly classical.

Is there anything that you hear that sometimes you might say to yourself, I wish I thought of that?
All the time.

And what of the upcoming release The Watchers. How do you describe it fitting into the Royal Hunt catalogue?
I see all 3 releases as one Intervention, the Mission and the Watchers. They give you every aspect of RH new material, re-recorded old songs, live and unplugged versions. Though some people calling it as the longest EP in the history of music.

Turning back the clock a little, was the departure of DC Cooper from the band a slap in the face, or a challenge to move on in the future? It was just a regular change, natural evolution happens all the time to everybody. I never saw anything dramatic in that, but I assume the press had a different point of view.

And how do you think the band has fared since his departure?
Both DC and John are excellent singers, but besides the vastly improved social climate in the band, we gained a bit more depth with John. He has a wider range, fuller voice and brought a touch of soul quality in our music.

I think John West has an awesome voice, but were there any others considered for the vocalist position at the time.
Yes it was many and John was the best choice then and he is still now.

Did you enjoy recording your own solo album?
Sure. My second one titled "Black on Black" is a thrill, but almost without prog/clever changes, just great rock songs recorded by great musicians. It has a timeless touch that some of the great bands had in the 70-ies but it comes with current sounds and up-to-date (at least, I think so).
It's very different from Changing Skin, which was a very quiet, symphonic and complicated affair. "Black on Black" is just pure strait in your face rock.

What's next up for Royal Hunt?
Touring we are rehearsing and waiting for the tour dates to come.

Anything you would like to add to any Royal Hunt fans out there Andre?
I hope you ll enjoy our current and upcoming releases and I hope you'll be able to join us at one of the concerts in your area see you soon!

Former Vinnie Vincent and one time Journey singer Robert Fleischman is back with a new solo album - only his second in 20 years!


Congratulations on the album - it's nice to hear you back behind the mike again. Why so long between drinks for you?
Thank you. Music is so different here in the U.S. They want you to start out in the womb to be the next Bob Dylan or Madonna. I think in Europe people like Artists; whereas, the U.S. is into “fast-food” music of the day. So I took other musical roads.

What has Robert Fleischman been doing to keep busy the last few years?
I have been doing music for TV, Film, and Commercials. I'm heavily into Electronic Music, Painting, my family, and I write almost every day. I have recorded several albums all different from the others; hopefully to be released in the future—possibly on my website.

World In Your Eyes contains some fine melodic songs - what time frame where these songs written in?
Within the last year.

Several are co-written with guitarist Josh Ramos - how did you two come to work together?
Frontier Records introduced us. I just had coffee with him this morning!

He does a fine job as always - could you work with him again in the future?
Absolutely. He is a great guitar player and we work well together.

The rest of the band is also impressive - Marvin, Edward, Richie and Kelly....how was the band put together for this project?
By the Record Company. Except for Rusty—we go back a long time.

How long did the recording process take for the album?
It took about a year, writing from scratch.

How did the Bryan Adams song come to your attention? Great song!
An old manager came up with it and had asked me to record it. So when Frontiers asked me if I had songs, I submitted it with all of the other material. They liked it and asked me to re-record it.

For those that might not be familiar with your previous albums - what have you sung on over the years?
The Vinnie Vincent Album and Channel. I'm also on the Journey "Time 3" Box set, some TV commercials, and Film.

Obviously Vinnie Vincent was a big gig - what are your memories of recording and did you tour with him?
We never toured, but one day he was so mad at his guitar that he broke it because it wouldn't keep in tune. Then he pissed on it. When the video of “Boyz are Gonna Rock” came out on MTV, Mark Slaughter was lip syncing to my voice. That was something.

That was a great line-up on that album - do you still keep in contact with any of the guys?
I see and talk to Bobby Rock and am still good friends with Vinnie, I hope he is okay.

Is there any chance of a CD issue of your debut solo album?
Maybe if this CD takes off and Arista hears about it—they may choose to do so. Possibly with the Channel album also

I hope there won't be as big a gap between albums this time around?
Thanks. I would like to do another one if I could be a little more adventurous musically.

You were a part of Journey for a while in the early days of the band. Some may not know this - can you tell us about your involvement with the band?
When I first met Journey, they were a rock fusion band with long jamming instrumental songs and had a few albums already out before I became involved. I came from a pop-rock song structured background. When I joined the band, I pretty much rearranged all the furniture in their house. It was hard for them to accept at first, but the management and the Record Company understood the transition. I was the first lead singer for the band Journey and wrote their first hits “Wheel in the Sky”, “Anytime”, “Winds of March”, “All for You” and others. We toured the U.S., Canada, and Hawaii.

What led to your departure and do you regret any of those circumstances in hindsight?
I left the band after management problems. I was never “fired”.
I would like to make that clear after many years of hearing everyone else's interpretation of what happened. I had my own manager Berry Fey, and Journey had their manager Herbie Herbert. Herbie requested that I leave my manager—this I could not do because I had a contract with Berry to fulfill. Berry had a percentage of me and Herbie also wanted a percentage. This arrangement would have made me a broke slave. The managers could not work out an agreement, and that's where it all fell apart. I don't regret the past and feel that Steve did a fine job with the songs I wrote.

You have been in the business for a long time - any advice to those just starting out?
Be ready to reinvent yourself over and over. Grow musically and don't stick with just one style. Keep your roots, but taste everything around you. Don't make it wimpy.

What artists have influenced you over the years?
Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Peter Townsend, Mick Jagger, Jim Morrison, David Bowie, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, U2, Peter Gabriel, Eno, Pink Floyd, Hendrix, Fripp, and Neil Finn.

And what are you listening to lately?
Radiohead, Audioslave, The Vines, LTJ Buken, William Orbit, The Strokes, Linkin Park, Ministry, Crystal Method, King Crimson, and Pearl Jam.

What's next on your list of things to do?
I am putting out an Electronic Music Album and doing music for an HBO Movie. My web-site will be up soon and I will be having an art show with my Paintings. I guess I will do another solo album. I would like to do a promotional tour doing one or two songs on talk shows throughout Europe and Australia; possibly to come back for a full on tour.

Anything you would like to add or say to the fans Robert?
This is a great time to be an Artist or anyone with an idea. It is so much easier to communicate globally via the Internet; it has created another avenue for Artists to sell their work and ideas. So go for it. If you love something, just keep reinventing yourself in what you love doing. Get the CD. Play it loud. I hope to come to Australia.

Thanks very much for your time answering these questions…
G'Day!