Category Phoenix – KDKB – 93-3 KDKB Rocks Arizona!

Mick Foley is nuts. Anyone that’s done what he’s done to his body over the years, has *got* to have a screw loose.  I couldn’t let him stop by to plug his “stand-up” show, without calling him out. He’s a good dude, and I wish he could’ve stayed longer. But the “Foley-wrangler” cut us off a bit early.  BTW…he’s also a *BIG* dude. Unlike so many wrestlers, who have their size exaggerated for effect, Mick is legit.

If you’ve listened over the years, you know Tesla are good friends, Frankie is a good dude all around, and when I heard he was releasing another solo record, and rolling into town to play our station’s “Headbanger’s Bash,” I wanted to have him come by and plug it. And so…

I have always been a huge fan of Dave’s. Mostly his early work with Fastway, whose first 3 records are absolute Hard Rock classics! After leaving that band, Dave did a one-off record with a band called Katmandu. It’s a great CD, but unfortunately, the tide of music had turned at that point. This may have been a blessing in disguise for David though. Because he went on to become part of one of the world’s best Celtic-Punk bands; Flogging Molly. Who, with all do respect to my friends in the Dropkick Murphys, are a *bit* more Irish.

This interview took place right before the band rolled into Phoenix to spend St. Patrick’s Day with us. We spoke for a *lot* longer than what you hear here, but I edited out our discussion of Nothern Irleand.  You’ll hear the Bono reference at the beginning. It was about who’s more political…

We already know Ted Nugent is one-of-a-kind. This phone call came right after he made his less-than-politically-correct commentary about the President.  Now, I may not agree with all of Ted’s political views…but the man is undeniably one of the greatest guitarists to ever pick one.  And I believe that fact tends to be overshadowed by his outrageous personality. Of course, Ted disagrees…

Love him, or hate him, Ted always gives good phone.

Let’s face it…Gene Simmons loves himself. It’s not a shocker. I’m not trying to badmouth him when I say it. Gene is an absolutely honest representative of pure, unadulterated, straight-up, P.T. Barnum hucksterism.  He has built an amazing empire. There can be no doubt that he’s a classic, American success story. You don’t believe it?…just try to talk to him without having him mention how successful he, and KISS are. Hell…*I* owe him a debt of gratitude myself. Gene is partially responsible for my growth as an interviewer.

It was July 3rd, 1988. I was 20.  Just really getting my feet wet in radio. A friend who worked for their record company (Hello Mike if you’re reading this!), called me on the phone and asked; “What are you doing tomorrow?” I replied, “Getting shit-faced! What did you think I’d be doing on the 4th?” He said, “No! You’re not. You’re going to be at my house at 7AM. We’re going up to New Hampshire to see KISS! Bring a tape-recorder.”

Long-story short…I got a chance to sit down with Gene Simmons, and absorb about 20 minutes of his opinion on everything from cars, to speed metal, to why he couldn’t care less about how credible people find KISS’ music.  It was a lesson in being prepared. If you’re going to sit down with someone who believes they’re more intelligent than you (and probably was), you’d better be prepared. You can’t say anything stupid (I did).

24 years later…We had a chance to catch up.