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

You don’t even question it…The hotline rings and you answer; “Who is this?” The response is; “This is the Metal God!” And suddenly, you’re joined by the one-and-only Rob Halford. And Rob…might just be the best phone guest you can ask for. The guy is always pleasant, and ready to both plug the event he’s involved in, and can hang like a brother. I always enjoy speaking with him. This was no exception.

Believe it, or not…This is actually the first time I’ve met the guys in Skid Row. They’re humble & cool & as down-to-earth as can be. I learned a nice fun-fact; Apparently Snake Sabo is also a manager. He’s got side-gig, working for Doc McGhee. How about that? Good to have a backup plan, in case that whole “band thing.” doesn’t work out for him.

Kenny Wayne & I go back to 1997. I was working for WMFS. We had a promotion set up where he & the band would go to a winner’s house and give them an autographed guitar and BBQ party. We had every expectation of it being some toothless redneck’s place. Turned out it was a really nice place. We hung out all day and really had a great time. 14 years later, Kenny & his vocalist Noah, landed in Phoenix and came straight to the station. No stop @ the hotel. No “rock star” trip. They came. they played. They did what they do. Kenny (and Noah) are class guys. This was their appearance…Raw. Two guys. Two guitars. Two mics. That…is how it’s done. No bullshit.

I haven’t been the nicest to Vince over the years. I’ve been pretty outspoken about his stupidity with alcohol. Scott Ian from Anthrax actually blogged about my ripping Vince on the air in Sacramento for Metal Sludge. There’ve been very few targets of my sarcasm that have taken it harder (Yes..YOU Scott Stapp!). That being said…I met him for the first time this year. He was incredibly nice, and I almost felt bad for shitting on him the way I have since 1986.  I still think he’s done really dumb shit. But, I have to give him credit for being classy and cool when we finally met.

Here we are backstage for the KDKB 40th Anniversary Concert. Congratulations to Motley Crue for their 30 years together. Nobody thought they were for real. They were wrong.

Another example of “feeling old.” When I started out, Gary was the guy in Extreme that headlined everywhere, while  my band (Shatter’d) played in clubs all over New England. When I started out in radio, He and the rest of Extreme still hadn’t even been signed. We were all trying to get a break. He & Nuno would stop by my college radio show on Thursday nights, and play demos of their newest material. It was our own little show and we felt like we were “famous.” Who knew he’d go on to sell millions of albums with Extreme, and be in Van Halen? While *I*…would pretty much do the same thing I’ve done the whole time we’ve known each other.

Fun Fact: Gary sold more CDs with Extreme than he did while in Van Halen. Sorry Gary…you knew I’d take at least one shot 🙂

Here, we catch up when he was in town to promote his project with his ultra-talented brother, Mark; Hurtsmile