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Ian Gillan was one of the foremost vocalists of the heavy metal style of rock that emerged in the ‘70s, earning his greatest celebrity as a member of Deep Purple despite the fact that he also led his own bands. Ian began singing while still in his teens and was a member of several pub rock bands. It was in one of these that he met bass player Roger Glover, and the two were invited to join Deep Purple in 1969. They debuted with the band in London of the same year. Ian Gillan’s voice was the making of Deep Purple and he was featured on a series of hugely successful recordings including Fireball, Machine Head, Made in Japan and Who Do We Think We Are.

He also starred on Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's concept album Jesus Christ Superstar where he sang the title role. That album topped the U.S. charts in 1971.

Ian Gillan recorded and toured the world relentlessly in those days until he was hospitalised for exhaustion in 1971. He decided to take leave of the band and, just as he left, "Smoke on the Water" from Machine Head began making its way up the U.S. charts, where it would peak in the Top Five and go gold, becoming Deep Purple's biggest ever career hit.

Ian then bought a recording studio and signed a solo deal with a small record company. He formed the Ian Gillan Band and in 1975, their debut album, Child in Time, entered the charts. Switching record labels, the group simplified its name to Gillan and recorded a series of albums, many of which hit the charts worldwide.

At the end of 1982, Ian disbanded Gillan, announcing that he had to rest his vocal cords on doctor's orders. The following year, he surprised fans by joining Black Sabbath and recorded their album Born Again. He also began touring with the band. Ian says he was lucky to survive that ongoing party.

In 1984, the original 1969-1973 line up of Deep Purple got back together. They cut the million-selling Perfect Strangers and the House of Blue Light. In 1989, Ian Gillan again quit the band. That December, he participated in an all-star remake of "Smoke on the Water" issued as a charity single which made the British Top 40.

Ian Gillan continued to release solo albums. At the end of 1992, he again returned to Deep Purple and the band commenced a world tour. Ian left yet again and in 1998, he released yet another solo album. After 2009's offering, he continued to focus on Deep Purple and didn’t make another solo album for almost a decade.

These days Ian Gillan remains at the helm of Deep Purple and the album "Machine Head - Deluxe 50th Anniversary Edition" has just been released.

The box set with LP, three CDs, Blu-Ray, booklet and various memorabilia also includes a remastered version of the original mix, a 1972 concert recording from London and a previously unreleased recording from 1971 made at the Casino Montreux which later burned down. It was included, despite its limited sound quality, "because of its historical relevance" according to the notes on the back of the box.

Despite all the nostalgia and the loss of his wife a couple of years ago, Ian Gillan is again looking forward. He is currently living on the coast in Portugal and is at work on the band's next studio album - number 23 - with his long-time band mates Roger Glover and Ian Paice. The 78 year old is getting set for yet another Deep Purple tour that’s about to kick off in Australia.

To learn more about Deep Purple and Ian Gillan head for https://deeppurple.com/ and https://www.ian-gillan.com/

To request a future guest for A Breath of Fresh Air feel free to reach out to me or if you have comments and feedback https://www.abreathoffreshair.com.au

Elliott Randall is one of the greatest guitarists of the Rock era. His solos on Steely Dan’s hit “Reelin’ In The Years” and Irene Cara’s “Fame” are nothing short of iconic.

To the uninitiated, it might seem like Elliott has made a career out of saying no to great opportunities. Steely Dan, The Doobie Brothers, The Blues Brothers and Toto all asked him to join their bands and he said no.

But Elliot is different. He has always trusted his intuition. Known as one of the greatest session musicians around, he's the man behind that renowned Reelin' In The Years Steely Dan solo (which is said to be Jimmy Page's favourite ever lead guitar break) among literally hundreds, if not thousands, of other cuts. He also continues to write, produce, consult, engineer, tutor and perform to this day.

In this interview we turn back the clock to learn about his upbringing in NYC and his passion for music ignited at a young age. During his formative years, Elliott immersed himself in the vibrant musical culture of the 50s and 60s. He took guitar lessons, honed his skills and his dedication caught the attention of instructors and peers alike. By the time he had ended his teens, Elliott had already been a pro' player for four or five years. In 1967, Musicor Records (who gave the world Gene Pitney) offered him a role as a Staff Musician. He then joined the roots fusion act Seatrain briefly in 1969, and signed as a solo artist, releasing his debut album in 1970.

It was the death of his good friend Jimi Hendrix that helped Elliott realise he didn't need to be the rockstar or the centre of attention so he began working with other artists and clients, providing solutions for their musical and commercial success.

The most well known four-and-a-half minutes of his guitar life became the lead breaks he added to Steely Dan's megahit Reelin' In The Years in 1972. It has received acclaim from other players and audiences alike.

Since then Elliott Randall has played with Joan Baez, Chuck Berry, Kate Bush, The Doobie Brothers, Peter Frampton, Art Garfunkel, Albert Hammond, Bob Marley, Yoko Ono, Gene Simmons, Loudon Wainright III, Gary Barlow of Take That fame, and many, many more.

He has also soundtracked jingles for some of world's biggest brands including Coca-Cola, Budweiser, McDonald's, Citi Bank, Procter & Gamble, MTV, ESPN and BBC TV. He's also performed for musicals like Jesus Christ Superstar on Broadway, and has been a musical consultant for Saturday Night Live and the film director Oliver Stone.

Elliott's passion for music continues unabated today. His story is fascinating and I hope you will enjoy every minute of it.

To learn more about Elliott Randall head for his website https://elliott-randall.com/

To contact me head for my website https://www.abreathoffreshair.com.au

British musician Steve Harley, whose glam-rock band Cockney Rebel had an enduring hit with the song Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me), has died at the age of 73.

Harley said late last year he was being treated for “a nasty cancer”.

Born in London in 1951, Harley worked as a trainee accountant and as journalist on local newspapers, and began his performing career at London folk clubs.

He formed Cockney Rebel, which released a debut album The Human Menagerie in 1973 before foundering over creative differences. With a new line-up and rebranded as Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel, the band released the 1975 album The Best Years of Our Lives, which contained Harley’s biggest hit.

With its barbed lyrics – aimed at Harley’s former bandmates – and infectiously catchy chorus, the Alan Parsons-produced Make Me Smile topped the United Kingdom singles chart.

It went on to be covered scores of times and was used on countless soundtracks, including in the 1997 film The Full Monty and in ads for Carlsberg beer and department store Marks and Spencer.

Harley also sang the title song of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical The Phantom of the Opera alongside Sarah Brightman when it was released as a single in 1986. He was originally cast in the title role for the stage musical but was replaced by Michael Crawford.

Ultravox frontman Midge Ure, who produced Harley’s 1982 track I Can’t Even Touch You, called him a “true ‘working musician'”.

“He toured until he could tour no more, playing his songs for fans old and new,” Ure wrote on social media.

“My thoughts go out to Dorothy and his family at this very sad time. Our songs live on longer than we ever can”.

Harley is survived by his wife Dorothy, children Kerr and Greta and four grandchildren.

With his hard, edgy tone, rough and rowdy vocals, and barroom boogie aesthetic, Canadian singer, guitarist, and keyboardist Pat Travers is a fine example of a Canadian bluesy hard rock act.

He emerged during the '70s heyday of hard blues-rocking guitar heroes. His 8 albums from his 1976 debut through to 1984 netted seven Top 200 chart placements and two Top 40 singles, including the party anthem classic "Boom Boom (Out Go the Lights)."

Pat is equally adept at playing funk, jazz, and prog and has toured almost annually for more than 40 years.

Born in Toronto in 1954, Pat first picked up the guitar after seeing a local performance by Jimi Hendrix. He began studying the other top rock guitarists of the day - Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page.

He then hooked up with '50s rock & roll vet Ronnie Hawkins (best known for performing with a backing band that would eventually become The Band.

But Travers' first love was hard rock, so he packed up and headed to London. In 1976 his performance at the Reading Festival resulted in two releases before he returned to North America and set his sights on the U.S. rock market.

The new Travers band lineup led to his most commercially successful period, resulting in a pair of Top 30 releases, including 1980's Crash and Burn.

Unfortunately as the '80s got underway, the music changed and bluesy hard rock wasn't in demand any longer.

Pat Travers continued releasing albums but they sold less so he opted to take a break from producing records although he did continue to tour solidly.

And he still does.

In 2022, Travers issued The Art of Time Travel, a return to hard blues-rock.

Numerous controversies and triumphs have only added depth to Pat Travers' storied career, and today his musical journey continues to evolve. His story is not just a biography but a testament to the enduring power of musical expression and the indelible mark one artist can leave on the world.

Pat has worked hard to establish his well deserved reputation as being one of the very best hard rock guitarists in the world today.

I hope you enjoy learning about his journey. If you'd like to know more about Pat Travers, head for his website https://www.pattravers.com/ and if you would like too request a future guest for this show please reach out to me through my website https://www.abreathoffreshair.com.au

Born in Memphis, singer/songwriter/guitarist, Billy Burnette spent most of his youth in the presence of father Dorsey and uncle Johnny (of the legendary Rock and Roll Trio). The Trio made the Rockabilly name famous by combining the name Billy and his cousin Rocky for the 1953 “Rockabilly Boogie” – thus making the term Rockabilly a household name.

The legendary trio influenced a diverse array of Rock icons including: the Elvis, Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Rod Stewart, Aerosmith, and Ricky Nelson. Elvis used to spend many evenings jamming with the band. It’s not surprising then that Billy started making music at the age of 7.

At 15 Billy picked up a guitar and began writing songs. At 18, he was only a week out of high school when he recorded an album with famed Memphis hit-making producer Chips Moman (“Suspicious Minds” and “In the Ghetto” for Elvis).

In his early 20’s, Billy wrote songs for artists like Rod Stewart, Ray Charles, Roy Orbison, Tammy Wynette, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Everly Brothers, Conway Twitty, Loretta Lynn, Glen Campbell, and many more.

In 1980, Billy met Mick Fleetwood (of Fleetwood Mac). The two musicians became fast friends and formed the band Mick Fleetwood’s Zoo

Soon after Billy began his journey as a member of one of the greatest rock bands of all time. Billy joined and toured with Fleetwood Mac between 1987-1995, appearing on many of their albums.

In 2003, Billy co-wrote a tune for Bonnie Raitt and Ray Charles called “Do I Ever Cross Your Mind.” This tune appeared on the album Genius Loves Company, which was the last studio album that Ray Charles recorded and completed. The album garnered 10 Grammy nominations and won Album of the Year.
In 2006, Billy Burnette returned to his roots and recorded one of the most revered Rockabilly albums of his career, Memphis in Manhattan. He not only recorded several original tunes – but also payed tribute to his father and uncle, by recording “It’s Late” and “Tear it Up.” In addition, he recorded an Everly Brothers classic, “Bye, Bye Love,” and a song made popular by none other than his very own Memphis neighbour, Elvis: “Big Hunk of Love.”

A collaboration with Shawn Camp and Dennis Morgan became the hit song “River of Love.” George Strait recorded the tune for his 2008 album Troubador, and “River of Love” went on to become Strait’s 44th Number One hit single.

In the last few years, Billy Burnette has contributed his talents as a guitar player and singer on tours with legendary musicians Bob Dylan and John Fogerty. Additionally, he also collaborates regularly with the Mick Fleetwood Band.

Billy continues to write, record and perform today. He lives in Nashville and is still as passionate about making music as he has always been. I hope you enjoy the story of Billy Burnette's musical journey.

If you'd like to learn more about him, check out his website http://billyburnette.net/ and if you'd like to suggest a guest you'd like to hear interviewed on A Breath of Fresh Air, reach out to me through my website https://www.abreathoffreshair.com.au

The Animals were an English rock band of the 1960s, formed in Newcastle upon Tyne. The original lineup featured Eric Burdon (vocals), John Steel (drums), Hilton Valentine (guitar), and Chas Chandler (bass). The group is most famous for their top-five hit single “House of the Rising Sun” along with other popular songs like “We’ve Gotta Get Out of this Place” and “It’s My Life”.

Early Years The Animals were formed in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1962, with Eric Burdon as lead singer and Chas Chandler as bassist and manager. They were joined by Hilton Valentine on guitar and John Steel on drums. The band was heavily influenced by rhythm and blues music, particularly that of Chuck Berry and Little Richard. They signed a contract with Columbia Records and released their first single, “Baby Let Me Take You Home” in 1964.

Breakthrough Success The Animals’ breakthrough came with the single “House of the Rising Sun”, which reached number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1964. The song was originally recorded by folk singer Woody Guthrie, but it was the Animals' version that achieved mainstream success. The song was also featured on their debut album, The Animals. The band followed up with another successful single, “We Gotta Get Out of This Place” which reached number two on the UK singles chart in 1965.Later Career The band released several more albums in the 1960s including Animal Tracks (1965) and Animalisms (1966). In 1967 they disbanded following Eric Burdon’s departure to form the Eric Burdon Band. The remaining members reunited briefly in 1977 for an album and tour before splitting again. In 1983, they reunited again for the album Ark and toured extensively throughout the 1980s and 1990s.

Legacy The Animals are remembered as one of the most influential British bands of the 1960s, having helped to shape the sound of rock music for generations to come. They have been cited as an influence by many artists including Jimi Hendrix, Van Morrison, Neil Young, and Tina Turner. Their seminal song “House of the Rising Sun” has been covered countless times by other artists.

Original co-founder and drummer, John Steel joins us this week to share the story of his amazing musical journey.

I hope you enjoy this episode and if you'd like to request a guest please get in touch with me through the website https://www.abreathoffreshair.com.au

Arthur Brown burst out of obscurity in 1968 with "Fire," an energetic fusion of blues, jazz and psychedelia with his over-the-top vocals invoking the dangers of the dark side. “Fire” launched Arthur to fame worldwide.

He was born in North Yorkshire in 1942. After attending a grammar school Arthur studied at University where he focused on law and philosophy. His interest in music began to overwhelm his academic pursuits, and he formed his first band, an R&B combo called Blues and Brown. After a spell in France, where he dabbled in theatre, Arthur returned to the U.K. and worked with a number of groups in London. Not long after Brown left one -the Ramong Sound, they changed their name to the Foundations and scored international hits with "Build Me Up Buttercup" and "Baby, Now That I've Found You." Arthur however wasn’t fussed.

He had Kit Lambert and Pete Townshend produce his self-titled debut album from which “Fire” emerged and The God of Hellfire was born. His band, The Crazy Worldof Arthur Brown was known for its live show, which featured Arthur wearing a helmet that spat fire. Sometimes he would take to the stage naked and as such became one of the most talked-about characters in British rock.

In the wake of the success of their debut, the band cut a second album and kept touring; for a short while Carl Palmer took over as drummer. Arthur’s next group's sound was darker and even more esoteric than the Crazy World. Arthur then stepped out as a solo act with 1974's Dance with Arthur Brown, a more straightforward and accessible album rooted in international rhythms. His public profile got a boost in 1975 when he was cast as the Priest in Ken Russell's film adaptation of the Who's rock opera Tommy, which was a major box office success. The following year, he made a guest appearance on Tales of Mystery and Imagination: Edgar Allan Poe, the debut album from the Alan Parsons Project. In 1979. Klaus Schulze, of Tangerine Dream invited Arthur to lend vocals to some of his work but in the early '80s, Brown left England to settle in Austin, Texas, where he earned a degree in counseling and opened a music-based practice. He also opened a house painting and carpentry business with Jimmy Carl Black, a former member of Frank Zappa's Mothers of Invention. For the most part, Arthur had stepped away from music, though he and Jimmy Carl Black did team up again for 1988's Brown, Black & Blue, a powerful blues-rock set.

The new Crazy World returned for 2003's Vampire Suite, and Brown became a regular guest at Hawkwind concerts, appearing on their 2006 album Take Me to Your Future. 2008's The Voice of Love, released under the moniker the Amazing World of Arthur Brown, included guest appearances from Dick Taylor and Mark St. John of the Pretty Things. A spate of archival live releases dominated Arthurs's catalogue in the 2010s as he continued to tour extensively, including dates with Carl Palmer's group ELP Legacy and Hawkwind. Brown returned to recording with his latest edition of the Crazy World for 2014's Zim Zam Zim.

Arthur celebrated his 80th birthday in 2022 and today is in hot demand to play concerts and festivals all over Europe.

We catch up with the iconic artist this week and he regales us with a whole host of interesting stories.

If you'd like to learn more about Arthur Brown head for his website https://www.thegodofhellfire.com/

and if you'd like to get in touch with me - comments, feedback or requests for future guests - don't hesitate to reach out through my website https://www.abreathoffreshair.com.au

I hope you enjoy the story of The God of Hellfire.

John Hall is a founding member of the band Orleans and one of the main instigators of the No Nukes and MUSE (Musicians United for Safe Energy) movements. He’s been intimately involved in promoting social change and environmental advocacy, both as a private citizen and as an elected representative in Congress.

John was studying piano at 5, playing French horn, guitar bass and drums by 12. He started playing in the clubs of Greenwich Village by 18 and at 21 wrote and directed music for a Broadway and Off-Broadway play. He then worked on numerous projects including Seals and Crofts’ album Down Home. He toured with Taj Mahal and when he came home, started the band that would become Orleans in 1972.

Moving to Woodstock NY with his wife Johanna, the pair began writing together. They had major hits ‘Dance With Me’ and ‘Still The One’, songs that have garnered 9 million terrestrial airplays and hundreds of millions of streams.

John has also co-written songs for Janis Joplin, Millie Jackson, Bonnie Raitt, The Tymes, Chaka Khan and Chet Atkins among others. He co-founded the group Musicians United for Safe Energy and helped organise the 1979 No Nukes concerts at Madison Square Garden. His song 'Power' was its anthem, performed and recorded there by the Doobie Brothers with James Taylor, Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, Graham Nash, Carly Simon, Nicolette Larson, Phoebe Snow, and many more. That song was also sung by Peter Paul and Mary, Pete Seeger and others. John’s guitar playing was featured on albums by Browne, Raitt, Carly Simon, Little Feat and more. In the 90s the John Hall Band recorded two LPs: Search Party and All Of The Above, which contained the AOR and MTV staple Crazy (Keep On Fallin’).

Environmental activism led John to serve on several boards. In 2006 he was elected to the US House of Representatives and also served on the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming.

Returning to private life in 2011, John continued to perform and record with Orleans and as a solo artist. During the pandemic, he wrote and recorded songs for his latest CD “Reclaiming My Time.”

John Hall joins us this week as special guest to share the stories (and the music) from his life. I hope you'll join us.

If you'd like to know more about John, check out his website https://johnhallmusic.com/ and if you feel like requesting a guest that you'd like to hear interviewed on the show - reach out to me through my website https://www.abreathoffreshair.com.au

Warm regards

Sandy

Meet Russell Morris, one of Australia's must enduring, most talented and most beloved singer, songwriters.

From his pop stardom in the '60s to pioneering singer-songwriter, Russell has shaped the country's musical landscape for over seven decades.

We explore the origins of his iconic hit, "The Real Thing," and the unconventional journey that led him to pursue a solo career. Discover the role Ian Meldrum played in transforming a six-and-a-half-minute epic into a chart-topping sensation, defying industry norms.

Russell shares anecdotes from his early days, revealing the supportive environment that fuelled his passion for music. From his unconventional start to becoming an Australian rock legend, this episode is a journey through the highs and lows of a remarkable career.

Starting as a pop sensation in the '60s, Russell faced a tough road ahead when his early hits didn't translate into lasting success. Undeterred, he explored different genres and even went MIA for a while. Fast forward to the '70s, and Russell makes a surprising comeback with the iconic "The Real Thing."

He shares the wild story behind the creation of the song, involving an LSD trip and a makeshift studio in a houseboat. The success of "The Real Thing" catapults him back into the limelight, marking a pivotal moment in his career.

But it wasn't all smooth sailing. Russell opens up about the challenges of dealing with record labels, the music industry, and the highs and lows of fame. Our chat delves into the nitty-gritty of Russell's artistic evolution, from pop to blues, and the unexpected twists that kept his career vibrant.

In a nutshell, it's a rollercoaster tale of a music legend who faced setbacks, embraced change, and ultimately found his groove, creating a legacy that spans decades.

At times, feeling like an old has-been, Russell yearned to create something current. After an album's failure, he faced the reality that people just weren't interested anymore. Undeterred, he looked in the mirror, realizing he couldn't sing pop songs as an old fart. So, he decided to return to his roots, exploring rhythm and blues, Tamla Motown, and Blues.

His Blues journey took an unexpected turn when he stumbled upon a 1918 police file photo of Thomas Archer, aka Shark Jaws. Inspired, he turned Archer's story into the blues hit "Shark Mouth," which marked the resurrection of his career.

His subsequent albums, like "Van Diemens Land" and "Red Dirt, Red Heart," defied industry expectations, blending blues and country. Despite initial skepticism, these albums went on to become chart-toppers.

Russell's bluesy revival continued with "Black and Blue Heart" in 2019, a pop-rock collaboration with Bernard Fanning and Nick Didier. He even joined forces with Rick Springfield, creating an album under the pseudonym Jack Chrome.

Fast forward to the present, and Russell Morris is still pushing boundaries. His latest release, "The Real Thing, The Symphonic Concert," features him performing with a 54-piece symphony orchestra. The idea, born from an encounter with businessman Clive Palmer, turned out to be a massive success, selling out venues across the country.

Russell's story is one of determination and resolve. A tale of belief in yourself and never giving up your passion.

He is an icon in Australia and loved by all. You may or may not know his name. You may or may not know his music but, by the time you've listened to this episode, I guarantee you will not forget him.

I hope you enjoy this episode. Don't forget, if you have someone you'd like me to interview on your behalf (and perhaps you can join me on the line too) just send me a message through my website ⁠https:www.abreathoffreshair.com.au⁠ and let me know who your favourite 60s 70s or 80s artist is.

Warmest

Sandy

Join us this week for an engaging chat with Russell Morris, an enduring figure in Australian music.