On Tour with Brian Ray

Latest Episodes:

The Aftershow — Brian’s take on: Spike Edney, Freddie Mercury and the Downside to Fame May 14, 2021

Show notes

We cover a lot of topics in this last Aftershow of Season One — we revisit the premise for the show, the role of the Sideman vs Frontman, the massive success that Spike and others have had as Sidemen — and why Brian chose the path he did. We talk about why its okay to “fake it till you make it” in the music business and what you do when a vital instrument like the keyboard goes out during a show. We also chat about the FORCE that was Freddy Mercury and the longevity of his music, now being sung famously by Adam Lambert. Finally, we hit the downside of fame when it comes to papparazzi and press, what really happens in that lag between sound check and show time… And we give you a behind the scenes peak into the making of this show with a clip from the cutting room floor from Spike’s interview.

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Spike Edney On Tour with Queen: Freddy Mercury, Paul Rogers and Adam Lambert May 12, 2021

Show notes

Today we meet up Spike Edney, keyboardist for the band Queen for 37 years. We touch his early days with the BoomTown Rats and Duran Duran and we hit everything you want to know about Queen: Spike’s crazy audition, “or lack thereof”… the heyday with Freddy Mercury and what the band really did at After Parties, which will definitelysurprise you. We get a peak into the private life of Freddy and the evolution of Queen since his passing with Paul Rogers and now Adam Lambert. We wrap Spike’s best “NO” story — not from an audition, but from Fidel Castro and the most hysterical On Tour travel story ever; you’ll get to hear how: a war, chickens, black market gas and sleeping in barns somehow fit together.

To learn more about Spike, Queen and SAS Band, go to: https://www.queenonline.com and http://www.sasband.com

For behind the scenes photos from these interviews and to send us questions for the Aftershow, join us on social media at: @OnTourPod on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter

On Tour is a production of Black Barrel Media and iHeartRadio, for more information about On Tour please visit our website at: BlackBarrelMedia.com

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Aftershow: Brian’s take on Matt Sorum, Scott Weiland and how Sex and Drugs defined Rock n Roll May 07, 2021

Show notes

In previous Aftershows we dabbled in how sex, drugs and rock n roll all go hand and hand but in this episode we tackle it head on… From Matt’s coke running days, to the fairly hedonistic parties, to people going missing on tours, to the stories of those who survived addiction and to those who sadly did not, like Velvet Revolver and Stone Temple Pilots front man, Scott Weiland …. in contrast we cover a lot of hysterical moments in Matt’s interview, including the remarkable partying ability and work ethic of Slash and Keith Richards and examine if there is any red underwear left in the world after Matt Sorum fulfilled his show day superstition.

To learn more about Matt, his new music, his charities and to order his book, follow him social media: @MattSorum on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter

To preorder his book go to: https://rarebirdlit.com/double-talkin-jive-hardcover-limited-edition-vinyl-signed-by-matt-sorum/

For behind the scenes photos from these interviews and to send us questions for the Aftershow, join us on social media at: @OnTourPod on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter

On Tour is a production of Black Barrel Media and iHeartRadio, for more information about On Tour please visit our website at: BlackBarrelMedia.com

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Matt Sorum On Tour with Guns N' Roses, Velvet Revolver and The Cult May 05, 2021

Show notes

World famous drummer, Matt Sorum, defines “Rock n Roll Excess” and he has the wild stories to prove it. Matt takes us behind the scenes into what it was like touring with Guns N’ Roses during their heyday. We get into the surreal back to back world tours during their massive success of double album "Use Your Illusion", along with the parties, the exhaustion and the aftermath. Though seemingly enough for one lifetime, Matt shares how the wild ride continued with GRAMMY winning band Velvet Revolver. We get a candid look the highs and lows through his years in the music industry, Matt’s early days making ends meet smuggling cocaine across the border and how his audition with The Cult came just in time.

To learn more about Matt, his new music, his charities and to order his book, “Double Talkin’ Jive”, go to his social media: @MattSorum on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter

To pre order his book, "Double Talkin’ Jive” go to: https://rarebirdlit.com/double-talkin-jive-hardcover-limited-edition-vinyl-signed-by-matt-sorum/

For behind the scenes photos from these interviews and to send us questions for the Aftershow, join us on social media at: @OnTourPod on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter

On Tour is a production of Black Barrel Media and iHeartRadio, for more information about On Tour please visit our website at: BlackBarrelMedia.com

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Aftershow — Brian’s Take on PRINCE at The Rollings Stones show, Rammstein and Lady Gaga Apr 30, 2021

Show notes

This week we hear Brian’s thoughts on PRINCE getting booed off stage in Anaheim Stadium while opening for The Rolling Stones, a concert Brian was also opening for with Etta James. We talk about his untimely death and how his insane work ethic may have contributed and Mandi shares two personal stories about the great impact Prince’s talent and music have on audiences and artists alike. We end with Brian's thoughts on Leroy’s stories about Rammstein and Lady Gaga and his final moments with Etta James before she passed.

To learn more about Leroy and to check out all the amazing shows he’s designed for the biggest names in music, go to his website: http://www.leroybennett.com

For behind the scenes photos from these interviews and to send us questions for the Aftershow, join us on social media at: @OnTourPod on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter

On Tour is a production of Black Barrel Media and iHeartRadio, for more information about On Tour please visit our website at: BlackBarrelMedia.com

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Leroy Bennett On Tour with PRINCE, Lady Gaga, Paul McCartney and Rammstein Apr 28, 2021

Show notes

It's impossible to do a show about the biggest tours in the world without talking to the people who design them, who bring the entire experience to life. Leroy Bennet is the production and lighting designer for most of the biggest names in music. Spending 15yrs with PRINCE, he also become a close friend. Nothing is off limits in this interview — Roy gets candid about the early days and the bootcamp production atmosphere, the backstory behind designing some of the most edgy live performances, the Purple Rain phenomenon, Prince’s untimely but eerily predicted death and downtime at Paisley Park with the “off stage” Prince. We wrap with some amazing stories about the Rammstein and how they pull off the massive pyro shows, we get a peak into the world of Lady Gaga and talk about some of Roy’s most cringeworthy production moments and how to get through them.

To learn more about Leroy and to check out all the amazing shows he’s designed for the biggest names in music, go to his website: http://www.leroybennett.com

For behind the scenes photos from these interviews and to send us questions for the Aftershow, join us on social media at: @OnTourPod on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter

On Tour is a production of Black Barrel Media and iHeartRadio, for more information about On Tour please visit our website at: BlackBarrelMedia.com

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Aftershow — Brian’s take on Eva Gardner, her Famous Father and Music Industry Advice Apr 23, 2021

Show notes

This week we get into why Eva’s famous father and British Rocker, Kim Gardner may not have wanted to see her follow in his footsteps, Brian’s advice for kids passionate about the music industry on taking the opportunity vs finishing school and how important it is to read music. We get into how musicians have an uncanny ability to compartmentalize on stage when dealing with something traumatic off stage and Etta James life advice to get anyone through that situation. The importance of bonding with your band off stage and dive a little deeper into just how was possible for Eva to get her head stuck in bass drum….

To learn more about Eva and to check out her new music, go to her website: evagardner.com

For behind the scenes photos from these interviews and to send us questions for the Aftershow, join us on social media at: @OnTourPod on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter

On Tour is a production of Black Barrel Media and iHeartRadio, for more information about On Tour please visit our website at: BlackBarrelMedia.com

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eva Gardner On Tour with PINK, Cher and Gwen Stafani Apr 21, 2021

Show notes

Though she is the daughter of British Rock Royalty bassist Kim Gardner, Eva Gardner was never encouraged to pursue a career in music. She paved her own way and has played along side some of the most badass women in music: Cher, Gwen Stafani and has currently been with PINK for over a decade. Eva shares why she turned down the opportunity to play with the legendary band, The Wallflowers and how being told “no” was the best thing that ever happened to her. Eva opens up about the devastation she was experiencing when she finally got the opportunity to fulfill her dream and in contrast, shares her most embarrassing moment on stage which might be the most hysterical tour story of all time.

To learn more about Eva and to check out her new music, go to her website: evagardner.com

For behind the scenes photos from these interviews and to send us questions for the Aftershow, join us on social media at: @OnTourPod on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter

On Tour is a production of Black Barrel Media and iHeartRadio, for more information about On Tour please visit our website at: BlackBarrelMedia.com

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Aftershow — Brian’s take on Davey Johnstone's Legacy, Elton John and the Her Majesty The Queen Apr 17, 2021

Show notes

Producer Mandi Wimmer gets Brian’s take on Davey Johnstone's legacy to Rock n' Roll with the perfect union of Elton’s remarkable singing and piano playing and Dave’s masterful guitar riffs that lead to so many hits. They chat about how its possible for Elton to go from very shy to larger than life on stage and the importance “trust” plays in longevity of bands. Not to be missed, they cover two hysterical stories about the times Brian met Her Majesty The Queen, once standing next to Elton John cracking jokes and the other next to Ozzy Osborn. They wrap up with the great bonding moment Brian had with Etta James, what do when things go horribly wrong on stage and how to adjust to “normal” life after a long tour.

For behind the scenes photos from these interviews and to send us questions for the Aftershow, join us on social media at: @OnTourPod on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter

On Tour is a production of Black Barrel Media and iHeartRadio, for more information about On Tour please visit our website at: BlackBarrelMedia.com

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Davey Johnstone On Tour with Elton John and John Lennon Apr 14, 2021

Show notes

With one of the longest running “sideman” gigs in the industry, Davey Johnston shares his first meeting with a young, shy Elton John, how early trust propelled them into playing together for 50 years and what it was like watching the rise of a super star throughout that time. Davey takes us through it all, his early days playing the pubs in Scotland to his surreal and terrifying transition playing in Los Angles with his idols, as well as unbelievable backstage, on stage and after party stories with John Lennon.

To learn more about Davey, check out his social media: @DaveyJohnstone on Facebook and Instagram

For behind the scenes photos from these interviews and to send us questions for the Aftershow, join us on social media at: @OnTourPod on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter

On Tour is a production of Black Barrel Media and iHeartRadio, for more information about On Tour please visit our website at: BlackBarrelMedia.com

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.