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    Music

    Rock & Roll High School With Pete Ganbarg

    Season 6 Coming Soon!

    Rock & Roll High School is an interview series that tells the story of contemporary music one artist at a time – in their own words.

    Hosted by Pete Ganbarg

    ————————————–

    About Pete:

    Pete Ganbarg has been doing major label A&R (Artists & Repertoire) for over 35 years. He’s a 2X Grammy award winning record producer as well as a member of the board of directors of the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Pete has held senior A&R positions at Atlantic, Arista, Epic and SBK/EMI and is currently the president of Pure Tone Music and co-owner of Silver Sky Music.

    As a music publisher, Pete operates Songs With A Pure Tone and Margetts Road Music, joint ventures currently in partnership with Warner Chappell Music as well as new ventures in partnership with Kobalt. Songs published by Pure Tone include 2024’s Grammy winning Record of the Year, “Flowers” by Miley Cyrus, the global #1 “Ordinary” by Alex Warren, as well as hits by Benson Boone, Justin Bieber, Maroon 5, Katy Perry, OneRepublic, Charli XCX, Lewis Capaldi, Ed Sheeran, Andy Grammer, Lizzo, Beyoncé, and more.

    Pete is the recipient of two Grammy Awards for his role as producer on the Original Broadway Cast Recording of Dear Evan Hansen and the Original Broadway Cast Recording of Jagged Little Pill. At Atlantic, among the artists and projects that Pete has overseen are twenty one pilots, Halestorm, Jason Mraz, Christina Perri, Melanie Martinez, Skillet, GAYLE, Brett Eldredge, Matchbox Twenty & Rob Thomas, Theory Of A Deadman, and Icona Pop; as well as the Original Broadway Cast Recordings of Hamilton, Mean Girls, Jagged Little Pill, Dear Evan Hansen, and the multi-platinum Billboard No. 1 soundtrack album The Greatest Showman.

    Pete began his A&R career in 1989 at SBK Records. In 1997, he joined Clive Davis at Arista Records, where, as Senior Director of A&R, he conceived and A&R’d Santana’s 30x platinum worldwide, nine-time GRAMMY-winning album, Supernatural. 

    Additionally, Pete was named International Music Person Of The Year in 2023 by the music industry organization MUSEXPO.

    He writes on Substack as Confessions of a Pop A&R Guy: https://substack.com/@peteganbarg

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    Copyright: © 2021

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    Latest Episodes:
    Southern Rock Trilogy Pt. 1: Henry Paul (The Outlaws/Blackhawk) Apr 16, 2026
    Show notes

    Few artists embody the spirit, resilience, and evolution of Southern rock quite like Henry Paul.

    A founding member of Outlaws and later the driving force behind Blackhawk, Henry’s career bridges two distinct eras of American music—each rooted in storytelling, musicianship, and a deep sense of place. From the triple-guitar attack of the "Florida Guitar Army" that helped define the Outlaws’ sound in the 1970s to the multi-platinum, chart-topping Country success of Blackhawk in the ’90s, his journey is a masterclass in reinvention without compromise.

    In this wide-ranging conversation, Henry reflects on the rise of Southern rock, the realities of life on the road, his relationships with Ronnie Van Zant and Charlie Daniels, and the creative instincts that carried him across decades and genres. He also shares hard-earned insights into band dynamics, longevity, and what it really takes to sustain a career in music over the long haul.

    This episode also kicks off our Southern Rock Trilogy—a three-part series exploring the artists, sounds, and stories that shaped one of rock’s most enduring movements. Be sure to check back next week and the week after as we continue the journey.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Don Was Apr 09, 2026
    Show notes

    Few producers in the history of modern music have shaped records—and artists—the way Don Was has.

    From his early days as a hitmaking artist with Was (Not Was) to becoming one of the most trusted producers in the business, Don’s fingerprints are on an extraordinary range of iconic recordings. But beyond the credits, what defines him is his philosophy: serve the song, honor the artist, and know when not to interfere.

    In this wide-ranging conversation, Don takes us inside his journey—from Detroit roots to working with legends like the Rolling Stones, Bonnie Raitt, and Bob Dylan—to his current roles as president of Blue Note Records and bandleader of the Pan-Detroit Ensemble. We also explore his deep musical partnership with Bob Weir in Wolf Bros, a collaboration that brought his career full circle as both producer and player.

    This is a masterclass in taste, restraint, and what it really means to be a producer.

    Please note: this interview was recorded prior to the passing of Bob Weir.




    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    John Oates (Hall & Oates) Apr 02, 2026
    Show notes

    John Oates is one half of the most successful duo in music history — Hall & Oates — and one of the architects of the sound of American pop radio in the late 20th century.

    In this episode of Rock & Roll High School, John takes us inside the making of a catalog that includes era-defining hits like “She’s Gone,” “Sara Smile,” “Rich Girl,” and “Maneater,” and breaks down the unique musical chemistry he shared with Daryl Hall that helped shape a generation of songwriting and production.

    But this conversation goes deeper than the hits.

    John traces his roots from Philadelphia’s R&B and folk scenes to the global stages of the 1980s, offering a firsthand look at how groove, songwriting craft, and production instincts came together to create one of the most enduring songbooks in pop music history. He also opens up about his evolution as a solo artist, his passion for American roots music, and how he continues to write, record, and perform with purpose today.

    It's a conversation about partnership, identity, reinvention — and what it really takes to build music that lasts.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Al Jardine (The Beach Boys) Mar 26, 2026
    Show notes

    Imagine you’re a second-string high school running back. You strike up a conversation with the backup quarterback, bonding over a shared love of vocal harmony. You decide to start a group together.

    That group becomes The Beach Boys — a band that will reshape the sound of modern music.

    And that quarterback? Brian Wilson — one of the most visionary musical minds of the 20th century.

    The running back is our guest this week - Beach Boys founding member Al Jardine

    From the group’s earliest days through their evolution into one of the most influential acts in recording history, Al was there — helping build the harmonies, the image, and the sound that defined an era.

    In this conversation, Al reflects on the origins of The Beach Boys, the creative brilliance of Brian Wilson, the making of timeless records, and what it means to still carry that music forward today.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Harry Wayne "KC" Casey (KC & The Sunshine Band) Mar 19, 2026
    Show notes

    Harry Wayne “KC” Casey is a hit machine.

    As the founder, songwriter, producer, and frontman of KC and the Sunshine Band, KC helped define the sound of the 1970s and 80s with a run of joyous, groove-driven records that still light up dance floors around the world. Blending Miami soul, funk, R&B, and pop into an irresistible new hybrid, he turned the studio into a celebration — creating a string of era-defining party-starter hits including Get Down Tonight, That’s the Way (I Like It), I’m Your Boogie Man, (Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty, Please Don't Go and Give It Up.

    Working out of TK Studios in Miami, KC helped pioneer the tight rhythm tracks, punchy horn arrangements, and infectious hooks that became foundational to dance music's global explosion. The result was one of the most remarkable hit streaks of the decade — five No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 and more than 100 million records sold worldwide.

    But KC’s impact went beyond his own band. His songwriting and production helped shape the broader Miami sound of the era, including co-writing the monster hit Rock Your Baby for George McCrae — a record often cited as one of the earliest true disco smashes.

    In this conversation, KC reflects on building hits from the ground up in Miami, the chemistry that powered the Sunshine Band, the birth of dance as a global movement, and how a feel-good groove — when it’s right — can travel across decades.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Kevin Cronin (REO Speedwagon) Mar 12, 2026
    Show notes

    As the voice, songwriter, and driving force behind REO Speedwagon, Kevin Cronin helped shape the sound of American arena rock in the late ’70s and ’80s. His soaring vocals and emotionally direct songwriting powered a string of radio staples including Keep On Loving You, Take It on the Run, Can’t Fight This Feeling, Roll with the Changes, and Time for Me to Fly.

    REO Speedwagon’s 1980 breakthrough album Hi Infidelity became one of the defining rock records of its era, spending 15 weeks at No. 1 and turning the band into a staple of rock radio and MTV.

    In this all-new candid conversation, Kevin reflects on the stories behind REO’s biggest songs, the long road to success, the making of Hi Infidelity, and how he’s kept the music alive through decades of touring and performing.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Suzi Quatro Mar 05, 2026
    Show notes

    To a generation of Americans, Suzi Quatro is best known as Leather Tuscadero on the 1970s sitcom Happy Days and for her 1979 smash duet with Chris Norman, “Stumblin’ In.”

    But long before she stepped onto a Hollywood soundstage or crossed over to American pop radio, Suzi Quatro had already detonated the rulebook.

    Emerging from Detroit in the early 1970s and breaking first in the UK and Europe, Quatro became one of the first women in rock history to front a hard-driving band while playing her own instrument — slinging a Fender bass low, clad head-to-toe in black leather, and commanding arenas with unapologetic authority. With chart-topping hits like “Can the Can,” “48 Crash,” and “Devil Gate Drive,” she didn’t just make hit records — she became the reference point for artists including Joan Jett, Chrissie Hynde, and Debbie Harry, who all followed her lead into unapologetic frontwoman territory.

    Working with hitmaker Mike Chapman during the height of glam’s glitter and grind, Suzi fused Detroit muscle with razor-sharp British pop instincts, building a transatlantic career that has now spanned more than five decades and over 50 million records sold worldwide. Today, she continues to headline major venues across Europe and Australia — proof that her following never faded and her fire never dimmed.

    Beyond the stage, Quatro is also a prolific author, with multiple books to her name — from candid memoir to fiction — extending her voice beyond the amplifier and onto the page.

    In this conversation, Suzi reflects on what it meant to walk into a male-dominated industry and refuse to ask permission, the discipline that sustains longevity, her Detroit roots, and the mindset required not just to open doors — but to kick them off the hinges.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Noel Paul Stookey (Peter, Paul and Mary) Feb 26, 2026
    Show notes

    Noel Paul Stookey is a founding member of one of the most iconic trios of all time, the legendary folk group Peter, Paul and Mary.

    From helping ignite the 1960s folk revival to introducing the songs of Bob Dylan to a mass audience with their era-defining recording of “Blowin’ in the Wind,” and carrying anthems like “If I Had a Hammer” and “Puff, the Magic Dragon” into the cultural bloodstream, Noel’s voice became a soundtrack to a generation navigating protest, hope, and change. The trio’s performance at the 1963 March on Washington — where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his historic “I Have a Dream” speech — placed their harmonies at the very heart of the Civil Rights Movement, underscoring music’s power to both reflect and shape history.

    Beyond the trio’s monumental success, Noel has sustained a solo career grounded in faith, social conscience, and musical craftsmanship — highlighted by his enduring wedding anthem “There Is Love (The Wedding Song).” His commitment to service continues through Music to Life, the nonprofit he founded to mentor artists using music as a force for positive social change.

    In this conversation, Noel reflects on the power of harmony, the responsibility of artists in turbulent times, and what it means to keep singing with purpose more than six decades into a remarkable career.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Legends of the Recording Studio (Elliot Scheiner & Frank Filipetti) Feb 19, 2026
    Show notes

    Elliot Scheiner and Frank Filipetti are two of the most legendary recording studio figures of all time. As producers, engineers and mixers, they've worked on thousands of successful award-winning projects over the past 50+ years. Together with fellow studio legends George Massenburg, Chuck Ainlay, Jimmy Douglass, Niko Bolas and Sylvia Massey, Elliot and Frank run the Music Engineering and Technology (or MET) Alliance, an organization that looks to preserve the quality and secure the future of audio recording.

    These seven studio geniuses are responsible for producing or engineering over 7000 recordings - racking up hundreds of Gold and Platinum records, nearly 75 Grammy Awards and a ton of priceless stories about how they recorded iconic artists - from The Eagles to Neil Young to Pavarotti to George Michael; from Steely Dan to Dire Straits to Bjork to Prince.

    They're now taking these stories on the road for an Off Broadway show called Studio Confidential which is currently running in New York City with future dates planned for other cities around the US.

    In this episode with Elliot and Frank, we discuss their careers, their approach in the studio, how to deal with temperamental artists as well as the new show Studio Confidential.


    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Richard Thompson (Fairport Convention/Richard & Linda Thompson) Feb 12, 2026
    Show notes

    As a pioneering architect of British folk-rock and one of the most distinctive guitarists of his generation, Richard Thompson has spent more than five decades redefining musical storytelling. As a founding member of Fairport Convention, he helped shape a new sound that fused traditional British folk with rock instrumentation — effectively launching an entire genre — while his intricate guitar work and emotionally precise songwriting quickly marked him as a singular voice. From landmark recordings like Liege & Lief to later classics such as I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight and Shoot Out the Lights, his catalog has become foundational listening for generations of musicians.

    After leaving Fairport Convention, Thompson built a far-reaching career that included his celebrated recordings with singer Linda Thompson — his former wife and creative partner — as well as decades of acclaimed solo work, including defining albums like Rumor and Sigh. Widely honored for both songwriting and guitar mastery, his compositions have been recorded by artists ranging from Elvis Costello, R.E.M., Bonnie Raitt, Graham Nash, and Linda Ronstadt — underscoring an influence that stretches across genres and eras. Equally compelling in intimate acoustic settings and electrifying full-band performances, he remains a defining presence in folk, rock, and Americana.

    Still recording and touring deep into his sixth decade as a performer, Thompson continues to explore new creative ground while extending a legacy defined by craft, curiosity, and emotional depth. In this conversation, he reflects on songwriting, guitar expression, and the balance between tradition and innovation — offering a window into the perspective of one of music’s most respected and enduring artists.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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