Ask Jdk A ?
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(updated Friday, October 21st, 2005)
I wanted to find out your thoughts on Joe Lynn Turner. I've always thought that Joe has been one of Rock's under-appreciated vocalists who has actually gotten better as he's gotten older. Any thoughts on HTP (Joe's collaboration with Glenn Hughes)? To me, it is very interesting to hear twin lead vocals in a Hard Rock setting with harmonies (standard fair for Crosby, Stills and Nash, but very adventurous in the Rock format). Also, What do you think of the revamped Foreigner with Kelly Hansen on lead vocals? Thanks for your time.
I haven't heard his collaboration with Glenn Hughes, so I can't comment on it. Joe Lynn Turner and Glenn Hughes were both incredible talents and incredible singers and I tried to work with them in the early to mid-80's, but they were both too hard to work with for me. I've been told the replacement singer for Foreigner is really great from a number of people and I'm anxious to hear him.
I thought I'd ask you these questions as you were more involved with Aerosmith during these 2 albums: There’s this song from Permanent Vacation "No Room in my Heart" and it's supposed to a country duet with a girl, as they also recorded "Once is Enough" or "One Time too Many" with Willie Nelson, then I wonder if that "girl" is or was a big country singer? Then there is "Is Anybody Out There?" that I know was first written in April 1987 with Jim Vallance, probably at his house in Vancouver, but according to Tom Hamilton it wasn’t used, but was however reworked during the Pump sessions; why did you decided not to use the song? I’ve only heard an acoustic live version of the song that was played on a rehearsal for their Unplugged show in 1990... it's a really great one.
I really don't remember if we ever recorded "No Room In My Heart" with a country artist. If the band ever did, I'm not sure. It was always the concept that it would be recorded with a female country singer.
Even though Jim Vallance wrote many great songs with Tyler and Perry, I didn't think Is "Anybody Out There" was good enough to be on a record, and neither did Bruce Fairbairn.
(updated Thursday, October 20th, 2005)
I'm an Aerosmith Fan, I don't know if you know, but there's a bootleg called Permanent Outtakes and it's a 2 cd set with lots of unreleased songs from that album, there are also some demos from the early records and few outtakes from Pump... I've always wondered if any of the guys on Aerosmith or their management knows about this. I've been told this bootlegs came out in the mid 90's. Nothing from the other Aerosmith albums has scaped (nothing from Get a Grip, Nine Lives, Just push Play, Oh Yeah or Bobo), yet often the guys talk to the press and mention song titles they are working on an that kind of stuff, so here's a list of songs that should exist:
I noted next to each title which songs I remember.
Permanent Vacation:
No Room in
my Heart (country duet with a girl)
- exists
Get a Grip:
Black
Cherry
-
exists
Nine Lives:
Oh
Yeah:
Honking On Bobo: - I didn't work on this album
5 original
songs in total...
In November 2004 Joe said on a radio interview that a new "Pandora's Box" set box would came out, but never did, will all these songs ever be released??? I guess all these songs are not good enough to be on an album, but as b-sides and that kind of stuff, I mean they should be used some how... I hope you can help me answer some of this questions, and hope my email wasn't to big...
There are myriad of reasons why these songs are not released and I don't know whether they will ever be released. It's really up to the band and their various labels. All I can say as their A&R person is that most of them were not released because they were not good enough.
Hi John, what are you views on the current crop of upcoming British bands (e.g. The Glitterati, The Black Velvets, Jackviper) taking their influence from the classic sunset strip style American rock of the 80's, and who do you find the most credible in terms of the raw rock n roll attitude epitomized by GnR, Motley Crue etc, as it seems some bands are manufactured by the record companies to cash in on The Darkness's success
To be honest, I'm not familiar with any of these bands so I can't really comment.
(updated Monday, October 17th, 2005)
Fellow Philly native here with a few questions about XTC's Skylarking album: Was the chemistry between Rundgren and Partridge that caustic or is it just press hype? How were Partridge, Moulding and Gregory to work with? In your opinion, what kind of potential for huge success did XTC have and did the lack of touring arrest that success in its critical embryonic stage? Do you regard Skylarking--as many do--as their best album? Why was it so strong compared to other XTC works? Thank you!
Interesting question. I didn't work with Rundgren and Partridge enough to know exactly how their chemistry worked, but they definitely the best of friends while working on the album. I didn't have a lot of interaction with them like I did with Whitesnake, Foreigner or Aerosmith, but in general, they were very interesting and fine musicians. They had potential to be a very substantial alternative rock act. The lack of touring was totally responsible for them not fulfilling their destiny. Andy Partridge developed severe stage fright, either right before or right after the making of this album and never set foot on a stage for many years, if ever, again. Skylarking is their best album because it had much better songs.
I heard through the grapevine in Hollywood that Jack Blades has been asked to join The Cars for their upcoming reunion tour; taking over the deceased Benjamin Orr's bass and vocal duties. Since Jack is signed with you over at Sanctuary, does this mean that The Cars have separated with Elektra and signed with you?
I'm not aware that Jack Blades was asked to join The Cars, but it certainly is a really good idea. He still plays and records with his original band, Night Ranger, as of this date. I will be putting out a record with Jack Blades and Tommy Shaw called Influences on Irving Azoff's newly created Warner Brothers distributed label, in early January 2006. They will do all the TV appearances and may tour in some incarnation in the spring and summer of 2006. I'm not sure what label The Cars is on. I would assume it would still be Elektra.
Mr. Kalodner, which cities are the absolute best if I am in a rock band and want to build a fan base and get noticed by record labels. Anywhere on the planet is an option for me, are NYC, LA and London the absolute best?
NYC, LA and London are the best - with the possible addition of Toronto, Canada
(updated Wednesday, August 31st, 2005)
First off, thanks to all the great work you do! Can you please update all the Journey fans as to the progress on this DVD? We are all eagerly awaiting this and hope it will still be released this year. Any info is greatly appreciated.
We are currently working on the Houston 1981 DVD. Hopefully, it will be out before Christmas. There are 14 songs on the DVD.
(updated Tuesday, July 5th, 2005)
What do you think of Johnny Rzeznik and also the Goo Goo Dolls personally and professionally?
Johnny is one of the most talented individuals I’ve ever worked with and given that he makes great records, I think he could be one of the greatest artists of this decade.
(updated Friday, June 10th, 2005)
Is there any news on the 2nd Journey DVD? It
seems there was talk
I think that Steve Perry and I will probably start to work on it this Summer and hopefully it will be released by Christmas.
Tommy Shaw and Jack Blades have been pretty quiet about this covers CD that was supposed to be released this summer. I know you were pretty involved with it, so I though you might know---please tell me they haven't shelved it "indefinitely" or something because of how busy they both are. I really like Styx and Night Ranger, but I wanted to hear those great harmonies sometime in the near future.
The record was just mastered on June 1 and contains twelve songs. The CD package is almost done - in fact, I photographed the cover. It will be released in late Fall or in January, when Tommy and Jack can go out and promote it, especially doing the TV show circuit where they can sing some of the great songs that they recorded.
(updated Friday, April 22nd, 2005)
I saw some pics of you with Nuno {Bettencourt} on your website and was wondering if you had talked about working with him? What do you think about Nuno's musicianship, guitar playing, and songwriting?
I think his musicianship and songwriting are great. I'd love to work with him at some point in the future.
I would like to 1st start off by saying how much I respect you and look up to you, and that is why I am asking for your advice. You have worked with some of my favorite bands and artists of all time; Journey, Asia, Bon Jovi, Aerosmith, Cher, Sammy Hagar, Foreigner, the list goes on and on. Anyhow I was wondering if you could give me some advice. I am about to make a move and I have 2 places in mind, San Francisco and Atlanta. The reason I pick these 2 places is because I know people in both cities, so this will help me financially. I was wondering which city do you think I should move to for rock reasons. I want to make it in music but I realize the way to go about it is to build a following. Which city do you think has more of a rock scene? I realize that it depends on your songs and live performance but I want to know which city would be a better place to give it a shot in. Thank you for your time and as always you are in my opinion the best A&R that has ever graced this earth.
Thanks for the kind words, Scott. In my opinion, I think Atlanta is a better city for rock music, but if you want to be on the outskirts of San Francisco, like San Jose or in the Silicon Valley, it might be a viable place to have a rock career as well.
You know, John, I don't really know what to make of you. On one hand you could be just one of many biz leaches that has managed to luckily latch on to a number of successful people and projects over the years, and hide your own lack of musical talent with the 'talent for talent' thing or 'intuition' as it applies to other people's work. This is not an assessment, rather me 'thinking out loud' as I ponder who this Kalodner dude is? But, as I continue to ponder, I don't think one could argue with the volume of good stuff you've been involved with; and the quotes from artists on your website are pretty glowing. Quite a career you've had, and continue to have. A new album from Billy Idol- cool. You've obviously provided a good amount of value to artists and labels over the years to have accumulated so many credits under your belt. So, would you say that you've had to be very proactive and aggressive over the years, especially your earlier years, to have assembled your rather impressive run? Did it ever seem like hard work, or has it always been a gas? I used to work in the biz (happily, I haven't for quite some time), and met a lot of dead wood on both the artistic and business side, but there are, of course, examples of those who truly impact the course of people and projects and businesses for the better. Would you argue that you are one of those examples?
Yes, I was always very proactive and aggressive. I worked around the clock, every day, for twenty years. I've never said that I have musical talent; the artists do, but without my work, a lot of records wouldn't have been made. It always was hard work, along with a lot of fun and good times associated with it. No one had a better life in the music business than I do and I appreciate the opportunities to work with all the great talent that I have. I don't feel the need to prove myself; my work speaks for itself, but thanks for the question.
(updated Thursday, April 21st, 2005)
Dear John
Kalodner, I'm sending this message because the article about heavy music and violence including your great participation got published! You can take a look on it here: http://www.imhotepzine.com/heavyviolence If you could spread the word on it, we would be thankful... it's very important and in my opinion the best response to those who were blaming Dimebag for his own death.
I recently read a response from you on your website that said "On a new music artist/rock band, younger is better." "Obviously, a brand new artist who has never recorded before has a better chance to be signed if they are under 25 years old". I was wondering if that age advantage or restriction applies to other genres of music as well? For example, lets say there's a guy whose been performing, and practicing music for twenty years and it has taken that long to become the fantastic virtuoso guitar player/composer that he is. Do you think it is to late for that person to obtain the support of a record company, or at least find serious work as a guitarist if he is between 30 and 35? Thanks for taking the time to answer.
It's too late to really get the backing of a major record company, but it's certainly not too late to be recognized as a great guitar player for sessions, commercials and movie scores. And certainly a small label or some sales over a secured Internet site might be possible.
I want to be the world's greatest tour manager. I have already been lucky enough to go out with a few small bands, but want to get hooked up and trained with some big tour managers. Any ideas as to how I can find tour managers to help me with training?
This is a great question, but I really don't know. I guess you could become a stage manager for the local promoter where you live and get to know all the different bands and managers and learn that way. There are still careers in tour managing, because bands will always play live and need tour managers. I wish I had more specific suggestions - good luck.
(updated Wednesday, April 20th, 2005)
Congratulations!!!...Hurricane Party is the best new rock band of the century…I love the Hurricane’s first EP.…And I love your website, Johnkalodner.com Rocks!!!
Thanks! I am going over to London in May to work on the new Hurricane Party album, which will be mixed by Kevin Shirley in May or June. Hopefully the album will be out in the late summer or early fall.
G'day John, Hope all is well. I was wondering as an A&R guy when it comes to mastering, are you influenced by how loud you want your records to be cut? Who do you like to use for mastering and why? Do you ever think we will get back to the days where dynamics were more prevalent? Thanking you should you be able to spare the time to reply.....
This is an interesting question because mastering used to be an art because you tried to have as much level as possible on a record without the needle jumping out of the grooves and not being able to play it. That was a real art. Nowadays, it's still important to have a good level on a CD without distortion, but the nature of digital product makes it sort of computer science instead of mechanical art. I usually use Dave Donnelly at DNA Mastering in Los Angeles and, of course, George Marino at Sterling Sound, who is one of the greatest mastering engineers of all time. Unfortunately, now Sterling's prices are not that affordable for most projects. I may try to sign some young Australian bands in the future, so I would be glad to try you out when the opportunity presents itself.
Would you and Sanctuary consider signing a comedian? I know you were Executive Producer of Ray Romano’s CD, I think for Sony. Any way there is very little overhead to record a comedy album and it is my goal to be signed by you and to be on a label. Thanks for all the music!!!
I would consider signing a comedian; I would have to see your routine.
(updated Tuesday, April 19th, 2005)
Your probably tired of getting this question, but what is the status of the live Journey from Houston DVD? Been dying to get this concert on DVD ever since the Greatest Hits DVD was released. Thanks for any updates!
I am getting tired of this question, but thanks for your interest. As soon as the band and Columbia Records and Steve Perry agree on the budget and creative ideas for the DVD, I will work on it.
Saw you in Hollywood.....the JOURNEY Star on the Walk of Fame!! Thank you for attending! You should be there for many reasons, but most of all as a major part of Journey's success!! So please tell us about the ceremony and the dynamics of the group that day, cause Steve Perry attending was like WOW! The picture of Neal with his arm around Perry?? Priceless! Please give us the insiders report of the day.
It was really exciting to see Steve Perry appear with the other musicians he made such great music with. It was really surprising and a highlight of my year so far.
You produced Cher's albums "Cher" in 1987, "Heart Of Stone" in 1989 and "Love Hurts" in 1991. Those albums are sensational. Are there any unreleased songs from these recording sessions? If so, is there any way to get them, or will they be released someday? I would love to have them.
Those albums are sensational, it's true. There are no unreleased songs from those sessions - Cher only sang as many songs as I gave her for the records.
(updated Monday, April 18th, 2005)
There are rumors circulating from booking agents that Van Halen and Aerosmith will be doing a joint tour in the fall, can you shed any light on this? Did you see the reunion tour last year and do you feel that Sammy is the best fit for VH now and that Roth has lost it?
I've heard the rumors too, but to the best of my knowledge they are not true. I think Aerosmith is planning to tour in the Fall, but I don't think it will be with Van Halen. I thought Sammy was great with Van Halen this past tour and I think if they ever tour again, he's a great front man, although it would be cool to see both DLR and Sammy sing with Van Halen. Unfortunately, I don't think that will ever happen.
John, I wanted to ask if Sanctuary would consider an idea? I think it would be great to film a special show of Sammy Hagar this year and release it on DVD but do something different. It would be a celebration or party for Sammy with many of his friends and fellow musicians playing songs (duets) from Sammy's whole career with guests like Ted Nugent, Kenny Chesney, Chad Kroeger, Michael Anthony and others. Maybe filmed at the Fillmore or on a beach. It would be great to see each artist jam with Sammy picking their favorite song to play and would be a reason to throw a huge celebration. Sammy Hagar & Friends!
This is a really great idea; the only problem doing it is getting the rights for the music and the personal appearances (name and likeness) of the other stars. Record companies don't give permission very easily for artists who are stars to appear on other products.
Since you've been in the business during the greatest years of Rock and Roll, and worked with the finest too. Is there a person or band out there that you didn't sign, but wish you had? If so, who might they be?
I wish I would have signed Huey Lewis & the News, Cyndi Lauper, Nickelback. They're the ones right off the top of my head.
(updated Friday, April 15th, 2005)
Hi John, I check your website every week and I have not seen anything new for a while. I'm sure they're other folks who have been checking in also. So how about an update to what you been up too. Hope all is well.
I’ve been busy getting the Billy Idol record out. Also, working with Tommy Shaw and Jack Blades on their new cover CD titled Influences. I am shooting their cover on Tuesday. I've taken thousands of pictures, but this is the first time I've ever shot a band for a cover, which is really cool. Thanks for your interest.
I emailed you back in September 04 about you possibly releasing a Night Ranger DVD. I recall you saying that Jack Blades was touring in Japan at the time and nothing was finalized yet. I was wondering if you could tell me if the DVD will ever be released or is it a dead issue. I'm speaking for a lot of fans that have been wanting for this live DVD for 4 years! I realize that sometimes problems come up with releasing a concert DVD when the footage is no good or whatever. I just don't like being told for 4 years about a release that never happens. It's nothing personal against you or the band it's just diehard fans wanting some answers. I personally wouldn’t say anything about a release unless I was sure it was going to be released. Thanks for your time John.
I'm not sure a Night Ranger concert was ever filmed that could be released on DVD. I'll have to discuss it further with Jack Blades. The band is about to record a new record.
Do you have a status on Paul Stanley's new solo cd? Is there any indication of KISS recording a new studio cd either this year or next year?
Paul is working on his solo CD. I'm not sure about the status of a new KISS record at this time.
(updated Friday, January 14th, 2005)
I am a huge fan of the British band Thunder, who arrived in the states in the early 90's just before the grunge scene hit. They released 2 albums here, the second of which died along with many others. They are now back together and enjoying some success in the UK. I was wondering if you were familiar with them.
I signed them to Geffen and their records were really great, but it was bad timing.
(updated Thursday, January 13th, 2005)
I noticed that you posted a couple pics of Tommy Shaw and Jack Blades hanging out with you at the Sanctuary offices recently. Does this mean their covers CD is finally in the can and ready for release on the Sanctuary label sometime soon?
The Shaw/Blades covers CD will be finished this month and released in the Spring. Among the songs they did is: Summer Breeze Sound of Silence Lucky Man Make it With You
If an unsigned artist has a song that does great on a top 40 charts, how much of an influence would that be for a label to sign them. My first song did good but not great. (made the New Music Weekly chart) The promoter and I believe this one will do much better. Thank you for your time.
Some record companies do watch all kinds of charts and I don't think it would ever hurt to get exposure that way.
(updated Wednesday, January 12th, 2005)
After Dimebag Darrell's death, some people came saying that one of the reasons to his death was the connection of his music and violence. Various opinions and articles were published with this as the main focus. Many controversies on that. So.. do you think that there is a connection between heavy/hard music and violence? Is heavy/hard music a violent style that can led people to do things like that?
I think that music expresses the violent feeling of some fans, but they usually don't act out on these fantasies. It's possible for any rock star to evoke an act of violence, but more likely from those bands whose music is more aggressive. It's a tragedy and can happen anywhere in our American society.
You know, I'm going to take a very unpopular stance here on the subject of Dimebag Darryl¹s onstage murder. A lot of people are going to scream about guns being banned. I'm sorry, I don't agree. I'm going to approach this from a different tack. We have the right to carry guns. We also have the right to free speech. Now here¹s a nice little Pantera ditty. Pantera, of course, being the happy-go-lucky pop combo that Dimebag Darryl was a member of:
------------------------------------------------ Good Friends And A Bottle Of Pills
I fucked your girlfriend last night. While you snored and drooled, I fucked your love. She called me Daddy. And I called her baby when I Smacked her ass. I called her sugar when I ate Her alive till daylight. And I slept with her all Over me, from forehead to ribcage I dripper her ass. Sometimes I thought you might be spying, living out some Brash fantasy, but no. You were knocked out. But we were All knocked out you know. In a way
I serve too many masters.
We didn't know you'd break the bottle that the magic Came in to use those jagged shards to slit our wrists And neck. And you'd do it too, you're that kind of dude. But you wouldn't know what you were doing because I didn't, your girlfriend could have been a burn Victim, an amputee, a dead body. But god damn I wanted To fuck.
I'm serving too many fucking masters. (I told you. I told you motherfucker) ------------------------------------------------
I'm not saying that anyone deserves to die for this piece of shit song writing. What I say is this. We have lost all standards of human decency in our society. We protect this kind of language, these expressions of vile thoughts and call it art. We have allowed ourselves to become dysfunctional. There are dozens of examples in rap and death metal that glorify drug usage, rape, and murder. I am sorry folks. A gun will not kill you. A person with a gun will and there are scores of impressionable persons out there that are being influenced by this vile, disgusting shit out of the sewer. There is an entertainment industry that promotes this garbage because it lines the pockets of very powerful people with the almighty dollar. I am disgusted to read that some rap artist, who is behind bars for who knows what until 2008, was recently given a $3 million dollar recording contract and no one, no one says a damn thing about it. (Where's my $3 million dollar contract? I am a great songwriter. I've got a good voice. But, I'm not really pretty enough to be an idol. I'm not shocking enough to be controversial. I don't have a shtick. I live in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and my life is rooted here. Milwaukee, of course not really being a hotbed for big time music contacts. I've submitted my stuff to A&R people and I'm sure it gets sent to the trash can. Enough about me, I can hear the tiny violin!) Guns...should we ban cars too? Some woman just ran over a couple of kids because their ball hit her car. Susan Smith strapped her children into the car and let them drown in it.
I totally agree with you and I would never be involved with music that promotes these kinds of things. |
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