Author Archives: Bob Ruggiero

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About Bob Ruggiero

I am a passionate fan of classic rock (and related music) with 35 years experience writing about it for daily/weekly newspapers and magazines. I am also the author of the interview anthology "The Classic Rock Bob Reader" and "Slippin' Out of Darkness: The Story of WAR." Both available on Amazon!

New Book Celebrates Paul McCartney’s “Other” Band

Posted on January 21, 2026 by Bob Ruggiero

Paul McCartney was 27 years old when the Beatles broke up. Think about that. Twenty-seven. By that time, he’d already done A Hard Day’s Night, Rubber Soul, Revolver, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band and Abbey Road. All in the … Continue reading →

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Cat Stevens Regales a Life of Musics and Mystics

Posted on January 12, 2026 by Bob Ruggiero

He didn’t start out wanting to become a singer-songwriter. As a boy and teen, he was more interested in becoming a visual artist, or “serious” composer of classical and musical scores. But he was also savvy about media. And his … Continue reading →

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Ronnie Platt and Kansas Keep On Carrying On

Posted on December 1, 2025 by Bob Ruggiero

In the litany of stories about how established Classic Rock bands replaced their original or established frontman, the tale of how Ronnie Platt came to hold the microphone for Kansas is one of the simplest, yet most mind-blowing. Original and … Continue reading →

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Rock Doc on the Association’s Larry Ramos Has World Premiere in Houston

Posted on November 17, 2025 by Bob Ruggiero

Look at any publicity photo or album cover from the rock group The Association, and it’s easy to pick out bassist/singer Larry Ramos. The contrast is even more noticeable watching old color footage of the band’s appearances on TV variety … Continue reading →

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Nancy Wilson Expects an Exceptional Evening with Heart

Posted on November 12, 2025 by Bob Ruggiero

Since she joined her sister Ann in the already-existing band Heart back in 1974, the group has played every kind of show: openers, headliners, multi-act bills, festivals, guest appearances, as a duo, and one-offs. But for their recent summer tour, … Continue reading →

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“I’m a Hippie”—Carlos Santana on Oneness, Unity, and Sentient Community

Posted on November 11, 2025 by Bob Ruggiero

It’s only April, but Carlos Santana—one of rock’s most legendary guitarists—is already thinking about Christmas. At least that’s the holiday on his mind when discussing the just-released album, Sentient. “The most accurate way to describe it is like a Christmas … Continue reading →

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May Pang Brought John Lennon-centric Photos (and Herself!) on Tour

Posted on November 9, 2025 by Bob Ruggiero

May Pang was a rock and roll-obsessed teenager when she walked in off the street into a New York building to ask for a job at ABKCO. The company run by music manager Allen Klein, whose biggest clients just happened … Continue reading →

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Skip Spence’s Psychedelic (and Sometimes Psychotic) Journey

Posted on October 30, 2025 by Bob Ruggiero

Skip Spence was a near-founding member of the Jefferson Airplane, a founding member of the well-regarded Moby Grape, and released a solo album that is cherished by rock critics and famous fans. Unfortunately, his name usually comes up in conversation … Continue reading →

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Peter Wolf’s Close Encounters

Posted on July 2, 2025 by Bob Ruggiero

As the motor-mouthed, elastic-bodied frontman of the J. Geils Band (and later solo career), Peter Wolf was a ball of energy. And as a former DJ, the “Woofa with the Goofa” often told stories to audiences over the airwaves, at … Continue reading →

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All the Manic Mondays (and Other Days of the Week) Recounted in Bangles Book

Posted on June 19, 2025 by Bob Ruggiero

July 15, 1989. While tens thousands of Houstonian Gen Xers won’t necessarily recall what they were doing on that date, mention “The Bangles Beltway 8” concert and they’ll instantly recall the bizarre gig when the hitmakers behind “Manic Monday,” “Walk … Continue reading →

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