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!

Hair Metal Years Revealed in Massive Oral History

Posted on January 5, 2022 by Bob Ruggiero

Come with us, children, back to the magical, mystical land of the 1980’s. Where for a brief but shining span of time the hair was high, the riffs were righteous, the lead singers preening, the flashpots fiery, the colors popping, … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Hair Metal | Leave a comment

Dio-Era Black Sabbath Records Get Bonus-Laden Reissues

Posted on December 23, 2021 by Bob Ruggiero

With all due admiration and respect for the guitarists, bassists, drummers, keyboardists, and theremin players out there, it’s not for no reason that the lead vocalist is called the “front man” of a band. From their position at center stage, … Continue reading →

Posted in Black Sabbath, Ronnie James Dio | 1 Comment

The Allman Betts Band Give Their “Blessings”

Posted on December 7, 2021 by Bob Ruggiero

Note: This interview originally appeared in early 2021. It is indeed a very strange and (here comes that word again) “unprecedented” time for live music. Bands, audiences, venues, and promoters are all still trying to figure out when the gears … Continue reading →

Posted in Allman Betts Band, Allman Brothers Band | Leave a comment

Bill Champlin Talks Solo Record and Vast, Varied Career

Posted on December 1, 2021 by Bob Ruggiero

Bill Champlin is on the phone calling from his home in Santa Barbara, California to talk about his solo record—and a whole lot of other topics! Livin’ for Love is Champlin’s latest effort in a very varied career that spans … Continue reading →

Posted in Bill Champlin, Chicago | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Mick Box Celebrates 50 Years of Uriah Heep with a Bigger Box! 

Posted on November 18, 2021 by Bob Ruggiero

It’s not every person who can literally hold their life’s work in their hands. But that’s what exactly happened with Uriah Heep guitarist Mick Box recently unpacked the band’s massive, career-spanning box set 50 Years in Rock (BMG). “I was … Continue reading →

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The Outlaws Remember Their German Invasion

Posted on November 9, 2021 by Bob Ruggiero

It was June 2, 1979 at Carter-Finley Stadium on the campus of North Carolina State University in Raleigh. Two young guitar slingers, Freddie (Salem, of the Outlaws) and Edward (Van Halen of, well, Van Halen) were having a beer backstage. … Continue reading →

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Todd Rundgren’s Pandemic-Friendly Virtual Tour

Posted on November 4, 2021 by Bob Ruggiero

During the Age of Coronavirus, musicians have struggled to find the best way to get live music to fans across the world. Audiences have seen everything from blurry solo iPhone videos in living rooms to professional, multi-camera shot, full band … Continue reading →

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Paul Dean of Loverboy Remembers His First Kiss

Posted on October 14, 2021 by Bob Ruggiero

When Loverboy’s self-titled debut came in in October 1980, the prevailing media format for music was the vinyl LP. But given what he saw shortly thereafter, guitarist Paul Dean probably didn’t expect that the Canadian rockers would be releasing Loverboy in a … Continue reading →

Posted in Loverboy, Reissues | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

George Thorogood Throws Full Beantown Party – Nearly 40 Years Later!

Posted on September 27, 2021 by Bob Ruggiero

The year 1982 was turning out pretty good for George Thorogood and the Destroyers. Nearly a decade into their existence, the blues ‘n boogie band had opened a string of European dates for the Rolling Stones (as they had done … Continue reading →

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John Kay: A Wolf Goes Solo…and Acoustic!

Posted on September 13, 2021 by Bob Ruggiero

Note: This article references a livestream/taped concert from last year. John Kay’s voice is one of classic rock’s most distinctive. As the lead singer/rhythm guitarist for Steppenwolf, his gravelly, powerful tone drives their best known songs like “Magic Carpet Ride,” … Continue reading →

Posted in John Kay, Steppenwolf | Tagged , | 1 Comment