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!

Blue Öyster Cult Still Recruiting Members with New Music

Posted on April 3, 2021 by Bob Ruggiero

If you were lucky enough to be in Swanzey, New Hampshire at the Cheshire County Fairgrounds back on July 18, 2020, then you got to see two things classic rock fans anywhere else would kill for: a live show, and … Continue reading →

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Pablo Cruise Takes Time to “Breathe” During the Pandemic

Posted on March 29, 2021 by Bob Ruggiero

When the members of Pablo Cruise disembarked in Miami after playing on the high seas as part of the Puerto Rico-bound Rock and Romance Cruise, they had no clue that the late February gig was to be their last for … Continue reading →

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Liberty Devitto: Life with the Big Beat (and Billy Joel)

Posted on March 14, 2021 by Bob Ruggiero

For nearly 30 years, he provided the big backbeat behind Billy Joel as a core member of his band for hundreds of concerts around the world and on a string of hugely successful records. The two also formed a deep … Continue reading →

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Suzi Quatro: The Wild One Looks Back

Posted on March 8, 2021 by Bob Ruggiero

In the mid 1970’s, she was a pioneering female rocker at a time when that term was nearly nonexistent, a hugely popular record and concert attraction, and a style icon. That is…in much of the non-U.S. world. Here in her … Continue reading →

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CCR’s Doug Clifford Keeps On Chooglin’ with Solo Record

Posted on February 20, 2021 by Bob Ruggiero

It’s common record company hype to claim that an album has been “years in the making” upon its release. But in the case of Doug “Cosmo” Clifford’s new record, it’s more like decades. Three and a half, to be exact. … Continue reading →

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Kathy Valentine Keeps Go-Go-ing with Music, Book, Doc, & More!

Posted on February 1, 2021 by Bob Ruggiero

For Kathy Valentine, it was a Christmas gift that not only kept on giving, but in many ways came to define her life and music. On the festive yuletide evening of December 25, 1980. The singer/guitarist was catching a show … Continue reading →

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Meet the Woman Who Shot the Mad Dogs (and Englishmen)

Posted on December 23, 2020 by Bob Ruggiero

There once was a glorious age of Music Journalism Past, an era when the magical could happen. A time when interviews with rock stars weren’t 15-minute phoners with a publicist listening in, or concert pictures limited to first-three-songs-only-no-flash. For back … Continue reading →

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Wishbone Ash Paints a New Coat of Arms

Posted on December 9, 2020 by Bob Ruggiero

Though not as well known among classic rock aficionados in the U.S. as their home base in England or even Europe, for more than 50 years prog rockers Wishbone Ash have carved out their own place in rock history and … Continue reading →

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Doug Gray of Marshall Tucker Band Still Has the Fire in His Belly (and on the Mountain)

Posted on November 28, 2020 by Bob Ruggiero

For many people, remembering where they were and what they were doing on any given New Year’s Eve is an effort hampered by time, memory, or alcohol. But Doug Gray recalls exactly where he was more than four decades ago … Continue reading →

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Joe Grushecky: Rock’s Iron Man

Posted on November 17, 2020 by Bob Ruggiero

It hard to fathom in a time when the push of a button can send the music of an album to the entire country at the same time. But from the ‘60s through the early ‘80s, local rock scenes thrived … Continue reading →

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