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!

Former Eagle Don Felder on “Hotel California” and Flying Solo

Posted on July 2, 2014 by Bob Ruggiero

For anyone making a Top 10 list of classic rock’s most iconic songs, there of course has to be a slot for “Hotel California.” Right up there with “Hey Jude,” “Stairway to Heaven,” “Layla” and “Smoke on the Water,” the … Continue reading →

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Johnny Winter Stays True to the Blues

Posted on May 12, 2014 by Bob Ruggiero

A December 1968 edition of Rolling Stone featured Texas musicians who were at the time making inroads into the magazine’s home city of San Francisco. Featuring a cover photo of cowboy-hatted Doug Sahm (balancing toddler son Shawn on his knee), … Continue reading →

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Former YES-man Jon Anderson on His Roundabout Prog-Rock Career

Posted on April 24, 2014 by Bob Ruggiero

Classic rock fans might not see the connection between intricate, musically adventurous Progressive Rock and all-you-can-eat shrimp and shuffleboard tournaments. But increasingly, fans of this genre – or Southern Rock, or blues, or country, and even Rick Springfield or KISS … Continue reading →

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When Eric Clapton Got Laid Back – Drummer Jamie Oldaker on the ’74/’75 Recordings

Posted on February 13, 2014 by Bob Ruggiero

This article originally appeared in The Houston Press. In the fall of 1974, Jamie Oldaker was a 22-year-old drummer riding in the backseat of a car with a girl he met at a club. And he wanted to get to … Continue reading →

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Carmine Appice Drums Up an Active Year

Posted on January 22, 2014 by Bob Ruggiero

Note: This interview originally appeared in two parts in The Houston Press. He may be a senior citizen, but 67-year-old classic rock skin thumper Carmine Appice will have a busier 2014 than you for sure. In addition to co-launching a … Continue reading →

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Give the Drummer Some! Docs on Ginger Baker & Levon Helm

Posted on November 21, 2013 by Bob Ruggiero

                While lead singers get the attention, guitar heroes are worshipped by players, and bassists tend to be the strong, silent types, it is drummers who are sometimes classic rock’s most eccentric band … Continue reading →

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Life is Just Beachy for Brian Wilson & Al Jardine

Posted on October 11, 2013 by Bob Ruggiero

I recently had the opportunity to talk to not one, but two Beach Boys in my capacity as a music writer for The Houston Press. Well, technically Brian Wilson and Al Jardine are ex-Beach Boys, as Mike Love owns the … Continue reading →

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The Sunday Funnies Rock

Posted on October 6, 2013 by Bob Ruggiero

One of my favorite comic strips is Stephen Pastis’ Pearls Before Swine. His “Rat” is one of comics’ most inappropriate, bitter, and hilarious characters. His strips sometimes have elaborate puns, but this one has a classic rock theme. Find out … Continue reading →

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Clash Compadre/Director Don Letts on Handling Joe Strummer and Armadillos

Posted on September 9, 2013 by Bob Ruggiero

I recently spoke with Don Letts, close friend and video director of The Clash, for The Houston Press about the release of the band’s massive new box set, Sound System. Featuring every studio album remastered (except for last entry Cut … Continue reading →

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America’s Dewey Bunnell on That Elusive Horse with No Name

Posted on August 21, 2013 by Bob Ruggiero

Below is an excerpt from my interview with Dewey Bunnell of America, which originally appeared in The Houston Press. Read Part 1 and Part 2 of my piece in their entirety. It is one of the ’70s’ most analyzed — … Continue reading →

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