Music journalist Stevie Nix presents all the best bits from major interviews major artists have done - it's their audio autobiography!
Kanye West goes on the record about: His parents — and, interestingly, it’s his father who he speaks mostly about Jay-Z Barack Obama Mental health His contradictions. But mostly we’re going to explore what goes on in that head of his.
Bob Dylan goes on the record about: Why he felt a phony in the 60s. His recording process Writing songs vs writing books His Born Again phase — both when he’s in it and out of it Gun control Abortion His peers, including John Lennon and Paul McCartney.
Bob Dylan goes on the record about: His childhood and parents Why he changed his name His influences His disdain for the press, Time magazine in particular Songwriting, and A couple of his most iconic songs.
Neil Young goes on the record about: His father, and the nickname he had as a child The many tangents he’s taken in his career Buffalo Springfield Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young Crazy Horse The infamous Geffen years His songwriting process Plus: He has some excellent advice for budding artists The now-iconic line “it’s better to burn out than it is to fade away” Where he got the phrase “rust never sleeps” from...
Yusuf goes on the record about: Growing up Wanting to be a cartoonist How he got the name Cat Stevens Getting TB His spiritual journey Songwriting Quitting music His comeback The difference between Yusuf and Cat Stevens
Van Morrison goes on the record about: Performing Recording Songwriting Plus he speaks about some of his most iconic songs and there’s also a fascinating insight into the real Van Morrison from fellow Irish musician Glen Hansard, who spent an eventful and enlightening night with him back in the day.
Van Morrison goes on the record about the period leading up to and including Astral Weeks. He talks about: His childhood His musical influences, Ray Charles in particular His early bands His window cleaning business Paying his dues in Germany Them Turning solo Brown Eyed Girl Astral Weeks
Angus Young goes on the record about: Learning to play the guitar His influences His brother Malcolm The music Plus, Brian Johnson goes on the record about: Bon Scott Auditioning for the band
Elton John goes on the record about: His childhood His problematic relationship with his father Drugs John Lennon His first marriage His sexuality His gift — and his gift is his song, of course Songwriting His favourite song Plus he has a theory at to what killed Elvis and Michael Jackson — it wasn’t just the drugs.
Roger Waters, Dave Gilmour and Nick Mason go on the record about: Syd Barrett Dark Side Of The Moon Wish You Were Here The Wall The Final Cut Feuds Live 8
Leonard Cohen goes on the record about: How he saw himself as a writer Women Love His time on Mt Baldy, living as a monk His comeback, and Ageing — or "The Third Act" as he referred to it
Paul McCartney goes on the record about: How The Beatles formed Why Pete Best was replaced The moment he knew they’d made it What set them apart from other English bands How close did they ever get to re-forming Playing The Ed Sullivan Show, and The "Paul is dead" farce Plus: He’ll tell you how to write a song How he would teach music to kids He’s asked if it gets harder to write songs as you get older And he also lifts the lid on some Beatles classics....
Paul McCartney goes on the record about: His childhood The first song he wrote His influences Meeting Elvis Linda. He also goes into great detail about John Lennon. You’ll hear him recount the time they first met — and it’s before that fateful day at the Woolton Fete. Why they started writing songs together How they wrote songs together Why they were so prolific Their feud, and Where he was when he heard Lennon had died. And speaking of writing songs, you’ll hear him talk about some of his best ...
Keith Richards goes on the record about: Getting his first guitar Getting beaten up at school Meeting Mick Jagger The Stones Drugs Songwriting His favourite obscure Stones song One song he’d love to call his own. Plus he also gets very personal and speaks about his son dying of cot death.
Jeff Buckley goes on the record about: His childhood His voice Grace the concept Grace the album Rap. Plus: His mother talks about when Jeff met his father, Tim One of his major influences speaks about Buckley the singer.
John Lennon goes on the record about: Double Fantasy Did the songs come easily to him? What was it like being back in a recording studio? Songwriting Being a house-husband Plus something about himself you never knew.
John Lennon goes on the record about: When he first wanted out of The Beatles Songwriting Thoughts of returning to England Meeting and working with Elton John and David Bowie Signing off in 1975 What he did for the next five years What made him return to recording And, heartbreakingly, what the future held in his eyes.
Nick Cave goes on the record about: His childhood How he got into music Forming his first band and the story from The Birthday Party to The Bad Seeds Drugs Religion Influences, Fatherhood Songwriting His music
Bruce Springsteen goes on the record about: The artist who has had the single biggest influence on his career Auditioning for legendary Columbia producer John Hammond Being dubbed “The New Dylan” Why he plays three-hour-plus concerts Why Born In The USA, the song, wasn’t on Nebraska Broadway His first band His first gig The only song he’s ever recorded that came to him in a dream.
David Bowie goes on the record about: Androgyny Being pigeon-holed Working with John Lennon Drugs Berlin 1980s Songwriting His songs His legacy
David Bowie goes on the record about: How to say his name His thoughts on his mother His influences What kind of songs did he set out to write Performing Ziggy The songs.
