rock sounds

The Rock Show this sunday Oct 26th with Y&T, AC/DC and Atreyu

2008-10-22T16:34:00.003+01:00

THE ROCK SHOW - SUNSHINE RADIO With Jeff Collins -- SUNDAY 7PM-til-10PM -- Oct 26th.
106.2FM in Herefordshire --- 107FM and 107.8FM in Monmouthshire

Web streaming coming soon.....

Pic 1) Presenter jeff Collins backstage with Y&T's Dave Meniketti.
2) Y&T Live in Cardiff
3) Atreyu's latest album Lead Sails Paper Anchor

The Rock Show’s Special guest this week is the founder member of San Francisco Bay rockers Y&T.
Presenter Jeff Collins talks backstage with founder member, vocalist and guitarist Dave Meniketti.

Formed in 1974 as Yesterday And Today, the band shortened their name to Y&T before becoming one of the main staples of MTV in the 80’s with hits such as Summertime Girls, Lipstick and Leather and Contagious. Dave Meniketti talks about the band’s past, their current European Tour and plans for a new album in 2009.

The Rock show will hear more from AC/DC about their new album Black Ice already number one in the UK and many other countries worldwide.
It’s the band’s first album for 8 years.

Special guests this week are Atreyu.
The Californian metal band will be live on the show as they prepare for the latest gig on their UK tour. The band are promoting their latest album Lead Sails Paper Anchor.

There’ll also be copies of the new AC/DC album to be won.
Plus new tracks from Funeral For A Friend, Metallica, Girlschool, Thunder, Paul Carrack, Black Stone Cherry, Airbourne and Gojira.

Jeff’s previous guests on the Rock Show have included DAVID COVERDALE (Whitesnake)SCOTT GORHAM (Thin Lizzy) DON AIREY (Deep Purple) VINNY APPICE (Black Sabbath/Heaven and Hell) PAUL RODGERS (Free/Bad Company), KEITH EMERSON (ELP), GEOFF DOWNES (Yes and Asia), BILL BRUFORD (King Crimson) FISH (former Marillion) RICHIE EDWARDS (The Darkness/Stone Gods), and STUART CABLE (Stereophonics/Killing For Company)

The Rock Show on Sunshine Radio: 106.2 FM across Herefordshire and 107FM and 107.8FM across Monmouthshire.

Jeff Collins is also the author of the best selling ROCK LEGENDS AT ROCKFIELD, written about the iconic rock acts who have recorded at Rockfield and Monnow Valley studios in Monmouthshire.

Jeff has just finished his latest book about former Stereophonic’s drummer STUART CABLE, which is due out in September 2009.

Email jeffcollins915@btinternet.com

The Rock Show - Oct 12th Sunshine FM

2008-10-09T16:29:00.004+01:00

1 - Jeff Collins backstage with Dragonforce guitarist Herman Li
2 - Dragonforce live
3- Dragonforce live at Cardiff university

THE ROCK SHOW - SUNSHINE RADIO With Jeff Collins -- SUNDAY 7PM-til-10PM -- Oct 12th.
106.2FM in Herefordshire --- 107FM and 107.8FM in Monmouthshire
Online @ www.sunshine-radio.net

This week the Rock Show features two of the current stars of rock and metal.
DRAGONFORCE have just released their new album Ultra Beatdown to massive acclaim and have been touring the UK.
Presenter Jeff Collins goes backstage to talk to guitarist Herman Li about the bands success.
DRAGONFORCE have been labeled as ‘Bon Jovi on speed’ or ‘Journey meets Slayer’ and the Rock show will feature a number of tracks from the band’s past albums and their new CD.

Also on the show are Finnish Viking folk/metal act, TURISAS.
Named after the Finnish God Of War, TURISAS, having been winning over fans in the UK with their first two albums, Battle Metal and The Varangian Way.
Presenter Jeff Collins talks to lead singer Mathias ‘Warlord’ Nygard about the bands brand of historical metal and their rousing stage shows.

Plus NEW TRACKS from Metallica, Trivium, It Bites, Paul Weller and former Darkness singer Justin Hawkin’s new band Hotlegs.

Jeff’s previous guests on the Rock Show have DAVID COVERDALE (Whitesnake)SCOTT GORHAM (Thin Lizzy) DON AIREY (Deep Purple) VINNY APPICE (Black Sabbath/Heaven and Hell) PAUL RODGERS (Free/Bad Company), KEITH EMERSON (ELP), GEOFF DOWNES (Yes and Asia), BILL BRUFORD (King Crimson) FISH (former Marillion) RICHIE EDWARDS (The Darkness/Stone Gods), and STUART CABLE (Stereophonics/Killing For Company)

The Rock Show on Sunshine Radio: 106.2 FM across Herefordshire and 107FM and 107.8FM across Monmouthshire.

Listen Online at www.sunshine-radio.net.

Jeff Collins is also the author of the best selling ROCK LEGENDS AT ROCKFIELD, written about the iconic rock acts who have recorded at Rockfield and Monnow Valley studios in Monmouthshire.

Jeff has just finished his latest book about former Stereophonic’s drummer STUART CABLE, which is due out in September 2008.

Email jeff.collins@sunshine

The Rock Show - Sun May 4th with Reeves Gabrels of TIN MACHINE

2008-04-29T13:12:00.003+01:00

THE ROCK SHOW 6PM SUNDAY MAY 4TH

PICS -
1 - TIN MACHINE - THE ALBUM
2 - Circle of One live
3 - Circle of One. Live pics by Andrew Pritchard (www.myspace.comrockhardphotography)

It’s 1988. Disillusioned with his solo career, DAVID BOWIE forms a rock band: TIN MACHINE.

Their ground breaking debut record is the Rock Show’s album of the week.

Presenter Jeff Collins talks to TIN MACHINE guitarist REEVES GABRELS - who went on to spent 13 years working with BOWIE.

Tune in from 6pm to hear REEVES talk about how he first met BOWIE, working in a band with one of music’s most famous singer’s, and the legacy of TIN MACHINE.

Also this week Jeff talks to South Wales rockers CIRCLE OF ONE. The band’s songs are full of mesmerizing riffs, wonderful melodies and possess a true rock swagger. At the end of 2007 they released their debut mini album The Loud Minority. They have a new release planned for later this year. They are the Rock Show’s Band to Watch this week.

All that plus tracks from the forthcoming new DEF LEPPARD album and former HAWKWIND bassist ALAN DAVEY’s group GUNSLINGER!
Plus three hours of the best classic rock tunes around.

Jeff’s previous guests on the Rock Show have DAVID COVERDALE (Whitesnake) DON AIREY (Deep Purple) VINNY APPICE (Black Sabbath/Heaven and Hell) PAUL RODGERS (Free/Bad Company), KEITH EMERSON (ELP), GEOFF DOWNES (Yes and Asia), BILL BRUFORD (King Crimson) FISH (former Marillion) RICHIE EDWARDS (The Darkness/Stone Gods), and STUART CABLE (Stereophonics/Killing For Company)

The Rock Show on Sunshine Radio: 106.2 FM across Herefordshire and 107FM and 107.8FM across Monmouthshire.

Listen Online at www. sunshine-radio. net.

Jeff Collins is also the author of the best selling ROCK LEGENDS AT ROCKFIELD, written about the iconic rock acts who have recorded at Rockfield and Monnow Valley studios in Monmouthshire.

Jeff has just finished his latest book about former Stereophonic’s drummer STUART CABLE, which is due out in September 2008.

Email jeff.collins@sunshine-radio.net

The Rock Show with David Coverdale...this Sunday April 20th

2008-04-17T14:34:00.001+01:00

THE ROCK SHOW ON SUNSHINE RADIO - with DAVID COVERDALE OF WHITESNAKE!!

-- SUNDAY 6PM-9PM -- April 20th.

He’s one of the most iconic figures in Rock.
Overnight DAVID COVERDALE went from working in a clothes shop in a small English town to fronting one of the biggest bands in the world: DEEP PURPLE.
Now he’s is celebrating 30 years at the helm of his band Whitesnake, with the band are about to release their first studio album in a decade.
DAVID COVERDALE is the Rock Show’s special guest this Sunday.
He tells presenter Jeff Collins about leaving DEEP PURPLE, the creation of WHITESNAKE and the making of their latest album Good To be Bad...including how three giant black bears invaded his home recording studio during those sessions!!!

Also Jeff will be talking to Blues rockers P-A-U-L and THE HARPER WOODS HEROES. Paul Andrew Ulysses Lamb was born in Detroit and raised on the streets of an east side community known as Harper Woods. At age three, his father bought him a Jimi Hendrix album for his birthday. It changed his life forever. He talks to Jeff about that experience, life growing up in Detroit, his heroes Bob Seger and Bruce Springsteen and his new album, Hanging On For Dear Life.
They are the the Rock Show’s band To Watch this week.

All that plus three hours of the best classic rock tunes around.

Jeff’s previous guests on the Rock Show have included Black Sabbath drummer Vinny Appice, Fish, Paul Carrack, Stuart Cable, Paul Rodgers (from Free/Bad Company), Richie Edwards from The Darkness, ELP’s Keith Emerson, Whitesnake’s Neil Murray, Geoff Downes (from Yes and Asia), Yes/King Crimson drummer Bill Bruford and Deep Purple keyboard player Don Airey.

The Rock Show on Sunshine Radio: 106.2 FM across Herefordshire and 107FM and 107.8FM across Monmouthshire.

Listen Online at www.sunshine-radio.net.
Jeff Collins is also the author of the best selling ROCK LEGENDS AT ROCKFIELD, written about the iconic rock acts who have recorded at Rockfield and Monnow Valley studios in Monmouthshire.

Jeff has just finished his latest book about former Stereophonic’s drummer Stuart Cable, which is due out in September 2008.

Email jeff.collins@sunshine-radio.net

THE ROCK SHOW - SUNSHINE Radio -- Sunday April 6th

2008-04-01T21:51:00.002+01:00

THE ROCK SHOW ON SUNSHINE RADIO -- SUNDAY 6PM-9PM -- April 6th.

“The next great rock band to come out of Ireland!!” That’s the verdict of none other than the mother of the late, great THIN LIZZY frontman Phil Lynott.
Philomena Lynott was talking about the band, GLYDER.
The group’s second album Playground For Life is the Rock Show’s Featured Album Of The Week.
GLYDER'S singer and bass player, Tony Cullen, talks to presenter Jeff Collins about the making of their second record, life on the road, and being hailed as the natural successors to THIN LIZZY.
Tune in from 6pm to hear the interview and tracks from both GLYDER'S new CD and their critically acclaimed debut album.

The Rock’s Show’s New Band Of The Week is the highly rated BLANCO DIABLO. The North Carolina rockers are in the UK to record their second album --- following their exciting debut LP, Paper Poison Revolution. Tune in to hear Jeff talk to the band and play some BLANCO DIABLO style rock!
All that plus three hours of the best classic rock tunes around.

Jeff’s previous guests on the Rock Show have included Black Sabbath drummer Vinny Appice, Fish, Paul Carrack, Stuart Cable, Paul Rodgers, Richie Edwards from The Darkness, Marillion’s Mark Kelly, ELP’s Keith Emerson and Whitesnake’s Neil Murray, Geoff Downes and John Wetton (Yes and Asia), Yes and King Crimson drummer Bill Bruford and Deep Purple keyboard player Don Airey.

The Rock Show on Sunshine Radio: 106.2 fm across Herefordshire and 107FM and 107.8FM across Monmouthshire.
Listen Online at www.sunshine-radio.net.

Jeff Collins is also the author of the best selling ROCK LEGENDS AT ROCKFIELD and has just finished his latest book about former Stereophonic’s drummer Stuart Cable, which is due out in September 2008.
Email jeff.collins@sunshine-radio.net

THE ROCK SHOW - SUNSHINE Radio -- Sunday April 6th

2008-04-01T21:51:00.000+01:00

The Rock SHOW - Sunshine Radio -- Featuring Don Airey

2008-03-25T17:17:00.003+00:00

PRESS RELEASE

THE ROCK SHOW ON SUNSHINE RADIO -- SUNDAY 6PM-9PM -- March 30th.

Pic 1 - Don Airey live with Deep Purple
Pic 2 - The Last Republic - ones to watch.

This week’s special guest on the Rock Show is DEEP PURPLE Keyboard player DON AIREY.
Don’s career reads like a Who’s Who of rock. He’s played with Rainbow, Whitesnake, Ozzy Osbourne, Thin Lizzy, UFO, Jethro Tull, Judas Priest and Queen’s Brian May among others. He’s been a member of DEEP PURPLE for the past 6 years.
His new solo album A LIGHT IN THE SKY is the Rock Show’s album of the week.

Tune in from 6pm to hear Don talk to presenter Jeff Collins about the making of his new album, playing at the Kremlin with DEEP PURPLE in front of new Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and his predecessor Vladimir Putin (both big fans of the band!), and the highs and lows of his extraordinary career, including the effects of witnessing the tragic death of Ozzy Osbourne’s guitarist RANDY RHODES in an aircrash.

The Rock’s Show’s New Band Of The Week is the highly rated INCH HIGH. The Northern Irish rockers have recently toured with the Tygers Of Pang and will be releasing a new album soon.

Also on the show, The Rock Show’s featured live act will be THE LAST REPUBLIC - A Welsh act who recently recorded some material at Monmouth’s Monnow valley studios with Radiohead and Roger waters producer, Chris Sheldon. Tune in for exclusive live tracks from one of the band’s recent electrifying performances.

All that plus three hours of the best classic rock tunes around.

Jeff’s previous guests on the Rock Show have included Black Sabbath drummer Vinny Appice, Fish, Paul Carrack, Stuart Cable, Paul Rodgers, Richie Edwards from The Darkness, Marillion’s Mark Kelly, ELP’s Keith Emerson and Whitesnake’s Neil Murray, Geoff Downes and John Wetton (Yes and Asia) and Yes and King Crimson drummer Bill Bruford.

The Rock Show on Sunshine Radio: 106.2 fm across Herefordshire and 107FM and 107.8FM across Monmouthshire.

Listen Online at www.sunshine-radio.net.

Jeff Collins is also the author of the best selling ROCK LEGENDS AT ROCKFIELD and has just finished his latest book about former Stereophonic’s drummer Stuart Cable, which is due out in September 2008.
Email jeff.collins@sunshine-radio.net

Pictures by Andrew Pritchard --- www.myspace.com/rockhardphotography

THE ROCK SHOW TONIGHT - Sunshine Radio

2008-03-23T17:15:00.002+00:00

PRESS RELEASE MONDAY
March 17th 2008

THE ROCK SHOW ON SUNSHINE RADIO -- SUNDAY 6PM-9PM -- March 23rd.

Pics (By Andrew pritchard)
1. Big Linda on Stage
2. Tokyo Dragons Mal Bruk with presenter jeff Collins

This week’s special guest on the Rock Show is former lead singer of the Symphonic Rock band, Nightwish: Tarja Turunen.
Since leaving the band, the singer is forging a new solo career under the banner of Tarja. Her second solo album My Winter Storm is the Rock’s Show’s Album Of The Week.
Tarja talks to presenter Jeff Collins on the phone from her home in Buenos Aires about the inspiration behind her new CD, recording a new version of Alice Cooper’s hit single Poison and about life after Nightwish.

The Rock’s Show’s New Band Of The Week is Big Linda. Heavily tipped by Classic Rock magazine to be the ‘Next big Thing’, their debut album I Loved You is out on April 14th....we have access to some preview tracks.

Also on the show, Tokyo Dragons guitarist Mal Bruk talks about their new album Hot Nuts.

All that plus three hours of the best classic rock tunes around.
Jeff’s previous guests on the Rock Show have included Black Sabbath drummer Vinny Appice, Fish, Paul Carrack, Stuart Cable, Paul Rodgers, Richie Edwards from The Darkness, Marillion’s Mark Kelly, ELP’s Keith Emerson and Whitesnake’s Neil Murray, Geoff Downes and John Wetton (Yes and Asia) and Yes and King Crimson drummer Bill Bruford.
The Rock Show on Sunshine Radio: 106.2 fm across Herefordshire and 107fm across Monmouthshire (107.8fm in Abergavenny).

Listen Online at www.sunshine-radio.net.

Jeff Collins is also the author of the best selling ROCK LEGENDS AT ROCKFIELD and has just finished his latest book about former Stereophonic’s drummer Stuart Cable, which is due out in September 2008.
Email jeff.collins@sunshine-radio.net

PIctures by ANDREW PRITCHARD www.myspace.com/rockhardphotography

2008-03-04T16:57:00.005+00:00

Pic 1) Mike Peters
2) Killing For Company

THE ROCK SHOW ON SUNSHINE RADIO -- SUNDAY 6PM-9PM -- March 9th.
This week featuring Mike Peters of The Alarm plus The Tokyo Dragons and Killing for Company live!

The Alarm frontman Mike Peters talks to Jeff Collins about the band’s influential and highly successful career.
Spanning 25 years, millions of album sales and worldwide hit singles such as Spirit of ’76, Strength and 68 Guns, the Alarm have made a huge impact on the world of rock.
Tune in from 6pm to hear Mike talk about - among other things - the band’s early days, the huge success the Alarm enjoyed during the 80’s and 90’s and his fascinating meetings with the likes of Bob Dylan and Neil Young.

(Next week - March 16th - Mike will tell the Rock Show about the current projects he’s working on with the Alarm)

Jeff will also be speaking to Stuart Cable and the Tokyo Dragons backstage as the Dragons and Stuart’s new band, Killing For Company, share the bill at a gig in Swansea.
Jeff will also be playing live tracks from each band.

The Rock’s Show’s New Band Of The Week is Tribe. Jeff caught up with their lead singer at Monnow Valley Studios in Monmouth where they were recording parts of their debut album.

All that plus three hours of the best classic rock tunes around.

Jeff’s previous guests on the Rock Show have included Black Sabbath drummer Vinny Appice, Fish, Paul Carrack, Stuart Cable, Paul Rodgers, Richie Edwards from The Darkness, Marillion’s Mark Kelly, ELP’s Keith Emerson and Whitesnake’s Neil Murray, Geoff Downes (from Yes and Asia) and Yes and King Crimson drummer Bill Bruford.

The Rock Show on Sunshine Radio: 106.2 fm across Herefordshire and 107fm across Monmouthshire (107.8fm in Abergavenny).
Listen Online at www.sunshine-radio.net.

Jeff Collins is also the author of the best selling ROCK LEGENDS AT ROCKFIELD, written about the iconic rock acts who have recorded at Rockfield and Monnow Valley studios in Monmouthshire.
Jeff has just finished his latest book about former Stereophonic’s drummer Stuart Cable, which is due out in September 2008.
Email jeff.collins@sunshine-radio.net

New book on Rockfield Studio and the rock legends who recorded there

2008-03-04T16:47:00.002+00:00

Pics
1) Jeff Collins at monnow Valley Studios (formerly Rockfield's rehearsal studio)
2) Rock Legends At Rockfield by Jeff Collins
3) Jeff Collins (left) with Robert Plant and his band

ROCK LEGENDS AT ROCKFIELD by JEFF COLLINS

This is the tales of the Rock icons who have recorded at the legendary Rockfield studios in Wales.
It's where Queen made Bohemian Rhapsody --- Freddy Mercury writing the song while the band played frisbee in the courtyard.
Motorhead indulged in drugs and groupies while hosts of Hells Angels descended on the nearby town on Monmouth.
Motorhead and Judas Priest duked it out in a 'Food Fight' at the studios while recording classic albums....while Robert Plant, Phil Collins and Co would go on drinking sessions while making the Golden Gods' first post Zep albums.

Read the fascinating and funny tale of this recording studio and its place in music history.

Out on on Amazon in the US, Canada, UK, France, Germany, Italy and Japan. Plus available from all good book stores.

ROCK LEGENDS AT ROCKFIELD by Jeff Collins

To Read extracts from the book go to:
rockfieldbook.blogspot.comos

Hear Tracks from the new WHITESNAKE ALBUM on THE ROCK SHOW this Sunday with Jeff Collins

2008-02-29T12:56:00.003+00:00

THE ROCK SHOW with Jeff Collins on SUNSHINE FM (listen online at www.sunshine-radio.net)

THIS SUNDAY ---- The ROCK SHOW will feature tracks from the new WHITESNAKE album GOOD TO BE BAD.

The album - WHITESNAKE'S first in a decade - is due to be released on April 21st.

Also on this sunday's ROCK SHOW - from 6pm - 9pm -- KING CRIMSON drummer BILL BRUFORD talks about the making of their classic 1982 album DISCIPLINE.

DENNIS DE YOUNG talks about his time with STYX and his departure from the band in 1999.

The ROCK SHOW'S featured NEW BAND is DEAD AGAINST THE REST which tracks from their excellent new EP - Echoes of the Dead.

THE ROCK SHOW--- SUNSHINE FM ---
Listen online at www.sunshine-radio.net

or 106.2FM in Herefordshire and 107FM and 107.8FM in Monmouthshir

2008-02-28T22:01:00.002+00:00

THE ROCK SHOW ON SUNSHINE RADIO -- SUNDAY 6PM-9PM -- March 2nd.
Listen online at www.sunshine-radio.net

106.2FM and 107FM in Herefordshire and Monmouthshire

Influential drummer BILL BRUFORD talks to presenter Jeff Collins about the hit KING CRIMSON album Discipline.
Bill Bruford started his career with Yes before leaving to join Robert Fripp in King Crimson in 1972. He also frequently played as the second drummer on tour with Genesis in the 70’s and 80’s.
After a seven year break, King Crimson reformed in 1981 with a new sound, partly inspired by two new American recruits: Bassist Tony Levin, who’d played with John Lennon and Peter Gabriel and singer/guitarist Adrian Belew, who worked with David Bowie, Frank Zappa and the Talking Heads.
The resulting album Discipline, from 1982, is regarded as one of progressive rock’s finest moments.
Tune in from 6pm to hear Bill Bruford talk to the Rock Show about how the reformed group got together and the writing and recording of their Classic album.

Jeff will also be speaking to former Styx singer Dennis De Young from his home in Chicago. Dennis will talk about his favourite Styx tunes, such as Babe and Lady. He also explain the reasons behind his break with America’s best-selling rock band in 1999.
The Rock Show will also feature two Styx’s classics played on Dennis’ recent solo tour.

Plus the Rock Show will feature two new tracks from the new ASIA album --which is due for release in April. Hear them here first.

The featured New/Unsigned band are Dead Against The Rest - A hotly tipped young rock band from South Wales.
All that plus three hours of the best classic rock tunes around.

Jeff’s previous guests on the Rock Show have included Black Sabbath drummer Vinny Appice, Fish, Paul Carrack, Stuart Cable, Paul Rodgers, Richie Edwards from The Darkness, Marillion’s Mark Kelly, ELP’s Keith Emerson, Whitesnake’s Neil Murray and Geoff Downes of Yes/Asia.
The Rock Show on Sunshine Radio: 106.2 fm across Herefordshire and 107fm across Monmouthshire (107.8fm in Abergavenny).
Jeff Collins is also the author of the best selling ROCK LEGENDS AT ROCKFIELD, written about the iconic rock acts who have recorded at Rockfield and Monnow Valley studios in Monmouthshire.
Jeff has just finished his latest book about former Stereophonic’s drummer Stuart Cable, which is due out in September 2008.

Email jeff.collins@sunshine-radio.net

The Rock Show -- Feb 24th with Geoff Downes and Styx

2008-02-22T17:53:00.005+00:00

PICS- FROM THE TOP
1) ASIA live 1982
2) ASIA live 2007
3) Geoff Downes at his Raglan Studio

THE ROCK SHOW ON SUNSHINE RADIO -- SUNDAY 6PM-9PM -- February 24th.
This week featuring GEOFF DOWNES (Asia, Yes and the Buggles) and DENNIS DE YOUNG (Styx).

Listen on www.sunshine-radio.net and 106.2 in Herefordshire and 107FM in Monmouthshire

Rock Keyboard player GEOFF DOWNES talks to presenter Jeff Collins about the 80’s Supergroup ASIA and the making of their smash hit debut album.
Asia featured Geoff Downes (from Yes and Buggles) on Keyboards, Steve Howe (from Yes) on Guitars, Carl Palmer (From ELP) on drums and John Wetton (King Crimson and Roxy Music) on Bass and lead vocals.
The band’s self-titled debut album, released in the spring of 1982, was one of the biggest selling albums of the decade.
It spent nine weeks at number one in the U.S. and sold more than 12 million copies worldwide, spawning the hit singles Heat Of The Moment and Only Time Will Tell.
Tune in from 6pm to hear Geoff Downes talk to the Rock Show at his recording studio in Raglan. Geoff explains about how the supergroup got together, the making of their first album and its huge success worldwide.
Asia start a tour of the UK next month to mark their 25th anniversary and the release of a new album.
Jeff will also be speaking to former Styx singer Dennis De Young from his home in Chicago. Dennis will talk about his favourite Styx tunes, such as Babe and Lady. He also explain the reasons behind his break with America’s best-selling rock band in 1999.
The Rock Show will also feature two Styx’s classics played on Dennis’ recent solo tour.
The featured New/Unsigned band are Fury UK - with tracks from their new album In The Face Of Adversity.

All that plus three hours of the best classic rock tunes around.

Jeff’s previous guests on the Rock Show have included Black Sabbath drummer Vinny Appice, Fish, Paul Carrack, Stuart Cable, Paul Rodgers, Richie Edwards from The Darkness, Marillion’s Mark Kelly, ELP’s Keith Emerson and Whitesnake’s Neil Murray.
The Rock Show on Sunshine Radio: 106.2 fm across Herefordshire and 107fm across Monmouthshire (107.8fm in Abergavenny).

Jeff Collins is also the author of the best selling ROCK LEGENDS AT ROCKFIELD, written about the iconic rock acts who have recorded at Rockfield and Monnow Valley studios in Monmouthshire.
Jeff has just finished his latest book about former Stereophonic’s drummer Stuart Cable, which is due out in September 2008.

Call Jeff on 07825 653506 or email jeff.collins@sunshine-radio.net

2008-02-12T14:16:00.000+00:00

THE ROCK SHOW ON SUNSHINE RADIO -- SUNDAY 6PM-9PM -- February 17th.

******Change of Rock Show Guest*****

Former WHITESNAKE bassist NEIL MURRAY talks to presenter Jeff Collins about the making of the group’s highly acclaimed Lovehunter album.
From 1978 until 1987, MURRAY helped make WHITESNAKE one of the most popular bands in the world. He recorded 9 albums with the band, including Ready An' Willing, Come An' Get It, Saints An' Sinners and 1987.

Murray, who also spent three years in BLACK SABBATH, is regarded as one of the best bass players in rock.
Tune in from 6pm to hear NEIL MURRAY talk to the Rock Show about joining WHITESNAKE, working with the band’s singer DAVID COVERDALE, the recording of Lovehunter, its controversial cover and turning WHITESNAKE into a worldwide success.
Plus the Rock Show’s ‘Unsigned/New Band Of The Week’ is the up and coming Hereford band TEN THOUSAND FLUSHES.
Also there are two live Tracks from GILLAN. Angel Air records has unearthed a previously unheard concert from the Marquee Club in London in 1978 as IAN GILLAN'S then-new band warmed up for the Reading festival a few weeks later.
All that plus three hours of the best classic rock tunes around.

***Next week Jeff Collins talks to legendary rock keyboard player GEOFF DOWNES at his home studio in Raglan about the making of the debut album by 80’s supergroup ASIA, which stayed at number one in the US album charts for 9 weeks in 1982.

Jeff’s previous guests on the Rock Show have included Black Sabbath drummer Vinny Appice, Fish, Paul Carrack, Stuart Cable, Paul Rodgers, Richie Edwards from The Darkness, Marillion’s Mark Kelly and ELP’s Keith Emerson.
The Rock Show on Sunshine Radio: 106.2 fm across Herefordshire and 107fm across Monmouthshire (107.8fm in Abergavenny).
Jeff Collins is also the author of the best selling ROCK LEGENDS AT ROCKFIELD, written about the iconic rock acts who have recorded at Rockfield and Monnow Valley studios in Monmouthshire.
Jeff has just finished his latest book about former Stereophonic’s drummer Stuart Cable, which is due out in September 2008.

Call Jeff on 07825 653506 or email jeff.collins@sunshine-radio.net

The Rock Show -- Feb 10th on Sunshine Radio

2008-02-08T16:11:00.001+00:00

The Rock Show on Sunshine Radio --- this Sunday 6pm Feb 10th

(Pictures from l-r Paul Roberts (Breakfast Presenter), Jeff Collins and Paul McCarthy (sales)

THE ROCK SHOW ON SUNSHINE RADIO -- SUNDAY 6PM-9PM -- February 10th. ----- Feauring ELP, COHEED AND CAMBRIA AND LOGAN.

Legendary keyboard wizard KEITH EMERSON talks to JEFF COLLINS about Emerson, Lake and Palmer's multi-million selling album TARKUS.
The album made number 1 in the UK and number 9 in the US in 1971 as ELP dominated the album charts on both sides of the atlantic in that decade.
Comprised of KEITH EMERSON (From The Nice) ..boards, Greg Lake (from King Crimson) on bass and vocals and Carl Palmer (Atomic Rooster) on drums, ELP were one of the first rock supergroups.
At the height of their success, their played to 350 thousand people at the California Jam festival supported by Deep Purple, Black Sabbath and The Eagles.
Tune in from 6pm on Sunday to hear Keith talk to The Rock Show from his home in California about the making of Tarkus, the band's classic album.
Also on this week's Rock Show are US prog rockers, COHEED AND CAMBRIA. The band are currently touring the UK in support of their highly acclaimed new album, Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV, Vol 2: No World For Tomorrow.
COHEED AND CAMBRIA bassist Michael Todd takes time out of his touring schedule to speak to Jeff Collins about the bands growing success, their new album and how he beat his personal demons, which saw him temporarily quit music.
Plus the Rock Show's 'Unsigned/New Band Of The Week' is the highly rated Scottish Rockers, LOGAN.

Jeff's previous guests have included Black Sabbath drummer Vinny Appice, Fish, Paul Carrack, Stuart Cable, Paul Rodgers, Richie Edwards from The Darkness and Marillion's Mark Kelly.

The Rock Show on Sunshine Radio: 106.2 fm across Herefordshire and 107fm across Monmouthshire (107.8fm in Abergavenny).
Jeff Collins is also the author of the best selling ROCK LEGENDS AT ROCKFIELD, written about the iconic rock acts who have recorded at Rockfield and Monnow Valley studios in Monmouthshire.
Jeff has just finished his latest book about former Stereophonic's drummer Stuart Cable, which is due out in September 2008.

Call Jeff on 07825 653506 or email jeff.collins@sunshine-radio.net

The Rock Show - Sunshine Radio -- featuring Stuart Cable Sunday 13th Jan 6pm

2008-01-11T19:11:00.000+00:00

THE ROCK SHOW ON SUNSHINE RADIO -- SUNDAY 6PM-9PM -- JANUARY 13th

The Featured album of the week on The Rock Show is PERFORMANCE AND COCKTAILS from the Stereophonics.

You can hear the band's former drummer Stuart Cable talks to Sunshine Rock Show presenter Jeff Collins about the making of Performance and Cocktails.
The Stereophonics 2nd album was the one that catapulted them into the big time and saw them filling arenas and stadiums across Europe. It’s the Rock Show’s featured Album of the Week.
You can hear Stuart talk about the making of this album, the videos that accompanied it and the birth of Stereophonics in the small mining village of Cwmaman.
This Sunday’s Rock Show will also feature 2 live track’s from bad boy LA rockers Motley Crue.
Plus the Rock Show’s ‘Unsigned Band Of The Week’ is The Last Republic. Heard the tracks they recorded at Monnow Valley Studios in Monmouth with Foo Fighter's producer Chris Sheldon.

Jeff’s previous guests have included Black Sabbath drummer Vinny Appice, Fish and Paul Carrack.

The Rock Show on Sunshine Radio: 106.2 across Herefordshire and 107Fm across Monmouthshire (107.8 in Abergavenny).

You can heard it on the internet on wm9.easystream.co.uk/sunshine107

Jeff Collins is also the author of the best selling ROCK LEGENDS AT ROCKFIELD, written about the iconic rock acts who have recorded at Rockfield and Monnow Valley studios in Monmouthshire.

Led Zeppelin - The Reunion -- a review

2008-01-11T18:37:00.000+00:00

LED ZEPPELIN -- LIVE AT THE O2 ARENA, LONDON, DECEMBER 10TH

Tickets for this long-awaited reunion had been issued by ballot, along with a personal passcode, in an attempt to beat the ticket touts. An estimated 20 million people registered to apply for tickets.
I lost out in the first ballot. But after Jimmy Page’s injury (unlucky for him but lucky for me), the returned tickets were reallocated, and at 6 o’clock in the evening one November night, an email told me I’d be one of the lucky 20 thousand people selected to see the giants of rock live at their reunion gig at the O2 Arena in London.
December 10th finally arrived. After a sleepless night, I head down to London from South Wales very early. This is a day to savour. I arranged a handful of interviews with some of the supporting artists for a Rock Show, which I present on UK radio. After spending half an hour driving around the maze that is London’s Dockland’s, I finally arrive at the O2 arena in Greenwich.
I walk, with my friend and Colleague Andrew Pritchard, heading straight for the Media Centre. Once inside, I bump into an old friend of mine, who works for the BBC’s TV news. David Sillito greets me warmly and introduces me to the rest of the handful of journalists, who have arrived backstage this early. Someone spots that Andrew and I are wearing the much desired ticket wristbands.
‘You’re going into the concert?’ asks a reporter from Reuters.
‘Yes’, I reply. ‘Aren’t you?’
The answer, it seems, is no. None of the reporters are going to be allowed inside the arena. They will have to watch on television inside the Media Centre. Above them are big signs warning “Do Not Film The Televisions or You Will Be Asked To Leave The Building.”
‘You lucky devils!’ mutters one journalist under his breath.
Ten minutes later, Andrew and I are heading backstage with the manager of Paul Rodgers. Security is tight. There must be at least 15 different backstage passes, but only one will get you into the area where the artists dressing rooms are based. But no pass - even with a United Nations escort - will get you into the Led Zeppelin backstage area. There’s more security there than the green zone in Baghdad!
Fortunately, Paul Rodgers manager has the right coloured pass to take us backstage and security has no choice but to let him through, though seem reluctant to allow me and Andrew through.
‘It’s OK they’re here with me,’ explains the manager and we’re allowed to cross the threshold. We walk down the drab, grey coloured corridor passing two dressing rooms. One has the sign ‘Chris Squire and Keith Emerson’ on it. The other dressing room is labeled “Simon Kirke and Alan White’. As Led Zeppelin have reformed to pay tribute to the memory of the late Atlantic Records boss, Armet Ertegun, the support acts include the ex-members of Yes, ELP and Bad Company who will play Fanfare For The Common man. Bill Wyman and the Rhythm Kings will also play a set, as will Paul Rodgers. Paolo Nuttini is also on the bill as the last act signed by Armet Ertegun.
As we briefly wait outside Paul Rodgers dressing room, we can hear Foreigner - another of the support acts - rehearsing just yards away on stage. The US rock act are playing their biggest hit, I Wanna Know What Love Is. We’re ushered inside, and the former Free singer is pleasantry itself. Incredibly friendly, very funny and full of funny anecdotes about his time with Atlantic Records, Bad Company and his time hanging out with the Led Zeppelin guys. Rodgers tells me that tonight he’ll play two songs. He do an acoustic version of the Bad Company song Seagull and then with Bill Wyman and the Rhythm Kings, he’ll sing a version of Free’s Alright Now.
The interview ends with Rodgers still in an extremely good mood. Effusive handshakes all round, while Rodgers lovely wife hands Andrew and I a tour T-Shirt each and a DVD of his recent tour.
My arranged interview with Free/Bad Company drummer Simon Kirke falls through as he is still stuck in traffic getting to the O2 arena. The interview will have to wait until another day.
Later when I eventually meet up with Simon Kirke, he tells me that the overbearing security guards made life unpleasant for most of the artists.
‘Backstage was not a good experience,’ said Simon. ‘The security at the O2 almost ruined the experience. But, hey, it was Zeppelin, wasn’t it? Those guys were so happy before the gig. I reckon they’ll tour again. They were so into it!’
Simon Kirke is one of the very few people to have played with Zeppelin on stage. During a rough patch in his life in 1980, his was invited by John Bonham to join the band to cheer him up. They were playing a few gigs in Germany. A second drum kit was set up on stage and Kirke joined them for the last two songs at the gig in Munich. It was Zeppelin’s last but one concert.
Zeppelin were only returning the favour, though. In 1975, Plant, Page, Bonham and Jones turned up at Bad Company gig in Birmingham.
‘I remember they joined us on stage,; says the drummer. ‘Paul Rodgers told the crowd “We’ve got a real treat for you now. We’re being joined onstage by a new band who might do quite well.’” Well, then Zeppelin walked onstage - only the biggest band in the world! - and the crowd went crazy. It was Birmingham, so it was like a home gig for them, because Robert and John Bonham lived nearby.’
Time to move into the Arena for the concert. The support acts came and went in a blur. In between the promoter, Harvey Goldsmith, came on and introduced film clips showing aspects of Armet Ertegun’s career.
All to soon, it was ten to nine and the arena went dark. It was time! They’re nearly here.
The cheers nearly lifted the roof off the O2. Then a video screen flickered to life and the set started with a movie clip from 'The Song Remains The Same' DVD. It showed an excerpt from an American news item telling of the day when Led Zeppelin broke The Beatles' attendance record for a gig in 1973 in California.
The young band were shown walking off their private jet and heading to the arena to play at the height of their powers.
Then the noise level went off the scale as the crowd spotted four silhouettes moving gingerly onto the stage. Moments later Jimmy Page was cranking out the notes to Good Times, Bad Times. Despite a little bit of feedback every now and again, the audience just seemed stunned. Stunned that they were actually watching THE Led Zeppelin in action.
Zeppelin’s tours in the past were always dominated by America. Since the end of their 1973 tour, Zeppelin had only played in their home country on 7 occasions. Five times in 1975 and twice in 1979. This was just their 8th appearance in the UK in 34 years!
Next up was Ramble On. Page was again on top form grinding out the slow bluesy riff. Jason Bonham found his feet very quickly and was the perfect substitute for his late father.
Three songs in and Zeppelin had nailed their sound. Like a band who’d been on the road for a year or two, the four had gelled into a tight musical unit. The Zeppelin of old were really back. To prove this, Robert Plant’s immaculate voice belted out the line:
‘Hey, Hey Mama, said the way you move
Gonna make you sweat, gonna make you groove!’

Black Dog was a highlight of the show. When the band stopped and Plant sang the “Ah Ah” bits, the crowd sung it back with delight.
After In My Time Of Dying, Robert Plant suddenly announces that the band are going to do something they haven’t done in a long while.
‘We’re going to play a song we’ve never done live before!’ announces the golden haired singer. He looks slim and healthy, replete with fetching goatee beard. He’s reveling in the crowd’s response. They can’t believe their going to heard a song which the band have never tried live before.
The band’s choice: For Your Life from Presence. It zips along with Page and Plant, in particular, showing they still have the magic.
Before starting the next song Plant tells the crowd it was the band's attempt to sound like Robert Johnson's 'Terraplane Blues'. He then kicks the bottom of the microphone stand and adopts the ‘Rock God’ pose. But it’s here on Trampled Underfoot - and the next songs Nobody Fault But Mine and No Quarter - that John Paul Jones finally takes centre stage. His bass playing has been excellent but now on the keyboards he is absolutely note-for-note perfect.
The band are all wearing black, except for Page, who has discarded his suit jacket and is now in a dazzling white shirt.
Robert Plant’s vocal performance is awesome during Since I’ve Been Loving You. The only slightly shaky moment of the set comes when the singer seems a little off key and out of his stride for the verses of Dazed and Confused. Thankfully, Page’s central riff is spot-on. And in the middle of the song, the guitarist is surrounded by a shroud of laser light as he repeats his now famous solo, where he takes a violin bow to his guitar. This idea was given to him by the Man From U.N.C.L.E actor David McCallum, who studied classical music and is a friend of Page.
When the opening refrain of Stairway To Heaven rings out across the O2, the crowd goes crazy. The rendition is pure bliss. After the song Robert gazes skyward, with hands clasped, and proclaims, ‘Ahmet, we did it!’
The Song Remains The Same and Misty Mountain Hop are flawless, but the high point of the show has to be Kashmir. Plant introduces this one by declaring "We've got people from 50 countries here and this is the 51st.’
Kashmir is so perfect, its just like the band are miming to the record. They don’t put a foot wrong. Behind them the video screen goes into overdrive in blur of colour and shapes.
They leave the stage but return for two encores. Whole Lotta Love and Rock n Roll. Andrew and I look at each other, thinking the same thing. “I’ve seen Led Zeppelin live!” Words I never thought I’d ever say.
Despite their years apart, this was a polished performance full of energy and spirit. It’s undoubtedly the best concert I’ve ever seen. It’s hard to believe a youthful Led Zeppelin could have been any better than this. If they were, then they were indeed Gods of Rock!

Rock Legends at Rockfield -- great new book

2008-01-06T00:10:00.001+00:00

ROCK LEGENDS book in top ten of 2007

The Western Mail (National daily newspaper for Wales) picks its top ten Welsh books of the year.Resident critic John Jones picks his best of the year.ROCK LEGENDS AT ROCKFIELD makes number 3. The Top 10 is:
1 Caryl Lewis Martha, Jack and Shanco (Parthian, £8.99)
2 Hannah Jones Diary of a Diet (Accent, £6.99)

3 Jeff CollinsRock Legends at Rockfield (UWP, £13.99)Black Sabbath, Motorhead and Queen were just some of the icons who visited Rockfield, a farmhouse near Monmouth where some of the greatest rock albums ever made were produced. A fascinating account of some often bizarre tales surrounding the making of these recordings.

4 Mike Parker Neighbours from Hell? (Y Lolfa, £6.95)
5 Rhys Davies The Withered Root (Library of Wales, £7.99)
6 John Hopkins Golf Wales (Graffeg, £14.99)
7 Derek Brockway Whatever the Weather (Gomer, £14.99)
8 Imogen Rhia Herrad The Woman who Loved an Octopus and other Saints' Tales (Seren, £6.99)This collection of short stories shows us the female saints of Wales as never seen before, bringing together 12 themed tales based on their lives and legends. Sometimes, elements of a myth are used as a framework for a new story, flooding the old tale with a fresh, or possibly rediscovered, meaning.
9 Edited by Meic Stephens Poetry (Library of Wales, £9.99)
10 Anthony Stokes The Valleys (Seren, £25)

HEAVEN AND HELL ROCK

2007-11-29T15:40:00.000+00:00

SABBATH

It's Tuesday afternoon and I'm heading into Cardiff City centre to see Black Sabbath Mk II. Farcically, they have to call themselves Heaven and Hell after this line-up's debut album, cos Sharon Osbourne threw her dummy out of the pram!!!! This is the same lady who threatened legal action against two roadies who were writing a book about Sabbath. She was worried they'd portray her in a bad light. Even though the period they were writing about was before she managed the band!! Doh!!! She and X-factor deserve each other.
I arrive at the International Arena at 6-15 ready to meet Sabbath drummer Vinny Appice backstage. Vinny has arranged for me to get a crew pass and two tickets for tonight's gig. The PR company dealing with tonight had tried to stop me getting backstage claiming none of the band were doing any interviews on the UK leg of the tour. Fortunately Vinny had helped me with me book Rock Legends at Rockfield, and I was able to contact him directly. Problem sorted.
I'm taking a copy of my book to give to Vinny as a 'thank You' for helping me. As I wait at the side of the stage. One of the security guards asks me where I got the book as he's planning on buying it at the weekend. I explain that I'm the author and I'm giving this copy to the Sabbath drummer for his help with the book. This prompts an interesting 10 minute chat about the bands such as Sabbath, Queen, Motorhead and Rush who visited Wales to record at Rockfield. After this pleasant distraction, I ushered through the the Sabbath production office and after a short wait, I'm then taken to Vinny's dressing room.
Vinny greets me warmly and tells me that I'm an adopted member of the sabbath crew for the day and to make myself at home backstage. He passes me a beer from the cooler box and we chat about Sabbath's time at Rockfield. I record this for my radio series for Sunshine Radio, based on my book.
Vinny is a hugely friendly chap and a very talented drummer. It's a very interested hour that we spend together.(see top photo)

At 7-30, having wished Vinny a good show, I wander back out into the front of the venue. The crowd is gathering. Sabbath t-shirts everywhere and surprisingly a number of Threshold t-shirts. Five or six at least. Threshold are a good band but I can't figure out why so many of there fans are here. Are they lost? Are Threshold playing somewhere nearby??

One expensive beer later, and I wander to the main entrance of the Arena to meet up with Stuart Cable and the bass player Steve Williams from Killing For Company. Both are smiling and looking forward to seeing Heaven and Hell.
The support acts Iced Earth and Lamb Of God go down well. LOG have a big following here and the whole front of the arena seem to be chanting 'Lamb of God...Lamb of God..Lamb of God'. It's their third trip to Cardiff, and the second here at the CIA (Last time they were here with Slayer). They tell the audience that after these last few dates, they'll be taking some time off before recording a new record in the new year.
9PM
Heaven and Hell arrive. The stage set is superb. It's a church complete with graveyard, stained glass windows and fence.
Ronnie James Dio is in fantastic voice as they open with Mob Rules. Vinny's drum kit is huge and he puts in a killer performance. The Heaven and Hell set is fantastic. The only minor quibble is that there is a strange lack of interaction between the band. Tony Iommi stands to the far left of the stage with Geezer Butler around 100 yards away from him on the right hand side. They neither move near each other nor look at each other. Strange!

10-30pm...the set is surprising short -- at least 45 minutes shorter than the set played on the CD recorded earlier this year in New York.
We all disperse...Steve and I pausing to buy Sabbath hoodies for a tenner outside the venue and then we disappear into the night. Tomorrow I'll be back for the the Tokyo Dragons. I'm looking forward to it.

JEFF COLLINS

ROCK LEGENDS AT ROCKFIELD by Jeff Collins is out now on University of Wales press. It's available from Amazon and all good book stores.

Rock LEGENDS BOOK -book signings

2007-10-12T17:01:00.000+01:00

ROCK LEGENDS AT ROCKFIELD --- by Jeff Collins

Book signings over the next 3 weekends.

Music, drugs, drink, and farm-yard animals! You’ll laugh, you’ll cry and you’ll be amazed at the antics of the world’s most famous rock legends when they visited Rockfield studios.

Rock Legends at Rockfield by Jeff Collins goes behind the scenes of some of the greatest albums ever made. It tells the fascinating, often bizarre and humourous tales surrounding the making of these records and explains how a small farm converted into a recording studio in Wales became one of the most famous names in rock music.

Borders Fforestfach (Swansea) 13th Oct 12-2pm
Borders Llantrisant 13th Oct 3-4pm

Waterstones Hereford 20th Oct 12-2pm

Waterstones Aberystwyth 27th Sep 12-1pm
Galloway Aberystwyth 27th Sep 1.30-2.30pm
WHS Aberystwyth 27th Sep 3-4pm

"This book takes you back through 25 years of rock ‘n’ roll history and makes you feel like you were actually there (and I was)!"
Jezz Woodroffe, Robert Plant/Black Sabbath keyboard player

"He's trying to f*****g kill me. Where's my gun?"
OZZY OSBOURNE being chased by a Swan who was attacking him at the river alongside the studios. Ozzy and Sabbath were rehearsing for Black Sabbath Vol. 4.

book signing --- rock legends at rockfield

2007-10-04T09:59:00.001+01:00

Hi everyone.

I'll be signing copies of my book ROCK LEGENDS AT ROCKFIELD in the new BORDERS in Cardiff City Centre this Saturday from 4pm to 6pm.

"This book takes you back through 25 years of rock ‘n’ roll history and makes you feel like you were actually there (and I was)!"
Jezz Woodroffe, Robert Plant/Black Sabbath keyboard player

"He's trying to f*****g kill me. Where's my gun?"
OZZY OSBOURNE being chased by a Swan who was attacking him at the river alongside the studios. Ozzy and Sabbath were rehearsing for Black Sabbath Vol. 4.

ROCK LEGENDS AT ROCKFIELD is out now in the UK/Europe and is published in the US/Canada from November.

Jeff Collins

Review -- FISH live at The point in Cardiff - sept 23rd 2007

2007-10-03T11:21:00.000+01:00

FISH - at the Point, Cardiff by Jeff Collins.

SUNDAY SEPT 23RD
2pm.
I've been trying to contact Fish all week. I've been asked by Classic Rock Magazine to review the concert -- I'd also like to interview him about marilion's time at Rockfield studios for the radio station I'M involved with called Sunshine.
2-30pm
Still no word from the Fish camp. I'm getting worried that I might not make it into the gig and might not meet the man himself. Have worna hole in the carpet from incessant pacing!!!! Lucky I don't smoke!!!!

2-45pm
Finally Fish's tour manager calls and says I can come down to meet him at 4pm. He'll be in the pub opposite the venue (The Point in Cardiff). The pub! Perfect!
I wander down to Cardiff Bay and eventually meet Fish at The Point itself in the dressing room upstairs (having check out the pub which was Fish free!). He's in a very happy mood. His beloved Hibernian have beaten Celtic 3-2 in the Scottish Premier League. He wanders around the venue with me -- stopping every musician and roadie to telling them about Hibs great win.
4pm
We walk across the road to the pub where we settle down with a pint and watch the start of the Scotland v New Zealand game. Scotland are soon 7 points down. Fish has his head in his hands. "Oh dear. We're going to get a bloody kicking here", he says.
Keyboard player Foss Patterson is sitting with us. A fellow Scot he fears the worst also.
"They're just a bloody relentless machine" he says as the All Blacks score once again.
Fish heads off to buy another beer for us while Scotland do themselves no favours by dropping the ball whenever they have possession.
4-40pm
Half time in the rugby and Scotland are 20 points down and heading for a real beating.
"Come on" says Fish. "I think we can do the interview now as this game is well and truly over".
We head out and to the band's tour bus. Once inside we sit opposite each other on the very comfy seats downstairs. We spend 40 mins doing the radio interview which will be used on Sunshine FM as part of our "Made in Monmouth" slot. Fish talks about Marillion's time at Rockfield, The making of Fugazi and his new Cd and tour.
.
7pm.
I'm back at The Point with Sunshine radio colleague Andrew Jancey who's a big marillion fan.
First up is a band called Stone Sole River. They are fantastic. They have a very retro 70's sound. The stand out of the set is called House Burning Down which is reminiscent of Iron Butterfly. They've already toured with the likes of Joe Bonamassa and Carl Palmer. I recomend you get yourself a copy of their CD Terra mama or visit their myspace site www.myspace.com/stonesoleriver. Buy their CD and you wont be disappointed.
Fish takes to the stage at 8-45pm with a series of TV news clips played onto a giant videoscreen. They're been given amusing alternate headlines. One shows former US president Reagan meeting Gorbachev. The caption reads: "1988 - Reagan and Gorbachev agree Marillion's Clutching at Straw's is the album of the year". Another shows Labour's 97 election win with the caption "1997 Blair elected on mandate to reunited Fish and Marrillion.
The crowd love this.
Slainte Mhath from Clutching at Straws kicks off the set. (The tour is called Clutching at Stars -- mixing the Marillion album title with his latest CD called The 13th Star).
Two of the next three songs are powerful tracks from his new album Circle Line and Square Go- the latter featuring a power rant "Just Once I wanna fight back!"

Fish is on excellent form with a fantastic line in funny stories. He talks about Hibs 3-2 win over Celtic and Scotland's trouncing by New Zealand. "We got a right kicking. Scary fuckers those All Blacks. Even on the strongest drugs, I wouldn't wanna be on a rugby pitch with those 22 stone monsters."
He mentions England losing to South Africa which gets a huge cheers from the predominantly Welsh audience.
Then back to football as he mentions Scotland's recent heroic win over France in the Euro 2008 qualifiers.
"Now I know what I'm doing next summer", he says with a smile."But the Scots can always snatch defeat from the jaws of Victory!"
"so can Wales" shouts one wag from the audience. "Oh" responds Fish. "We Celts are fucked up!".
One of the highlights of the set if the trilogy from Clutching at Straws Hotel Hobbies/Warm wet cirlces/That time of night.
For Warm Wet Circles no backing vocals are needed as they are provided by the crowd. This is Fish at his most impressive. At the end of Dark Star from the new CD, Fish introduces his drummer Gavin Griffiths. From Llanelli, the Welshman is proudly wearing the new Welsh rugby jersey. He gets a huge cheer. "oh" says Fish "you can do no wrong in their eyes. But you still can in ours!" he warns with a smile.
Fish may have aged (he's now 49) but when he pulls those heart-rending facial expressions on stage and dances in his inimitable way, you recognise the youthful and exuburent Fish of 20 years ago.
Two thirds of the way into the set, Fish calls for a glass of wine. "Bollocks. Its going so well I can afford to get pissed" he says. The crowd shout 'Down in One' which he does.
After the encores, my friend Andrew Jancey remarks to me how much he's enjoyed the show. Particularly the Marillion stuff, which they no longer play. How can they not oplay the songs which made their name!!?!! Remarkable!
Afterwards its backstage for a quick drink with Fish and the band and after a few photos we bid our goodbyes.
A tremendous night, a great gig and I look forward to seeing Fish play live again soon.

The full set list:
Slainte Mhath
Circle Line
So Fellini
Square Go
The Perception Of Johnny Punter
Manchmal
Hotel Hobbies
Warm Wet Circles
That Time Of The Night
Vigil In A Wilderness Of Mirrors
White Russian
Dark Star
Sugar Mice

Encore:
Cliche
Incommunicado
The final curtain

ROCK LEGENDS AT ROCKFIELD by Jeff Collins is out now in the UK/Europe and will be published in the USA/Canada in November.

ROCK LEGENDS BOOK in the South Wales Echo

2007-10-03T11:17:00.000+01:00

ROCK LEGENDS AT ROCKFIELD by JEFF COLLINS out now in UK/Europe. Out in the US/Canada in November.

Oz Fest rocks Jeff’s book with laughs
Sep 21 2007
by Gavin Allen, South Wales Echo

THEY say you should never meet your heroes but first-time author Jeff Collins met at least three of his and loved every minute of it.

Collins drank Lemmy’s Jack Daniels, reunited Robert Plant with his old band and fielded calls from Geddy Lee at his Llandaff home as he researched Rock Legends At Rockfield, a history of the world- famous recording studio just outside Monmouth.

“Before I started the book I knew Rockfield had a fantastic reputation but I didn’t realise how big it was – particularly in America,” said Collins, who launches the book at the Old Nags Head pub in Monmouth at 6pm tonight.

“I think part of the reason for that is because the artists love it so much, and the artists love it so much because Rockfield is so guarded about their privacy and their stories.

“What I found was that, while the Rockfield staff and owners still wouldn’t disclose a lot of that stuff, the artists were so happy to talk about Rockfield that they all told me those things themselves.”

Among the raft of rock star stories, Collins, 40, discovered that one band consistently stole the limelight – Black Sabbath, and in particular their crazed frontman Ozzy Osbourne.

“The funniest story was when one of the producers told me that one day he saw Ozzy running towards him screaming ‘he’s going to kill me’ and the producer thought there was a gang of people chasing him,” said Collins, who lives with his partner Yvonne and their three-year-old son Bryn.

“But then behind Ozzy waddled this swan.

“Ozzy being Ozzy, he always kept a shotgun in his car and he came back blasting away at this poor swan which, thankfully, he missed.

“But you can imagine how funny it was to see the Prince of Darkness terrified of a swan. He may have been drinking at the time.”

Rock Legends at Rockfield By Jeff Collins is published by University Of Wales Press and is out on Wednesday September 26, with a recommended retail price of £13.99.

ROCK LEGENDS at Rockfield -- book signings

2007-09-17T16:45:00.000+01:00

For anyone interested here's a list of book signings which I'll be doing for ROCK LEGENDS AT ROCKFIELD over the next few weeks.

Monmouth Bookshop 22nd Sep 11-1pm
Abergavenny Bookshop 22nd Sep 2.30-4pm

Waterstones Swansea 24th Sep 3-4pm
WHS Swansea 24th Sep 1-2pm

Galloway 27th Sep 1.30-2.30pm
Waterstones Aberystwyth 27th Sep 12-1pm
WHS Aberystwyth 27th Sep 3-4pm

Waterstones Cardiff 28th Sep 12-2pm

Borders Cardiff 6th Oct 4-6pm

Borders Llantrisant 13th Oct TBC
Borders Fforestfach 13th Oct 12-2pm
Waterstones Hereford 20th Oct 12-2pm

Rock Legends at Rockfield -- on the BBC

2007-09-17T10:04:00.000+01:00

BBC NEWS ONLINE (Rock legends at Rockfield by Jeff Collins)

Robert Plant back at Rockfield, where his career took a new path
The story of how a Welsh farm became a not-so-quiet corner of rock'n'roll has been told in a history of a Monmouthshire recording studios.
Rockfield was started by brothers Charles and Kingsley Ward in 1965.

Over four decades it has produced hits from artists such as Queen, Motorhead, Oasis, Stereophonics and the former Led Zeppelin front man Robert Plant.

"I'm amazed no-one had written about it before," said the book's author, journalist Jeff Collins.

Robert Plant returned to Rockfield last year on the 25th anniversary of his first solo album and was interviewed by Collins for the book.

The 59-year-old told Collins he was "re-born both personally and professionally" at the studios after the break-up of Led Zeppelin, following the death of drummer John Bonham.

He said: "After all that wild stuff, and momentum, this was an absolute dream, because it was pastoral, funny, and it had a history, the place itself¿ was a bit more passive than any kind I'd ever been in."

Motorhead front man, Lemmy, left, is interviewed by Jeff Collins

This week it was announced Led Zeppelin are to reform - with Bonham's son playing drums - for a one-night-only charity gig at London's O2 arena.

Collins, 40, said: "When I was growing up, I couldn't believe all this fantastic music was being recorded just a few miles up the road, and in Wales.

"I'm amazed no-one had written about it before."

The Ward brothers were signed to a music label in the mid-60s and created their first studio on the family farm when they became fed up with the travelling to London for recording sessions in the days before the M4 motorway opened.

One of the first artists to raise the studios profile among aspiring musicians was Cardiff-born Dave Edmunds with his 1971 hit, I Hear You Knocking'.

Collins tracked down a number of the stars who used the studios during their career, as well as some of the producers and engineers.

Among stories told in Rock Legends At Rockfield is the recording of Queen's masterpiece A Night at the Opera, part of which was recorded at Rockfield in 1975 and is reputed to be one of the most expensive albums of all time.

Queen's operatic Bohemian Rhapsody became a rock classic

Roadie Peter Hince, known as Ratty, claims in the book that record label executives were sweating as the costs of classic tracks, including operatic Bohemian Rhapsody, mounted.

He said: "If it hadn't sold as many millions as it eventually did...EMI might have had second thoughts."

The album topped the charts in Britain and reached number four in America.

Freddie Mercury wrote his piano part for Bohemian Rhapsody in a former feed store at the farm while the rest of the band played Frisbee in a nearby field.

Mercury's six-minute epic may have gone into rock legend, but the record executives who were paying the bills needed to see a return on the investment, according to Hince.

He said: "Overall it was a pretty hectic time. There was a lot of pressure, so you got a feeling it was a real "make or break" time for the band.

"At the time, A Night At The Opera was one of the most expensive albums ever made. The cost in terms of studio time was phenomenal.

"If it hadn't sold as many millions as it eventually did...EMI might have had second thoughts after spending all that money and might have dropped Queen."

(Jeff will appear live on BBC Radio Wales talking about ROCK LEGENDS AT ROCKFIELD with Alan Thompson from 9pm tomorrow night Tuesday.)

ROCK LEGENDS AT ROCKFIELD has been delayed by 4-5 days and will now be published on Sept 20-21.

The official book launch will take place in Monmouth in the Nag's Head pub on Friday 21st Sept from 6pm.