Rock & Roll High School With Pete Ganbarg
by Pure Tone Music
Season 6 Coming Soon! Rock & Roll High School is an interview series that tells the story of contemporary music one artist at a time - in their own words. Hosted by Pete Ganbarg -------------------------------------- About Pete: Pete Ganbarg has been doing major label A&R (Artists & Repertoire) for over 35 years. He's a 2X Grammy award winning record producer as well as a member of the board of directors of the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Pete has held senior A&R positions at Atlantic, Arista, Epic and SBK/EMI and is currently the president of Pure Tone Music and co-owner of Silver Sky Music. As a music publisher, Pete operates Songs With A Pure Tone and Margetts Road Music, joint ventures currently in partnership with Warner Chappell Music as well as new ventures in partnership with Kobalt. Songs published by Pure Tone include 2024's Grammy winning Record of the Year, "Flowers" by Miley Cyrus, the global #1 "Ordinary" by Alex Warren, as well as hit
Episodes
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Rock & Roll High School Book Club: Nik Cohn - Corner Boy
For the second edition of the Rock & Roll High School Book Club, we're joined by legendary writer Nik Cohn, whose new book, Corner Boy: Loiterings New and Old, edited by Ben Ratliff and published by ZE Books, brings together more than six decades of extraordinary writing about music, culture, and...
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Rock & Roll High School Book Club: Mitchell Cohen & Dennis Diken — Wake Me, Shake Me
Welcome to the first-ever edition of the Rock & Roll High School Book Club! For our inaugural selection, we're joined by veteran music writer and record executive Mitchell Cohen, author of Wake Me, Shake Me: New York City, the '60s, and the Pop-Rock Youthquake, along with a very special guest —...
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Desmond Child
For our 100th episode, we're joined by legendary Hall of Fame songwriter Desmond Child. For nearly 50 years, Desmond has written or co-written some of the most iconic songs of the last half-century: "Livin' On A Prayer," "You Give Love A Bad Name," "I Was Made For Lovin' You," "Dude (Looks Like A...
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Richard Gottehrer - Part 2
Richard Gottehrer is one of the most influential figures in the history of popular music—but unless you're a serious student of music history, you may not know his name. Over the course of an extraordinary career spanning more than six decades, Richard has reinvented himself time and again -- as…
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Richard Gottehrer - Part 1
Richard Gottehrer is one of the most influential figures in the history of popular music—but unless you're a serious student of music history, there's a good chance you've never heard his name. Over the course of an extraordinary career spanning more than six decades, Richard has reinvented…
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Jim Messina (Buffalo Springfield/Poco/Loggins & Messina)
Jim Messina has had one of the most remarkable and influential careers in American music. As a member (and producer) of Buffalo Springfield, he helped shape one of the defining bands of the late 1960s before going on to form Poco, where he became one of the architects of the country rock…
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Howard Jones
Howard Jones helped define the sound of the 1980s by proving that synthesizers could be every bit as expressive and emotionally resonant as guitars or pianos. Classically trained as a pianist before embracing the emerging world of electronic music, Howard exploded onto the international stage…
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Colin Hay (Men At Work)
Colin Hay is one of those rare artists whose career has unfolded in two remarkable acts. As the lead singer, guitarist, and principal songwriter of Men at Work, Hay helped create some of the defining songs of the early MTV era, including "Who Can It Be Now?," "Down Under," "Overkill," "It's a...
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Gary U.S. Bonds
This week on Rock & Roll High School, we're joined by rock & roll pioneer Gary U.S. Bonds. Long before the British Invasion, Gary U.S. Bonds was one of the defining voices of early rock & roll. Bursting onto the charts with classics like "New Orleans," "Quarter to Three," "School Is Out," and…
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Lenny Kaye
Legendary guitarist, producer, author, music historian, and cultural curator Lenny Kaye joins us this week on Rock & Roll High School. For more than five decades, Lenny has occupied a singular place in popular music. As the longtime guitarist and closest musical collaborator of Patti Smith, he...
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Clive Davis (2026 Edit)
All of us at Rock & Roll High School are very saddened to learn of the passing of our friend and former guest Clive Davis. This is a new edit of our conversation with the legend himself, originally recorded shortly after Clive’s 90th birthday in 2022.
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Vernon Reid (Living Colour)
Vernon Reid has spent more than four decades pushing the boundaries of what rock music can be. Best known as the founder, guitarist, and primary songwriter of the groundbreaking band Living Colour, Reid helped redefine hard rock in the late 1980s by fusing rock, metal, funk, jazz, punk, and…
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Judy Collins
Few artists have lived as many lives in music as Judy Collins. Emerging from the folk revival of the early 1960s, Judy became one of the era's defining voices, recording timeless interpretations of songs by artists such as Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Randy Newman, and Leonard Cohen, while helping...
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Bobby Colomby (Blood, Sweat & Tears)
Bobby Colomby has had an absolutely fascinating career in music. Growing up in Manhattan, Bobby's older brothers were deeply entrenched in the city's thriving jazz scene: one was best friends with Miles Davis, while the other managed Thelonious Monk. That love of jazz rubbed off on Bobby, who, as...
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Jonathan Cain (Journey)
When Jonathan Cain joined Journey in 1980, the band was already successful. But with Cain’s arrival, Journey evolved into something even bigger: one of the defining melodic rock bands of all time. As keyboardist and co-songwriter, Cain helped create some of the most enduring songs in popular…
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Patrick Simmons (The Doobie Brothers)
When people talk about the great American bands of the 1970s, The Doobie Brothers are always part of the conversation. Across more than five decades, the band has navigated multiple eras, lineups, and styles—moving seamlessly between biker bar rock, California harmony pop, blue-eyed soul, and FM...
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"Weird Al" Yankovic
For more than four decades, "Weird Al" Yankovic has done something almost nobody else in popular music has ever pulled off: he built a lasting career out of parody, satire, and sheer musical precision — while becoming one of the most beloved entertainers in pop culture history. From early…
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Everlast
Everlast has had one of the most unconventional career arcs in modern music—from his early days as a teenager with Ice-T’s Rhyme Syndicate to mainstream success with House of Pain and their iconic hit Jump Around. After a near-fatal heart episode, he reinvented himself with the deeply personal...
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Southern Rock Trilogy Pt. 3: Alan Walden (Lynyrd Skynyrd, Otis Redding, Capricorn Records)
Few figures in the history of Southern music operated as both insider and architect the way Alan Walden did. Best known as the co-founder (with his brother Phil) of Capricorn Records and manager (and music publisher) of both Lynyrd Skynyrd and Otis Redding, Alan helped build the infrastructure...
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Southern Rock Trilogy Pt. 2: Don Barnes (.38 Special)
This week, we continue our Southern Rock trilogy with Don Barnes of .38 Special. As the co-founder, lead singer, and chief songwriter behind .38 Special, Don helped define a sound that brought Southern rock squarely into the mainstream—melding muscle, melody, and undeniable hooks. With a string…
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Southern Rock Trilogy Pt. 1: Henry Paul (The Outlaws/Blackhawk)
Few artists embody the spirit, resilience, and evolution of Southern rock quite like Henry Paul. A founding member of Outlaws and later the driving force behind Blackhawk, Henry’s career bridges two distinct eras of American music—each rooted in storytelling, musicianship, and a deep sense of...
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Don Was
Few producers in the history of modern music have shaped records—and artists—the way Don Was has. From his early days as a hitmaking artist with Was (Not Was) to becoming one of the most trusted producers in the business, Don’s fingerprints are on an extraordinary range of iconic recordings. But...
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John Oates (Hall & Oates)
John Oates is one half of the most successful duo in music history — Hall & Oates — and one of the architects of the sound of American pop radio in the late 20th century. In this episode of Rock & Roll High School, John takes us inside the making of a catalog that includes era-defining hits like...
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Al Jardine (The Beach Boys)
Imagine you’re a second-string high school running back. You strike up a conversation with the backup quarterback, bonding over a shared love of vocal harmony. You decide to start a group together. That group becomes The Beach Boys — a band that will reshape the sound of modern music. And that...
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Harry Wayne "KC" Casey (KC & The Sunshine Band)
Harry Wayne “KC” Casey is a hit machine. As the founder, songwriter, producer, and frontman of KC and the Sunshine Band, KC helped define the sound of the 1970s and 80s with a run of joyous, groove-driven records that still light up dance floors around the world. Blending Miami soul, funk, R&B…
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Kevin Cronin (REO Speedwagon)
As the voice, songwriter, and driving force behind REO Speedwagon, Kevin Cronin helped shape the sound of American arena rock in the late ’70s and ’80s. His soaring vocals and emotionally direct songwriting powered a string of radio staples including Keep On Loving You, Take It on the Run, Can’t...
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Suzi Quatro
To a generation of Americans, Suzi Quatro is best known as Leather Tuscadero on the 1970s sitcom Happy Days and for her 1979 smash duet with Chris Norman, “Stumblin’ In.” But long before she stepped onto a Hollywood soundstage or crossed over to American pop radio, Suzi Quatro had already…
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Noel Paul Stookey (Peter, Paul and Mary)
Noel Paul Stookey is a founding member of one of the most iconic trios of all time, the legendary folk group Peter, Paul and Mary. From helping ignite the 1960s folk revival to introducing the songs of Bob Dylan to a mass audience with their era-defining recording of “Blowin’ in the Wind,” and...
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Legends of the Recording Studio (Elliot Scheiner & Frank Filipetti)
Elliot Scheiner and Frank Filipetti are two of the most legendary recording studio figures of all time. As producers, engineers and mixers, they've worked on thousands of successful award-winning projects over the past 50+ years. Together with fellow studio legends George Massenburg, Chuck…
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Richard Thompson (Fairport Convention/Richard & Linda Thompson)
As a pioneering architect of British folk-rock and one of the most distinctive guitarists of his generation, Richard Thompson has spent more than five decades redefining musical storytelling. As a founding member of Fairport Convention, he helped shape a new sound that fused traditional British...
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Lou Gramm (Foreigner)
As the iconic voice behind one of arena rock’s most enduring bands, Lou Gramm helped define the sound of late-’70s and ’80s rock radio. As the frontman of Foreigner, his powerful, unmistakable vocals drove a run of classic albums and singles including Cold as Ice, Hot Blooded, Juke Box Hero,...
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Warren Haynes (Gov't Mule/Allman Brothers Band/The Dead)
As one of the most respected guitarists and songwriters in American roots rock, Warren Haynes has helped carry the traditions of blues, soul, and Southern rock into the modern era. Best known for his work with The Allman Brothers Band, Gov’t Mule, and The Dead, Haynes has built a career defined…
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Darlene Love
As one of the most powerful and influential voices in American popular music, Darlene Love helped define the sound of early rock and soul while shaping the language of modern pop singing. Rising to prominence in the early 1960s, her unmistakable voice powered a string of era-defining recordings...
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Alice Cooper
As the godfather of shock rock and one of the most enduring figures in American music, Alice Cooper helped redefine what a rock frontman could be. Blending hard rock, theatrical spectacle, and unforgettable hooks, he's delivered a run of iconic albums and singles including School’s Out, I’m...
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Season 5 Trailer
All new episodes every week - starting Thursday, January 15th!
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Steve Cropper - 2025 Edit
We were very saddened to hear of the passing of our former podcast guest Steve Cropper. Steve was one of the great guitarists and songwriters of all time and his key role in the Stax house band, Booker T & The MG's, helped create some of the most legendary music of the last 60+ years. In this…
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David Coverdale (Whitesnake/Deep Purple/Coverdale Page) - 2025 Edit
As we get set to release a brand new season of Rock & Roll High School, we're releasing a newly re-edited version of our Season 2 interview with David Coverdale. David recently announced his retirement and we wish him well. In David's words: “After 50 plus years of an incredible journey with you...
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Justin Hayward (Moody Blues) - 2025 Edit
In a newly re-edited version of this episode, originally from Season 3, we revisit our conversation with Justin Hayward. Known principally as the vocalist, lead guitarist and composer for the innovating and trail blazing band Moody Blues, Justin Hayward is an enduring talent that has helped to...
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Dave Stewart (Eurythmics) - 2025 Edit
In a newly re-edited version of our Season 2 finale, we're joined by award-winning singer, songwriter, musician, producer, innovator and Eurythmics co-founder Dave Stewart. Newly inducted into both the Songwriters and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame, Dave talks about how he learned to play guitar…
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Don Felder (formerly of The Eagles)
As a key architect of the Eagles’ classic sound and the band's lead guitarist from 1974 - 2001, Don Felder co-wrote and performed on some of rock’s most enduring anthems, including “Hotel California,” “Victim of Love,” and “Those Shoes.” His signature guitar work helped propel the band to…
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Carole Bayer Sager
Legendary songwriter Carole Bayer Sager joins us to reflect on a remarkable career that includes co-writing timeless hits like “Nobody Does It Better,” “That’s What Friends Are For,” and “Arthur’s Theme.” A Grammy, Oscar, and Tony winner, Carole shares stories of her collaborations - both...
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Russ Ballard
You may not know Russ Ballard's name but you certainly know his voice and his songs. From fronting Argent and singing lead on Hold Your Head Up as well as writing and singing lead on“God Gave Rock and Roll to You,” to writing chart-toppers like “New York Groove,” “You Can Do Magic,” “Winning” “I...
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Melissa Manchester
Melissa Manchester is celebrating over 50 years in music and recently joined us in person to discuss her long, successful career. From winning a Grammy in 1982 to having massive hits with classics like “Midnight Blue,”“Don’t Cry Out Loud,” and “You Should Hear How She Talks About You,” Melissa's...
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Stan Lynch (Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers/Speaker Wars)
Stan Lynch is a founding member and longtime drummer of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, a band he played in for close to 20 years. Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Stan's also written and produced for The Eagles, Don Henley and John Mellencamp. His new band, a collaboration with Texas...
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Mark Farner (Grand Funk Railroad)
Our guest this week is a legendary singer songwriter and musician -powerhouse frontman of Grand Funk Railroad: Mark Farner. As one of the original driving forces behind the band, —Mark is the the voice of anthems like “We’re an American Band” and the epic “I’m Your Captain (Closer to Home),”…
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Little Anthony
Little Anthony helped define the sound of early rock and soul—and at the age of 84 years old, he's still going strong. In this revealing conversation, Anthony takes us through his extraordinary life and career—from doo-wop beginnings with The Imperials to stories of his best friends Frankie Lymon...
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Jim Peterik (Survivor/Ides of March)
Jim Peterik wrote the book on songwriting. Literally. He's the co-author of Songwriting For Dummies, now in its 2nd edition. More famously — he’s also the author of some of the best known songs of the last 50 years, including “Eye Of The Tiger,” which Jim co-wrote with Frankie Sullivan, for their...
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John Hall (Orleans/No Nukes)
On this episode of Rock & Roll High School, John Hall—founding member of Orleans, No Nukes pioneer, and former U.S. Congressman—shares the stories behind hits like “Dance with Me” and “Still the One,” his journey from rock stardom to Washington, and his fight for clean energy. Hall reflects on...
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William Bell
In this special episode of Rock & Roll High School, we sit down with the incomparable William Bell, a true icon of soul music and one of the original architects of the legendary Stax Records sound. From writing timeless classics like "You Don’t Miss Your Water" and"Born Under a Bad Sign", to...
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Danny Kortchmar
For over 50 years, Danny "Kootch" Kortchmar has been rock music's secret weapon. As a guitarist and songwriter, he's collaborated with everyone from James Taylor, Carole King, and Jackson Browne to Jon Bon Jovi and Don Henley. Songs he's written include "All She Wants To Do Is Dance," "Somebody's...
About this show
Season 6 Coming Soon!
Rock & Roll High School is an interview series that tells the story of contemporary music one artist at a time - in their own words.
Hosted by Pete Ganbarg
--------------------------------------
About Pete:
Pete Ganbarg has been doing major label A&R (Artists & Repertoire) for over 35 years. He's a 2X Grammy award winning record producer as well as a member of the board of directors of the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Pete has held senior A&R positions at Atlantic, Arista, Epic and SBK/EMI and is currently the president of Pure Tone Music and co-owner of Silver Sky Music.
As a music publisher, Pete operates Songs With A Pure Tone and Margetts Road Music, joint ventures currently in partnership with Warner Chappell Music as well as new ventures in partnership with Kobalt. Songs published by Pure Tone include 2024's Grammy winning Record of the Year, "Flowers" by Miley Cyrus, the global #1 "Ordinary" by Alex Warren, as well as hit
Hosted by
Pure Tone Music
Categories