INTERVIEWS
One of the most rewarding aspects of my career was the access to people and events that it afforded...everyone from Ian Anderson to Frank Zappa and everything from a seat at the White House Press Room (audio to be posted later) to facing off against Victor The Wrestling Bear.
These are all raw, unedited recordings. Any public use of this material must be accredited to BillFantini.com
Many more will be posted as I review them, but to start:
It was one of the most awe-struck 3-minues-41-seconds of my life...with R&R legend Chuck Berry...giving his views on being an inspiration to others, being an independent musician (no recording contract), and writing the autobiography published in 1989. (http://billfantini.com/audio/Chuck Berry.mp3)
1980: Ian Anderson talked about the "new" Jethro Tull, his eye injury & the dangers of concerts, ballet, his salmon farm, and his "...sign, Man." (http://billfantini.com/audio/Ian Anderson.mp3)
June, 1980: News conference for release of The Blues Brothers Movie...featuring John Landis, John Belushi, and Dan Aykroyd as they discuss every aspect of making the film. (mp3)
- ~ And there were two other interview opportunities as part of that event:
- James Brown (http://billfantini.com/audio/James Brown 6-14-80.mp3)
- The Blues Brothers Band - with Steve Cropper, Matt "Guitar" Murphy, Donald, "Duck" Dunn. (mp3)
February, 1980: Several interviews went into this 5-episode report on Pink Floyd's The Wall, produced for NBC's The Source radio network. (http://billfantini.com/audio/Floyd Wall RR.mp3) 
1981: Mick Jagger held a news conference in Philadelphia to announce the "Tattoo You World Tour" would launch at JFK Stadium. (Jagger at JFK) 
September, 1980: John Cougar Mellencamp chats about being a "Rock-&-Roller" not an "entertainer"...what makes him angry...his interest in being a producer...feeling lucky to be alive after neurosurgery when he was an infant...and his motorcycle. (http://billfantini.com/audio/John Cougar.mp3)
November 1980: Frank Zappa talked about the joy of performing vs. the drudge of touring, his daily routine and views on life. (http://billfantini.com/audio/Frank Zappa.mp3)
June, 1983: "Turn on. Tune in. And please take charge." Timothy Leary updated his infamous slogan in his visit to my home to discuss his autobiography. He discussed his actual view on drugs, Nancy Reagan, computers, and what is now an obviously overly optimistic prediction about an end to partisan politics. (http://billfantini.com/audio/Timothy Leary.mp3) 
April, 1979: The day after a performance at Philly's Bijou Cafe, Billy Crystal sat down at the WYSP studios with Trip Reeb, Maureen (Flaherty) McNeice and me. He talked about hecklers, getting second billing, pros & cons of success, working on the 70s TV series "Soap," having Martin Scorcese as a prof, and sports. (http://billfantini.com/audio/Billy Crystal.mp3)
October, 1985: 'Little' Steven Van Zandt sat down to promote his anti-apartheid effort, Sun City. In this program produced for ABC Radio, the activist-actor-musician provided background on the dirty tricks that were being played at the time in South Africa, and talked about serving as producer of the recording to raise funds. Among the all-star rockers who joined in were Hall & Oates and Van Zandt's band-mate and good friend, Bruce Springsteen. (http://billfantini.com/audio/Little Steven.mp3) 
March, 1982: Charlie Daniels discussed the relevance of his then current single, "Still In Saigon". Also...his home life, early career (I forgot he had played with Dylan), people who helped him over the years, and some pretty amazing birthday gifts from friends. (http://billfantini.com/audio/Charlie Daniels.mp3)
December, 1979: Freddie Salem of The Outlaws bemoans legal charges that were filed even though the band had paid for damage to their hotel room. Also, keeping up their R&R image, the difference a record producer can make, and being a concert band. (http://billfantini.com/audio/Freddie Salem.mp3)
July, 1980: Eddie Money reflected on life, R&R as a profession, singing reggae, 1979's "Money Madness" & other movie offers. (http://billfantini.com/audio/Eddie Money 7-16-80.mp3)
May, 1982: In the music biz for about two decades at that time, Chubby Checker talks about playing to new crowds, his love of performing, his "Clark Kent" approach to getting to the stage, and his love of Philadelphia (although he had moved to suburban Paoli). (http://billfantini.com/audio/Chubby Checker.mp3)
July, 1980: Two recordings from the release of "Cheech & Chong's Next Movie" ... A group news conference where they discuss (all with a large dose of joking) their method of acting, 'objectionable' material, the business side of movies, drugs in movies, drugs & kids, their kids, and the joys of being a team. (http://billfantini.com/audio/Cheech&Chong Newser.mp3)
- … And an R-rated one-on-one chat with the duo talking about what offends them, motivation for their writing, how they handle flubs, their relationships with their parents, who actually performed the music in the movie, what music they listen to, and how they met. (http://billfantini.com/audio/Cheech&Chong.mp3)
December, 1981: Soupy Sales [mp3]
November, 1984: Cartoonist Bill Keane came to my home studio to talk about his book, The Family Circus Album ...also the 'aging' of his characters, how cartooning changed over the years, seeking an emotional response, and religion. (http://billfantini.com/audio/Bill Keane.mp3) 
October, 1982: Jim MacDonald, who succeeded Walt Disney in 1946 as the voice of Mickey Mouse, discusses the remake of Fantasia. (http://billfantini.com/audio/Jim Mouse MacDonald.mp3)
1992: Michael Jackson (not the gloved one) - the beer & spirits author explains beer's origins in pre-historic times, proper glasses & pouring techniques and why he discourages drinking from the bottle, pairing with food, correct serving temperatures, corn as an ingredient, and much more. (http://billfantini.com/audio/Michael Jackson.mp3)
February, 1991: Caroline Kennedy and Ellen Alderman explain some of the finer points of their book In Our Defense: The Bill Of Rights. (http://billfantini.com/audio/Kennedy-rights.mp3)
July, 1983: How little we knew! This discussion with Dr. Walter Lear - nationally renowned HIV-AIDS researcher and Philadelphia LBGT activist - demonstrates the progress made since. (http://billfantini.com/audio/Dr Walter Lear.mp3)
June, 1983: Richard Simmons came to my home studio to promote his book Never Say Diet and his "nothing-works-but-eating less-&-exercising-more" approach to getting healthy. (http://billfantini.com/audio/Richard Simmons.mp3) 
While there are more interviews to come, there are many others I wish I had had the foresight to keep copies of...but didn't. The most special among them: All of Lynyrd Skynyrd before the plane crash, Robert Palmer on the day he joined me in the WIOQ studios to pick all of the music for my midday show, the shows at 'IOQ when Steve Goodman and The Chieftans did live performances, and - of course - the day three members of the Amazing Rhythm Aces rolled joints throughout the entire live interview. Alas! All gone.
Multiple voices: Along with the benefit of gaining access to people & events, I also was able to extract the favor of a few recordings for me personally. (http://billfantini.com/audio/personal.mp3)
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