Rock & Roll High School With Pete Ganbarg
Pure Tone Music
Season 5 Out Now!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 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.As a music publisher, Pete operates Songs With A Pure Tone and Margetts Road Music, joint ventures currently in partnership with Warner Chappell Music. 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 hits by Benson Boone, Justin Bieber, Maroon 5, Katy Perry, OneRepublic, Charli XCX, Lewis Capaldi, Ed Sheeran, Andy Grammer, Lizzo, Beyoncé, and more.Pete is the recipient of two Grammy Awards for his role as producer on the Original Broadway Cast Recording of Dear Evan Hansen and the Original Broadway Cast Recording of Jagged Little Pill. At Atlantic, among the artists and projects that Pete has overseen are twenty one pilots, Halestorm, Jason Mraz, Christina Perri, Melanie Martinez, Skillet, GAYLE, Brett Eldredge, Matchbox Twenty & Rob Thomas, Theory Of A Deadman, and Icona Pop; as well as the Original Broadway Cast Recordings of Hamilton, Mean Girls, Jagged Little Pill, Dear Evan Hansen, and the multi-platinum Billboard No. 1 soundtrack album The Greatest Showman.Pete began his A&R career in 1989 at SBK Records. In 1997, he joined Clive Davis at Arista Records, where, as Senior Director of A&R, he conceived and A&R’d Santana’s 30x platinum worldwide, nine-time GRAMMY-winning album, Supernatural. Additionally, Pete was named International Music Person Of The Year in 2023 by the music industry organization MUSEXPO.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Feb 13, 2025 • 55min
Chris Difford (Squeeze)
Chris Difford is a founding member and primary lyricist for the UK rock band Squeeze. Celebrating their 50th anniversary as a band in 2024, Squeeze has spent the past half-century recording some of the most notable albums of the New Wave era and beyond with songs, including "Tempted," "Pulling Mussels From Shell," "Cool For Cats," and "Annie Get Your Gun," that have all become worldwide favorites. Working alongside his Squeeze co-founder and its principal music writer Glen Tilbrook, Chris' musical and cultural knowledge and passion runs deep with a love for everyone from The Velvet Underground (whose final studio album would give the band their name) to Damon Runyon (whose characters inspired the long dormant "lost" Squeeze album "Trixie's" - to be released later this year). Apart from his creative work, Chris has also worked as a music manager, most notably managing Roxy Music's Bryan Ferry. Chris, Glen and Squeeze will be on tour again, in the US and the UK, in 2025.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Feb 6, 2025 • 1h 1min
Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top)
Since 1969, Billy Gibbons has been the lead singer, guitar slinger and principal songwriter of the legendary Texas blues-rock band ZZ Top. With his signature smoky growl, 1959 Gibson Les Paul and instantly recognizable chest-length beard, Billy's music has become one of the soundtracks to the history of rock and roll for over six decades. Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, ZZ Top have sold over 50 million records and performed close to 2000 live shows. In this episode, Billy tells us all about his storied career, from growing up in Texas with his bandleader father to meeting his future ZZ Top bandmates on a night that began with Dusty Hill passing out drunk, to bringing the Worldwide Texas tour to life in the late 1970's - a tour that included live buffaloes and rattlesnakes on stage with the band every night. We talk about Billy's friendship with Jimi Hendrix, the night ZZ Top inducted their hero Jimmy Reed into the Rock Hall, and a fateful early gig where the band played an entire show (with encore!) to an audience of only one fan. Billy is a born raconteur and his colorful stories are sure to make you want to re-listen to all of the indelible music he's been sharing with us for over 50 years.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Jan 23, 2025 • 45min
Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan is a true musical icon. Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2023, Chaka is now celebrating over 50 years of musical excellence. Honored with 10 Grammy Awards, her hits have transcended music genres, embodying the essence of pop, soul, jazz, gospel, classical, and funk. Her career took off in Chicago with the group Rufus and skyrocketed via the Stevie Wonder-penned hit "Tell Me Something Good." This success laid the foundation for an illustrious solo career, beginning with the empowering global anthem "I'm Every Woman." Chaka’s impact on pop culture extends beyond music; she has ventured into theater, made history-making collaborations, and contributed to children's television. Beyond her rich entertainment success, she has mastered the art of business with entrepreneurial ventures, including gourmet chocolates and a signature fragrance, 'Chaka by Chaka Khan.' Her life story is detailed in her autobiography “Through the Fire," serving as a testament to resilience and optimism. Chaka has changed lives through philanthropic efforts focusing on mental health and education. Celebrated by her peers and adored by fans worldwide, she remains a beacon of musical excellence, passion, empowerment, and love, uplifting hearts around the world. She embodies all the qualities of a true legend.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Nov 9, 2023 • 1h 5min
Paul Williams
Paul Williams is one of the most beloved and respected music creators in the world today; a lyricist and composer who has won an Oscar Award, three Grammy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, an Ivor Novello International Award and earned induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Williams’ timeless classics range from “We’ve Only Just Begun”, “You and Me Against the World” and “The Rainbow Connection” to "Touch" and "Beyond" on Daft Punk’s chart-topping Album of the Year, Random Access Memories on which he also performed, receiving a Grammy as Featured Artist. As President and Chairman of the Board of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), he is also a leading spokesman for music creators in the digital age. In addition to music creators’ rights, Paul is also passionate about recovery, and works tirelessly to destigmatize alcoholism and addiction. Sober 33 years, his humorous observations of life, love, and creativity, augmented by the education and knowledge he gained through his studies and certification from UCLA as a Certified Drug Rehabilitation Counselor, has been shared in a best-selling book co-written by Tracey Jackson, entitled Gratitude and Trust: Six Affirmations That Will Change Your Life. While publicly lauded for his work as a songwriter, author and actor, most recently for his role with Billy Bob Thornton in Goliath, Paul predicts he’ll be remembered for playing Little Enos in the Smokey and the Bandit trilogy and for his lyrics to “The Love Boat” theme. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Oct 26, 2023 • 1h 12min
Jason Mraz
Jason Mraz is a two-time Grammy award winning singer/songwriter, winner of the esteemed Hal David Starlight Award from the Songwriters Hall Of Fame and owner of his own organic home farming organization, Mraz Family Farms. Having sold over 13 million album equivalents, Jason is celebrating the 15th anniversary of his 2008 album We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things, recently reissued as a deluxe 2 vinyl set. He also founded the nonprofit Jason Mraz Foundation, which has a mission of shining for inclusive arts education, food security and the advancement of equality. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Oct 12, 2023 • 1h 41min
Danny Goldberg
Danny Goldberg, President of Gold Village Entertainment, has a rich history in the music industry. He shares nostalgic tales from his high school days and his unique Independence Day birthday, weaving in stories from his early career with legends like Led Zeppelin and Stan Getz. The conversation highlights his management journey with iconic artists such as Stevie Nicks and Nirvana, revealing the balance of artistic integrity and commercial success. Goldberg also reflects on his evolution as an author and his connection to the industry's changing landscape.
Sep 28, 2023 • 1h 25min
Miles Copeland (Manager, The Police/Owner, IRS Records)
Miles Copeland, founder of I.R.S. Records, BTM (British Talent Management), Illegal Records, Deptford Fun City Records, New Bristol Records, and Copeland International Arts (C.I.A.). He has worked with The Police, Sting, Berlin, Dead Kennedys, The Cramps, The Go-Gos, Squeeze, R.E.M., The Alarm, and The Bangles, among others.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Sep 14, 2023 • 56min
Doc McGhee
Doc McGhee, a titan in the entertainment industry, has managed iconic bands like KISS and Bon Jovi. He shares tales of his journey from military life to rock and roll, illustrating how mentorship shaped his path. Listeners will love his insights on the unforgettable Moscow Music Peace Festival and KISS's iconic rebranding. Doc also discusses how he revolutionized country music with Darius Rucker and the challenges of evolving Nashville's sound. Passion and perseverance are at the heart of his success in the chaotic world of music management.
Aug 31, 2023 • 1h 11min
Steve Lillywhite
Steve Lillywhite, CBE is a legendary English five-time Grammy Award winning record producer. Since he began his career in 1977, Lillywhite has collaborated with a variety of musicians including U2, The Killers, The Rolling Stones, Dave Matthews Band, Peter Gabriel, Talking Heads, Morrissey, The Pogues, David Byrne, XTC, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Simple Minds, The Psychedelic Furs, Beady Eye, Phish, The Counting Crows & Thirty Seconds To Mars. He has won numerous awards including the Producer of The Year Grammy & Commander of the Order of The British Empire (CBE) in 2012 for his contributions to music.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Aug 17, 2023 • 56min
Bob Gruen
Bob Gruen is one of the most respected rock and roll photographers of all time. His iconic images— including John Lennon wearing a New York City t-shirt (1974), Led Zeppelin standing in front of their airplane and Sid Vicious eating a hot dog (in the permanent collection of the National Portrait Gallery, London)—have appeared worldwide in every form, from magazine covers, posters, T-shirts and even postage stamps. He is the author of 15 books including "Rock Seen, John Lennon: The New York Years", "Green Day: Photographs by Bob Gruen" and a new autobiography "Right Place, Right Time."See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
