AMA -- Rob Shanahan (For music fans)

[Guest]

Welcome Rob.

Don't really have any questions at this time but I am a huge Stones fan and loved reading about your experiences with Charlie. 

Okay one question: I have often read that Keith Richards is a really down to earth guy behind the scenes, is that how you would describe him?

[Guest]

@JimmyinSD said:
by the way... I love that pic of EVH,  that speaks to how he played,  when they hit the main scene his sound was like a punch in the face, but I dont think he really found his sound until later,  but it was still  awesome to be able to grow up listening to Van Halen as they learned to be musical artists,  not just rockers.

Thank you JimmyinSD, I'm a huge VH fan. working with them was just completely out of this world. And to have stage access, it doesn't get any better. You are 100% correct, their true sound came later. The producer Ted Templeman, who did all their records, was able to harness that raw rock sound and create those magical VH anthems of the 70's and 80's. You must read Ted's book, "A Platinum Producer's Life in Music", amazing behind the scenes in the studio with VH crafting all those iconic songs. Gene Simmons tried producing their first record, before Ted. Gene played for me some of the VH demo tapes once when I was at his house for a photo shoot. But that's a whole different story....!

BTW folks, please don't misconstrue my "name dropping" for anything other than just sharing information with my new Sota friends. It just happens to be my life/work, and I'm happy to answer any questions and share stories!

[Guest]

@"Rob Shanahan" said:

@JimmyinSD said:
by the way... I love that pic of EVH,  that speaks to how he played,  when they hit the main scene his sound was like a punch in the face, but I dont think he really found his sound until later,  but it was still  awesome to be able to grow up listening to Van Halen as they learned to be musical artists,  not just rockers.

Thank you JimmyinSD, I'm a huge VH fan. working with them was just completely out of this world. And to have stage access, it doesn't get any better. You are 100% correct, their true sound came later. The producer Ted Templeman, who did all their records, was able to harness that raw rock sound and create those magical VH anthems of the 70's and 80's. You must read Ted's book, "A Platinum Producer's Life in Music", amazing behind the scenes in the studio with VH crafting all those iconic songs. Gene Simmons tried producing their first record, before Ted. Gene played for me some of the VH demo tapes once when I was at his house for a photo shoot. But that's a whole different story....!

BTW folks, please don't misconstrue my "name dropping" for anything other than just sharing information with my new Sota friends. It just happens to be my life/work, and I'm happy to answer any questions and share stories!

yeah,  I am one of the few that will openly admit to preferring VH with Sammy over Dave.. of course I always loved Sammy's solo stuff, so pairing him up with VH was kinda like an all star game of sorts for me,  obviously we have had other big names in the music industry collaborate over the years,  but that was kind of the first for me,  and IMO still one of the best.

[Guest]

If there was any drummer to "fill in" for Charlie, I was glad it was Steve Jordan.  He's awesome, a great friend of Charlie's and a member of Keith's Ex-Pensive Whinos, who I love. B)

[Guest]

@1VikesFan said:
Welcome Rob.

Don't really have any questions at this time but I am a huge Stones fan and loved reading about your experiences with Charlie. 

Okay one question: I have often read that Keith Richards is a really down to earth guy behind the scenes, is that how you would describe him?

Keith Richards is exactly who you think he is, and in every perfect sense of the word. By far one of those guys that I still get a bit weak kneed when in his presence! But he always comes at me with a big smile and welcoming hand shake. He once asked me "How's Ringo doing?" and it made my 12 year old self giggle inside. Here's a pic of me at rehearsals sitting behind Keith's amp and next to Charlie, you can see Mick (gray sneaker) and Keith (red sneaker) at the very left edge. Between songs and during breaks I'd chat gear with them. Mind blowing, but not unlike a conversation I could be having with a band in Chaska. 

[Guest]

@HappyViking said:

If there was any drummer to "fill in" for Charlie, I was glad it was Steve Jordan.  He's awesome, a great friend of Charlie's and a member of Keith's Ex-Pensive Whinos, who I love. B)

100% correct, he's amazing! And rocking the Stones in a different way but staying true to Charlie's grooves. 

[Guest]

Please feel free to post more questions, leaving for the afternoon, will get back tonight for more SKOL and Rock n' Roll!

[Guest]

@"Rob Shanahan" said:
Please feel free to post more questions, leaving for the afternoon, will get back tonight for more SKOL and Rock n' Roll!

Thanks for posting, Rob - it's fun!  BTW, my monicker: Stones song "Happy" + "Viking" = super clever, right? B)

[Guest]

@"Rob Shanahan" said:

@1VikesFan said:
Welcome Rob.

Don't really have any questions at this time but I am a huge Stones fan and loved reading about your experiences with Charlie. 

Okay one question: I have often read that Keith Richards is a really down to earth guy behind the scenes, is that how you would describe him?

Keith Richards is exactly who you think he is, and in every perfect sense of the word. By far one of those guys that I still get a bit weak kneed when in his presence! But he always comes at me with a big smile and welcoming hand shake. He once asked me "How's Ringo doing?" and it made my 12 year old self giggle inside. Here's a pic of me at rehearsals sitting behind Keith's amp and next to Charlie, you can see Mick (gray sneaker) and Keith (red sneaker) at the very left edge. Between songs and during breaks I'd chat gear with them. Mind blowing, but not unlike a conversation I could be having with a band in Chaska. 

So effing cool!

[Guest]

@"Rob Shanahan" said:

@1VikesFan said:
Welcome Rob.

Don't really have any questions at this time but I am a huge Stones fan and loved reading about your experiences with Charlie. 

Okay one question: I have often read that Keith Richards is a really down to earth guy behind the scenes, is that how you would describe him?

Keith Richards is exactly who you think he is, and in every perfect sense of the word. By far one of those guys that I still get a bit weak kneed when in his presence! But he always comes at me with a big smile and welcoming hand shake. He once asked me "How's Ringo doing?" and it made my 12 year old self giggle inside. Here's a pic of me at rehearsals sitting behind Keith's amp and next to Charlie, you can see Mick (gray sneaker) and Keith (red sneaker) at the very left edge. Between songs and during breaks I'd chat gear with them. Mind blowing, but not unlike a conversation I could be having with a band in Chaska. 

Wow, so cool. Thanks for getting back to me.