Carlos Cavazo Interview

Just today, I got a reply to an email from Carlos Cavazo. If you must know, Carlos Cavazo is the guitarist for Ratt currently. Cavazo is probably best known for his time served in Quiet Riot in the 1980’s. This interview has taken a long peroid of time to conduct. Before I go into the interview, I want to thank Carlos and Vicki (aka Rockin’ Queen) for replying to my interview. Hope you all enjoy!

1. Since the time I’ve first contacted you, Ratt will officially release a new album in
March called Infestation. Do you know when a tour will follow?

We contstantly work with flyouts & play a few shows a month, but a long tour won't happen until summer.

2. I find it interesting that Quiet Riot and Ratt both came out at the same time and now 25 years later, you’re a member of Ratt. How well did you know the band then back in 1983 or 1984?

I knew Robin Crosby before I knew any of them & hung around Stephen Pearcy in the early 80's , and got to know the rest of them through out the years.

3. At what age did you begin to play guitar? Who were your influences or favorite
bands?

I started playing guitar at the age of 9. My favorite bands were Jimi Hendrix, the Beatles, and Iron Butterlfy.

4. From what I know, you were in Snow before you joined Quiet Riot. Can you remember
the first time you met Kevin and Frankie? When did they ask you to join Quiet Riot?

I went to audition for QUIET RIOT back in end of 1981.

5. Did you know who Quiet Riot were when they started out originally in the late 1970’s?

I knew who Kevin was, but the band was called DUBROW at that time, and we changed it to back to QUIET RIOT after we got signed.

6. Just curious: Did you ever get to know Randy Rhoads?

I have met Randy a number of times at parties and shows that my band SNOW did with them. And Randy was always very nice.

7. The song “Metal Health” is credited to you, Kevin, Frankie, and your brother Tony. What
was the inspiration for the song and the chours?

Kevin had heard the term from Randy about kids head banging over in Europe so he wrote lyrics about it, and the music was a SNOW song titled " No More Booze”, Kevin and I changed some of the music.

8. I’ve heard the funny story about how you guys didn’t want to record “Cum On Feel the
Noize”. When it did become a hit, you obviously had to play it live. What do you think of the song now?

We were always fans of SLADE but we didnt wanna play a cover tune & the producer thought it would be a good song for us. So we recorded it.

9. Condition Critical didn’t do as well as Metal Health, nor did the albums after.
For you, what is your favorite Quiet Riot album? Song?

Their album is Metal Health and song is “Bang your Head”.

10. Another curious one: When Quiet Riot became popular 1983, there was already a band from
New York simply called Riot (who I’m getting into. So far, I have Fire Down Under,Thundersteel, and Shine On). From what I’ve read, they disappeared for a while because of the confussion. Back then, were you guys aware of this?

Yes, we were aware of them & they were a good band and still are.

11. When Kevin was fired, you and Frankie continued. What made you want to continue?( I
ask this because when you look back in the 1970’s Kevin was the only original
member left…although a lot of people thought Quiet Riot were new in the 1980’s)

We still had the record deal, and Kevin didnt want any part of it, so we continued on without him.

12. Is it true that you and Kevin reformed the band? How did that happen? When did
Frankie rejoin?

Kevin and I reformed the band beginning of 91' Frankie rejoined in 93'

13. Can you tell me a little more about Kenny Hillary?

Kenny worked with the band for a few years & left the band. A year later he passes away.

14. Rudy explained to me why Quiet Riot ended in 2003. When Kevin and Frankie reformed
in 2005, you weren’t there. If you can, could you tell me why?

I didn’t want to reform without the original band.

15. Do you have a favorite memory of Kevin?

My favorite memory of Kevin was being on stage with him.

16. Do you keep in contact with Rudy or Frankie?

I keep in touch contact with Rudy.

17. What are you looking forward to this year in 2010?

I’m looking forward to working with RATT on this new record and
spending time with my beautiful girlfriend Vicki (aka ROCKINQUEEN)
and my family.

Led Zeppelin's Physical Graffiti is 35

Led Zeppelin

Physical Graffiti

1975

Rating: ****

By 1975, Led Zeppelin were one of the biggest rock bands in the world. The band were selling out shows and releasing #1 records. When their sixth album, Physical Graffiti, came out in 1975 it did just the same as any of their albums. However, the album is a bit different from Zeppelin's other releases. For one thing, it was the band's only double album. The album's material consisted of songs that dated back to 1970 sessions for the Led Zeppelin III album.

For the first disc, you got six great songs. "Custard Pie" is a simple rocker while "The Rover" hopes that we can "just join hands". "In My Time Of Dying" is definetely one of the blusiest tracks the band ever recorded as the slide guitar played by Jimmy Page is sweet. "Houses of The Holy" should've been on the 1973 album of the same name while the band gets funky for "Trampled Under Foot". The first disc ends with the magicial "Kashmir".

The second disc consists of older material. "In the Light" is a nice song while "Ten Years Gone" could easily rank as one of the best Zeppelin tracks ever recorded with its lyrics and its brilliant sounding guitars. For those who like straight-forth rockers, "The Wanton Song" and "Sick Again" are for you. If you like something a bit more bluesy, the band's jam session with Stones keyboardist Ian Stuart, fittingly called "Boogie With Stu", might suite you better. These are just some of the highlights of the second disc.

Bon Scott (1946-1980)- 30 Years Later

Bon Scott

July 9, 1946-February 19, 1980

http://www.flickr.com/photos/offchurch-tam/ / CC BY-SA 2.0

Note: I know I'm two days late. I totally forgot the date so better to get this done now.

Friday marked 30 years since AC/DC singer, Bon Scott, passed away. Without a dobut, Scott was one of the greatest rock n roll frontmen of all time. His voice was unique and made those early AC/DC albums what they were. Bon was a bad boy on the stage as he roamed the stage shirtless, showing off his tattoos. Musically he and Malcolm and Angus penned some of the greatest AC/DC songs. Not only are they good AC/DC songs but they are some of the best in rock. Bon died on February 19, 1980 after a long night of drinking. His AC/DC bandmates threatened to break-up but with the approval of Bon's family, the band went on with singer Brian Johnson. Their album, Back in Black, is the second best selling album of all time. Today, Johnson is still with the band. Still, fans remember the greatness of Bon Scott.

Rest in peace, Bon.

Beatles History For Sale: EMI puts Abbey Road Studios up for sale

http://www.flickr.com/photos/blisspix/ / CC BY 2.0

If you haven't already heard, EMI has put Abbey Road Studios up for sale. I just heard the news today so I don't quite know why EMI has decided to put the studio up for sale. I'm going to repeat what thousands are already saying right now: don't sell Abbey Road Studios. Simple folks will know that the studio shares the same name as the Beatles' 1969 album. While this is true, Abbey Road Studio is so much more than that. Not only did the Beatles record a bulk of their classic albums there but other artists have recorded masterpieces there as well. Ever heard of Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon? That was recorded there along with countless other masterpieces. Other articles will tell you that the studio serves for more than music studio. During World War II, the studio was used to record propaganda for the British Government.

I wouldn't worry about the studio going anywhere. Andrew Llyod Weber has said he's very interested in buying the studio. Paul McCartney is even helping out to save the studio.

The Knack's Doug Fieger (1952-2010)

Yesterday Doug Fieger, lead singer of the Knack, passed away after a long battle with cancer. Fieger penned the Knack's big hit, "My Sharona", in 1979 which stayed at #1 on the Billboard Charts for six weeks. The band's debut album, Get the Knack, sold a little over 3 million copies thanks to "My Sharona" and "Good Girls Don't".

Rest in peace, Doug.

Behind the Music Remastered: A Wishlist

Recently, VH1 Classic has been airing updated versions of Behind the Music. The channel has already shown Metallica and Judas Priest. From what I know, Genesis will be the next episode and Def Leppard and Motley Crue are coming up. This has inspired me to make a wishlist of episodes that I'd personally like to see "remastered".

Quiet Riot
First aired: 1999
What's changed: The band broke up in 2003 only to get back together in 2005 and release Rehab the following year. Also, Kevin DuBrow died in 2007.

Guns N Roses
First aired: 2004
What's changed: Chinese Democracy is out.

The Mamas and the Papas
First aired: 1998 and 2002
What's changed: Denny Doherty passed away in 2007

AC/DC
First aired: 2000
What's changed: Black Ice

Aerosmith
First aired: 2002
What's changed: Honkin' On A Bobo, Guitar Hero game, and Steven Tyler's future with the band

The Who: Live At Leeds gig 40 years later

The Who

Live At Leeds

1970

Rating: **** 1/2

It was forty years ago today when the Who rocked the University of Leeds. The album was actually released on May 16, 1970 but the actual show was 40 years ago. What is it that makes this performance so special? The Who were at their peak: they had a killer rock opera out called Tommy the year before and were playing honest rock n roll music. As far as live albums go, there probably isn't any other live album that's as live and raw as Live at Leeds.

The Who were one of the most successful rock bands in the late 1960's. Now in 1970, the band was on tour promoting their latest album, Tommy. The band wanted to have some live document of the tour. To avoid listening to hours of recordings, the band picked two gigs to record. On February 14, the band performed at the University of Leeds. The second gig in Hull wasn't recorded due to technical issues. When first released, Live At Leeds contained only six songs: "Young Man Blues", "Substitute", "Summertime Blues", "Shakin All Over", "My Generation" and "Magic Bus". It wasn't until 1995 when a remastered version of the album was released with eight more songs. However, this still wasn't the entire performance. Apparently, the band performed most of the Tommy album right after playing "A Quick One and While He's Away". In 2001, the entire performance was released.

"Heaven and Hell" is the first song played at the gig. This song, written by John Entwistle, was never released as a studio track. The band also performed "Fortune Teller"at raw power. The band also gets blusey during "Young Man Blues". The band then proceeds into a string of early hits. "A Quick One" is very amusing while "Summertime Blues" is another highlight from the show. "My Generation" actually goes on for fifteen minutes as it goes into other songs such as "See Me, Feel Me". The show ends fittingly with "Magic Bus".

If you own Live at Leeds, what are you waiting for? CRANK IT UP!