You’re not wrong there. For years I have been convinced I got Dolores O’Riordan’s autograph. I recently discovered it read “best wishes, Caroline Corr.” I was actually in total disbelief and still have no idea how this happened.
Not that unusual with high performing people obsessed with their careers. For example, I am a scientist. I and most of my colleagues know thousands of gene and protein names, their interconnectedness and antecedents. I suppose some people do in consciously, but enthusiasm and immersion engender a mental memory system, a framework on which to hang all of these things. The really impressive trick is to not become ossified, as science and the perspective on these molecules changes. And of course that is the case with pop culture, which moves a lot faster than does science! Most guys like Fricke are eventually sidelined because they cannot stay hip and cool enough for a business in which 30 is old.
Just great. I would spend a whole lotta time listening to Fricke´s stories. It was also great to see some of his treasured records. Thank you for the interview.
I have had an absolute love/hate relationship with Rolling Stone magazine since I started reading about rock, in 1972. I like Fricke. I am from the Philadelphia region, and was into Philadelphia radio AM In the 1960's WFIL 56, WIBG 99, and then WIOQ 102 WYSP 94 WMMR 93.3 - the only station in this group still playing rock in 2021. Anyway, because of Rolling Stone's 1970's oppressive, prejudiced reviews of the British bands I followed, I started getting Melody Maker, and NME weeklies. Much better writing, objective, professional during the 1970's.
Whoa, i certainly didn"t saw this international episode coming!I Consider David Fricke one of the last standing legendary pioneering rockjournalists still going strong.This guy got some stories and knowledge to share.I"m certainly in for an amazing ride here!
I'm also from Philadelphia, and my first album I bought was also Raiders' Spirit of '67. I think it was $3.99, at the local A&P grocery store, Paoli, PA (off what they call the Main Line). Probably 1968. Fascinating interview, guys.
Fricke has NOT AGED!! And I LOVE the fact he talks about the profoundly unfashionable and almost forgotten, like Quatermass (cue image of flying dinosaurs and high buildings). I get the distinct feeling too that he feels no pressure to leave any of it behind in favour of embracing the current contemporary CRRRAP!! Good man.
Paul Revere and the Raiders' lead singer Mark Lindsay lived for a while (1966) in the house (on Cielo Drive) where Sharon Tate - and the others - were later murdered by the Manson family (1969) - one of their publicity shoots was on the exterior stairs of the garage on the property. Trent Reznor was the last person to live in the house (1994), he built a recording studio in the living room - I wonder if the operators of the mixing desk realized they were standing on the spot where Tate's body had been found?
Best interview yet for legendary muso stories whilst Bernard Doherty is still number one for fun (Danny Baker 2nd prize) and awe! you've upped your game and now get some more of the biggies on!
Also...look how beautifully upright Fricke keeps his record collection on the shelf behind him then look at Hepworth's. I mean, it looks like what you see down the recycling centre. Or maybe the car boot on a damp Sunday morning.
Mr Fricke certainly knows his stuff. It's a bit different to the usual thing with plenty of actual three-way conversation between the chaps and their guest. Ol' Fricky certainly likes a natter but he's not interested in anyone else's stories, only his own. They are worth listening to, but I prefer it when it's someone like Andy Partridge who understands the joy of a chat over a cuppa. Perhaps Fricky didn't get the memo as to how it normally works? It was what Viv Stanshall memorably described as the "you pause, I pounce" method of conversation.
Good to see your comment as you've put it more kindly than I would have. He certainly seems to know the value of himself, and I'm glad I don't have to meet him.
Huge pity for me that David didn't have no space to spool on about that phone call with Don Van Vliet - but you can't have everything. Great interview!
Seeing is my favourite Moby Grape track. The version on the CD double set that's mentioned is the best. It's the final track on it and a stormer. A mention for Quatermass at the beginning took me by surprise. Didn't know they made any appearances stateside.
ALWAYS intrigued by what Mark Ellen decides to write down during the discussion eg. Fricke's first Gretch Clipper.....is it to remember what to Google later or maybe a book to support this series?
That was quite a coup for David & Mark and deserving of all the positive comments. An observation though, I felt Fricke steered calmly on through several questions and quietly dominated that hour. He's a clever man and clearly has a personal brand. David & Mark of course have reviewed, written books etc etc but I suppose working for Rolling Stone will always be a top trump card to be played - and that's how I felt about it overall.
Fricke is an articulate and knowledgable guy , but if Mark Ellen and David Hepworth thought they were going to get more than a few words in then they were sadly mistaken .
I bet if you asked him, he'd tell you he had three vinyl copies on Island and the British and remastered Japanese CD editions. But ask if he ever saw Free at Imperial College in 1968 he'd change the subject and start talking about Lester Bangs (yawn).
Maybe we have accidentally discovered the reason for Mark’s absence. He’s been on remand for assault after cutting Rolf Harris’s facial hair off as Rolf strolled, very slowly, through the park. Mark then made his escape shouting at Harris in a bad Australian accent “Can you guess who it is yet?” Mind you, Mark looks pretty good with the old facial hair. Sadly, I still can’t grow one myself and what little does appear is pure white. That scared me even more than finding my first grey pubic hair last week. That’s the last time I get a sausage roll from Greggs.
I’m going to be a bit controversial here. Rolling Stone ceased to be relevant in the late 80’s. It exists, in my opinion, as a vehicle for a few selected artists to promote their music. Gone are the heady days of an exclusive Lennon interview, instead we have McCartney and Swift adorning the cover that appeals to absolutely nobody who has any idea how cutting edge this publication once was. Their top 100 all time greatest lists actually make me laugh out loud these days instead of stroking my chin and thinking about the diversity of other peoples opinions. For example, in their latest top 100 guitarist of all time they had Joey Ramone at around number 16 and the self confessed “good rhythm guitarist” John Lennon at number 55. Peter Green was at number 58. Really? Ramone was a great musician and John, well, he was like a God to me but my word, why not just stick Lady Gaga at number one and have done with it? And to top it all off, Gary Moore and Rory Gallagher din’t even make the list. Other than that, it was a good episode!
I have a zillion complaints I could voice about Rolling Stone but that was still a delightful interview. Fricke's enthusiasm was such that I shelved my disdain for people like Wenner and Dave Marsh. ...at least temporarily.
@@stevehoran5595 I agree wholeheartedly, dear boy. However, a combination of Guinness and browsing the old top 100 lists really got to me. My wife has calmed me down with the promise to remove my ear hair tomorrow, weather permitting.
Couple of points: RS received many, many complaints recently with regards to their most recent Top 100. Apparently it was a poll to appease the ‘woke’ generation and little else. Secondly, I have, I think, only ever read a couple of issues of RS. I wasn’t impressed. When I read, say, a review, please tell me if said album is actually any good. I’m not interested in preamble or waffle. It’s like the book reviews in the Guardian that my missus buys. Christ, they just go on and on. Gimme plain English, gimme succinct. RS never gave me that. Oh, and add a good deal of pretentiousness into the mix, and the fact that I required a Thesaurus close by, then I soon concluded RS wasn’t for Neil.
@@neilb224 Not all reviews can be as to the point as "shit sandwich" (Spinal Tap reference). The recent RS list of great albums you're referring to was actually a Top 500 and, yes, they seemed to deliberately bring in women (Joni Mitchell's Blue was in the Top 5. ...not that I'm arguing, btw! That's a fantastic LP.), newer artists, and hip-hop artists were brought in. And the choices were largely haphazard and seemed like a collection of raffle winners. For example, Fleetwood Mac's Rumours placed in the top 10 while their earlier eponymous album with Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham - which was arguably just as good, if not better - didn't place at all in all of those 500 albums. I think they were polling people who really don't know much about that on which they were voting. Forget about the albums with Peter Green...
What I’d give to have David Fricke’s memory. How he can retain all this stuff is beyond me. That was fabulous.
You’re not wrong there. For years I have been convinced I got Dolores O’Riordan’s autograph. I recently discovered it read “best wishes, Caroline Corr.” I was actually in total disbelief and still have no idea how this happened.
Not that unusual with high performing people obsessed with their careers. For example, I am a scientist. I and most of my colleagues know thousands of gene and protein names, their interconnectedness and antecedents. I suppose some people do in consciously, but enthusiasm and immersion engender a mental memory system, a framework on which to hang all of these things. The really impressive trick is to not become ossified, as science and the perspective on these molecules changes. And of course that is the case with pop culture, which moves a lot faster than does science! Most guys like Fricke are eventually sidelined because they cannot stay hip and cool enough for a business in which 30 is old.
If you watch Classic Albums: Making of The Dark Side of the Moon, it really shows off his voice too! Absolutely killer speaking voice!
Fricke knows his stuff indeed. I swear this show is a like a miracle for folks like me! My people are here!
Just great. I would spend a whole lotta time listening to Fricke´s stories. It was also great to see some of his treasured records. Thank you for the interview.
I have had an absolute love/hate relationship with Rolling Stone magazine since I started reading about rock, in 1972. I like Fricke. I am from the Philadelphia region, and was into Philadelphia radio AM In the 1960's WFIL 56,
WIBG 99, and then
WIOQ 102
WYSP 94
WMMR 93.3 - the only station in this group still playing rock in 2021.
Anyway, because of Rolling Stone's 1970's oppressive, prejudiced reviews of the British bands I followed, I started getting Melody Maker, and NME weeklies. Much better writing, objective, professional during the 1970's.
Superb, David is a legend. I’ve been reading David’s work for as long as i can remember. Fab episode.
Great, interesting interview.
Whoa, i certainly didn"t saw this international episode coming!I Consider David Fricke one of the last standing legendary pioneering rockjournalists still going strong.This guy got some stories and knowledge to share.I"m certainly in for an amazing ride here!
Wonderful, probably my favorite Attic. I learned more abou music in this hour than any other hour in my life!
The best interview I've seen on RUclips.
great talk, thank you - Mr F has an amazing voice
Kind of a drowsy speaking voice...reminds me of Aerosmith gunslinger Joe Perry!
Wow this is possibly the best interview / chat you guys have done. Such a fascinating guy
Beautiful pop for Downtown Music Gallery! Great interview. Loved it, thank you.
I'm also from Philadelphia, and my first album I bought was also Raiders' Spirit of '67. I think it was $3.99, at the local A&P grocery store, Paoli, PA (off what they call the Main Line). Probably 1968. Fascinating interview, guys.
I had been to the Main Point in Bryn MAWR:
Savoy Brown
Tom Waits
David Sancious/ Ernie boom Carter
1975-1976.
Neat coffee bar / club!
Endlessly fascinating, and a great way to spend an hour, thanks guys.
Fricke has NOT AGED!! And I LOVE the fact he talks about the profoundly unfashionable and almost forgotten, like Quatermass (cue image of flying dinosaurs and high buildings). I get the distinct feeling too that he feels no pressure to leave any of it behind in favour of embracing the current contemporary CRRRAP!! Good man.
Paul Revere and the Raiders' lead singer Mark Lindsay lived for a while (1966) in the house (on Cielo Drive) where Sharon Tate - and the others - were later murdered by the Manson family (1969) - one of their publicity shoots was on the exterior stairs of the garage on the property. Trent Reznor was the last person to live in the house (1994), he built a recording studio in the living room - I wonder if the operators of the mixing desk realized they were standing on the spot where Tate's body had been found?
Fantastic. Thanks.
Best interview yet for legendary muso stories whilst Bernard Doherty is still number one for fun (Danny Baker 2nd prize) and awe! you've upped your game and now get some more of the biggies on!
Also...look how beautifully upright Fricke keeps his record collection on the shelf behind him then look at Hepworth's. I mean, it looks like what you see down the recycling centre. Or maybe the car boot on a damp Sunday morning.
Mr Fricke certainly knows his stuff. It's a bit different to the usual thing with plenty of actual three-way conversation between the chaps and their guest. Ol' Fricky certainly likes a natter but he's not interested in anyone else's stories, only his own. They are worth listening to, but I prefer it when it's someone like Andy Partridge who understands the joy of a chat over a cuppa. Perhaps Fricky didn't get the memo as to how it normally works? It was what Viv Stanshall memorably described as the "you pause, I pounce" method of conversation.
Good to see your comment as you've put it more kindly than I would have. He certainly seems to know the value of himself, and I'm glad I don't have to meet him.
Huge pity for me that David didn't have no space to spool on about that phone call with Don Van Vliet - but you can't have everything. Great interview!
Excellent!
"I like rekkuds." says Fricke, the owner of 10,000 of them. And I LOVE his personal dismissal of social media. 👍😎👍 Me too, I'm off it all.
Seeing is my favourite Moby Grape track. The version on the CD double set that's mentioned is the best. It's the final track on it and a stormer. A mention for Quatermass at the beginning took me by surprise. Didn't know they made any appearances stateside.
ALWAYS intrigued by what Mark Ellen decides to write down during the discussion eg. Fricke's first Gretch Clipper.....is it to remember what to Google later or maybe a book to support this series?
That was quite a coup for David & Mark and deserving of all the positive comments. An observation though, I felt Fricke steered calmly on through several questions and quietly dominated that hour. He's a clever man and clearly has a personal brand. David & Mark of course have reviewed, written books etc etc but I suppose working for Rolling Stone will always be a top trump card to be played - and that's how I felt about it overall.
However at least they are not bores.
Amazing
Watching David, I'm getting intimations of Patti Smith via the monumentality of President Lincoln.
Somehow it works.
Fricken hell! By the way Hazel, great to see you commenting again.
Hazel Wray hilarious and spot on. That’s an insane take. Fantastic
wonderful and all done without a Fab 4 mention!!!!
Great fun
Fricke is an articulate and knowledgable guy , but if Mark Ellen and David Hepworth thought they were going to get more than a few words in then they were sadly mistaken .
Moby Grape payed Wetlands in '98 and 99, Dave.
Honestly, you might as well stop doing these now. Untoppable.
@Charlie Muggins What a superb list.
Plenty respect for Fricke. Not crazy about RS albeit.
Bet he hasn’t got Free Live.
I bet if you asked him, he'd tell you he had three vinyl copies on Island and the British and remastered Japanese CD editions. But ask if he ever saw Free at Imperial College in 1968 he'd change the subject and start talking about Lester Bangs (yawn).
Now they’re BOTH growing a 🧔. What’s going on? Lol.
Maybe we have accidentally discovered the reason for Mark’s absence. He’s been on remand for assault after cutting Rolf Harris’s facial hair off as Rolf strolled, very slowly, through the park. Mark then made his escape shouting at Harris in a bad Australian accent “Can you guess who it is yet?”
Mind you, Mark looks pretty good with the old facial hair. Sadly, I still can’t grow one myself and what little does appear is pure white. That scared me even more than finding my first grey pubic hair last week. That’s the last time I get a sausage roll from Greggs.
@Charlie Muggins I think it’s more envy on my part.
Give it a year and it will be like watching WIYE hosted by Billy Gibbons and Dusty Hill.
I’m going to be a bit controversial here. Rolling Stone ceased to be relevant in the late 80’s. It exists, in my opinion, as a vehicle for a few selected artists to promote their music. Gone are the heady days of an exclusive Lennon interview, instead we have McCartney and Swift adorning the cover that appeals to absolutely nobody who has any idea how cutting edge this publication once was. Their top 100 all time greatest lists actually make me laugh out loud these days instead of stroking my chin and thinking about the diversity of other peoples opinions. For example, in their latest top 100 guitarist of all time they had Joey Ramone at around number 16 and the self confessed “good rhythm guitarist” John Lennon at number 55. Peter Green was at number 58. Really? Ramone was a great musician and John, well, he was like a God to me but my word, why not just stick Lady Gaga at number one and have done with it?
And to top it all off, Gary Moore and Rory Gallagher din’t even make the list.
Other than that, it was a good episode!
Thanks for that.
I have a zillion complaints I could voice about Rolling Stone but that was still a delightful interview. Fricke's enthusiasm was such that I shelved my disdain for people like Wenner and Dave Marsh. ...at least temporarily.
@@stevehoran5595 I agree wholeheartedly, dear boy. However, a combination of Guinness and browsing the old top 100 lists really got to me. My wife has calmed me down with the promise to remove my ear hair tomorrow, weather permitting.
Couple of points: RS received many, many complaints recently with regards to their most recent Top 100. Apparently it was a poll to appease the ‘woke’ generation and little else. Secondly, I have, I think, only ever read a couple of issues of RS. I wasn’t impressed. When I read, say, a review, please tell me if said album is actually any good. I’m not interested in preamble or waffle. It’s like the book reviews in the Guardian that my missus buys. Christ, they just go on and on. Gimme plain English, gimme succinct. RS never gave me that. Oh, and add a good deal of pretentiousness into the mix, and the fact that I required a Thesaurus close by, then I soon concluded RS wasn’t for Neil.
@@neilb224 Not all reviews can be as to the point as "shit sandwich" (Spinal Tap reference).
The recent RS list of great albums you're referring to was actually a Top 500 and, yes, they seemed to deliberately bring in women (Joni Mitchell's Blue was in the Top 5. ...not that I'm arguing, btw! That's a fantastic LP.), newer artists, and hip-hop artists were brought in. And the choices were largely haphazard and seemed like a collection of raffle winners. For example, Fleetwood Mac's Rumours placed in the top 10 while their earlier eponymous album with Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham - which was arguably just as good, if not better - didn't place at all in all of those 500 albums. I think they were polling people who really don't know much about that on which they were voting. Forget about the albums with Peter Green...