MUBUTV Insider Podcast Episode Show Notes [Rudy Sarzo]

RUDY SARZO SHOW NOTES

Connect with Rudy Sarzo

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PEOPLE, BANDS, ARTISTS, COMPANIES & MEDIA LINKS MENTIONED FROM THE EPISODE

Rudy Sarzo Equipment & Gear:

Ampeg SVT - https://ampeg.com/products/
Signature Model Spector Bass - https://www.spectorbass.com/
Yamaha BBP 34 Bolton - https://usa.yamaha.com/products/musical_instruments/guitars_basses/el_basses/bb_2017/pro_series.html
Sawtooth Acoustic Signature Model Guitar - https://www.sawtoothworld.com/acoustic-electric-basses
D'addario 170 SL Strings - https://www.daddario.com/
Dark Glass bass pedal - https://www.darkglass.com/
TC Electronics Pedals - https://www.tcelectronic.com/
Boss Pedals - https://www.boss.info/us/
Ultimate Ears - In Ear Monitors https://pro.ultimateears.com/

QUESTIONS ASKED DURING INTERVIEW

(RITCH) At what point in your life did you know that music was going to be your professional career path?

(ERIC) What was it like coming to the US as a child who grew up in Cuba?

(RITCH) The LA scene was very heavy into showcasing bands for record labels at that time and the club scene was rather small then comparatively speaking to today and what I'm curious about is when you came to LA, when you arrived, how were you able to connect with other working musicians in the community at that time?

(ERIC) Did you do many recording sessions during this time?

(ERIC) You once said that “Lasting in the music industry is about being aware of your role in the situation that you’re in”. You’ve worked with Ozzy Osbourne, Quiet Riot, Whitesnake, Dio, Blue Oyster Cult, just to name a few. Can you talk about the mindset that you need as a musician to join a band because I think a lot of the musicians just think of it as a job but it's much bigger than a job.

(ERIC) Let me ask you a follow up to that question. Some of those situations were already established and some you were in on quite early. Can you talk about your role in each of those particular bands.

(RITCH) In your experience, how important is trust, honesty and dependability versus just the pure musical talent of members when people are putting a band together?

(ERIC) Quiet Riot broke through with a massively successful album ‘Metal Health’ with which I think has the dubious honour of being number 1, the first metal record to go number 1. It went under to sell over 8 million copies, had a massive hit single with ‘Cum on Feel The Noize’. What did it feel like to be part of that? Were you mentally prepared (no pun intended with the words here) for that level of success?

(RITCH) When preparing for our conversation, I realised that you have worked with Ozzy Osbourne, David Coverdale and Ronnie Dio - all who are brilliant frontmen from very famous iconic bands who were able to successfully re-invent themselves and break again as solo artists...do you ever recall having that conversation with any of them about that, that they were able to do that or the difficulty of that?

(ERIC) We recently had an interview with John Kalodner, who as you know was instrumental with signing David and Whitesnake to Geffen. We know that he played a big role in putting the supergroup lineup together. Did you get to work with John directly during this time and if so what was he like to work with?

(RITCH) You saw a transition in music from vinyl to CD as well as radio evolve with the birth of MTV, making music marketing far more visual. I'm curious, from your perspective how did this so-called perfect storm of combination of factors affect the music and live performance?

(ERIC) Do you prefer session work or being in a band recording and touring?

(RITCH) In past interviews you have spoken about the fact that you would not have had the career that you’ve had without Randy Rhodes. Was he the inspiration for you to write your book ‘Off the Rails’ and what was your relationship with him like?

(ERIC) For our audience that’s obviously comprised of musicians and people that want to get into the industry, do you have any pre show rituals that you can share with us?

(RITCH) What about performance advice, can you give any performance advice? You’re a man that has literally played for millions of people around the world in your career and I’d figured you must have some insights into what makes a great performance in your mind.

(RITCH) You mentioned that you do a lot of flyaways and I’m just curious for our audience who I think would be very interested in your particular situation Rudy is, what gear are you using these days when you’re touring and performing?

(ERIC) You’re a journeyman, you’ve been a professional touring musician for most of your life. Can you share with our audience any insights that have really helped you to survive life out on the road over all these years?

(RITCH) You started a podcast a while back called ‘6 Degrees of Sarzo’ and I’m curious; what was it that inspired you to start your own podcast?

(ERIC) Professionally speaking, what have your biggest mistakes taught you?

(RITCH) Rudy, throughout your career as a musician do you recall any books or films that have really resonated with you professionally speaking that you could recommend to our audience?

(RITCH) What advice do you have and I'm sure you’re asked this a lot, for someone who wants to pursue a career today as a professional musician?

(ERIC) Rudy, what is the best way for people that are interested in reaching out to you to get a hold of you?

RUDY SARZO QUOTES FROM THE INTERVIEW

“The streaming phenomenon has completely changed the ecosystem of the music business, I mean radically changed.”

“For the first time in history, the more I get means the less you get. So, there’s only so much of the pie to go around, and the competition is now for listens as opposed to sales.”

“Today, we can monetize music to people of all ages. You get old people that wanna listen to songs of their youth, you get little pre-teens that are too young for radio that wanna listen to kiddie songs, and you get everybody else between.”

“I would not be surprised to see a day when you pay x dollars a month and you get your music and you get your Netflix-type streaming service, and you get your cable television, and then everything in one bundle.”

“The days of artist record executives plucking some obscure talent out of a coffee shop and turning them into a James Taylor, those days are very very rare if they even exist anymore.”

“The labels really were the gatekeepers, now anybody can get their music out there.”

“There’s always tension between the two and it’s existed ever since art and commerce existed.”

“The curation seems to be moving away from the radio stations toward the playlist and I think radio will be very challenged.”

“You’ve got to follow your passion. I think that nobody has ever been really successful unless they are passionate about what they do.”

“The most important thing is to just get in the game. Meet people, it’s a relatively small business, it’s based on relationships, as I think you mentioned earlier, and it’s just a matter of pushing on the door and knocking hard enough ‘till somebody opens it.”

RUDY SARZO SHOW NOTES

Connect with Rudy Sarzo

PEOPLE, BANDS, ARTISTS, COMPANIES & MEDIA LINKS MENTIONED FROM THE EPISODE

QUESTIONS ASKED DURING INTERVIEW

RUDY SARZO QUOTES FROM THE INTERVIEW

Music Business Insider Podcast Module