Jack Blades | #008 The Kenny Aronoff Sessions

Welcome back to another unforgettable episode of the Kenny Aronoff Sessions podcast brimming with laughter and awe-inspiring stories, as the one and only Jack Blades joins Kenny for a celebration of the indomitable power of music and the resilience of the human spirit. Together, they delve into the realms of musical collaborations, the power of positive energy, and the democratic spirit that fuels the magic of bands. With heartfelt reflections on his upbringing and the profound influence of his mother's unwavering positivity, Jack unravels the untold tales behind Night Ranger, Damn Yankees, and how his music actually saved the life of one of his fans.

He and Kenny also reveal the many aspects of their illustrious music careers, unveil the secrets behind Jack’s most iconic songs, the paramount significance of authenticity in their work, and the exhilarating experiences encountered within the recording studio and on epic tours. Both musicians also emphasize the unyielding commitment to delivering electrifying live performances, and the delicate balance they maintain between the hedonistic allure of the rock and roll lifestyle and the relentless demands of life on the road.

From Sly Stone to Sammy Hagar to Ringo Starr, Jack has a vast catalog of behind the scenes stories which he shares with listeners here today, and he also goes on to candidly share a recent health scare he experienced and the transformative life changes he has made since. Prepare yourself today to be immersed in an episode where laughter intertwines with wisdom, unforgettable stories intertwine with the celebration of music's unwavering power, and the sheer joy of living finds its ultimate expression in the electrifying world of these two rock and roll giants.

Episode Highlights:

• Jack Blades’ studios
• The origin of Jack’s upbeat personality
• His introduction to Sly Stone and the San Francisco music scene
• Andy Newmark’s introduction to Sly Stone
• The democratic nature of Night Ranger and Damn Yankees
• The stories behind “High Enough”, “(You Can Still) Rock in America”, and “Don’t Tell Me You Love Me”
• Kings of Chaos and the importance of authenticity
• The keys to success for Jack Blades’ bands
• His writing process
• Jack’s early musical influences
• Jack and Kenny’s takes on touring and partying
• Jack’s top career moments
• Ringo Starr’s massive talent and favorite performance 
• Jack’s recent health scare and how it has changed his life
• His commitment to continue playing music

Quotes:

"My mom was the most happiest, like, fun-loving, just loved life, loved everything—everything."

"We were a bunch of kids in San Francisco, like, wanting to be rock and rollers and play music and just hoping we could do a second album."

"It was always like a democracy. We'd all decide what was going on with the songs."

"If you're authentic, if you really write down what's in your heart, in your soul...that's probably the closest glimpse into their soul as a person can see, man."

"I feel blessed. I wake up every morning and pinch myself and thank God that I'm alive and thank God that everything is great."

"I mean, if music stopped tomorrow, I wouldn't stop playing music... That's what I'll do till the day I die."

"It's important to listen to your body.”

Links:

Kenny Aronoff

Night Ranger