Some Interviews This Decade

No, I have not had the pleasure to interview this trio (yet), but I'll try and recall five interviews (well, maybe 10) I've done this decade which have been memorable for different reasons. In no order and in no preference.

10. Meat Loaf -- (September 2003 in person) -- After being introduced and offered several snacks by Mr. Loaf ("Tongs?" "No thanks, I'm trying to cut down.") he was funny, talkative and not listening to publicists wanting him to wrap it up. The last question had him remembering a canceled gig in Glasgow. The following day his manager passes him a Glasgow newspaper with a review of the nixed gig, giving him four out of five stars.

9. Kid Rock -- (In Person) -- Called early in the morning to make a last-minute interview with Kid Rock, having not listened to any of the album beforehand and getting to the hotel at 10:59 for an 11 am slot. But that's okay, can ask him plenty of questions about it even though he knows that I haven't heard a damn bit of the record. "And don't ask him about Pamela? We're not going to be responsible for what happens to you if he does!" goes the publicist. Great. Working the Johnny Cash angle though thankfully spares me from being assaulted by Mr. "Call Me Bobby" Rock.

8. Dolly Parton -- (Phoner) -- "Well thank you for calling me! You're helping me out with my show up there so I sure do appreciate it!" Very sweet and funny little lady, well little except for.....

7. Seal -- (In Person) -- "He's very talkative but he tends to ramble a little bit," says the publicist. "But if you interrupt him he'll stop and it'll be hard to get anything else out of him." So with 10 questions prepped for about 20 minutes, the first question is asked. Nine minutes later he completes the answer, going off on 132 tangents about his favorite albums growing up.

6. Rhianna -- (In Person) -- With 10 minutes to do the interview and the photographer to snap (usually 20 mins is given), the publicist leads moi to the hotel room, which contains 4 hangers-on in one room and three friends of Rhianna in another. And three make-up/stylists people too in an adjacent room. She comes out and is about as happy to do the interview as I am to see 10 other people in the room texting and on their phones. A question about Amy Winehouse falls flat and mercifully it ends for both parties. Almost as strange as Bryan Adams asking me what are some of Ryan Adams' hit songs.

More to come....