And it was all based around Steve giving us a call and saying Okay, Im fine now, Im ready to go. And it just didnt happen. I don't feel I'm perspiring my energy away, like I used to. 1967 - 1970 (3 years) The Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation was a late-60s British blues-rock band led by drummer Aynsley Dunbar after his stints in John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers and the Jeff Beck Group. Well, it felt great to be free. I believe we were in Hawaii. RM: Ruth Underwood also played on 200 Motels. And the legacy continues, with Arnel. **Do you think you made bad decisions in terms of how you handled things with the band? RM: Who were the drummers you were listening. I feel lost when Im not doing it. That way, when I go on stage, there's no sloppiness. "I played with Jeff for four months," Dunbar told me years ago. Using your fingers makes em better. The music was a mix of instrumental orientated rock-fusion and progressive tunes with vocals. It was really intense. RM: What kind of music was Blue Whale playing? Aynsley Dunbar's age is 77. 24:59 - The decision making process in Jefferson Starship 25:46 - In-band tensions' effect on music / how the Jefferson groups made it through But it's always interesting because he is a very good musician. Listening to what he was doing, and listening to what we were doingit was like A to Z. I was goin, How are we gonna morph this together and make it work?. I got sick and tired of doing that because I wasn't advancing. But I don't think there are too many people in San Francisco that I want teaching me. She was dying during the writing and recording of that record, and in the middle of doing vocals, she died. And she gave him the message, he called me from there, and I said Maybe we should talk about getting back together, Id like to see what you think, lets have coffee when you get back. So we had coffee, talked about it, and he said, Well, we should get together with Neal and talk about it, and me and Neal and Jon had coffee, and that was kind of the beginning. As a result, Revenge was recorded in two stages between legs of Coopers world tour. And we wrote the record. I mean, wed get together with Neal, and wed all write the arrangements. I agree to that, but I don't agree that every time you have a fill, you have to play exactly the same thing that's on the record. And then it felt terrible._ [laughs]_. During an interview with Radio.com ahead of the induction ceremony, Rolie hinted at the possibility of them working together in the context of Journey. One huge mag, with not one edit. Im looking at it very simply. Doing a record isnt like the rigors of touring, but its a demand on your time. I still felt this panic to get a deal, get signed, maybe make another record. AD: When he's soloing, I tend to try and watch him because it's not only hearing it's also eye contact. The more accurately you play something and make it more defined, the better it can be used as music. While all of that was going on, Zappa came to town and left a message for me to talk to him. Since 1957, GQ has inspired men to look sharper and live smarter with its unparalleled coverage of style, culture, and beyond. Then I'll jump in and push him a little bit into other areas. I couldn't leave the people in my band just to do some wandering around the country, although it would have led to the Led Zeppelin gig, which was offered to me as well. I wasnt sure what the Sopranos use was gonna be. I have to price myself above that sort of stuff. Youre looking at it in a deep chronological way. But I didnt see it until the first time it aired, that Sunday night. So I held out a little bit, cause I wanted to know. But the truth is, no. I didnt need anything else, as far as an opinion on the show. When you see a Journey song turn up on a movie soundtrack, or on TV? You were able to function, so you never really addressed any of that stuff. So I was about ready to crash and didnt know it. The solo is arranged so it's really in-your-face guitar. RM: I noticed you and Craig looking at each other a lot. I'd like to sit at home and work on that sort of stuff. Yeah. : aynsleydunbar.com, Wikipedia, drummerworld.com : Junior Dunn : Waka/ Jawaka was also a jazz album. Okay. Everybody thinks singers are prima donnas. You mentioned Aynsley Dunbar, who is such a great, yet often overlooked, drummer. And I hope you print that, because its important that people know that. I use it to find out how I'm playing-where I rush or where I slow down. Sure. And so everybody packed their stuff, went home, and Im hearing that were gonna be off for maybe a couple months, three months, six months, whateverbut it turned out to be close to eight to ten years. Cause I thought it was silly. We all put our lives and sweat and blood and tears into this thing. I think thats getting a little into the area of conjecture. I know that sounds intense, but I had to take care of myself. I dont wanna see that get damaged. I did manage to learn a lot about music by looking at it and trying to discern what was going on. RM: What kind of practicing are you able to do on the road? RM: Do you structure your solos any particular way? I guess I was just in denial about it, like, You gotta be kidding me. [Journey had] just reworked our partnership. AD: I have a snare drum with a vacuum pad over it-the old Gladstone pad. On the third Journey album, I started using double bass drums. Right on! So that was like a nod to Journey from my solo side. They were certainly amenable to it when I joined them. I really dont. Right? Aynsley Thomas Dunbar : British drummer, band leader. When I did drink, it was in excess. "It's just me and [drummer] Aynsley Dunbar, pretty much, with this big, wide-open space for phrasing on the guitar. And I got a phone call from Don Ellis telling me that Herbie had called back and wanted to meet me and talk to me about joining the group. And the tickets have already been sold. I was the new kid. I did not use steroids! But most of the time I had a free hand. He'd just call out a song and tell me whether it was a shuffle or whatever, and give me a nod if there was a break. He plays rhythm guitar and sings it for a while and we just add our parts to it. The girls are screaming Just a small-town girl. Theyre screaming it at clubs. His playing always has a bit of a flair to it, but I think he's always a supportive musician and he doesn't overplay. AD: R&B was happening, and traditional jazz. AD: No, but Ludwig wants me to start doing clinics. He has worked with John Mayall, Frank Zappa, Jeff Beck, Journey, Jefferson Starship, Nils Lofgren, Eric Burdon, Shuggie Otis, Ian Hunter, Lou Reed, David B read more. Before that, it's hard for me to remember which would be the most interesting. I have four 19" crash cymbals, a 21" swish on the left and a 21" Chinese on the right, and a 22" Earth ride cymbal. Theyre all magical to me. You feel like youre on a high-wire all the time. I had a lot of double kicking happening and it almost sounds like there were two bass drums being used. Schon and Herbert flew to Los Angeles to meet with the noted sideman for . Journey Settles Lawsuit with former Band Members. And people didnt understand what that meant. Then I was playing lead lines on the violin. My sister started playing guitar at that time, and I didn't want to be in competition with her, so I decided there must be something else I would like. And then the second song we wrote, I was downstairs in Gregg Rolies house, where I was living, in Mill Valley, and Perry was over, and we were sittin down in the beanbags in the music room, and he started singin me these melodies that he had, for Lights. And I just started putting the stumble to it, felt like it was gonna be a stumble, and tried to give it some Hendrix-y type chords, to make it sound cool, and then I added a bridge to that, for a guitar solo, and that one was done, in about ten minutes. And as long as, at the end of the night, I heard what they felt about it, then I was good to go. Its a very fine line. It can make you just live your life in a state of insecurity and fear. Are you unhappy that the other guys in the band are still out there performing this music? Aynsley Dunbar had played with everybody. AD: No. Now I wanna go home for a while., **As a singer, were you dealing with a different set of demands? And so[sigh]Ive tried to maintain that thats just not what theyre for. Because it reminds me of so much. RM: And he, in turn, will take you to different places; RM: This all ties in with what you were telling me the other night about how you base most of what you do on listening to the melody. AD: No, I haven't. But in the extra tagged-on piece, I cut to stage right, facing me walking offstage, over the shoulders of Jon, Neal, Ross and Steve. Well, like I saidwe were good together. **Do you think thats why the press didnt like you? And theres been some that I wasnt too pleased about, but my feet had been held to the fire, slightly, so I had to. Aynsley was very disappointed, but Bruce said, Aynsley, f it! Read the best writing on rock music here. And Jon was telling me, We want to know what you wanna do. RM: Earlier, you mentioned that you don't..like playing songs note for note the same every time. It's a great interview that gives insight into how mega-bands really work. With their 1978 breakthrough album, Infinity, some rock writers even today attempt to reduce the remarkable transformation by the San Francisco band Journey as "talented, veteran, but commercially struggling group hires world-class singer, which anybody would recognize; shortens song arrangements; and instantly becomes the biggest band in America". I found that I liked using two bass drums. AD: He's a drummer by nature. And I think that actually might have provoked Perry to go and do a solo record. I thought in my own mind that before you could even go out there and play, you had to be as good as the people you were listening to on records. I stll perspire a lot, but it's just from my body working. And I started learning how to craft song songs, instead of just jams. And I didnt want to stop either, by the way. Cause hes brilliant. And Journey was on tour, so I said Fine, Ill do that. And so I went down and sat with this mastering engineer. The only time in my life I ever did was that time I was forced into it when the rest of the band was at the bar drinking. I've been collecting material for it. No way could I tell them that they had just reached the first step and we had a lot more steps to go. Aynsley Dunbar From the Journey dayscheck out his bass drum doubles : Gretsch USA & Zildjian (What Else Would I Ever Need ?) I completely understand how they felt and why, and I want to make sure thats clear. At home, I've got a drum kit, but the trouble with a drum kit at home is that it's so damn loud, it blows your hearing. Cant we stop? And eventually I had to say, Look, dont book any more shows after October. But thats okay. Next I got a small tom-tom, then two cymbals, then a large tom, and sort of built up the kit bit by bit. Did they give you any advice? It's fun while you're there, especially if you're building something you want to build-like a song that you will be performing on stage. But thats how the world judges you. All rights reserved. So it can make any singer a little crazy. Cause you know, they had a singer before me, named Robert Fleischmann. So you were always opposed to that stuff? "You believe that financial . I completely understand their reluctance. The guy could sing amazingly well. John DeAngelis, Jun 9, 2011 #13 ParloFax Forum Resident Location: Montreal North Shore, Quebec, CANADA Eric Singer didn't know drummer Aynsley Dunbar had auditioned when he first got KISS gig KISS drummer Eric Singer was recently interviewed by Ultimate Classic Rock on the occasion of the 25th year anniversary of his first live show as a member of the iconic band on April 23, 1992. So I thought, Well, maybe Im not supposed to be there.. **, Well, noI didnt realize anything. He goes to a restaurant, he goes through the little jukebox at the table, they go through the thing, he goes through Heart, and then he ends up with Tony Bennett, and he reaches in, puts a quarter in and pushes a button, and you think hes gonna play Tony Bennetthes a wiseguy, hes either gonna play some rock and roll or Tony Bennett, that was how they threw the scent off. And I think what Steve felt at that point that he wanted to fold the band and go back to working on his grandfathers ranch. Probably some time ago, yeah, I could have done that. Since 1968, Cynthia has cast over 48 famous rock singers', guitar players', and managers' penises. It starts way in the back, over a railing, and it rolls up to the front. It was so cool. I been uplifted when he called, but when heard "country/western" I went back down. I believe I was a functioning alcoholic. Cause we didnt sound alike. The label said, We think you need a frontman. I didnt want to leave the group, for Christs sake! I went from playing seven days a week with Mayall to one day a month with Beck. And I said, I am _not _gonna tour and sit on a stool. Yeah. All of the toms have both heads, and so do the bass drums. GQ: Journey had already made three records by the time you joined the band. Is it safe to say that theres not communication between you anymore? Everything has to go through lawyers and management. There was a lot of stuff that we didnt agree on. Are you not allowed to talk about him on the record? If somebody said anything to me, I'd blow up, because my nerves were shattered from being in a complete state of exhaustion. I ended up going to Bowie's party after Lou's session, and Bowie asked me if I'd like to join him. And I tried to get to David Chase to try to thank him, and I have yet to be able to. Actually Jonathan Cain tried to go down and go in and see him in San Francisco and they wouldnt let him in the building! That was the last time. We didnt go nowhere near the disco thing. Lets go have some pizza. Youd think that a certain amount of success would squelch certain drives. Singers live on the edge of being powerful, being strong, and not degrading their voice, and its the most difficult edge to walk. . a story about the new lead singer of Journey. Thats what I want to be doing. He was a member of John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, along with Peter Green & John McVie who would form Fleetwood Mac. He is the major soloist in the band. And we ended up making two more recordswe did Look Into the Future and then Next, and each record sold progressively less than the last one, but we attained a huger live audience, because we were playing live so much. Weve worked so hard. The group released many albums from 1969-1970, including a self-titled work, Doctor Dunbar's Prescription, also to Mum From Aynsley . It was a bit of a learning curve, for me. When you changed your sound, what was the thought process behind that? I just want to stop for a while. So February 1st was when I finally got home from the last shows, in Alaska. I think they thought I was just going to leave the group and go solo and tell everybody to gowhatever. Whitesnake - Slip of the Tongue Super Deluxe Edition; 2019 Remaster. It could be east of Vine. And these two girls were there with a friend. But at the same time, the difference between a voice and fingers, or hands, is neurotic at best. And Id always wanted to do a record with him, because I just loved his musicalityI loved the fact that he played like a wicked guitar player, and was always curious what Id sound like playing with him. The answer is of course theres differences between us all! _, **GQ: The first three Journey albums sound like the work of a completely different band. Be at my house at so- and-so, and have your drums there and we'll go up to the gig." Nothing was more important than being part of this huge family called Journey. And then, there's Cynthia Albritton, known now as Cynthia Plaster Caster, who collects a somewhat different kind of keepsake: plaster molds of famous rock and roll penises. **When you started your solo career, was that the beginning of the end for Journey? But youre asking me how it felt. And I only bring that up to tell you that, at some level, every one of those tracks are like a painting in a gallery to me, and theyre precious to me. I'd like to know what pedal he used. I was a Journeyman. AD: I used to do a lot of push-ups, sit- ups, and all that to keep myself feeling healthy, but I was still getting drained. So you can't rehash what you did before if somebody else is playing something new. At certain times, I've had a drum lose its tone because it has been dropped and the shell has cracked, or something has gone wrong and it's deader than the other drums and I've had to replace It. I think in the end we all took Herbies advice, and it ended up being great advice. And it rolls around, and halfway through the song it starts rolling back out. You broke out of prison, and immediately started thinking about how to get back in. AD: When I started off listening to music as a child, I always followed the lead. The remaining members of Jefferson Starship rebuilt the band in early 1979, adding drummer Aynsley Dunbar in January and vocalist Mickey Thomas in April. Its no different. Otherwise, the band would never know where the hell I was. RM: How did you first get involved with music? I used a small, jazz Ludwig kit for the Grand Wazoo and Waka/Jawaka aibums-a little 20" bass, an 8 x 12 tom-tom, and a pair of 14 x 14 floor toms. Its been a love-hate thing. Have you considered doing any teaching? You mentioned arguingwas there a lot of that? Your playing tends to diminish from lack of work, so I formed my own band and worked it like Mayall did his. We went back, and we started writing Raised on Radio. Solo career. In the beginning, it felt extremely freeing. I love playing. I know I'm going to do an album sometime. And I said to Herbie, the manager, I think this is a bad ideathat it would fracture the band on some level. There was no ad-lib with them. For about six months, I worked with just a snare drum. But I didn't want to play that long. So my drum solo lasted about 20 minutes. So[long pause] when we did the VH1 thing, I said there was quite some time where I never really felt part of the band. We actually never even quit. So I went to Toronto and looked at the charts, and then went to London to work on Lou Reed's Berlin album.