Rock & Roll High School With Pete Ganbarg

Pure Tone Music
  • 4.8 (33)
  • Music Interviews
  • Updated Biweekly

Season 5 Out Now! Rock & Roll High School is an interview series that tells the story of contemporary music one artist at a time - in their own words. Hosted by Pete Ganbarg -------------------------------------- About Pete: Pete Ganbarg has been doing major label A&R for over 35 years. He's a 2X Grammy award winning record producer as well as a member of the board of directors of the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Pete has held senior A&R positions at Atlantic, Arista, Epic and SBK/EMI and is currently the president of Pure Tone Music. As a music publisher, Pete operates Songs With A Pure Tone and Margetts Road Music, joint ventures currently in partnership with Warner Chappell Music. Songs published by Pure Tone include 2024's Grammy winning Record of the Year, "Flowers" by Miley Cyrus, the global #1 "Ordinary" by Alex Warren, as well as hits by Benson Boone, Justin Bieber, Maroon 5, Katy Perry, OneRepublic, Charli XCX, Lewis Capaldi, Ed Sheeran, Andy Grammer, Lizzo, Beyoncé, and more. Pete is the recipient of two Grammy Awards for his role as producer on the Original Broadway Cast Recording of Dear Evan Hansen and the Original Broadway Cast Recording of Jagged Little Pill. At Atlantic, among the artists and projects that Pete has overseen are twenty one pilots, Halestorm, Jason Mraz, Christina Perri, Melanie Martinez, Skillet, GAYLE, Brett Eldredge, Matchbox Twenty & Rob Thomas, Theory Of A Deadman, and Icona Pop; as well as the Original Broadway Cast Recordings of Hamilton, Mean Girls, Jagged Little Pill, Dear Evan Hansen, and the multi-platinum Billboard No. 1 soundtrack album The Greatest Showman. Pete began his A&R career in 1989 at SBK Records. In 1997, he joined Clive Davis at Arista Records, where, as Senior Director of A&R, he conceived and A&R’d Santana’s 30x platinum worldwide, nine-time GRAMMY-winning album, Supernatural.  Additionally, Pete was named International Music Person Of The Year in 2023 by the music industry organization MUSEXPO.

  1. 8h ago

    Jim Messina (Buffalo Springfield/Poco/Loggins & Messina)

    Jim Messina has had one of the most remarkable and influential careers in American music. As a member (and producer) of Buffalo Springfield, he helped shape one of the defining bands of the late 1960s before going on to form Poco, where he became one of the architects of the country rock movement. He later teamed with Kenny Loggins to create Loggins & Messina, one of the most successful and beloved duos of the 1970s, producing a string of enduring hits including "Danny's Song," "Your Mama Don't Dance," "House at Pooh Corner," and "Thinking of You." But Messina's impact extends far beyond the spotlight. An accomplished producer, engineer, songwriter, and guitarist, he played a pivotal role behind the scenes, helping refine the sound of artists ranging from Buffalo Springfield to Loggins & Messina while earning a reputation as one of the era's great musical craftsmen. In this conversation, Jim reflects on his extraordinary journey through some of the most important chapters in American popular music. We discuss the final days of Buffalo Springfield, the creation of Poco, how an intended producer-artist relationship with Kenny Loggins evolved into one of the decade's biggest recording acts, and the stories behind many of his best-loved songs. He also shares candid thoughts on touring, recording, songwriting, and the lessons learned over more than six decades in music. Whether you know him from Buffalo Springfield, Poco, Loggins & Messina, or his remarkable work behind the console, this is a conversation with one of rock's true architects. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Jim Messina (Buffalo Springfield/Poco/Loggins & Messina)

  2. Jul 16

    Howard Jones

    Howard Jones helped define the sound of the 1980s by proving that synthesizers could be every bit as expressive and emotionally resonant as guitars or pianos. Classically trained as a pianist before embracing the emerging world of electronic music, Howard exploded onto the international stage with a remarkable string of hit singles, including "New Song," "What Is Love?," "Things Can Only Get Better," "Like to Get to Know You Well," and the U.S. Top 10 smash "No One Is to Blame." His first two albums, Human's Lib and Dream Into Action, established him as one of the defining artists of the MTV era, blending infectious melodies with thoughtful lyrics shaped in part by his lifelong Buddhist practice. Howard's influence extended well beyond the charts. In 1985, he joined fellow keyboard innovators Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock, and Thomas Dolby for a memorable synthesizer summit at the Grammy Awards, and later that year performed at the historic Live Aid concert at Wembley Stadium, performing solo on Freddie Mercury's piano before a global audience of hundreds of millions. More than four decades later, he continues to record new music and tour internationally, bringing his timeless songs to audiences around the world. In this conversation, Howard reflects on his classical training, the birth of synth-pop, his longtime onstage collaboraor, mime artist Jed Hoile, the stories behind his biggest hits, his Buddhist philosophy, and the role technology has played throughout his remarkable career. We also discuss songwriting, live performance, and why maintaining a sense of curiosity and optimism has remained at the heart of both his music and his life. Thoughtful, innovative, and endlessly creative, Howard Jones continues to demonstrate that great songs—and great ideas—stand the test of time. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Howard Jones

  3. Jul 9

    Colin Hay (Men At Work)

    Colin Hay is one of those rare artists whose career has unfolded in two remarkable acts. As the lead singer, guitarist, and principal songwriter of Men at Work, Hay helped create some of the defining songs of the early MTV era, including "Who Can It Be Now?," "Down Under," "Overkill," "It's a Mistake," and "Be Good Johnny." The band's landmark debut album, Business As Usual, spent an extraordinary fifteen consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard album chart before finally giving way to Michael Jackson's Thriller. Along the way, the group won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist and became one of Australia's most successful musical exports. Rather than living in the past, Hay embarked on one of rock's most remarkable second acts. Through an acclaimed series of solo albums, appearances on Scrubs, the inclusion of his music in Zach Braff's Garden State, and years of unforgettable performances at Los Angeles' legendary Café Largo, he reinvented himself as a deeply respected singer-songwriter with a devoted worldwide following. He also continues to tour internationally and perform as a longtime member of Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band. In this conversation, Colin reflects on his upbringing in Scotland and Australia, the meteoric rise of Men at Work, the stories behind some of the band's biggest hits, and the evolution of his extraordinary solo career. We also discuss the years-long "Kookaburra"/"Down Under" copyright lawsuit—and the personal toll it took on the Men at Work family and Colin's own family—as well as songwriting, resilience, and why some of life's greatest setbacks can ultimately lead to unexpected new beginnings. Funny, thoughtful, and profoundly insightful, Colin Hay has never stopped evolving, and his music continues to resonate more deeply each year. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Colin Hay (Men At Work)

  4. Jul 2

    Gary U.S. Bonds

    This week on Rock & Roll High School, we're joined by rock & roll pioneer Gary U.S. Bonds. Long before the British Invasion, Gary U.S. Bonds was one of the defining voices of early rock & roll. Bursting onto the charts with classics like "New Orleans," "Quarter to Three," "School Is Out," and "Dear Lady Twist," he became one of the biggest hitmakers of the early 1960s, helping bridge the worlds of rhythm & blues and rock with a sound that influenced generations of artists. In this conversation, Gary looks back on his remarkable career—from growing up in Norfolk, Virginia and breaking through with legendary producer Frank Guida, to navigating the changing music industry, and enjoying an extraordinary second act in the 1980s thanks to his friendship with Bruce Springsteen and Little Steven Van Zandt. Bruce and Steve produced Gary's acclaimed albums Dedication and On the Line, wrote songs for him, and helped introduce his music to an entirely new generation of fans. We also discuss Gary's friendships with fellow rock & roll pioneers, the stories behind his biggest records, and what it was like to witness—and help create—the birth of rock music from the very beginning. More than sixty years after his first hits, Gary U.S. Bonds remains one of the true architects of American rock & roll. His stories are as vibrant as the music itself, making this a fascinating conversation with a genuine living legend. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Gary U.S. Bonds

  5. Jun 25

    Lenny Kaye

    Legendary guitarist, producer, author, music historian, and cultural curator Lenny Kaye joins us this week on Rock & Roll High School. For more than five decades, Lenny has occupied a singular place in popular music. As the longtime guitarist and closest musical collaborator of Patti Smith, he helped shape the sound of one of rock's most influential artists and has remained by her side since the earliest days of the Patti Smith Group. He is also the compiler of the groundbreaking 1972 anthology Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era, 1965–1968, a collection that helped spark the garage-rock revival and laid much of the foundation for punk rock as we know it. In this conversation, we trace Lenny's remarkable journey—from his childhood in New Jersey and his early years as a music journalist and record-store clerk, to the creation of Nuggets, the birth of the Patti Smith Group, and a lifetime spent documenting, preserving, and advancing rock & roll culture. We also discuss Goin' Local, Lenny's long-awaited debut solo album, arriving July 17, 2026. Written across decades and featuring contributions from Patti Smith and other longtime friends and collaborators, the album represents a deeply personal statement from an artist whose influence on modern music extends far beyond the stage. Whether you know him as Patti Smith's guitarist, the architect of Nuggets, author of some brilliant books about music, or one of rock's most respected historians and tastemakers, Lenny Kaye's impact on music is impossible to overstate. This is a conversation decades in the making. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Lenny Kaye

  6. Jun 23

    Clive Davis (2026 Edit)

    All of us at Rock & Roll High School are very saddened to learn of the passing of our friend and former guest Clive Davis. This is a new edit of our conversation with the legend himself, originally recorded shortly after Clive’s 90th birthday in 2022. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Clive Davis (2026 Edit)

  7. Jun 18

    Vernon Reid (Living Colour)

    Vernon Reid has spent more than four decades pushing the boundaries of what rock music can be. Best known as the founder, guitarist, and primary songwriter of the groundbreaking band Living Colour, Reid helped redefine hard rock in the late 1980s by fusing rock, metal, funk, jazz, punk, and hip-hop into a sound that was entirely their own. Living Colour's debut album Vivid became a cultural phenomenon, powered by the Grammy-winning hit "Cult of Personality," while establishing the band as one of the most important and influential acts of their era. But Reid's impact extends far beyond Living Colour. In 1985, alongside the late cultural critic, writer, and musician Greg Tate, he co-founded the Black Rock Coalition, an influential organization dedicated to expanding opportunities for Black artists in rock and alternative music. Over the years, Reid has collaborated with an astonishing range of artists, including Mick Jagger, Bruce Springsteen, Public Enemy, Carlos Santana, and Meshell Ndegeocello, while also building a celebrated career as a composer for film, television, theater, and multimedia projects. Reid remains as creatively active today as ever. He was among the artists who participated in Ozzy Osbourne's landmark Back to the Beginning concert, celebrating the legacy of Ozzy and Black Sabbath alongside an all-star lineup of rock and metal musicians. More recently, he released Hoodoo Telemetry, an adventurous new solo project that further demonstrates his continuing appetite for musical exploration and sonic innovation. In this conversation, Vernon reflects on his early jazz and rock musical influences, the formation and breakthrough of Living Colour, the mission behind the Black Rock Coalition, and the artistic philosophy that has guided his remarkable career. We also discuss creativity, technology, social commentary, guitar playing, and why curiosity remains the driving force behind one of modern music's most innovative and uncompromising artists. A true original, Vernon Reid continues to challenge expectations and expand the possibilities of contemporary music. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Vernon Reid (Living Colour)

  8. Jun 11

    Judy Collins

    Few artists have lived as many lives in music as Judy Collins. Emerging from the folk revival of the early 1960s, Judy became one of the era's defining voices, recording timeless interpretations of songs by artists such as Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Randy Newman, and Leonard Cohen, while helping introduce many of them to a wider audience. Her recording of Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now" became a signature hit, and her career has since spanned more than six decades of music, activism, writing, and performance. In this episode of Rock & Roll High School, Judy joins Pete Ganbarg for a wide-ranging conversation about her extraordinary journey: growing up in a musical family, discovering folk music, the Greenwich Village scene, friendships with artists including Joan Baez, Stephen Stills, and Leonard Cohen, and the stories behind some of the most important songs of her career, including "Amazing Grace," and "Send In The Clowns." They also discuss Judy's work as an author and filmmaker, her remarkable longevity as a performer, and her upcoming Sweet Judy Blues Farewell Tour, which begins July 4, 2026 and will continue into 2027. At 87 years old, Judy Collins remains a singular voice in American music — reflective, insightful, and still creating. This is a conversation with a true living legend. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Judy Collins
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About

Season 5 Out Now! Rock & Roll High School is an interview series that tells the story of contemporary music one artist at a time - in their own words. Hosted by Pete Ganbarg -------------------------------------- About Pete: Pete Ganbarg has been doing major label A&R for over 35 years. He's a 2X Grammy award winning record producer as well as a member of the board of directors of the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Pete has held senior A&R positions at Atlantic, Arista, Epic and SBK/EMI and is currently the president of Pure Tone Music. As a music publisher, Pete operates Songs With A Pure Tone and Margetts Road Music, joint ventures currently in partnership with Warner Chappell Music. Songs published by Pure Tone include 2024's Grammy winning Record of the Year, "Flowers" by Miley Cyrus, the global #1 "Ordinary" by Alex Warren, as well as hits by Benson Boone, Justin Bieber, Maroon 5, Katy Perry, OneRepublic, Charli XCX, Lewis Capaldi, Ed Sheeran, Andy Grammer, Lizzo, Beyoncé, and more. Pete is the recipient of two Grammy Awards for his role as producer on the Original Broadway Cast Recording of Dear Evan Hansen and the Original Broadway Cast Recording of Jagged Little Pill. At Atlantic, among the artists and projects that Pete has overseen are twenty one pilots, Halestorm, Jason Mraz, Christina Perri, Melanie Martinez, Skillet, GAYLE, Brett Eldredge, Matchbox Twenty & Rob Thomas, Theory Of A Deadman, and Icona Pop; as well as the Original Broadway Cast Recordings of Hamilton, Mean Girls, Jagged Little Pill, Dear Evan Hansen, and the multi-platinum Billboard No. 1 soundtrack album The Greatest Showman. Pete began his A&R career in 1989 at SBK Records. In 1997, he joined Clive Davis at Arista Records, where, as Senior Director of A&R, he conceived and A&R’d Santana’s 30x platinum worldwide, nine-time GRAMMY-winning album, Supernatural.  Additionally, Pete was named International Music Person Of The Year in 2023 by the music industry organization MUSEXPO.

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