Rock & Roll High School With Pete Ganbarg

Pure Tone Music
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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. He writes on Substack as Confessions of a Pop A&R Guy: https://substack.com/@peteganbarg

  1. Aug 13

    Desmond Child

    For our 100th episode, we're joined by legendary Hall of Fame songwriter Desmond Child. For nearly 50 years, Desmond has written or co-written some of the most iconic songs of the last half-century: "Livin' On A Prayer," "You Give Love A Bad Name," "I Was Made For Lovin' You," "Dude (Looks Like A Lady)," "I Hate Myself For Lovin' You," "Livin' La Vida Loca," and many, many more. In this interview, Desmond shares the story of his upbringing in Florida, living with a larger-than-life Cuban mother and a father who, despite Desmond not learning the truth until he was 18 years old, was not his biological dad. Two of his aunts in Cuba were mistresses to men who led opposite sides of the Cuban Revolution: Batista AND Castro. And the stories just get more remarkable from there. After moving to New York City and forming his own band, Desmond Child & Rouge, Desmond began a songwriting apprenticeship with legendary songwriter Bob Crewe (The Four Seasons, "Lady Marmalade"), through which he learned the secrets of writing songs that truly connect with an audience — lessons he would soon put to use writing some of the biggest hits in the history of popular music. The list of artists who have recorded Desmond's songs is a who's who of music history: Aerosmith, Alice Cooper, Barbra Streisand, Bon Jovi, Cher, Joan Jett, KISS, Ricky Martin and many more. Desmond's great 2023 memoir, Livin' On A Prayer: Big Songs Big Life, written with David Ritz, tells these stories and many more in even greater detail. His latest album, Desmond Child Rocks The Parthenon — The Live Concert Album, is out now. For more on Desmond, follow @desmond.child on Instagram. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Desmond Child

  2. Aug 6

    Richard Gottehrer - Part 2

    Richard Gottehrer is one of the most influential figures in the history of popular music—but unless you're a serious student of music history, you may not know his name. Over the course of an extraordinary career spanning more than six decades, Richard has reinvented himself time and again -- as a hit songwriter, recording artist, record executive, producer, and digital pioneer. So much so that we had to split this episode into two parts. In Part Two of our conversation, Richard picks up where he left off after departing Sire Records and embarking on one of the most remarkable second acts in music history. As a producer, Richard helped define the sound of New York's emerging punk and new wave movement, producing landmark recordings by Blondie, Richard Hell & The Voidoids, and later guiding The Go-Go's to international superstardom with their groundbreaking debut album, Beauty and the Beat. He reflects on working with artists who would go on to become cultural icons, the creative instincts that allowed him to recognize greatness before the rest of the world, and the producer's role in capturing an artist's true identity on record. But Richard wasn't finished reinventing himself. Long before most of the music industry understood the coming digital revolution, Richard co-founded The Orchard, helping create the company that transformed digital distribution for independent artists and labels around the world. His vision once again placed him at the forefront of one of the biggest changes in the history of the music business. This conversation is a masterclass in creativity, innovation, and lifelong reinvention from a man whose fingerprints can be found on virtually every era of modern popular music. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Richard Gottehrer - Part 2

  3. Jul 30

    Richard Gottehrer - Part 1

    Richard Gottehrer is one of the most influential figures in the history of popular music—but unless you're a serious student of music history, there's a good chance you've never heard his name. Over the course of an extraordinary career spanning more than six decades, Richard has reinvented himself time and again -- as a hit songwriter, recording artist, record executive, producer, and digital pioneer. So much so that we had to split this episode into two parts. In Part One of our conversation, we go back to where it all began. Growing up in the Bronx, Richard broke into New York's legendary Brill Building songwriting scene, where he co-wrote timeless hits including "My Boyfriend's Back" and "I Want Candy." He later stepped into the spotlight as a member of The Strangeloves, whose recording of "I Want Candy" became a garage rock classic. Richard also discovered a teenage guitarist and vocalist named Richard Zehringer, who played with a local Ohio band called Rick and the Raiders. After changing his name to Rick Derringer and renaming the band The McCoys, Gottehrer and his Strangeloves bandmates produced their #1 smash, "Hang On Sloopy." Richard also shares the story behind the founding of Sire Records, the groundbreaking label he co-created with his lifelong friend Seymour Stein. Together they built one of the most influential independent labels of all time, helping launch artists who would forever change the sound of popular music. Part One concludes with the remarkable story of one of Sire's earliest breakthrough successes: the international hit "Hocus Pocus" by the Dutch band Focus. This is the fascinating origin story of a man who would go on to help shape virtually every corner of the modern music business. And it's only the beginning. Part Two picks up with Richard's departure from Sire Records, his landmark production work with Blondie, Richard Hell & The Voidoids, and The Go-Go's, and his remarkable reinvention as the co-founder of The Orchard, the company that revolutionized digital distribution for independent music. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Richard Gottehrer - Part 1

  4. Jul 23

    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)

  5. 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

  6. 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)

  7. 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

  8. 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
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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. He writes on Substack as Confessions of a Pop A&R Guy: https://substack.com/@peteganbarg

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