Bruce Pollock ("The Next to Last of the Rock Journalists") is the Deems Taylor Award winning author of 15 books on music, including Bob Dylan FAQ, America's Songs, V.3 Working Musicians: Defining Moments from the Road and The Rock Song Index: The 7500 Most Important Songs of Rock and Roll History. Visit Bruce at brucepollockthewriter.com
Frank ZappaFrank Zappa wrote for a very specific audience; in this interview he explains why he didn't try to reach the masses.
Laura NyroLaura Nyro talks about her complex, emotionally rich songwriting and how she supports women's culture through her art.
Sophie B. Hawkins - "Damn, I Wish I Was Your Lover"Musicians talk about "birthing" songs, but Sophie B. Hawkins says that "Damn, I Wish I Was Your Lover" really was "like a baby coming out."
Steve PerryA 1984 interview with Steve Perry, who talks about writing songs for Journey and as a solo artist.
Stephen Bishop - "Separate Lives"Stephen Bishop's breakup with Raiders Of The Lost Ark actress Karen Allen inspired "Separate Lives," a #1 hit in 1985.
Shelly Peiken - "What A Girl Wants"Shelly Peiken talks about writing the #1 hit "What A Girl Wants" for Christina Aguilera.
Kevin Kadish - "All About That Bass"Kadish talks about the surprise hit that "changed the way little girls look at themselves in the mirror" and ensured he could make music the rest of his life.
Shawn Mullins - "Lullaby"An after-gig conversation with a fan inspired "Lullaby," the song that put Mullins on the map after nine years and eight albums.
Neil Sedaka - "Love Will Keep Us Together"One of the biggest stars of the early '60s, Sedaka left America to make his comeback, returning with a vengeance with "Love Will Keep Us Together."
Tim Rice - "Superstar""Even before I met Andrew, I thought it would be great to write a play about Judas in which Jesus is only a minor character."