CooperTalk

Gary Numan - Episode 854

Steve Cooper talks with musician Gary Numan. Gary is most widely known for his chart-topping 1979 hits Are ‘Friends’ Electric? (when in Tubeway Army) and Cars. He achieved his peak of mainstream popularity in the late 70s and early 80s but maintains a loyal cult following. His signature sound consists of heavy synthesizer hooks fed through guitar effects pedals, is considered a pioneer of commercial electronic music. He has sold over 10 million records in his career and just released his 21st studio album Intruder.

Little Steven Van Zandt - Episode 853

Steve Cooper talks with musician/writer/producer/actor Little Steven. Little Steven is best known for being a guitarist and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member for Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band. After creating the “Jersey Shore” sound with the Asbury Jukes he became a founding member of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band, and went on to become a successful solo artist in his own right recording and performing solo with his band Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul. As a songwriter his songs have been performed by Jackson Browne, Pearl Jam, Margo Price, Damian Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Southside Johnny and The Asbury Jukes, Gary U.S. Bonds, Darlene Love, Nancy Sinatra, Brian Setzer, Black Uhuru, and more. He also-co-produced the seminal Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band albums The River, and Born in the U.S.A. and has produced albums for Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, Gary U.S. Bonds, Ronnie Spector, Demolition 23, Majek Fashek, Lords of the New Church, Arc Angels, The Chesterfield Kings, The Cocktail Slippers, The Breakers, and more. As an actor he co-starred in all 7 seasons of The Sopranos and starred in, co-wrote, executive produced the award winning series Lilyhammer.

Matthew Del Negro - Episode 852

Steve Cooper talks with actor Matthew Del Negro. Matthew is best known for his co-starring and recurring roles in The Sopranos, The West Wing, Goliath, Scandal, Teen Wolf and the Showtime series The United States of Tara and City on a Hill. He has also been seen in movies and TV shows such as Magnum P.I., Rizzoli & Isles, Criminal Minds, Saving Lincoln, The Good Wife, L.A. Noire, Lie to Me, CSI: Miami, Beautiful People, The North End, Elementary and many more. He wrote the popular book 10,000 NOs and hosts a popular podcast of the same name.

Andy Scott - Episode 851

Steve Cooper talks with musician Andy Scott. Andy is best known for being the lead guitarist and a backing vocalist in the band Sweet. Sweet is a British glam rock band that rose to worldwide fame in the 1970s. They first achieved success in the UK charts, with thirteen Top 20 hits during the 1970s alone, with Block Buster (1973) topping the chart, followed by three consecutive number two hits). The band turned to a more hard rock style with their mid-career singles, like 1974's Turn it Down. They also achieved success and popularity in the US with the top ten hits Little Willy, The Ballroom Blitz and Fox on the Run. They had their last international success in 1978 with "Love Is Like Oxygen". Over the years and through many line-up changes the have recorded 10 studio albums with their latest being 2020's Isolation Boulevard.

Alexi Lalas - Episode 850

Steve Cooper talks with soccer player/commentator Alexi Lalas. Alexi is best known as a standout defender on the U.S. Men’s National Team during the 1994 World Cup, and was also a member of the 1992 U.S. Olympic Team and the 1998 World Cup squad. He is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame and one of the sport’s most recognizable personalities.  One of the first signings for Major League Soccer, he began his MLS career with the New England Revolution and went on to play for the MetroStars, Kansas City Wizards and the Los Angeles Galaxy. Following his retirement in 2002, he was appointed President and General Manager of the San Jose Earthquakes; he served the same role with the New York MetroStars in 2005 and LA Galaxy in 2008. Now a well respected commentator on Fox he is also an accomplished musician and has recorded 7 solo albums.

Clem Burke - Episode 849

Steve Cooper talks with musician Clem Burke. Clem is best known for being the drummer for Rock & Roll Hall of Fame members Blondie. Blondie emerged as the great pop icons of New York’s celebrated late ’70s new wave punk scene and achieved commercial success in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s with number 1 hit singles Atomic, Heart of Glass, Sunday Girl, Call Me, Rapture, and The Tide is High. During periods of inactivity with Blondie during the 1980s and 1990s, he played with a number of well respected artists and bands, including: Bob Dylan, Pete Townshend, Iggy Pop, The Ramones, Chequered Past, The Romantics, and Joan Jett. Perhaps the most notable collaboration was with Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart (Eurythmics) who he helped record the Grammy-winning hit Missionary Man. Lately Between Blondie tours, he has been recording and touring with his other musical collaborations, the Split Squad and the Empty Hearts.

Julia Duffy - Episode 848

Steve Cooper talks with actor Julia Duffy. Julia is best known for playing Stephanie Vanderkellen on the hit TV series Newhart from 1983 to 1990. (The role garnered her seven Primetime Emmy Award nominations.) Following the conclusion of Newhart, she continued to work in television, playing the original Maggie Campbell on Baby Talk and Allison Sugarbaker on Designing Women. In the 2000s, she appeared in guest roles on Reba and Drake & Josh, as well as having supporting roles in 2003's comedy films Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd and Intolerable Cruelty. She subsequently had recurring guest roles on the series Shameless and Looking, and appeared in a supporting role in the drama Camp X-Ray.

 

Tony Hadley - Episode 847

Steve Cooper talks with musician Tony Hadley. Tony is best known for being the lead singer of Spandau Ballet. In the 80's they had a string of smash hits like To Cut a Long Story Short, Gold, Through the Barricades and True. (Which was number four on the US charts in late 1983.) He launched a solo career following the group's split in 1990 and returned to the band in 2009 but left again in 2017. He currently plays to sold out crowds around the world.

Glen Matlock - Episode 846

Steve Cooper talks with musician Glen Matlock. Glen is best known as one of the founding members of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees the Sex Pistols. After the Sex Pistols split in 1978 he appeared with Iggy Pop, touring throughout 1979 and playing on his Soldier album. He later guested on records by the likes of Ian Hunter (Mott the Hoople), Frank Black (Pixies) and Primal Scream before signing to Alan McGee’s Creation Records in 1995. 1996 saw him team up with the reunited Sex Pistols on the ‘Filthy Lucre’ world tour. Almost 20 years after they last played together the original Pistols were back. From 2001 to 2005 he was a member of Dead Men Walking, a live supergroup which included members of The Cult, Stray Cats and The Alarm. The band issued two live albums and built up a cult following throughout the UK. In 2011 he formed The International Swingers together with Clem Burke (Blondie), James Stevenson (Chelsea) and Gary Twinn. The band released the album Whatever Works Now in 2015. As well as regularly playing solo shows, he also fronts his own band The Philistines. Their fourth album ‘Born Running’ was released in 2010. ‘Good to Go’ Glen’s second solo album was released in 2018. He continues to tour world wide.

Rich Wilkes - Episode 845

Steve Cooper talks with screenwriter Rich Wilkes. Rich has written the movies Airheads, xXx, The Dirt and The Jerky Boys to name a few. He also wrote and directed Glory Daze and wrote and stars in the documentary Punk Like Me.

Geoff Downes - Episode 844

Steve Cooper talks with musician Geoff Downes. Geoff first came into the spotlight from being a member of the new wave group The Buggles with Trevor Horn. The Buggles song Video Killed the Radio Star was the first video played on MTV. He then joined Yes and after that formed the supergroup Asia. Since then he has rejoined Yes and is in the Downes Braide Association.

Mark Farner - Episode 843

Steve Cooper talks with musician Mark Farner. Mark is best know for being the lead singer and lead guitarist for Grand Funk Railroad. After the 1969 Atlantic Pop Festival put Grand Funk Railroad on the fast track, the band topped the Billboard Chart twice with both the anthem We’re an American Band and The Loco-Motion. The Flint, Michigan trio reached the top 10 again with Some Kind of Wonderful (No. 3) and Bad Time (No. 4) before GFR disbanded for the first time in 1976. Mark briefly rejoined Grand Funk during the 1980s and 1990s and he has collaborated with many other artists over the years.  However, his focus has been to forge an enduring solo career based upon bringing his message of love to his fans in all corners of the world.

Don McLean - Episode 842

Steve Cooper talks with singer/songwriter Don McLean. Don is best known for his 1971 hit song "American Pie", an 8.5-minute folk rock "cultural touchstone" about the loss of innocence of the early rock and roll generation. (In 2001, American Pie was voted number 5 in a poll of the 365 Songs of the Century compiled by the RIAA and the National Endowment for the Arts.) His other hit singles include Vincent, Dreidel, a rendition of Roy Orbison's Crying and rendition of the Skyliners Since I Don't Have You and Wonderful Baby. He has recorded over 20 studio albums and continues to sell out shows in America and around the world.

Martin Chambers - Episode 841

Steve Cooper talks with musician Martin Chambers. Martin is best known for being the drummer of The Pretenders. The Pretenders were inducted to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2005. Martin played for the band from 1978-1986 and returned in 1994. He has performed with the band all over the world including at Live Aid and the US Festival.

Steve "Lips" Kudlow - Episode 840

Steve Cooper talks with musician Steve "Lips" Kudlow. Lips is best known for being the lead singer and lead guitarist of the Canadian heavy metal band Anvil. Anvil was the subject of the critically acclaimed 2008 documentary Anvil! The Story of Anvil which brought the band renewed recognition. The band released their first album in 1981 and since then has recorded 17 more.

Bruce Vilanch - Episode 839

Steve Cooper talks with comedy writer/songwriter/actor Bruce Vilanch.  Bruce is a six-time Emmy Award-winner best known to the public for his four-year stint on Hollywood Squares, as a celebrity participant; behind the scenes he was head writer for the show. He has also written for the Academy Awards, the Tony’s, the Grammy’s and the Emmy’s. He began his writing career in the mid-1970s when he began writing articles for the entertainment section of The Chicago Tribune. During the early phase of his career, he worked with Bette Midler, writing for her Broadway show titled Clams on the Half Shell and Divine Madness.’ In 1980, he also began writing articles for the LGBT-interest magazine titled The Advocate and he serves as a writer for the magazine to this day. As for his acting career, he has appeared in films such as Mahogany and The Ice Pirates, You Don't Mess with the Zohan along with television series’ such as Law & Order and Bosom Buddies and on stage in Hairspray.

Dave "Snake" Sabo - Episode 838

Steve Cooper talks with musician Dave "Snake" Sabo. Snake is lead guitarist, songwriter and co-founder for Skid Row. Skid Row's self titled debut album in 1989 sold over 5 million copies in the U.S. and had four singles accompanied by videos. (18 and Life, Youth Gone Wild, I Remember You and Pieces of Me.) Their follow up, "Slave  to the Grind" was the first metal album to debut at number one on the charts. Since then they have recorded 5 albums and continue to tour the world.

Jon Reep - Episode 837

Steve Cooper talks with stand-up comic/actor Jon Reep. Jon built a following through his hilarious comedy specials and as the winner of NBC’s fifth season of Last Comic Standing. He can currently be seen in Netflix’s Brad Paisley’s Comedy Rodeo and his new standup special on Amazon Prime Ginger Beard Man or his new standup album Ginger Pain. His  hour standup special Jon Reep: Metro Jethro and his half hour standup special both aired on Comedy Central. He is also host of the popular podcast Country-ish. As an actor, he has been seen in Tig Notaro’s Amazon Series One Mississisppi, CW’s Jane The Virgin, ABC’s Black-ish, HBO’s Eastbound and Down, and as the “Hemi Guy” from Dodge’s popular ad campaign. On the big screen he appeared in the feature film Into the Storm and as the beloved Raymus, the pot smoking farmer in Harold and Kumar: Escape From Guantanamo Bay.

Rachel Bolan - Episode 836

Steve Cooper talks with musician Rachel Bolan. Rachel is the bassist, songwriter and co-founder for Skid Row. Skid Row's self titled debut album in 1989 sold over 5 million copies in the U.S. and had four singles accompanied by videos. (18 and Life, Youth Gone Wild, I Remember You and Pieces of Me.) Their follow up, "Slave  to the Grind" was the first metal album to debut at number one on the charts. Since then they have recorded 5 albums and continue to tour the world.

David Raymond - Episode 835

Steve Cooper talks with thought leader/mascot David Raymond. David is best known for being the original Phillie Phanatic. During his 16 years performing as the Phanatic in 48 states and five countries, his charismatic showmanship carried the Philadelphia Phillies to World Series victories and unimagined levels of popularity, sparking a revolution in the mascot industry. Leveraging the unique lessons he learned from the inside out, He made a seamless transition as an entrepreneur into the world of character branding and mascot development. Since starting Raymond Entertainment Group nearly 20 years ago, he has designed and rehabilitated hundreds of character brands for Fortune 500 companies, sports teams, and colleges and universities. In 2005, he founded the Mascot Hall of Fame.

John Waite - Episode 834

Steve Cooper talks with musician John Waite. John began his career when he was tapped as bassist and lead vocalist for the Babys who rocketed to Top 20 chart positions with a pair of hits, Isn’t it Time from the band’s sophomore LP, Broken Heart in 1977 and the monster ballad, Every Time I Think of You off 1978’s Head First. After he parted ways with the band and embarked on a solo career he has released ten studio albums and is best known for the 1984 hit single Missing You, which reached No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and the top ten on the UK Singles Chart.

Jim Vallely - Episode 833

Steve Cooper talks with writer/producer Jim Vallely. Jim was a writer and consulting producer for Arrested Development, a multiple Emmy Award-winning television show and was an executive producer and co-creator of Running Wilde. He got his start being part of the popular comedy due The Funny Boys and then transitioned into writing. He wrote or produced for a number of TV series including The Golden Girls, The John Larroquette Show, My Wife and Kids, Ladies Man, Action and Two and a Half Men. He also created the series Brotherly Love.

Alicia Coppola - Episode 832

Steve Cooper talks with actor Alicia Coppola. Alicia has recently had co-starring, guest starring or recurring roles in shows such as Shameless, Why Women Kill, All Rise, Empire, The Rookie, The Young and the Restless, MacGyver and Designated Survivor. She also has starred on CBS’s Jericho and played the role of Lorna Devon on NBC’s long running soap opera Another World for which she was nominated twice and won the Soap Opera Digest Award for Outstanding Younger Leading Actress. Other shows she has appeared on include series such as Sons of Anarchy, Criminal Minds, NCIS: Los Angeles, CSI:NY Two And A Half Men, Law And Order; Criminal Intent, Crossing Jordan, Suits and many others.

Corey Glover - Episode 831

Steve Cooper talks with musician/actor Corey Glover. Corey is best known as the lead singer for the band Living Colour. Livng Colour has recorded 6 studio albums and rose to fame with their solo album Vivid which included the Grammy winning hit Cult of Personality. Corey has a current project with the band Soul Saver and has been involved with many other groups including Galactic, Ultraphonic and Soul Rebels Brass Band. He also is an actor who appeared in the Oscar winning movie Platoon and played Judas Iscariot opposite of Ted Neeley in a national tour of Jesus Christ Superstar.

Tom Cochrane - Episode 830

Steve Cooper talks with singer/songwriter Tom Cochrane. Tom is best known for his huge hit Life is a Highway and his work with Red Rider who found mass success from the song Lunatic Fringe. He is a recipient of 8 Juno Awards, and is a member of the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame, Walk of Fame, a prestigious Officer of the Order of Canada, the Order of Manitoba, former Honorary Air Force Colonel in the 409 squadron, an honorary doctorate, a recent Diamond Jubilee award, many songwriter awards from SOCAN, CAPAC and ASCAP, a Grammy nomination as well as numerous other citations and awards. He has recorded seven albums with Red Rider and 6 solo ones.

Daphne Maxwell Reid - Episode 829

Steve Cooper talks with actor/photographer/designer Daphne Maxwell Reid. Daphne is best known for The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air in her role as the second Vivian Banks on the NBC sitcom. In 1969, Reid became the first African American woman to grace the cover of Glamour. She made her television debut in 1979 on the short-lived series, The Duke and also appeared on several episodes of the popular show WKRP in Cincinnati. Throughout the 1980s, she would appear on numerous hit television shows, including T.J. Hooker, The A-Team, Murder, She Wrote and Simon & Simon. In 1987, she co-produced the critically acclaimed but short-lived series Frank’s Place and has been working ever since. She is also is also an accomplished photographer as well as a designer and clothing creator. 

Duncan Sheik - Episode 828

Steve Cooper talks with musician Duncan Sheik. Duncan had a Top 20 hit with the song Barely Breathing from his 1996 eponymous debut. He had three more albums land on the Billboard 200 by the end of the next decade, including his fourth full-length, 2002's Daylight. After scoring his first feature-length film, 2004's A Home at the End his career turned toward Broadway with the success of 2006's Spring Awakening, a hit rock musical. It won him the Tony for Best Original Score as well as a Grammy for Best Musical Show Album, both with lyricist Steven Sater. He continued to juggle adult-alternative albums, film scores, and musical theater in the years to follow, issuing his eighth solo album, Legerdemain, in 2015 and moving his musical American Pyscho to Broadway in 2016. For that show, he served as composer, lyricist, and orchestrator. He reunited with Sater for Alice by Heart, a musical adaptation of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland that opened off-Broadway in 2019. He also just released the album Live at the Cafe Carlyle.

 

Limahl - Episode 827

Steve Cooper talks with musician Limahl. Limahl is best known for being the lead singer of the band Kajagoogoo who hit the top of the charts with their debut single Too Shy. After being unceremoniously kicked out of the band, he struck out on his own and re-emerged on the charts again with his first solo single, Only For Love which was followed up by NeverEnding Story. (The theme song from the hit film of the same name.) Since then he has been recording new music, touring, acting, appearing on reality shows and just released the single and video for One Wish For Christmas.

 

 

Evan Handler - Episode 826

Steve Cooper talks with actor Evan Handler. Evan is best known for playing Harry Goldenblatt, husband of Charlotte York on Sex and the City and Charlie Runkle, Hank Moody's agent, on Californication and has been seen in various series such as Fosse/Verdon, Power, The Breaks, American Crime Story, The Astronaut Wives Club, Necessary Roughness, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, The West Wing and It's Like, You Know... His resume also includes movies like Taps, Ransom and The Three Stooges.

Steve Forbert - Episode 825

Steve Cooper talks with musician Steve Forbert. Steve’s 1978 debut album proclaimed the singer-songwriter Alive on Arrival and indeed, the artist made a strong impression with a set of personal, sometimes gentle, musical reflections on life and love. He departed Mississippi for New York City in the mid-seventies and managed to carve out a niche in the vibrant club scene of the day, playing famous venues like Gerde’s Folk City and even CBGB’s. That heady period was captured on Alive on Arrival and on Forbert’s 1979 follow-up, Jackrabbit Slim. He has recorded 20 studio albums including his latest Early Morning Rain and just released Jackrabbit Slim live from Asbury Park. He’s received a Grammy nomination, seen his songs performed by Keith Urban, Rosanne Cash and Marty Stuart, and even appeared opposite Cyndi Lauper in her music video for Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.

Kevin Rahm - Episode 824

Steve Cooper talks with actor Kevin Rahm. Kevin is best known for his role as Ted Chaough on Mad Men and Mike B in Madam Secretary. He has been a co-star or a recurring character in many series including Lethal Weapon, Bates Motel, I Hate My Teenage Daughter, Desperate Housewives, Jesse and Judging Amy. He has guest starred in shows such as Ally McBeal, Grey's Anatomy, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Scrubs, CSI: Miami and The Mentalist to name a few.

Aldo Nova - Episode 823

Steve Cooper talks with musician Aldo Nova. Aldo initially gained fame with his self-titled debut album Aldo Nova in 1982 which climbed to Billboard's number 8 position, and its accompanying single, Fantasy, which climbed to number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100. In addition,he produced some early Celine Dion albums. In 1996, he received a Grammy as producer for her Falling into You for Album of the Year. This year he announced that his rock opera would release in June 2020 under the name The Life and Times of Eddie Gage.

William Bickley - Episode 822

Steve Cooper talks with TV producer/writer William Bickley. William is best known for creating the hit sitcoms Family Matters and Step by Step. He also created the shows The Family Man and Getting By and has served as a writer or producer on various popular series including Room 222, Happy Days, The Partridge Family, What's Happening!!, Hangin' with Mr. Cooper and Perfect Strangers.

Gavin Rossdale - Episode 821

Steve Cooper talks with musician Gavin Rossdale. Gavin is best known for being the front man of the rock band Bush. With a discography that includes such seminal rock albums as 1994’s 6x platinum-selling Sixteen Stone, ‘96’s triple-platinum-selling Razorblade Suitcase and ‘99’s platinum-selling The Science of Things, Bush has sold over 20 million records in the U.S. and Canada alone. They’ve also compiled an amazing string of 23 consecutive Top 40 hit singles on the Modern Rock and Mainstream Rock charts. Eleven of those hit the Top 5, six of which shot to No. 1: Comedown, Glycerine, Machinehead, Swallowed, The Chemicals Between Us and The Sound of Winter and they  just released a deluxe edition of their latest album Kingdom. Gavin has also tried his hand in acting being seen in movies such as Constantine and The Bling Ring and in TV shows including Burn Notice, Hawaii Five-0 and Criminal Minds.  

Alan Hunter - Episode 820

Steve Cooper talks with VJ/radio personality Alan Hunter. Alan is one of the original five video jockeys on MTV from 1981 to 1987. He currently is a host on SiriusXM Radio's The 80s on 8 channel and co-owns the production company Hunter Films with his brother Hugh.

Cy Curnin - Episode 819

Steve Cooper talks with musician Cy Curnin. Cy is best known for being lead singer of The Fixx. The Fixx are a new wave rock band from London, England founded in 1979. The band's hits include One Thing Leads to Another, Saved by Zero, Are We Ourselves?, and Secret Separation, all of which made the U.S. Top 20, as well as early MTV Video hits Red Skies and Stand or Fall and mainstream rock chart hits Driven Out and Deeper and Deeper, the latter of which was featured on the soundtrack of the 1984 film Streets of Fire. Cy also has a solo career and recently released his sixth album Lockdown.

Charlie Schlatter - Episode 818

Steve Cooper talks with actor Charlie Schlatter. Charlie is best known for playing Dr. Jesse Travis on the CBS series Diagnosis Murder and for starring in the big screen comedy 18 Again! opposite George Burns. Some of his other work includes the movies Heartbreak Hotel, The Delinquents, Police Academy: Mission to Moscow, Ed, Bright Lights, Big City and TV series such as The Sopranos, Southland, Ferris Bueller, Shameless, Goliath, NCIS and For All Mankind. In the early 1990s, as a voice actor, he began playing character roles for many series. Among his roles were Griff in Sonic the Hedgehog; The Flash in Superman: The Animated Series, The Batman, and Batman Unlimited: Animal Instincts; Jimmy Two-Shoes in the pilot of Jimmy Two-Shoes; Kevin Levin in Ben 10; Ace Bunny in Loonatics Unleashed; Hawk, Stingfly, and the Cannonball Brothers in A.T.O.M. (Alpha Teens on Machines); Tommy in Pet Alien; Sugarfoot, Boy, Chris, Willy/Gnome, Martin/Dwarf in Random! Cartoons; Cameron in Bratz, the title character in Kick Buttowski: Suburban Daredevil and Doctor Mindbender and Wild Bill in the TV series G.I. Joe: Renegades.

Brooke Smith - Episode 817

Steve Cooper talks with actor Brooke Smith. Brooke is best known for her role as Dr. Erica Hahn on the ABC medical drama series Grey's Anatomy, and for her role as Catherine Martin in the horror film The Silence of the Lambs. She has guest starred or been recurring on many shows including Ray Donovan, Unbelievable, Weeds, The Good Fight , The Crossing, Six Feet Under, The Good Doctor, Bates Motel, Bosch, Hand of God, American Horror Story, Crossing Jordan and Criminal Minds and can be seen in the new David E. Kelley series Big Sky.

Steve Stevens - Episode 816

Steve Cooper talks with musician Steve Stevens. Steve is one of the most original guitarists to emerge from the ’80s rock scene, best known for his 30 year partnership with Billy Idol, his work on Michael Jackson’s “Dirty Diana”, his Grammy Award winning performance on “Top Gun Anthem” and his work with Vince Neil on “Exposed”. His catalog of hit songs that he co-wrote & performed alongside Idol include “Rebel Yell”, “Eyes Without A Face” and “Flesh for Fantasy”. In addition to currently working on a new record together, Idol & him continue to tour to sold out crowds all over the world. Stevens has also lent his unmistakable sound and style to many hit records, including Pink “Try This”, Diana Ross “Eaten Alive”, Joni Mitchell “Chalk mark in a Rainstorm”, Robert Palmer “Don’t Explain”, The Thompson Twins “Here’s to Future Days”, Ric Ocasek “This Side of Paradise”, Peter Criss “Let Me Rock You”, Juno Reactor “Shango”, “Hokata”, and “Pistolero”, Kyosuke Himuro “Beat Haze Odyssey”, Steve Lukather “Lukather” and on his solo outings with Steve Stevens Atomic Playboys “Atomic Playboys”, Jerusalem Slim “Jerusalem Slim”, Bozzio Levin Stevens “Black Light Syndrome” and “Situation Dangerous” and the critically acclaimed solo releases “Flamenco A Go Go” & “Memory Crash”. 

Tom Leopold - Episode 815

Steve Cooper talks with comedy writer Tom Leopold. Tom has been written episodes or been a producer on various TV sitcoms such as Seinfeld, Cheers, Will & Grace, Dream On, Ellen, Caroline in the City and Hope & Faith and co-wrote the movie Club Paradise with his good friend Harry Shearer. He has written two novels, Almost Like Being Here and Somebody Sing, and collaborated with Bob Sand to publish a biography of a mythical comedy writing team Milt Wagonman and Marty Sloyxne. Born Jewish he converted to Catholicism later in life and co-hosts a radio show on Sirius XM with Father Leo Patalinghug called Entertaining Truth.

Joel Zwick - Episode 814

Steve Cooper talks with director Joel Zwick. Joel's big break came when he started working with heavyweight sitcom producer/creator Garry Marshall, who gave him opportunities to direct a number of his shows, including Laverne & Shirley, Mork & Mindy, Makin' It, and The New Odd Couple. He also directed working numerous sitcoms including Full House (97 episodes), Webster (63 episodes), Bosom Buddies (18 episodes) Family Matters (32 episodes), Perfect Strangers (100 Episodes) and many, many more.  Television has been where most of his efforts have been focused but he has directed films such as the much-loved 2002 ethnic comedy, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, and the 2004 live action remake of Fat Albert.

Phil Collen - Episode 813

Steve Cooper talks with musician Phil Collen. Phil is one of the lead guitarists for the band Def Leppard who was recently inducted in the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. Def Leppard has released 11 studio albums and still sell out arenas around the world. They are one of only five rock bands with two original studio albums selling over 10 million copies each in the US with their releases Pyromania and Hysteria. The latter is one of only a handful of albums that has charted seven singles or more on the US Hot 100: Women (#80), Animal (#19), Hysteria (#10), Pour Some Sugar on Me (#2), Love Bites (#1), Armageddon It (#2) and Rocket (#12).

Melissa Manchester - Episode 812

Steve Cooper talks with singer/songwriter Melissa Manchester. In 1980, Melissa became the first recording artist in the history of the Academy Awards to have two nominated movie themes in a single year, Through The Eyes Of Love from Ice Castles and I’ll Never Say Goodbye from The Promise, and to perform them both on the Oscar telecast. She has starred in the national tours of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Music Of The Night and Song And Dance, and created the role of Maddy, the title character’s mother, on the NBC hit TV series Blossom. Nominated for a Grammy in 1980 for Don’t Cry Out Loud, she won the Grammy Award for best female vocalist in 1982 singing You Should Hear How She Talks About You. She has also composed music for the animated features The Great Mouse Detective and Lady And The Tramp II, the sequel to the Disney classic.  In addition to composing the scores for the theatrical musicals I Sent A Letter To My Love and Sweet Potato Queens, she also cowrote the radio mainstays Midnight Blue, Come In From The Rain and Whenever I Call You Friend.

Willie Garson - Episode 811

Steve Cooper talks with Willie Garson. Willie is best known for his roles as Stanford Blatch on Sex and the City and as Mozzie in White Collar. His other television appearances include Mr. Belvedere, My Two Dads, Coach, Quantum Leap, Monk, Boy Meets World, Girl Meets World, Ally McBeal, Party of Five, Star Trek: Voyager, Special Unit 2, Just Shoot Me!, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Friends, The X-Files, Cheers, Yes, Dear, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Pushing Daisies, Stargate SG-1, Wizards of Waverly Place, CSI: Miami, Mental, Spin City and Taken and co-starred in the 2007 HBO series John from Cincinnati and was the recurring character Gerard Hirsch on Hawaii Five-0. He has also appeared in various movies from the Farrelly brothers including Kingpin, There's Something About Mary and Fever Pitch. His other film credits include Groundhog Day, Just Like Heaven, The Rock, Fortress 2: Re-Entry, Being John Malkovich, Freaky Friday, Labor Pains, and Out Cold.

Gregory Harrison - Episode 810

Steve Cooper talks with actor Gregory Harrison. Gregory is best known for his role as Chandler in the 1987 cult favorite North Shore and as Dr. George Alonzo "Gonzo" Gates on the series Trapper John M.D. He was the title character on the 1977-78 series Logan's Run after which he played the role of Levi Zendt on the 1978 NBC mini-series Centennial. His later role as a stripper in the 1981 movie For Ladies Only made him a favorite with women and gay men in the 1980s and he later played a villain on the final season of Falcon's Crest. He has starred on WB's Safe Harbor on One Tree Hill and has made guest appearances on numerous other shows such as Touched by an Angel, Drop Dead Diva, Judging Amy, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Joey, Hot in Cleveland, Psych, Rizzoli & Isles and CSI: NY. He has been in over 50 made for TV movies including the Au Pair trilogy and numerous Hallmark Channel productions in including the series Chesapeake Shores and the Signed, Sealed, Delivery movies.

Tom Dreesen - Episode 809

Steve Cooper talks with stand-up comic Tom Dreesen. Tom has been in show business for 50 years. Along the way, he has made over 500 appearances on national television as a stand-up, including more than 60 appearances on The Tonight Show. He was one of David Letterman's favorite guests and frequently hosted the show in Letterman's absence. He also appeared countless times in Las Vegas, Tahoe, Reno, and Atlantic City with artists like Smokey Robinson, Liza Minnelli, and Sammy Davis, Jr. And, for 13 years, he toured the nation as the opening act for Frank Sinatra.

Graham Russell - Episode 808

Steve Cooper talks with musician Graham Russell. Graham is best known for being one half of the legendary soft rock duo Air Supply. Air supply had a succession of hits worldwide, including eight top-ten hits in the United States in the early 1980s. Together for 45 years they have released over 15 albums and have sold millions upon millions of records. They still tour and play to packed house all over the world.

Henry Phillips - Episode 807

Steve Cooper talks with stand-up comic/actor Henry Phillips. Henry has been seen and heard performing his twisted songs and stories on Comedy Central Presents, ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live, as well as satellite and terrestrial radio nationwide. His critically acclaimed comedy albums earned him mention in Billboard magazine’s Critic’s Choice, as well as acclaim from such notable artists as Moby, who has referred to Phillips’ music as “disconcertingly funny”. In recent years he has focused more on his acting and filmmaking. His semi-biographical cult comedy film Punching the Clown received the Audience award at Slamdance film festival ’09, and the sequel Punching Henry is now airing on the Showtime network. He has also made acting appearances on HBO’s Silicon Valley and Comedy Central’s Drunk History. His YouTube channel, featuring the tutorial cooking series Henry’s Kitchen, has garnered over 3 million views.

Nick Van Eede - Episode 806

Steve Cooper talks with musician Nick Van Eede. Nick is best known for being singer, rhythm guitarist and songwriter for his band Cutting Crew. Cutting Crew are an English rock band formed in London in 1985. They are best remembered for their debut album Broadcast and hit singles, Died in Your Arms, I've Been in Love Before, One for the Mockingbird, and Everything But My Pride. They recently released Ransomed Healed Restored Forgiven which features brand new recordings of the bands classic hits augmented with a Philharmonic Orchestra.

 

Trevor Steel - Episode 805

Steve Cooper talks with musician Trevor Steel. Trevor is best known for being the lead singer of the band The Escape Club. They released their first album in the UK in 1987. Their next album was released in the summer of 1988 on Atlantic records out of the USA.  The title track and first single, Wild Wild West went to #1 on the Billboard hot 100 chart and was Grammy nominated. They released two more singles from the Wild, Wild West album, Shake for the Sheik which got to # 28 and Walking Through Walls. They released their third album in March 1991 which included the # 8 single, Ill Be There. In 1992 when the band temporarily disbanded, Trevor went on to start a career as a songwriter and producer with John Holliday. Based out of Air Studios in London, first under the production name ‘Bump and Grind’ and later as themselves, they wrote and produced many U.K. pop hits.