Videos

VHS Archives #33: Brian Vollmer and Snake the Tattoo Man on Much (1990)

“Outside of Toronto…that’s Kitchener anyway.”  – Dan Gallagher

This is a real treasure!  A legendary interview, it does not appear to be anywhere else online.  It’s also the only video I know of to have one of my old customers in it — Snake the Tattoo Man.  To be fair, Snake was T-Rev’s customer first.  Trevor sent him to me, because he knew I was a huge Helix fan.  Snake’s first claim to fame was appearing on the Phil Donahue show.  Snake has over 90% of his body tattooed, and was kicked out of a mall in London Ontario simply because of the way he looked.  His next bout with stardom was when he was cast in the Helix video for “Running Wild in the 21st Century”, one of their best songs!

MuchMusic’s Dan Gallagher talked to Brian Vollmer and Snake outside Speaker’s Corner in the spring of 1990.  Of course Snake’s tattoos are discussed, and a new technology called “Surround Sound” is rolled out.  Which of course you won’t hear, since Much was broadcast in stereo and I was recording in mono!

Great, classic interview that I proud to bring back to the world via Youtube.

VHS Archives #32: Vintage Sam the Record Man TV ad (1988)

Possibly the only video on the internet with both Megadeth and Poison?

Specially priced! $8.99 for cassette or LP, $18.99 for CD!

VHS Archives #31: Geoff and Michael of Leatherwolf chat with MuchMusic (1988)

“Woah, that’s real cinema.” – Robert Palmer

Michael Olivieri recently left Leatherwolf leaving them with only one original member!  Back in ’88, they were firing on all cylinders with Olivieri and original guitarist Geoff Gayer.  The pair sat down with Erica Ehm on the Pepsi Power Hour to talk about their second album, Leatherwolf.

The guys discuss recording in the Bahamas, Robert Palmer, the Triple Axe Attack, live performances, “The Calling” video concept, and where that “edge” comes from.

Leatherwolf were a great band when these two guys were in it. Check out the live clips in this interview, and hear what they had to say back in the day!

VHS Archives #30: The London Quireboys interview (1990)

“You can’t really call what we do ‘work’. How can you call your job ‘work’?” – Spike to Steve Anthony

1990 was a memorable year for rock and roll, but one of the great surprises of the year was the return of classic UK rock and roll, in the form of new bands The Black Crowes and The London Quireboys. Both owed obvious debts to the Stones and the Faces.

Guy Griffin and Spike joined Steve Anthony in the MuchMusic studios in late 1990 to talk about the Faces comparisons, their long rise to fame, radio and more. Check out the scarves and Steve Anthony’s ridiculous hightop shoes.

Are the band sedated or just laid back?  You decide in this decent interview.

VHS Archives #29: Rob Halford talks touring (1986)

Judging by my personal VHS Archives, there were few heavy metal artists that MuchMusic interviewed more frequently than Judas Priest’s Rob Halford.

So far in my VHS explorations, this is the fourth Rob Halford interview to turn up (two from Turbo, two from Painkiller), and there are still more coming (Ram It Down, Fight). Today’s video is interesting because it’s the second one I’ve found from 1986. The first was an illuminating chat with Terry David Mulligan, with Rob sporting a moustache! It seems that by August ’86, he had shaved it off.

VJ Christopher Ward asks Rob about the expenses of touring.

VHS Archives #28: KISS – Paul and Gene’s reason to live (1988)

Denise Donlon got to chat with Paul and Gene in 1988 on the Crazy Nights tour. She asked them what there is to sing about after 21 albums?

VHS Archives #27: Helix teach Erica Ehm how to drum! (1988)

Brin Vollmer and Greg “Fritz” Hinz were in the MuchMusic studios in early ’88 to show Erica Ehm how to play the drums! Enjoy this clip of an epic drum trio.

VHS Archives #26: Motley Crue spill the dirt on Vince Neil’s car crash (1985)

You’re right Tommy; that car accident was a “misfortune”.

Rest in peace Razzle Dingley.

VHS Archives #25: Rik Emmett of Triumph – the Holy Grail of videos – Power Hour 1987 live performance!

It’s Friday so here’s something you’ll want to watch from start to finish.  This episode of the Pepsi Power Hour on MuchMusic should be considered a “Holy Grail” find for fans of Triumph. Foreshadows of Triumph’s impending breakup can be sensed in this excellent interview, coupled with a performance of “Let the Light (Shine On Me)” and a guitar duel with protégé Sil Simone! All on live, national television.

Rik was always comfortable in the Much studios and gave great interviews.  (I have at least two more on tape.)  He is one of the world’s premier guitarists, as you will hear in the guitar duel!  Rik also performs Triumph’s “Let the Light (Shine On Me)” acoustically.  (Listen for that one bum note!  Live television, people.)

Topics discussed include going solo (seriously!), guitar, heavy metal, Whitesnake, Steve Vai, and more.

Believe me when I say you won’t regret watching this whole interview/performance.  Special mention must go to Erica Ehm, a charismatic host who had great rapport with Rik.

VHS Archives #24: The Scorpions discuss Crazy World (1990)

Usually Scorpions interviews involve Klaus, Rudolph and Matthias.  In October 1990, Dan Gallagher got to talk to Herman “Zee German” Harebell, Rudolph Schenker and Francis Buchholz.  Topics discussed include replacing producer Dieter Dierks with Keith Olsen, and Canada!  “You know how to rock and roll!” says Herman.

Roger Waters’ The Wall – Live in Berlin had just been released.  The Scorpions were asked to open the show with the first song “In The Flesh?”  Dan inquires about that gig and playing behind the Iron Curtain, and then asks them to say “apple strudel”!

Check out this cool interview with the Scorpions, another great example of the kind of quality television we got with the Pepsi Power Hour.