‘Twas the Pepsi Power Hour in 1987, and Erica Ehm asked Michael Schenker a question about fast guitar players. In just a minute and 15 seconds, he responded with a remarkable amount of wisdom. From MuchMusic.
erica ehm
VHS Archives #98: Blackie Lawless vs. Erica Ehm – 1992 reunion interview
VHS Archives proclaimed that video #43, Blackie Lawless’ 1989 Power Hour show, was the best interview with the man that you’ll ever see.
Every hit deserves a sequel.*
Unfortunately by 1992, when Blackie returned with new album The Crimson Idol, MuchMusic cancelled the Pepsi Power Hour and replaced it with the half-hour Power 30. No more hour-long in-depth shows with an artist like Blackie. This shorter talk is from midday in the summer of ’92.
Erica and Blackie joke around, but still get serious. They maintain their excellent rapport from the prior encounter. Topics discussed:
- Spinal Tap’s three concerts in a single day, and Blackie’s cameo in the VHS release.
- The concept behind new CD The Crimson Idol.
- Pete Townsend.
- The price for anyone who wants to make it in the music biz.
- New video “The Idol”.
Once again well done to Erica Ehm who did the best with the limited time at hand.
* Kevin does not agree.
VHS Archives #96: Brighton Rock play ball with Erica Ehm and Duane Ward (1991)
This video is for the one and only Buried on Mars!
Up to bat: Erica Ehm (MuchMusic)
Pitcher: Duane Ward (Toronto Blue Jays)
Catcher: Gerald McGhee (Brighton Rock)
Umpire: Greg Fraser (Brighton Rock)
In 1991 Brighton Rock released their third album Love Machine, featuring backing vocals by Duane Ward of the Toronto Blue Jays! Erica Ehm got to play ball and ask questions of all of them. Questions about:
- Duane’s “theme song” by Billy Joel
- How Brighton Rock hooked up with Ward
- What they do when they hang out
- The first video “Hollywood Shuffle”
- Life after the Jays
Let’s play ball!
VHS Archives #75: The craziest Iron Maiden interview you’ll ever see (1988)
Bruce Dickinson is extra naughty and caffeinated here with bandmate Dave Murray and Power Hour host Erica Ehm!
Seventh Son of a Seventh Son was brand new and the music video hadn’t even come out yet. Bruce and Dave discuss:
- The concept
- The video
- Lucifer
- Whether Deep Purple are good football players or not
- Recording
- Bruce’s forthcoming book The Adventures of Lord Iffy Boatrace
- Going folk?
This hilarious interview is a must-watch for Maiden fans worldwide.
VHS Archives #67: Cry of Love – “Carnival” unplugged + interview (1994)
What a brilliant band, Cry of Love were! Audley Freed is a hella talented guitar player; don’t forget that he did a stint with the Black Crowes. The band visited MuchMusic in 1994 to play live and acoustically. Erica Ehm interviewed the guys on the Saturday Start Me Up program.
Check out this amazing version of “Carnival” from their first and best album Brother.
VHS Archives #61: Wild ‘T’ and the Spirit band interview (1993)
Tony “Wild T” Springer was hot in 1993! He was sailing high with his second album Givin’ Blood, not to mention a gig playing with David Bowie on Black Tie White Noise. He also scored a gig as the opening act for Bon Jovi on the Keep the Faith tour. MuchMusic’s Erica Ehm asked ‘T’ about the Bon Jovi slot, and the rock scene in Trinidad where Tony was born.
Check out Tony Springer, Danny Bilan, and Nazeem Lakay — Wild ‘T’ and the Spirit.
VHS Archives #53: Motley Crue interviews from Much Spotlight (1984-90)
You wanted the Dirt? We got the Dirt. The real Dirt, right from the horse’s mouth, not some actor who used to play Ramsay Bolton on Game of Thrones.
These clips were recorded from the Motley Crue Spotlight on MuchMusic in late 1990 and has three parts:
1. 1984 interview with Nikki Sixx and Vince Neil
2. 1985 interview with Nikki Sixx and Tommy Lee
3. 1990 interview with Vince Neil
Subjects discussed include Motley Crue as the “good guys”, touring and drinking with Y&T, and Vancouver.
VHS Archives #43: The best Blackie Lawless (W.A.S.P.) interview you’ll ever see (1989)
“The object of being an artist is to stir the minds of men…Unless you’re saying something musically, lyrically, or you’re touching people emotionally somehow, you are not an artist. You are a factory that makes records.” — Blackie Lawless
Erica Ehm was never gun shy about her distaste for W.A.S.P., yet she helmed the best interview I’ve ever seen with frontman Blackie Lawless. It’s not a shorty either, so grab a beverage.
Blackie was doing press for W.A.S.P.’s “get serious” album The Headless Children. He was invited to co-host the Pepsi Power Hour (live!) in 1989. Erica wasn’t about to throw softball questions, but it’s quite clear that Lawless wins her over. Blackie is remarkably forthright, with a dash of humour. He also picked the tunes for the show, and you’ll find out what songs he chose and why.
The myriad subjects discussed:
- What “Headless Children” means
- What led to Blackie’s change of lyrical direction
- The P.M.R.C.
- The Decline of Western Civilization Part II and Chris Holmes
- Being shot at
- The Who’s reunion tour
- Responsibility
- Helix
- Horses
- Nazis
- and much, much more.
The Headless Children is the main focus, and for good reason. It’s an amazing record, and a terrific interview.
VHS Archives #35: Ronnie James Dio talks Satanism in Metal (1987)
While out promoting 1987’s Dream Evil, Ronnie James Dio and Craig Goldy sat for an interview with MuchMusic’s Erica Ehm. She asked him about Satanism in rock lyrics and videos.
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!
