What happened to the music business?

What happened to the music business?  Because of the recent digital revolution new music is virtually free.  Anyone can download and share music.  In the days of vinyl and tape, copies of the original had a significant quality lost.  Copies of digital recordings are exact replications of the original with no sonic loss.  Digital music comes in a variety of forms.  The two most common are MP3 which are easy to share online because of the small file size.  And WAVs which contain 10 times the data of an MP3.  If you listen close to those files on a good audio system it's easy to see how much you're missing when compared to the original WAV file. 

What does all this mean?  It means you better be able to play your ass off live.  It means when you get on that stage you need to be a master at your craft.  It's the difference between making a movie or being on Broadway.  On a movie set you get multiple takes for every scene until you get it perfect.  Performing on a Broadway stage you get one shot to share your craft with a live audience.

The beauty of live music in concert is that you never have to do the same show two nights in a row.  You can change the set or just jam new parts to old songs.  Each live show is its own individual experience.  And there are two kinds of people, the ones who saw it and the ones who didn't.

My hope is that live performance will see a resurgence of virtuosos who developed their talent without looking at the clock.  Musicians and singers that create music without gimmicks.  The great bands throughout history have always had chemistry if not personally certainly musically.  This is what keeps audiences coming back and buying tickets. 

We decided to make the best music that we can make in the studio and post it on a site to be streamed and enjoyed free of charge.  The thought is if you become a fan of the music you'll buy a ticket to a show when the artist comes to your town.  And be a part of a personal music experience that will live in your mind forever.  I hope you'll visit us at Publique Records

Long live rock!

Q&A Interview With Robin Zander and Steve Luongo - A Robin Zander Band Concert Preview (Saturday, December 20 and Sunday, December 21, 2014 at the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles)

Q&A Interview With Robin Zander and Steve Luongo - A Robin Zander Band Concert Preview (Saturday, December 20 and Sunday, December 21, 2014 at the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles)

Headed to town for a pair of shows this weekend at the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, I spoke with Cheap Trick vocalist/rhythm guitarist Robin Zander and drummer Steve Luongo about their partnership in the Robin Zander Band, covering The Who, an affinity for Christmas tunes and how passion for the music and having fun playing it define the Robin Zander Band...

The press release for Anthony Parsons & TorQue

Anthony Parsons & TorQue

 

Steve Luongo and Mark Hitt have been playing music together for decades.  These two seasoned musicians began a 40 year musical history lesson as original members of the legendary Rat Race Choir in the ‘70s.  In 2001 Steve was on a break from touring with The John Entwistle Band when he and Mark started recording in the studio.  Later that year they formed TorQue and those original sessions resulted in the release of “TorQue 103103” to rave reviews. TorQue went on to perform or record with some of the biggest names in music history like John Entwistle (The Who), Brian Johnson & Cliff Williams (AC/DC), Leslie West (Mountain), Jack Bruce (Cream), Eddie Money, Mark Farner (Grand Funk Railroad) and the list goes on. Robin Zander called them “one of the best bands in the world.”  Zander backs that up by continuing to tour with the trio including bassist Larry Hobbs under the banner Robin Zander Band.  It should be noted they are far more than a backup band. They are all virtual masters at their craft. Anthony Parsons is a young singer from England who was discovered by Bitsa Talent a few years ago. They signed the 22 year old artist to their management team & began developing his obvious natural talents. This singer-songwriter, who also plays guitar and keyboards, has been collaborating extensively with TorQue in the studio. Together they have recorded enough material to release no less than three albums in three completely different genres. They did this specifically looking for the right material for Anthony.  But, they all soon realized that together no matter what they recorded they created a truly unique sound that was prevalent in any style. What began as a platform for Anthony Parson’s vocal career wound up being the beginning of a truly unified musical project. Anthony Parsons & TorQue have merged 40 plus years of passion and experience with the youth and vibrancy of an exciting new artist. The result is a stunning journey through decades of great rock songs that blend seamlessly with their own new original material.  Anthony Parsons & TorQue – The definitive future of classic rock. This is the American debut of Anthony Parsons & TorQue. Their initial three day Florida run will end with a once in a lifetime opportunity for fans to attend a recording session at The Hideaway Recording Studio in St. Petersburg, FL.  You will be able to watch first hand as these artists go through the process of recording music for a summer release and launch a new artist's career.

 

Robin Zander Band promo reel

https://www.dropbox.com/s/bjb1ninotlgl6fn/RZB2minSizzleReelHD.mp4?dl=0

Anthony Parsons unreleased DVD “Anthony Parsons”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxBUzmGMwCE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqMjjsAnyyk

TorQue during the Classic Rock Cares tour with Brian Johnson& Cliff Williams of AC/DC

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xydbC53tNrw

 

 

 

 

 

TorQue recorded a live performance for DVD at BB Kings NYC. The show was

also broadcast live in Hi-DEF on HD.net. Luongo & Hitt were featured twice on the album

Songs from the Material World, a tribute to George Harrison released by Koch Records. They recorded “Old Brown Shoe” with Leslie West as well as the Beatles classic “Here Comes the Sun” with John Entwistle. In addition to their unique blend of progressive rock Steve and Mark have written songs for several artists in a variety of genres from rock & roll to country and pop. They have composed music in multiple styles for films, televisions and documentaries which they continue to do as the primary composers for the “Double O” network. Steve Luongo and Mark Hitt are once again playing together in The Robin Zander Band along with their bassist Larry Hobbs. This past July, Steve and Mark celebrated 40 years of musical collaboration which is a rare occurrence by any standard. They continue to perform together in concert and create new material in the studio.  One last noteworthy stat, is that they remain friends which is another rarity in the music industry.  The Robin Zander Band performs music from their collective history such as The Who, Led Zeppelin, Cream, Rat Race Choir and of course Cheap Trick along with new original material. Robin Zander (The Man of 1000 Voices) is considered one of the greatest vocalists in rock history.  When the Robin Zander Band performs it is easy to see why he picked these musicians for his solo band. The Robin Zander Band offers fans a chance to attend a VIP sound-check and private meet and greet with the Robin & company. Passes for these events are only available at www.robinzanderband.com.

Paramount Hudson Valley

1008 Brown Street, Peekskill, NY

914-739-0039

www.paramounthudsonvalley.com

40 years ago today

1. 
   

   Today July 2nd will be the 40th anniversary of my first live performance with Mark Hitt. Rat Race Choir was performing with Mark on guitar at Glen Island Casino. I have watched Mark from the best seat in the house for decades. I have als...o written some of my best original material with him. We share a sense of humor that is as unique as our musical chemistry. A simple nod from one musician to another, one band mate to another, one friend to another to celebrate the single oldest ongoing musical relationship of my career. Mark, here's to the next 40...it could
   

   

   happen! 
   
   

"Originals Only" An unscrpited broadcast property

Executive Producer: Steve Luongo

Co-Executive Producer: DJ Zelczak

Associate Producer: Russ Seibert

Associate Producer: Henry Smith

 

Creators Note:

Being in a band has been compared to many things. A dysfunctional family, a street gang, a biker club, pirates, a fraternity or even a sports team. The truth is it’s all of those things and much more. I know because I have been in a rock band for my entire life. I've made my living exclusively in the business since the age of 13 and never looked back. In my almost 50 years as a professional musician I have been asked countless times..."What's it like to do what you do…?"

Rather than write another tell-all book about "my rock life" I wanted to create a platform that would allow everyone to peek into the soul selling commitment that is a life of music. It takes talent, chemistry, tenacity and at least 2 other people that share your vision. It takes another essential ingredient….originality. The idea of being the next anything is not the dream. The dream is to be an original one of a kind, a groundbreaker, a history maker, someone who left a footprint in the sand on the endless musical beach...for lack of a better word…a rock-star.

 

For every artist who has achieved that lofty goal there are countless nameless millions who fell short by inches or by miles. Why are so many drawn in by the dream? Those who have tasted success know why. But they were only given that taste in exchange for their very soul and they all have one thing in common…they are originals.

There are many preconceptions and misconceptions about “the life.” It seems to be a common fantasy to "want to be a rock & roll star." Athletes, actors, executives and almost everyone else wants to rock-out.

"Originals Only" will expose the truth about what it takes to get in the game, stay in the game and ultimately win the game. For some it will be the beginning of a dream. And for those who have stayed at the table too long it could be a last chance. Our show will answer the burning question for those who walked away from the dream…”Should I have stuck with my music?”

I never wanted to be the next John Bonham or Ringo Starr. I wanted to be the first Steve Luongo…and I am.

 

–Steve Luongo

Merry Christmas

It's been about a year since Robin Zander and I started kicking around the idea for RZB.

I have been playing with Mark Hitt since 1974, Larry Hobbs since 2006 and Robin on and off for the better part of a decade.  This year we committed, gave it a name, booked some gigs and the rest you know. We are The Robin Zander Band.  From song choices to set-lists we are very much a band in the traditional sense. And I believe we have the one thing that every band needs...chemistry.  We also have another essential ingredient...FANS!  In the past year I have reconnected with old fans and friends and made some new ones.  I am grateful to you all for enjoying the music and sharing the memories.  But, most of all, I look forward to memories that are still to be made!  

With music in my heart I wish you all a
MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR! 
Seeya out there...

~SL

www.robinzanderband.com