S5E3: Derek Smalls

S5E3: Derek Smalls

Author: Gary Kemp and Guy Pratt October 29, 2023 Duration: 45:05

this week on Rockonteurs it’s time to break like the wind as we welcome legendary Spinal Tap bassist Derek Smalls to the podcast. Derek has a new single out, the controversial ‘Must Crush Barbie’ – and explains his reasons behind this protest song. Plus, we dive into the history of the most famous “rockumentary” of all time ‘This is Spinal Tap’.

Rockonteurs is produced by Ben Jones and Ian Callaghan for Gimme Sugar Productions.


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For anyone who’s ever wondered what really went on after the arena lights went down or before the tape started rolling, there’s Rockonteurs with Gary Kemp and Guy Pratt. This isn't a history lesson; it's a backstage pass handed to you by two blokes who were actually there. Gary, of Spandau Ballet fame, isn't just the voice behind 'True'-he lived the whirlwind of writing and performing those anthems. Guy Pratt’s bass lines have underpinned tracks for icons from Pink Floyd to Madonna, giving him a unique view from the studio floor and the tour bus. Together, they host conversations that feel more like a late-night chat in a lock-up than a formal interview. The podcast thrives on the specifics: the forgotten detail that changed a song, the chaotic tour moment that never made the biography, the unvarnished truth about collaboration and conflict in making classic rock. Each episode pulls back the curtain with artists, producers, and insiders who crafted the soundtrack to an era, sharing stories that are sometimes hilarious, often surprising, and always genuine. It’s for those who love the music but crave the real, unfiltered narrative behind it. Listening feels like you’ve pulled up a chair in a pub corner with the only people who can tell these tales, because they were in the room when it happened.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Rockonteurs with Gary Kemp and Guy Pratt
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