In this episode, Pipeman interviews Rob Robbins about the release of Remembering Rhett Forrester, celebrating the legacy of legendary Riot vocalist Rhett Forrester. The discussion explores the project’s origins, unreleased material, the impact of Canadian musicians, the evolution of music genres, and recollections of extreme weather and tour life. Stories of recording with Rhett, reflections on music production, and commentary on the state of modern music are woven throughout the conversation.Main Topics Covered
The release and background story of Remembering Rhett Forrester
Rhett Forrester’s vocal style and influences (Paul Rodgers, Steven Tyler)
The process of digging up and finishing unreleased material
The involvement of David Reece in the new recordings
Canadian music scene and the challenges Canadian bands face breaking into the U.S. market
Comparisons between extreme weather in different regions and its impact on musicians’ experiences
Evolution of music production: analog vs. digital, AI in music, and the loss of traditional musicianship
The influence of record labels and changing trends in rock and metal
Personal stories from touring, recording, and enduring natural disasters
Key Discussions and StoriesThe Making of Remembering Rhett Forrester
Pipeman expresses excitement about new material that brings back memories of Riot’s "Restless Breed" era 00:19.
Rob Robbins shares how they decided to release previously shelved tracks during the COVID era but focused initially on Rhett’s material on past releases 02:49.
The project evolved with suggestions from Giles Lavery, eventually including guest vocals from David Reece 04:09.
Behind the Songs and Live Shows
Stories about playing live with Rhett Forrester, particularly in Red Deer, Alberta, and their short-lived time performing together 07:05.
Discussion of which songs were played live and how certain cover choices resonated with audiences 05:20.
Canadian Musicians and Global Reach
Reflections on why so many "hidden gem" bands come from Canada, and why breaking into the U.S. is often challenging, despite local success 08:19.
Notable bands discussed: Triumph, Rush, April Wine, Loverboy, The Tragically Hip.
Extreme Weather Tales
Humorous and dramatic stories of experiencing extreme cold in Canada and New Jersey, heat waves across the globe, and hurricanes in Florida 14:21, 17:22, 19:17, 23:37.
Direct comparisons between hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, and blizzards 25:02.
Analog vs. Digital, and the State of Modern Music
Thoughtful analysis of the move from live musicianship to programmed music and AI-driven composition 32:24.
Nostalgia for the era of vinyl, dynamic sound, and unique band identities 33:04.
Critique of how record labels and production trends homogenize rock and metal sounds 35:23.
The ongoing shift in country and pop music, and reflections on musical innovation and change 36:54.
Wrap-up & Release Info
Details on where to find the new release: Bandcamp is the main hub; some releases available on Spotify (with mention of copyright issues affecting tracks like “Amazing Grace”) 41:29.
Rob Robbins encourages listeners to compare these new versions to the originals and appreciate the passion and musicianship involved 42:09.
Notable Quotes
“His biggest influences were Paul Rodgers and Steven Tyler.” – Rob Robbins 01:31
“If you put those two in a funnel, that’s kind of what his voice sounded like.” – Pipeman 01:54
“There’s nothing like human creativity.” – Rob Robbins 32:46
“When you heard a song on the radio, you knew it was Supertramp, you knew it was Queen, you knew it was Led Zeppelin… everybody had their own style and sound.” – Rob Robbins 33:24
“I think a lot of the artists are trying to bring back musicianship instead of computership to music.” – Pipeman 32:15
“There’s definitely more feeling with having the mids and the waveform instead of the chop chop chop thing.” – Pipeman 38:44
“Hopefully they’ll catch the vibe… and maybe that’ll trigger them to go back and listen to the original stuff so they can do a comparison.” – Rob Robbins 42:21
Resources and Links Mentioned
New release available to stream/purchase or as high-res audio downloads via Bandcamp41:29
Releases are also available on Spotify (with some minor track availability issues) 41:37
Reference to Remembering Rhett Forrester, Restless Breed, and various Rhett Forrester and Riot material
Connect with the Show:
Listen on your favorite podcast platform
Visit Bandcamp for official music downloads and updates
Thank you for tuning in to The Adventures of Pipeman!
Podden och tillhörande omslagsbild på den här sidan tillhör
Pipeman Radio. Innehållet i podden är skapat av Pipeman Radio och inte av,
eller tillsammans med, Poddtoppen.
