'60s '70s '80s - Warm, Candid, Classic Rock Interviews with Music Legends - A BREATH OF FRESH AIR

Few Australian bands have enjoyed the extraordinary international success of Little River Band, and few people are better placed to tell that story than original drummer Derek Pellicci.
In this warm, candid and deeply insightful conversation, Derek looks back on an incredible career that began with a young boy standing in a crowd watching The Beatles during their unforgettable '64 visit to Melbourne. That single moment changed the course of his life forever, inspiring him to become a drummer and setting him on a path that would eventually take him to stages all over the world.
Derek shares his fascinating journey through Melbourne's thriving music scene of the late 60s and early 70s, performing with bands likeThe Music Express, The Plum and The Ash before receiving the phone call that would change everything.
When Beeb Birtles invited him to audition for Mississippi, Derek found himself joining a group whose remarkable vocal harmonies would soon evolve into one of Australia's greatest recording acts.
He recalls the transformation of Mississippi into Little River Band, the arrival of Glenn Shorrock, the vision of legendary manager Glenn Wheatley and the chance roadside moment that inspired the band's iconic name.
The conversation explores LRB's groundbreaking assault on America, where they became the first Australian band to achieve sustained commercial success across the US.
Derek explains how the band built its audience one city at a time long before MTV existed, touring relentlessly and opening for some of the biggest names in rock including Fleetwood Mac, Santana, Heart, Linda Ronstadt, Steve Miller Band and The Doobie Brothers.
Those years of constant travel, endless overnight bus rides and unforgettable performances eventually led to thirteen US Top 40 hits and established Little River Band as Australia's biggest musical export of the era.
Derek also offers remarkable behind-the-scenes stories about the making of some of the band's best-loved songs, including Reminiscing, Cool Change, Lonesome Loser and It's A Long Way There.
One of the highlights of this episode is Derek's vivid recollection of working with legendary Beatles producer Sir George Martin.
For a musician whose career began because of The Beatles, collaborating with Martin was a full-circle moment. Derek explains the invaluable lessons Martin taught the band about simplicity, arrangement, discipline and always serving the song before serving the musician.
The conversation then turns to Derek's life after Little River Band. Moving to Los Angeles opened the door to songwriting, and he reflects honestly on why he wishes he had begun writing much earlier in his career.
His lifelong love of literature eventually found its way into his lyrics, leading to a new creative chapter that has become every bit as fulfilling as performing on stage.
Today Derek is once again breaking new ground with his album Welcome to the Human Race. He speaks openly about using artificial intelligence as part of his songwriting and production process, why he believes creativity still belongs to the artist rather than the technology, and why audiences should judge music by what they hear rather than how it was created.
His thoughtful perspective on AI provides one of the most fascinating discussions you'll hear about where music may be heading in the years ahead.
Derek also reflects on friendship, success, the realities of life on the road, the tensions that inevitably arise inside successful bands, and why he has no desire to chase the past through endless reunion tours.
Whether you've loved Little River Band since the '70s or you're discovering their music for the very first time, this episode offers a rare opportunity to hear one of Australia's most respected musicians tell his story with warmth, humour and remarkable honesty.
It's an inspiring conversation about following your passion embracing change and proving that creativity never has an expiry date.

Long before blues rock became a global phenomenon, Savoy Brown was helping define the genre.
Founded in London in 1965 by legendary guitarist Kim Simmonds, the band became one of the most respected names to emerge from the British blues explosion, earning a devoted following through relentless touring, exceptional musicianship and an unwavering commitment to authentic blues music.
In this episode, Pat DeSalvo and drummer Garnet Grimm share the remarkable story behind Savoy Brown's rise from the vibrant London club scene to becoming one of America's favourite live blues rock bands. The two reflect on the early influences that shaped his playing, the explosion of British blues alongside bands including Fleetwood Mac, Cream and John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, and the determination that kept Savoy Brown recording and touring for almost six decades.
Pat explains why the blues has remained timeless, discusses the band's ever-changing lineup, and reveals how Savoy Brown became a proving ground for musicians who would later enjoy success with other iconic bands, including Foghat. He also talks about songwriting, life on the road, recording classic albums such as Blue Matter, Looking In, Street Corner Talking and Hellbound Train, and why authenticity has always mattered more than commercial success.
More than a history lesson, this is an intimate conversation with two of the true pioneers of British blues. Pat and Garnett reflect on the highs and challenges of an extraordinary career, the friendships forged through music, and the enduring appeal of the blues in an ever-changing musical landscape.
Whether you've followed Savoy Brown since the '60s or are discovering the band for the very first time, this episode offers a fascinating insight into one of the most influential yet often underappreciated groups in blues rock history.
If you enjoy interviews with classic rock legends, blues musicians and the artists behind the soundtrack of our lives, be sure to subscribe to A Breath of Fresh Air with Sandy Kaye for more exclusive conversations with the musicians who changed popular music forever.
Topics covered in this episode include:
The formation of Savoy Brown in London in 1965
Kim Simmonds' early musical influences
The British blues boom and its lasting impact
Touring America and building an international audience
Classic Savoy Brown albums and defining songs
The musicians who passed through Savoy Brown, including future members of Foghat
Why the blues continues to inspire audiences worldwide
Songwriting, recording and life on the road
Kim Simmonds' lasting legacy in blues and classic rock

Follow A Breath of Fresh Air for more interviews with music legends from the worlds of classic rock, blues, folk, pop and beyond.

Before punk rock exploded into the mainstream, there was The Damned.
They were the first UK punk band to release a single, the first to release an album, and among the first to take the raw energy of the London punk scene to audiences around the world.
At the heart of that revolution was founding drummer Rat Scabies, one of the most colourful, talented and unconventional personalities in rock music.
In this fascinating episode of A Breath of Fresh Air, Sandy Kaye sits down with Rat Scabies for a candid and often hilarious conversation that goes far beyond the music.
From the very beginning, Sandy can't resist asking the question that millions of people have wondered for decades: where on earth did the name "Rat Scabies" come from? His answer is every bit as entertaining as you might expect and sets the tone for an interview filled with humour, honesty and unforgettable stories.
Rat takes us back to London's mid-'70s, when punk wasn't yet a movement but a handful of young musicians determined to tear up the rule book.
He recalls how The Damned came together, the excitement surrounding the band's earliest rehearsals, and the extraordinary feeling of being part of something completely new.
He shares his memories of recording "New Rose," now recognised as the first British punk single, and explains how the band quickly established itself as one of the most exciting live acts of the era.
The conversation explores what life was really like inside the early punk scene, separating myth from reality while revealing the friendships, rivalries and creative energy that fuelled one of the most important musical revolutions of the twentieth century.
Rat reflects on performing alongside many of the biggest names in punk, the unpredictable nature of those early tours and the unique chemistry that helped make The Damned one of the genre's most enduring bands.
Throughout the interview, Rat discusses his distinctive drumming style, his approach to performance and why humour has always played such an important role in both his personality and his career.
He also reflects on the many changes The Damned have experienced over nearly five decades, including line-up changes, reunions and the band's remarkable ability to remain relevant while continuing to attract new generations of fans.
The conversation also ventures beyond music as Rat talks about his lifelong curiosity, his fascination with history and the paranormal, and the many unusual adventures that have occupied him away from the stage.
It's a revealing look at a musician whose interests extend far beyond rock and roll and whose inquisitive mind has led him down some remarkable paths.
Whether you've followed The Damned since the very beginning or you're discovering them for the first time, this episode offers an intimate portrait of one of punk's true pioneers.
Rat Scabies proves to be thoughtful, witty, refreshingly self-aware and full of stories that capture both the chaos and creativity of an era that transformed popular music forever.
If you enjoy hearing the real stories behind legendary artists, be sure to follow A Breath of Fresh Air so you never miss an episode. You'll find in-depth conversations with many of the musicians who created the soundtrack of our lives, sharing the memories, challenges and triumphs that shaped music history.

Few musicians have influenced popular music as profoundly as Louie Shelton, yet millions of people know his guitar long before they know his name. In this episode of A Breath of Fresh Air, Louie opens the studio door on one of the greatest periods in recording history.
Growing up in Arkansas, Louie discovered the guitar as a young boy, met Elvis Presley while still at junior high school and later became friends with fellow Arkansan Glen Campbell before heading west to Los Angeles with one ambition—to become a top session guitarist. He explains why becoming a studio musician was the ultimate dream and how years of relentless work finally earned him a place among the legendary Wrecking Crew.
Louie reveals how one inspired guitar hook changed everything. Asked to come up with something memorable for a new television project called The Monkees, he created the famous opening riff to Last Train to Clarksville, launching a career that would see producers across Los Angeles competing for his talents.
He shares extraordinary stories from sessions with The Jackson 5, Motown, Boz Scaggs, Neil Diamond, The Carpenters, Lionel Richie, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson and dozens more, explaining how many classic recordings were built before the artists even stepped into the studio. You'll hear what made the Motown rhythm section so unique, why Michael Jackson immediately stood out as an 11-year-old vocalist and how session musicians created some of the most recognisable guitar parts in music history.
Louie also reflects on working with Elvis Presley, Karen Carpenter, Tiny Tim and countless stars whose careers he watched unfold, while offering thoughtful observations on fame, celebrity and why so many legendary artists struggled with the pressures that accompanied enormous success.
The conversation also explores Louie's transition from session guitarist to acclaimed producer, producing Seals & Crofts' Summer Breeze and Diamond Girl, launching England Dan & John Ford Coley, and producing Art Garfunkel's platinum-selling Fate For Breakfast.
Finally, Louie reflects on why he believes the music of the '60s and 70s continues to resonate with audiences around the world and explains why, despite an extraordinary career spanning more than six decades, he still picks up the guitar every day.
This is a rare opportunity to hear from one of the true architects of popular music—a man whose guitar playing became part of the soundtrack of generations.

Glenn Hughes is one of rock music's most enduring and distinctive talents.
Known worldwide as the "Voice of Rock," he first rose to prominence with British rock band Trapeze before joining the legendary Deep Purple in 1973.
As bassist and co-lead vocalist, Hughes helped shape a new era for the band, bringing his powerful soul-infused vocals to classic albums including Burn, Stormbringer and Come Taste the Band.
Following Deep Purple, Glenn embarked on a remarkable career that has spanned more than five decades. He has performed with Black Sabbath, collaborated with countless rock icons, fronted supergroups including Black Country Communion and The Dead Daisies, and maintained a successful solo career that continues to earn critical acclaim.
Along the way, Hughes faced and overcame significant personal challenges, emerging stronger and more creative than ever.
His story is one of resilience, reinvention and an unwavering commitment to music. Today, his voice remains as powerful and distinctive as it was during rock's golden era.
In this episode of A Breath of Fresh Air, Glenn takes us on a journey from his earliest musical influences through the highs and lows of an extraordinary career, sharing candid stories from Deep Purple, his personal battles, creative rebirth, and his ongoing passion for performing.
As he prepares to return to Australia with Kings of Chaos aboard the Rock The Boat cruise, Glenn reflects on a lifetime in music and the legacy he continues to build.