E44: Simon Witter on Cameo, Zapp & House + Robbie Robertson audio
In this week's episode of the RBP Podcast, Mark Pringle and Jasper Murison-Bowie are joined by Mr. Simon Witter to talk about his career in music journalism, from Zapp to acid house by way of Cameo and his forays into the early days of Chicago house with pioneering DJs Frankie Knuckles and Ron Hardy. Simon's interviews with Larry Blackmon and Roger Troutman inform conversation about afro-futurist funk and D.C.'s go-go music. The trio also discuss what kinds of powders taste better dissolved in cream soda and the impact of said powders (and other drugs!) on the second summer of love in 1988. Mark, Jasper and Simon briefly talk about the week's featured artists the Pixies and pay tribute to the late Daniel Johnston, before moving on to the new audio interview, a 1991 conversation with The Band's Robbie Robertson conducted by Tony Scherman. Robbie talks about his pre-Band days with Ronnie Hawkins and the Hawks, how they weren't allowed to have steady girlfriends... and getting kicked out of a barbecue joint with Sonny Boy Williamson by racist Arkansas cops. In the archive section, Mark picks the week's highlights – including an interview with Marc Bolan of T(yrannosaurus) Rex plus the Village People doing their damnedest to remain ambiguous about their sexual preferences, while Jasper picks a review of Burial's Untrue and an interview with Anderson "best teeth in the game" .Paak. Many thanks to special guest Simon Witter. Produced by Jasper Murison-Bowie Pieces discussed: Cameo, Zapp, Clubbing in Chicago with Frankie Knuckles & Ron Hardy, Acid House, Pixies, Pixier, Pixiest, Daniel Johnston, The Band's Robbie Robertson audio, Heinz, T(yrannosaurus) Rex, Jackie Wilson, Village People, Donna Summer, Johnny Cash, Stone Temple Pilots, Dusty Springfield, Burial, The xx and Anderson .Paak.