G.E. Smith on Dylan, "Bob-Fest," subverting the RNC, supporting Biden, his new album, Friday's webcast, and more

G.E. Smith on Dylan, "Bob-Fest," subverting the RNC, supporting Biden, his new album, Friday's webcast, and more (Boston Harold Video Podcast)

October 28, 2020

By Harold Lepidus © 






On today’s Boston Harold Video Podcast, I welcome guitarist G.E. Smith, who first came to prominence as the lead guitarist in the Hall & Oates band from 1979 to 1985, when they were churning out hits like “Kiss on My List,” “You Make My Dreams,” “Private Eyes,” “I Can’t Go For That,” and “Maneater.”  From 1985 to 1995, he was the musical director for Saturday Night Live. He’s collaborated with David Bowie, Mick Jagger, Tina Turner, and Roger Waters, among many others, played at Live-Aid, and was the musical director for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Concert.


Most people reading this, however, know him as Bob Dylan’s guitarist from 1988 to 1990, at the beginning of the so-called “never-ending tour.” Smith was also the musical director for Dylan’s legendary 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration at Madison Square Garden in October 1992, almost exactly 28 years ago.  If that's not enough, he co-wrote the theme to Wayne's World! He's accomplished so much more, but you get the idea … 





In this hour-long podcast interview, we mostly covered his time with Dylan, but we also focused on when he played with three of the ex-Beatles, and lived in the same building as the fourth. Smith reminisced on the late Eddie Van Halen's cameo appearance on SNL, discussed the affects of Covid-19 on the music industry, his subversive setlist from when he played the RNC in 2016, and his current political views. (Hint: He's not a Trump supporter.)



G.E. Smith and LeRoy Bell - America (Official Music Video)


Additionally. G.E. Smith has an excellent new album titled Stony Hill, a collaboration with singer LeRoy Bell, which mixes political commentary with soulful love songs. There will also be a webcast featuring G.E. Smith & LeRoy Bell, with a band, performing the album this Friday, October 30, at 8 PM ET.





In celebration of the new album, G.E and LeRoy are also sponsoring a contest. If you create the winning video for the song “Codeine,” from Stony Hill, you can win a Fender guitar! The link is listed below.  

  

Links:





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Thanks for your support! 


Comments

  1. Jimmy OOctober 28, 2020 at 11:39 PM

    GE was so engaging
    Great discussion especially the Bob stories !

    ReplyDelete

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