Illinois Entertainer May 2019 | Page 45

Continued from page 20 Cleveland, Chicago – with Chicago being the biggest hit. I had Mike Clink (Whitesnake, Guns N' Roses, Mötley Crüe, Megadeth) as my assistant back then. You know, it wasn't really supposed to be a double album but when you have 12-minute songs like "Rock Bottom" it makes it difficult. And let's not forget that vinyl records could only be 20 minutes a side. If you get one song that's 12 or 13 minutes how are you going to juggle all of that? So, I had to try to figure out on songs like "Love to Love" and others how I was going to get it done. I ended up talking to Chrysalis Records, and we finally decided to do the double album. Now, in the end, there were two songs that I still needed that I really didn't think were up to par, so we went back into the Record Plant Studio C and re-recorded those two songs. I don't know if anybody could tell the difference as I used all the same mics, the same place- ment, everything. I set up to record just like it was on stage and at the gigs. I must say there were very little overdubs. I've heard people say "Oh yeah, there were lots of overdubs on the Strangers live album, but no. One of the reasons there wasn't overdubs is because I picked the songs that didn't need it. There was however some "fixing" here and there, but there were not a lot of overdubs. Now, having said that it was forty-something years ago (laughter)! Thin Lizzy Night Life, 1974 You know, I did that one in a studio in London called Trident, and I had never worked there before. Listening back to that album I was disappointed in the mix and the lack of success that it had compared to other Lizzy albums. Yeah, looking back I was disap- pointed for sure. Sometimes you catch your- self going "what was I thinking" or "why did I do that?" But other times you go go "that was fucking great!" and that's just the way it goes. With Lizzy, I really liked the two guitar player thing with Gorham and Robertson, but I didn't like the studio at all. The control room was on one floor, and the studio itself was on another level. So to do any adjusting on a mic or what- ever you had to go up and down these fucking stairs! Back and forth, back and forth. However, Trident did make some great con- sole boards. ALL ANALOG RECORDING! Damn Yankees Damn Yankees, 1990 RS: Ok, so John Kalodnar was the guy at Geffen, and this is like 1989 or something like that. I had had dealings with him with the band Survivor and some other things. Kalodnar is the one that got Ted Nugent, Jack Blades, and Tommy Shaw together, and that's what he did well. The whole A&R guy thing you know? The best thing they can do is create marriages, and the worst thing they can do is meddle in the music (laughter). So he puts together these guys, and they went and wrote demo songs, and it was great. What happened was the president of Geffen Records at the time passed on those demo songs. Passed on "High Enough" and all of those great songs. So later I got a call one day from Michael Austin over at Warner Brothers. He says he's got these guys, Nugent, Blades, Shaw, and also their music. I said yeah I would love to hear it! I went down to Warners and ended up doing the album with them. # 2" 24-Track Analog Tape # 1/2" 16-Track Analog Tape # Digital Audio Workstation # Vintage and Modern FX Processing # EP Packages Available (tape included, 1/2" 16-track) # Available for bands, solo artists, mix downs, jingles. # Schedule an appointment. BOOKING NOW! (219) 595-5632 APRadio.net # Twitter Facebook Instagram: @apradio2 # [email protected] Lunar Chiefs Live Digital Recording 5,000 Square Foot Rehearsal Space and Showcase Facility Live, 32-Channel Digital Recording Open 24 Hours / 7 Days A Week / Security Camera Monitored 24 hours Full Stage with Drums / PA / Guitar & Bass Cabinets provided Daily, Weekly and Monthly Rates available / Ample Parking Sound Systems available for both indoor and outdoor venues. Live / Studio Photography and Videography provided by James Proctor. Since 1975 Ranger has supplied recording and sound system support for the Chicagoland area. We’ve provided sound systems for many major acts, fundraisers, and sporting events as well as local talent and can provide you with a relaxed atmosphere to create your music. A studio run by musicians for musicians and our rates are the most competitive of any studio. From concert stages to weddings, Ranger does it all. Let us prove we can meet your budget. 450 Domenic Court Franklin Park, Illinois 60131 (Eddie) 773-699-4705 • [email protected] on Facebook: Ranger Studios and Sound LLC. may 2 019 illinoisentertainer.com 45