Classic Rock Here And Now: Interviewing the Legends

Showing posts with label Interviewing the Legends. Show all posts

Thursday, April 2, 2026

MICHAEL HAMPTON LEGENDARY ELECTRIC-FUNK GUITARIST WITH PARLIAMENT-FUNKADELIC RELEASES NEW ALBUM:EXCLUSIVE ON INTERVIEWING THE LEGENDS WITH RAY SHASHO

M I C H A E L

H A M P T O N

PARLIAMENT-FUNKADELIC

A Founding Father of Power-Funk Electric Guitar

RELEASES

'INTO THE PUBLIC DOMAIN'

A meld of rock and world music with jazz and western overtones, hallmarked by Michael’s trademark sizzling leads

EXCLUSIVE

ON INTERVIEWING THE LEGENDS

WITH RAY SHASHO

CLICK BELOW

TO WATCH THE ENTIRE INTERVIEW

After receiving his first guitar at age 10, a determined Michael became self-taught with the help of his bedroom radio, spending days on end playing along with Jimi Hendrix, Wes Montgomery and B.B. King records. After studying jazz guitar in high school, an impromptu backstage audition for George Clinton in 1974 earned 17-year-old Michael a seat on the Parliament mothership alongside the immortal Eddie Hazel, under the name “Kidd Funkadelic”.

Hampton has spent the past half-century playing nearly 400 shows with the band, in 25 countries across 6 continents. Highlights include multiple appearances at world-renowned festivals like Montreux Jazz, Glastonbury, Reading, Woodstock ’99, Coachella, Bonnaroo, Roskilde, Lollapalooza, Fuji Rock, and Isle of Wight, and venues like the Apollo Theater, The Fillmore, Royal Albert Hall, Madison Square Garden, The Troubadour, Red Rocks, The Beacon, and Sydney Opera House.

Though best known for his role in the funk guitar pantheon, Hampton is also an accomplished multi-instrumentalist, with drums, keys, and synth programming credits across the Parliament discography.

Parliament-Funkadelic legacy guitarist and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member Michael Hampton's Into the Public Domain, is a mini album produced by 9-time Grammy Award winner and Ruffhouse Records co-founder Joe “The Butcher” Nicolo. A founding father of power-funk electric guitar, Hampton edges into new territory on Into the Public Domain, a meld of rock and world music with jazz and western overtones, hallmarked by Michael’s trademark sizzling leads.

PURCHASE

A founding father of power-funk electric guitar

MICHAEL

HAMPTON

‘INTO THE PUBLIC DOMAIN’

https://michaelhampton.bandcamp.com/album/into-the-public-domain-2

“Electric Psychedelic Guitar Fusion with a Funk Pulse That Never Stops Beating

This record is a mesmerizing swirl of electric psychedelic guitar fusion, stitched together with the unmistakable funk DNA that made Hampton a pillar of the Parliament/Funkadelic universe. But what’s striking here is how personal the music feels. There’s no need for vocals; the guitar does all the speaking, testifying, and time traveling.”

...By Music Journalist Ray Shasho

5 stars

Michael Hampton--Lead Guitar

Philip Samuel Smith--Rhythm Guitar

Phil Keaggy--Guest Lead Guitar

John Schreffler--Pedal Steel Guitar

Matt Lesser--Drums

Mike Labombard—Saxophone

FOR MORE INFORMATION

ABOUT

MICHAEL HAMPTON

VISIT

https://www.tiktok.com/@ma_wa_ha

TikTok

https://www.instagram.com/michaelwhampton/

Instagram

https://open.spotify.com/artist/5rhBe5DqUbACYzqerQa9R0

Spotify

https://www.facebook.com/p/Michael-Hampton-100040199001670/

Facebook

https://www.youtube.com/@MaWaHa

YouTube

https://georgeclinton.com/

George Clinton Official Site

https://www.facebook.com/georgeclintonpfunk

George Clinton Facebook

UPCOMING

GEORGE CLINTON

PARLIAMENT-FUNKADELIC

SHOWS

Sat, APR 11

The PFunk Festival 2026

Tallahassee, FL

Apr. 25 - 26, 2026

Austin Blues Festival 2026

Austin, TX

May. 21 - 24, 2026

Jacksonville Jazz Festival 2026

Jacksonville, FL

Sun, MAY 24

Hollywood Casino Joliet

FUNKADELIC

DISCOGRAPHY

Funkadelic (1970)

Free Your Mind... and Your Ass Will Follow (1970)

Maggot Brain (1971)

America Eats Its Young (1972)

Cosmic Slop (1973)

Standing on the Verge of Getting It On (1974)

Let's Take It to the Stage (1975)

Tales of Kidd Funkadelic (1976)

Hardcore Jollies (1976)

One Nation Under a Groove (1978)

Uncle Jam Wants You (1979)

Connections & Disconnections (1980)

The Electric Spanking of War Babies (1981)

By Way of the Drum (2007)

First Ya Gotta Shake the Gate (2014)

PARLIAMENT

DISCOGRAPHY

Osmium (1970)

Up for the Down Stroke (1974)

Chocolate City (1975)

Mothership Connection (1975)

The Clones of Dr. Funkenstein (1976)

Funkentelechy vs. the Placebo Syndrome (1977)

Motor Booty Affair (1978)

Gloryhallastoopid (1979)

Trombipulation (1980)

Medicaid Fraud Dogg (2018)

Notable songs

"Maggot Brain" (Funkadelic), 1971

"Up for the Down Stroke" (Parliament), 1974

"Chocolate City" (Parliament), 1975

"P-Funk (Wants to Get Funked Up)" (Parliament), 1975

"Give Up The Funk (Tear The Roof Off The Sucker)" (Parliament), 1976

"Do That Stuff" (Parliament), 1976

"I'd Rather Be With You" (Bootsy's Rubber Band), 1976

"Bop Gun (Endangered Species)" (Parliament), 1977

"Funkentelechy" (Parliament), 1978

"The Pinocchio Theory" (Bootsy's Rubber Band), 1977

"Aqua Boogie (A Psychoalphadiscobetabioaquadoloop)" (Parliament), 1978

"Bootzilla" (Bootsy's Rubber Band), 1978

"Flash Light" (Parliament), 1978

"One Nation Under a Groove" (Funkadelic), 1978

"(Not Just) Knee Deep" (Funkadelic), 1979

"The Electric Spanking of War Babies" (Funkadelic), 1981

MICHAEL HAMPTON

APPEARS

APRIL 2ND 2026

ON INTERVIEWING THE LEGENDS

WITH RAY SHASHO

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Monday, January 26, 2026

CLOSE ENEMIES IGNITE SARASOTA: A ROCK SUPERGROUP PROVES ITS POWER AT ENCORE LIVE: CONCERT REVIEW BY MUSIC JOURNALIST RAY SHASHO

Close Enemies

Ignite Sarasota:

A Rock Supergroup Proves

Its Power at Encore Live

concert review by Ray Shasho

'Interviewing the Legends'

Sarasota’s brand‑new Encore Live nightclub didn’t just host a concert on Sunday night — it hosted a seismic event. Close Enemies, the newly formed all‑star rock collective, delivered a blistering, high‑octane performance that left the packed house buzzing long after the final notes faded. For a venue still finding its identity, this show felt like a christening by fire.

“Close Enemies proved they’re not a side project — they’re a force.”

The band’s lineup reads like a rock historian’s fever dream: Aerosmith bassist and songwriter Tom Hamilton, The Babys’ powerhouse drummer Tony Brock, Sheryl Crow’s longtime guitarist Peter Stroud, AC/DC and Aerosmith guitar tech‑turned‑axe‑slinger Trace Foster, and frontman Chasen Hampton, whose voice proved every bit as commanding and versatile as his Disney‑era résumé suggests. Together, they formed a unit that felt both impossibly seasoned and startlingly fresh.

“Close Enemies didn’t just play Sarasota — they detonated it.”

The show kicked off promptly at 9 p.m. with “Rain,” a moody, atmospheric opener that set the tone for a night built on dynamics — thunderous peaks, soulful valleys, and everything in between. From there, Close Enemies wasted no time showcasing their original material. “Sound of a Train,” “Inside Out,” and “Sweet Baby Jesus” revealed a band with a clear identity: muscular rock grooves anchored by Hamilton’s melodic bass lines, Brock’s thunderous precision, and Stroud and Foster’s interlocking guitars that alternated between grit and grace.

“When Tom Hamilton locks in with Tony Brock, you’re hearing rock history

breathing in real time.”

Hampton, meanwhile, proved to be the band’s secret weapon. His voice soared, cracked, whispered, and roared — whatever the moment demanded, he delivered. On “Take a Pill” and “More Than I Could Ever Need,” he commanded the stage with the confidence of a frontman who knows he belongs in the same room as legends.

Chasen Hampton didn’t just front the band — he owned the room.”

The night’s first major eruption came with “Midnight Rendezvous,” a nod to Brock’s tenure with The Babys. The crowd recognized the opening riff instantly, and Brock — smiling like a man revisiting an old friend — drove the song with the swagger only he can summon.

Close Enemies also proved fearless in their future classic “Battlefield” a surprise highlight. Later, “Seasons of Wither” showcased Hamilton’s deep connection to the Aerosmith catalog, with the band delivering a haunting, faithful rendition that drew one of the night’s loudest ovations.

Originals like “Wink & a Feather” kept the momentum high, each one revealing a different facet of the band’s chemistry — from blues‑tinged grit to soaring melodic rock.

But the closing stretch is where Close Enemies truly detonated. “Sick as a Dog” and “Sweet Emotion” turned the room into a full‑throttle celebration of Hamilton’s legacy, with the audience singing every word. The encore‑style finale — a drum solo leading into “Head First” — was a masterclass in showmanship. Brock’s solo was explosive without ever becoming indulgent, and when the band crashed into the final song, the room felt like it might lift off its foundation.

Peter Stroud delivered a spellbinding performance, his lead guitar work holding the Encore Live audience in absolute silence. Long admired by fellow musicians, Stroud deserves far wider recognition as one of the most expressive and technically gifted guitarists of his generation. It’s time for music journalists to elevate his standing among the all‑time greats.

Trace Foster, the band’s second guitarist, is the definition of a pure, instinctive musician. His years onstage with Angus Young (AC/DC), Ronnie Wood (Rolling Stones), and Joe Perry (Aerosmith) have shaped a player whose tone, timing, and touch place him firmly among the industry’s elite.

By the end of the night, one thing was unmistakably clear: Close Enemies aren’t a novelty supergroup or a nostalgic side project. They’re a real band — tight, inspired, and hungry. Sarasota witnessed something special: the birth of a powerhouse.

If this show is any indication, Close Enemies won’t be playing intimate clubs for long. They’re built for bigger rooms, bigger crowds, and bigger moments. And after Sunday night, Sarasota will be able to say it saw the spark before the wildfire.

The evening was also visited by rock icons Joe Perry, the lead guitarist for Aerosmith, Duane Betts of The Allman Betts Band, Dan Donegan of Disturbed, Jimmy Fadden of The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and Ed Roland lead singer of Collective Soul.

“For one night, Encore Live felt less like a venue and more like the center

of the rock‑and‑roll universe.”

Close Enemies debut album will be released on March 13th.

For more information

visit

https://closeenemiestheband.com/

It was a great night for all who attended and Sarasota has finally brought back live rock and roll to a local nightclub venue. Special thanks to everyone at Encore Live for a fantastic evening!

*Also special thanks to Shauna O'Donnell, Peter Stroud, Tricia,and the entire Close Enemies band.

CLOSE ENEMIES DEBUT ALBUM

OFFICIAL RELEASE MARCH 13TH

Here's my recent interview with Close Enemies

clisk below to watch the entire interview

Tony Brock, Chasen Hampton, Tom Hamilton, Sharon Shasho (my wife),Trace Foster,Ray Shasho,Peter Stroud... CLOSE ENEMIES

“Backstage they were humble; onstage they were unstoppable.”

JOE PERRY WITH JIMMY FADDEN

DUANE BETTS

DON DONEGAN WITH GUESTS

ED ROLAND WITH GUEST

FOR MORE INFORMATION

ABOUT

CLOSE ENEMIES

VISIT

https://closeenemiestheband.com/

OFFICIAL BAND SITE

https://www.facebook.com/closeenemiestheband

FACEBOOK

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8VzY0BYc1cMnO7Ll3iGfhw

YOUTUBE

https://open.spotify.com/artist/2KHndP8PLmYaYDdFppMZ4x?si=wrfZZAoaQ4mOLMET5eVhaw&nd=1&dlsi=fe6bc21ff0dd4250

SPOTIFY

https://www.tiktok.com/@closeenemies

TIKTOK

VISIT

ENCORE LIVE

FOR UPCOMING EVENTS

https://encoresrq.com/

FOR MORE INFORMATION

ABOUT

RAY SHASHO

MUSIC JOURNALIST/AUTHOR/TALK SHOW HOST

AND INTERVIEWING THE LEGENDS

VISIT

THESE SITES

https://www.youtube.com/c/InterviewingtheLegends

https://www.classicrockmusicwriter.com

https://www.classicrockhereandnow.com

https://www.musictriedandtrue.com

https://www.rayshashoshow.blogspot.com

https://www.publicityworksagency.com

https://www.facebook.com/RockWriter

https://www.twitter.com/SaveRockNow

https://www.podcastics.com/profile/13448-rock-raymond/

https://www.thelibertycodebook.com/

RAY'S NEW NOVEL

'THE LIBERTY CODE'

Are you ready to decode the secrets of The Liberty Code and join the fight for Earth's future?

LIBERTY CODE TEASER

AVAILABLE

NOW!

RAY'S INCREDIBLE NEW

SCI-FI BOOK!

THE

LIBERTY

CODE

OFFICIAL TRAILER

AVAILABLE AT

bookbaby.com

amazon.com

and on audiobook

at barnesandnoble.com

and Spotify

PURCHASE HERE

https://store.bookbaby.com/book/the-liberty-code?srsltid=AfmBOoosm9yL_n_mIiQdRmnY5RgaxapZTnzc8iB1Jy0F7FDLixFQaNOp

Thursday, January 15, 2026

CLOSE ENEMIES ALL-STAR BAND FRONTED BY AEROSMITH BASSIST TOM HAMILTON RELEASING DEBUT ALBUM MARCH 13TH: ZOOM EXCLUSIVE ON INTERVIEWING THE LEGENDS W/RAY SHASHO

C L O S E

E N E M I E S

THE TOM HAMILTON (AEROSMITH) SUPERGROUP

RELEASING THEIR DEBUT ALBUM

ON MARCH 13TH

WITH TOURS IN CALIFORNIA

AND FLORIDA

ZOOM INTERVIEW WITH THE BAND

ON INTERVIEWING THE LEGENDS W/RAY SHASHO

CLICK BELOW

TO WATCH THE ENTIRE INTERVIEW

Close Enemies is an all-star rock band fronted by Aerosmith bassist Tom Hamilton, featuring drummer Tony Brock (The Babys), guitarists Peter Stroud (Sheryl Crow) and Trace Foster (AC/DC tech/Joe Perry), and vocalist Chasen Hampton. Close Enemies, featuring Aerosmith's Tom Hamilton, is releasing their self-titled debut album, "Close Enemies," on March 13, 2026, following singles like "Sound Of A Train," …"Inside Out," …"Sweet Baby Jesus,"… "Rain," … and "More Than I Could Ever Need…with pre-orders available for signed blue vinyl editions.

Watch for the debut album release

CLOSE ENEMIES

available March 13^th

The signed album is limited to 200 copies, so act fast! But if you miss out, or don’t want to pay a premium for colored vinyl and autographs, a standard vinyl release, and CD, will be up for sale in March.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

ABOUT

CLOSE ENEMIES

VISIT

https://closeenemiestheband.com/

Official band website

https://www.instagram.com/closeenemiesofficial/

Instagram

https://www.facebook.com/closeenemiestheband

Facebook

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8VzY0BYc1cMnO7Ll3iGfhw

YouTube