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
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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.
“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.”
"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
RAY'S NEW NOVEL
'THE LIBERTY CODE'
The Liberty Code is a thrilling blend of science fiction, political intrigue, and military strategy. With its compelling characters, intricate plot, and timely themes, this novel offers a captivating journey through a world where the line between fiction and reality blurs. It's a must-read for fans of dystopian futures, extraterrestrial encounters, and high-stakes political drama.
Are you ready to decode the secrets of The Liberty Code and join the fight for Earth's future?
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THE
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In a near-future America, where democracy has collapsed under the iron grip of the Commonwealth Party, redemption lies in the unlikeliest of places—a novel. The Liberty Code, penned by decorated Marine veteran and journalist Sam Edwards, uncovers the hidden truths of a dystopian world teetering on the edge of annihilation.
Guided by telepathic messages from two Centauri extraterrestrial ambassadors, J-Rod and Naxia, who secretly collaborate with the U.S. Air Force, Edwards reveals a master plan to save Earth. This gripping tale begins as fiction but evolves into a stark reality, reflecting real-world geopolitical conflicts and revolutionary military operations.
OFFICIAL TRAILER
A WARNING ABOUT THE LIBERTY CODE BY THE CENTAURIANS
Blues-rock superstar Joe Bonamassa is one of the most celebrated performing musicians of today. As a three-time GRAMMY-nominated artist and 13x Blues Music Award Nominee (4 wins), he achieved his 26th No. 1 album on the Billboard Blues Chart with Tales Of Time, a sprawling and expansive live concert film and album, shot at the breathtaking Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado in August 2022. Only in his mid-40s, Bonamassa has become a living legend with an astounding multi-genre catalog.
He has released more than 40 albums, including studio and live recordings, as well as collaborative albums with his adventurous side projects: Black Country Communion and Rock Candy Funk Party. A prolific writer who is always on the hunt to expand his eclectic musical horizons, Bonamassa has a limitless work ethic whether it’s in a studio, on the road, or working with other artists to spur new music. In recent years, he has produced an immense number of albums including Joanne Shaw Taylor, Marc Broussard, Larry McCray, Jimmy Hall and others for his independent label KTBA Records, and has also recently launched Journeyman LLC, a full-service artist management, record label, concert promotion, and marketing company that builds awareness for independent artists worldwide.
Recent producing highlights include ‘Crown’ by the blues legend Eric Gales, which was nominated for “Best Contemporary Blues Album” at the 2023 GRAMMY Awards. Bonamassa has been featured in several publications from Esquire, WSJ, and Parade to Rolling Stone and American Songwriter, as well as on the covers of Guitar World, Guitar Player, Vintage Guitar, Guitarist, and Classic Rock Magazine. His non-profit Keeping The Blues Alive provides funds and resources to schools and artists in need and has positively impacted more than 91k students to date while raising over 2 million in donations. Joe Bonamassa has released Blues Deluxe Vol. 2, his new studio album, out today via his own J&R Adventures.
In celebration of this landmark release, which marks 20 years since his first independent album, Bonamassa has unveiled the project’s latest single "Is It Safe To Go Home.” Following an extensive summer run that included his debut appearance at the Hollywood Bowl, which was recorded for his next live concert film, the hardest working bluesman in show business began his U.S. Fall Tour on October 23rd at The Cannon Center in Memphis, TN, before crisscrossing the country and capping the year at the guitar-shaped Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, FL on December 2nd.He’ll star his U.S. Spring tour for 2024 on February 19th in Louisville, KY - The Louisville Palace.
PURCHASE
JOE BONAMASSA
'BLUES DELUXE VOL. 2'
With Epic Original Track
"Is It Safe To Go Home"
The Long-awaited New Album Out Today Honors 20 Years of Iconic Blues Mastery
Today, the 26x Billboard chart-topper Joe Bonamassa has released Blues Deluxe Vol. 2, his new studio album, out today via his own J&R Adventures. In celebration of this landmark release, which marks 20 years since his first independent album, Bonamassa has unveiled the project’s latest single "Is It Safe To Go Home,” a standout from the album, crafted by producer Josh Smith. "I wrote 'Is It Safe To Go Home' specifically for this project and for Joe,” Smith recalls. “I can't believe what he did with it. The vocal and solo are some of his best work (in fact, he hits the highest vocal note he ever has on record), and it's just an absolutely epic performance and arrangement."
An Acoustic Evening at the Vienna Opera House (2013)
Tour de Force: Live in London – The Borderline (2014)
Tour de Force: Live in London – Shepherd's Bush Empire (2014)
Tour de Force: Live in London – Hammersmith Apollo (2014)
Tour de Force: Live in London – Royal Albert Hall (2014)
Muddy Wolf at Red Rocks (2015)
Live at Radio City Music Hall (2015)
Live at the Greek Theatre (2016)
Live at Carnegie Hall: An Acoustic Evening (2017)
British Blues Explosion Live (2018)
Live at the Sydney Opera House (2019)
Now Serving: Royal Tea Live from the Ryman (2021)
Tales of Time (2023)
With Black Country Communion
Black Country Communion (2010)
Black Country Communion 2 (2011)
Live Over Europe (2011)
Afterglow (2012)
BCCIV (2017)
With Rock Candy Funk Party
We Want Groove (2013)
Rock Candy Funk Party Takes New York: Live at the Iridium (2014)
Groove Is King (2015)
The Groove Cubed (2017)
With Beth Hart
Don't Explain (2011)
Seesaw (2013)
Live in Amsterdam (2014)
Black Coffee (2018)
With Sleep Eazys
Easy to Buy, Hard to Sell (2020)
Dave Mason & Joe Bonamassa –
“Dear Mr. Fantasy” Official Music Video
JOE BONAMASSA
APPEARS WEEK OF
NOVEMBER 15TH 2023
ON INTERVIEWING THE LEGENDS
WITH RAY SHASHO
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ORDER NOW
WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!
RAY’S BEST-SELLING BOOK
ENTITLED
THE ROCK STAR CHRONICLES
SERIES ONE
CHRONICLES,TRUTHS
CONFESSIONSAND WISDOM
FROM THE MUSIC LEGENDS
THAT SET US FREE!
BY MUSIC JOURNALIST ...TALK SHOW HOST...
AUTHOR ... TV SITCOM SCRIPT WRITER
RAY SHASHO
…Order yours today on (Collector edition) Hardcover or E-book at bookbaby.com and amazon.com
Featuring over 45 intimate conversations with some ofthe greatest rock legends the world will ever know.
CHAPTER ONE SPOTLIGHTS INTERVIEWS WITH THE MUSIC LEGENDS
WHO HAVE LEFT US.
THE HARDCOVER EDITION IS A BONAFIDE COLLECTOR'S ITEM!
CHRIS SQUIRE... DR. JOHN... GREG LAKE... HENRY MCCULLOUGH... JACK BRUCE … JOE LALA… JOHNNY WINTER... KEITH EMERSON... PAUL KANTNER... RAY THOMAS... RONNIE MONTROSE... TONY JOE WHITE... DAVID CLAYTON-THOMAS… MIKE LOVE... TOMMY ROE... BARRY HAY... CHRIS THOMPSON... JESSE COLIN YOUNG... JOHN KAY... JULIAN LENNON... MARK LINDSAY... MICKY DOLENZ… PETER RIVERA ...TOMMY JAMES… TODD RUNDGREN... DAVE MASON... EDGAR WINTER... FRANK MARINO... GREGG ROLIE... IAN ANDERSON... JIM “DANDY” MANGRUM... JON ANDERSON... LOU GRAMM... MICK BOX... RANDY BACHMAN… ROBIN TROWER... ROGER FISHER... STEVE HACKETT... ANNIE HASLAM… ‘MELANIE’ SAFKA... PETULA CLARK... SUZI QUATRO... COLIN BLUNSTONE… DAVE DAVIES... JIM McCARTY... PETE BEST
THE ROCK STAR CHRONICLES
BOOK TRAILER
BOOK REVIEW
-By Literary Titan (5) STARS
The Rock Star Chronicles by Ray Shasho, is a splendid book written by a music enthusiast who has poured their heart and soul into it. It’s a story of a boy who loved rock music, and his obsessive passion of it earned himself the name Rock Raymond. He went to school but instead was schooled in all matters of music while his peers were buried chin-deep in coursework. He then became a radio DJ and has now compiled a book on all interviews he held with Rock gods who raided the airwaves back in the 70s and 80s. It’s a compilation of interviews with outstanding vocalists, legendary guitarists and crazy drummers in the rock music scene. Each interview gives a reader an in-depth view into their personal lives and the philosophies that guide their lives which all serve to humanize these great icons. For readers who are old enough to call themselves baby boomers this book will bring old memories back to life. Millennials, on the other hand, may think of this book as a literal work of the Carpool Karaoke show.
The Rock Star Chronicles is a book I didn’t know I was waiting for. To come across a book that will talk me into trying something new. One brave enough to incite me to venture into new frontiers. This book made me a believer- I am now a bona fide Rock and Roll music fan.
Ray Shasho masterfully gets the interviewees talking. He smartly coaxes answers from them with crafty questions designed to get a story rolling out of them. The artists talk about diverse issues ranging from music, politics, and their social engagements. Having been on the music seen all his life, Ray Shasho knows the buttons to press, how to get them comfortable about talking about their lives.
The book’s cover is befitting of its subject matter with the leather look offering a royal background to the golden letter print. It speaks to how high a level rock music holds in the pecking order- arguably, modern music as we know it has originated from blues and rock music. The second noteworthy thing is the use of high-definition pictures to reference the musician being interviewed in every sub-chapter. This ensures that the book is for both original rock and roll lovers and aspiring new ones. Together is makes for a refreshing and consistently enjoyable read.
I recommend this book to rock music enthusiasts, aspiring musicians wondering what it takes and all readers curious to learn new things by going back in time.
