Season 3, Episode 11. A conversation with our host. AJ Wachtel has probably seen more club shows in Boston bars than anyone. As the head writer for BEAT Magazine, and holding ground at Bunrattys, he was out 7 days a week, seeing at least 4 bands a night. He has interviewed the greatest of the greats in the world of music. When the local press needs a comment of a recently passed artist or a remembrance of a local event, AJ gets the call. For this unique episode we have adjusted his microphone from host to guest, as our producer David Schwartz interviews this legendary journalist. From Chuck Berry to every local Boston Band you can think of, he has met them, chugged a beer, smoked his chillum and let them know he was there to support them in the press. This is an interesting episode from a man who has had a front row seat to some of the most infamous nights in Boston Rock history and as he says, "For many, many moons."

Season 3, Episode 10. AJ chats with Jerry Portnoy. Legend, one of the highest ranks you can achieve. But when you are the premiere harmonica blues player in the world and can speak of being in both Muddy Waters and Eric Clapton's touring band, my friend, you have reached the legendary status.  Born in Chicago, he now makes Cape Cod his home. Essentially he has been on the road performing live since 1970. He recently penned his memoirs in an amazing book: "Dancing with Muddy: Muddy Waters, Eric Clapton and My Lucky Life In and Out of the Blues. It is indeed an honor to have a "Legend"  on the Podcast. 

Season 3, Episode 9. AJ chats with Billy Bud. As the Production Manager of the historic Paradise Rock Club in Boston, Billy has had a front row seat for some of the greatest shows ever. For over 30 years, Billy has been setting the stage for some of the most legendary national acts as well as local musicians who are living their dreams by playing on that stage. You would think this would be plenty to talk about, but before his club days, he was the tour manager for one of Boston's most important bands: The Atlantics. Lots to cover, I'll stop typing, so you can stop reading and simply enjoy the show.

Season 3, Episode 8. AJ chats with David Bieber. There is a great line in a classic George Carlin skit, where he says "… all you need in life, is a little place for your stuff…." But what if your "little place" needs to be a warehouse? After a 50 year career within the radio business, including time at both WBCN and WFNX. David Bieber collected a lot of stuff. Out of necessity came The David Bieber Archves. An indescribable location. Think of your favorite used book / magazine / record shop, combined with a pop culture museum, art gallery, advertising / political archives, walls of master reel to reel FM live recordings, vintage music instruments and recording relics. There are boxes lined up floor to ceiling,  labeled with a bands' name with their history inside. You know …. heaven. You can also see a lot of the archives on display at various locations around the city. From his days at BU in the early 70's to today, like the archives there is a lot of stuff to talk about. You will enjoy this one. 

Season 3, Episode 7, If the voice sounds familiar it is because you have been hearing it on the radio since the early 1970s. AJ chats with Harvey Wharfield about a career that kept him in the Boston Market for over 50 years, up and down the dial on different rock 'n roll stations. No matter where he was, he was always a strong supporter of local music and was one of the first DJs to have a radio show that only focused on local talent. This was an amazing opportunity to connect with True Royalty ~ The Commander of the Rock N Roll Air-Force, someone who truly loved and helped shape the local Boston music scene. 

Season 3, Episode 6, This Episode is all about Girl Power. As we are honored to have one of the strongest woman voices to emerge from the Boston Music Scene. AJ chats with Liz Borden who led the charge with an all female band in a predominantly male music scene. She was forced to hide her true self from the public eye, told how to dress, act, etc.., things you do not think of when you just want to rock, Originally from New York, her Boston-based band Lizzie Borden and the Axes were a fixture for many years in the club circuit. She is now based in California, has expanded her creative flow to become an author, actress and still continues to make music. Happy to welcome and reconnect with a true independent artist to the podcast. 

Season 3, Episode 5, AJ chats with "Cowboy" Mach Bell. A fixture on the Boston Music Scene since the mid-70s. Initially a Glam Rocker, this lead singer/songwriter has an amazing ability to adapt to the times and the current music trends. His bands are legendary: Thundertrain, the Joe Perry Project and currently the Mach Bell Experience. As if that is not enough he teached music for local home-schooled students, is the author of 3 books of his career and was recently inducted into the New England Music Hall of Fame. This episode is simply when 2 old friends get together and chat, lets listen in …   This episode is dedicated to the memory of Daniel Hargrove, a bass player who played with Mach in many bands and passed away the week after we recorded this. 

Season 3, Episode 4, AJ chats with Cha-Chi Loprete, a native of Cambridge Massachusetts. After seeing The Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show as a youth, he immediately knew his career path would be in music. He started volunteering in the early 80's at WBCN on the listener line and by the end of the decade he was the station's Marketing Director. His show "Breakfast with the Beatles" has been on the air for over 40 years and has allowed him to interview the surviving members as well as many within their immediate circle. A friendship with Tony Bennett in the 90's helped solidify the crooner's amazing comeback. Cha-Chi has been on the front line of Boston radio, during it's heyday and  up to it's unfortunate decline. So may I introduce to you, the act you've known for all these years …. 

Season 3, Episode 3, AJ chats with Rick Berlin. A fixture on the Boston music scene since the mid-70s, this Iowa born piano playing songwriter established himself for his visionary writing of theatrical rock n roll songs. With their exposure on WBCN, Orchestra Luna captured a national audience, recorded for a major label and opened for established bands on every major stage in Boston. Thru his solo career and many bands, including Luna, Berlin Airlift, Rick Berlin the Movie and the Shelly Winters Project, Rick has been one of the true local artists who has constantly been reinvented himself and luckily is taking all of us along for the journey.

Season 3, Episode 2, AJ chats with Steve Berkowitz. A proud Brighton resident, if there is a job in the music business, this man has performed it: a teenage roadie for Muddy Waters and Chuck Berry, Tour/Co Manager for The Cars during their first 4 albums, Co-Owner of the legendary studio Synchro Sound, Concert Promoter, Agent, Musician, A&R Executive and Producer.  He has settled in nicely working with Sony Music's Legacy department working on historical reissues for Miles Davis, Bob Dylan, Robert Johnson, Johnny Cash, Leonard Cohen and Paul Simon, just to name a few. This 7 time Grammy Award winner  has made an amazing name for himself while still being proud of his Boston roots. Sit back and enjoy this conversation where a very private person allowed AJ to ask a few questions, and talk about this impactful career.