by Michael Shapiro | May 23, 2015 | Interviews, Music, Stories
Martin Scorsese is the executive producer of a forthcoming doc about the Dead, but it may not be released for a while. To read the story on the Press Democrat’s site, click here. BY MICHAEL SHAPIRO FOR THE PRESS DEMOCRAT If you happened to visit Olompali...
by Michael Shapiro | May 13, 2015 | Blog, Music, Stories
As a kid in the ’70s, I enjoyed Boz Scaggs’ hits, such as “Lido.” But it wasn’t until I heard his blues classic “Loan Me a Dime” that I realized what a masterful musician he is. It was a pleasure to interview the easygoing and...
by Michael Shapiro | Jan 28, 2014 | Blog, Interviews, Music
By Michael Shapiro Was sad to hear about the death of folk legend Pete Seeger today – here are three stories you won’t read in his obits. 1. Decades ago, Warren Hellman, then a NY investment banker (he was head of Lehman Bros.), asked Seeger if he would...
by Michael Shapiro | Jan 1, 2014 | Blog, Music
NEW ZEALAND HERALD STAFF REPORT AUCKLAND, New Zealand — On the eve of the Single Malt Curlers sold-out show this Sunday at Auckland’s Vector Arena, singer and tambourine player Adriena Daunt announced she’s leaving the band. Daunt gave no reason for...
by Michael Shapiro | May 10, 2013 | Blog, Interviews, Music, Stories
In the early 1990s, Cowboy Junkies lead vocalist Margo Timmins performed just for me. I sat about 30 feet away from her and she sang one of her favorites, “Misguided Angel” to an audience of one. But I’m not sure she even noticed me. I was at the...
by Michael Shapiro | May 1, 2012 | Blog, Music, Stories
Usually when an actor takes the stage to play music it’s mediocre at best. But Hugh Laurie can really play piano and has assembled a top-shelf band from New Orleans. I profiled Laurie in advance of last Tuesday’s show in Napa, which was superb....