Rocking With Jam Man talks with Roger Earl from Foghat
Rocking With Jam Man is with Roger Earl from Foghat about his amazing career, how Foghat was rock band that formed in the 70s and now he is rocker in his 70s, we talk about how the group formed, touring with Led Zeppelin when he was Savoy Brown, how the music industry changed, what keeps him rocking still after 50 years, if he ever gets tired of playing Slow Ride, playing a music festival with Taylor Hawkins and getting him to come and drum with the the band, and lot more
Foghat celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2021, and their live performances show why the band is still around and why they will be able to keep on rockin’ as long as they want to play! Their music is timeless, and touring is part of their DNA. Foghat’s live show is as intense as ever with the incredible energy and musicianship that one would expect and hope for from a seasoned band with such a long musical history and they are bringing their fans along for the ride. These guys just love to play!
Not content to rest on their laurels, the band released a great new studio album in June 2016 titled “Under the Influence”, and another ‘live’ album in June of 2017 called ‘Live at the Belly Up’. They then followed it up with a double CD/DVD in 2021, “8 Days on the Road” (recorded live at Daryl’s House Club in 2019!) All were given great reviews by press & fans alike.
Foghat fans are everywhere and their audience consists of all ages. From the young who play Guitar Hero III and know all the lyrics to ‘Slow Ride’, to the Dazed & Confused generation of 30-40 somethings and the ‘boomers’ who bought Foghat’s first vinyl or 8 track! Looking out at the audience and seeing all generations rockin’ to Foghat is very gratifying to the band. “The band just wants to make sure that after every show, they are all convinced that they just got rocked, from the second we start the first song to the end of the show”.
Formed in 1971 when Lonesome Dave Peverett & Roger Earl left the British blues-rock band, Savoy Brown, Foghat has earned eight Gold records, one Platinum record and one Double-Platinum record. And they continue to release new music every few years. They have never stopped touring and recording although there have been several ups and downs and changes over the years. They sadly lost Lonesome Dave Peverett in 2000 and Rod Price in 2005, but Roger Earl kept banging & kicking to keep Foghat’s musical legacy going.
According to a recent review “The ’70s called…but there is no way in hell we are giving Foghat back to them. The iconic band from the past is rocking just as hard as they did decades ago, if not more! Foghat’s thunderous blend of blues, boogie and butt-kickin’ rock ‘n’ roll are shaking walls and fans everywhere. There is so much talent in this band it is ridiculous. Lead vocalist/lead guitarist Scott Holt played with Buddy Guy for over 10 years, and lead/slide guitarist Bryan Bassett played with Wild Cherry and Molly Hatchet.” Bass player Craig Macgregor who had been with the band since the ’70s, unfortunately became ill in 2015 and was unable to play, and we sadly lost him in February of 2018. Craig had recommended the very talented & personable Rodney O’Quinn as a ‘fill-in’ who came to Foghat via the Pat Travers band where he proved he knew how to lay down a solid groove. O’Quinn viewed MacGregor as a mentor and is a great permanent addition to the band. And on drums, of course, is the man we must thank for keeping Foghat going…founding member Roger Earl, who’s positive attitude and solid drumming style and pure joy of playing has been an inspiration to all.”
If Foghat had only given us ‘Slow Ride’, the band’s place in rock history would be secure. But the band is so much more than that. As stated by Roger Earl, “we are still a ‘work in progress’, writing and recording and plan to be until the day we depart this earth”.
The band has started work on yet another Blues/Rock Studio Album to be released in late 2022)!
