Shockwaves Hard Radio / Heavy Metal Radio Host Bob Nalbandian sits down with two pioneers in Hard Rock - Heavy Metal and All Things that Rock, Todd La Torre (Queensrÿche, Crimson Glory) and Jean Beauvoir (Plasmatics, Ramones, KISS).
The interview takes you on a journey through music history and the art of tenacity which played a key role in helping them become Gods of Metal & Hard Rock which is referred to by music cristics and historians of today.
Shockwaves HardRadio Podcast #87 with Host Bob Nalbandian
Click on the Hard Radio Image to Hear the Interview
The name Queensrÿche is uttered in the same breath as many of the groups they looked to as influences and others who arose as peers. The band Queensrÿche built a dedicated legion of fans traveling the globe on tour with fellow rock giants like Iron Maiden, Guns N’ Roses, Metallica, Judas Priest, and Def Leppard. In recent years, they’ve consistently delivered high-octane live shows combining the hungry fire of a new band with the tempered experience of master showmen. Even with 11-Gold & Platinum plaques and several Top-10 Hard Rock anthems woven into the very fiber of the genre, Queensrÿche won’t relent. In fact, they are in the throes of a jaw-dropping creative resurgence. (Credit: QueensrÿcheOfficial.com)
Queensrÿche's new album "The Verdict" (March 2019) is being credited by critics and music fans as one of "the albums" helping to revive the Hard Rock & Metal landscape among audiences of today. The album hit charts world-wide upon release including
"The Verdict" is not only the superlative entry in the La Torre era thus far, but it’s easily one of their best outings in twenty-five years. He ceaselessly impresses in his dual role as singer and drummer, the rest of the crew brings plenty of inspired tenacity, and Harris does an excellent job behind-the-scenes to make it sound like vintage Queensrÿche. Few acts are able to bounce back this boldly after such a lengthy slump, and there’s no reason not to expect that trajectory to climb higher next time around. Jordan Blum (Metal Injection) http://www.queensrycheofficial.com
Jean Beauvoir
Hall of Heavy Metal History 2019
A Godfather of Punk & Metal Original Punk, Originator, Pioneer, Trendsetter, Icon
"Jean Beauvoir is an originator. From his tenure as the bass player for legendary punk band, The Plasmatics, to his time writing and producing with The Ramones, to his solo career, Jean has spent a lifetime ahead of the curve. Known almost as much for his iconic blond mohawk as for his music, Jean has helped define and redefine punk. Though he found his biggest success with the most 80’s movie theme of all time (“Feel the Heat” from the Sylvester Stallone vehicle Cobra), Jean Beauvoir first came up as the bassist for Wendy O. Williams’ pioneering shock rock act The Plastmatics. His bleached mohawk made him an instant icon of the nascent NYC punk scene, while his playing and songwriting chops helped elevate The Plasmatics beyond mere spectacle. After leaving The Plasmatics, Beauvoir went on to a successful career as a producer, producing and co-writing one of The Ramones’ greatest singles, the antifascist protest song My Brain Is Hanging Upside Down (Bonzo Goes to Bitburg).”
The Jean Beauvoir story didn't end with the Ramones, after turning down deals by Billy Idol and Prince, Steven Van Zant convinced Beauvoir to join him and The Disciples of Soul where he showcased his talents as an artist aside from the legendary Plasmatics. He went onto become part of the legendary KISS family after becoming best friends with Paul Stanley. The Jean Beauvoir / Paul Stanley penned songs "Who Wants to Be Lonely" and "Uh! All Night" first appeared on the KISS album 'Asylum' featuring Beauvoir on bass guitar and backing vocals on both singles. The previous year their single "Thrills In the Night" debuted on the 'Animalize' album by KISS, again featuring Beauvoir on bass guitar and backing vocals including the singles “Get All You Can Take", and "Under the Gun". 'Asylum' charted worldwide hitting #20 on the U.S. Pop Albums Chart (Billboard) on its way to Gold and Platinum status in the U.S. and Canada; 'Animalize' went Platinum in the U.S. and Canada.
To date, Jean Beauvoir has sold over 40-million albums, is featured on over 200-albums, is one of music's top-50 most influential black rockers and is featured in the book "Icons of Rock: Legends Who Changed Music Forever" alongside such other well-known contemporaries as Ray Charles, Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, The Beatles, Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Byrds, Jimi Hendrix, Velvet Underground, Led Zeppelin, Joni Mitchell, Pink Floyd, Neil Young, David Bowie, Bruce Springsteen, Ramones, U2, Nirvana and many others. The book can be found in numerous college libraries and other location throughout the U.S. and abroad.
He has collaborated (written and/or produced hits) with KISS, The Ramones, John Waite, Debby Harry (Blondie), Justin Timberlake, Lionel Richie, Nile Rodgers, Desmond Child, Metal Priestess Doro Pesch, Glenn Hughes (Black Sabbath), K-pop Superstar Jonghyun, N'Synch and many others, including five Rock'n Roll Hall of Fame inductees. His music has been included in well known, successful films throughout his solo career including Cobra (Sylvester Stallone), Pet Sematary (Stephen King), School of Rock (Jack Black), Christmas with the Kranks (Tim Allen), Rock 'n Roll High School Forever (Corey Feldman), RV (Robin Williams) - 2016's Why Him? (James Franco) among others. Music by Jean Beauvoir is also featured in "School Oz", the world's first hologram musical.
Grossing over $16-million from a $5-million budget the film "SHOCKER" by Wes Craven featuring two singles by Beauvoir became a blockbuster ranking second behind the third weekend of 'Look Who's Talking" starring John Travolta. On December 2, 2018, "Christmas with the Kranks" featuring singles "I Don't Want to Fight Tonight" (Ramones) and the theme song "Merry Christmas to All of the World" by Beauvoir was announced one of the top-25 highest grossing Christmas movies of all time at the U.S. box office (Forbes Magazine). Now a cult classic, Stallone's Cobra has grossed over $160-million, over six times its original budget of $25-million with the film and its soundtrack still selling, both receiving high reviews through Amazon and other outlets. The Scream Factory released a 'Collector's Edition' on Blu-ray in January 2019.
If spending a lifetime ahead of the curve is considered lonely, Jean Beauvoir knows it well, and has been in some pretty good company. In the fall of 2018 he was invited to begin participating in the KISS Expo's with bookings around the world through 2019. During 2018/2019 he has collaborated with Finland's Supergroup LORDI, Punk & Rock Icon Lita Ford and others. Of all things Jean Beauvoir, one thing remains constant, if it's music or music related he's all-in, forever reinventing and redefining himself and music whether its Punk or Hard Rock, always ahead of the curve. As a member of the Plasmatics and a longtime songwriter and producer for the Ramones Jean Beauvoir is forever linked to two of the most revolutionary bands of the twentieth century. Today, Wendy O. Williams and the Plasmatics along with the Ramones are considered the Grand Dame and Godfather's of Punk & Metal. www.jeanbeauvoir.com
Bob Nalbandian is a Director/Producer well-known for his Inside L.A. Metal documentaries. His dcocuseries Band vs Brand debuted at the Hall of Heavy Metal History (January 2019), features historical interviews with many ground breaking artists. He is the host of Shockwaves Skull Sessions Podcast and Shockwaves Hard Radio.