On the Bus… with Robert Martin

ON THE BUS… with Robert Martin

While clocking a lot of miles on our 2025 tour, we turned our tour van into a mobile interview lounge for a special ‘Ask Robert’ Q&A session.

Thanks to everyone in our WhatsApp group who sent in questions. Robert dove into tales from the road with FZ, the legendary '88 Band, jazz noises, and his work with icons like Etta James and Stevie Nicks.

It’s candid, insightful, and full of stories only Robert can tell.

Questions:
00:10 Aside From Frank, who was your favourite Artist to work with?
01:23 What made you want to audition for Frank?
03:00 Can you describe the rehearsal process with Frank?
06:21 Can you describe what happened after Frank came to oversee rehearsals after the band had been rehearsing all day?
07:14 Can you talk about some of the quotations of classical music like the Bartok Piano Concerto that were inserted into Packard Goose?
08:24 Do you have any insights on why Stairway To Heaven and other songs were chosen by Frank to be covered on the 1988 tour?
10:29 What are your personal memories of the Palermo concert in 1982?
13:30 Can you describe the origin of the Jazz Noise vocals?
18:01: Can you talk about Frank's attitude to having musicians reading charts onstage?
18:49 Can you talk about your early session work in Philadelphia in the late 60's and early 70's?
22:35 Who were some of the artists you recorded for in the Philly soul scene, and can you name any notable songs you contributed to?
23:43 What was the ultimate lifestyle tour?
28:33 In your 20's you were an avid sportsman and considered a career in baseball, why and how did music win out?
31:18 What did you think of the welcome from the Liverpool crowd at the Cavern?
32:53 What is your favourite song to sing whilst driving?
33:28 How nervous were you turning up for auditions, and after how long did the Cretins decide you were the right man for the vocals?

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