Greg Prato of Brave Words spoke with frontman Ron Keel. Excerpts from the interview appear below.
BraveWords: What made you choose to write an autobiography, Even Keel, at this point?
Ron Keel: I think the only reason anyone should write a non-fiction book is if they’ve got a good story to tell, or important or interesting information to convey. And I’m always telling stories…whether in interviews, sitting at a bar or around a campfire, whatever. Songwriters and entertainers are usually storytellers by nature anyway. About ten years ago, I started writing my stories down, usually on long flights or road trips to pass the time, and found I really enjoyed the process. If I hadn’t put a hard deadline on publishing this year, I would have kept on writing for at least another ten years – but I really wanted to release the book simultaneously with my new album which is pretty much my autobiography set to music.
BraveWords: How would you describe Gene Simmons as a producer? (Simmons produced Keel’s The Right to Rock and The Final Frontier)
Ron Keel: You know, I think the marketing, make-up and money masks the fact that Gene is really a genuinely great human being with an intense passion for music, and also a deep knowledge and respect for rock & roll history. Not only what Gene did for my career, but what he taught me about making great albums – those lessons are still with me in every recording session I do.
BraveWords: I was surprised Keel never opened for KISS in the ’80s. Was this ever discussed?
Ron Keel: Believe me, I begged. I’m not sure why it never happened either, but never say never – maybe that’s one more dream that will come true. I can tell you, Gene was very active in trying to help us get gigs – I remember him on the phone with Ozzy, telling Ozzy he should give us the opening slot. Ozzy ended up going with some band called Metallica, but Gene gave it his best shot!
BraveWords: Something else I was surprised about – since Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley used to collaborate quite a bit with outside songwriters during the ’80s, that you didn’t collaborate with either on a KISS tune, while such others as Tommy Thayer and Kane Roberts did. Was this ever discussed or attempted?
Ron Keel: It should have I guess, because Gene gave me a lot of input on his songs which we recorded, and he of course had a lot of input on our tunes, and we worked really well together, but it was probably a matter of time. When we were in the studio recording those albums, we were focused on the task at hand and there wasn’t much opportunity to just sit around with instruments and notebooks and create, we were pretty busy making albums. And when it was time to get away from the sessions, we’d go out to eat, or go to a club or a concert, or go to Gene’s place and watch KISS video clips.
BraveWords: A few years ago, I wrote the book The Eric Carr Story. Did you ever cross paths with Eric?
Ron Keel: Eric hung out a few times during the recording sessions, but we never got to know each other well. My impression of him was that of a really nice guy, quiet and humble when he was not behind the kit.
BraveWords: Who were some bands that Keel toured with back in the ’80s, and what are some standout memories of those tours?
Ron Keel: Of course the final leg of the Bon Jovi Slippery When Wet tour stands out – they were at their peak, these were huge arenas sold out for two or three nights (we did three nights back to back at Madison Square Garden on that tour). Another high point for us was our sold out headline tour of Japan in 1986, opening for Van Halen at the Texxas Jam that same year. Coming back to my old hometown of Phoenix opening up for Mötley Crüe in the same arena where I used to fight my way to the front row and dream of being up there centerstage. The 80’s were great, but I’m very fortunate to still be experiencing peaks that are just as gratifying – like last year’s Monsters Of Rock Cruise, when we did two badass Keel gigs, I did my solo gig, I got to sing with the guys in Cinderella, did the all-star jam with Frank Hannon, and capped it off when Lita Ford asked me to join her onstage to do the Ozzy part on Close My Eyes Forever. This year we celebrated Keel’s 30th anniversary by killing it on the main stage at the M3 Festival in Baltimore, and you can’t put a price tag on kicking that much ass.
BraveWords: What are your thoughts on Steeler, and working with Yngwie Malmsteen at the time?
Ron Keel: Steeler has a special place in metal history and certainly a special place in the hearts of the fans. Of course I tell the entire story of Steeler in my book, focusing on the positives and skipping over some of the speed bumps, but Steeler was part of a magical time in rock history during the heyday of the Hollywood metal scene, and nothing can change that. And the album we released (1983’s Steeler) has become a cornerstone of that era, so I’m very proud of that fact. Yngwie and I were both too stubborn to compromise, and it wouldn’t have mattered anyway – he would still have quit the band to join Alcatrazz when he got the call from Graham Bonnet, no matter what the situation with Steeler might have been.
Read more at Bravewords.
source: bravewords.com
50 Responses
Great interview. Underrated talent.
Richman your posts are awful!
Why are so nasty and angry? Are you lonely? I’ve been posting funny stuff here for a few years. My name appears in RED. Don’t you see? Many other bloggers thank me for my sentiments. I’m LOLed more than anyone else around so move along with your lame ass blog mame and wish you had a girl like RICHWOMAN who is beautiful.
CONNOLLYSBLACKCADDILAC COMES UP TO ONE DAY
WHEN I’M WALKING DOWN THE STREET MINDING MY OWN BUSINESS
HE LOOKS ME UP AND HE LOOKS ME DOWN
HE SAYS WHAT BE THIS AND WHAT BE THAT AND WHY YOU GOTTA LOOK LIKE THAT
I KINDA LAUGH AND SAY I AM COOL I AM DREW BREES
What does the “red” mean??
It stands for REALLY ELEGANT DEBATER. That is known as an acronym.
If you’re going to make a point that your name appears in red the least you can do is inform as to what that means.
It stands for “right ear dominant” Pete. You have to speak on his right side or he won’t answer you!
Hey Silly Face, notice all this came out of CONNOLLYS insult of me. I complement KEEL and then get bombarded by guys who are neither funny or interesting. As for MILKMONEY, hes an ally of mine in the KISS wars along with DR and very few if any others. Strength in numbers and God be with DR and MILKMONEY. Any other pro-Gene and Paul guys out there need to come foreward.
Did you read his Amazon all the stuff you can get for 10 dollars post??!! OMG!! HILARIOUS!!! That was a while ago but I still laugh just thinking about it! LOL–LOL (I’m still thinking about it). LOL, LOL, LOL–damn, I cant stop THINKING about it.
All opinions and views welcome here from what I’ve heard.
His posts are interesting. Why do you say that?
That’s right. God be with you MIKE B.
What does the red mean?
RICHMAN despite his repetitiveness usually delivers interesting and sometimes funny material. A lot of the other guys just whine and wish it were still 1985, but RICHMAN has opened stuff up sometimes leading to 20 or more replies. CONNOLLYWHATEVER just posts vulgar stuff that is uninteresting and sophomoric. The ALL HELL’S BREAKING LOOSE as above has ran its course some time ago. I am MILKMONEY, admire my wisdom and worship my deeds.
Thank you MILK, but that last sentence makes you sound like a maniac.
The All Hells Breaking Loose will never run its course. If you ain’t down with Robert Kennedy’s doppelgänger, I’ve got two words for ya……your loss.
Richman, your posts are always interesting and/or funny. Don’t let haters bother you. Keep on rockin’ brother!
Dude, I was just reading these posts and You do sound mentally unstable and paranoid. Not critizing you, just an observation.
CONNOLLY, CABBIE, LYTELL and TALKTOPETEABOUTNONSENSE are all the same guy who is neither interesting or funny. The charade is up. You are unmasked. Attorneys call that bolstering. Look at the support I receive from JAMES P and MIKE B. Both good boys. I have friends, you have animosity. I wish you well.
Richman’s posts are cool and entertaining! He should keep up the good work!
I AM MILKMONEY. I am brilliant and a true intellectual. You guys turn on each other and whine and rant and talk tough. I state facts and entertain. I am not aligned with Richman or anybody else. I keep things balanced and I realize when I should go away. I must stay for now. Many of you do not like me but you must learn to co-exist and embrace my words. I have a job and I own my own place. It is you people that need to change and reevaluate your lives. I have no religion so I require no ones prayers.
Yeah, right, o.k., hey Milk dud, this one’s dedicated to you,
MILK DUD COMES UP TO US ONE DAY
AS WE’RE WALKING DOWN THE STREET
MINDING OUR OWN BUSINESS
NOW HE LOOKS US UP, AND HE LOOKS US DOWN
AND HE SAYS HEY MAN
WHAT BE THIS, AND WHAT BE THAT
AND WHY YOU GUYS GOTTA LOOK LIKE THAT
WE JUST KINDA LOOKED AT HIM AND LAUGHED
AND SAID HEY MILK DUD, WE ARE COOL,
WE AIN’T NO MILK DUD FOOLS!
-sing it milk dud-
ALL HELL’S BREAKIN’ LOOSE, HEY HEY HAVE YOU READ THE NEWS,
ALL MILK’S BREAKIN’ LOOSE, OVERLOADING HE’S NOTHING BUT A DOUCHE!
All hail Ron Keel’s Iron Horse! Guitarist Matt Bradley is one of the best unknown players in the world hands down!
This is a GREAT book, and the new album is one of the best I have heard in a very long time. One of my favorite parts of the book is the way he does trash anyone other than himself. Really nice to see someone taking responsibility for their actions and their life. Eddie I really hope you will consider bringing Ron on that Metal Show. I know he would be a great addition to the many great people you have had on the show. Ron is a GREAT story teller and performer. Can’t wait to see him on the MORC 2015!!
Sorry I mean he DOESN’T trash anyone.
“One of my favorite parts of the book is the way he does trash anyone other than himself.”– Mine too! Yes, I noticed the correction…still made me laugh(ol), though.
Why is Ron Keel writing an autobiography? Who cares? Really? I should write a book about my latest bowel movement. I think it would sell about as well as Ron’s.
no pictures, please.
Your bowel movement didn’t write The Right to Rock.
Are you sure DR?
I hate to come up with presumptions specifically about people I don’t know, and I’m sure you are a very good person who is highly valued in your community Harry, but I doubt that something that came out of you could be that productive.
It felt productive, I must say.
“Speed Demon”
Maybe we could team up and call the book “My Bowel Movement featuring Ron Keel”
now that’s entertainment…..that’s entertainment
I bought the book and his new CD and it was worth the read. His stories were so interesting that the worse part of the book was when it ended. Would live for RK do write another. And CD was grwat to listen to also.
Ron Is The Real Thing!!! This man is not only a Great Musician and Cornerstone of Rock and Roll, but a Great Guy with a True Undying Passion for his Fans and Music! A True Road Warrior of his time!!
Tim Mercy
Albuquerque, New Mexico USA
Tap the brakes there Tim Mercy. The “cornerstone” of rock n roll? Not even close.