Greg Prato
Ugo.com
He’s been an avid fan and supporter of heavy metal for decades, and is consistently on the radio (the nationally syndicated radio show Eddie Trunk Rocks and Eddie Trunk Live on Sirius) and TV (That Metal Show). He is Eddie Trunk, who can now add “author” to his resume, as his first-ever book, Eddie Trunk’s Essential Hard Rock and Heavy Metal, will be released on April 1st, via Abrams Image.
UGO: What will fans learn from reading Eddie Trunk’s Essential Hard Rock and Heavy Metal?
EDDIE TRUNK: There are some stories I never talked about with me and the artists in the book. Bon Jovi offering me a job, the night Axl Rose came to my radio studio, tons of personal stuff plus my thoughts on the bands and why I love them. It’s really a hybrid of many things, opinions, why I love the bands, a personal experience with almost all of them, my playlists of favorite songs and much more. Its 50% stories and text, 50% incredible photos – most of which were never published. The photos tie in with the stories because the photographer (Ron Akiyama) is an old friend who was actually at the shows with me I’m talking about. People are loving that aspect early on. Some funny candid shots to, like me signing Ace Frehley when I worked at Megaforce in 1986.
UGO: I heard that there is a moving chapter about Ronnie James Dio in the book.
EDDIE TRUNK: Many have pointed that one out. That chapter had to be rewritten because Ronnie passed away after the original one was done, so it was very fresh when I had to redo it. It talks about my experience hosting his memorial and I dedicated the book to him and Eric Carr, a dear friend who I still miss even though he has been gone 20 years. Two great rockers that were great people.
UGO: What can fans expect from the upcoming season of That Metal Show?
EDDIE TRUNK: For the first time ever some repeat guests from early on. This is Season 7, there are now almost 80 shows, and it was time to welcome back some of the early believers who took a shot on the show. So a balance of first timers and return guests who much has changed for. Any talk show has return guests so it was time, plus Kirk Hammett from Metallica, David Coverdale, Sebastian Bach, all among the first timers. And most important we retain the same 1-hour format introduced last season with 2 guests and all the features everyone wants in.
UGO: Why do you think Ozzy nor Gene Simmons or Paul Stanley have not appeared on That Metal Show?
EDDIE TRUNK: You would need to ask them. We honestly do not know and when there is no communication back you can only speculate. They have all been asked. In the case of Ozzy it’s really Sharon, I’m sure he doesn’t even know! In the case of Gene and or Paul, again, ask them. We are huge fans of the band, I have supported them on many fronts for decades like nobody else. And yes, I have made it known I am not a fan of what they do now, but why not sit down and defend it? Why wipe away 99% support for decades because of one thing?! I’m a fan, being critical of what you like and don’t like with your favorite bands is part of that. Tons of bands I have had my shots at over the years, but they all sit down and talk about it and many cases agree in retrospect! I can’t worry about what people think I said or if you’re hypersensitive. We cannot compromise what we do. It’s what makes the show work. Being truthful as fans and being able to express an opinion is what we do and many of our guests do. We love all these guys even if we don’t like something they did at one point, up to them to come around. The door is always open to them, come mix it up, have some fun, hell, fire back at me! God knows I have a thick skin after all these years. It’s their fans to who are being cheated. They want to see these guys on a show where the hosts actually know the music and didn’t just read a one sheet before they walked out. It’s the show their real audience is watching at the end of the day. Hope they step up and do it but we have plenty that want to if they don’t. I grew up a huge fan of Howard Stern, he KILLS people, and guess what? They still come and talk to him.
UGO: Out of all the interviews you’ve conducted over the years, which was the best…and which was the weirdest?
EDDIE TRUNK: Anytime you get guys that have fun and are well spoken and mix it up, it’s great. Doing this almost 30 years I now know many of these guys, so there is a comfort level. The people who are always great are Rob Halford (he did my book’s foreword), the late Dio, Sammy Hagar, Bobby Blitz, Slash, even guys like Chris Jericho, he is a close friend but we have a blast on the air. Dee Snider also speaks his mind. As far as weird, I guess the only one I can think of is the late Peter Steele. Obviously, he had issues in his life sadly. He came on my radio show and didn’t want to talk about Type O, kept apologizing, and then kind of broke down on the air, back around 2002.
UGO: Please rank in order of “funniness” – Jim Florentine, Don Jamieson, and Carrot Top.
EDDIE TRUNK: Not touching that one, but Top can kick their asses that’s for sure. See the shape that guys in? Crazy.