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Attention: King Crimson fans, let us all unite: Adrian Belew, Steve Vai and Tony Levin are BACK out there on the road as BEAT. This time around, legendary drummer Terry Bozzio joins the BEAT ranks. Before the tour launched, I had a conversation with Adrian to talk about the evolution of BEAT since things launched in 2024 and where things are headed. The tour still runs for another month and having just seen two shows this past week, you all are in for a real treat. Here are the current tour dates so you can get out and see a concert! https://ultimateclassicrock.com/adrian-belew-beat-king-crimson-2026-tour/

It feels awfully good to type that word, "Savatage," next to Chris Caffery's name these days, after so many years of the band members primarily putting their focus on Trans-Siberian Orchestra touring. As you might know, they've been back out there this year playing Savatage concerts and they also dug up something really cool from the archives. Madness Reigns From the Gutter (1990) is the nambe of the live release that documents 90 minutes of vintage Savatage caught live in concert during a grueling tour schedule that found the band playing more than 100 concerts here and abroad as they were supporting their current Gutter Ballet album. Chris tells Matt about that time period and also, his path to joining Savatage, crucial early tours with Dio and Megadeth and lots of other topics are discussed. We appreciate Chris taking the time! Here's a link to purchase the Madness set if you don't already own it! https://store.ultimateclassicrock.com/products/savatage-madness-reigns-from-the-gutter-1991?_pos=1&_psq=savatage&_psid=510cf6131&_ss=e

What's in a name? A lot of killer riffs, to name one thing. Trev Lukather joins us to talk about the rebirth of his band, Levara, and their first new single in five years, Underneath it All. Along the way, we talk about nepo babies, what fans can expect from Levara's upcoming album, collaborations with Christopher Cross and also, Richard Patrick of Filter and lots more. Our thanks to Trev for the time. There's probably a guest appearance from Trev's dog too, somewhere in all of this. Watch the new video for Underneath it All and see the band's upcoming tour dates: https://ultimateclassicrock.com/levara-trev-lukather-new-music-tour-2026/

With 38 Special continuing to celebrate their 50th anniversary, today we're revisiting a pair of previously unreleased conversations with the band's Don Barnes as well as former guitarist Jeff Carlisi. They spoke separately with Matt in May of 2022 to discuss the group's debut album which was turning 45 at that time. Don and Jeff also share plenty of additional stories behind the 38 Special radio hits and other topics. What has 38 Special been up to lately? They've got a new album and are already planning more tour dates in 2027. You can read all about that at the UCR website. https://ultimateclassicrock.com/38-special-tour-dates-2027/

Tom Morello has been a key sonic element of the music we've heard over the years, including (of course) Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave, plus Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band and also, his own solo work. We've heard Tom craft music in a lot of different genres, and now he's bringing the whole of what he's done throughout his career into focus with his newest solo album, Everyone Gets Everything They Want. Tom joins Matt today to discuss the album, plus other parts of his career and working with his son, Roman Morello.

We're pleased to present a special episode of the podcast today, featuring Peter Frampton, who sat down backstage at Nashville's historic Ryman Auditorium with Jeff Pilson and Luis Maldonado of Foreigner to discuss his long career and also, his appearance on Foreigner's newest single, "Trouble." Peter plays a new guitar solo on the song, which was originally recorded during the Head Games era. He tells Jeff and Luis how he came to know Foreigner founder/guitarist Mick Jones and shares some of his memories of hearing and being around the band over the years -- including one particularly memorable gig. You can also watch this conversation on Foreigner's official YouTube channel.

Legendary Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi is with us today and we get into a lot of different things with him, including, of course, his upcoming solo album, From the Dark, which arrives October 23rd. Tony also tells us about his longtime friendship with Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull and we dig through some fun Sabbath stories as well!

Gil Moore of Triumph joins Matt to talk about the second leg of the Rock and Roll Machine Reloaded tour, which begins Nov. 17 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Gil shares some Michigan memories and also looks back at how the first round of the band's reunion tour went, he discusses the possibility of new Triumph music, some archival releases that are on the way and more!

Living Colour's Corey Glover joins us, along with guitarist Michael Sanders, to talk about their new collaboration with the band One Tribe Nation. They've done a killer version of "The Wizard" by Black Sabbath and have a full album on the way later this year. We talk Sabbath, some of their own musical influences and Corey shares his memories of the moment that Living Colour's "Cult of Personality" came together. Thanks to Michael and Corey for stopping in. We look forward to talking more when the album is ready! Read more here: https://ultimateclassicrock.com/living-colour-cult-of-personality-corey-glover-interview/

Sebastian Bach is BACK and he's just as crazy as you remember. That's why we love him. He sings a bit and talks about a bunch of different topics, including his latest gig as the frontman for Twisted Sister, plus his contribution to the reimagined Transformers soundtrack and his plans for new music that are starting to take shape. Our thanks to Baz for stopping in! You can read parts of our conversation here: https://ultimateclassicrock.com/sebastian-bach-twisted-sister-interview-2026/

We're happy to welcome Roland Orzabal of Tears for Fears to talk about his new book, WELCOME TO YOUR LIFE: Love, Death & Tears for Fears. The memoir was released earlier this month and is already a New York Times bestseller. We discuss a number of topics with Roland and fans will appreciate this new book, which is very honest and covers all aspects of his life and career in depth. You can read excerpts from our conversation here: https://ultimateclassicrock.com/roland-orzabal-tears-for-fears-interview-2026/

Lzzy Hale is with us today to talk about what it feels like to be part of the new Women in Metal exhibit at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She also digs into the cover of Soundgarden's "Loud Love" that was recently released by the all-star collective King Ultramega, featuring Hale and former Pearl Jam drummer Dave Krusen as special guests. We also discuss her experience getting to front Skid Row, inspiring others with her music, what's up ahead for Halestorm and lots more! Hear King Ultramega's "Loud Love" here: https://ultimateclassicrock.com/soundgarden-loud-love-lzzy-hale-dave-krusen-interview-2026/

Former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted is here with us to talk about his current tour with the Chophouse Band, a run of concerts including dates with his friends Blackberry Smoke as well as longer headlining shows. Fans can expect an evening of music that touches on Jason's entire career -- and as he tells us, our shared musical heroes, as well. We dig through a lot of topics with Jason, including the history of the Chophouse Band, some Metallica memories and why this current tour is so important to him.

Rob LoVerde and Jim Davis of Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab join Matt today for separate conversations to discuss their approach to audiophile reissues of classic albums. They talk about some of their recent releases, including the Van Halen reissues from the David Lee Roth era, Stone Temple Pilots' Vol. 4 and the upcoming project that will find them tackling albums by Rush. Jim addresses how they've dealt with challenges in recent years and shares the story of how he first discovered MoFi and eventually took over the company.

Director Wes Orshoski is with Matt today to talk about Di'Anno: Iron Maiden's Lost Singer, his new film about late Iron Maiden vocalist Paul Di'Anno. We discuss the movie and also, the previous films that Wes has done about the Damned and Lemmy of Motorhead, plus his upcoming documentary about the Bar-Kays. We go deep into a number of topics, including Paul's history, the interview that Wes did with James Hetfield about Paul, various hard rock and heavy metal bands, why he refused to give up on completing this film (which took nearly a decade) and there's plenty of music nerd discussion that weaves in and out as well. Our thanks to Wes for the time. Here's a link that you can use to check out more information about the film and where you can see it. https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/dianno-iron-maidens-lost-singer