italian version
Hello Stan, thank you for taking some time for this interview.
SB: Thank you for doing the interview with me.
MR.it. At what age did you start playing guitar and when did you realize that you could become a professional musician?
SB: I started playing guitar when I was ten. While I was in school, I would perform in talent shows, and later we would play for parties and school dances. When I finished school, I went on the road playing in nightclubs around the southern United States. Then in my mid-twenties I joined a Colorado recording band, and we got a record deal and moved to Los Angeles.
MR.it. Which artists/bands did inspire you the most when you were young?
SB: I always loved The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and pop music of all kinds. Later, I really liked bands like Foreigner and Journey.
MR.it. Your first two records (Stan Bush s/t , Stan Bush & barrage) are two masterpieces! Please tell us something about those magic days…
SB: Thanks! My first solo album was recorded in the early eighties. I was signed to CBS Records, and then the “Stan Bush & Barrage” album was in 1986, and contains the song “The Touch” from the original “Transformers Movie”, and “Love Don’t Lie” (also recorded by House of Lords). “The Touch” was also in the movie “Boogie Nights” (Mark Wahlberg), was featured in Guitar Hero, “The Transformers” game, and in several TV shows. I also sang tracks in Jean-Claude Van Damme’s first two films.
MR.it. Your new album is called “the ultimate” (release date march 17th). Tell us anything you want about this record.
SB: I think “The Ultimate” is my best album so far. I’ve been writing and recording it for the past two years. My producer Holger Fath did an amazing job with the production, as well as playing guitars, keyboards, etc… I reunited with co-writer Lenny Macaluso (“The Touch”) and we wrote some of our best songs for the new album. One of the tracks, written by Lenny is “Thunder in Your Heart” was originally recorded by John Farnham back in the late eighties and was in a movie called “Rad”. The songs are about ‘going for it’ and believing in yourself, and songs about life, love, and the search for meaning.
MR.it. Will you promote “the ultimate” with a tour?
SB: I will be performing in Chicago on October 3rd at Melodic Rock Fest. There’s also a possible show in Los Angeles in June. I’ll hopefully perform in Europe again at some point, but nothing is confirmed at this time.
MR.it. After so many years, I can still hear an incredible passion in your voice,
and I can still see the sparkle in your eyes…..that’ s amazing! How can you still enjoy singing, playing, and writing after all these years?
SB: Thanks for the kind words. I guess performing is just part of who I am. When I was younger I would often dream I could fly. Performing is the closest thing to that feeling.
MR.it. The Italian fans say that they really live the American dream when they listen to your songs! Can you relate to that?
SB: That’s nice to hear. Music is like magic, and touches people in incredible ways. Sometimes I get a message saying one of my songs brought some kind of positive feeling into their lives. It’s awesome to hear that maybe I’m doing something good in the world.
MR.it. The artwork of your last album (and not only the last one) is by Nello Dell’ Omo. We are very proud of our fellow Italian. What can you tell us about him?
SB: Nello is a brilliant artist! He did an amazing job designing the cover artwork for the new album “The Ultimate”. He’s also been a good friend to me.