Johnny Kelly of Quiet Riot is my latest Talkin’ Rock with Meltdown guest. If you’re in the Detroit area, the Quiet Riot guys are playing at Smugglers Run on June 9th.
We talk about his lighter tour schedule. He told me playing with QR is much different than he was used to playing with Type O Negative. He explained how they tour on a completely different circuit that is new to him. He recalled touring with Motley Crue in the mid-90s. “It was a tough tour for them” he said about the guys in Crue. He also shared some other tour horror stories.
As far as playing with a guy like Rudy Sarzo? “It’s surreal”. He went into what it’s like to play with such a rock legend. He admitted he was somewhat start struck, but now has become a friend. Johnny also tells me what Jizzy Pearl is like. I’ve never had the chance to meet him before, so I’m looking forward to it.
Of course we had to talk a little hockey. He’s a big hockey fan, so I had to ask him about his thoughts on the Stanley Cup playoffs. He also told me who he thinks the late Vinnie Paul would’ve been rooting for.
He’s in a new band called Eye Am. How did that start? What’s going on with that project? Johnny fills us in on all things about that band too.
Great to catch up with one of my favorite dudes!
-Meltdown-