ROWAN ROBERTSON

[**Editor's note--Rowan is so soft spoken that during the phone interview, the recordings came out fairly faint once encoded for this format. Please note that there are occasions when the volume was adjusted post-interview, but the content and material are authentic and in its original form. Thank you--KEN]

Beginning of Phone Interview

    I truly don't know how many times I have heard it, but it has been asked again and again--for almost twelve years now I have heard the same question asked: WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO ROWAN ROBERTSON?

    Well, I am here to tell you today that this young guitar virtuoso has been nothing but busy crafting and perfecting his trade. 

    I had the pleasure of interviewing Rowan a few years back when he had first joined a band called VAST. We spend a few nights after the gig just talking over our own experiences as well as what the future might hold. After losing contact for a time, I was pleased to note that Rowan was again in the United States and practicing his trade like few others I respect and care for--not only as a musician, but as a true gentleman.

    Completing two guitar instructional videos as well as a drum instructional video with Simon Wright in addition to working with one of the worlds most renowned vocalists in DIO, Rowan Robertson has been involved in the music industry in a number of genre as well as a number of high caliber talent over the years.

The Phone Call to join DIO Being a part of Dio

    Lock Up the Wolves is, without a doubt, one of the standout albums of Dio's lengthy career. Rowan Robertson was a rising force with his involvement in this particular album. It was a fresh new start for the band Dio--and a questioning period in the solo career of the former Sabbath, Rainbow, Elf vocalist. It was also the end of an era of Dio that would never been heard from again.

Rowan On the Ending of Dio, for him

    When Ronnie Dio placed the band sporting his own moniker on hold to re-up with the British bashers in Sabbath, Rowan found a home in a kick ass aggressive band managed by Ronnie's wife, Wendy Dio, and known as Violets Demise.

Rowan On Violets Demise And their break up

    The band was shelved, along with their long awaited debut album, when the music scene of the 1990s turned to Seattle and a more "grungie" direction in music. Unfortunate for the music world, and the audience--there is some really great tunes there that never went on the market. But here I have a few for you to sample what was lost. 

    Rowan also spent some time getting back to his own rock and roll roots with an involvement in an LA based Cream Tribute band.

Rowan in VAST VAST's genre termed

    VAST, founded and fronted by Jon Crosby, quickly snatched up the talented guitarist for support in the tour of his first album. That tour was filled with an innovative approach to live music presentation. VAST (Standing for Visual Audio Sensory Theater) proved to be quite a theatrical stage show along with the music that featured HUGE video projection displays and lighting effects to enhance the stunning Gothic based sound. Rowan contributed to the second VAST release, Music For The People, but shortly parted ways due to creative differences.

Parting company with VAST 

    Currently, Rowan Robertson is a more modern focused group out of the Southern California area called AM Radio. 

Rowan Introduces AM Radio Being In AM Radio AM Radio Gigs

    I was recently contacted by Rowan with news that he had become involved in the "Dio Family" once again--filling in for Craig Goldy for a short stint to support Magica in South Africa. (No worries, fans, Goldy is not going anywhere and is definitely a part of the new coming Dio release due out in early 2002!) and is what essentially kicked off this second interview with the ex-Dio axe slinger.

Rowan working with Dio again Any involvement in the Children of the Night Project?

    Thankfully, I had a great opportunity to not only involve Rowan in a live chat on Dio Fan's Place, but also to interview him about his current doing and some clarifications on what he has been up to in his own career since Dio.

    Please make sure to drop and support Rowan Robertson by and listen to some sound samples from AM Radio, take a look at the merchandise the band has available including buttons, t-shirts and CDs!

AM Radio's Web Sire and Recording Plans

AM Radio's main Web Site: http://amradioonline.com/

AM Radio Flash Site: http://www.mudhill.com/amradio/amradio.htm

AM Radio Message Board: http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/amradiosavedmylife

Buy the CD:

AM RADIO IS: 

Rowan picks his own Choice Tracks

Track Listing:

Final
  Holiday
  1000 Suns (LISTEN)
  You saved my life last night
  One in a million
  Heart attack
  Dream girl
  Its all my fault (LISTEN)
  These are the days
  Fire song
   Please drop by the Dio Jukebox to check out some samples of Rowan's music with AM Radio, Violets Demise and others. HERE

  Working with Jens on Wild One Strange Accident

    Before closing off, Rowan was eager to talk about his past associations with Dio. He shared the fact that he really got on well with Jens Johansson, and that the only strange stories he had of the road, studio and his time in Dio had to do with the frightening accident when Jen's keyboard pyros went awry.

    Rowan also spoke about the mysterious missing tracks from the Lock up the Wolves sessions, indicating that his close friend found them to be his favorite Dio tracks ever. 

Lock Up The Wolves  Hell Wouldn't Take Her and The River Between Us

    I really have to say that Rowan Robertson is one of the nicest people I have ever met from the music industry. He has a real passion for what he does and a kindness toward his fellow man. It is my hope that he will be doing what he so obviously loves to do for the longest time to come.

For all the equipment buffs, this is what Rowan is currently running

What else would you be doing Rowan,  if you weren't a musician?

Rowan in closing

    Rowan Robertson, I thank you for taking the time and effort to bring all the fans up to date on your current happenings. We all thank you for your music over the years, and wish you the best in all you do!

    See you all in 30!

    KEN