Interview with Greg Smith on Eternal Terror Webzine



Jens Nepper did an interview with Greg Smith for Eternal Terror Webzine recently: "The list of bands and artists that bassist Greg Smith has toured and/or recorded with is not only long, but also utterly amazing. Everything from the epic "Stranger in Us All" album by Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow to "Dragontown" by Alice Cooper and further on to "Motor City Mayhem" by Ted Nugent and "Holy Man" by Joe Lynn Turner. Greg has also toured and performed with Billy Joel, Over the Rainbow, Vinnie Moore, Dokken, Blue Oyster Cult, Wendy O. Williams, and other notable acts."

Here are some excerpts of this interview:

"Stranger in Us All" by Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow happens to be one of my all-time favorite albums. How do you feel about that album nowadays? Do you think it has stood the test of time well?

Thanks. I'm glad it's one of your favorites! I certainly do think it's stood the test of time. I think back fondly of the time doing pre-production and of the actual recording. It was the last time I did an album "old school", meaning everyone together in the studio hashing out the tunes from beginning to end then recording it. I was in the studio from January 1995 to April 1995. Ritchie was mostly a pleasure to be around as were the rest of the band. We had many laughs, drank much wine and beer, and became very close. Doogie recently gave me some audio tapes of some of the jamming we did at the studio as well as a recording of the first time I came down to play with the band in September1994. Priceless stuff!

Do you have fond memories of your time as a member of Rainbow? How do you look back on your time with that band? I have always felt that the line-up that you were part of was underrated. The album was strong and you were a great live act as evidenced by the "Black Masquerade" live release.

Thanks again. I have nothing but the fondest of memories as a member of Rainbow. Rainbow was one of my favorite bands growing up so it was kind of surreal to end up playing in the band. I agree we were underrated but as time goes by I think we're getting a little more appreciation from the die-hard Rainbow fans as the 1994 - 1997 Rainbow was a heavier version and paid homage to the original Rainbow.

Did you by any chance catch Rainbow live in the US back in the 70s or early 80s? Any memories that you would like to share with us?

I saw Rainbow in 1980 in Long Island at Calderone Concert Hall. The Scorpions opened. I remember going to the Record World store in the afternoon to get my album signed by Graham Bonnet, Don Airey, and Roger Glover. I played with Graham in 2010 and told him I was one of the "little punks" standing in line for a signature that day. He asked, "Was I nice?" I told him indeed he was and still is a very nice man.

To read the full interview with more questions on Rainbow, Over the Rainbow and Joe Lynn Turner and much more: click here

thanks to: Jens Nepper (Eternal Terror Webzine)





Ted Nugent "Ultralive Ballisticrock" 2CD & DVD with Greg Smith on bass


The legendary Motor City Mad Man, Ted Nugent rode through the USA on the "I Still Believe Tour" and in this amazing show, Ted conjured up an evening of rock 'n roll magic and emotions, pulsating with the American pride he has come to be known for. With a lineup featuring Derek St. Holmes, the original vocalist & rhythm guitarist for the Ted Nugent Band from the 70s, plus Greg Smith (ex-Rainbow) on bass and Dokken s Mick Brown on drums, Nugent is in classic "Uncle Ted" form on this new live release. This man has a rock n roll soul like no other.

Nugent is pure Detroit Rock N Roll dynamite, infused with a bit of Motown & blues. His guitar playing is superb and mind blowing. The man is a mad talent, no doubt and Ultralive Ballisticrock proves this beyond a shadow of a doubt. This special deluxe edition includes 2 CDs and a DVD, both showcasing this incredible live performance.

Tracklisting:

CD1: Free For All; Stormtroopin; Wango Tango; Just What The Doctor Ordered; Wang Dang Sweet Poontang; Need You Bad; Turn It Up; Raw Dogs & War Hogs; Dog Eat Dog.

CD2: Hey Baby; Fred Bear; I Still Believe; Motorcity Madhouse; Cat Scratch Fever; Stranglehold; Great White Buffalo

DVD (Blu-Ray): same as 2CD plus bonus features:
- "Spirit of the Wild"
- "The Making of Ultralive Ballisticrock"

Release date is October 18 for Europe and October 22 for the USA by Frontiers Records.








Greg Smith will be out on the road with Ted Nugent this summer


Greg Smith reports on his MySpace: Got some real cool stuff goin on in the near future...

Tues. March 11th.. For Classic Album night at Arlenes Grocery in NYC. 1 time only!! The ENTIRE BURN album by Deep Purple! I get to be Glenn Hughes for the night.. Doing it with my ex-Rainbow bandmate Paul Morris on Keys! Jimmy Kunes on Vocs (Cactus, Savoy Brown) and Angus Clark on GTR (Trans Siberian Orchestra)

March 14th & 15th.. Playing with friends Almost Queen in Long Island, and San Diego! These guys kill..

April 5th.. Playing with Dokken in Las Vegas.. Don't know the venue yet.. Will keep you posted!

Apr 26th.. Tommy James in Cincinatti..

May 3rd - 4th.. Alan Parsons Project in Korea.. Never been.. Mebbe I can visit the factory my Santa Fe was built!

June - Sept.. Out with Uncle Ted!! No Dates as of yet but I've been asked to keep this time frame open..






Greg Smith joins Joe Lynn Turner for US & European Live Dates


Greg Smith tells on MySpace: Hope everyone is well! Ted Nugent summer tour and subsequent Dokken gigs went REALLY well! Good to be home & I am doing a coupla local shows with Joe Lynn Turner as a "warm up" for our quick run in Spain and Germany. Rehearsed yesterday and Band is killing!

The line-up for Joe Lynn Turner's band is: Joe Lynn Turner (vocals), Greg Smith (Bass / Backing Vocals), Mike Sorrentino (Drums), Carmine Giglio (Keyboards) and Karl Cochran (Guitar / Backing Vocals).

Tourdates:

Sept 14: Dingbats Clifton, NJ USA
Sept 20: Crazy Donkey Farmingdale, NY USA
Sept 26: Madrid Heineken, Spain
Sept 28: Barcelona Luz De Gas, Spain
Sept 30: Ludwigsburg (near Stuttgart) United Forces Of Rock III Festival, Germany