When Paul Stephenson was made redundant from his radio producer’s job he headed to the pub to speak to some famous rock stars.
There he has heard and shared stories about the likes of The Beatles, The Who, Dire Straits and Big Country without leaving his garden.
Mr Stephenson produces and presents a free weekly podcast from a makeshift studio in the lockdown pub he created in his shed in Geddes, near Nairn.
The classic rock fan said the broadcasts, which have featured video interviews with some big names including musicians who have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, has become a labour of love.
He said: “I was thinking ‘I have the equipment and I have time on my hands, why don’t I make my own podcasts?’
“I started contacting agents and, with a bit of perseverance, I got the first one over the line. Others started to roll in after that.”
The first Vintage Rock Pod featured legendary drummer Kenney Jones, of the Small Faces, Faces and The Who.
He shared stories of being in the Small Faces as a teenager, bringing in Rod Stewart to the Faces and spending the night with Keith Moon just hours before he died.
Jones later replaced his best friend in The Who for a spell and also provided early drumming lessons for a later band member, Zac Starkey, son of Ringo Starr.
“Kenney was fantastic, we chatted for nearly an hour and he was very accommodating and a great storyteller”, said Mr Stephenson, who has posted the full interview on YouTube.
Since then others to have “visited” Mr Stephenson’s shed include John Illsley, bassist and founder member of Dire Straits, who discussed the band’s huge hits including Money for Nothing, featuring an unexpected vocal from Sting who visited the studio while on holiday in Montserrat.
Songwriter Mitch Murray, whose records have sold more than half a billion copies, spoke about writing How Do You Do It for The Beatles, but gave the song to Gerry and the Pacemakers who scored their first chart-topper with it.
The band then had another hit with Murray’s song I Like It, having overlooked an alternative offering from John Lennon.
Other interviewees include Colin Blunstone, from The Zombies, Big Country’s Bruce Watson and Hugh Cornwell from The Stranglers.
Mr Stephenson also produced a special podcast following the death of Eddie Van Halen and his future wish list includes an interview with members of The Damned – who have announced they have reformed.
He added: “It’s all voluntary, it takes a lot of time but it’s a labour of love. I do this for fun at the moment but, fingers crossed, it does no harm showing some initiative and hopefully it could lead to something.”
The series is available on the usual podcast platforms and on social media.
