The Terri

The Terri's Comet Interview

By Terri Diane Bey (September 12, 2001)

Guitar great Richie Scarlet is known for his work with such legends as Leslie West ( Mountain), Sebastian Bach (ex-Skid Row) and Ace Frehley ( KISS). Known to many as the Emporer of Rock, Richie Scarlet has stamped his trademark style of guitar playing on his three solo CDs, "Wise Guy From New York", "Out of My Past", and his up coming "Insanity Of Life." TERRI'S COMET spoke with the Emporer about his up coming CD , amongst other subjects in the following interview.

TERRI'S COMET: Tell me about your new CD, "The Insanity of Life" ?

RICHIE SCARLET: It is typical for some one to say ,"This is the best thing I've ever done," when they talk about their new movie, book, CD, etc. But in this case I really feel that it is. In my mind it was hard to feel that I could out-do "Wise Guy From New York", but I did I guess. I worked really hard writing this record. It was an absolute labor of love. Of course I want people to like it but it is most important that I like it...and I do. I feel the songs are very strong and the players on it are equally as strong. It should hopefully be out by 11/1/01.

TC: How does your new CD compare to your previous ones ?

RS: I am very proud of "Wise Guy From New York". In the course of time it has become a cult. "Out Of My Past" was a bridge between "Wise Guy" and "Insanity Of Life". It was of the songs that I loved as little kid. I haven't listened to either one in quite a while; I've only concentrated on "Insanity Of Life" as of late.

TC: Will you be singing on "Insanity of Life?"

RS: I sing all ten songs!

TC: What instruments are you playing on "Insanity of LIfe", besides guitar?

RS: Keyboards, dulcimer, and a wee bit of percussion.

TC: I understand Ace Frehley, amongst others ,plays on "Insanity of LIfe". What tracks does he play on and tell about his involvement.

RS: Ace wailed lead guitar on two tracks. We dueled back and forth, like we did on "Shot Full OF Rock" (from the "Trouble Walkin'" album). The tracks are "Johnny's In Love" and "Too Far Gone". Their is nobody that I love playing guitar with more than the Ace. It's the Ultimate Rock n' Roll rush for me.

TC: Please tell of the involvement of your other special guests on "Insanity of Life," such as Leslie West , Anton Fig, etc.

RS: Leslie West is another true American guitar legend who I grew up admiring. I got a lot of my vibratto on guitar from listening to him. "Mississippi Queen" is a true American classic. Of course I have been touring with Mountain on and off throught the years so to have Leslie on it was real thrill. Speaking of thrill, it's always an absolute thrill to have Anton Fig on drums. Anton appears on five tracks. he album also features one of America's greatest rythym sections, Neal Smith (on drums) and Dennis Dunaway (on Bass), on a track called "The Ghost Of Brian Jones". They are from he legendary Alice Cooper Group. Ty Tabor, guitarist for Kings X, does a duel lead with me on a track called "Tin Soldiers". My Rock n' Roll mentor, Ms. Bonnie Parker, appears with her band, Tang, featuring Denny Cult and former Ace drummer, Steve "Budgie" Werner, on the track "Too Far Gone" with the Ace. Other players include: Jeff Waldo, Lenny Lee, Peter Galinari, John Valenti, Michael Ford, Jim Haederle, Frank Carillo, and Norman Del Tufo. All of whom gave a 1000%, no egos, no rock star bullshit. Only pure heart and soul.

TC: You are currently working/touring with Leslie West. How long have you been associated with him?

RS: On and off, since 1991. We toured this past summer all over the States, with the original drummer, Corky Laing, as Mountain. Like I said, Leslie is one of the true American guitar heroes.

TC: I have had the pleasure of seeing you with Sebastian Bach on several occasions. Please tell the fans how you became associated with him.

RS: I first met Sebastian on Headbangers Ball on MTV when Skid Row's first record was released. Then shortly after he came and sang back-up vocals on "Trouble Walkin'". He was being rushed out of the studio by his tour manager, when I asked him to sing back-up for me on "TooYoung To Die". Though being rushed, he insisted on staying and singing with me. I'll never forget him for that. Since then we have had a fruitful relationship of Rock n' Roll.

TC: I now would like to ask you about an early band you were in, The Seducers. How did that band come about? How many records did the band record and are they available anywhere?

RS: The Seducers were during a crazy time in my life. We played mainly on the East coast in New York and Philly. A wild band at a wild time. We did one record called "Hit For Hit". Availability...well they are out out of print, so I imagine they are hard to come by.

TC: Your CD, "Out of My Past" is a great CD and one of my favorites. Why did you cover those particular songs?

RS: These were songs my sister would play when I was a little kid. Mainly British Invasion stuff. I actually cut twenty-nine songs for it, while only fourteen appear. The rest may appear some time in the future on Volume 2. They were mainly garage punk and psychadelic one-hit wonders that I still love dearly all these years later. ps- The song "Talk Talk" (by the Music Machine) is also one of Ace's favorite tunes.

TC: Alot of fans know you are a long time friend and colleague of Ace Frehley's as well as an original member of Frehley's Comet. How did you first meet Ace Frehley? How is your current relationship with Ace?

RS: How I met him? Well that's a book in itself. I've said this before and I'll say it again, I have lived three life times with that man and I am looking foward to the fourth. He is one of my best friends in the world. We are currently writing new tunes together.

TC: Please share with the fans, a funny Ace Frehley road story.

RS: Honestly, there are too many to mention.

TC: After Ace's tenure with KISS is over, will you return to his band?

RS: I certainly hope so. It's in the cards...ha ha!

TC: What are your thoughts on the KISS Farewell Tour?

RS: I can't tell you how proud I was of seeing Ace at Madison Square Garden in 1996. Each show that I have seen, I walked of with a big smile on my face.

TC: What are your future plans?

RS: To promote "Insanity Of Life" and to rock with the Ace.

TC: Is there anything you would like to say to the fans?

RS: Thank you for all of the support throughout the years. It means the world to me.

TC: Thanks again , Richie.

RS: Thank you Terri, and Ace the beagle.

FOR MORE ON RICHIE'S NEW CD [CLICK HERE]

Note: Interview reproduced with the permission of Terri's Comet. Terri's Coment can be found at http://community.webtv.net/Alydace/TERRISCOMET