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Interview with KENNY LAGUNA
from: centralcoastteens.com
CCTeens: Kenny, Welcome back to the Mid State Fair. What are the highlights for you and Joan since you were here last year?
KENNY LAGUNA: Well, we rode the Howard Dean campaign from oblivion to the top of the heap, back to oblivion. That's one of the things we did. We went and did some stuff with the troops which we always do and we were at the Democratic Convention, we do what we can to save America. Either we go to the troops and cheer them up or we try to get rid of the guys who keep sending them everywhere.
CCTeens: Do you think the media treated Howard Dean fairly?
Kenny: No. We were on stage with him when he gave that speech, and the crowd was so animated, and screaming and hysterical, chanting "DEAN, DEAN, DEAN". In that context the speech was totally appropriate. When you strip away the crowd noise, it makes him look like an idiot, and now, people like Chris Mathews, and others who are apologizing and feeling that they killed a good candidate with their nonsense. I think that all the candidates can look very foolish when they try to make them look foolish.
CCTeens: What are your thoughts on John Kerry?
Kenny: He's a good man. I think his hearts in the right place, I don't think he's smooth, I think America's looking for a Game Show Host. We used to want Presidents, then we wanted Newscasters, then we wanted Talk Show Hosts, and now we're down to Game Show Hosts, and he's not a good game show host. I think John Kerry is a true Patriot, I think that it's outrageous that they try to demean his service, anybody that can spend a weekend in a war zone has done a lot, he did a lot, and he did two tours of duty there. The man's just a superhero. He's privileged, he didn't have to go. Being in combat is a true test of your mettle, that's just one thing. I know that these other things that he wants are really good to, he'll take care of the little people a lot more. I don't really understand why they use being a Liberal as a way to criticize somebody, cause if Liberal means taking care of people and worrying about rights and not picking on people just because they're gay, or because they're black, then I wanna be a Liberal. I'm always in war zones, but I don't see anything wrong with being a Liberal. I think Kerry's not only a good man, he's a great man, and he's really smart, he's been a winner his whole life, and the other guy's been a loser his whole life. So when you have to make a choice, they complain about Kerry's Senate Record, George Bush has the nerve to complain about Senate records? George Bush failed in every business and he traded Sammy Sosa. George Bush was a drunk. George Bush took cocaine, and he's criticizing John Kerry? Such hypocrisy. It's outrageous, they criticize John Kerry's career, all the right wingers say he hasn't done anything since Vietnam; well George Bush never did anything. With his experience they wouldn't let him run a food store if his father didn't own it.
CCTeens: Your first meeting with Joan has said to be in 1979, 25 years ago, what was your first impression of her?
Kenny: I thought she was pretty cool, she wore a black leather jacket, she had attitude, she knew what she wanted, and she didn't let me push her around, really talented. I was in love with her the first day, I thought she was unbelievable.
CCTeens: Of all the years with Joan & The BLACKHEARTS, what are some of your fondest memories, live & in the studio over the years?
Kenny: Shea Stadium comes to mind. Afghanistan, New Years Eve 2001, that was just me and Joan. We were in the middle of a war singing our songs. Guys were going at it in battle; coming back all mucked up while we were still on, it was unbelievable, that was a good one. I think the Dean campaigns gonna be up there, that was pretty intense. Being the first Americans into East Germany, that was pretty hip. Joan singing the National Anthem when Cal Ripken Jr. tied Lou Gehrig's record & I was hanging out with President Clinton, Gore, Joe Dimaggio, Frank Robinson, Willie Mays, that was a big one, those are the ones that come to mind right now.
CCTeens: You mentioned being over in the War Zones seeing everything first hand, most people will never experience that, can you describe that?
Kenny: One of the biggest problems I see that the troops have to deal with are the conditions, there's so much dust and disgust, and the places we go to usually are really rough terrain. Afghanistan is nothing but dust, very little growth where we were, on the border of Pakistan there. There's dust in your face, in your food, in your eyes, in your computers. There's no place to go to the bathroom, sometimes you get in there there's no place to shower, it's absolutely gross, everything is gross. Then, you have to deal with the danger. When these people say they support our troops and don't do anything, they put a flag on their SUV and head to the mall, and they think that's supporting the troops. It's just really, really tough, and to do it a year at a time is unbelievable. We did 22 days in 2001 and it seemed like a lifetime, so when these guys have to do it for 14 or 15 months, it's beyond anyone who never went, capacity to understand. And that's without the danger, that's a whole other thing. The guys are trained for that, most of these guys are really brave and they want to fight for their country, but it's what goes along with it, all the boredom, boredom, boredom, and then those moments of terror when they have to deal with combat. So it's really rough and we shouldn't be sending them there capriciously.
CCTeens: Let's get to the new music, when can fans expect to pick up the new CD "Naked" in the US?
Kenny: Within 2 months we hope, we're close to a deal now, we're in negotiations with Artemis Records.
CCTeens: The fans really want to get Naked!
Kenny: Me too! (Laughs)
CCTeens: What was it like working with Ted Templeman?
Kenny: Teddy was cool! He's a right wing lunatic, carries a gun. We didn't talk politic to often (laughs) & when we did it was interesting, Teddy is a talented guy and it was nice working with a legend.
CCTeens: Highlights for you, favorite songs off the CD?
Kenny: Well, one of my favorites is "Science Fiction", Joan hates it, she got tired of it. I like "Bad Time" and "Naked", those are my favorites.
CCTeens: Throughout your years in the industry, what would you say are the moments when you said to yourself "I've made it."
Kenny: When "I Love Rock n Roll" became a hit, then we put out the second record, "Crimson And Clover", and I can remember playing that song, like at Shea Stadium or any of the arena's around the country, because I had done it with Tommy James, when he had the hit, that was pretty intense, I always felt a particular connection with the universe to have had that particular experience, it's kind of a cerebral song, those were pretty intense, that gets me out of my body. Playing with The Who in Orlando was good, they really became our friends, they were really paying us well, but we were doing it just to hang out with The Who and do a show with them. The Beach Boys singing our "Good Music" was a big, big moment. All the Beach Boys were there, its really hard to get them in a room together, because they weren't really getting along, but they came for Joan. Darlene Love was there, who sang on their records, that was just unbelievable.
CCTeens: Is there any way to describe the feeling when you're up on stage?
Kenny: Not really, it's like a massive masturbation, its fantastic, and you communicate with people, it's a blessing to be able to do it, so I'm back on the stage now after like being off for a while, it's awesome, and Joan and I are playing the songs that we created, and get paid for it! It's a dream, and I like it best when we're playing for troops overseas, to me, right now, that is the thing with my shows, because at least I feel like somehow we're taking this small contribution, and it's not a big deal, because we're just entertainers and we're not important like John Kerry, so to be able to entertain the troops a little bit makes you feel like you did something. They're the most appreciative audience in the world.
CCTeens: Working with your wife Meryl through the years must be incredibly rewarding, and now your daughter has done some artwork for the new CD.
Kenny:She designed the package, she's got her mothers talent with that, and she's really good. She's not gonna do it though, she wants to be a healer, she's studying holistic medicine, she doesn't really want to like, ride in my path. She wants to have her own path, so that's what she's doing.
CCTeens: It's amazing Joan and yourself were able to start your own label, what advice would you give to young musicians starting out in the business?
Kenny: Go to law school (everybody laughs), learn to buy art, not make art. Other than that, I don't know, I couldn't start today, if I had to start today, I'd shoot myself, it's a crowded field, everybody can do it in their home. One of my blessings was that I lived in New York City, and New York controlled the record business, so I was able to get my foot in the door. Joanie grew up in L.A. and that gave her an edge, it's a tough game out there, but the thing is, if you do believe in it, I suggest just play live. If you can just develop an audience then you can be in shape, and if you're going to be successful, it means to make a living being yourself doing the music. It doesn't mean you have to be a big star, you don't have to have a hit record, you just have to be able to make a living at what you're doing, and I think that should be their focus. Once you've learned to make a living so you don't have to have a second job or a day job, then you can worry about whether or not you become famous.
CCTeens: You are no stranger to touring, what keeps it fresh for you, night after night on stage?
Kenny: I don't know how Joan and I do it, but it's always fresh, we love it, we love our hits, we love the new songs, we get off on it, and that hour is really a rush every single night, and I couldn't tell you what makes it happen, except that I think we have pretty cool songs.
CCTeens: Strangest thing that's happened to you on stage?
Kenny: It's hard to say just off the top of my head, but I'd say Chuck Berry coming out and announcing us and then standing by me while I sang through the show in St Louis, and then we went to his place, Berry Park or whatever he calls it, you know that place, that crazy place (laughs), and we hung out with him for a couple of days. So Chuck Berry showing up was pretty intense, and him doing it on his own initiative. Actually, the Loverboy guys almost kicked him out, somebody said "You know, they just kicked Chuck Berry out", so I ran like a banshee and I was so out of breath, and I stopped him and he says, "Nah, its cool man, I'll just go home", and I said, "No! I'm begging you Chuck!", so he ended up introducing us by saying "Lets hear it for St. Louis! Let's hear it for Rock n Roll! Let's hear it for JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS!" I remember like it was yesterday, that's what he said, and he brought her on stage, and he stood by me while I sang my stupid parts! (Big Grin)
CCTeens: Any final words for your fans on the Central Coast and beyond?
Kenny: Vote for John Kerry. Look for our new record, and conserve energy. Don't use those SUV's! Shut the light off!
Central Coast teens would like to thank KENNY LAGUNA and Julie Rader for all their hospitality and for being such class acts.
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