Dick Wagner has a celebrated history as a guitar player and songwriter that has earned him 14 Platinum Records, 16 Gold Records, 5 Silver Records and numerose BMI Songwriter Awards. Join us for this one on one interview here on Inkless Magazine.
(I.M.) From a young age you had a desire to play music, can you describe what influenced you to play guitar?
I was fortunate, my dad and my uncles played throughout my life. I gained interest at the age of 10, but at that point I was scared I would break the guitar. I did not get the courage to actually start playing until I was 17.
(I.M.) As a teenager, you must have been ecstatic to work with acts like, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, and Little Richard, what was that like for you, and how did you get hired for such acts?
It was eye opening, the intensity was really high. I had friends in radio and t.v who helped me get those gigs. I was honored to meet the talent needs of such artists.
(I.M.) Since you took the stage you have played for some heavy hitters in music. Does the magical feeling of both writing a song, and performing ever go away?
NO! I gained my confidence to handle these jobs one by one, the professional aspect helped me settle in and keep the passion alive show after show. I loved playing for my family, so they became my anchor. I had a natural talent, I practiced 10 hours a day as a young kid, and the dedication paid off. My hard work opened the door for accelerated success. I was always accepted as a musician, and worked hard to keep it that way.
(I.M.) You have played with, as well as written and composed for so many talented musicians including Alice Cooper, Lou Reed, Ted Nugent, Aerosmith, Kiss, Etc; is there any particular one that you enjoyed working with the most?
Out of all the big guys, Alice cooper was my favorite, we had a compatible way to work together. We did not push too hard, we allowed our respect for each others talents to come together naturally. We are very compatible in the studio.
(I.M) As a songwriter and lead guitarist you have made a large impact on Rock Music, what would you say your greater influences have been?
I think that BB King was the first guitarist who inspired me, his work allowed me to understand string bending. Artists like John Williams introduced me to classicle playing while Wes Montgomery triggered my interest in Jazz techniques. I also accredit talents such as Ched Attkins for the rock n roll edge, and Link Wray fueled my love of power chords.
(I.M.) Have you ever been shorted out of your credits with other past projects; if so what project and, with who?
I did not get credit for the Aerosmith Get Your Wings album, I played guitar in the studio for that album. I also did not get credit for the Kiss Destroyer Album, I Played guitar on the tracks like Beth, and Sweet Pain for the studio recording.
(I.M.) You have seen music distribution go from vinyl, to 8 track, to cassette tape, to CD, and now MP3. What is your take on that progression, and how do you feel it affects sales today?
The promotional and distribution values have increased, but kids need to be aware of how this leads to stealing, music is a form of financial living that can not work when you loose money through theft like illegal downloads.
(I.M.) As a massive heart attack survivor, and a man with a great passion for music; do you still perform or work with other musicians currently?
Im always working with some one, but I do not play any more. I was paralyzed in the left arm from my stroke, and I am currently trying to rehabilitate it to perform a few shows in 2010. I am working with a new kid from Nashville, Adam Smith and other artists as a Producer . I am developing a film project with Vicky Blue from the RunAways. Vicky and I are great friends, she moved in to film production, and we are working to release a motion picture film titled El Guitarrista along with a new album simultaneously.
Visit http://www.wagnermusic.com
http://www.desertdreamsproductions llc.com
Dick, I never knew you played with KISS, that had to have been a good studio jam!!
Respectfully…
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Perfect guy to interview….
What a gem
It’s such a shame more people don’t know about this site.
Thanks for a great post and interesting comments.
I have a few of Mr. Wagners albums on vinyl, I have always enjoyed his work…
Interesting article, I did not know that Dick Wagner plated with Kiss-you learn something new everyday!!!
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