Frank Marino

ROCK N ROLL UNIVERSE : MTM MUSIC NEWS. ARTIST, TOUR, AND RELEASE INFORMATION BY MTM MUSIC ARTISTS.

Thank you for taking the time to do this interview with Rock N Roll Universe, can you tell your fans about your upcoming CD release and any upcoming tour plans?

Well, we're planning the release of RealLIVE! within a month or so, and then they want me to go out on the road in the summer and the fall. We should be in America, Canada, and Europe (including the U.K. and Scandinavia) at some time soon. But I'm supposed to do a DVD as well, so we'll see. I suggest that anyone interested should stay tuned to the website, because all info will be posted there first.

Frank Marino, a guitar rock legend, spent some time to share his thoughts on the current music scene, his fans, and his upcoming release "Real Live."

Frank's career in Rock 'N Roll has spanned decades, starting out in the 60's and continuing today. Although his music is not in the "mainstream", if you are looking for guitar driven, hard rock 'n roll, then Frank's music is for you!

Here is what Frank had to say:

Regarding touring: Where is your favorite places to tour and why?

I just love Europe, but mostly because of the different environment. I love the food, the sites, pretty much everything. North America is good too, but I'm so used to it I sometimes don't see it the same way. Japan is another place I very much enjoyed, but it's been a long time since I've been there.

How is touring different today than it was 20 years ago?

It's COMPLETELY different. Different shows, different venues, audiences... the works. Alot smaller for me now than then. But alot more peaceful. Not to mention that there's abolutely NO money in it!

What benefits do you see for utilizing the world wide web and Rock N Roll today?

The Web is good for music. It equalizes the playing field. My thinking about illegal downloading is that the problem can be cured to a great degree if EVERYONE, bands and record companies alike, make available ALL the music in streaming-listening format for free. That way people can hear what they want, just like having a private dedicated radio station. Most downloaders are in front of their computers anyway, so they'd listen that way. If they want to buy a CD, they could buy. If not, they'd still get to hear an MP3 version. I've implemented this on my own site. You can hear everything I've ever done for free, on a sort of Jukebox. You just can't download it. But you can leave the player on all day if you like, and check it all out. No cutouts, no bad quality. Then, if you want, you can buy it or not. If record companies did this, they'd have their own private radio playlist for their own artists. What could be better than that? They didn't mind if radio played their artists before. As a matter of fact, THEY paid to get that publicity. And people could have ALWAYS copied the radio then. I'm sure some smart guy could figure out how to capture my stream and download it, but what would be the point? It's free anyway at the click of a switch, and it takes no room on your own PC.

Okay, we are jumping ahead a few years....................what music do you dread to hear blaring out of your children's room?

Interview by: Sandi
Date: 5/24/04

Probably anything by those girls who do records but look like strippers, you know, the new crop of chick singers with the oversexed attitude who like to show off their private parts. Not only is the music bad, but the influence is particularly distasteful to me.

What are your thoughts on the current music scene?

Well, for the most part, see the answer above. But in the rock scene, I find that there are just not enough new bands who do it for the sake of the music. It's all too much "business". Plus nobody really wants to play their instrument anymore. I mean really PLAY it.

Which album of yours is your favorite, and why?

REALLY hard to say. It changes all the time. But if I had to go to an older one, I'd say... no waitaminnit! I just can't say. I really don't have one that I can say for sure is a favorite.

Which song of yours is your favorite, and why?

REALLY hard to say. It changes all the time. But if I had to go to an older one, I'd say... no waitaminnit! I just can't say. I really don't have one that I can say for sure is a favorite.

When you kick back and listen to tunes, which ones do you frequently play?

I'm still stuck in a time warp. I listen to the Beatles, Hendrix, Quicksilver... all the old 60's stuff. If I go out of the 60's I usually gravitate to smooth jazz. I don't like fusion, but jazz is a different story.

When it is all said and done, how would you like to be remembered?

I'd like to be remembered as a musician who didn't compromise his ideals, both musically and personally. I'd like to be remembered as a person who was honest, fair and just. I'd like to be remembered as a guy anyone could talk to, who didn't give a crap about the music business or money or fame, nor thought that he was better than anyone else just because he played a guitar. I'd like to be remembered as you'd remember any good friend you ever had, no more, no less.

Anything you would like to say to your fans?

Yeah, I'd like to say that although the world would call them my fans, I feel that they ARE my friends.

As a new fan of Frank Marino's music, one of the first stops on the internet was the website and message board started by Willy Parsons. It has grown to be an incredible tribute and information center for Frank Marino's music. Stop by and meet some great people on the message board and/or stop by and join a live chat. On many occasions, Frank joins his fans..........friends, for an evening of conversation. While reading or visiting on the Mahogany Rush site, be sure and listen to Frank's music at the audio MP3 player. Click on logo below to visit Frank Marino and Mahogany Rush Website and message board. Information on his upcoming release will be posted there as well as purchase information!

Frank's Fan's Speak!

When and how did you first hear of Frank Marino?

Smallie: 1983... I was having a beer in a pub when a friend-entered .He had a ticket left for a rockshow in Paradiso; Amsterdam.I had nothing to do and joined him
Mahogany Rush was playing.....Mahogany Who?? Never heard of them, but after the show a new fan was born. What a great band!!! I tried to get some info about the band, that was very hard to find, until W.W showed up with Strange Universe.

Larry: I first heard about Frank from my brother in 1973 I think it was, I know the first songs I heard were from the first Live lp.

Kevin D: I first heard of Mahogany Rush when a friend of mine who works in the album reviewing section of Time & Life magazine came over with a copy of Child of The Novelty album. We put it on our stereo system and started to listen. Now all of us were into guitar oriented bands and when we heard the playing this guy was doing we sat there slack-jawed and in awe. The licks that this new found talents were clean, precise and fast as hell. Being the early 70's the music fit right in with what we loved to do back in those days and that was party and blast loud Rock and Roll.

Holly: I had heard of him in the 70's, but really didn't get to know his music until 1999.

David C: I read an article about him in one of the music papers (1974). I was intrigued at the idea of someone so young playing guitar to such a standard..

Ray B: 1991 and Frank knows the story about his Child of the Novelty album I was going to trade in. I had never heard him play and I was talked out of trading his album in for cash and I took the album home (it was given to me 20 years earlier) and played it and was hooked instantly.

Sheila: I first heard Frank Marino on the local radio in 1973..the song was..A New Rock and Roll..And I fell in love right then.

Wild Willy: 1975, we ditched school, got high and listened to records. Strange Universe found it's way on the turntable and I was blown away. Been a fan ever since.

Don H: I believe it was 1978 when a few friends and myself decided to make the one hour trip to Columbus Georgia to see a band who was very popular especially in the south, called Mothers Finest. Well Humble Pie was on the bill as well as a band called Angel (which Frank had to remind me of later). Our mood was playful and exuberant. I mention our mood because when another band appeared called Frank Marino & Mahogany Rush (or perhaps just Mahogany Rush), our mood was altered. I remember our mouths dropped and we stood still in awe of what we are hearing. I distinctly remember us looking at each other and saying, "Who is this guy?� So began a love affair with Franks music that has lasted for over 25 years now and is still going strong.

Rick Ray: Back around the time of 'Child Of The Novelty', I heard him on WMMS 101 FM (back when that station played good music), they played the title cut and 'New Rock n Roll' and I was hooked.

JaminJim. In 1974, we were over at a friends of my brother�s. Doing some partying, to the extreme, lol. This guy puts on Child Of The Novelty and I was totally blown away by the fullness of the music. I was a big time Sabbath, Purple, Zep fan then. But Mahogany Rush covered all the bases. I kept on playing that record all day there. I?m famous for taking over the music at parties, lol. First time I sat down at the Internet, I typed in Mahogany Rush and it sent me to 1. http://www.mahoganyrush.com where I met some pretty great people.

So what sets his brand of music apart from so many others?

Larry: Frank blends jazz, rock and blues, and intermixes them, also his lyrics and ability to play super fast and super clean.

Smallie: The feel and what I think is the right attitude to music. You do it because you enjoy it and for no other reason..

Kevin D: I would have to say the overall musicianship that is on all of Franks releases. He is able to move from one style of playing to another with such finesse and fluidity. Also his lyrics tend to say something besides the usual dribble that one hears on the radio or stereo.

David C: I would say it's the Eastern side of his heritage.

Ray B: Nobody plays with the passion and intensity as Frank Marino.

Rick Ray: It's everything about him, first his guitar of course. Next his songwriting skills are phenomenal, a step above most and on par with the Beatles. After that his over all sound, his excellent vocals, his lyrical content. I rank Frank Marino in the music world as about the best there is.

Holly: There�s something that keeps you coming back for more......the energy maybe? It's dynamic...

JaminJim: The combination of style�s that he can go to in the wink of an eye. You never get bored listening to his music. I want to hear guts in the music I listen to. I also have to hear some quality and taste.

Sheila: Frank's music is very versatile and holds up with the passing of time. And he plays with so much feeling.

Wild Willy: The feeling that the listener gets that this music goes way beyond just the normal song recipes.

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