Topics: Joe Walsh, James Gang, Goldline Pro, The Fin, phantom power
Synopsis
What comes to mind when you think of Joe Walsh? You probably think of his incredible contribution to rock music through The Eagles and James Gang (and other groups), as well as his solo work. But you probably don’t picture him as a ham radio operator or an electronics expert.
But in this episode, that’s the Joe Walsh you’ll encounter. Bob Heil shares stories from his decades-long friendship with Joe that began with their mutual interest in ham radio. That friendship blossomed into a collaboration that resulted in numerous advances in modern sound, including large diaphragm dynamics, the Fin microphone, and the Heil Goldline Pro, which later became the PR-20.
No matter what your interest or experience level with sound, you’ll be amazed and inspired by Bob’s stories about Joe Walsh and other legends from the pages of rock ‘n’ roll history.
Links & Resources
Topics: Jeff Beck, Grateful Dead, monitors, The Who, ZZ Top
Synopsis
One of the most important, yet most overlooked, parts of a sound system is the monitor setup. Monitors allow the band members to hear themselves and one another in order to give their best performance. In today’s episode, Bob Heil talks about the critical role he played in developing the modern monitor setup and the rock legends who helped make it a reality.
Other gems you’ll discover in this episode include: What does a giant ham radio antenna have to with Jerry Garcia using two vocal mics at the same time while on stage with the Grateful Dead? Also, Bob reveals some secrets behind a couple of Who frontman Roger Daltrey's most famous on-stage moves. Speaking of The Who, you'll find out why Bob duct-taped headphones to Keith Moon's head. You will also hear Bob Heil's top five loudest bands ranked by stage volume.
Join Bob Heil and he shares stories and insights from fifty years of leadership in the modern sound industry.
Links & Resources
Topics: The Grateful Dead, Heil Talk Box, Ham Radio, The Who, Joe Walsh
Synopsis:
If you’ve ever listened to Joe Walsh’s “Rocky Mountain Way” or “Do You Feel Like I Do”” by Peter Frampton, you of course heard of the Heil Talk Box. In addition to building that iconic device, Bob Heil also built touring systems for The Who, Humble Pie, and the Grateful Dead. Bob has a history in concert sound that few can match. He continues to be an innovator by designing and building microphones that are used on concert stages, recording studios, broadcast rooms, and podcasts.
In this introductory episode of "50 Years of Maximum Rock n' Roll," Bob traces the story of his success from his early days as a substitute organist at the Fox Theatre in St. Louis, all the way to the world’s biggest concert stages. You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at how Bob helped shape the music of Joe Walsh, Jerry Garcia, and many other heroes of rock ‘n’ roll.
Prepare to be inspired and entertained by the story of Heil Sound: the company that not only listens to artists, but does something about it.
Links & Resources
The Night That Modern Live Sound Was Born (the historic story of how Bob saved The Grateful Dead’s concert at the Fox Theatre)