Uli Jon Roth: The 1985 “Astral Skies” Interview (Podcast)

A History Lesson and Master Class With the German Guitar Hero

Recorded on March 20 and 21, 1985, these interviews capture the German guitar hero at a transitional moment in his career. Uli Jon Roth had already recorded classic albums with the Scorpions—Fly to the Rainbow, In Trance, Virgin Killer, and Tokyo Tapes among them—as well as two albums with Electric Sun. At the time of our conversations, he had just wrapped up the sessions for his Beyond the Astral Skies solo project. With its orchestrations, choir of voices, unusual guitar parts, and cosmic themes, this LP was markedly different from other 1980s records by major rock guitarists.

Uli was very forthcoming as he delivered a master class for guitar players. Our conversation took place over two days, and both parts are presented in this podcast. A partial transcription was used for my June 1985 article in Guitar Player magazine. I hope you enjoy this unique broadcast.

If you’re into hard rock/heavy metal guitar, be sure to check out my Talking Guitar YouTube channel’s uncut interviews with Eddie Van Halen, Michael Schenker, Angus and Malcolm Young, Steve Vai, Warren DeMartini and Robbin Crosby, Vivian Campbell, Yngwie Malmsteen, Joe Satriani, and others.

Thanks to engineer/producer Nik Hunt for assembling this podcast.

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