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Rick Roberts Interview

Early Exposure: Q1: To put changes in the music industry over the years into perspective, let's talk about how you got your start. I seem to recall hearing a story once, that might have come from Producer Jim Mason, that you were "discovered" during a period when you were "busking" as a street performer? Is that accurate, or how did you initially break in as a music pro? As a follow-up, if the "busking" story is true, do you have any thoughts on how "getting out there" in that way might have been helpful to your development as a performer? Merchandiser?

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¹Jim Mason was the Producer of Poco and Firefall albums in the 1970s, among other. He co-wrote the Peter, Paul, and Mary hit "I Dig Rock-N-Roll Music", produced gold and platinum albums for the band, FireFall, produced albums for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame members Chris Hillman of the Byrds, and Richie Furay, of Buffalo Springfield. Other production credits of Jim's include Poco, the Cate Brothers, Bob Buford, The Rhinestones, Robbin Thompson, and Noel Paul Stookey of Peter, Paul, and Mary, who originated the timeless "Wedding Song (There is Love)".

²Paul A. Rothchild (April 18, 1935 - March 30, 1995) was a prominent American record producer of the late 1960s and 1970s. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Rothchild grew up in Teaneck, New Jersey, and he graduated from Teaneck High School in 1953.

He began his career on the Boston folk scene, recording and releasing recordings by local folk artists. He became a house producer for Jac Holzman's Elektra Records label in 1963; he worked extensively with renowned recording engineers Bruce Botnick, John Haeny, Fritz Richmond and William Gazecki. Rothchild was wired into the LA scene. His house on Lookout Mountain was inhabited by many of the future musical superstars of 60's and 70's. He produced the original song demo of Crosby, Stills, & Nash that landed the group a recording contract (it was actually Crosby, Stills and John Sebastian on the recording, with Sebastian later replaced by Graham Nash). Rothchild originated the concept "LEDO" ( Leadered / Equalized / Dolby / Original). This format insured the final tape would represent Rothchild's sonic vision for future generations.

Rothchild is best known as the producer of the first five albums by The Doors. He did not produce their last LP with Jim Morrison, L.A. Woman, as Rothchild withdrew from the production after disagreeing with the group over the band's musical direction. He also produced LPs and singles by John Sebastian, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Tom Paxton, Fred Neil, Tom Rush, The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, The Lovin' Spoonful, Tim Buckley, Love, Clear Light, Rhinoceros and Janis Joplin, including her final LP Pearl and her only no. 1 single, Me and Bobby McGee.

In the 1970s, he produced The Outlaws' debut album for Arista Records, as well as producing Bonnie Raitt, Elliott Murphy and the soundtrack album for the Bette Midler film The Rose, which was loosely based on the life of Janis Joplin. He also produced the soundtrack to Oliver Stone's film The Doors, about the group and appeared in a small role in the film. In the latter film, he was played by Canadian character actor Michael Wincott.

Rothchild died in 1995 from lung cancer, aged 59.

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©Rick Alan Rice (RAR), October, 2011