Kelly Kelling




1. When did your music career start and who's been your biggest inspiration of all time in becoming a singer?

Baptist choir around 9 years old, then,, i was around 16 - 17 i saw others making a living at it, and went for it. My influences then were the beatles and their solo careers. Kiss for a small time during MArdi Gras in Louisiana, where my friends were dressing up like them, I actually really loved Kiss ALive,..then Blood Sweat N Tears and Beethoven. I learned some of the songs by ear on the piano we had in the house and my Dad Gayle w Keeling was a big influence on me. Joni Mitchel, Ian Gillan, Jesus Christ Superstar I remember was on the record player often I was in the BAptist choir when i was a kid too that had something to do with it also. Watching the piano players at church was exciting, I wanted to play like that and had Beetoven on LPs at home to listen to over and over. The players I noticed played the same patterns and i picked it up early on. I was fascinated by the piano, still am


2. When it comes to write lyrics where do you then get the inspiration from, is it from everyday life doing or personal experiences you get the ideas?

Every day life, My diary? I tend to have a very challenging life. When I go through these periods of high emotion and not anyone to really turn to I write. Now is one of those times


3. You are currently on tour together with George Lynch at this time. How's the tour going so far and how's the crowd's reaction towards the new Lynch album that you are also featured on?

It 's going great. George is one of the best gutarists I have ever heard. Live -he is a monster. I believe he has never been captured As I have heard him on stage. The best time was when we were out for a six week tour, we had roughly 2 days off and it was then when the band and he were delerious that the genius started happening. The crowd reaction has been really great. We are currently writing songs for a new concept album. MAny ideas we have noticed from some great producers and artists happening in Britain and America





4. As mentioned before you are singing on the new Lynch album. The album being an all cover album, was it then easy to step in and sing the songs and do tell us a little about the songs featured on the cover album?

It was done within a few days so I just listened to the song and usually read the lyrics. It's not our best material , may be our worst, and is just a slight touch of what we are about. It was before the tour, SO , so much has happened since then. It was a means to get together. We have much better material to meet, a bigger more interesting audio- visual to convey and portray. At least that is the goal. And it has been met by many of the newer bands, Muse, Scott Weilands ideas & music, Velvet Revolver, MAtt Kramers newest material, JAson Bieler as well, The new Foreigner songs and ideas are great. I really like the progressive aggressive bands in Great Britain at the moment. Muse just  blew my head off at a show a few nights ago, Keane and Coldplay I like a lot as well. Sorry i got off the subject, I guess I wasn't finished with one of the questions before


5. Being a busy man as you are you are also involved with the new MSG album which you have provided 3 songs, one of which you will sing. Tell us about these 3 songs and you involvement with MSG, as it's not the first time you work together with Michael  S.?

First of All I appreciate the genius of Michael Schenker. This is a lure as is the Krsna temple with is vegetarian food. I was asked to do this album Just as the first days of rehearsal were happening for the lynch tour. Michaels management would not take no for an answer, as it ended up I had only 2 hrs or so rehearsal with Lynch and the  band before i went out again with them, But originally Michael wanted me to write for Graham, Gary Barden and Myself. So I did three songs and picked the one i wanted for myself. I am not too sure of the one I wrote for Gary. I hope Leif Sundin re writes it for himself/.  It is very odd music to write over. IF it's up to me it will be an instrumental. And as it turns out Gary is not doing the album at this time, Lief I hope,-- Does it. He's a great singer. Hopefully he will  write his own bit. I Quite enjoyed Gary Bardens vocals in earlly MSG and always thought, hmm,, why is it the guitarists name...Michael Schenker Group.?  I was maybe 15 - 16 at the time, and the album had been out for a while so I didn't get it yet - who he was. I always thought it was the singer who got the banner,,. as in America it is always this way still





6. Your own solo album has been in the can for quite a while now, when will it be given a release date?

MARCH 23 2005

and has a title for the album been given yet ?

KELLY WAYNE KEELING
GIVING SIGHT TO THE EYE

and where around the world will it be out? by whom?

MASCOT RECORDS wordwide

and what style are we looking at with this new recording?

Well all from Modern Hard rock, to Blues, to Classical. Kerry Livgren from Kansas guests as does Carmine and Vinnie Appice, Mitch Perry, Chuck Wright ( one of the best basssist in the business) Tony Franklin ( also Great, John Norum, I play almost everything on the album but have a few guests, Roger Daltry and Denny LAine also guest on one song, Roger from the Who of Course and Denny Laine from Paul MccArtney n Wings


7. Could you tell us what each song is about?

That would take me all week.. if you go to Lyrics on my managements web site at kellykeeling.com you will find all lyrics to songs.


8. You are not allowed to call yourself a solo artist before in 2006, why is that and that means that your solo project are to be a band named effort. What moniker have the band chosen to go under?

this is up to my label. As far as a band., I have yet been so busy with Lynch,... and now with a band I will spend some time with - late mArch - in New York. Afraid my band will be put on hold till probably about right on schedule for my label. They know what they are doing. Sorry if it sounds like i speak in riddles.


9. As the last thing you did, as far as I remember, (maybe because of bad memory), as you did in related line to the melodic hard rock genre you were involved with MSG live, Heaven & Earth & Baton Rouge (1997). Do you think that this long staying away from the lime light will be a challenge to have people bringing their focus back to you, now that you are returning as a solo artist?

I hope to be a new artist, not attached to my past. Heaven and Earth was agitated and irrigated by a Deep Purple enthusiast Like myself. Arlen and the band were Great, I enjoy the memories, But as far as making an original mark like some one such as Radio head N Pink Floyd,, We would have been ok by the second album with KEith Emerson , but Ego's didn't allow. There are nice demos from the second album with Kieth that are quite staggering


10. The one million dollar question, do you ever see yourself doing any Baton Rouge reunion ever again?

NO, I don't see why

and have their been any feelers out on you if you would be interested in doing that from any record label with Jack Ponti?

There have been offers but I have been too busy I also suggested the band do it without me. Jack is interested in Karate and many other things. I'm doing Live N LEt die with 4o piece orchestra next week for a  JAmes Bond event so there's your answer.. If JAck or the band asked me I might do it but the companies always ask me and My memories are not so fond of those days. I was very young and didn't care much for the style of music the record company insisted we become after 4 years together to reach that point. I was the guitarist, keyboardist, backup vocalist in those days-  until Mike Clink ( guns n roses producer) insisted Lance and I exchange roles. Very challenging time, But I geuss it made me who i am today.. there is your baton rouge story.





11. What' does the future hold for Kelly Keeling as an artist are there any other new projects beside the mentioned once, that you are involved with?

I cannot say of a few because of contactual obligations. Orchestra / Piano a mic and 12 string are one,,.I am painting, and writing a book with the help of *********** a known Biographer. My life has been a long trip. IT will be nice when I go into High gear then to a screeching halt. I am in progress of this now. Then off to the island for a year or few to produce and write classical music with Levon - a collaborator. Some of these songs are done now. But i have 2 albums yet to do for my label and and 2 tours,,Lynch, Dokken, who are talking about a reunion,,.. LAna Lane, Erik Norlander, Amsterdam,,Russia,  jeez.. I hope I make it home - gimme a break!


12. Any last words for the fans/people out there here in the end?

NEVER GIVE UP, KEEP THE FAITH, DON'T EAT ANIMALS, Injest WHEATGRASS JUICE and CARROT JUICE- Brn rice- , Learn Why-  and become CHRIST CONCIOUS. BE kind to one another. End war. Change the world even if it's within your own household or neighborhood. Study the lives of Jesus Christ & Sri Krishna Look out for my album, It may make you feel better. I hope so. God Bless, One God, Conciousness to YOU

lovelove
Hallelujah

Kelly W Keeling