Off the Record Interviews

The Off the Record Collection contains over 225 unedited recordings of illustrious world-renowned, beloved musicians and executives. These interviews were conducted by Joe Smith, one of the giants in the music business, who had helmed Warner Bros., Elektra and Capitol record labels before doing the interviews.

Smith’s interviewees include:

  1. • 1940s jazz age performers Louis Armstrong, Artie Shaw, and Woody Herman.
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  3. • 1950s rock pioneers Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison and Tony Bennett.
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  5. • 1960s musicians B.B. King, Quincy Jones, Tom Jones and Harry Belafonte.
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  7. • 1970s musicians Bob Dylan, Tina Turner, Paul McCartney, Elton John and David Bowie.
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  9. • Prominent industry figures Al Bennett, Lou Adler, Jerry Wexler and David Geffen.
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The artists Smith spoke to were open and honest and honored to share the details of their careers and rise to fame.

Transcripts and copies of the interviews are available upon request.
 

Click here to see a complete list of Joe Smith's Interviews.

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