1984, I was back in Dayton Ohio (19 years old) and Talas was appearing at a bar called McGuffy's. My bassist, friend, had just turned me on to them about a month prior so we were really excited. Turned out that the layout of the stage put the sound board where people would have to step over the cables to reach the bathroom and the band was having none of that. They decided not to play, but during the negotiating Billy sat down with me and my friend. We drank Heineken and discussed bassist worship. My buddy asked about how he felt about Jaco Pastorious (sp?) & Jack Bruce. At the time, Billy claimed that he wasn't really into them, didn't have the same 'envy' , for lack of a better term. Then, we're in California, and the Guitar Player magazine with Billy and Jack back to back on the cover. My friend said "didn't he say he was not really into Cream, or Bruce back in Ohio?" ... totally the opposite, I believe even mentioned Jaco too in the article. ... anyway, before that happened, I did finally get to see Talas in Sacramento open for Ingwie Malmstein. That was awesome, and that was a great group. I still have an album or 2 of Talas. Mr Big was great live, as of course was David Lee Roth which I saw in San Francisco. Billy is the Jimi Hendrix of the bass. Period.
The Dude From experience, I know that depending on artists to be available for interviews isn't very predictable, so list videos and other types of commentary are used to keep fresh content always being uploaded. If you like rock music, you'd probably dig our videos, especially our Bus Invaders series. :)
+Digital Tour Bus you bet!! the conversations are always nice to hear.. very relaxed talks. the "wikipedia questions" are nice because they go deeper in the bio of the interviewed..
He is. I met him in a music store in Uppsala, Sweden, back in the 90s. He was doing a demonstration of his gear. And he was very generous with his time and we had a chat after the show. And he even let me try his bass.
+Retro Game Lounge the minute he said Scientology i wanted to hate him, but then again, cant disrespect the fact that he's a great bassist, and its his personal beliefs
Exactly my thoughts. As much as I think Scientology is nothing more than a glorified cult that brainwashes its followers and steals their money, I have to give Billy credit for not pushing that crap on anyone else. I still wish he would get out of that cult and stop handing his hard-earned money over to that greedy power-tripping bastard David Miscavige, but I'm sure they probably dug up some dirt on him when he was audited, so he has to keep his mouth shut if he doesn't want his career ruined. It's all about power and control over its followers. That's why I feel so bad for Billy for getting suckered into that nonsense. For such a reasonably intelligent guy, why would he fall for such horseshit?
Say what you will about scientology, but his world view and the way he handles himself in every interview, he seems like a really nice guy. He seems as humble as it gets.
OklahomaSwagMaster I agree with that part. It doesn't make him a bad person -- just a misguided sheep. One that's sweet and talented as fuck no less :)
You know, Billy believed in Scientology enough to give answers to people at an anti Scientology event. That takes some balls. Btw - I do not believe in Scientology but I do believe in others rights to believe in whatever.
They worship an alien they call Zenu, they structure their lives around something resembling midi-chlorians from star wars, and they believe they'll become gods of their own planets when they die
@@unklebill plus they have to PAY for each bit of “knowledge” revealed to them. You can only have a shot at getting to the “top” after spending hundreds of thousands of dollars. Banned / treated as organized crime in some foreign countries.
Billy used to live in Moorpark, down the street from the Grove School of Music when it was located on Ventura Blvd and occasionally he would come into the school. Nice guy. Used to see him at Ralph's all the time buying groceries in the late 80s.
Known Billy for 40+ years not like we're close just a person like u or me when it comes to music tho have to check out because there is so much professionalism there whew. But he doesn't talk above your head he's just a real guy. Great interview Billy
I love him for his music/bass playing, don't care about his personal beliefs. As long someone is not imposing his beliefs/being an a-hole about his/her personal thoughts, why should anyone have a problem with that person? Yes Scientology is toxic, but as a musician and fan, religion and music are completely disjoint in my head.
+saatwikkatiha I agree, except scientology IS hurting people. Just google some stuff. They are engaged in slave labor, including young children, human trafficking, forced abortion, all kinds of harmful BS. They do this while exploiting the 1st Amendment, our court system and your tax dollars.
I have read and researched extensively about Scientology and, truth be told, I wish that Billy wasn't a follower and managed to wake up to all the devilish activities Scientology is involved in. That said, I still don't see it as a reason to ignore his great music.
You don't have to ignore his music and I am not asking you to. However, you can make your voice heard by telling him you will not support him financially via buying his music or seeing his shows. Same for Beck, Chick Corea, Tom Cruise, Travoltra, Elizabeth Moss, Laura Pepron, etc, etc.
Not only a fantastic bassist, and going by other commenters a super nice guy, but very diplomatic. It'd be very easy to badmouth and blame people but he takes the higher road. The only bummer is the scientologist bit, but to each his own.
Working in an engineering field, I've known a lot of brilliant people who follow religions that I consider to be wacky (i.e., ANY RELIGION AT ALL, EVER). And you know what? As long as they're not hurting anyone else, I'm okay with that. Because they're good at what they do, and they help others through what they do. That's what's really important. So, yeah. The church of Scientology has done a lot of awful things. But that doesn't mean that their supporters are awful. There's a lot more complexity to the issue.
The "Church" of Scientology treats their celebrities extremely different than its' regular members. Billy seems to be a very nice person that is genuinely interested in helping people, but that should not be seen as an acquittal of Scientology for decades of Human Rights abuses. He always does great interviews and his EBS Signature Drive pedal is phenomenal. He is truly "The Hendrix of Bass". ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-KHb0BZyF5Ok.html
One of the nicest rockstars I’ve ever met! Met him when the Winery Dogs was just a rumor at a Kotzen show. I turned to Sheehan and asked “when is Portnoy gettin to town” he looked and smiled and said “very soon” it was a cool moment.
Billy Sheehan is a great guy..I had a music teacher who said "No one has a better attitude towards being a musician than Billy Sheehan" - He's a great influence for any musician looking to have a life long career in the biz
I really think Billy is an exception to most Scientologists, however, I think he tries to rationalize it with a sort of “religious relativism” where it says “well there’s people for it and there’s people against it, just like politics so it’s probably just as valid as any other religious faction having disagreements”. He’s missing the mark there because Scientology has very specific crimes that it hasn’t been properly charged for and has serious cause for a “cult” label. There have been multiple people speak out after leaving the church including the father of the current “head” of the church of Scientology. All that being said, Billy is a good dude-I met him at a rock camp and talked for a bit-and though I have an issue with the rationalization for his beliefs, I’ll say that he definitely doesn’t seem to be a disingenuous person. He seems like a really good guy with a good heart, my experience with him would confirm that as well. I hope no one really judges him too harshly for getting into some new agey ideas as an idealistic teenager in the mid 70’s.
In a free and open marketplace of ideas, the truly good ideas will thrive and the bad ideas will die off - if allowed to. He had nothing to lose by reading a book by someone who may see things differently than him.
I don't see what's hilarious about my comment...I'd be happy to actually have a nice conversation and hear your thoughts if you feel like typing more than "LOL".
Nope. Everyone will tell you I'm a great person who is always cool with others and down to earth, and honest, and nice... and that I'm a genius musician...... and I HATE ALL ORGANIZED RELIGION with a passion. Billy being cool is NOT due to his religious crap.
Love Billy. Amazing musician. You guys have to know (if you don't already know)that the Scientology CULT was started by a guy L. Ron Hubbard who organised a Cult with the notorious Aliester Crowley. Hubbard stole proceeds that was raised for Crowleys cult and he ran off with a high priestess to form the Scientology cult. Crowley is sited as the most evil man who lived. Crowley was a heroine addict and accused of many evil things including murder and cannibalism. So if Hubbard was associated with Crowley.......
Loudwire needs a sound engineer badly. After watching many interviews with rock stars on this channel, there are times we can't hear the person asking the questions, and the rock star is too loud even though they're both wearing mics.. this can sometimes be fixed in post, but still seems to be ignored. Great idea with the news and these interviews, we just need to be able to hear everybody.
I remember Billy having a Reagan/Bush sticker on the back of his bass. I've seen this dude over 50 times from Talas to now. Awesome bassist and person.
I don't care what he belives in ,music is music and if he helped people get off drugs and have a better life then I'm good wth that Billy your a master bass player and awesome dude.
Drugs HELP people. News at 11. (Even booze is MEDICINAL in all usages.) Many of us use drugs SOLELY to escape this nazi prison we were born into against our wishes.
So many disrespectful comments about Scientology and Billy forbeing part of it. It's not perfect but it helps a lot of people, that's a fact, and angry and offended people only can insult those who they fear or simply don't understand. Atheism is also religion-like-cult, remember it. Also u don't have to be scientologist to use its great instruments and be better what you think you can't. Be kind people and respect the others.
I never got invited to atheist church now I feel left out thanks dick. I respect Billy enough to know he can handle people making fun of his super adventure club.
We all could learn a lesson from this guy. Even in his stories he holds no negative attitude towards people in his past. He seems so very nonjudgmental and open minded. Reading SPs book, offering conversation at a protest, etc. If everyone were like that the world would be a much better place. Oh and he rocks on the bass
guys, *what* is the deal, with my not bein' told about this til now: that wasn't-very-nice, man! i'm not likely to forget about this, i'm sorry to have to tell ya, but that's just the point: there's a responsibility to pass these things on, you see? dang, man! appalling, is one of the words that come to mind, i gottabe honest, man! i mean, i don't know about you,,,, ANYWAYS, oops, i'm obviously over it, in-case-ya-didn't-know it! irregardless, there's still these things we have to cover, or basic'ly deal with independently no matter how we've been treated or neglected! so! let us begin again: what's-all-this, then, eh?
Fact: The original line up of Talas had double drummers, both my dad and uncle, David Rocco Oliverio and Dan Oliverio, respectively. Here is a link to a picture of Billy with my dad and Dave Constantino. scontent-icn1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/1151040_704498966232502_247116544_n.jpg?oh=7110f2823e4b0d3758c916265ade3451&oe=57CDF4E8
Around the time the first Winery Dogs record came out, Sheehan did a free clinic at a local music shop, Island Music. He was so down to earth and amazingly talented, I hope he comes back
The mentioned Scientology video, he wasn’t allowed to answer the first few questions. It’s not that he won’t discuss it openly, he’s not allowed to. Aren’t cults wonderful???🤔
I love Billy and his music. I get he wants to help people which is cool. I don't get why such an astute intelligent man is a scientologist. Ron Hubbard the founder was an associate of Aliester Crowley. He ran off with a high priestess and stole money from Crowley's organisation to start the scientology movement. The philosophy of scientology is one of the finest examples of comedy writing almost as funny as the Bible. If you want to stand for something Bill stand for yourself. The trouble with religions is they are all man made. Religion is possibly a virus left by aliens who thought we were violent and said there is no way we can let humans discover the universe. They left religion to keep the human race fighting amongst ourselves. Consequently religion has caused more wars than anything else in history. Faith does not count its your actions that count in this life.
i dont care whatcha do...as long as youre not hurting anybody, trying to shove your point of view/life down someones throat... just live your life , be kind to others, and try to find peace and happiness.
Billy you are a very intelligent and wise guy never payed attention to you before this video very impressive especially not having a bad word about anyone you know shows great character world today needs more genuine people like you thanks.
BUT YOU'RE OKAY WITH ALL POLITICIANS AND OTHERS BELIEVING IN VIRGIN BIRTHS? SEE ANY HYPOCRISY?? (I think ANYONE who believes in religion is completely insane.)
I'm an ex member of the church of scientology billy actually came to my church in Nashville and did a show in the chapel he playing bass on one of my ex friend album
just a help for the channel. if you include the group that the person played for would be helpfull as im not young enough to remember everyones name that was in every band. but i remember band names and am interested in info relating to the band in question. some of these i skip because i have no connection to the bad from the name of the individual. hope that made some scense as im about 750mil in at this point.
So Richie Kotzen was at least partially responsible for the "Farewell Tour"? I love that Mr. Big DVD! I generally really enjoy listening to the Richie Kotzen-era of Mr. Big, great groovy-singing-songs on those two records.
Interviewer: "Fact or fiction... you use way too much distortion on your bass sound?" Sheehan: "Fact... i use way too much distortion on my bass sound!" LOL!! I still love Sheehan though!!! ;)
Mr Big, great band, if anyone is interested in high control groups or cults just type in search bar above the following title..... High control groups....there's a couple of my uploads on it in the listings
He is one of my fav bassists/musicians of all time. He seems just so down to earth and approachable, got a couple of replies from him on email (his official email, dunno if he himself wrote but I loved the replies) and I just love his playing. Don't care if he is a scientologist as long as he is not harming anyone, he is free to follow any religion.
People somehow are complaining here about his scientology beliefs. Why the f** is that? He's an awesome guy, treats everyone kindly and even though he's a legend he's still humble and still learns and teaches his craft. That is the f**** important thing to pay attention to.
1985 was a great year. The last great year of the 80s. 1991 and 1993 were also great. But after that, it's been shit up until now. But hey, I reckon I've experienced 5 good years in my 42 year life. Not bad!
I would so love to rage on Billy for the whole scientology thing. But then you hear the guy play the bass and you just think, fuck it. So Miscavige killed a bunch of people. So did the Pope. Does that mean he speaks for all Catholics? Such a cosmic brother.
I saw Billy and Talas playing at some club in Buffalo when they were still together... It was an excellent show... When they played "Sink Your Teeth Into That", I was hooked... Billy had that bass BLASTING, and his fingers were fast as lightning... GREAT BASSIST...
.....great dynamic between te great virtuoso and the young kid ..... Sheehan has left his mark as an electric bassist on the same plane as guitarists Eddie Van Halen or Paco de Lucía ..... this is one of the best fact or fiction episodes I have seen .....! cheers from mpls mn !
I saw TALAS open for Yngwie in Summer of '85 at the Hollywood Palladium! DLR was in the audience too. TALAS was super mediocre as far as songwriting and Billy was the shining star of that band. "Shy Boy" was also my favorite song of theirs and I was stoked to hear DLR band cover it.
