The Joe Jackson Interviews

Boy George. "I always fancied Larrry Mullen Jr." A fun exchange with Joe Jackson

Boy George telling me to tell Bono that if he still hadn't found what he was looking for, he should look behind the drum kit, was just a quip. But the quote made it around the world thanks to MTV news. It's just a bit of fun. We talked abut it years later

Tommy Tiernan. "I am a dour, bearded, penitent Russian Monk."

Tommy Tiernan is now an interviewer who aspires to do in-depth interviews on TV. I commend his aspiration.

Here is part of an in-depth interview he did with me. 

Am I kidding about any of this? 

You decide!

Richard Harris tells Joe Jackson about recording Macarthur Park

Imagine falling love with a song when you are 16, the, later in life meeting the guy who sang it and who asks yo uto write his life story! This is a tiny section from the chapter about Macarthur Park, from my book Richard Harris: Raising Hell and Reaching for Heaven.  

Elvis's Santa Clause is Back in Town. "It's not a filthy blues song" its writers tell Joe Jackson!

Its that time of year again. I've loved Elvis's Christmas album since I was a kid. That;s why it was such a joy to interview in LA in 2004, the writers of its opening track, Santa Claus Is Back in Town. 

Phil Lynott remembered by Skid Row leader Brush Shiels. The Joe Jackson archive

This was recorded in my kitchen at home, hence the echo. I love getting on tape the memories of someone like Brush about "Philo" or anything else. 

Nancy Sinatra talks about Elvis and her Father Frank. The Joe Jackson archive

I grew up listening to my Dad's Sinatra LPs, and was an Elvis fan, so it was surreal to have this chat on the phone with Nancy. Even more so to see we agreed about Elvis's gospel songs

Shana McGowan 1994 from The Joe Jackson Archive

This time thirty years ago, Shane and I sat in the Shelbourne Hotel and had this chat. We also, as he says, met each other a lot while drinking late at night in clubs in Dublin. Shane is gone. I'm reposting this to try in my small way to ensure he is not forgotten  

Where Do You Go To My Lovely. Peter Sarstedt on his Classic Song

A song loved by millions of people, still, and by me since it was released and because I knew a woman like its subect. It was a delight to talk with its creator, a lovely guy.

"I tried every drug to try stay sane" Elvis told Tom Jones in 1969. The Joe Jackson Archive

As a kid I argued against anyone who said Elvis used drugs. But later i life I got to interview the likes of Tom Jones and got to know more about Elvis's use of drugs. 

The 1988 James Taylor Interview from The Joe Jackson Archive

I always loved Taylor's music and was delighted that he turned out to be such a provocative thinker and interviewee.