MICHAEL T ROSS
Questions asked by Jon Wilde, added to Rock Realms 18th April 2009.
Michael T Ross is not only the keyboard player from the last two Hardline albums (which is pretty cool in itself), he's now touring with Lita Ford. Over the years he has found time to record and work with bands like Lillian Axe, Angel and Missing Persons... amongst others. Yes, he's a busy man!
Hi Michael, hope life is treating you well?
Michael: Yes, things are good with a new record out and a summer tour ready to start.
Was there a lot of music around you when you were growing up? Do you have musical parents (or other family members)?
Michael: My older brother started taking piano lessons when I was 7, I started up too and never stopped playing.
What made you to take up keyboard, and has it always been the instrument you wanted to play?
Michael: Keyboards are what I’ve always wanted to play. Watching my brother play the piano is really what got me wanting to start. After taking piano lessons for many years, I eventually switched to keyboards. My brother and his friends would play albums from bands like Queen, Yes, ELP and Deep Purple. I was fascinated with the sounds that the keyboard created.
How old were you when you realised you had a real talent for the keys?
Michael: Right after high school, I started playing the clubs on the strip like The Roxy and The Whiskey. The shows were sold out and I was getting a lot of response and encouragement. I was in my early twenties when I felt I had a good chance at doing this professionally.
Who were your early inspirations?
Michael: For keyboards I would say Jon Lord, Rick Wakeman and Jens Johansson. As far as singers I would say Freddie Mercury, Ian Gillian and James LaBrea. For guitarists it would be Randy Rhoads, Gary Moore and Yngwie J. Malmsteen. Thin Lizzy bassist Phil Lynott is the most inspirational to me.
Did you play in loads of band during your high school/college years? Can you remember the name of the first band you played in... that you thought had genuine potential?
Michael: I’ve always played in a lot of bands growing up but the band with the most potential was called Three O’ Clock and they were on Prince’s label at the time. Later, I joined a UFO tribute band playing around Orange County that got me noticed locally.
You joined Hardline in 2002 for the album II. Would you say that was your first big break?
Michael: Definitely, because Johnny introduced me to a lot of people that ended up helping me along the way. I got a lot of recognition from the Gods Festival appearance in 2002 with the live DVD that followed. Joining Hardline, I was introduced to companies like Frontiers Records and Fireworks Magazine and they’ve been very supportive to me.
What was the vibe in the band like back then? There had obviously been quite a few personnel changes.
Michael: We all didn’t spend that much time together with Johnny being so busy running his company and keeping the duties as Axel Rudi Pell’s front man. Joey Tafolla was initially set to play guitar in the band but Josh Ramos ended up playing on Hardline II. Josh and I have since been great friends and I was a special guest on his first solo release. Drummer Atma Anur joined for the new release replacing Bobby Rock who went on to Slaughter and bassist Jamie Browne joined as well.
The new Hardline album 'Leaving The End Open' is a storming release. Did you have much input in the writing of the songs or do you save your passion for the playing?
Michael: I was not a part of the writing process. Josh and Johnny wrote the songs. I always liked Josh's style of writing and knew it was going to work very well for Hardline. The combination of both of them is really magical and so melodic.
What's your favourite moment on the new album?
Michael: Recording the piano tracks on the title track “Leaving The End Open.” I got to record it on Johnny’s grand piano at his home studio. We stayed up all night making sure it was great. Getting to work in the studio again with Johnny was special.
Does it annoy you... working on an album as good as this but knowing (because of the way the record industry works nowadays) you probably won't achieve the 6/7 digit sales figures hard rock bands used to?
Michael: When I’m a part of a record, I don’t look at it that way. I’m hired to do my best performance possible for the music provided. If a record does well, that is good news, but if it doesn’t sell well, it is the record label that deals with it. Doesn’t affect me much. It would be nice to get a gold record but with the chances not so likely, I simply don’t get my hopes up.
Any plans for a Hardline tour?
Michael: Johnny has mentioned his interest in doing shows later this year. It has been way too long, so I hope it happens. The fans have waited long enough!!!
You are currently touring with Lita Ford. What's it like sharing a stage with her?
Michael: It’s an honour. I auditioned for Lita Ford last year this time in New York and got the gig. Ex- W.A.S.P. drummer Stet Howland also got the gig. We have JC on bass, and Greg Hampton on rhythm guitar completing the line-up.
You're playing some of the really big festivals with her this year (Sweden Rock, Bang Your Head, Gods Of Metal, etc.). Looking forward to it?
Michael: Very much so! Returning to Bang Your Head in Germany will be great and it will be my first time performing in Athens Greece, so that should be really cool.
Which of the concerts are you most excited about?
Michael: For sure Gods of Metal in Italy because it is one of the best festivals and I love the country!!!!
On stage, are you a quiet introspective keyboard player or a head banging maniac?
Michael: Totally a head banger!!!!
Would you consider yourself to be a party animal on the road or do you take it easy after gigs?
Michael: I’ve done my share of partying but as I get older, I find myself being mellow these days for sure. Then again, I’m thinking about getting my first tattoo.
I understand you are going to record a solo album. Have you started work on it yet? Tell us about it...
Michael: I wrote most of the material already. I like to shred a lot on the keys but don’t really get to go there with vocal bands, as my stuff is instrumental. Music critics always say “save it for your solo record”!!! It is a mixture between neo-classical, fusion rock to melodic rock with a lot of keyboard solos. I will have two notable players covering bass and drums. There will be no guitar on it. Not that I don’t like the idea but I play a lot of guitar-like sounds and don’t want the listener getting my keyboards confused with the guitar. I hope to release it by the end of the year.
You've played with quite a few other bands and artists over the years. What or who have been the highlights?
Michael: My biggest highlight was performing with Angel at Bang Your Head in 2004. It was an awesome show and my first taste playing to over 20,000 fans.
Are you still officially a member of Angel, Missing Persons and Hardline or are you purely playing with Lita Ford nowadays?
Michael: I’m in all those bands but my primary group is Lita Ford.
Do you have a favourite make/model of keyboard or do you like to mix it up?
Michael: I play KORG exclusively and am enjoying my new Korg M3. I also use the Korg Triton Extreme and a Korg Triton Studio. The M3 is an amazing board and a far cry from the original M1 that came out in the 80’s. I like Nord keyboards from Sweden and have thought about incorporating them into my set up one day.
Who do you like to listen to when you aren't playing/recording?
Michael: You can usually find me playing Thin Lizzy most of the time, but when I wind down, I like listening to all kinds of classical music but mostly Mozart.
Do you get to see many live gigs?
Michael: I do have the opportunity to see a lot of live shows but find myself passing it up in exchange for peace and quiet. After long rehearsals and gigs, my ears are blown out and need a break on my days off.
Do you have any interesting hobbies that may surprise the Rock Realms readers?
Michael: I wouldn’t call it a hobby but I’m a huge cat lover. I like to spend a lot of time with my two cats and think they are awesome. I feel bad leaving them behind when I go on tour but I have someone watching them for me. Most of my bros are into dogs but I’m straight up a feline fanatic!!!
Who is the most famous person on your cell phone?
Michael: Rudy Sarzo.
What does for the future hold for Michael T Ross?
Michael: More tours and more records!!!
What does the T stand for?
Michael: If I told you I’d have to kill you, haha.
What are you up to once you finish answering these questions?
Michael: Enjoying the rest of the weekend off in South Beach in Miami Florida before another hard week of working on music.
Anything else you would like to mention?
Michael: Check me out on the new Lillian Axe “Sad Day on Planet Earth” with the track ‘Within Your Reach’. New Accomplice cd coming out this year and I’ll be playing keys on Ken Steiger’s new release. Check out my site for more information at http://www.myspace.com/michaeltross
Thanks for your time! :)
Michael: Thank you Jon and Rock Realms for having me, big fan of your work!!!
Check out the review of the latest Hardline album here... and make sure you catch Michael performing here, there and everywhere with Lita Ford!
