SEASON 5 Out Now!
Don Barnes (.38 Special)
This week, we continue our Southern Rock trilogy with Don Barnes of .38 Special.
As the co-founder, lead singer, and chief songwriter behind .38 Special, Don helped define a sound that brought Southern rock squarely into the mainstream—melding muscle, melody, and undeniable hooks. With a string of hits like “Hold On Loosely,” “Caught Up in You,” and “Rockin’ Into the Night,” the band carved out a lane that was both radio-ready and deeply rooted in the traditions of the genre.
Hosted by
Pete Ganbarg
Rock & Roll High School is an interview series that spotlights some of the most important figures in the history of contemporary music.
Press highlights
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“Bob let him play one overdub, then cut him off. George said to me, ‘Don’t let him do that again’”: The time Bob Dylan and a Beatle were at odds over a guitar solo
April 10, 2026
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Don Was: "They can not only hear your bass part, but they can taste it too"
April 9, 2026
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“A Musical Legacy That Very Few Could Match”: John Oates on the Enduring Magic of Hall & Oates
April 6, 2026
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John Oates Calls Masked Singer the 'Weirdest Thing' He's Done, Almost Fainted During His Elimination: 'Never So Happy to Lose'
April 3, 2026
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“A musical legacy that very few could match”: John Oates on the enduring magic of Hall & Oates
April 3, 2026
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WAIM #135: Pete Ganbarg
April 3, 2026
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Your Morning Coffee Podcast (Interview with Pete)
April 2, 2026
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“He obviously wanted to do something like that for Billie Jean and he did his own version of that groove”: John Oates agrees with Daryl Hall that I Can’t Go For That was the inspiration for one of Michael Jackson’s greatest hits
April 2, 2026
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John Oates Opens Up About George Harrison, Michael Jackson and Hall & Oates History
April 2, 2026
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Obsessed With Music An Interview with Pete Ganbarg, President, Pure Tone Music
March 30, 2026
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The Beach Boys' Al Jardine Talks Brian Wilson And More On Rock and Roll Highschool Podcast
March 30, 2026
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Beach Boys’ Al Jardine Reflects: “I Wish I Was a Better Guitar Player” in New Podcast Interview
March 26, 2026
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REO Speedwagon's Kevin Cronin Goes Deep On Rock and Roll High School Podcast
March 15, 2026
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Rock Icon Says He’s ‘Hanging Up the Mic’ After 50 Years
February 11, 2026
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Pete Ganbarg on “Rock & Roll High School” podcast
February 9, 2026
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Pete Ganbarg on Preserving Rock History Before It’s Lost
February 9, 2026
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Pete Ganbarg Breaks Down Why Roots Matter in Modern Music
February 9, 2026
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What Today’s Artists Can Learn From Music’s Past, According to Pete Ganbarg
February 9, 2026
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From Hat Acts to Hits: Pete Ganbarg on Country’s Cycles
February 9, 2026
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Iconic Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Announces New Spring Tour
January 26, 2026
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ALICE COOPER: 'I'm 77 Now, And I Think I'm Doing My Best Shows'
January 25, 2026
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Alice Cooper Reveals Which Song Taught Him What a True 'Anthem' Is, Leading to the Creation of 'School's Out'
January 24, 2026
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Live Arts: Pete Ganbarg On The 5 Things You Need To Create A Highly Successful Career in Broadway, Theater or Live Performance Art
January 22, 2026
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Live Arts: Pete Ganbarg On The 5 Things You Need To Create A Highly Successful Career in Broadway, Theater or Live Performance Art
January 22, 2026
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Suzanne Vega on the time Prince sent her a handwritten letter to praise one of her most iconic tracks
May 7, 2025
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Pete Ganbarg on the latest episode of 3Q
May 1, 2025
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Roger McGuinn episode in Guitar World!
April 14, 2025
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Randy Bachman talks Neil Young and More
February 27, 2025
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Pete Ganbarg discusses his ‘Rock & Roll High School’ podcast with Tony Orlando
February 20, 2025
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How Music Industry Legend Pete Ganbarg Revived Santana, Learned from Clive Davis & Created the Definitive Classic Rock Podcast
February 14, 2025
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Billy Gibbons once covered Jimi Hendrix hits while supporting Hendrix on tour – and the guitar hero watched
February 7, 2025
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BILLY GIBBONS Discusses ZZ TOP's Formation And His Friendship With JIMI HENDRIX On 'Rock & Roll High School' Podcast
February 7, 2025
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Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top) recalls friendship with guitar master Jimi Hendrix
February 7, 2025
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Billy Gibbons recalls the formation of ZZ Top and his bond with Jimi Hendrix
February 6, 2025
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Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top) / Rock & Roll High School podcast
February 6, 2025
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BILLY GIBBONS Discusses ZZ TOP's Formation And His Friendship With JIMI HENDRIX On 'Rock & Roll High School' Podcast
February 6, 2025
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ZZ TOP’s BILLY GIBBONS Discusses Befriending JIMI HENDRIX, Collaborating With RICK RUBIN And More On “Rock & Roll High School” Podcast
February 6, 2025
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'Rock & Roll High School With Pete Ganbarg’ Podcast Launches Season 4 With Guest Chaka Khan
January 22, 2025
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Morning Joe: 'Rock & Roll High School with Pete Ganbarg' returns for second season
April 26, 2022
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Clive Davis Explains on New Podcast His Philosophy of Chart Smashes: “It’s a little more beautiful when a great song becomes a hit”
April 13, 2022
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Why A&R Needs a History Lesson, by Atlantic Records' Pete Ganbarg
March 3, 2022
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Music Industry Moves…
February 17, 2022
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‘Rock & Roll High School With Pete Ganbarg’ Podcast Returns For Season 2: Exclusive
February 17, 2022
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Pete Ganbarg’s Rock And Roll High School Podcast Returns With An All Star List Of Guests
February 17, 2022
