Keel have just released their brand new album “Streets of Rock ‘N Roll”, a real old school hard n’ heavy diamond that one can hardly hear these days. In such hard times that most bands, huge or small, try in vain to write material worthy of their past, Keel naturally just make it to release an incredible album, true to their classic sound consisting of compositions beyond every expectation.

Solid Rock talked to Ron Keel for the brand new “Streets of Rock ‘n Roll” and Keel’s current plans, looking back at the same time to Ron’s past with Steeler, Iron Horse, Fair Game and of course the ‘short’ period of time he spent behind the mic of the mighty Black Sabbath (!)…

Solid Rock: Ron, first of all I would like to congratulate you on “Streets of Rock & Roll”! It’s really one of the best hard n’ heavy albums of late and it’s pure 80’s! So, would you like to tell us what’s the secret of writing an old school masterpiece in these days?

Ron Keel: Thank you so much! “Streets Of Rock & Roll” really is a very special album – it took a lot of things unfolding in the right sequence to pull it off. First of all, it was not intentional – when we got back together, it was for the purpose of doing some shows and celebrating our 25 years of music and friendship - recording new music wasn’t even in our plans. It just happened naturally; the writing process was fun and the songs just started pouring out of us and I think you can hear the energy and feel the passion when you listen to the album.

Solid Rock: What I always liked about Keel is how you guys managed to balance between hard rock and heavy metal and this is also happening with “Streets of Rock N’  Roll”. Do you think that this ‘balance’ between the two music styles keeps things more interesting and creative than just playing only one genre?

Ron Keel: We just write songs –  if you want to call some of them hard rock, and call others heavy metal, that’s cool. It all comes from the heart, and we just create what we feel and what we like.

Solid Rock: “Streets of Rock & Roll” seems that already has received outstanding feedback from the press. Did you work with this goal in mind – I mean to write the best Keel album ever – or things just came naturally?

Ron Keel: Both – of course we wanted to create the best KEEL album ever, and of course we wanted the fans and the media to accept and enjoy our new music, but we could not have predicted how positive the response has been. We really appreciate it.

Solid Rock: Are there any thoughts of releasing any video from the album? And if yes, which song are you thinking of?

Ron Keel: That will be up to Frontiers Records, we trust their decisions regarding marketing and promotion – we’ve talked about it, and I’d like to see it happen. I think the logical choice would be “Come Hell Or High Water,” because of the energy level, and that song is in the 2010 show so we could capture some strong live footage.

Solid Rock: Let’s talk about tour plans. Is there any possibility for dates in Europe as well? We would like to see you guys performing live this new masterpiece and the old stuff as well!

Ron Keel: Our trip to Europe has been postponed until September because of the recent volcanic eruptions in Iceland – we were scheduled to perform at the Stockholm Rock Out which is now going to happen September 10 & 11. We hope to add some additional dates – we’d like to come to Greece, I have been there before and I really love it.

Solid Rock: What are the future plans of Keel? Can we expect another great Keel album in the future?

Ron Keel: “Streets Of Rock & Roll” just came out and we are focusing on promoting this new release and “The Right To Rock: 25th Anniversary Edition.” The band will live on and keep working, keep having fun, and we’ll see what the future holds.

Solid Rock: You are credited both as a vocalist and guitarist in your career. Still, you became famous only as a singer over the years. Was the guitar a supplementary love you have now left aside or you still heavily practice?

Ron Keel: I played a lot of guitar on the new album, and I always play on stage – I think it’s cool for me to hold down a solid rhythm while Bryan and Marc are trading solos and harmonizing.

Solid Rock: Was the debut album of Steeler your primary discography attempt really? Or had you already released some more obscure e.g. 7” singles in prior? What kind of lesson in life you think the Steeler days taught you back then?

Ron Keel: Steeler was my first album. We had released a 7” single, “Cold Day In Hell,” the previous year. I learned a lot in my three years with that band, in my early twenties – how to lead a band, how to write strong hard rock and metal songs, developing my voice and stage presence. As far as life lessons, I’m not sure if I learned anything of value – I was very young and very focused on my career and my goals.

Solid Rock: Did you actually have an audition for Black Sabbath (source: wikipedia.org)? Wow, what was it like? When did this audition take place?

Ron Keel: I was hired for Black Sabbath by producer Spencer Proffer in early 1984 to replace Ian Gillian –  there was no audition, I was selected on the basis of a four-song demo I had recorded for that specific purpose. I was in the band for a very short time and never recorded or toured with them – they fired Spencer and I was caught in the crossfire.

Solid Rock: How helpful was Gene Simmons in the beginning of KEEL? Do you think you could have made it the same even without his contribution? Do you share or oppose the opinion of many people (from the Music industry or just fans) who claim Gene does everything only for the sake of $$$?

Ron Keel: Gene was incredibly helpful and influential in our development, in so many ways. He taught us how to make great albums, and certainly many KISS fans embraced KEEL because of his involvement. And I don’t want to mess with Gene’s image or the public perception of his obsessions – money and sex – but Gene cares very much for people, his family and friends, and also for music. We will always be grateful for Gene’s help and guidance, and the lessons he taught us continue to help us make great albums like “Streets Of Rock & Roll.”

Solid Rock: The Fair Game days were quite brief, I’m afraid. Why didn’t this band last long enough? In addition, was it sole luck you had only women musicians around you or you anyway had such an initial idea?

Ron Keel: After KEEL went our separate ways in 1989, I felt that it was important for me to do something different, not just put together a copy of KEEL. My history of working with female rockers such as Joan Jett and Vixen inspired me to assemble an all-female lineup behind me. It was a great concept and some killer music, but in the early 90’s it was difficult to compete with the advent of grunge and melodic rock bands were left behind.

Solid Rock: The same goes for Saber Tiger: Japanese musicians (that’s what I get from the personnel names, at least, haha) around Ron. How was this project formed?

Ron Keel: Saber Tiger had been around for a long time in Japan, formed by guitarist Akihito Kinoshita. I was invited to sing on their 1987 album “Project One” and it was a great experience, I really love that album.

Solid Rock: The IronHorse days – before Keel’s reunion – were more ‘rich’ in albums. Did you get some kind of recognition at all with this band?

Ron Keel: Iron Horse is a band I truly love, we did two wonderful albums and about 700 shows across the U.S. between 2000 and 2006. Great songs, great musicians, great friends and great times. I hope to re-release those albums at some point, and we did a reunion show in 2008 – maybe we will ride the IronHorse again someday.

Solid Rock: Located in America, I cannot skip but ask how things are currently regarding traditional Hard rock music in our days. You know, we – in Europe – have feedback only through Internet sources and cannot have a clear idea for what’s going on. OK, we can see e.g. Bon Jovi or Motley Crue playing big venues but is there some kind of revival over there…or the fire never stopped burning?

Ron Keel: The fire smoldered for over fifteen years and nearly died…but this music is strong and will survive. There are some major festivals, a lot of bands touring, a lot of bands like KEEL and RATT releasing strong new albums, and a new generation of fans enjoying hard rock music. Video games like “Guitar Hero” and “Rock Band” are exposing young people to the same music that influenced my generation – bands like AC/DC, Aerosmith, Van Halen – and these kids will grow to be the next generations of rockers and keep that fire burning for a long time to come.

Solid Rock: Ron, the last word belongs to you…

Ron Keel: Thank you, but the last word belongs to the fans who ultimately decide what rocks! I want to thank these people and invite them to hang out with me on line at:

http://ronkeel.com, http://keelnation.com, http://facebook.com/ronkeel, http://twitter.com/ronkeel, http://youtube.com/keeltv.

Keep rockin’ on the streets of rock & roll! - RK



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