Q. How did you hook up with Stuart Smith?
KK: I've known Stuart since the early nineties from jamming around town. I could never really remember the words to the songs he wanted to do so we never actually jammed 'till lately last year. He's a great friend. The first consideration for joining the band, as well as the fact that he has a great style as well as Richie Onori being so great too, all around. We just really had magic. I was invited to come over to Richie's studio where we played for hours. Just really worked for a change from the get go.

Q. Was your role in the song writing primarily lyrics or did you contribute to the music as well for 'Windows To The World'?
KK: It varied from song to song. Such as with 'Broken Arrow', Stuart had the chorus riff, and it was obviously Blues, and I had a blues song that had a chorus I wasn't too fond of. So we married the two, and along with Richie came up with a great arrangement. I did cover most lyrics on the album though. That one was easy the three of us did that one, Me on Bass, Stu, and Richie. Came together very quickly. Arlen was also there. Magic day that was. Richie contributed some great words for that one as well.  As with like 'If Only Love'. I had that song knocking around for years. I actually forgot about it. Till one day we needed more songs and it popped up. Another quick one. I think like 3rd take musically. Me on Bass, Guide Guitar & Vocal, Stu for basics. Stuart wiped all my guide tracks and put the nice voicings and finishing touches as usual. 'Prisoner' was easy. We didn't like what was done previously, so I basically re wrote the lyrics and melodies. The morning before I cut the vocal. As I said it varied. With 'Dogs Of War', again Stu had this great riff that just inspired many movements. He had most of it worked out. My chorus but Stu pretty much had the verses and movements together. Was fun watching Stu and Arlen (organ) do those middle parts. Haaaaaaa. Richie was a big help on that too with lyrics as was Stu and Colleen Locklear. It was a bit tough that one. Another one that came from us jamming in the room, again me on Bass. That was a tough one on the hands. It's actually Marvin And Myself doing the bass parts on that one. I do the verses and choruses. He does the middle section. As I said it varies but basically in that kind of form. Some of the songs were done musically when I joined so there I would add lyrics. Such as 'Jade'. It was a completely different song. I tried another view, lyrics, melodies etc. Just in case I topped it. All thought so, so there it is. We have another song in the well for later. Still a good song as it was.

Q. What inspires your lyrics?
KK: Same thing that inspires conversation I guess. I just put the pen to the paper and pretty much just Go. The music usually evokes an emotion as with 'Prisoner'. That was a quick one. I was tired of being alone. Real life experiences and world news. Relationships. God, peace, war, streets, belief, life, faith, hope and love.

Q. Any favourite tracks on the album?
KK: I Like 'If Only Love' a lot. Can't believe I had forgotten about it for so many years. I also like 'Broken Arrow', 'Dogs OF War', 'Through Your Eyes', 'Worlds Apart'. I like most of the children on this album 'Gone By Morning' is a favorite too. Think it's pretty clever. About the beheading of Sir Walter Raleigh. A happy upbeat song that needed some guts in it, I figured what better than a beheading. Stu goes 'Hey Sir Walter Raleigh'. He knew most of the history. Fun, that one

Q. What are your favourite lyrics on the album?
KK: 'Broken Arrow' says most of what I've needed to say for some time. 'Gone By Morning' and 'If Only Love' I also like a lot. 'Worlds Apart' is also good.

Q. Personally I think this is your best-recorded work yet, your voice seems better suited to the Classic Rock genre, is this style one you find best suited to you?
KK: I like it. I don't really classify what I do. It just so happened that this particular group of people created this sound. With Organ, Bass, Drums And Vocals, That's what you get. I'm really happy with it.

Q. You have been involved with several big names in the rock world, how do you see your time with each: -
Baton Rouge.
KK: Baton Rouge. Well that was tough. Not really what I was into. We had some good songs but our relationship was strained. I had joined as the Guitarist, Background singer / Keyboardist. Mike Clink and David Foster suggested I be the singer. That was a tough move. Lance our singer wasn't happy about that till the end. It was a strain. And the direction was that of a trend as I felt in the day. Was hard for me to believe what I was doing. Toughest gig yet by far. We made some people happy. I guess that's all that really matters at the end of the day

John Norum.
KK: I love John. What a great guitarist and Friend. He is actually coming in town today. Gonna have to go look for him maybe go to the Whiskey. We had lots of fun in Sweden on tour. Did two albums. Enjoyed it. He did the best solo on The Guitar Zeus Project I believe. The song was called 'NOTHING'. Yeah definitely the best one of the two albums. Would like to do something again with him. On stage we have some sort of Magic. Real Deal.

Michael Schenker.
KK: Michael is great. I know him as a very mellow meek sweet person. Amazing soloist and innovator. I don't understand all the talk about him being unruly. I enjoyed my time with him in the studio and on stage. Lots of respect from both sides. Hope it happens again someday

Q. Out of the long line of great guitarists you have worked with, is there one player who stands out or do they all have their individual strengths and weaknesses?
KK: I really Like John Sykes. A great songwriter/ singer Guitarist, Great imagination that guy. What a monster. Steve Morse was also great, of course Michael. I don't like many of the solos from the Guitar Zeus stuff. My songs were hard to solo in being that they seemed complete to me without the solo's as with Yngwie, it was very odd, Chromatic. One would have had to really play what the band was playing for it to have worked. I found that happening with most of the songs, Vivian Campbell figured out to change to Minor, Major, and Modulate when the band did. I'd have to say my favorites were Sykes, Norum, Schenker, Yngwie, and lately Stuart has shown great great taste, and emotion. Which is so nice on the ears. He lets the guitar sing. Also Mitch Perry is really good. We have done a record that is unreleased. Hardly any guitar solos. Great at chords and voicings, Mitch. Good songwriter too.

Q. What happened with John Sykes in Blue Murder?
KK: I sang all the songs and after two years almost of not quite being able to reach his imagined emotion for the songs I got bored and started straying away. John Kalodner liked it [A&R guru] but John eventually sang over the foundation I had built along with he and Kalodner. He was anxious about it being the best it could possibly be. It was just hard for me to believe the songs after spending so so long on each one. I had to eventually quit. I think he's great though. Great Artist. If it's not right, it doesn't fly. I can relate. I am similar and can be hard to deal with also in the studio. Two of us in the same band jeeezz. Sharp, Flat, emotion, we hear and second-guess everything. We were great together with harmonies. Live would have been so good. I had to cut out right before the tour for sanity sake!

Q. You contributed vocals to the track 'Speed King' on the Deep Purple tribute album 'Smoke On The Water', did you get to meet Yngwie Malmsteen or was it a case of just recording your vocals and sending them off to the label?
KK: We did our parts separately, but consulted by phone. That was a lot of fun. Yngwie's parts were best first take. He's another perfectionist. I remember him going over the best stuff I have heard him play. I should have recorded the delay onto my vocal track. Bone dry. BAD MIX. Gillan had that cool Lennon slap back. Which I used to cut with. Just wasn't as good so dry. I record the effects now. Live and Learn

Q. Are you still involved with Carmine Appice's 'Guitar Zeus' project? If so what is happening with it?
KK: Carmine and I are releasing 'GZ 1', 'GZ 2' and 'GZ Japan' all at once around January worldwide. We have compiled more songs over the last year. We will do another one. We will be promoting the releases early 2001 on tour. Dates are already set for Asia, Europe, Sweden, Japan; we are working on the States.

Q. You also have another side project with Mitch Perry, Ken Mary and Chuck Wright called 'The Well', has anything been recorded?
KK: We have recorded 10 songs. 8 are done with vocals. Mitch and I have been so busy, Mitch with his Nascar racing and Teaching (his dream) and me with all my projects etc. We will actually dust off the tapes this month and see what we have there. As I remember, some of my best vocals yet. The pre, Heaven And Earth. I started really getting in touch with myself as a singer there.

Q. Where do you see your music heading over the next few years?
KK: I just recorded a few songs with 40 piece symphony for a country / pop artist named Gina Raye. I acted as producer, writer and engineer. I played the band pieces, and added orchestra. Then her vocals. Was tough but I enjoy hearing the outcome. I have many influences and likes. Who knows where I'll drift in the future. I'd like to do a Jeff Buckley type album. I love his 'Grace' album. My solo album has some similarities. Also unreleased and in the works.

Q. Fun Time: You have the chance to form a super group of your own making, It can include alive and dead musicians - you may include yourself. Who would you pick?
KK: George Martin, Phil Spector, Trevor Horn. Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Carmine Appice, Left side of stage, Allman Brother's drummer. Right side Tony Franklin (Fretless Bass) middle, Terrence Trent D'arby, Glenn Hughes, Joe Lynn Turner, Steve Walsh, Scott Weiland, Stevie Wonder, Boys To Men, Little Richard, Mariah Cary, Whitney Houston (Choir) Kerry Livgren (Keys), song help & Director. Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Jeff Beck left, Middle, Right. Elton John, Billy Joel Right And Left Piano.

Q. What are your hobbies outside music?
KK: Motocross Biking with my Son. Mountain Climbing

Q. Finally, any parting messages for your fans?
KK: Hang in there. Life is just a game. Effect people, make some one happy. Love one another. Go to my 'Keeling Healing Page' hope to see you on the road and within the bigger consciousness of ONE.

Thank You Kelly.
KK: Thank You. I enjoyed it. Take care.

ALL QUESTIONS BY ANDY CRAVEN

STUART SMITH INTERVIEW
HEAVEN & EARTH - WINDOWS TO THE WORLD REVIEW

KELLY KEELING'S HOMEPAGE

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