This week we interview the first all-star that LNJ ever hired … Greg Clemons!
Greg, can you tell us what you've been up to?
I have my own video production company. I do a lot of corporate videos, medical, educational,etc. I also do a lot of photography, concentrating on weddings mostly. My web site is: www.clemonsphotography.com. Mainly I keep busy raising 10 kids with my wonderful wife, Deirdre.
Back in the early 1980s you were signed to CBS records, where you recorded two albums. Are these albums still available? How many did they sell?
Actually, only one was released. The one we did in Hollywood was never released. That one had a lot of great musicians like John Entwhistle of The Who on bass, Jeff "Skunk" Baxter on guitar, Nicky Hopkins on piano, Elvis Presley's bassist, Jerry Scheff, King Crimson / Bob Dylan drummer- Ian Wallace, Rod Stewart's guitarist - Robin LeMesuier, Ronnie James Dio helped on background vocals, etc., etc.
The album that came out was recorded at the old Playboy resort in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin with The Romantics' producer, Pete Solley. I have no idea how many records were sold. Two and and a half, I believe. And, no, its not available now.
Rumor has it you had rented a mansion in the Hollywood Hills. Got any rock star stories you want to share?
Not really, it was kind of low-key. I mainly just went to the studio everyday and worked. It seemed surreal having a gardener, cook, and maid.
Back in 1992 you worked (produced/recorded/co-wrote) with Justin and Liberty n' Justice on their first CD, their second CD and eventually you ended up singing lead on two of their later CDs: "Forever till the End" and "Bargain Bin."
Looking back, what do you think of these albums? Did you ever think that group would be still around in 2005?
I think I sang out of necessity. You needed a singer, so I sang. It was fun, thanks. I'm glad you are still going strong.
Okay, we've got to ask. We have heard that you did not have your children delivered in a hospital, but did this yourself. What was that like and why?
My wife had three in the hospital, and did not like it. She did a great deal of research and found that most complications are actually caused by interference by the hospitals, so we looked into home birth and found that to be the safest and most wonderful way to bring our children into this world. It is not for everyone, but we loved it, and all of our kids are extremely healthy.
The last of Gregg Clemons …
last song you wrote
I can't remember
last CD you purchased
Frank Sinatra - Live at The Sands
last time you listened to a Liberty n' Justice CD
I listened to the last one a few months ago
last time you prayed
right before doing this interview
last TV show you watched
Sponge Bob, The Movie
So Gregg, do you have any funny memories from the past about LNJ?
I remember Justin having a little trouble with doing a rap session.
Can you tell us three of the highest and lowest points so far in your musical career?
Recording in Hollywood with all of those great musicians was truly memorable. Playing for a little while with Ted Nugent was fun. The business associated with the recording industry can stink.
You are one of the most talented people we have ever worked with. What song that you co-wrote with Justin would you say is the best (if you can remember) and what was the worst?
I kind of liked them all, and thought all of them could have been a lot better if we had had a bigger budget, but you work with what you have.
You were/are in a popular group in the midwest called Pink Flamingoes. Is this group still active and are you still active in music at all?
No, and no. I had The Pink Flamingoes together for 20 years, and enjoyed that, but I retired almost 3 years ago, and really don't miss it.
What do you spiritually believe?
This will irritate some people. I was raised in a Baptist church and always wondered how we could know if our church was teaching the truth. We would agree or disagree with the new pastor, and kind of pick-and-choose our religion.
For the last 20 years, I have been studying the Roman Catholic Church, and truly believe it is what all Protestants dream of as the perfect church. It truly is the only church that was created by Jesus Christ himself. When Jesus gives the keys to the kingdom to Peter, that is extremely important. Back then only the king could hand down the keys to his successor. The Church has had an unbroken line of popes since Peter, for over 2000 years. Every good thing that Christians have has come from the Catholic Church. There can not be two truths that oppose each other. There can only be one truth, one true church. Jesus set up His Church with the apostles and promised that the gates of Hell would not prevail over His Church. That church has been going on for over 2000 years and has remained very true to Jesus.
Jesus lost a lot of his followers when He told them that they must eat His body and drink His blood. He could have easily said, "Hey wait, I meant that as only a symbol," but He did not. He let them leave. Only the apostles remained. He asked them why they did not leave Him, and they said, "where would we go? You are the Christ."
The Catholic Church was started by those same 12 apostles, who by the way could have just been the 11 apostles when Judas killed himself, but they voted for his successor to replace him. The Church today is a continuation of that succession.
I would invite all Christians to really look at the Catholic Church. There are literally thousands of Christian churches in the phone book. Anyone who wants can start one. They can't all be right. The Catholic Church is extremely misunderstood and there are many Christians telling people some really horrible lies about the Church. I have been studying it for 20 years and have found it to be the most beautiful, reverent church there is.
Also, it is the only church I know of that has everything it believes written down in black and white. It is called The Catechism of the Catholic Church. If a priest or anyone teaches something that is not in line with the Catechism, they are wrong. It is very straight-forward and easy to read. I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to really know what the Church believes and teaches, especially Catholics. I believe that all Christians truly want to know the truth, and the Catholic Church has it.
Tell us about the "Real World Video" series.
That was a video that I put together to help musicians learn to make more money with their music. That sold about 10.
Of the following, which do you prefer and why:
a. Robert Sliger or bad case of the mumps
Robert Sliger
b. Justin Murr behind the microphone or someone scratching a chalkboard for 10 minutes
Toss-up. Just kidding, the chalkboard ;)
c. Country, Rock, or Rap
I like all music, if its done right, and isn't anti-Christian
d. analog, ADAT, or protools for recording
All of those are great. They are just tools to help tell a story.
e. Colors or Pink Flamingoes
Both were fun and good bands.
What does 2005 and beyond hold for Gregg Clemons? Good things, I hope.
So far, so good.
And finally, a Liberty n' Justice 4-ALL word association. We will mention a name or thing, and you give us your thoughts:
Patrick Marchand (Liberty n' Justice)
Great guy. Great voice.
Ted Nugent (motor-city madman)
Funny. Very nice to me. Focused.
Bryan Adams (singer)
Longevity, good voice.
John Lennon (Beatles)
I think John Lennon missed it on the religious thing, but I can't help but love his voice and songs.
Gary Manuel (producer)
Great guy. Really knowledgeable engineer.
Dale Pedigo (Pink Flamigoes)
One of my best all-time friends and a wonderful musician.
Alice Cooper (singer)
Seems to be a nice guy, I really never liked his music all that much.
Justin Murr (Liberty n' Justice)
Great guy, great rapper.
The music industry
Like all businesses, there are good and bad parts. Certainly not worth the price a lot of people pay to get in.
Lou Gramm (Foreigner)
Always loved his voice and style.
Sharon Osborne
When I was in L.A., I got to ride around L.A. with Sharon Osborne, Ozzie's wife. She was the vice president of the record company so I had to talk with her a lot.