Welcome to Season 4 of Long Way to the Top, the podcast where we dive deep into the stories behind rock’s biggest names, their defining moments, and the road that brought them here.

I’m kicking off this year with a bang. Maybe a little later than planned, but with some incredible guests on the way. Andrew Farriss, Tim Finn, members of Spandau Ballet, and we’ll also be revisiting some interviews from the vault that either never made it into Season 3 or are simply too good not to hear again.

I wanted to start Season 4 with an interview that is very relevant today given the sad news of the passing of Phil Campbell, a guitarist whose riffs and firepower helped define one of the loudest and most influential bands in heavy music.

For more than 30 years, Phil Campbell stood shoulder to shoulder with Lemmy in Motörhead, helping shape the band’s unmistakable sound on albums like Orgasmatron, Bastards and Inferno. Together they toured the globe relentlessly, building one of the most powerful legacies in rock until Lemmy’s passing in 2015 brought that incredible chapter to a close.

But Phil didn’t hang up the guitar.

Instead, he carried that same raw spirit into a new chapter with Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons, a band that just happens to feature his own sons alongside him on stage.

Enjoy this chat with Phil Campbell from Motörhead.

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Enjoy this quick little chat with Dave Graney as he finishes up his Coral Snakes tour.

It is the Soft and Sexy Sound of the King of Cool this week.

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From Hit and Run and Shape I’m In to Chained to the Wheel and Harley and Rose, Joe Camilleri has written the soundtrack to Australian life. As the frontman of The Black Sorrows and founder of Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons, Joe is one of the most influential voices in Australian rock, soul, and blues.

In this special episode, I sit down with Joe Camilleri for an in-depth conversation about his incredible four-decade career and the release of The Quintessential Black Sorrows, a brand-new double album that celebrates forty years of timeless songwriting, touring, and storytelling.

Joe shares the origins of The Black Sorrows — from humble café gigs in Melbourne and the independent release of Sonola, to the life-changing moment when Elvis Costello heard the record and it led to a worldwide deal with CBS/Sony. We revisit the stories behind the hits — Chained to the Wheel, Hold On to Me, Daughters of Glory, and the unforgettable Harley and Rose — songs that defined an era of Australian music.

More than just a greatest hits collection, The Quintessential Black Sorrows is a hand-picked journey through Joe’s most iconic songs. It’s a love letter to the fans, the musicians, and the road that shaped his life.

If you love Australian rock history, soul-driven songwriting, and the stories behind the songs, this conversation with Joe Camilleri is essential listening.

Find out more about the new album and tour - https://www.theblacksorrows.com.au/

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From the shadows of Manchester’s post-punk explosion to the neon pulse of the world’s dance floors, few musicians have shaped modern music the way Peter Hook has. As the founding bassist of Joy Division, Hook’s distinctive melodic basslines defined a generation, carrying the raw power of songs like ‘Disorder’ and ‘Transmission’ into the history books.

When tragedy struck with the loss of Ian Curtis, Hook and his bandmates reinvented themselves as New Order — pioneering a sound that fused rock and electronic music, giving us anthems like ‘Blue Monday,’ ‘Bizarre Love Triangle,’ and ‘True Faith.’

Now, with his band The Light, Peter Hook is keeping that history alive — and adding new chapters. July 2026, he returns to Australia and New Zealand, performing New Order’s Get Ready in full for its 25th anniversary, alongside the timeless catalogues of Joy Division and New Order.

On Long Way to the Top, we dive deep into the music, the legacy, the battles, and the brilliance of one of rock’s most enduring figures: Peter Hook.

Find out more about the band - https://peterhookandthelight.live/

and tour information - https://metropolistouring.com/peter-hook-and-the-light-2026/

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Keep on Rocking!

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From the psychedelic poetry of ‘The Real Thing’ to the blues-soaked grit of ‘Sharkmouth,’ Russell Morris has lived every verse of the Australian rock story. Across six decades, he’s reinvented himself again and again—never chasing trends, always chasing truth.

As he prepares to take his final bow on tour, we sit down with a man who didn’t just witness the rise of Aussie rock—he helped write the opening chapters. This is Russell Morris.

Catch Russell Morris with The Fabulous Caprettos - https://www.fabulouscaprettos.com.au/events_1

And also on his final ever solo tour - The Farewell Tour - https://russellmorris.com.au/tour/

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They’re not just a band — they’re a revolving door of rock royalty. With members who’ve shared stages with Whitesnake, Thin Lizzy, Dio, Mötley Crüe, and INXS, The Dead Daisies have become something bigger than a supergroup. They’re a living, breathing celebration of loud guitars, road-worn truth, and the raw power of rock 'n' roll.

On this episode of Long Way to the Top, we go deep with frontman John Corabi as we unpack the band’s latest album, Lookin’ for Trouble — a swaggering, blues-soaked record that hits like a shot of Jack straight from the bottle. It’s a sound that blends classic Southern soul with no-bullshit hard rock, recorded with the urgency and edge of a band that knows exactly who they are.

We explore the creative process behind the album, the deep influence of classic blues and the spirit of FAME Records, and how the band managed to bottle live energy into every track. From growling riffs to soul-drenched vocals, this is the Daisies at their most raw, most refined, and most real.

Corabi opens up about the chemistry in the studio, the stories behind the songs, and why Lookin’ for Trouble may just be the defining moment in the Daisies' journey. Whether you're a longtime fan or just discovering their sound, this episode is your all-access pass to the heart of one of the hardest-working rock bands on the planet.

This is Long Way to the Top — and this is The Dead Daisies in full flight.

Buy the vinyl and Crank it Loud - https://thedeaddaisies.com/lookin-for-trouble-album/

Find out about the Europe & UK tour here - https://thedeaddaisies.com/shows/

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If you grew up in the 70’s and 80’s you would have heard at least one of the records that my guest produced. With a string of huge artists like U2, Rolling Stones, Simple Minds, Talking Heads, Ultravox, Peter Gabriel, Steve Lillywhite has been responsible for over 500 records during his career.

He has been awarded 6 grammy awards, including U2’s Beautiful Day & Walk On, and the U2 album How to Dismantle and Atomic Bomb. In 2012, he was made a CBE for his contribution to music.

As a fan of his work, this guy was on my bucket list for a chat, Producer Steve Lillywhite.

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Check out the new release "Think Loud 4 Parkinson's". Support the project by clicking here:

https://www.kindredspiritmusic.org/product-page/think-loud-4-parkinson-s

Keep on Rocking!

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My guest on today's show was described to me by Kate Ceberano as the God of Australian music. Apart from The Church, he's been in too many alt music bands to count, worked with countless artists here and abroad and with The Church has recorded over 26 full length albums and they're about to embark on a singles tour around Australia. Today's guest is lead singer & bass guitarist of The Church, Steve Kilby.

Find out all about their upcoming tour here -

https://metropolistouring.com/the-church-the-singles-tour-2025

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Keep on Rocking!

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