“You’ve Got to Be an Open Page”: Jim Peterik Talks Songwriting on GP’s No Guitar Is Safe Podcast
One of America's most successful rock 'n' roll tunesmiths joins Jude Gold on the latest episode.
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Playing and deconstructing several of his hit songs for you, Jim Peterik – who you might know from such radio smashes as Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger,” 38 Special’s “Hold On Loosely,” and Ides of March’s “Vehicle” (a number one song Peterik wrote when he was just 18) – is on the latest show!
He’s one of rock’s most successful songwriters. And this time around, we’re “flyin’ the ‘copter” over to Peterik’s Chicago-area recording studio to play acoustic guitars and electric guitars with the legendary rocker and find out how he used his immense talents as a tunesmith to forge a spectacularly successful career.
Also on the show with Jim is Ides of March founding member Larry Millas.
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Offering some tips on working as a songwriting, Peterik says, “You just have to be very open.
“You have to be like an open page to ideas, to personalities, to bad jokes, to… y’know, guys that are too high to write!”
While acknowledging that certain recreational activities may be a hindrance to the creative process, Peterik highlights it’s best to keep an open mind when bouncing ideas around.
“You’ve got to be an open page, you really do,” he underscores. “Even if you don’t like an idea that someone gives you, you work with it for a while to see if there’s possibilities within that song.”
Rod Brakes is a music journalist with an expertise in guitars. Having spent many years at the coalface as a guitar dealer and tech, Rod's more recent work as a writer covering artists, industry pros and gear includes contributions for leading publications and websites such as Guitarist, Total Guitar, Guitar World, Guitar Player and MusicRadar in addition to specialist music books, blogs and social media. He is also a lifelong musician.
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