Roxane:

A fan remembers reading in some old Circus Magazine articles, that you led a pretty-wild life. Have things slowed down at all?

Roger:

No

Roxane:

Do you enjoy living the rock and roll lifestyle?

Roger:

Yes.

  ;

Roxane:

What is your favorite beer?

Roger:

Guinness. Are there any others?

Roxane:

How do you manage to keep in shape when you are on the road all the time?

Roger:

Riding my bike and exercising. And OF COURSE playing the Drums!

Roxane:

Is family life very important to you?

Roger:

Very much so.

Roxane:

Do you like to go fishing when your are not on tour?

Roger:

Any time, anywhere, anyhow!

Roxane:

Are you as blues-oriented as Dave and Rod?

Roger:

I grew up listening to Rock & Roll & Blues and I guess I still haven't grown up.

Roxane:

Tony has come out with a solo project, and Rod is working on one. Will we ever see one from you?

Roger:

I am a Solo Project!!!!!!!

Roxane:

Do you have any interest in doing an instructional video?

Roger:

Yes I've had a number of offers to do such. Maybe some time in the Spring.

Roxane:

What kind of music do you listen to when you are not playing Foghat?

Roger:

Roxane:

Which album was the biggest challenge to you?

Roger:

No one particular album. They all present various challenges. I take it song by song. Though making Live Albums is always alot of fun. You have one chance to get it right! So I guess you can call that a challenge.

Roxane:

How old were you when you started playing the drums?

Roger:

12 or 13 (A LONG, LONG TIME AGO...IN A GALAXY FAR, FAR AWAY...#@!@#$@@))

Roxane:

Is life in the United States a lot different than in England?

Roger:

Yes. We drive on the right side of the road. That presents some interesting challenges from time to time. We speak the same language (more or less) Capische!

Roxane:

Do you have a lot of friends in England?

Roger:

Yes. Though, I don't get to see them as often as I would like.

Roxane:

Do you ever go back to England to visit?

Roger:

I try to go at least once a year.

Roxane:

Why did you choose to make your home in Florida? Did fishing have anything to do with that choice?

Roger:

I didn't. It was a LONG fishing trip. I'm back in New York on Long Island now, fishing and stuff.

Roxane:

What bands did you like to play gigs with in the 70s?

Roger:

Humble Pie, J. Geils, Cheap Trick, Rick Derringer, Johnny Winter, Bob Seger, and many more. They were all great bands, and fun to play with.

Roxane:

Also, what bands do you like doing shows with now?

Roger:

The Stones, but they haven't called lately??????

Roxane:

If you had the 70s to do over again, would you do anything different?

Roger:

No.

Roxane:

Do you think you are a better drummer now than you were in the 70s?

Roger:

Of course...I have 20 more years banging stuff.

Roxane:

What did you like best about the 70s?

Roger:

It was alot of fun. But there again, I can have fun just about anywhere I go.

Roxane:

What did you like least about the 70s?

Roger:

I can't remember...I was too medicated and having fun!

Roxane:

Were you involved in the early British blues scene?

Roger:

Yes. I played with a British Blues Band in the late 60s called Savoy Brown. I had fun there too.

Roxane:

What drummer influenced you most?

Roger:

There was no One Single Drummer that influenced me. I always listened to the Music and the singer, but as far as drum influences, Buddy Rich or Course, Louie Belsen, Francis Clay (Muddy's early rummer), Richie Heywood (Little Feat...one of my favorite bands).

Roxane:

What is your opinion of Keith Moon?

Roger:

Let's tell a story about Keith. I met Keith in Brighton around 1968 when I was playing with Savoy Brown. We were doing a show together and it was at sound check...we'd just finished and Keith came in with an arm full of brand new cymbals. He asked me if I'd like his old ones because they were dirty! I said 'Thank you very much' and shared a bottle of wine. Over the years, I met Keith from time to time at various shows. He was a very generous and funny bloke. Great drummer too. Nobody else likes him. (Thank God!) I got up and played 'Magic Bus' on a number of occasions. Keith always had lots of cymbals and drums to go around. The world is a sadder place without him.

Roxane:

What is your opinion of Ginger Baker?

Roger:

Ginger Baker....Great Drummer. Kicks beer cans well with his left foot, and he's a righty.

Roxane:

What is your opinion of John Bonham?

Roger:

John Bonham...Probably double-handedly and single-footedly changed the face of Rock & Roll drums forever. I never saw John kick a can of beer, so I don't know about his prowess with his left foot on cans, but I shared many a Heineken with him over the years. And he could be a funny bastard too!

Roxane:

What do you think of alternative rock music? Punk rock? Rap? Heavy Metal?

Roger:

There should always be alternative music. I've been accused of being an alternate myself! There should always be room for new music. Don't want a bunch of noisy old bastards like ourselves hogging the limelight forever!!!!! Give the kids a chance.

Roxane:

What do you think contributed most to Foghat's success?

Roger:

Being at the right place at the right time and lots of HARD WORK and playing with a great band.

Roxane:

What is your favorite song to play when you are on stage?

Roger:

The one I'm doing at that moment.

Roxane:

When you guys are on stage, you like you are really enjoying yourselves. Do you look forward to all of your performances?

Roger:

Absolutely!

Roxane:

What are your favorite state, city and venue to play at?

Roger:

Detroit, New Orleans, L.A., ....I don't know there are so many....I have fun everywhere I go....

Roxane:

Do you see any new studio albums in the band's future?

Roger:

Yes.

Roxane:

Are you in fact a fool for the city?

Roger:

Yes.

Roxane:

Bands now days seem to all sound alike, how can you explain Foghat's distinct sound?

Roger:

I don't know about them all sounding alike. There are alot of good new bands out there. I don't know what you've been listening to.

Roxane:

How does Foghat and Savoy Brown differ as far as playing with, writing with and touring with?

Roger:

They got Kim, we got Rod...you figure it out.

Roxane:

Here are a couple questions from a fan from England: Will Foghat ever do some shows in England for old time sake? I also believe "Foghat Live" should have been a double album. Any truth to the rumors that Foghat may release the whole show from that era on CD?

Roger:

We'd love to play in England. Somebody just has to book some dates for us that make sense and we'll be there. We just released 'Road Cases' which is a live album.

Roxane:

Does a band such as Foghat do anything special to try to attract new fans into its realm? Such as market to the younger record buying public.

Roger:

No, we just play our music, and the people who come to see us range from 9 to 90.

Roxane:

When you sit down collectively to work on new material, does the music video become part of your marketing style?

Roger:

No, though maybe it should. I don't know, I just play the drums and have fun.

Roxane:

Can you tell us about your audition with Jimi Hendrix?

Roger:

It wa s a rainy day in London Town, just off Piccadilly Circus. There was a club called Birdland ( I believe). It was lunchtime and we were all lined up outside waiting for the club to open, so that we could audition, and Jimmy wandered up to me and said "Hi" and started telling me about some songs he'd written the night before. Anyway the doors opened eventually and I believe I was about 4th in line. I was horrible. I had no idea what this guy was doing. It sounded great, but I couldn't find a groove to lock into. Then he played a song I recognized 'Rolling Stone' by Muddy, 'Hoochie Coochie Man' and 'Johnny B. Good'. This went on for about another hour...tons of fun...he said 'Thanks' (I think I came in 5th).

Roxane:

How about tell us about fishing from your hotel room in Seattle, Washington?

Roger:

I stuck the pole out the window and hauled poor sand sharks up three of four floors. Very cruel. I don't do that sort of thing anymore...at least not to sand sharks. Then we'd leave them in the tub for the maids...very childish...but I think they were used to this sort of thing. (The sharks I mean...not the maids!)

Roxane:

Will there be a Summerdaze II?

Roger:

I doubt it.

Roxane:

Do you believe the Blues Benefit Concert was a plus and/or highlight for the band?

Roger:

Do you mean the 'Foghat Blues Tribute' at the New York Palladium in 1978? Yes it was definitely a highlight of my career. I got to meet and play with such greats as Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Paul Butterfield, Johnny Winter, Otis Blackwell, Honey Boy Edwards, Eddie Kirkland and I got to introduce my Mum and Dad to Muddy and John Lee. They were suitably impressed as their young boy was playing on stage with his childhood idols! A great night! Wouldn't have missed it for anything and will never forget it.

Roxane:

How did you come up with the idea for the Rock & Roll album cover?

Roger:

Do you mean 'Steak and Bun'? It wasn't me who came up with the idea...it was Robert Downey (Putney Swope, etc.)

Roxane:

Is the band considering a different format of songs in the future?

Roger:

I bloody well hope so!