Gary James' Interview With
Robbie Dupree



Last summer, Elektra / Asylum recording artist Robbie Dupree saw a smash hit, "Steal Away" become a Top 15 request on the charts. And that's not too bad for a new artist. In 1981, Robbie released his second album titled "Street Corner Heroes".

We chatted with Robbie Dupree and here's what he said.

Q - How has the second album been received?

A - It's been doing really well, especially in Europe, Australia, New Zealand. Here in the States it's sold about 100,000 copies, which isn't that bad for these times in the music business.

Q - Was there any pressure put on you to write another "Steal Away" type of song?

A - There was no pressure by any outside person. I put the pressure on me to try and be successful again with this album.

Q - Of your success, you stated that had it come fifteen years ago when you were nineteen, you might have done something different with it. What did you mean by that?

A - The statement is really pretty self-explanatory. I probably wouldn't be living in Woodstock, N.Y. today. I'd be in Los Angeles today, taking part in all the social activities happening out there, the new club openings, etc. I probably wouldn't have had a family. I'm married, with two kids. So, I'm happy that things happened the way they did.

Q - Are you planning any personal appearances?

A - Yes I am. I should be doing a tour of the Northeast soon, including some dates with Orleans.

Q - Is the Woodstock music scene as alive today as it once was?

A - You know, I really am not a part of that anymore. I just live here, I don't record here. At one time you had The Band, Paul Butterfield, David Sanborn, Orleans, Bonnie Raitt, Todd Rundgren and so many other people living and working here. To me, it'll never be quite the same as that time again.

Q - As a serious, accomplished musician, what do you think of groups such as The Plasmatics?

A - Well, you know it's the same thing as the first time people heard Frank Zappa. Everybody was saying 'Did you hear how weird the music is?' It doesn't bother me. I think music like The Plasmatics' type is around because people are disappointed in general with the music that's out there. And it's the people who will decide in the end what music is going to exist, by buying or not buying records.



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