By Danny Coleman
originally published: 03/16/2016
"I've been a long time fan of rock music; I write about subjects that I'm passionate about," says author Greg Prato as he discussed his newly released work; "Scott Weiland - Memories of a Rock Star" (CreateSpace Publishing). "When I write my books, I do them on topics that are familiar to me. I like to know the story line and in this case I was familiar with Weiland; I was a fan."
Prato has penned multiple works; the majority are music based. he is an avid New York sports fan and has written the best seller, "The Seventh Year Stretch: The New York Mets,1977-1983" as well as books on the New York Jets, Yankees and Islanders. Music,however, is his forte and he is a prolific producer on the topic.
No stranger to being published, Prato has been a contributor to "Rolling Stone," "Classic Rock Magazine" and "All Music Guide" and with nearly 20 books on the racks; his proficiency is astounding. The Weiland book was recently released and it came together in an amazingly short two months time. "Like all of my books, I pretty much mapped out the story line and the topics that I wanted to write about, then the interviews followed; it was very natural, it all fell into place and took approximately two months. I started in December of 2015 and it was completed and published in February of this year."
Why Scott Weiland? When the question was posed to him, Prato did not hesitate with his response; "I was a fan and I was curious to see other people's views on him," he stated. "He obviously recently passed and I was able to speak with Kevin Kerslake and Josh Taft who produced and directed the STP videos for "Plush" and "Interstate Love Song" and David Ritz, Chris Goss and Matt Pinfield, all people who worked in close quarters with Scott; I got some interesting insight as to what it took to work with him and the band."
Over his literary career, Prato has written books on various genres, bands and music but he confessed that some of his favorite memories have come from several classic rockers.
"My favorite interview of all time had to have been with Eddie Vedder. What was supposed to be a 20 minute phone call turned into us being on the phone for over two hours! Johnny Rotten was another good one and I got to interview David Lynch when I worked for Rolling Stone; that was really cool."
Prato says that he's already in the
"Planning stages" for his next projects and that the next one will again be about another music related topic; possibly something in the metal arena. In the mean time, this Long Island, New York author will support this latest release and continue to bring his passions to the forefront when the time is right.
"Scott Weiland - Memories of a Rock Star" is available through Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble and other retail outlets; prices range from $9.99 for the downloadable versions to $19.99 for the print edition.
That's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON!
Amalfi's Restaurant146 Lawrenceville-Pennington Rd. Lawrenceville
(609) 912-1599
Fri. 8:30 p.m. PapaDelux
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Take 5
Amarones Windsor Inn29 Church St. Windsor
(609) 448-7144
Fri. 8 p.m. Larry D
Sat. 8 p.m. Rockin' Rhythm
Blend Bar & Bistro911 Highway 33, Hamilton
(609) 245-8887
Tues. 8 p.m. Triviajam
Backstage at Championship Bar 931 Chambers St. Trenton
Thurs. 5 p.m. The Relapse Symphony, Phantoms, Lethal Affection, Suburban Murder, Nightmare In Wonderland, Silent Future, (TBA). All ages $10/$12
Fri. 7 p.m. Iron Front, Shattered Skin, Inari One, Midnite Hellion, Deadkick. All ages, $10
Sat. 4 p.m. Affiance, XXI, It Lives It Breathes, Versus, Set To Stun, Johnny B Morbid, The Great Airport Mystery, Surrender The Night, Unholy Dispute. All ages, $12/$15
Candlelight Lounge 24 Passaic St. Trenton
(609) 695-9612
Sat. 3 p.m. Sylvia Cuena Quartet. $10 (cover charge)
Chickie's & Pete's183 US Highway 130 North Bordentown
(609) 298-9182
Tues. 8 p.m. Acoustic Music Night feat. The Dawgs
Wed. 9 p.m. Quizzo Trivia
Columbus Flea Market2919 Route 206 South, Columbus
(609) 267-0400
Thurs. 5 p.m. Sweetie Pie
Dempster's Pub437 Pine Street Mount Holly
(609) 261-0500
Thurs. 8:30 p.m. DJ DNIAL
Fri. 9 p.m. DJ Chris
Dog & Bull Brew House810 Bristol Pike (Rte. 13) Croydon, PA.
(215) 788-2855
Thurs. 8 p.m. Dick Gratton
Fri. (4 p.m.) "Happy Hour Jam" feat. Cecil Middleton (9 p.m.) Wizard Duo
Sat. (11 a.m.) "Saturday Brunch Jam" feat. Jazz 180 (9 p.m.) Kevin Toft & the All Stars
Sun. (11 a.m.) "Sunday Brunch" feat. Joe Robinson Brunch Jam (3 p.m.) Pop Fiction
Fran's Pub116 S. Main St. New Hope, PA.
(215)862-5539
Mon. 8 p.m. Open Blues Jam
All shows 21+
Glory Days Tavern1200 Hornberger Ave. Roebling
(609) 499-0896
Thurs. "St. Patrick's Day" all day drink specials.
Fri. 8:30 p.m. Karaoke
Sat. 8 p.m. Audio Pilot
Havana New Hope105 S. Main Street. New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-9897
Fri. 8:30 p.m. Se7en
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Fish Out Of Water
Sun. 4 p.m. Rocky & His Friends
Hopewell Valley Vineyards46 Yard Avenue Pennington
(609) 737-4465
Thurs. 6 p.m. Generation Of Jazz
Fri. 6 p.m. Silent Q
Sat. 6 p.m. John & Carm
Sun. (2 p.m.)"Jazzy Sundays" feat. Lars & Friends (6:30 p.m.) Vintner's Dinner. $29
Ivy Tavern 3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton
(609) 888-1435
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Fri. 10 p.m. Never Enough
Sat. 10 p.m. Blind Lemmon Pie
All shows 21+
John & Peter's 96 S. Main Street New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-5981
Thurs. 9 p.m. J & P's Comedy Presents! "St. Patrick's day Shenanigans"
Fri. 9 p.m. Paul Gargiulo
Sat. (3 p.m.) King of Nowhere "Annual Near St. Paddy's day Show" (9 p.m.) River City Healers / Mike Sailor
Sun. (3 p.m.) Sean Faust & Robert Fulton (9 p.m.) Sugar Burns
Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Tues. 9 p.m. Matt Woods & Big Shoals Band
Wed. 9:30 p.m. The Invitational
All shows 21+
JoJo's Tavern2677 Nottingham Way Hamilton
(609) 586-2678
Wed. 10 p.m. Karaoke
Laurita Winery85 Archertown Road, New Egypt
(609) 752-0200
Sat. 11 a.m. "St. Patrick's Day Festival" Live music, food trucks, vendors
McStews Irish Sports Pub5316 New Falls Rd Levittown, PA
(215) 949-9570
Thurs. (4 p.m.) "St Patrick's Day Party" feat. Stem. (10:30 p.m.) "Beer Pong" w/ DJ Codie
Fri. 10 p.m. Ketosis, Half Ton Of Humanity, We... Our War, Stealing Fame
Sat. 10 p.m. "Saturday Night Party" w/ Dueling DJs
Tues. 7 p.m. Quizzo hosted by Mike
Millhill Basement300 S. Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-1600
Check web site for upcoming shows
Mill Hill Playhouse/Passage Theatre205 E. Front Street, Trenton
(609) 392-0766
Thurs. 8 p.m. "Everything's Fine!"
Fri. 8 p.m. "Panther Hollow"
Sat. 8 p.m. "Mention My Beauty"
Sun. 3 p.m. "Remembrance Day"
O'Connor's American Bar & Grille1383 Monmouth Road, Easthampton Mt. Holly
(609) 261-1555
Thurs. 7 p.m. "St Patrick's Day Party" feat. Radio Fiction
Fri. 9:30 p.m. Out Of The Red
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Virago
Olde Liberty Tavern2114 Liberty Street, Trenton
(609) 396-2262
Sat. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Palermo's Of Hamilton310 Klockner Rd. Hamilton
(609) 838-7979
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
All shows 21+
Patriot's Crossing1339 River Rd. Titusville
(609) 737-2780
Fri. 8 p.m. Blues In Disguise
Sat. 8 p.m. DT & The Burnerz
Pete's Steak House523 Whitehorse Ave. Hamilton
(609) 585-8008
Fri. 9:30 p.m. The Polish Nannies
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Kindred Spirit
Plumstead Grill457 Route 539, Cream Ridge
(609) 758-5552
Sat. 9 p.m. Radio Fiction
Randy Now's Man Cave134 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 424-3766
Check Website for upcoming events.
RHO Waterfront50 Riverview Plaza Trenton
(609) 393-7300
Thurs. 10 p.m. "College Night" w/ DJ Paul Desisto. Doors at 9 p.m., 21+
Fri. (4:30 p.m.) Happy Hour Buffet. $10 (9 p.m.) The Soul Cruisers
Sat. 7 p.m. Laff Out Loud Comedy Presents: "Ladies Night Tour Live!" Hosted by B-Phlat. Doors at 6 p.m., $35 (advance)
Take 5 Gourmet Cafe1065 Washington Blvd., Robbinsville
(609) 443-6800
Fri. 7 p.m. Gravity Centered
Sat. 6:30 p.m. BYOB Tropical Paint Party
Tara's Tavern 1 Cookstown-New Egypt Road, Wrightstown
(609) 286-2300
Thurs. 9 p.m. "St. Patty's Day Party" feat. Ned Ryerson
Sat. 9 p.m. Billy Hector Band
Tavern On The Lake101 Main St. Hightstown
(609) 426-9345
Fri. 9 p.m. Shore ratz
Sat. 9 p.m. El Ka Bong
Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night
The Cool Cricket216 4th Street, Fieldsboro
(609) 291-9110
Sat. 9 p.m. The Drunk Monkeys
The HOB Tavern146 Second Street
(609) 291-7020
Sat. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Tues. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Wed. 8:30 p.m. John & Maggs
The Ivy Inn248 Nassau St. Princeton
(609) 921-8555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Ron
Fri. 10 p.m. Twisted Charm
Sat. 10 p.m. Diablo Sandwich Band
Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv
Wed. 10 p.m. "Wednesday Wheel Night Spin To Win Karaoke" w/ DJ Rockn Ron
The Record Collector 358 Farnsworth Avenue, Bordentown
(609) 324-0880
Fri. 8 p.m. Professor Louie & the Crowmatix / Sad Bastards of Brooklyn. (2 Band CD Release Party). All ages, doors at 7:30 p.m., $12 (advance)
Sat. 8 p.m. Paul Plumeri Band w/ TJ Nix / Aurical. All ages, doors at 7:30 p.m., $12 (advance)
The Roost 181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge
(609) 208-0050
Fri. 9 p.m. No Way Out
Sat. 9 p.m. Sharon Lia band
The Sticky Wicket 2465 South Broad St. Hamilton
(609) 439-0007
Fri. 9 p.m. General Krank
Sat. 9 p.m. Money Shot
The Sun National Bank Center 81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 656-3200
Check website for upcoming events
Tir Na Nog 1324 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 392-2554
Thurs. "St. Patrick's Day Celebration" feat. Successful Failures, Some Assembly Required
Sat. 9 p.m. The Williamsboy
Sun. 3 p.m. "Irish Sessions" w/ Diarmuis MacSuibhne
Tues. (7 p.m.) "Rock On Radio Happy Hour" Hosted by Danny Coleman feat. Bryan Hill (9 p.m.) Open Mic. w/ Jerry Monk
All shows 21+
Trenton Buzz702 Pine St. Trenton
(609) 392-6000
Fri. 8 p.m. Live Band & Open Mic.
Trenton Social449 South Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-7777
Fri. 7 p.m. First Friday
Mon. 9 p.m. Monday Night Karaoke w/ Benny P
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Wed. 6 p.m. Dick Gratton
Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-8300
Thurs. 8 p.m. "St. Patty's Day Party" w/ Clancy's Pistol
Fri. 10 p.m. Erin Harpe and The Delta Swingers. ($5 cover charge)
Sat. 10 p.m. The Naked Sun. ($5 cover charge)
Sun. 7 p.m. Open Jam Night (Sign ups 6:30 p.m. at hostess stand)
Tues. 9 p.m. Live Band Karaoke
All shows 21+
Wildflowers Inn2572 Pennington Rd. Pennington
Sat. 9 p.m. Acoustic Rock feat. DiRty ReD Unplugged
All shows 21+
Danny Coleman is a veteran musician and writer from central New Jersey. He hosts a weekly radio program entitled 'Rock On Radio' airing Sunday evenings at 7:00pm EST on ThePenguinRocks.com where he features indie/original bands and solo artists.
