Former Music Industry Executive And Producer Tom Werman Talks Rock

I had the pleasure of talking with famed music producer, Tom Werman last week, as his book was released. Turn It Up: My Time Making Hit Records In The Glory Days Of Rock And Roll is out now. For those who don't know about Tom, he's been involved in many projects, equaling up to millions of records sold.

According to the press release I received before our interview, "During his four-decade career in the recording industry, Tom Werman launched the success of REO Speedwagon, Ted Nugent, and Cheap Trick, and produced landmark albums by Mötley Crüe, Twisted Sister, Poison, Jeff Beck, and Blue Öyster Cult among many rock and metal superstars." That's a lot of rock royalty.

Of course, being here in Detroit I had to ask him about working with Ted. "We did not discuss politics, I want to make it pretty clear." He said he learned a lot from the Motor City Madman. "We got along very well." He said that 'Stranglehold ' was the first song he ever mixed.

He told me about his pathway to success in the 70s. He spoke to the power radio had in making those songs hits. "We relied on the national promotion staff" to get the songs heard on the radio.

There were also a couple of bands that he wanted to sign that got away from him. KISS and Rush being a couple of them that he saw early on. He talked more about those bands and a couple of others that missed the mark.

We also talked about the infusion of hairbands in the 80s. "There weren't that many acts available that weren't like that" in the mold of the hairbands.

Tom told me what attributes bands brought that made him want to sign them. He gave an answer that varied as much as the bands he worked with.

I also got a question from producer, Jay Ruston. He wanted to know how many guys he used outside the actual bands in the recording studio. That was an interesting answer to a very intricate question.

Check out this quick, fun listen to see what Tom's all about, below.

Anyone who has any inkling of the Machine Shop knows about the hallway and the "hallway photos" that photographer Jeff "Minty" Mintline takes. It's become quite a thing for the bands, fans, and even crews that come by the "Shop" in Flint, Michigan.

I'll never forget the first time I was in the famous hallway at the Machine Shop. I walked in the side door and realized I was standing in it! I had no idea. "Minty" said the bands say the same thing. He says they think it's going to be bigger, or in a different location of the venue, as did I.

I was curious as to how this whole thing started. "Minty" told me the first picture is the Exies in 2007. He said that singer Scott Stevens wanted a picture with the band. Guitarist Chris Skane said, "Let's do it back here in the hallway." That was the first, for a while. There wasn't another picture taken in that location until the spring of 2010. The next bands were Smile Empty Soul and Skindred....and that's how the hallway photos were born! You can see that first picture below.

How many band pictures have been taken? "Minty" says it's around 1,300. As far as fans from around the world taking pictures back there? "It happens constantly" he said. I've personally witnessed that myself.

I was also there when one guy in a band wouldn't do it. I'll keep that to myself, as well as which country artist passed because they didn't like the flash. Fair enough, I suppose.

Bret Micheals' tour manager said that he wouldn't do it. Owner Kevin Zink rolled with the punches and asked if the rest of the band wouldn't mind, since many of them have played there in the past. They obliged, and while the picture was being taken, Bret walked in and asked what was going on. After he was informed of the picture, he didn't hesitate to get in. Having been around him a few times, that didn't surprise me at all.

According to Minty, every band is more than fired up to take a picture in the famous hallway. "It's almost turned into a rite of passage type of thing" It really has, as the pictures prove!

Thank you to "Minty" for filling me in on the backstory, and suppling all of these killer shots! Have a look!

Thanks for the pictures, Minty!

https://wrif.com/shows/meltdown-on-wrif/

Chris Jericho and his band Fozzy has played the Machine Shop.

A lot of people don't know, but Powerman 5000 singer Spider One is Rob Zombie's brother.

Detroit's own Sponge have played the Shop several times. Here's one of their hallway shots!

Jonny and the guys from Nothingmore are killer enough in a theater, I couldn't imagine how good they were at the Machine Shop!

Nonpoint is a local favorite that's played the Machine Shop several times with many bands.

I don't know if this was taken at a show I was at, but Detroit guitar legend John 5 loves playing the Machine Shop. He'll be back in early February to do it again.

Avatar brought their quirky humor and killer metal to the Machine Shop for their "Avatar Country" tour. I love this band!

Detroit's own Uncle Kracker is no stranger to the Machine Shop. Great dude!

All the way from Denmark, Volbeat has played the Machine Shop and here's the proof.

Even legends like Living Colour have rocked the Machine Shop in Flint.

Here's the Saliva guys in the hallway. R.I.P., Wayne Swinny (far left)

Here's half of Shinedown. Brent Smith and Zach Myers have played the Machine Shop on many occasions.

Here's our friends from north of the border, Theory of a Deadman before taking the Machine Shop stage.

Jacoby and the Papa Roach guys were more than eager to get their photo in the hallway.

Newly minted Rock Hall member, Tom Morelo with Wayne Kramer and Tim McIlrath from Rise Against.

Founding member and rap legend, DMC at the Machine Shop.

Hinder prepares to take the Machine Shop stage....but first, a photo.

The late STP singer, Scott Weiland and his band the Wildabouts.

Kid Rock came by just to see a show and snagged a picture in the hallway. Even though he's played there, the hallway was packed with gear.

A case of someone almost being impaled on the bull horns...Candlebox.

A very young Halestorm around 2010ish.

Form Canada, it's the guys from Three Days Grace.

Minty said these guys were just milling about backstage, but went into Clutch mode for the picture.

Josh Todd and Buckcherry have graced the hallway as well.

I wrote about this picture above. Bret Michaels is one of the nicest guys.

Minty told me Phil initially said no photos, but then took one. Minty said he to get into "Phil" mode. LOL

LJ and the Sevendust guys have played the Shop many times.

Jesse and Jackyl have dirtied up the Machine Shop stage many times in the past.

The theatrical In This Moment have performed at the Machine Shop.

Black Stone Cherry before a show at the Machine Shop.

Michigan's own I Prevail long before headlining RIFF Fest.

Johnathon Davis from Korn, with the amazing drummer, Ray Luzier (Far Right)

A very young Pop Evil, and a pant less Matt DiRito.

The wild Mushroomhead. I need to see these guys live!

Here it is, the first ever hallway picture taken in 2007.

https://wrif.com/shows/meltdown-on-wrif/