July 25, 2022 • 10 mins
Richard Marx talks making new album with his son and more!
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
You're on with Mario Lopez, Mario Lopez, Jordan Allen Zoom,
Grammy winning singer and songwriter Richard Marks. Welcome back, Richard.
How you been dude? You don't call? You don't right,
We don't hang? What is the what is is it me?
You know? I have been bad. I've been really bad,
but I want to I don't know if I shared
this with you last time. I may have, but I
(00:23):
was like this story at the time I was I
was nineteen eighteen years old. I did a show called
Name Your Adventure? Do you remember? Seriously? Wow? And people
talk about this yesterday really well for for our listeners
in case you're not familiar, was one of my favorite
gigs ever. By the way, teenagers wrote in and they
got to um right in for things that always wanted
to do adventures. They wanted to go and meet the president.
(00:44):
Need a rock star? What have you rock climbing? Fill
in the blank? Somebody wanted to meet Richard and he
was gracious enough to do the show and he was
so cool with them. Um, and you're so nice and
I'll and I'll never forget that. And I love being
on stage because I remember we got to see you
perform when we were in del Mar, my hometown, and say,
diego at the del Mar Fair and you were you
were just so cool with the kid. And it's weird
because I was a kid. I was only eighteen, And
(01:06):
the things you remember vividly in your mind whenever people
that you like are so nice, it really does stay
with you, like decades, you know, back at you because
why would I remember that? Because I did so. You know,
we both did so much television, especially back in that time,
and you were I think you were still on Saved
by the Belt. Yes, I was like a white gig right.
I was telling Daisy yesterday, I said, I just had
(01:27):
the vivid memory now of the show and I even
remember the name of the show and name your adventure. Wow,
that's impressive. But I could be wrong. I had this
recollection that you introduced me at that show that night
that you came out and said, ladies and gentlemen. I
think we asked you to do that. I think yes,
And I was a highlight. Yeah. Wow, you have a
good memory, remember that. I love it. I love that YouTube, buddy, YouTube. Congratulations.
(01:52):
You've announced a new album. Songwriter, how the idea for
the project come about. This is the most uh ambitious
I guess it would be the right word. And I'm
super fun, but it was. It's the most ambitious project
that I've ever uh undertaken in that. You know, you
may know because we know we go back a little
ways that in addition to the records that I've put
(02:12):
out as an artist, I've written a lot of songs
with a lot of different artists in a lot of
different genres. So I've worked with you know, I worked
with Luther vander Us in the R and B world.
I've written a lot of country songs with Keith Urman
and different country artists, and so I thought, why not
do that as an artist as well. So the song,
the the album songwriter is twenty songs, but it's five
(02:35):
pop songs, five rock songs, five country songs, and five
beautiful ballads. I wrote one of the ballads with Bert
Backrack of all people. That's awesome. That's so yeah, It's
like it crosses four different genres and uh and it's
I'm really excited for people to hear it. I love it.
I love it. You get to to flex those creative
muscles and a testament to your talent and I've always
(02:55):
loved and appreciated all genres of music. Um, the first
thing goal the same heartbreak, the same heartbreak, different Day.
It's got a very modern aesthetic tool. What was the
goal when you're putting that song together, Well, that was
for the poppyp and I. You know, if I'm fifty
eight years old, so if I'm going to put out
a pop song, I wanted to sound like if you
(03:15):
didn't know who I was, or if you didn't see me,
you'd think it was some young guy. And part of
the way to get that done is to use my
own instincts, of my own melodic sensibilities, but also to
collaborate and in this case with Same Heartbreak, Different Day.
I wrote the song with my son. I have three sons,
(03:36):
the Marx Brothers, UM and my middle son, Luke, who's
an incredibly they're all really talented musicians and song and
songwriters and singers, but Lucas has become this really successful
behind the scenes producer and writer for different artists, and
he's he's twenty nine, and he's really plugged into pop radio.
And so we wrote this song with a friend of
our name Michael Jade. Lucas produced it, and like the
(03:58):
greatest compliment man I get. I've been getting this last
week since the record came out. Is people doing it
sounds like so modern. It sounds like it's just like
a regular pop record. It doesn't sound like an old guy.
Well thank you. You look great man, by the way,
look at thanks buddy. Um. It's got to be the
best collaborating with your kids or is there is there?
(04:19):
Are you taking a father with Sometimes they get they
frustrate you sometimes too, or talk about that dynamic. Well,
you know, I've they grew up watching me make records,
and they met all these artists that I worked with,
and they were involved with. You know, they would come
in and out of the studio when I would be
recording albums, and then little by little as they got
into it, I would produce them and I would cut
(04:40):
tracks with them, and I would tell them what to
do and how to do this and try this again.
And and now the roles have been reversed. But we
have such a shorthand we have such love for each
other that there's no egos or hurt feelings involved. And
so when I'm singing a vocal like on same heart Break,
Different day, I'd see a line Lucas would go, oh
(05:00):
my god, no, no, no, you sound a thousand years old.
Do it left this? And you would line read me,
it's such a great singer, and I would just copy
what he was doing. Um, so, I you know, it's
kind of cool to be produced. It's like if as
an actor, like if your son becomes your son or
daughter becomes a really great director and they're directing you
and telling you how to do your job. You know,
(05:22):
So I'm all for it. It's been a total blast.
It sounds like the priceless moments right there. Um, I'm
just curious when you're working with an artist for for
the first time, But what's that process like? Is is
it do you start with a certain lyric or a
hook or you kind of gauge how they want to start.
When I'm collaborating with another artist for their project, the
(05:44):
thing that does not exist in me is ego when
I'm when I'm making my own records, that's like I
call the shots. I want it my way right When
I like, for instance, Keith Urban and I've had you know,
a few songs that were really big hits for him.
And when I write with Keith, or when I have
written with Keith, it doesn't matter whether I would sing
that line or what I would do if I'm there
(06:07):
to serve his vision of what he wants to do.
And that's true of every artist I've ever worked with.
So I think I'm a good collaborator, and then I
leave my ego at the door in those situations and
and co and creating with someone you know, especially if
you meet somebody for the first time and you're writing
a song with them and you don't know them, like
Keith and I hang out like we've been friends. But
(06:29):
sometimes when I write with a new artist I've never
met before, it's like a first date. You know, you
don't know each other again and know each other, You
a little nervous, you're a little and then where you
connect is creatively and when that magic starts to happen
and you start finishing each other's sentences or you throw
out something and they go, oh my god, I love that,
and then we could go here, and then then it's
just that's what it's all about. And I never I
(06:52):
never tire of that thrill. Has there been an example
of where you you tried to collab and it just
you guys weren't on the same page. Oh yeah, I'll
leave it at that fair enough. I will say this, Mario,
I would say ninety eight percent of my life in
terms of that has been really great experiences. That's a
(07:13):
hell of a batting average right there. Who's an artist
that's still on your collaboration wish list? Um, I mean
there's a part of me that has for a long time.
I wanted to work with Rod Stewart because I grew
up just loving restaurant. Actually, uh, he was just at
the Bowl here. That sounded greating looks the same, the
(07:34):
hair is the same, timeless. I did a show with
him uh in Atlanta a few years ago, and it
was really funny because I came out of my dressing
room to go to head to the stage and I
hadn't seen him that day at all, and I met
him a few times over the years, but he came
out of his dressing room at the same time and
we were walking towards each other to like give each
other a hug hello, and we were wearing the exact
(07:55):
same shoes. I thought, I have really cool laugh because
Rods were in the same kicks I'm wearing Um, I've
always wanted to write a song for him or with him,
but I think he's kind of like got his his
group of guys and he's got his thing together, so
I I don't know that that will ever happen. And
(08:15):
the other answer is, um, I really love the idea
of working with brand new artists who have everything to prove,
and um, so every every so often, I just if
if I hear something, hears somebody's voice that I like
or whatever, and they reach out to want to collaborate,
that I welcome that because I can learn from a
brand new artist, you know, And I think that that's
(08:36):
more exciting than than trying to convince somebody who's had
a lot of success your way. And people are so
they get so afraid of not repeating their success, whereas
a new artist will just try anything. Yeah. No, that
that's a really good point, right there. Any plans to
possibly at the road, Oh yeah, no, dude. I I'm
always on the road. I'm playing up North next week
(08:58):
and playing nap from No No, and I'm playing Vegas
and then I do a show in pump Springs next Saturday,
which will be Blast, and then I go I leave
in August for seven and a half week tour of Europe.
So I'm playing about twenty four shows there. That's following
Europe everywhere from Spain to Paris to UK to Italy,
(09:19):
and then i come home for like a week and
then I'm back out for US day. So yeah, I'm
touring NonStop home the Los Angeles area now and we're
from originally again Richard, Chicago, Oh, Chicago guy, right there. Awesome, awesome.
Um you mentioned your lovely wife Daisy Fuentes, who sweetheart
known for years back in the day, and I when
(09:40):
I heard you guys got together, I was like, oh,
that's cool. Two cool people that I like that ended
up to getting together right there. So okay, home here
in l A. We're gonna look forward to uh seeing
you on the road, uh sometime soon. Meanwhile, songwriter drops
September and listen to same Heartbreak, Different Day right now
on I Heart Radio. Richard, thanks so much for hanging out.
(10:01):
Always a pleasure, buddy. Yeah, nice to see you, pal
Man seem fun with Mario A little pass
You're on with Mario Lopez, Mario Lopez, Jordan Allen Zoom,
Grammy winning singer and songwriter Richard Marks. Welcome back, Richard.
How you been dude? You don't call? You don't right,
We don't hang? What is the what is is it me?
You know? I have been bad. I've been really bad,
but I want to I don't know if I shared
this with you last time. I may have, but I
(00:23):
was like this story at the time I was I
was nineteen eighteen years old. I did a show called
Name Your Adventure? Do you remember? Seriously? Wow? And people
talk about this yesterday really well for for our listeners
in case you're not familiar, was one of my favorite
gigs ever. By the way, teenagers wrote in and they
got to um right in for things that always wanted
to do adventures. They wanted to go and meet the president.
(00:44):
Need a rock star? What have you rock climbing? Fill
in the blank? Somebody wanted to meet Richard and he
was gracious enough to do the show and he was
so cool with them. Um, and you're so nice and
I'll and I'll never forget that. And I love being
on stage because I remember we got to see you
perform when we were in del Mar, my hometown, and say,
diego at the del Mar Fair and you were you
were just so cool with the kid. And it's weird
because I was a kid. I was only eighteen, And
(01:06):
the things you remember vividly in your mind whenever people
that you like are so nice, it really does stay
with you, like decades, you know, back at you because
why would I remember that? Because I did so. You know,
we both did so much television, especially back in that time,
and you were I think you were still on Saved
by the Belt. Yes, I was like a white gig right.
I was telling Daisy yesterday, I said, I just had
(01:27):
the vivid memory now of the show and I even
remember the name of the show and name your adventure. Wow,
that's impressive. But I could be wrong. I had this
recollection that you introduced me at that show that night
that you came out and said, ladies and gentlemen. I
think we asked you to do that. I think yes,
And I was a highlight. Yeah. Wow, you have a
good memory, remember that. I love it. I love that YouTube, buddy, YouTube. Congratulations.
(01:52):
You've announced a new album. Songwriter, how the idea for
the project come about. This is the most uh ambitious
I guess it would be the right word. And I'm
super fun, but it was. It's the most ambitious project
that I've ever uh undertaken in that. You know, you
may know because we know we go back a little
ways that in addition to the records that I've put
(02:12):
out as an artist, I've written a lot of songs
with a lot of different artists in a lot of
different genres. So I've worked with you know, I worked
with Luther vander Us in the R and B world.
I've written a lot of country songs with Keith Urman
and different country artists, and so I thought, why not
do that as an artist as well. So the song,
the the album songwriter is twenty songs, but it's five
(02:35):
pop songs, five rock songs, five country songs, and five
beautiful ballads. I wrote one of the ballads with Bert
Backrack of all people. That's awesome. That's so yeah, It's
like it crosses four different genres and uh and it's
I'm really excited for people to hear it. I love it.
I love it. You get to to flex those creative
muscles and a testament to your talent and I've always
(02:55):
loved and appreciated all genres of music. Um, the first
thing goal the same heartbreak, the same heartbreak, different Day.
It's got a very modern aesthetic tool. What was the
goal when you're putting that song together, Well, that was
for the poppyp and I. You know, if I'm fifty
eight years old, so if I'm going to put out
a pop song, I wanted to sound like if you
(03:15):
didn't know who I was, or if you didn't see me,
you'd think it was some young guy. And part of
the way to get that done is to use my
own instincts, of my own melodic sensibilities, but also to
collaborate and in this case with Same Heartbreak, Different Day.
I wrote the song with my son. I have three sons,
(03:36):
the Marx Brothers, UM and my middle son, Luke, who's
an incredibly they're all really talented musicians and song and
songwriters and singers, but Lucas has become this really successful
behind the scenes producer and writer for different artists, and
he's he's twenty nine, and he's really plugged into pop radio.
And so we wrote this song with a friend of
our name Michael Jade. Lucas produced it, and like the
(03:58):
greatest compliment man I get. I've been getting this last
week since the record came out. Is people doing it
sounds like so modern. It sounds like it's just like
a regular pop record. It doesn't sound like an old guy.
Well thank you. You look great man, by the way,
look at thanks buddy. Um. It's got to be the
best collaborating with your kids or is there is there?
(04:19):
Are you taking a father with Sometimes they get they
frustrate you sometimes too, or talk about that dynamic. Well,
you know, I've they grew up watching me make records,
and they met all these artists that I worked with,
and they were involved with. You know, they would come
in and out of the studio when I would be
recording albums, and then little by little as they got
into it, I would produce them and I would cut
(04:40):
tracks with them, and I would tell them what to
do and how to do this and try this again.
And and now the roles have been reversed. But we
have such a shorthand we have such love for each
other that there's no egos or hurt feelings involved. And
so when I'm singing a vocal like on same heart Break,
Different day, I'd see a line Lucas would go, oh
(05:00):
my god, no, no, no, you sound a thousand years old.
Do it left this? And you would line read me,
it's such a great singer, and I would just copy
what he was doing. Um, so, I you know, it's
kind of cool to be produced. It's like if as
an actor, like if your son becomes your son or
daughter becomes a really great director and they're directing you
and telling you how to do your job. You know,
(05:22):
So I'm all for it. It's been a total blast.
It sounds like the priceless moments right there. Um, I'm
just curious when you're working with an artist for for
the first time, But what's that process like? Is is
it do you start with a certain lyric or a
hook or you kind of gauge how they want to start.
When I'm collaborating with another artist for their project, the
(05:44):
thing that does not exist in me is ego when
I'm when I'm making my own records, that's like I
call the shots. I want it my way right When
I like, for instance, Keith Urban and I've had you know,
a few songs that were really big hits for him.
And when I write with Keith, or when I have
written with Keith, it doesn't matter whether I would sing
that line or what I would do if I'm there
(06:07):
to serve his vision of what he wants to do.
And that's true of every artist I've ever worked with.
So I think I'm a good collaborator, and then I
leave my ego at the door in those situations and
and co and creating with someone you know, especially if
you meet somebody for the first time and you're writing
a song with them and you don't know them, like
Keith and I hang out like we've been friends. But
(06:29):
sometimes when I write with a new artist I've never
met before, it's like a first date. You know, you
don't know each other again and know each other, You
a little nervous, you're a little and then where you
connect is creatively and when that magic starts to happen
and you start finishing each other's sentences or you throw
out something and they go, oh my god, I love that,
and then we could go here, and then then it's
just that's what it's all about. And I never I
(06:52):
never tire of that thrill. Has there been an example
of where you you tried to collab and it just
you guys weren't on the same page. Oh yeah, I'll
leave it at that fair enough. I will say this, Mario,
I would say ninety eight percent of my life in
terms of that has been really great experiences. That's a
(07:13):
hell of a batting average right there. Who's an artist
that's still on your collaboration wish list? Um, I mean
there's a part of me that has for a long time.
I wanted to work with Rod Stewart because I grew
up just loving restaurant. Actually, uh, he was just at
the Bowl here. That sounded greating looks the same, the
(07:34):
hair is the same, timeless. I did a show with
him uh in Atlanta a few years ago, and it
was really funny because I came out of my dressing
room to go to head to the stage and I
hadn't seen him that day at all, and I met
him a few times over the years, but he came
out of his dressing room at the same time and
we were walking towards each other to like give each
other a hug hello, and we were wearing the exact
(07:55):
same shoes. I thought, I have really cool laugh because
Rods were in the same kicks I'm wearing Um, I've
always wanted to write a song for him or with him,
but I think he's kind of like got his his
group of guys and he's got his thing together, so
I I don't know that that will ever happen. And
(08:15):
the other answer is, um, I really love the idea
of working with brand new artists who have everything to prove,
and um, so every every so often, I just if
if I hear something, hears somebody's voice that I like
or whatever, and they reach out to want to collaborate,
that I welcome that because I can learn from a
brand new artist, you know, And I think that that's
(08:36):
more exciting than than trying to convince somebody who's had
a lot of success your way. And people are so
they get so afraid of not repeating their success, whereas
a new artist will just try anything. Yeah. No, that
that's a really good point, right there. Any plans to
possibly at the road, Oh yeah, no, dude. I I'm
always on the road. I'm playing up North next week
(08:58):
and playing nap from No No, and I'm playing Vegas
and then I do a show in pump Springs next Saturday,
which will be Blast, and then I go I leave
in August for seven and a half week tour of Europe.
So I'm playing about twenty four shows there. That's following
Europe everywhere from Spain to Paris to UK to Italy,
(09:19):
and then i come home for like a week and
then I'm back out for US day. So yeah, I'm
touring NonStop home the Los Angeles area now and we're
from originally again Richard, Chicago, Oh, Chicago guy, right there. Awesome, awesome.
Um you mentioned your lovely wife Daisy Fuentes, who sweetheart
known for years back in the day, and I when
(09:40):
I heard you guys got together, I was like, oh,
that's cool. Two cool people that I like that ended
up to getting together right there. So okay, home here
in l A. We're gonna look forward to uh seeing
you on the road, uh sometime soon. Meanwhile, songwriter drops
September and listen to same Heartbreak, Different Day right now
on I Heart Radio. Richard, thanks so much for hanging out.
(10:01):
Always a pleasure, buddy. Yeah, nice to see you, pal
Man seem fun with Mario A little pass
Host
Mario Lopez
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
Ridiculous History
History is beautiful, brutal and, often, ridiculous. Join Ben Bowlin and Noel Brown as they dive into some of the weirdest stories from across the span of human civilization in Ridiculous History, a podcast by iHeartRadio.