Year in Review: Examiner Ray Shasho reflects on a busy 2011 for Classic Rock

Classic Rock Music Reporter Ray Shasho never imagined that one day he’d be interviewing all of his favorite rock & roll heroes, and especially at the frequency and magnitude that 2011 exhibited.

In 2011, Ray conducted 23 in-depth interviews with legendary artists from the world of music and television. Shasho also reviewed 14 live events during the year.

View slideshow: The Best of the Best in 2011

Here are the Top 10 rankings for the most popular interviews of the year based on readership page views. (Note: Facebook likes/shares have been reset several times on many articles due to Examiner restructuring their look).

1- JON ANDERSON: “I’ll return to YES when they wake up” -Interview with Ray Shasho http://www.examiner.com/classic-rock-music-in-st-petersburg/jon-anderson-i-ll-return-to-yes-when-they-wake-up-interview-with-ray-shasho

2- PAT SIMMONS of The Doobie Brothers: Interview with Ray Shasho http://www.examiner.com/classic-rock-music-in-st-petersburg/orlando-calling-festival-review-interview-with-doobie-brothers-pat-simmons-review

3- ERIC BURDON -Animals immortal songster speaks with Examiner Ray Shasho http://www.examiner.com/classic-rock-music-in-st-petersburg/eric-burdon-animals-immortal-songster-speaks-with-examiner-com

4- TONY LEVIN Interview with Ray Shasho: Levin Torn White new release and review http://www.examiner.com/classic-rock-music-in-st-petersburg/tony-levin-interview-levin-torn-white-new-release-and-review

5- MARK FARNER Grand Funk Railroad’s Captain Raps with Examiner Ray Shasho http://www.examiner.com/classic-rock-music-in-st-petersburg/grand-funk-railroad-s-captain-mark-farner-raps-with-examiner-ray-shasho

6- TOMMY JAMES (Shondells) Interview with Ray Shasho: 'Me, the Mob, and the Music' http://www.examiner.com/classic-rock-music-in-st-petersburg/interview-if-it-hadn-t-been-for-mobster-morris-levy-there-d-be-no-tommy-james

7- MARK LINDSAY: Paul Revere & the Raiders Charismatic Superstar Speaks With Ray Shasho http://www.examiner.com/classic-rock-music-in-st-petersburg/paul-revere-the-raiders-charismatic-superstar-speaks-with-ray-shasho

8- TODD RUNDGREN: Exclusive Interview with Ray Shasho http://www.examiner.com/classic-rock-music-in-st-petersburg/exclusive-interview-todd-rundgren-talks-utopia-reunion-with-examiner-ray-shasho

9- GREGG ROLIE: Santana and Journey original lead singer speaks with Ray Shasho http://www.examiner.com/classic-rock-music-in-st-petersburg/santana-and-journey-original-lead-singer-gregg-rolie-speaks-with-ray-shasho

10- KIM WILSON Interview: Blues Frontman of The Fabulous Thunderbirds http://www.examiner.com/classic-rock-music-in-st-petersburg/kim-wilson-interview-we-played-straight-blues-and-we-were-militant-about-it

Honorable Mentions…

BILLY SHERWOOD Interview: discusses the Progressive Rock of CIRCA… ‘And So On’ http://www.examiner.com/classic-rock-music-in-st-petersburg/interview-billy-sherwood-discusses-the-progressive-rock-of-circa-and-so-on-review

RONNIE MONTROSE Interview: "We're Going Out and Tearing It Up!" http://www.examiner.com/classic-rock-music-in-st-petersburg/ronnie-montrose-interview-we-re-going-out-and-tearing-it-up

DAVE MASON: Feelin'Alright in an Interview with Examiner Ray Shasho http://www.examiner.com/classic-rock-music-in-st-petersburg/dave-mason-is-feelin-alright-an-interview-with-examiner-ray-shasho

JOE LYNN TURNER: Rainbow/Deep Purple vocalist chats with Examiner Ray Shasho http://www.examiner.com/classic-rock-music-in-st-petersburg/rainbow-deep-purple-vocalist-joe-lynn-turner-chats-with-examiner-ray-shasho

JIM McCARTY: Yardbirds Exalted Drummer & Songwriter Speaks with Ray Shasho http://www.examiner.com/classic-rock-music-in-st-petersburg/yardbirds-exalted-drummer-songwriter-speaks-with-examiner-ray-shasho

Here are the Top 10 rankings for the most popular concert reviews for the year based on readership page views. (Note: Facebook likes/shares have been reset several times on many articles due to Examiner restructuring their look).

1- ORLANDO CALLING FESTIVAL: Review http://www.examiner.com/classic-rock-music-in-st-petersburg/orlando-calling-festival-review-interview-with-doobie-brothers-pat-simmons-review

2- FRAMPTON COMES ALIVE! Incredible performance for sold out Ruth Eckerd http://www.examiner.com/classic-rock-music-in-st-petersburg/review-frampton-comes-alive-incredible-performance-for-sold-out-ruth-eckerd-review

3- DANGEROUS DAN' TOLER: Benefit headlines Dickey Betts-Bonnie Bramlett-Blackhawk http://www.examiner.com/classic-rock-music-in-st-petersburg/dangerous-dan-toler-benefit-headlines-dickey-betts-bonnie-bramlett-blackhawk

4- THE HAPPY TOGETHER TOUR at Ruth Eckerd Hall was Far Out, Man! http://www.examiner.com/classic-rock-music-in-st-petersburg/the-happy-together-tour-at-ruth-eckerd-hall-was-far-out-man-review

5- JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS rock huge crowd in Tampa http://www.examiner.com/classic-rock-music-in-st-petersburg/joan-jett-and-the-blackhearts-rock-huge-crowd-tampa-review

6- DICKEY BETTS: Allman Brothers Band guitar legend plays benefit in Sarasota http://www.examiner.com/classic-rock-music-in-st-petersburg/allman-brothers-band-guitar-legend-dickey-betts-plays-benefit-sarasota

7- HIPPIEFEST : A resurgence of the flower children and the music that mattered http://www.examiner.com/classic-rock-music-in-st-petersburg/hippiefest-a-resurgence-of-the-flower-children-and-the-music-that-mattered-review

8- KANSAS and THE LITTLE RIVER BAND rock out at Fun N' Sun Fest http://www.examiner.com/classic-rock-music-in-st-petersburg/kansas-and-the-little-river-band-rock-out-at-fun-n-sun-fest-review

9- MONTROSE Review: Masterful and Powerful at Largo Cultural Center http://www.examiner.com/classic-rock-music-in-st-petersburg/review-montrose-masterful-and-powerful-at-largo-cultural-center-review

10- "GIVING HUNGER THE BLUES" Block Party Rocks Sarasota http://www.examiner.com/classic-rock-music-in-st-petersburg/giving-hunger-the-blues-block-party-rocks-sarasota-review

Honorable Mention’s …

ACE FREHLEY: KISS Guitarist Rocks the Forum in Tampa http://www.examiner.com/classic-rock-music-in-st-petersburg/kiss-guitarist-ace-frehley-rocks-the-forum-tampa-review

JEFF BECK: shares a day in the life at Ruth Eckerd Hall http://www.examiner.com/classic-rock-music-in-st-petersburg/jeff-beck-shares-a-day-the-life-at-ruth-eckerd-hall-review

KISS ARMY: largest social network on the planet http://www.examiner.com/classic-rock-music-in-st-petersburg/kiss-army-largest-social-network-on-the-planet

JOHNNY WINTER: Live at the Capitol Theatre http://www.examiner.com/classic-rock-music-in-st-petersburg/johnny-winter-live-at-the-capitol-theatre-review

FOGHAT Review: Quick boogie at Jannus Live Rocks the House http://www.examiner.com/classic-rock-music-in-st-petersburg/review-foghat-quick-boogie-at-jannus-live-rocks-the-house-review

Ray also added a new segment to his column in 2011 called ‘Classic Rock meets Classic TV’

And the winners are…

1- STANLEY LIVINGSTON Interview: A Chat with Chip from 'My Three Sons' http://www.examiner.com/classic-rock-music-in-st-petersburg/classic-tv-a-chat-with-chip-stanley-livingston-of-my-three-sons

2- BARRY LIVINGSTON Interview: 'The Importance of Being Ernie' http://www.examiner.com/classic-rock-music-in-st-petersburg/barry-livingston-chats-with-ray-shasho-about-the-importance-of-being-ernie-review

I want to thank all the public relation firms, artist management, concert promoters and venue staff that I’ve worked with throughout the year, but especially to the Examiner readers who have graciously surfed their way to my column.

Also special thanks to photographer Mark Weaver for some remarkable shots in 2011.

2012 should be an even bigger year. Watch for more in-depth interviews and concert reviews.

Order author/columnist Ray Shasho’s great new memoir Check the Gs –The True Story of an Eclectic American Family and Their Wacky Family Business. Get your copy today at amazon.com, iuniverse.com, barnesandnoble.com or borders.com.

Pacific Book Review says …Ray Shasho has quite a memory, especially when it comes to what songs played on the radio during important times throughout his youth. Combining his nostalgic recant of Billboard’s Top 100, like some infomercial for a Time-Life Oldies CD collector’s set, along with his detailed whimsical recollections while growing up, and you have the “soundtrack ” for a truly enjoyable story called Check the Gs: The True Story of an Eclectic American Family and Their Wacky Family Business.

Contact Ray Shasho at rockraymond.shasho@gmail.com