Interviews 2003 Reunion Tour Interview with Richie Ranno by Brynn Arens of Flipp Let me just start out by saying congratulations for twice having the greatest rock and roll band to ever walk the planet. Now put your hands together for the one and only..... MR. RICHIE RANNO Q: What did you personally do to prepare yourself for the reunion? A: Well, first thing I did was take out my old white Strat. I hadn't used it in over 15 years. The pickup was dead and the neck was warped. I had my old friend, Bill Baker, do all the work. He did a great job and I started playing it again. It was my main guitar in Starz. Q: What was the first thing that went thru your mind as you hit the opening guitar part to Fallen Angel at the first show? A: Wow - it felt great! It seemed surreal!! Q: If you could only play one guitar for the rest of your life which one would it be and why? A: Well, it would be the white strat. It's versatile, stays in perfect tune, looks cool, sounds great! The white strat was the guitar I first saw the Beach Boys use and then I saw Jimi Hendrix use it. I think that says it all! Q: It seemed so perfect that you had the infamous "Nite Bob" mix you guys at Don Hills in New York city (and may I say you sounded fucking great!). A: Nite Bob and I have been friends since 1973! It was a great surprise to see him at the gig, mixing our sound. Everyone said he did a fantastic job. Of course, on stage, you only hear the stage sound and monitors. Q: Have you written any songs that you would like to record with Starz today? And if so, could you give us a couple titles? A: I have LOTS of music that I've written that's crying out for lyrics and melodies. So, there are no titles. But, Michael Lee is the best lyricist there ever was, so I'll have to get the music over to him. Q: Do you foresee a new Starz record? A: It's possible. Q: It has to be said that Starz has one of the greatest logo's ever. Could you please tell us who's idea it was? A: It was Sean Delaney's idea. He came up with the name. At the time, I was playing the white Strat with the stars on the neck, I had a star earring, Michael & Dube wore star necklaces and Sean just said that should be our name, with a 'z' instead of an 's'. We were kind of on the fence. He went to Dennis Woloch, our album art director, who hired an artist to come up with a logo. They showed us the logo and we all said, "That's it!". Q: I have heard you say that if the pizza doesn't come from New York it's just cheese and crackers. Who makes your favorite pizza? A: Uncle Frank's in Dumont! Q: Without question Brenden and yourself make one of the greatest guitar tag teams of all time. Do you sit down and figure out your parts together or does it all happen naturally? A: Hmm... I think it just happens. We listen to each other. A lot of musicians just listen to themselves! Q: Who got laid more Michael Lee Smith or Rex Smith? A: Michael Lee - 10 to 1!! Q: Why do you suppose Flipp is such a great f*cking band? A: Because you're in it! You're the best!!!