An Interview with
'Roger Romeo'
Former Guitarist of
'Legs Diamond'
and now of 'The Blueprint'
that took place on 4th March, 2025.
Interviewed by Glenn Milligan.
Glenn: Are you good to tell us a bit about what originally got you interested in music?
Roger: I’ve always been a music lover, even as a toddler. My first recollections of music was Mahalia Jackson singing gospel, Hank Williams singing 'Your Cheatin' Heart' and Les Paul and Mary Ford singing 'How High the Moon'. I was about 3 years old!
A little later on I got into Rock and Roll as I had an older sister who turned me on to it. When I was about 5 or 6 I saw Elvis on Ed Sullivan. My 15 year old cousins eyes rolled up and she passed out on the floor! That is powerful!
I started thinking about playing music when the British Invasion hit. Me and 2 buddies were over this girls house when the Beatles were first on Ed Sullivan. The girls screamed non-stop and me and my buddies looked at each other and knew what we wanted to do. We got guitars and a bass for Christmas!!
This year marks my 60 years playing guitar and singing!
Glenn: What were the first albums and singles you bought and how were you turned onto those artists?
Roger: My Sister is 7 years older than me and she had quite a selection on Rock and Roll. I remember the Everly Brothers especially and Elvis. Prior to the British Invasion I had records of Roy Orbison, The Beach Boys, The Ronettes, Ray Charles and lots of Motown (I’m from Detroit).
Glenn: Who would you say influenced you to take up the guitar and for what reasons?
Roger: It started with The Beatles but as I started playing guitar I realized they were a bit limited. So, I would say the main band that got me going on guitar was The Yardbirds. You had 3 of the greatest rock guitar players coming from the same band (Clapton, Beck and Page). Clapton with John Mayall (Beano LP) and Jeff Beck’s “Truth” LP with Rod Stewart were my bibles.
Glenn: Can you tell us about the first concerts you ever went to?
Roger: Jimi Hendrix at the Masonic Temple in Detroit was my first concert! I saw God! Not long after in 1969 I saw the Jeff Beck Group twice (with Rod and Ronnie) at The Grande Ballroom and Led Zep too.
Glenn: Who originally influenced you to form your own band?
Roger: The Beatles.
Glenn: What were you up to before making it to the big-time, so to speak with regard to other bands etc?
Roger: My second band when I was in high school was the 'The Outcry'. The Drummer's Mom was our Manager and she booked us everywhere. We even got a 'indy' record deal and recorded a 45. We were on the local after school dance show on tv twice. FYI our bass player Del Hurt wrote it, NOT Diamond Jim.
Here’s the song on Youtube:
Glenn: The well-known band in the 70's was named after the 1920's Gangster 'Legs Diamond'. For what reasons did you decide to name the band after him?
Roger: Michael Diamond and Jeff Poole were using the name in the SF area for years. They moved to LA and went through a few singers and musicians till the final 5 were chosen. We decided to keep the name.
Glenn: How did the name go over to people with regard to fans and those in the music business?
Roger: Rick, our singer, literally wore a shoulder holster and blank gun in the early days. We all had gangster-ish clothes in the beginning too. We decided the gun wasn’t a good idea after a while.
Funny story: The heads of Mercury/Polygram record flew out from Chicago to see our private show. Rick came out firing the gun and they all ran for cover! The signed us that night!
Glenn: Without you having to go over loads about the Mercury days of 'Legs Diamond', what would you say were the highs and lows of being a member of that band and how was it different when you guys reformed in 1990 and were signed to Metal Blade?
Roger: Early days highs were opening for KISS and headlining the San Antonio Municipal Auditorium. I left the band in 1980 but remained friends with the guys, especially Michael Prince.
Around 1989, I asked MP if he would like to put the band back together. He said sure and we asked Rick, Dusty and Mike Christie if they would like to join. They were the last members before the band broke up. A friend of mine, Allen Jones, introduced me to Brian Slagel, the President of Metal Blade.
Eventually he offered us a record deal. His only request was that we re-record 'Stage Fright', his favourite LD song.
Glenn: What were your thoughts at the time 'when you were re-discovered', if that's the right phrase to use by Rock Candy Records in the UK which led onto the original albums being reissued?
Roger: I always thought Legs should have been much bigger. It was all about lack of exposure and very, very bad management (Toby-Entner). Any town we had good airplay in loved us. San Antonio is a great example.
Glenn: Care to say how that deal came to be and your personal after-thoughts about it now with regard to anything you feel you are legally allowed to discuss?
Roger: All of the rights to the masters had expired. Michael Prince is a professional at Pro-tools and he pretty much fine tuned and re-mastered the recordings.
Glenn: What's the reaction from fans when you do the occasional show since the band has at least 3 original members of the bands in the line-up?
Roger: It’s always about the songs. Fans sing along with us and it’s quite a compliment. Rick retired about 25 years ago and it was hard to find someone with his vocal texture. I got John LeVesque to join in 2005 and we recorded a very good LP. Unfortunately, he didn’t sound anything like Rick, more like Bon Jovi.
In 2018 I met a great singer at a jam in LA. His voice had that natural rasp and I asked Keith England (formerly of Montrose) if he would like to join us. He fit in immediately. The funny thing is John LeVesque, our previous singer, was also from Montrose!
Glenn: Have there ever been plans to have Rick Sanford back on lead vocals at any point and what stops him being a member of the band since he now resided in Branch, Texas according to Discogs?
Roger: Unfortunately Rick living in Texas wasn’t a deal breaker. He isn’t able to sing like he used to and it was he that decided he was retiring from singing. We always invite him to our shows in San Antonio but he never comes. We talk occasionally on social media.
Glenn: What bands have you a part of in the period(s) when not active with Legs Diamond and what would you say have been highlights from time to time and why?
Roger: Legs is about the only band I’ve been in that I wasn’t the lead singer. I’ve never stopped recording and playing live since 1965. One highlight was I almost had a record deal with Atlantic Records in the mid 80’s. They paid for most of an LP but there was a shake-up in the LA office and it got shelved. Bobby Blotzer produced it.
Glenn: I know you have or had another band with Drummer, Jeff Poole called 'The Riff Rockers'. Care to tell us all about them and who else plays in it? Where do you usually perform?
Roger: Yes! We recorded two original LPs. It’s with Jeff Poole and Ted Kaye on Bass.
Here’s the first one:
Glenn: You have somewhat of supergroup called The Blueprint that also features Jon Hyde (Detective) on Drums & Ray Burke (ex-Bruce Dickinson 'Tyranny Of Souls' Album) on Bass. How did you guys come into fruition and did you decide on calling the band this?
Roger: Jon and I had been playing together with Bobby Pickett (also from Detective) in a band called The Funkin Maniacs. We put out a LP but unfortunately Jon had an accident and really hurt his back. I had Jeff Poole sub for a bit but I eventually started playing with other musicians. I ran into Jon about a year ago and we decided to play together again.
I already had Ray on bass so it was an easy transition. I love the way Ray plays! I like aggressive bass, especially in a 3-piece band. We’re currently playing around town and recording a new original album.
Here’s the Funkin Maniacs LP:
Glenn: What kinda stuff do you play and are there any particular songs that really gets your groove on that you enjoy performing live?
Roger: We are pretty much a power trio. We’re currently working up an original set. Playing the original set live we have new songs, Funkin Maniacs, Riff Rockers and even Legs Diamond songs. We also do some interesting versions of songs you wouldn’t think a rock band would be doing, like Sade!!!
Glenn: Are there particular venues in the that you love doing gigs at and if so, which ones?
Roger: Local bars include Ireland’s 32 and Maui Sugar Mill.
Glenn: You have an original album that is coming out. Which songs are you most proud of, what influenced them and how are they going over live so far?
Roger: Two of the new songs are collaborations with Jeff Poole. 'I Can’t Go Back' and 'Song for Keri' are songs Jeff wrote the lyrics to and I wrote the music and vocal melody. Unfortunately, Jeff lost his daughter in that horrible massacre in Las Vegas where 50 people were killed. His daughter Keri was one of the victims. The song is a tribute to her.
Glenn: Will the album be self-produced and self-financed or do you plan do release it via a record company?
Roger: I have a Pro-Tools studio in my house with a live room. I’ll be producing it but I will probably ask for some help and suggestions from Michael Prince. After it’s finished I’ll be shopping it around for interest. These days, if you can finance the recording yourself, you really don’t need a record label.
Glenn: Do you have particular guitars, amps and various electronic wizardry gadgets that you fave both in a live and studio situation?
Roger: I’m pretty much a Gibson guitar and Marshall amp guy. I believe in getting the tone out of the amp and cabinet and don’t use many 'gizmos'. My current favourite guitar is a 1986 Gibson SG 61 re-isssue. I have other assorted Gibsons and a 1990 Fender Strat to mix it up.
My fav Marshall is a 900 but 100 watts is a bit much for clubs. So I use mini Marshalls together, a DSL 15 and DSL 20. I always use Celestions exclusively. My pedals are just a Friedman Buxom Boost for solos, TC Electronics Flashback Delay, Boss Super Chorus and a wah.
Glenn: If you had the chance, what other bands would you like to have the chance to both tour and gig with if the opportunities arose?
Roger: I actually auditioned for KISS back in the day. I blew it though because I was told Gene just wanted to jam and I didn’t know any songs! I’m convinced I would have got the job though. Vinnie was right after me and he got it. Hindsight I should have asked for another chance. My song-writing would have been a good selling point.
Glenn: Is there anything else you would like to bring up that I have not touched on during the Interview about the new band or anything else you feel you'd like to chat about?
Roger: I would just like to thank everyone who has supported my career in any way shape of form. I’m a non-stop music machine and it’s always good to know what I’m doing has touched someone.
Glenn: What are your thoughts of the current scene in Southern California with regard to Rock Music and the scene as a whole?
Roger: SoCal has always been a hot spot for music. I go see bands constantly and I’m a big supporter of all my musician friends. I have big respect for the musicians doing original music. Covers are fun but I always have an original set ready to play!
Glenn: What are you opinions of the digital age of music and how technology has advanced over the years either for better or for worse?
Roger: It was very iffy at first when the digital recording was trying to emulate analogue. They have it down now and anyone who has had to deal with big 2 inch tape reels knows what I’m talking about.
Glenn: What have you learned most of the years about the music business and what would the Roger Romeo of now advise the young Roger Romeo when he was first starting out?
Roger: I’m not a big fan of the biz part. My focus has always been the music. However, without the biz part you’ll be the most famous guy in your bedroom. I would be a lot more aggressive on the biz side. When you’re young you think fame will just come to you. As you age you realize how much effort is actually needed to get things done.
Glenn: What other things are you also involved outside music, especially regarding hobbies and interests you have?
Roger: It’s pretty much music, music, music for me. If I’m not playing it, I’m seeing other people play. I’m totally immersed in it!
Glenn: What are you most proud of in your musical career so far?
Roger: I would say the songs I have written. It’s the most wonderful thing when I play a concert and people are singing the songs I wrote back to me! I have broke out in tears…
Glenn: What would you like to be most remembered far – as in your legacy etc?
Roger: Thanks to social media I’ve been contacted my people who say songs I have written have touched them. It is a true gift and blessing to be able to make people feel good. I am thankful!
Thanks for the interest brother!
Rog.