Long Way to the Top
by Shayne Brian
S4E18 - Patrick Simmons: The Doobie Brothers, Black Water and…
About this podcast
Every song has a story. Every legend has a journey.
Long Way to the Top is where those stories come alive — the raw, revealing, and often hilarious moments behind rock’s most enduring names. Hosted by Shayne Brian, this is the ultimate backstage pass into the minds of the artists who built the soundtrack of our lives.
From chart-topping anthems and studio secrets to the reinventions that kept them alive across decades, each episode dives deep into the grit, the glory, and the genius that made these icons who they are.
Featuring legendary guests including:
Stewart Copeland (The Police) — on the art of rhythm, rebellion, and creating one of the most innovative bands in rock history.
Leo Sayer — sharing stories from a five-decade career of global hits, resilience, and reinvention.
Russell Morris — reflecting on The Real Thing and the timeless spirit of Australian music.
Ross Wilson (Daddy Cool, Mondo Rock) — taking us through six decades of songs that shaped Aussie rock.
Tony Hadley (Spandau Ballet) — reliving the glamour, sound, and legacy of the 1980s New Romantic movement.
Steve Kilbey (The Church) — exploring mysticism, creativity, and the making of Under the Milky Way.
Whether you grew up spinning vinyl or streaming playlists, Long Way to the Top takes you deep into the world of the artists who defined generations — and are still climbing.
Hit plus or follow to subscribe to the podcast.
And head over to Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheLongWayToTheTopPodcast,
Keep on Rocking!
Episodes
The newest 20 of 87 episodes
- S4E18 - Patrick Simmons: The Doobie Brothers, Black Water and Walking the Road for 50 Years · 33 min · Season 4 Episode 18This is a reshare of an interview conducted in July 2025 with Patrick Simmons...enjoy! Patrick Simmons of The Doobie Brothers joins Shayne Brian on Long Way to the Top for a…
- S4E18 - Suzi Quatro: Freedom, the Detroit Sound and the Queen of Rock · 30 min · Season 4 Episode 18Suzi Quatro joins Long Way to the Top for a career-spanning conversation about her incredible rock and roll journey, her new album Freedom, recording with Alice Cooper and her…
- S4E17 - Go West's Peter Cox: The Story Behind The King of Wishful Thinking & 40 Years of Hit Songs · 19 min · Season 4 Episode 17Go West became one of the defining pop acts of the 1980s with timeless hits including We Close Our Eyes, Call Me, Don't Look Down and the global favourite The King of Wishful…
- S4E16 - Debbie Gibson: Foolish Beat, Electric Youth and an Eternally Electric Career · 34 min · Season 4 Episode 16Debbie Gibson joins Shayne Brian on Long Way to the Top ahead of her long-awaited return to Australia as special guest on Go West’s 40th Anniversary Tour. Debbie became one of…
- S4E15 - Angry Anderson Announces Rose Tattoo’s Final Shows Ever · 14 min · Season 4 Episode 20Angry Anderson has made a massive announcement exclusively on Long Way to the Top with Shayne Brian, confirming the final Rose Tattoo shows ever. After more than five decades of…
- S4E14 - Richard Burgman - Sunnyboys Reunion, 45th Anniversary Box Set & The Story Behind an Australian Rock Classic · 54 min · Season 4 Episode 14Forty-five years after changing the sound of Australian rock, Sunnyboys are back to celebrate one of the greatest debut albums in Australian music history. In this special…
- S4E13 - Martin Kemp on the Birth of Spandau Ballet - The Early Years, True, Gold & the Blitz Club · 25 min · Season 4 Episode 13This is a special re-release of an interview I recorded with Martin Kemp from Spandau Ballet late last year. It was such a fascinating conversation that I knew it deserved to be…
- S4E12- Stan Bush: How to Write an 80s Rock Anthem That Lasts Forever · 44 min · Season 4 Episode 12Stan Bush, the iconic voice behind “The Touch” and “Dare” from The Transformers: The Movie, joins Long Way to the Top with Shayne Brian for a powerful conversation about…
- S4E11 - John Brewster (The Angels) – The Real Story Behind “Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again” · 35 min · Season 4 Episode 11In this exclusive interview on Long Way to the Top, Shayne chats with John Brewster, founding member and guitarist of The Angels, as the band celebrates 50 years of their iconic…
- S4E10 - Beeb Birtles: Zoot at 60, Little River Band & a Lifetime of Music & Faith · 1 h 2 min · Season 4 Episode 10Australian music legend Beeb Birtles joins Shayne Brian on Long Way to the Top for a fascinating deep dive into one of the most remarkable careers in Australian rock history…
- S4E9 - Neil Taylor: From Tears for Fears to Robbie Williams... and the Next Chapter with Blue Water Giants · 50 min · Season 4 Episode 9What was it like creating one of the most iconic guitar solos of the 1980s? How do you go from recording with Tears for Fears to performing in front of hundreds of thousands of…
- S4E8 - Rose Carleo Band · 18 min · Season 4 Episode 8Australian rock powerhouse Rose Carleo joins Shayne Brian on Long Way to the Top for a powerful, honest, and deeply personal conversation about her brand-new album 42 Days. In…
- S4E7 - Casey Barnes · 20 min · Season 4 Episode 7Australian country rock star Casey Barnes joins Shayne Brian on Long Way to the Top for an in-depth conversation about his brand-new album Made For This, his powerful duet with…
- S4E6 - Kim Wilde · 21 min · Season 4 Episode 6The queen of 80s pop is back — and this is one of the most revealing interviews Kim Wilde has done in years. In this special episode of Long Way to the Top, Shayne Brian sits…
- S4E5 - Tim Finn - Forever Split Enz · 32 min · Season 4 Episode 5In this episode of Long Way to the Top, host Shayne Brian sits down with legendary New Zealand singer-songwriter Tim Finn for a deep dive into one of the most influential careers…
- S4E4 - Blue Water Giants (Josh Phillips, Mel Gaynor & Neil Taylor) · 50 min · Season 4 Episode 4What happens when legendary musicians from Procol Harum, Tears for Fears, Robbie Williams and Simple Minds come together to form a brand new band? Welcome to Blue Water Giants —…
- S4E3 - Andrew Farriss - Beyond INXS · 42 min · Season 4 Episode 3INXS sold over 75 million records worldwide, boasting an impressive catalogue of hits that include ten Australian Top 10 singles and seven US Top 10 singles. The band’s accolades…
- S4E2 - Lloyd Cole (& the Commotions) · 22 min · Season 4 Episode 2As the frontman of Lloyd Cole and the Commotions, Lloyd burst onto the scene in the mid-80s with a sound that blended jangly guitar pop with deeply intelligent, often cinematic…
- S4E1 - Phil Campbell (Motörhead, The Bastard Sons) · 24 min · Season 4 Episode 1Welcome to Season 4 of Long Way to the Top, the podcast where we dive deep into the stories behind rock’s biggest names, their defining moments, and the road that brought them…
- S3E13 - Dave Graney · 9 min · Season 3 Episode 13Enjoy this quick little chat with Dave Graney as he finishes up his Coral Snakes tour. It is the Soft and Sexy Sound of the King of Cool this week. Hit plus or follow to…







