It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll, But Sure Look – Eric joins star-studded line-up on radio show

WITH a career in music spanning almost forty years, Clondalkin broadcaster and music producer Eric Moore is as excited today about music as he was as a toddler fifty years ago, dancing around his parent’s living room and unleashing endless energy to records by the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.

Half a century on, and now a presenter with RTÉ Gold for almost seven years, Eric has learned a great deal about his audience.

Their passion for music runs deeper than just listening to the same old hits over and over, and his audience includes people who ventured to record stores, paid for their music, and had the inner sleeve notes read from cover to cover on the bus journey home before they even got to listen to their purchases.

Via his weekly radio programme, Golden Years, Eric has strived to give as much insight as possible into featured artists and their music while maintaining the music/chat balance.

‘It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll, But Sure Look’ is merely an extension of what Eric already brings to RTÉ Gold but instead focuses (week by week) on a particular staple of Ireland’s music industry.

In ‘It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll, But Sure Look,’ Eric joins a star-studded line-up of fellow music obsessives to learn more about their contribution to the industry and the passion that fuelled their journey, giving the RTÉ Gold audience an in-depth understanding and greater appreciation of his guests musical heritage.

This week, we sat down with Eric to discuss the series, which kicks off on June 23 on RTE Gold and includes guests such as Eamon Carr, Mary Coughlan, David Heffernan, Noel Watson, Sheena Madden, Tonie Walsh, Pat Egan, and Francie Conway.

Were there any highlights or challenges involved in the production of the series?

There are always going to be challenges with a project of this magnitude.

Firstly, you’re asking people to be open about the highs and lows of their professional career.

Who of us want to highlight the negatives in our lives?

None, but when I approached the potential guests and explained that this was to be a celebration of who we are, what we do, and the journey taken to get here, everyone got it immediately.

Nobody said no.

Everyone was happy to return to simpler times and revisit the rocky path that took them from being just a fan of music to being a music journalist or a music promoter.

Also, you’re dealing with people with tight work schedules. I hadn’t expected that, to be honest.

When they’re not in the studio, they’re either on tour or off doing other music-related stuff.

Mary Coughlan was fresh off a tour and about to head into the recording studio.

David Heffernan was just back from filming a documentary in Nashville.

Eamon Carr was promoting his new book; I mean, it was 24/7 with these people.

All go.

Bob Geldof was one of the first guests to sign up, which, lets face it, was a big catch.

I was delighted.

I’d researched him that well; he could have been my chosen subject on mastermind.

Twenty-three hours before the interview, I’m in Tesco with my son.

I’ve just bought Geldof a birthday card with a photo of Queen on it, knowing it would contribute to a jovial introduction that would hopefully set the tone for the interview.

Suddenly, the dreaded email.

Bob won’t be able to do the interview tomorrow.

I was gutted, as was the sound recordist who I’d booked for the job.

Geldof would be heading for a lengthy trip to the U.S. to fulfill a list of engagements, so that window was now closed for good.

Totally not Bob’s fault, but a real downer nonetheless.

The upside of that was that there was now a free slot, and I filled it with a guy called Noel Watson, who wouldn’t have been a household name but would have had the most amazing stories.

I was inspired by Noel’s work in the early 80s and knew the perfect direction to take his interview.

We’re saving his episode till last.

Subsequently, Noel and I bonded and are now making music together.

Every dark cloud, eh?

Is there any episode that you are particularly happy with or proud of and why?

No. And I’m not just saying that.

I enjoyed the interview process immensely and learned so much too.

You have to remember that I’m a massive music head. When I’m not listening to music, I’m watching documentaries about music as part of my downtime.

So to be able to sit in front of the likes of Pat Egan and ask him about the Bob Marley gig at Dalymount or booking U2 for a fiver, it’s otherworldly.

You’re helping these people tell their stories, knowing that there’s an audience of like-minded music heads just chomping at the bit to hear them.

What is next for you?

At the risk of sounding like Alan Partridge, “Am I going to get a second series?”?

I don’t know.

And I’m not even thinking about it.

If it happens, it happens. I set up a record label two years ago, initially to put out records with a childhood friend of mine who went by the name of DJ Conrol, but things just took off faster than we thought, and soon, we found ourselves recording with some hip-hop pioneers from the Bronx, New York.

I mean, these people were our heroes back in the day.

Sadly, Control passed away last summer after a short battle with cancer.

He was 55.

We have two vinyl releases set for this year, so I’m hell-bent on getting our music out to the masses and doing him proud.

I’m also working with a publisher on a book chronicling the Irish hip-hop scene.

All the elements.

Breaking, graffiti, rapping, and scratching.

The lot. That’s been a real joy, getting access to photo collections dating back to the early eighties.

Who would you like to thank?

When you have an idea for any type of project, you’re hoping to God that other people will see what you see.

See its potential.

I’d had a similar idea over ten years ago and even recorded a kind of pilot, interviewing 2FM’s John Clarke, whom I thought was a great subject.

I wasn’t long in RTÉ at the time, so when I pitched it to a few people and heard nothing back, I just put it on the back burner.

Thankfully, my boss at RTÉ Gold has great vision.

As soon as I pitched him the idea, he got it right away.

Luckily, Coimisiún na Meán did too and gave the green light for funding.

It was a privilege to have worked with such amazing guests.

I’ll be forever grateful. I just can’t wait for people to hear their stories.

They’re inspirational.

Especially for anyone considering a career in the arts.