“What I miss most from music nowadays are, nowadays music with lyrics and stories that have poor substance and lack of a good melody line that songs of the past had. Many new artists don’t understand hooks and how to sing the song to deliver it out of a box.”
Larin Michaels: It’s All About Music
Larin Michaels born and raised in Motown started his musical career on drums at the age of 7. By the age of 15 Larin had progressed to playing guitar and piano and started a local rock band with friend Mario Bee, named The Noblemen. The band played through-out the Midwest recording and performing concerts on radio and T.V. In the late 70's Larin took a position as musical /director/performer with the European show Hair and Now. Returning back to the U.S. he continued his musical career performing, recording, writing and producing. Larin Michaels has appeared and or recorded with many legendary artists throughout the years. Accreditations: Del Shannon B/U Guitar, Freddy Cannon, Willie Tyler and Lester Motown recording artist B/U guitar, Frijid Pink, Reflections singer, The Evereadys, arranger on hit song #14 on Billboards top 100 Nothing Separates Me from your Love, Session work with Band Finger Band member Michael Gibbons. (Photo: Larin Michaels)
Shared the stage with: Bob Seger, Four Tops, Spinners, Temptations, The OJ's, Mitch Ryder, Paul Revere abd the Raiders, Elke Sommers, Chairmen of the Board, Flo and Eddie, Aretha Franklin, Grand Funk Railroad, Rare Earth, Shades of Blue, Diana Ross and the Supremes.In 2025 released two singles, four videos along with a nine song album “It’s All About Love” on Conch Town Records.
Interview by Michael Limnios Special Thanks: Frank Roszak
How has the music influenced your views of the world? What moment changed your music life the most?
Music from the 70’s and the war really opened my eyes and made me think about life and how people get used and not in a good way. From then on and still today I want to get my stories/music told in a pure way.
The moment that changed my life was playing at Cobo concert arena with crowds of thousands and working with many stars like 4 Tops, Temps, Supremes and Spinners really left an impression with me and my music.
How do you describe your sound, music philosophy and songbook? What’s the balance in music between technique and soul?
My sound is me no matter what I’m writing, blues, rock, country, Cajun and zydeco I do it all myself and not MIDI. I record all the music in real time the old fashion way on all parts. My trade mark is my background singing and my piano playing and guitar and my stories, lyrics and hooks alldone by me.
The balance between my technique and soul goes like this! I have studied technique since I was a kid for many years and, still in the process of learning. As far as soul goes you either got it or you don’t. You have to be able to get outside of yourself to get that feel.
“Music from the 70’s and the war really opened my eyes and made me think about life and how people get used and not in a good way. From then on and still today I want to get my stories/music told in a pure way.” (Photo: Larin Michaels, Multi Instrumentalist based in Motown)
What keeps a musician passionate after many decades in rock? How does your hometown affect your music?
First thing I would say about that passionate thing!! Musicians are born not made. So, musicians can never shake the passionate thing because it’s in their DNA. It’s something that you cannot teach and even though a musician might move away from his or hers rock thing the passion never goes away and they usually find their way back.
My hometown of Detroit and Motown was a definite influence on my writing. I write Rock, Blues, Country, Boogie Woogie, Cajun and zydeco and everything in between. Everything that I write has the same recipe for all songs so, give them a listen to.
Why do you think Motown music scene continues to generate such a devoted following?
People like the Motown groove and the lyrics and stories. I’m not sure if you’re asking old Detroit Motown or new L.A. Motown? I’m going to address the Detroit Motown. Much success was from the writers, from the rhythm sections they recorded with and from the old equipment that gave the warm analog feel. I have had the opportunity to record with some of the equipment and even played that baby grand piano on recordings. The whole scene was fabulous!!!!
Which meetings have been the most important experiences for you? What was the best advice anyone ever gave you?
I was working as a backup guitarist for Freddy Cannon and I messed up one of the arrangements in his show and at the same time the PA went nuts! Freddy took over and turned over a mess into a good show. He told me later good show that showed me that you should treat people with respect, mistakes happen.
The most important advice that someone gave was when I was writing for a couple producers from Motown and they said to me Larin, Keep writing, some stuff will be good and some stuff will be bad but keep writing and stay persistent.
“My hometown of Detroit and Motown was a definite influence on my writing. I write Rock, Blues, Country, Boogie Woogie, Cajun and zydeco and everything in between. Everything that I write has the same recipe for all songs so, give them a listen to.” (Photo: Larin Michaels)
Are there any memories from gigs, jams open acts and studio sessions which you would like to share with us.
Yes I would. In my live show concerts I share this story with my audience. “The last two songs that we are going to do are dedicated to an artist from the motor city of which had the honor of sharing the stage with on many occasions. Around 1970 or so this artist along with myself were unknown entertainers playing concerts trying to get ahead. At the end of the night both of our acts would join together and play each other’s songs.
The song start playing (Looking Back) Mr. Bob Seger”
What do you miss most nowadays from music of the past? What are your hope and fears for the future of?
What I miss most from music nowadays are, nowadays music with lyrics and stories that have poor substance and lack of a good melody line that songs of the past had. Many new artists don’t understand hooks and how to sing the song to deliver it out of a box.
My hopes are that maybe future artists might listen to my recording songs and influence them to carry on the tradition of writing with a story and melody in mind. My fears are AI. This could be very bad for writers!!!!!
What is the impact of music on socio-cultural implications? How do you want the music to affect people?
I’m not sure if my music will have any effects on social-cultural implications as described as; changes of employment, income level, health and overall quality of life as described in the dictionary. Maybe education might be a topic it could influence. I want my songs and stories to hopefully change people life’s in a positive direction. Songs like I just can’t do it allalone is a direct point that we need to reach out and look to the higher authority and admit we need help!!! If people commit to this then I think it could help in their overall Quality of life and believing in themselves.
Q&A with veteran musician Larin Michaels, brings his multi-instrumental talents and deep Motown roots to the forefront
by Music Network by Michael Limnios
on Saturday
“What I miss most from music nowadays are, nowadays music with lyrics and stories that have poor substance and lack of a good melody line that songs of the past had. Many new artists don’t understand hooks and how to sing the song to deliver it out of a box.”
Larin Michaels: It’s All About Music
Larin Michaels born and raised in Motown started his musical career on drums at the age of 7. By the age of 15 Larin had progressed to playing guitar and piano and started a local rock band with friend Mario Bee, named The Noblemen. The band played through-out the Midwest recording and performing concerts on radio and T.V. In the late 70's Larin took a position as musical /director/performer with the European show Hair and Now. Returning back to the U.S. he continued his musical career performing, recording, writing and producing. Larin Michaels has appeared and or recorded with many legendary artists throughout the years. Accreditations: Del Shannon B/U Guitar, Freddy Cannon, Willie Tyler and Lester Motown recording artist B/U guitar, Frijid Pink, Reflections singer, The Evereadys, arranger on hit song #14 on Billboards top 100 Nothing Separates Me from your Love, Session work with Band Finger Band member Michael Gibbons. (Photo: Larin Michaels)
Shared the stage with: Bob Seger, Four Tops, Spinners, Temptations, The OJ's, Mitch Ryder, Paul Revere abd the Raiders, Elke Sommers, Chairmen of the Board, Flo and Eddie, Aretha Franklin, Grand Funk Railroad, Rare Earth, Shades of Blue, Diana Ross and the Supremes. In 2025 released two singles, four videos along with a nine song album “It’s All About Love” on Conch Town Records.
Interview by Michael Limnios Special Thanks: Frank Roszak
How has the music influenced your views of the world? What moment changed your music life the most?
Music from the 70’s and the war really opened my eyes and made me think about life and how people get used and not in a good way. From then on and still today I want to get my stories/music told in a pure way.
The moment that changed my life was playing at Cobo concert arena with crowds of thousands and working with many stars like 4 Tops, Temps, Supremes and Spinners really left an impression with me and my music.
How do you describe your sound, music philosophy and songbook? What’s the balance in music between technique and soul?
My sound is me no matter what I’m writing, blues, rock, country, Cajun and zydeco I do it all myself and not MIDI. I record all the music in real time the old fashion way on all parts. My trade mark is my background singing and my piano playing and guitar and my stories, lyrics and hooks alldone by me.
The balance between my technique and soul goes like this! I have studied technique since I was a kid for many years and, still in the process of learning. As far as soul goes you either got it or you don’t. You have to be able to get outside of yourself to get that feel.
“Music from the 70’s and the war really opened my eyes and made me think about life and how people get used and not in a good way. From then on and still today I want to get my stories/music told in a pure way.” (Photo: Larin Michaels, Multi Instrumentalist based in Motown)
What keeps a musician passionate after many decades in rock? How does your hometown affect your music?
First thing I would say about that passionate thing!! Musicians are born not made. So, musicians can never shake the passionate thing because it’s in their DNA. It’s something that you cannot teach and even though a musician might move away from his or hers rock thing the passion never goes away and they usually find their way back.
My hometown of Detroit and Motown was a definite influence on my writing. I write Rock, Blues, Country, Boogie Woogie, Cajun and zydeco and everything in between. Everything that I write has the same recipe for all songs so, give them a listen to.
Why do you think Motown music scene continues to generate such a devoted following?
People like the Motown groove and the lyrics and stories. I’m not sure if you’re asking old Detroit Motown or new L.A. Motown? I’m going to address the Detroit Motown. Much success was from the writers, from the rhythm sections they recorded with and from the old equipment that gave the warm analog feel. I have had the opportunity to record with some of the equipment and even played that baby grand piano on recordings. The whole scene was fabulous!!!!
Which meetings have been the most important experiences for you? What was the best advice anyone ever gave you?
I was working as a backup guitarist for Freddy Cannon and I messed up one of the arrangements in his show and at the same time the PA went nuts! Freddy took over and turned over a mess into a good show. He told me later good show that showed me that you should treat people with respect, mistakes happen.
The most important advice that someone gave was when I was writing for a couple producers from Motown and they said to me Larin, Keep writing, some stuff will be good and some stuff will be bad but keep writing and stay persistent.
“My hometown of Detroit and Motown was a definite influence on my writing. I write Rock, Blues, Country, Boogie Woogie, Cajun and zydeco and everything in between. Everything that I write has the same recipe for all songs so, give them a listen to.” (Photo: Larin Michaels)
Are there any memories from gigs, jams open acts and studio sessions which you would like to share with us.
Yes I would. In my live show concerts I share this story with my audience. “The last two songs that we are going to do are dedicated to an artist from the motor city of which had the honor of sharing the stage with on many occasions. Around 1970 or so this artist along with myself were unknown entertainers playing concerts trying to get ahead. At the end of the night both of our acts would join together and play each other’s songs.
The song start playing (Looking Back) Mr. Bob Seger”
What do you miss most nowadays from music of the past? What are your hope and fears for the future of?
What I miss most from music nowadays are, nowadays music with lyrics and stories that have poor substance and lack of a good melody line that songs of the past had. Many new artists don’t understand hooks and how to sing the song to deliver it out of a box.
My hopes are that maybe future artists might listen to my recording songs and influence them to carry on the tradition of writing with a story and melody in mind. My fears are AI. This could be very bad for writers!!!!!
What is the impact of music on socio-cultural implications? How do you want the music to affect people?
I’m not sure if my music will have any effects on social-cultural implications as described as; changes of employment, income level, health and overall quality of life as described in the dictionary. Maybe education might be a topic it could influence. I want my songs and stories to hopefully change people life’s in a positive direction. Songs like I just can’t do it allalone is a direct point that we need to reach out and look to the higher authority and admit we need help!!! If people commit to this then I think it could help in their overall Quality of life and believing in themselves.
Larin Michaels - Home
(Photo: Larin Michaels)