"Because it (Blues) connects with people. That music is TRUE. The stories are true."

Bob Lanza: Treatment With The Blues

Bob Lanza has been a bandleader on the NY/NJ bar scene for 30 years. After learning to play at the feet of Nashville legend Dave Perkins, he went on to perform with many bands, including with the great James Cotton and Floyd Phillips (who played piano for Johnny “Clyde” Copeland worked with T-Bone Walker and Albert Collins). After the passing of his good friend Floyd Phillips, Bob took the advice of his friends and formed “The Bob Lanza Blues Band”. Since then they haven’t stopped bringing stone cold blues to the New York and New Jersey area.

The Bob Lanza Blues Band is a tight knit, blues unit, in true Chicago, Kansas City, style. With some Texas influences and a north New Jersey environment to grow up in, Lanza has become known as one of the nastiest blues guitarist on the scene. If you see this band live, you’ll come away exhausted. If not from dancing, just the sheer power and emotion of the bands performance. Lanza has been around and has played with a lot of local blues bands, and few of the greats. He was bandleader for Floyd Phillips and The Mudflaps for 4 years in the late 90s into late 2001 when Floyd passed away. Floyd was out of Houston TX and was schooled by T-Bone Walker and Johnny Clyde Copeland, O.V. Wright and so many more. Lanza has also backed Superharp James Cotton on several occasions. He plays with emotion and soul. On March 26, 2012, was inducted into the international Blues Hall of Fame. The newest release (January 14, 2014), 'Til The Pain Is Gone, from Bob Lanza Blues Band shows his fine abilities as a guitarist, songwriter and vocalist. Backed by Reverend Sandy Joren on bass, Noel Sagerman on drums and David "Snakeman" Runyan on harp.                                  Photo by Garry Hodgson

Interview by Michael Limnios

What do you learn about yourself from the blues and what does the blues mean to you?

I've learned that I have a need to vent, and the best way to do it is thru the blues. The blues means many things to me, but number one is healing.

What experiences in your life make you a good bluesman and songwriter?

Marriage and divorce and relationships!!! Everyday life in the world we live in now is an experience we all can have the blues about. Mine seems to be a little deeper. They use to call me "Bobby Blacktop" because there always seemed to be darkness over my head. My brain doesn't think like a normal one, whatever that is. I have learned to try and stay out of my own head, but it isn't easy. The best Thing for me when I’m going down is to write about it. On the flip side, the best thing for me when I’m feelin good is to write about it. Sometimes it becomes a great song, sometimes it doesn't.

"Meeting Floyd Phillips was the most important meeting ever for me in connection to the blues. He exposed me to some folks who hadn't seen me yet." (Photo: Bob Lanza at Robin's Nest)

Which is the most interesting period in your life? Which was the best and worst moment of your career?

The most interesting period of my life was 1978-1980. I was working as a roadie on and off, and i met a guy who influenced me to no end. Dave Perkins, out of Nashville, became a friend and mentor. The things I did in that two year period were very interesting!!! The best Moment came when we got to back James Cotton, on a few gigs. He is Blues royalty. I don't think I have had a worst moment in my career. Maybe it's yet to come. My love for the blues makes me feel honored, to be able to play it for everyone, every time I get the opportunity to. If bad things come, I will deal.

Why do you think that the blues music continues to generate such a loyal following?

Because it connects with people. That music is TRUE. The stories are true. Let’s face it, people love a good time, but when the stuff hits the fan, they feel a little more comfortable knowing that it's hitting the fan for others also. The blues conveys that to those who listen to it. The blues is alive and well, and thriving. I have been playing nothing but the blues for 35 years. I stayed true, when others wanted me to go somewhere else. I've heard so many times that the blues is dead. The Blues is not dead, never has been, and never will be.

What’s the best jam you ever played in? What are some of the most memorable gigs you've had? 

I have been very lucky to have played with some of my heroes and some really great players over the years. The most memorable jam was just recently, at The Robins Nest in Linden NJ. I had the honor of playing with Rob Paparozzi, and Dennis Gruenling, two of the greatest harp players to ever walk this earth. Most memorable gigs. We did a Harp Battle, Texas Vs New Jersey. Steve Krase, who plays with Trudy Lynn, out of Houston Texas, came up, and battled my harp player, Snakeman Runyan, and we did a show that was fantastic. We did a guitar battle with Myself against Tom Holland, James Cottons guitar player and band leader. That was a blast. Another one that come to mind, Last year we did a gig, The Bourbon St. Blues fest, in Lebanon NJ. That was the single most enjoyable gig ever. The folks loved us and there was a great vibe in the air.

Which meetings have been the most important experiences for you? What is the best advice ever given to you?

Meeting Floyd Phillips was the most important meeting ever for me in connection to the blues. He exposed me to some folks who hadn't seen me yet. The best advice ever given to me was, stay calm in the face of adversity, because you’re going to face a lot of adversity.

Are there any memories from recording or show time that you want to share with us?

So many hahaha, only a few I can share. The studio is a humbling place, especially if you play blues. You have to record live and hope for the best. When it's done there is a real sense of accomplishment.

What do you miss nowadays from the past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of music? 

I miss the camaraderie the bands had. There was always a little competition, but we had each others backs. Now the bands that are young and starting out are just cutthroat.  They play for nothing, and they have social media to brag about themselves, and make false claims. That is my fear of the future of music. Right now, with the technology available, anybody can make a decent sounding demo in their bedroom. They may not be able to perform it live but they can record it on their iPad. We need bands who are ready to play live, with passion and soul!!!

"The best advice ever given to me was, stay calm in the face of adversity, because you’re going to face a lot of adversity." (Photo: Bob and James Cotton)

Which memory from Floyd Phillips and James Cotton make you smile?

My greatest memory of Floyd was when he would come to my home for rehearsal, and dinner on Sunday afternoons. I couldn't get my own band to practice, and here was a guy, who, in my eyes, was a blues icon, and he would drive from his house in Harlem, to my house in NJ to practice with me!!! Wow. Then we would eat and laugh, and go out to a local jam. I met Cotton a little later, 2004. My best memory of James was the first time I met him; we were summoned to his hotel room. We went there to talk about doing some gigs with him. Well we knocked on the door and Cotton says in his almost inaudible voice (Cotton had throat cancer years ago and has a voice like a whisper) you’re got no women’s with ya do ya? So we say no we don't have any women with us. He open the door and there is James Cotton standing in front of me in his shower cap, underwear and slippers! Can never forget that one.

Make an account of the case of the blues in New Jersey. Where are the lines that connect the local blues scene?

The local blues scene in NJ is thriving and has been for years. It’s very competitive for gigs, as there are ways more blues bands then clubs that play the blues. A lot of young bands are starting the blues thing in the state as well, so it's only going to get better. The 5 or 6 clubs that have blues jams in the area keep everything together. We are also lucky to Uncle Pete, from Uncle Pete's Blues party a blues show on 91.9 WNTI centenary college, Sundays 2-4pm. he does a lot for all the local blues bands in the area.

Is it easier to write and play the blues as you get older? What is your blues dream? 

No !! I don't think its any easier now. I think it’s something that comes to you at a moment, and you have to capture it before it goes away. My blues dream is to get some festival gigs, get some more festival gigs, and play our blues for people to hear. So they can see how this music is a healer.

"The blues means many things to me, but number one is healing."

Happiness is....

Happiness is home with my family, or on stage with my Les Paul.

Let’s take a trip with a time machine so where and why would you really want to go for a day?

Tough question. so many places. Probably the days of the wild west after the civil war. Riding horses and farming. Just an easy carefree life that you had to work hard for.

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