50 Years of Maximum Rock n' Roll – Details, episodes & analysis

Bob Heil will explain what he means by a six pack and what Creem Magazine has to do with that. He will share some special stories about some of the Rock n' Roll legends that he's worked with (Jimmie Hendrix) and we'll finally hear how he met Joe Walsh.

Topics: Peter Frampton, Talkbox, Joe Walsh, Quadrophenia, Pete Townsend

Synopsis

Peter Frampton is a legend of rock music and the best-known user of the renowned Heil Talkbox. For the last several decades, his innovation and artistry have helped shape the music you know and love. However, there is one man whose creativity and collaboration with Frampton helped shape his signature sound more than any other. That man is Bob Heil.

In this episode, Bob shares how he came to know and work with Peter Frampton. You’ll discover how many microphones it took to get the iconic guitar tones on Frampton Comes Alive (and how the mic placement was such a crucial factor in the sound). You’ll also learn how Bob’s insistence on teamwork has been a crucial factor in his success.

If you’re a fan of great music and great sound, you’re in for a treat as Bob Heil shares the inside scoop on his friendship and collaboration with Peter Frampton and many other key players in the history of rock n’ roll.

Links & Resources

Heil Sound

Heil Talkbox

Joe Walsh

Peter Frampton

The Who

Topics: Talkbox, Dunlop, Bon Jovi, Slash, Tool

Bob Heil is perhaps known best for developing the Talk Box, the renowned device that has been used by rock guitarists for decades to produce a variety of unique sounds. But you might be surprised to learn that the Talk Box didn’t originate in a recording studio or electronics shop.

In this episode, Bob shares the entire history of the famous Talk Box, which has been featured in music by Peter Frampton, Slash of Guns N’ Roses, Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi, Tool, and many others. You’ll hear how Jim Dunlop, George Harrison, and even World War II pilots figure into the history of this iconic device. You’ll also learn why Marissa, Illinois was the rock ‘n roll capital of the world in the early 1970’s.

Prepare to be inspired and amazed at the fascinating history of the Heil Talk Box, a little device that has had a huge impact on modern music.

Links & Resources

Heil Sound

Heil Talkbox

Peter Frampton and Bob Heil conversation

Joe Walsh

Peter Frampton

Guns N’ Roses

Bon Jovi

Tool

Topics: Joe Walsh, James Gang, Goldline Pro, The Fin, phantom power

Synopsis

What comes to mind when you think of Joe Walsh? You probably think of his incredible contribution to rock music through The Eagles and James Gang (and other groups), as well as his solo work. But you probably don’t picture him as a ham radio operator or an electronics expert.

But in this episode, that’s the Joe Walsh you’ll encounter. Bob Heil shares stories from his decades-long friendship with Joe that began with their mutual interest in ham radio. That friendship blossomed into a collaboration that resulted in numerous advances in modern sound, including large diaphragm dynamics, the Fin microphone, and the Heil Goldline Pro, which later became the PR-20.

No matter what your interest or experience level with sound, you’ll be amazed and inspired by Bob’s stories about Joe Walsh and other legends from the pages of rock ‘n’ roll history.

Links & Resources

Heil Sound

Joe Walsh

Peter Frampton

The Fin microphone

The Grateful Dead

The Who

ZZ Top

Topics: Jeff Beck, Grateful Dead, monitors, The Who, ZZ Top

Synopsis

One of the most important, yet most overlooked, parts of a sound system is the monitor setup. Monitors allow the band members to hear themselves and one another in order to give their best performance. In today’s episode, Bob Heil talks about the critical role he played in developing the modern monitor setup and the rock legends who helped make it a reality.

Other gems you’ll discover in this episode include: What does a giant ham radio antenna have to with Jerry Garcia using two vocal mics at the same time while on stage with the Grateful Dead? Also, Bob reveals some secrets behind a couple of Who frontman Roger Daltrey's most famous on-stage moves. Speaking of The Who, you'll find out why Bob duct-taped headphones to Keith Moon's head. You will also hear Bob Heil's top five loudest bands ranked by stage volume.

Join Bob Heil and he shares stories and insights from fifty years of leadership in the modern sound industry.

Links & Resources

Heil Sound

KSHE 95

Jeff Beck

The Grateful Dead

The Who

ZZ Top

Topics: The Grateful Dead, Heil Talk Box, Ham Radio, The Who, Joe Walsh

Synopsis:

If you’ve ever listened to Joe Walsh’s “Rocky Mountain Way” or “Do You Feel Like I Do”” by Peter Frampton, you of course heard of the Heil Talk Box. In addition to building that iconic device, Bob Heil also built touring systems for The Who, Humble Pie, and the Grateful Dead. Bob has a history in concert sound that few can match. He continues to be an innovator by designing and building microphones that are used on concert stages, recording studios, broadcast rooms, and podcasts.

In this introductory episode of "50 Years of Maximum Rock n' Roll," Bob traces the story of his success from his early days as a substitute organist at the Fox Theatre in St. Louis, all the way to the world’s biggest concert stages. You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at how Bob helped shape the music of Joe Walsh, Jerry Garcia, and many other heroes of rock ‘n’ roll.

Prepare to be inspired and entertained by the story of Heil Sound: the company that not only listens to artists, but does something about it.

Links & Resources

The Night That Modern Live Sound Was Born (the historic story of how Bob saved The Grateful Dead’s concert at the Fox Theatre)

Heil Sound

The Grateful Dead

Joe Walsh

The Who

This episode is not about rock stars trashing hotel rooms or epic concerts. It is about the innovation and technology that has gone into much of Bob Heil's career. Bob has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the science of audio and we wanted to give our geeky audio fans a very special episode. 

Before ZZ Top were sharp dressed men they were just a little three piece band from Texas. With no beards. But they had "that sound" driven by Billy Gibbons unmistakable guitar and vocal. Bob Heil and Heil Sound were there on the band's early tours perfecting the live sound where, with a trio, everything mattered.

From Joe Walsh trashing hotel rooms to groupies, Bob Heil recalls some of the crazier stories that to the rest of us seem like legend.