New Episodes: Planet Rock

Night Flight Plus is excited to invite you to Planet Rock! Watch exclusive interviews with rock luminaries at their most candid, in conversation with esteemed rock writer and Rip Magazine editor Lonn M. Friend. This is Lonn's introduction to the 2025 original Night Flight series.

William Whitfield Crane IV opened his wide eyes on January 19, 1968 in Palo Alto, California. He co-founded and has fronted the band, Ugly Kid Joe, since 1989. UKJ struck gold success with “Everything About You,” and their rousing cover of Harry Chapin’s “Cats in the Cradle.” While music supervising Adam Sandler’s debut film, Airheads, I tapped the charismatic Mr....Read More

Rob was born in the city of brotherly love on April 26, 1959; a veteran of the music biz environs who has worked with and for numerous notorious outfits. The Philly native can tell a torrid tale with the best of ‘em.. A confidant of Germany’s legendary Scorpions since the eighties, he stung the cinema world (not to mention his rock buddies) with his confident perf...Read More

Bruce Howard Kulick was born December 12, 1953 in Brooklyn, New York. He didn’t wear the make up but he did brilliant deliver the riffs for KISS from 1984 to 1996. He also performed lead guitar duties for John Corabi’s Union from 1997 to 2002 as well as the great American band, Grand Funk Railroad from 2000 to 2023. We shared many adventures back in the Rip days dur...Read More

Damon Rogers Johnson drew his first southern rock breath on July 13, 1964 in Macon, Georgia. He’s founding member, guitarist and vocalist for the celebrated Birmingham, Alabama band, Brother Cane and since 2021 has wielded his able concert axe for Lynyrd Skynyrd. The well-traveled and highly regarded composer guitarist has also done studio and stage time with Alice ...Read More

Mark Allen Slaughter was born on the 4th of July 1964, in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a proud American musician, composer and lead singer for the glam metal band that bears his name. Before the formation of Slaughter, he fronted Xcursion, a Vegas-based outift that released two albums and appeared on three compilation albums from 1981–86.] Mark later replaced Robert Fle...Read More

A bright new star appeared in the crystalline skies over Denver, Colorado, on March 18, 1960, and she’s been shining brightly ever since. A seasoned, successful music business veteran, artist manager and an early pioneer of the Internet industry, co-founding one of the first major Web Development studios in Los Angeles, Lisa spent 20 years helping build the careers ...Read More

New York City native, David Plastik, crash landed on Planet Rock, January 22, 1964. He traveled the world as a rock n' roll loving teen, picking up his first Konica camera in 1980. For the next historic, chaotic, colorful, crazy decade of decadence, David and his single lens reflex were as ubiquitous as spandex and Marshall Stacks. Many of his images graced the page...Read More

A native Las Vegan, Ron Mancuso landed in the desert on August 26, 1962. His talent as a guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, songwriter and producer is well-recognized from L.A to Long Island. In the late 80s, Ron co-founded the Atlantic Records recording act, Beggars & Thieves which appeared in the pages of Rip Magazine three decades before we met and became thick as ...Read More

Roxy Petrucci, born Roxanne Dora Petrucci, arrived on Planet Rock March 17, 1962, in the iron fisted Michigan village of Rochester. Rox and her sister, Maxine, formed Madame X in the mid 80s but she is best known as the highly respected drummer of the all-female glam metal outfit, Vixen. As the last original member standing – and Godmother of the group – she continu...Read More

Fernando Perdomo born Fernando Jose Perdomo on August 17, 1980, is an American musician and producer. He is best known as one of the guitarists in the acclaimed music documentary, Echo in the Canyon, where he backed up Jakob Dylan, Fiona Apple, Beck. Nora Jones, Regina Spektor, Brian Wilson and Cat Power. He is currently a member of The Dave Kerzner Band, the hig...Read More

Oz Fox, born Richard Alfonso Martinez on June 18, 1961, is a founding member and lead guitarist of the Christian metal band Stryper. He was recruited by childhood pals, Robert and Michael Sweet, in 1983. He has recorded and toured with the band – through breakups and brain surgery – for forty years. Our friendship has grown since the pandemic when we began meeting m...Read More

His fellow musicians call him “Fitzy” a term of both affection and respect. Born March 27, 1970, in the Canadian province of Manitoba, the hockey loving multi-instrumentalist is always busy. In his long, eclectic career, he has worked with Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators, Theory of a Deadman, Alice Cooper, Vince Neil, Union, Gene Simmons, The Gues...Read More

Phil Soussan, proper birthname Philip Raphael Soussan was born June 23. 1961 in London, England. A successful veteran bass guitarist, songwriter and producer, his resume boasts tours and tracks with Last in Line, the Vince Neil Band, Big Noize and most famously for slapping the fat stings during Ozzy Osbourne’s historic 1986 Ultimate Sin campaign. He co-authored the...Read More

Frank Dimino is best known for being the frontman of notoriously loud glam rock creation, Angel, who was discovered (similarly to Van Halen) by KISS bass player Gene Simmons. Angel released five studio and one live album in the second half of the 70’s. After the band’s demise, Frank went on to work with UFO’s Paul Raymond and other endeavors that showcased his sky c...Read More