FULL INTERVIEW: Foreigner's Jeff Pilson on summer concerts

Jeff Pilson is the bass guitar player for the legendary 80s classic rock band Foreigner. The multi-instrumentalist plays the guitar, cello, keyboards, piano and mellotron. Pilson worked with multiple other rock bands throughout his career, including Dokken and Dio. In addition to making music, Pilson acts on the side. He has acted in the film ‘Rock Star’ and voiced Johnny Cage in 2011’s ‘Mortal Kombat’.

Excerpts from this interview appeared in Taylor Knight’s report on the return of summer concerts.

Straight Arrow News

Tags: Society at Large

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Taylor Knight
So thank you so much for joining us today and telling us about how the music industry has been impacted by the pandemic. So can you kind of walk us through what was your initial starting of the pandemic? Like, what was your initial reaction when you guys were on tour? And I know that you guys kind of had to call off the whole tour? Like, what? What was the initial reaction to that? Like, give us the down the down low on that?

Jeff Pilson
Okay, the initial reaction was, wow, okay, this is really serious. And, you know, we saw it coming for several days beforehand, it was kind of a matter of when, when we were in Minnesota, we were about to play that night. And then at 1pm, on the day of the show, the governor of Minnesota, said that no, no gatherings more than 50 people so that, that, so the show had to be canceled. So we went home the next day, didn’t have a clue would be over a year before we played again. But you know, the initial reaction was okay, this is the right thing to do, let’s go home, let’s be safe. And there I was. And then the pandemic, for us, the pandemic, you know, the the quarantine again.

Taylor Knight
So how did that impact your day to day as a musician as an artist on tour? Like, what was that for you?

Jeff Pilson
Well, I was no longer an artist on tour.

Taylor Knight
There’s that

Jeff Pilson
Yes, there is that, but that but you know, I so. So of course, the first thing I did was I, you know, I mean, I do have this beautiful recording studio. And I do need to make music. I mean, you know, just because I’m not doing live shows doesn’t mean I can’t play. So I did a lot of recording. So I just shifted over into recording mode and did a lot of recording, you know, and then spent a lot of time with the family. So for me, it wasn’t bad. There’s a lot of people that had it way, way worse than I did, including our crew. And we we actually tried to raise money for our crews so that they can have something going because it wasn’t their fault that the whole thing fell apart. And then all of a sudden, they have no living for over a year. And you know, there weren’t other tours to jump on to I mean, you know, I have recording that I can do so they you know, we had to do something. So we really tried to marshal our forces and raise some money for the crew. But for me, it wasn’t bad. I got to spend time with my family and my studio. Two of my favorite things.

Taylor Knight
Well, that’s good that you found some positive and you know, such a crazy time we’re all going through and also helping out your crew, like that’s pretty deep and pretty, like nice that you guys were able to do that for them and still make sure that they were okay, feeling that like family atmosphere that you guys have. So that’s that. I

Jeff Pilson
mean, yeah, so definitely, they are our family. And we wanted them to know that. And, you know, we gave him as much love as we could So, um, and I think it helped. I mean, you know, does it make it completely better? Of course not. I mean, you’re talking about a year’s worth of wages for a lot of people. But yeah, I did find a positive I also kind of found that there was kind of a big pause on things that I think was cutting needed

Taylor Knight
Yes agreed.

Jeff Pilson
In a way I’m certainly develop appreciation for certain things that you never thought you’d appreciate as much. So I tried to I tried to embrace the quiet and embrace the pause as much as I could, you know, like everybody, I you know, I, you know, I, I went a little nutty sometimes, but most of the time, I was actually in a really good place. And getting to spend that much time with my family was like, just like this golden gift in for my life. So I just tried to embrace that and, and, you know, make music and embrace that.

Taylor Knight
Beautiful love that.Did you pick up any interesting hobbies during this time while you were home with your family, or just any down time that you never thought you would have had?

Jeff Pilson
Not really, uh, but I will say that, um, what, what really helped was, I had been doing it already, but I’ve been doing hot Pilates, because my wife has a yoga studio called hot for yoga. And she was she had to, of course, go virtual, like right away and everything was virtual. And I had been doing her her hot Pilates classes when I could, you know, but I’d be in and out of town. But I got real serious about it. And I have not missed twice a week in over a year now. He has a library that you can go to that if you’re if you’re if you belong to her little virtual thing. And in the library, I’m able to even access the stuff on the road. So that was really important because you know, physically your life changed. You know, there was a lot more sitting around a lot of Netflix. You know, Netflix doesn’t burn a lot of calories

Taylor Knight
At all. Unfortunately, no.

Jeff Pilson
We can figure out a way to do that. Wow.So anyways, so I guess I I guess you could say I, I became a very firm believer in Pilates during the pandemic. Nice.

Taylor Knight
Now the pandemic is kind of coming to an end and I see that you guys have some tours coming up. How are you able to transition over into that now with like tours are back on the pandemic is easing its way on out. How is that feeling? Are you excited to perform again?

Jeff Pilson
Well, of course, you know, we have already done for shows we went out for for about 10 days. Last month, we did the shows, we did some rehearsing because we have a new guy in the band. And it felt great. It was kind of an easy way to transition back. Because we were at one hotel for 10 days, even though we played shows in different cities, we just hopped out of the one hotel and drove to the cities. But but most of the time, we were just in one place rehearsing. So it was a kind of a gentle way to ease back into the road, I leave in a couple of weeks now for, for for you know what’s going to start being normal touring on a bus and all that I am kind of excited for I mean, the performing was great. Plus, the band feels kind of energized, because we have a new guy. And, you know, the just the little things you try and make make, make the little things really count. So yes, I’m excited. I’m ready. Um, I feel like the crowds really, really, really are appreciating live music. And it’s kind of an honor to be the guy that gets to one of the guys that gets to, you know, perform for everybody. So, yeah, I’m looking forward to, I think the future looks bright.

Taylor Knight
So when you guys did realize it was time for you guys to start touring again. What came to your mind? Were you nervous? A little bit, you know, because COVID was still out is still out there in a sense. Were there any nerves? Anything health related that kind of nervous?

Jeff Pilson
Well,I wouldn’t say nervous. But the cautious thing we had to, you know, pay attention to was VIP meet and greets, which you know, usually is a very day to day part of our, our touring life. So we had to slow down on that for a while we’re figuring out ways to do it. And I think they’ve got something I’m not sure if this leg we’re doing it or not. I get confused. But, know that the only the one health in a world vaccinated, so we’re good. But because you don’t know what’s happening, if you have to meet people. There is that caution. So, so we’re working on that. But other than that, you know, we weren’t I mean, I wear them out when I’m out in public and you have to wear it at the airport anyways. So what I’m out in potentially being exposed to people where maybe I could pick it up and not assimilate COVID but be a carrier. On all those situations. I’m very cautious for myself. So no, not really not really scared. Just cautious.

Taylor Knight
So what made you feel ready? Like I’m ready to get back out there once you guys got the clear or was it were you ready? In January, like Okay, I’m ready to get back out there. I feel good.

Jeff Pilson
Ready when the phone call came that it’s time to go.

Taylor Knight
Like, I’m ready. Now. Let’s go great. I’m packed.

Jeff Pilson
I mean, when we were talking we were originally trying to do some dates in March, and that didn’t end up happening. So when it got rescheduled for May, I had a strong feeling of would happen. And it did. So yeah, very, very ready.

Taylor Knight
That’s good to hear. And then another question, what’s been the biggest difference? pre pandemic concerts versus post pandemic concerts? What’s the biggest difference? comparing you performing back then versus now?

Jeff Pilson
All the people backstage wearing masks? That did not happen before the pandemic? And now everyone is that? No meet and greets yet? Although I think we’re working on something. But yeah, the masks i think is the thing that you notice certainly noticed the most just protocols, you know, we’re being cautious. I think everybody’s washing their hands a little more tape, you know, everybody’s a little more conscious. And maybe that’s not a bad thing.

Taylor Knight
That’s true. So do you feel like even when you perform is there a difference is like distance that the audience has to stay away from you now or any of those factors that I’m playing apart?

Jeff Pilson
I haven’t heard anything like Well, I have to be six feet away. I haven’t heard that because as a rule, you’re probably that far from the audience. Anyways. Um, so I haven’t heard anything about that. Um, like I say, that would more effective meeting read situation, which, like I say, we’re trying to figure out so No, I haven’t heard anything like that. I think and I think pretty soon through vaccination, and you know, people continue to get vaccinated, which, you know, I know there’s a lot of people that have their doubts about vaccination, which I think is a shame. I understand it, but I think it’s a shame because it’s one thing that it’s really in this case, this is the one way to get to a herd of Unity on everybody. And so I hope people continue to do that. And as they do, I think the worries, dissipate more and more. Agreed.

Taylor Knight
And then do you also feel like as concerts are starting to continue and build up? Do you feel like they’re going to get back to full capacity at some point?

Jeff Pilson
Oh, yeah, I think by far they will. If not, if not, during the summer, sooner,

Taylor Knight
Agreed. I can definitely summertime, people are excited to get out there.

Jeff Pilson
Yeah, well, I know California is talking about a change in policy on June 15, which I think might end up being much more, you know, much less restrictive. So I think it’s entirely possible that during the course of the summer, we’ll find 100% capacity. I wouldn’t want to bank on that just yet. But I think it’s possible. I really feel by the fall Well, unless there’s some kind of a crazy search.

Taylor Knight
Do you have more of appreciation for what you do? Now, the fact that you weren’t able to do it in a sense for perform live for a year, you have more appreciation and love for what you do and provide to your fans, and, you know, people out there?

Jeff Pilson
I don’t know if I could love what I do any more than I do? Because I love it so much. But, um, but I will say the appreciation is definitely there. It’s like, wow, you know, it’s it is really fortunate that we’ve got this great band and crew, a family traveling together. There’s no jerks in our group. You know, it’s it’s a lot of good people. And yeah, I’m really appreciative of that. And I think I’ve always been, but it is a stark reminder, isn’t it?

Taylor Knight
Well, I’m glad that again, you got to the pandemic safe and sound you enjoyed this time with your family, your appreciation for music has already hit its peak, but you know, we can still get into higher and higher, so love to hear. Is there anything else you want to share with us about maybe the music industry, how the pandemic has maybe changed it a little bit, concerts, your experience with the pandemic and work with music?

Jeff Pilson
Well, you know, the industry was so geared in many ways towards live performance in the last 12 or several years, because recorded music, just, you know, you don’t sell the kind of units you’d once did so. So there’s no way you can depend on selling recorded music as being a really long term living situation. So that was really that’s really, that’s a conundrum. Because, you know, you can play live. You know, we did I mean, I did as much recording as I could. And, you know, I felt like, I kept my sanity through that and got a lot of cool musical projects going through that. But, you know, there is the awareness that the music industry is very built on live performance. And and much of it is, and I think the music industry is going to want to get back to that as soon as possible as long as long as it can be safe, which I think it will be more and more. Has the industry changed? Well, I think in one way, on a technological side, I think that they are, I know, I’ve talked to companies who you know, because I’m the musical director for foreigner, I deal with some of the logistics stuff. And there are companies that are really trying to figure out ways of getting people to be able to be in different locations, but playing together at the same time, which is a real technological trip. Because you can’t play with somebody, if you hear the lat you know, the latency that happens on computers, but they’re actually figuring that out. And there’s a company that’s figured it out within if you’re within a couple 100 miles, then the latency is not too bad. And you can actually play together. So I think, if there were to be another pandemic, or nuclear fallout or something, I think there will be more ways of having people play together and present music through zoom or whatever. But But I think also, live music is still gonna come back, and I think it’s gonna be the main focus.

Taylor Knight
And it’s crazy to even see how much like looking at virtual concerts looking at the award shows, and the performances, the creativity, and like, the innovation that everyone’s been able to contribute, to make a show happen is impressive. And it’s like, I never expected to watch a virtual concert at home but still feel so pumped about it excited to watch it.

Jeff Pilson
Right? Well, you know, when people want entertainment, they want entertainment and, and people in the music industry did their best to figure out those. I think the best thing that came out of that was kind of the homegrown personal stuff where you know, Paul McCartney would just sing a song on with an acoustic guitar. It’s like, Wow, that’s cool, you know? So and that stuff, you know, that was that was there the whole time that didn’t involve great technological leaps. And, but that was cool stuff. And again, it just goes to when there’s a demand for something. Artists will do their best to come through.

Taylor Knight
Thank you. So much for this lovely interview, you gave me so much information. I’m excited to share this with our viewers. Thank you so much. Is there anything else you want to add about your experience? Anything upcoming with your tour?

Jeff Pilson
No. I mean, I know, you know, foreigners coming to a city near you as the year progresses. And that’s great. And and, you know, I think coming to see a live show could be very therapeutic for us all. But no, other than that, like I say, I just think this was a time for reflection. I know I did a lot of introspection during during this time, and I think that’s a healthy thing. You know, some people have a hard time being with themselves. But I think I think it’s good to force yourself to have to do that. And I think, you know, overall, I think it’s been as good a situation as it can be considering how bad it was.

Taylor Knight
Yes, definitely a lot of growth from where we started. March 2020. to where we are now. Yeah, complete 180 and I’m here for it.

Jeff Pilson
Great.