Behind the Making of Warren Zevon's "Life'll Kill Ya" and "My Ride's Here" with Jorge Calderón & Noah Scot Snyder
Join us for an intimate dive into two Warren Zevon albums - 'Life’ll Kill Ya' (2000) and 'My Ride’s Here' (2002). In this third episode of a three part tribute to Warren Zevon, LEGENDS: Podcast by All Day Vinyl and host Scott Dudelson take you on an journey deep into two albums that showcase Zevon's unflinching wit, deep introspection, and fearless exploration of life, death, and everything in between.
To peel back the layers of these remarkable records, we are joined by two of Zevon’s closest collaborators: Jorge Calderón, his trusted lifetime co-writer and multi-instrumentalist, and Noah Scot Snyder, the engineer and mixer who helped bring 'My Ride's Here' to life. Together, they share personal insights, untold stories, and a wealth of behind-the-scenes moments that bring Zevon’s genius into sharp focus.
What You'll Discover in This Episode:
A Deep Dive into the Creative Process: Learn how songs like “Porcelain Monkey” emerged from everyday conversations and vivid storytelling. Jorge shares how a Graceland postcard sparked the song’s haunting narrative about Elvis Presley.
Zevon’s Evolving Career: Explore how 'Life’ll Kill Ya' marked Zevon’s return after years of struggling for a record deal, with much of the album being self-recorded in his home studio, aptly named Anatomy of a Headache.
Dark Humor Meets Mortality: Hear the story behind “My Shit’s F***ed Up,” a raw and prophetic anthem written years before Zevon’s cancer diagnosis, as well as the poignant “Don’t Let Us Get Sick."
Collaborating with Legends: We dive into Zevon's experience co-writing with literary giants like Hunter S. Thompson and Paul Muldoon, and how that experience carved the path into Zevon's final album "The Wind."
The Practical Realities of Creativity: Noah Scot Snyder reflects on working with a meticulous artist who pushed the limits of early digital recording technology while mentoring a young engineer in the process.
The Lost Tapes: The pair reveal that the Master tapes for 'Life'll Kill Ya' are lost and only because of Zevon & Snyder's foresight were the tapes for his follow up album "The Wind" preserved & stored properly.
Why This Episode Matters:
'Life’ll Kill Ya' and 'My Ride’s Here' represent two of Zevon’s most introspective and uncompromising works, created during a period of significant personal and professional transformation. Through the anecdotes, humor, and heartfelt reflections of those who knew him best, this episode offers an intimate portrait of a man who refused to compromise his artistic vision.
Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to Warren Zevon’s music, this conversation sheds light on the creative genius and enduring legacy of one of rock’s most distinctive voices.
This is the third part of a three part tribute to Zevon, check my channel for the other two episodes featuring amazing interviews with Zevon's closest collaborators including Jorge Calderón, Waddy Wachtel, Noah Scot Snyder, Bob Glaub and guest host Shooter Jennings.
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Special thanks to Tom Hatfield and Bob Emrich for their help recording this episode.
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