INTERVIEW WITH BOB SIEBENBERG
By his fans
Posted at “THE LOGICAL WEB”
July 2024

QUESTION: First of all, how are you? Is everything OK with your health, your family, your grandchildren…?

BOB: I am well, thank you. Gayle is well and happy, essential in all things. Kid and grandkids a constant source of joy. They now age from 17 to 3 years. Love them all.

QUESTION: Have you learnt some Spanish, after so many years living long periods of time in Mexico?

BOB: I have learned enough Spanish to get thru my day. I understand more than I can speak. I wish I was more fluent. I still love our place in Mexico and get there as often as possible. The longer I stay the better my Spanish gets.

QUESTION: Do you have any news about Rick’s health? Earlier this year we heard he wasn't doing too well, but it seems he is doing fine now…

BOB: I don’t. I have enquired several times with no reply. Through the grapevine I understand he is doing much better. I hope that is so. I miss Rick. We were always on a similar wavelength.

QUESTION: We guess you are still coaching high school varsity baseball… What do you enjoy the most with that kind of activity?

BOB: Yes, still coaching. They will have to drag me off the field. Primarily I like being around these young men and hopefully bring a positive influence to their life. I love being able to instruct and deliver insight into the game. It’s a beautiful game. I also love the competition on game day. It gets the heart beating and head focusing. I don’t do well sitting at home. Coaching keeps me active mentally and physically. I know what I’m going to get up and do every day. Now that recording, rehearsing and touring is over, it’s an essential replacement.

QUESTION: In a documentary from the ‘Breakfast in America’ tour you said that you were happy to watch a baseball game in the stadium without being recognized... Apart from baseball, what other sports do you like the most?

BOB: I like watching the tennis occasionally. There are some interesting characters playing right now. American football is a good way to relax on a weekend. Turn the head off. Baseball is my favourite.

QUESTION: Do you know Real Madrid, one of the greatest sport clubs in the world? You have performed a few times at the venue used by its basketball team, where NBA legends like Drazen Petrovic and Larry Spriggs played…

BOB: Of course, I am aware of the mighty Real Madrid. I have a couple of grandkids who are absorbed with soccer. My daughter Victoria coaches soccer. I watch it with them often. I have a grandson who plays for the Fresno Fuego Academy. The Fuego is the Fresno pro team. His dream is to be a pro player. I didn’t know about the Real Madrid connection to basketball. I’m not a big basketball fan.

QUESTION: What do you think about the music that is made now and the new trends?

BOB: I don’t have much of an opinion about the new trends in music simply because I don’t pay attention. I still listen to Traffic, The Band, Van Morrison, Procol Harum… The oldies station.

QUESTION: What is your opinion about the new Artificial Intelligence applications in general? And what about the AI apps used to imitate other artistic styles in music, literature, painting, etc.?

BOB: I think AI is interesting but dangerous. I guarantee you if AI was asked to do a song in the style of Procol Harum you would get a version similar to ‘A Whiter Shade of Pale’ without the magic of the human ensemble and no connection to any of their inimitable songs in their large catalogue that make them who they are.

QUESTION: What have you been working lately? Do you keep playing with Todd Hannigan?

BOB: Todd Hannigan has moved away to just outside of Austin, Texas. It has put a glaring hole in my live performance schedule. He is returning to California soon so that may change a little.

QUESTION: Are you writing some songs for a new album?

BOB: I am always plugging away at new music. Again, I have several on the front and back burner. I am working on them just now. Some are coming along nicely.

QUESTION: In April your son Jesse performed with John Helliwell at ‘Rock Meets Classic’ in Germany… Wouldn’t you have liked to play with them too?

BOB: It would have been fun. But it was a long way to go to play a couple of tunes. It would have been a great way to spend more time with Helliwell. And of course play the tunes again with Jesse.

QUESTION: Eight years have gone since you released as a digital download ‘Glendale River’, an album full of little gems… Will you ever release it in a physical format, like CD or vinyl?

BOB: I keep saying yes, but never do. My intention is to do so. Thanks for reminding me.

QUESTION: Have you read the book ‘Tramp’s Footprints’ that was recently published? Having been a very important part of the history of Supertramp, what is your opinion of it?

BOB: Yes. I found out a lot of things I didn’t know on a lot of subjects. My favourite line from the book is “these guys weren’t popstars, they were successful musicians”. I enjoyed revisiting the names of people I have great affection for and had a great time with. It’s interesting to see what everyone says.

QUESTION: Why do you think that the book had a cold reception from some members of the band, contrasting with the warm welcome from thousands of fans around the world? Isn't it a bit sad?

BOB: Well, it is an interesting read about a situation most people don’t know anything about. We were always happy to stand back and let the music speak. Now a light has been shined on things none of us would ever talk about.

QUESTION: Have you ever listened the two first Supertramp albums, the only ones you didn’t play on? If so, do you like them?

BOB: I have, but probably 50 years ago. They don’t interest me.

QUESTION: What's your technical opinion about Robert Millar and Kevin Currie, the drummers that played on those albums?

BOB: They were both fine drummers. No criticism of who they were or how they play.

QUESTION: How did the band change with your arrival? What did you provide to the group that it didn't have before?

BOB: I think my arrival provided power, finesse, feel, swing, and I could capture what Rick and Roger felt they wanted and needed to go forward. Consistency. Creativity. Camaraderie and belief. An all-in work ethic and patience with the personalities.

QUESTION: What is the Supertramp drum groove you are most proud of? And what is the most difficult one to play for you?

BOB: I don’t really have a favourite. Maybe ‘Ain’t Nobody but Me’ or ‘It’s a Hard World’. ‘Another Man’s Woman’ is the most difficult.

QUESTION: Roger was great on the electric guitar, with some very good solos like the ones on ‘Goodbye Stranger’ and ‘Waiting so Long’, but it was always on songs by Rick… Don’t you think he should have played many more guitar solos?

BOB: I think he played exactly the right amount of solos.

QUESTION: Do you remember if the wah-wah pedal on ‘Rudy’ was an idea by Roger or by Ken Scott?

BOB: Sorry, I don’t know the answer to that question.

QUESTION: How did you make some arrangements like the part of “Blindness goes on!” on the song ‘Waiting so Long’, with Rick screaming beautifully and you playing great toms accompanied by the hi-hat, as an intro to a superb guitar solo?

BOB: In rehearsal you just listen and work it out. Listen back, go in and improve. Identify what works and what doesn’t. It’s a process. Sometimes it’s the first thing you instinctively play and sometimes you have to do better. I love this song.

QUESTION: Did the band never consider giving more prominence to the Wilson sisters on ‘Famous Last Words’? Their voices are barely noticeable and that is a shame…

BOB: Well, honestly I wasn’t there and I’ve never heard any discussion of how they arrived at that level in the mix.

QUESTION: Why did Supertramp never visit South America during the band’s heydays?

BOB: By the time we got done playing everywhere else we were usually pretty cooked. Someone internally just never brought it up as a “Do you wanna go?” We did go in 1988 and it was fantastic. It was a great marketplace for the band and it was too bad it got overlooked. Sometimes I look back and wonder why we didn’t break up the well-worn path. You know, back to Japan, and Australia. Mexico, South America. It could have been rejuvenating for all concerned.

QUESTION: And what about South Africa?

BOB: The politics in South Africa were pretty sketchy. We were invited but declined.

QUESTION: You usually hold the drumsticks as jazz drummers usually do, but on the 1988 tour you held it in the classic pop-rock way for some songs... Why? What are the pros and cons of every way?

BOB: I just wanted to check out what difference it would make. It made quite a difference to my style in fact. Matched grip seems a little more direct and heavy to the drum. More arm is involved rather than wrist. Traditional provides more quickness and sensitivity. Faster hands. This is just me. That’s how I feel it affected ME.

QUESTION: In an interview from 2002 John said that he admired the enormous physical effort you made in every concert… Did you do some type of specific physical preparation before a tour?

BOB: When I’m notified that I’m going to start recording and especially going on tour I’m in the gym the next day. I‘m in the gym in the morning at the hotel as we travel. Losing weight and improving stamina.

QUESTION: Do you do any kind of warm-up and stretching before a show?

BOB: I have a few limbering up exercises right before the show that focuses on my back and upper body but nothing strenuous.

QUESTION: Have you ever had a muscle injury while playing?

BOB: No, I have never had a muscle injury of any kind. I have cut myself on rims and cymbals during the gigs, but I don’t notice until the gig is over and I see the blood on the heads or something. I don’t even feel it.

QUESTION: What drumstick size do you prefer, 5A or 5B?

BOB: In the very early days it was a 5B. I actually remember it as a 5BN. In 1978 or 1979 I changed to a 2B, which is a much larger stick.

QUESTION: Nylon or wood tip?

BOB: Wood tip. I prefer the sound of the wood tip on the cymbals. The larger stick puts a lot of wood on the drum. Nice impact and fits my hand well.

QUESTION: Paiste or Zildjian cymbals?

BOB: My cymbals have changed often over the years. I lean towards larger cymbals for a big sound. They are a combo of Zildjian and Paiste. My ride is a 22”. I have always liked the Paiste China 18” as a right side steady crash. Cuts thru without being a small sound. I have a 20” as main crash and second ride. 16” Zildjian as an in between the rest. Several Paiste splashes to complete the range of sound. I have a large 22” Zildjian riveted cymbal for special effects. It’s soft when played fairly strong. Great sustain. My hi-hats have been Zildjian and Paiste over the years.

QUESTION: Round throne or motorbike-style throne?

BOB: I use a laughably small round seat. I’ve had it since the beginning of time.

QUESTION: Thanks to you, John and Dougie, the fans can enjoy the ‘Live in Paris 79’ concert with great image and sound quality DVD… What could motivate Rick to fight you and John for that release and, on the other hand, call you to tour with him?

BOB: I won’t comment on the issues separating us. What I will say is that the Supertramp effort and affection for Rick transcends these problems. We can all compartmentalize. It’s not the end of the world if we disagree on stuff like this.

QUESTION: If you had not crossed ways with Supertramp, what do you think you would have worked on? What would you have reached, musically speaking?

BOB: Well, when I joined I was at a crossroads. I had two other very interesting offers. Great musicians, great work ethic and a desire to do well. Well known people. Who knows what level could have been reached.

QUESTION: What another big group would you have liked to play with? What bands do you think your style would have fit in with?

BOB: I would have liked to play for Procol Harum after B.J. Wilson passed away.

QUESTION: This year we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the release of ‘Crime of the Century’… What memories do you have from that era?

BOB: The ‘Crime’ era was an exciting time. We were bonding and all going in the same direction. Everything was brand new.

QUESTION: Could some unreleased material be released to commemorate it, for instance the DVD of the Hammersmith Odeon concert from that tour?

BOB: I don’t know about unreleased material, we never really ‘over recorded’ that much. We are hoping for a project or two to commemorate this time. We are scouring what’s available right now. Hammersmith is certainly a contender. Ken Scott will be involved in whatever we do for this.