RockStar December 2024 Digital - Flipbook - Page 13
RockStar
Interview
with Don Cromwell
1.
Please tell us about your background.
I grew up in the East Bay area of Northern
California. My father was a career Air Force officer
and as the fifth of ten children, I learned to be
independent at a young age. I started playing guitar in
seventh grade after my two best friends got guitars.
In my sophomore year of high school, the bass player,
who was also the lead singer in our band, couldn’t
sing and play “Light My Fire” by The Doors at the
same time. I was playing rhythm guitar at the time
and he asked if anyone wanted to play bass on that
tune. I said I would and liked the bass so much that
we swapped instruments and I became a bass player.
In 1973 I moved to Seattle to join a band and in 1978,
moved to Southern California after getting an offer
from an established band. In 1983, I was invited to join
the iconic pop group Air Supply on their World Tour.
In 1988, after five great years of touring and recording,
along with numerous television appearances, I started
playing bass for the late, great Eddie Money.
2.
How do you stay motivated?
Staying motivated is the only way I know. As
with any passion, if music is in your blood, it’s in
your blood. There’s an old saying in business, who
motivates the motivator? It’s not always easy and
there will always be ups and downs, but at the end of
the day, it all comes down to who and what we are as
individuals. There’s also the time honored cliche that
says success equals preparation meeting opportunity,
so it’s important to stay sharp. The music business
has changed so much over the past few years, as
has life in general for many people. The internet and
constantly evolving tech advances, have altered the
world forever. As a three time cancer survivor and
a man of faith, and after losing my wife of 32 years
to cancer, I’m more motivated than ever to make the
best possible use of whatever time I have left on this
great earth. Take time, enjoy life!!
3.
What’s the most important lesson you’ve
learned in your career so far?
Quite simply, to be accepting and never give up.
I’ve had several major disappointments in my music
career that really hit hard but as my own song “Crazy
Kind Of Life” says, what are you gonna do?? Nothing
in life is automatically granted or guaranteed, the
glass can either be half empty or half full. I’ve
been blessed in so many ways and do my best to
approach life with an attitude of gratitude and a
smile on my face.
4.
Are there any musicians that inspire you?
In the early days of playing guitar and listening
to more music, I loved the British sounds of Pink
Floyd, The Who, The Kinks, The Beatles, Dave Clark
Five, etc.. The Bay Area had such an amazing scene
with Jefferson Airplane, Tower of Power, Sly and the
Family Stone and bands like Moby Grape and Sons
of Champlin. The Byrds are still one of my faves. If
I could have the chance to meet one musician that
I haven’t already met, it would be Paul McCartney.
Amazing bass player and what a career!
5.
What are you currently working on?
I’m always writing and recording in my studio.
Lately I’ve been reworking some older songs but
with me singing this time around. I’m also writing
new songs that come from the heart, many inspired
of course by Cindy’s passing in 2020, as well as the
realization that time marches on far more quickly than
we’d like. I have my podcast, Don Cromwell LIVE, that
is now in it’s 13th year, fortunate and grateful to have
had so many great guests over the years.
RockStar Keynote Speakers Magazine 13
