Episode 2: Vernon Reid

Vernon Reid

Episode 2: Vernon Reid

6/14/2026 

What was the first and last album you purchased?

Vernon: Evil by Earth Wind & Fire

How was the experience of playing at the Black Sabbath/Ozzy farewell show?

Vernon: Super intense. It was beautiful.

What's the first concert you attended and where?

Vernon: Funkadelic, War, and Rare Earth at MSG. 1973 Cosmic Slop tour

Can you share how Me, Myself & My Microphone with RUN D.M.C off Judgment Night came about?

Vernon: That was part of  Judgment Night soundtrack. We worked with Jam Master Jay in putting the track together. His murder was an awful blow.

What was it like performing at the first Lollapalooza?

Vernon: Lollapalooza felt like a visceral Change Of Culture. Tattoos & piercing went mainstream AFTER Lollapalooza. It was also the start of the collapse of Alternative Music being clearly separated from mainstream rock. It became mainstream rock.

If musician wasn't your occupation what would you most likely have done?

Vernon: I would be a writer, artist, photographer

Was it a band or label choice to go heavier and darker on the Stain album?

Vernon: Going heavier was a band decision, not the label or management

Do you have a favorite moment or memory from opening for the Rolling Stones?

Vernon: I spent a whole day with Charlie Watts in Boston. It was so fun. What an extraordinary gentleman. Playing ping pong with Bill Wyman (who killed me). I played a little Blues with Keith Richards before their set in Paris. Mick addressed the audience entirely in French. He only used English when he sang.

What advice would you give to someone learning guitar and wanting to start a band?

Vernon: Don’t let learning how to play guitar get in the way of using guitar in making your music. Learn as you go, always be creating in real time as you live your life. Don’t let better guitarists than you dissuade you using the guitar tell your story sing your song.. That is not an argument for not being curious about what’s possible and getting educated about the instrument- don’t let your ignorance stop you from the riffs in your heart.❤️. I hope you find them. The world needs them. I wish you well.

My very special thanks to Vernon for this interview.

Chris