Robert DeLeo and Ed Kowalczyk Discuss the Legacies of STP and Live

“It was a point I made decades ago that songs really stand the test of time.”

Stone Temple Pilots’ Robert DeLeo recently joined alongside Live’s Ed Kowalczyk to celebrate the 30th anniversaries of their bands’ albums Purple and Throwing Copper.

“It’s really our way of being immortal,” DeLeo said on Thursday night. “Those songs live way past us.”

Kowalczyk seemed to agree with his friend.

“It’s so cool, we made music that still matters 30 years later,” he said. “It still matters to people in a big way. It’s this ongoing conversation that hasn’t stopped, hasn’t lost any steam.”

Stone Temple Pilots and Live are embarking on a tour celebrating the ongoing legacies of Purple and Throwing Copper. The Jubilee Tour kicks off Aug. 16 in Concord, Calif., and runs through Sept. 15 with their final show in Indianapolis.

As much as DeLeo and Kowalczyk agreed about the strength of the songs on these 30-year-old records, they also were quick to celebrate the strength of the LPs themselves, too.

“We set out to make music like our peers that were inspiring us,” Kowalczyk shared. “You’re crazy to think that maybe somebody wants to hear what I have to say, you know? You have to be crazy to do that, and you have to just step out into it.”

For DeLeo, he opened up about the success Stone Temple Pilots had with their debut album, Core, and how that influenced its follow-up, Purple.

“The more success you have on your first outing puts more pressure on your sophomore effort,” he admitted.

“But, I have to say, I was sitting down with Jimmy Page one time and I said, ‘What was your favorite Zeppelin record?’ He said it was the first one because it gave him the chance to do the second one. Looking at that, Core really gave us the opportunity to make Purple.”

Kowalczyk echoed some of DeLeo’s sentiments, sharing that the longevity and impact of these albums have been both surprising and humbling. “It’s not just about nostalgia,” he said. “It’s about real connections that people make with our music.”

Stone Temple Pilots and Live are experiencing a resurgence in popularity, and the Jubilee Tour is a testament to this enduring appeal. Fans who have grown up with their music now have a chance to relive it live, and new fans are discovering it for the first time.

Both DeLeo and Kowalczyk reflect on how these landmark albums have allowed their careers to evolve and grow. “It’s not easy to stay relevant in the music industry for three decades,” admitted DeLeo. “But when you have songs that people connect with on such a deep level, it certainly makes it easier.”

The artists also shared some insights into their creative processes and the collaborative environment that led to the creation of these iconic albums. “Working with producer Brendan O’Brien was a game-changer for us,” DeLeo mentioned. “He made sure we were real about what we were doing with Purple.”

Kowalczyk also expressed excitement about current projects and the future. “I’m thrilled to be recording with Live again. Our current lineup is rock solid, and it feels like we’re just getting started.”

Fans of Stone Temple Pilots and Live can look forward to more than just nostalgia during the Jubilee Tour. There will be plenty of surprises, new material, and deeper cuts that haven’t been performed live in years.

The longevity of Purple and Throwing Copper speaks volumes about the bands’ abilities to connect with listeners. DeLeo and Kowalczyk have demonstrated that music can indeed be timeless, resonating across generations.

As the two bands head out on tour, they carry with them the stories, the struggles, and the triumphs that have defined their journeys. It’s not just a tour for them; it’s a celebration of a remarkable milestone in their careers, a testament to what great music can achieve.

DeLeo summed it up poignantly: “These songs are our way of being immortal. They’ll outlive us, and that’s the most incredible gift any artist can ever receive.”

Kowalczyk added, “We’re thankful for the fans who’ve taken this trip with us for the past 30 years. Here’s to 30 more!”

Source: Loudwire