Arts award goes to Detroit-area rock and roll reporter

If you’ve ever seen "Almost Famous," then you already know it’s the music critics who have the most fun in journalism.

They get into all the cool concerts while rubbing elbows with the likes of Springsteen and Bono, Ringo and Jagger. Taylor Swift takes their calls, and so does the Biebs.

Veteran music journalist Gary Graff, recipient of the 2016 Birmingham Bloomfield Cultural Arts Award, promises to share a few rock and roll tales during a gala reception being held in his honor at the BBAC Center on Friday, Sept. 30. The longtime critic for local and national publications, including Billboard and New York Times syndicates, is a familiar voice in the metro Detroit music scene.

Here are a few of his rock star stories:

Q: All-time favorite musician?

Graff: The toughest one right off the bat! If forced to pick, Bruce Springsteen would always be one; A great songwriter, live performer, bandleader, and someone with artistic vision that goes beyond his proven successful "box." Also Todd Rundgren, just for his iconoclastic nerve and artistic daring. Here's a guy who could have stayed in the pop lane very successfully, and yet he's experimented with and even pioneered many different directions and technologies.

Q: All-time favorite live performance?

Graff: Not counting some of the huge events — especially Live Aid or the Amnesty International tours of the '80s — it would have to be  Neil Young with Booker T. & the MGs during the summer of 1993 at (then) Pine Knob. Just a perfect confluence of kindred spirits in a manner that inspired both to play at the top of their games. One plus one definitely equaled more than two that night.

Q: How do you go about writing your reviews?

Graff: The main idea is to be insightful and fair. There's a reason any act, no matter who it is, draws X number of people to a show, or to buy their album. You can't discount. So a good review offers some insight into what the act's fans like about it and then goes the extra step to address whether you think that's good or bad. A live performance, of course, adds another dimension; A great recording act can be sub-par live, and vice versa.

Q: Can you share a few enjoyable interviews with musicians, and what made those conversations special?

Graff: Springsteen and Bob Seger have always been pleasant, expansive and generous. I spent an afternoon in New York trying to keep up with Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones; suffice to say he won. I once had Brian Wilson "disappear" on me — eyes roll back in head, total silence for a few minutes until he "returned" and picked up on the exact same syllable — during an interview at the Renaissance Center. Spent a very nice afternoon hanging out and talking with U2 during rehearsals for the Zoo TV Outside Broadcast Tour in Hershey, Pa. — one of my favorite places on earth, for obvious reasons. And had Snoop Dogg call me "nephew." Can it get better than that ,,,

Q: Which were some your least-favorite interviews?

Graff: There was the two-minute exchange with Rickie Lee Jones, after which we mutually decided this was not going to work. And Brian Wilson remains a great frustration; A truly brilliant artist and national treasure, but someone who's so damaged that there's no hope of getting any real insight out of him.

Q: Can you share any stories involving the Big Three (Beatles, Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin)?

Graff: I've been fortunate enough to interview all three quite a bit. I've spoken with Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr both in person and over the phone; The latter is almost more fun because of the kick of hearing those very familiar voices come over the line. Besides the aforementioned drinking adventure with Keith Richards I got to speak to Mick Jagger while he was having his makeup applied before a photo shoot in New York; definitely a diva moment. And I stood next to Robert Plant in the men's room at the Waldorf Astoria during a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony — and resisted the urge to ask if "it was true..."

Q: Eminem or Kid Rock?

Graff: Choosing either would get me shot by the other, so ... pass. But I could be hip and say Danny Brown, too.

jgrossman@hometownlife.com

586-826-7030

@BhmEccentric

2016 Birmingham Bloomfield Cultural Arts Award reception

Time/day/date: 6-8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30

Location: Birmingham Bloomfield Arts Center, 1516 S. Cranbrook, Birmingham

Details: The public is invited to the gala reception honoring Gary Graff, recipient of the 2016 Birmingham Bloomfield Cultural Arts Award. Sponsored by the Cultural Council of Birmingham Bloomfield, the BBAC, The Community House and the Observer & Eccentric Newspapers.