When he was asked to appear on Dr Drews Sex addiction show, John Corabi didn’t understand. “OK, so I have been divorced twice, but I really don’t think I have a problem, sex is after all human nature.” He added, “I wasn’t destined to be the weird guy with twenty cats. I could have just sat back and let life go on after my last divorce, but one day she just walked by and I have been happy with a very special lady for five years now.”
When it was suggested he make stuff up just to make an appearance on the show, his answer was plain and simply…
“No. I’m a musician and I really don’t need to draw attention to myself just because,” Corabi told TiTT in early January 2013.
Corabi has recently released a new record. This is why attention should be payed to Corabi. OK, some of the songs are old/er, but it is reckoned that you will like this a whole lot. Corabi really doesn’t need the attention just because and this record proves just that.
Stripped of all but an acoustic instruments and his voice, Corabi shows his less growly and screaming side. “I want to show people that I am a little more adaptable than a growl. Of course this is how I usually write a song, myself and an acoustic guitar and I was a little unsure about putting songs from rock bands Scream, The Union and Motley Crue out there without the full outfit and I was really unsure about the kind of reception I would receive. I always wanted to do the unplugged thing, I used to watch the MTV unplugged shows and think that they were really cool.”
Unplugged and un-cloudy, Corabi shows his inner individual musician, the real life of the lyric and vocals shine through, the post Motley fog has lifted. “On this record, we have stripped everything back, there is no hiding behind anything. I was trying the songs out on live audiences when I was recently on tour in Europe. If I thought something in a song needed changing, I would go ahead and make that adjustment after the show.” A pretty brave move for someone who was and sometimes still is seen as the temporary replacement of Vince Neil on Motley Crues sixth studio record from 1994, Motley Crue. Corabi is the member that many felt never belonged. He got the call to sing for the band when Vince left, or was fired, no-one really knows the full story, except that Nikki Sixx wanted to continue his band.
“Motley Fans knew what they wanted. I was pre-pigeon holed and there was a pre-exitsing image which was bigger than the band. It is just that simple. But I challenge anyone to say no to an offer like that. I find it doubtful that they could. Of course, while I was singing with them we made a damned good record. I gave Mick (Mars; guitar) the affordability to try things he never could as the only guitarist in Motley. It was a harder, crisper, different Motley, but I am really proud of what we did together. I spoke with Mick just a few months ago and he will still tell you that Motley Crue is his favorite record. I take great pride in that. Of course Nikki (Sixx; bass & vocal) always has a plan, a strategy, he has it all worked out. He has found what works for him and in the end Vince was just destined to be where he is.”
So, for the Unplugged record we have an array of older and newer and even though favorites like Hooligans Holiday were designed to kick you in the face amplified and fist first, they still pack a punch unplugged.
Corabi, a Philly native, who went West to pursue his singing career, no longer resides in and around the pomp and primp of LA. “I prefer it here in Nashville. It has a rich musical history. Everywhere you turn there is music. It is becoming a more popular place for musicians to live. LA is so crowded, there are always line ups on the Freeway, I wanted a simpler, less stress kinda life.”
Less stress, really? It is not apparent when Corabi tells, “I recently toured the Unplugged record in Europe and we could have done sixty shows instead of the thirty somethin’ we settled for. Even though, I still feel I have been the most under promoted human on the planet. I think I only appeared on MTV once, in London, circa 91 with Vanessa Warwick. Then there was some TV in Brazil! Of course I have a whole new team now. My Management and record company, Rat Pack Records, all different and they are working really hard for me.”
Now that he has dared to put his all into an all acoustic record, Corabi is already seriously pondering another idea.
“I’ve been thinking, screw it, the reviews and response to the acoustic record have been great, so I’m thinking maybe a box set, one all electric record and one acoustic. Then maybe alternate between the two. Although, I really only need one song to be the one, right?”
That is a lot of singing for one guy, but Corabi insists that is not even an issue!
“Singing is easy. It’s when I have 3,4,5 interviews a day, like today. That is really hard on me.” The strain on Corabis voice is easily detectable over the phone. “When my voice is strained it’s all about tea and honey. I’m a big tea drinker anyway, Earl Grey, but then my Moms family are from England. Incidentally, I am a lover of scones too!”
When asked about his popularity, Corabi freely admits that he would have loved his career to have been much bigger, but has never felt the inability to be creative. “Even with Motley, there were no expectations. The rule was, no rules. When it’s done it’s done.”
It’s not done. Corabi is not even started yet….
John Corabi is headed to Russia with Unplugged and then on to the very popular and SOLD OUT Monsters Of Rock Cruise in March 2013.
www.johncorabi.com
www.ratpackrecordsamerica.com
Many thanks to the photographers who have pictures included in this article
by Karen Graham Thursday, February 14, 2013
Turn It Up To Twelve 