Credit: Steve KerosGreat Performances: Landmarks Live in Concert, a music and interview series hosted by Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith, premieres tonight on PBS. On the first episode, Smith will talk with R&B star Alicia Keys about her music and her connection to the iconic Apollo Theatre in Harlem.
“The premise for me is to get them talking about why this is a landmark for them and what it means for them to play there, and we talk about their career and music — the usual,” Smith tells Billboard. “I just feed ’em an easy line or to and they start talking. The different angle is the musician to musician, artist to artist thing; I think that frees them up a little bit to feel like they’re talking about somebody who gets it, who’s doing what they do. That’s a real connection there.”
Smith realizes that, tonight, his show will be up against coverage of today’s inauguration of President Donald Trump. The drummer is certainly no fan of Trump — “It blows me away that this is actually happening,” he says — but he’s been able to find a positive energy in the Chili Peppers’ current tour.
“At the show’s we’ve been playing there’s a feeling of, ‘Hey, we’re here right now, in this moment and we’ve got a cool thing going on. There’s a real connection and let’s celebrate it,’ and that’s a beautiful thing,” Smith explains. “You know, in dark times sometimes the best art comes out of it. To connect with people and the human experience is more powerful and important than ever.”
Country singer Brad Paisley will guest on the next Landmarks Live in Concert episode, which airs January 27, and the show will pick back up in June. Future guests include Paul McCartney and Sting.
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