Ep. 274: Legends Amplified: Roy Thomas Baker

Chris DeMakes A Podcast

Chris DeMakes

Music History, Music Commentary, Music, Music Interviews

4.9 • 923 Ratings

🗓️ 8 September 2025

⏱️ 42 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In this episode, Chris DeMakes and Chris Fafalios take a deep dive into the extraordinary career of legendary producer Roy Thomas Baker. From starting out at Decca Records at just 14 to producing era-defining tracks for Queen, The Cars, and beyond, Baker left an undeniable mark on the sound of rock music. They explore his fearless experimentation, his ability to capture each band's unique essence, and how his larger-than-life productions like "Bohemian Rhapsody" redefined what was possible in the studio. Chris DeMakes A Podcast is brought to you by DistroKid, the ultimate partner for taking your music to the next level. Get 30% off your first YEAR with DistroKid by signing up at ⁠http://distrokid.com/vip/demakes For bonus episode of The After Party podcast, an extensive back catalog of past After Party episodes, early ad-free releases of new episodes of Chris DeMakes A Podcast, full video versions of episodes, and MUCH more, head to the Patreon at ⁠http://www.ChrisDeMakes.com Follow Chris DeMakes A Podcast on Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/chrisdemakesapodcast/⁠ Join the Chris DeMakes A Podcast community on Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/2643961642526928/⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Hey, hey, have you heard?
0:02.0	I'm going back to Las Vegas and the Punk Rock Museum to give guided tours.
0:06.0	This happens to coincide with the When We Were Young Festival.
0:09.0	I'll be there over the course of four days, October 16th, 17th, 18th, and 19th.
0:15.0	Two tours a day, one at 1.30 p.m. and 1 at 4.30 p.m.
0:19.0	These tours will sell out. Space is limited, so grab your
0:23.3	tickets now at the punkrockmuseum.com. I got stories for days, and I can't wait to share them with you.
0:30.1	So don't miss your chance to walk the halls of the museum and share punk rock memories with me.
0:35.4	Head over to the punkrockmuseum.com and get your tickets now.
0:38.8	See you soon.
0:40.4	This episode is brought to you by Distro Kid.
0:53.6	Hey everyone, on today's episode, co-host Chris Fafalius and I bring you Legends Amplified,
0:59.5	where we're honoring legendary producer, the late great Roy Thomas Baker.
1:04.4	Roy passed away earlier this year on April 12, 2025.
1:08.3	He was an absolute anomaly, a visionary way ahead of his time. Roy took his first
1:13.9	job as a 14-year-old boy at Deca Records in 1960, and miraculously connected the dots
1:19.7	to not only some of the most well-known names in music, but later becoming the in-house producer
1:24.7	at CBS Records, before being given the post of Senior Vice
1:28.4	President of ANR at Elektra Records. Roy Thomas Baker brought to life such amazing acts as Queen,
1:35.3	the Cars, Journey, and Free, allowing each band to maintain their own unique signature sound
1:41.8	without homogenizing their recordings.
1:50.6	It was producers like Roy, whose endless hours of experimentation, creativity, and heart blaze the trail for all of the music we've been able to enjoy for the last 70 years.
	...

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