Looking back at the studio mastering with the renowned engineer Bob Ludwig, Tempest recalled that Ludwig suggested the track ran a bit long, which led them to trim a substantial portion and designate it as an album cut.
Even though the rest of the band initially pushed back, Tempest argued for the song’s promise. “In the studio I kept insisting, ‘This could be the first single.’ And they argued, ‘No, it should be Rock the Night.’ Today they admit it was a solid choice to launch with this track.”
Reflecting on his earliest influences, Tempest described a school trip that helped steer his career. “We had a somewhat eccentric substitute music teacher who managed to persuade the headteacher to take us by train to see Electric Light Orchestra. You know, the famous show with lasers and strings. It was absolutely amazing.”
Tempest also recalled a humbling moment from his teenage years when he met Phil Lynott of Thin Lizzy. “I walked up and started with, ‘Hi, Phil… You’re a great singer and I love your band and everything, but have you ever thought about having a lead singer in your lineup since you’re the bass player?’ I thought, ‘Did I just say that?’ Yet he was incredibly gracious. He replied, ‘Oh, thank you for the compliment, young sir.’
Turning to the present, Europe have issued their 12th studio album, Come This Madness, conceived during the lockdown.
“When the world came to a halt, I began writing again, acoustic guitar in front of the TV with the news on,” Tempest explained. “I believe this one stands out as particularly special in our career. It shows lyrical growth, layers and depth, while still delivering the showmanship of a gripping rock band.”
The full interview is available now on The Leona Graham Podcast.
