Robbie Dupree On Re-Issuing His First Two Albums, “Yacht Rock” & Recording Music For The WWF
Robbie Dupree’s musical career took off international in 1980 with the release of the Robbie Dupree album. The New York singer/songwriter’s album yielded two Top 20 singles “Steal Away” — which went to #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 — and “Hot Rod Hearts” and led to a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist. 1981’s followup, Street Corner Heroes, also charted in the Billboard Top 200 and had a single on the radio with “Brooklyn Girls.” Dupree was a working musician before finding major label success, and continued to be a working musician after going back to the indie world in the mid-1980s.
In recent years, Dupree has experienced a bit of a career revitalization thanks to the “Yacht Rock” movement; one of the most high-profile fans of the movement has been Jimmy Fallon. This has led to Dupree regularly touring along the lines of Ambrosia and other “smooth” artists. In turn, Dupree is reissuing his first two albums on April 27th, bonus tracks included. I had the pleasure of speaking with Dupree himself on behalf of The Hype Magazine, and the highlights of that Q&A are below.
More on Robbie Dupree can be found online at www.robbiedupree.com.
I believe mainstream success first came to you in your mid-30s. What was it that kept you going as a musician?
Robbie Dupree: My success came when I was 32 years old. I was always a working musician and that is how I supported myself. I loved music all my life and had no other plan so I stuck with it.
You were a contributor to Greg Prato’s recent Yacht Rock book. Do you remember when you first heard the term “yacht rock?”
Robbie Dupree: I don’t remember when I first heard the term, but it was probably when the satire was running on the internet.
Do you mind the term “yacht rock?” I ask that because some other artists from the made-up genre seem to embrace it, while others loathe it. Timothy B. Schmit, for example, did not like it when I interviewed him.
Robbie Dupree: Do those who loathe it prefer “SOFT ROCK” or “EASY LISTENING” as a name for their music? Some people are way too self-important to have fun.
Your first two albums are being reissued in April. What prompted that?
Robbie Dupree: The first two albums are being re-issued because I filed reversion documents and received ownership of my masters last year. Now they will be properly handled by the L.A.-based label Manifesto Records.
The reissue of your debut album includes four songs you had recorded in Spanish. Had you recorded the whole album in Spanish?
Robbie Dupree: I recorded my entire first album in Spanish. These four songs were included to give a bonus to fans who purchase the record.
One of the hits from your first album was “Steal Away,” which Mike Viola recorded a few years ago. Are you familiar with that cover?
Robbie Dupree: I am not familiar with the version by Mike Viola.
Another notable recording of yours was a theme song for the WWF. Was that song written specifically for the WWF?
Robbie Dupree: The WWF song “Girls In Cars” was a project that I was hired to sing. I did not write it. I believe it was written by Rick Derringer who also produced the Piledriver album. I also did a video but no other connection to WWF.
Did working with the WWF lead to other work? Or was that project just its own thing?
Robbie Dupree: It was the early days of “Rock and Wrestling” and I never thought I would hear the song again. It has endured with fans of WWF and it is a collectible vinyl LP.
Reissues aside, what is coming up for you work-wise?
Robbie Dupree: I am currently recording songs for a new project and performing shows during July and August. Some cities include Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and a few midwestern cities. These dates will all be finalized and posted on my website in the next week or so.
When not busy with music, how do you like to spend your free time?
Robbie Dupree: In my free time enjoy the outdoor life, which is one reason why I live in the country.
What was the last concert you attended for fun?
Robbie Dupree: The last concert I attended was Donald Fagen and The Nightflyers.
Finally, Robbie, any last words for the kids?
Robbie Dupree: My advice for young people is simple: Get off your phone and participate.
About the Author
Darren Paltrowitz Darren Paltrowitz is a New York resident with over 20 years of entertainment industry experience. He began working around the music business as a teenager, interning for the manager of his then-favorite band Superdrag. Since then, he has worked with a wide array of artists including OK Go, They Might Be Giants, Mike Viola, Tracy Bonham, Loudness, Rachael Yamagata, and Amanda Palmer. Darren's writing has appeared in dozens of outlets including the New York Daily News, Inquisitr, The Daily Meal, The Hype Magazine, All Music Guide, Guitar World, TheStreet.com, Businessweek, Chicago Tribune, L.A. Times, and the Jewish Journal. Beyond being "Editor At Large" for The Hype Magazine, Darren is also the host of weekly "Paltrocast With Darren Paltrowitz" series, which airs on dozens on television and digital networks. He has also co-authored 2 published books, 2018's "Pocket Change: Your Happy Money" (Book Web Publishing) and 2019's "Good Advice From Professional Wrestling" (6623 Press), and co-hosts the world's only known podcast about David Lee Roth, "The DLR Cast."
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