If you've recorded music on the planet Earth in the last 50 years, chances are, Sean Anderson knows something about you. Don't worry; he's not after your credit card number. Actually, he's probably more interested to know if you were ever a member of The Guess Who. Only be concerned if you're actively concealing a less-than-illustrious musical past, for Sean just may uncover a thing or two between the pages of Mojo or any number or rock reference books. In fact, this penchant for the printed page, along with some healthy brain cells, seem to be Sean's key to conquering the world's most grueling test of music trivia. Read on as Sean reveals how he took top honors on the RMAT, and how rock'n'roll heaven needn't wait.
What's your secret?
I just have a good memory, and I read a lot. I'm one of those guys who reads all the liner notes and tons of different magazines. I just happen to retain information very well. [I read] Spin, Rolling Stone, Vibe. A lot of the English magazines I really like: Mojo, Q, Uncut.
Do you use any memory-enhancing herbs or mnemonic devices?
Nothing like that. Things that interest me usually stick.
Did you use any books or Web sites when you were taking the test?
I used the Rolling Stone Encyclopedia Of Rock & Roll for one or two questions. Everything else was off the top of my head. With the amount of time that you have, either you know it or you don't. I don't think there's enough time to do research on the fly.
What's your strongest area of music?
I know a lot about rock'n'roll, R&B, soul music, blues. I know a bit of country and jazz. I'm a '70s kid, so that's probably the area that's impacted the most on me. But I try and keep up -- always spending money.
Which of the questions on the test gave you the most trouble?The rap questions. I'm not a big rap fan -- some of it I like, but I'm not really that up on it.
What do you do when you're not expanding your musical knowledge?
For a living I work in the music industry. I work for ASCAP, which is a performance rights society. Our job is to collect royalties for songwriters and music publishers for the use of their work.
Does your reading pay off job-wise?
Actually, it does. Sometimes I get people calling for advice on the music business. A lot of people ask me who wrote such-and-such a song. Usually my co-workers come to me and say, 'Do you have any idea about this?'and sometimes I actually know it.
What's your all-time top 5?
- Exile On Main Street by The Rolling Stones
- Revolver by The Beatles
- Sign O' The Times by Prince
- Star Time by James Brown
- A Rhino classic: The Queen Of Soul boxed set by Aretha Franklin, which may actually be my favorite of all time.
Is there an album that represents everything you despise in music?
I don't like to slag too much stuff. I look at stuff I don't like as just 'not my cup of tea.' I'm not really into boy bands and the pop things they have these days -- a bit too slick for my sensibilities. But if other people like it, let 'em have it. I'm a live-and-let-live type of fellow.
Describe the ideal record store.
It would have a vast collection of older material. I'm delving into different styles from the past. I like to go into a store where things are neat and organized, hopefully in alphabetical or chronological order. It appeals to the anal-retentive in me.
You work in New York City. Is there a really cool record store there that maybe folks don't know about?
There's a big store -- not a chain, though -- J&R Music World in downtown Manhattan. They're very well stocked. The staff is very knowledgeable. Most stores you go into these days, you get a lot of teenagers working who've never heard of The Rolling Stones.
Who's your favorite rock critic?
Probably Dave Marsh. I like his irreverence. His and my tastes are pretty similar. He likes more rocking, rootsy-type things. Plus, he has a really vicious sense of humor that appeals to that side of me. Probably his best book is The 1001 Greatest Singles Ever Made, where he writes what he feels are the best singles of all time. That book I highly recommend.
Do you consider yourself a record geek?
Maybe I don't, but my wife does. I've got about 1,500 CDs at home, and the fact that I'm going to be getting all the CDs from Rhino... that's the closest thing to Heaven I can imagine.
[As RMAT champion, you receive every Rhino release for the rest of your life.]Which Rhino release are you most looking forward to getting your hands on?
Probably the two-CD Yardbirds set. I've always been a big fan. I'm sure it'll have great sound and great liner notes.
What was your initial reaction when you found out you'd won the RMAT?
I was actually shocked, because I've taken the RMAT every year, and I thought this year was the hardest year. After I took it, I turned to my wife and said, 'Don't think I did it this year. It was too hard.
Maybe now she'll excuse some of the music geekdom.
Especially now that I'm not payin' for the stuff. (Laughs)
My cat once threw up on a stack of my vinyl. What's the worst thing to happen to your record collection?
No real catastrophes -- near catastrophes. I used to keep my CDs in the basement, and the basement was flooded. Luckily, the water did not reach anything valuable. Anything else I didn't care about, but my CDs were safe.
Do you ever plan to write a book?
Who knows? I do a little writing on the side. I don't rule out anything.
Nigerian music legend Babatunde Olatunji is renowned for his skill on what instrument?
He was a drummer.
Ladies and gentlemen, Sean Anderson!
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