Session Guitar Legend Paul Pesco Talks About Meeting, Recording, and Touring with Madonna

Every Monday night, (Music) Artists Anonymous gathers together for our weekly Zoom conference to discuss the music industry and how independent artists can make sense of it and become more successful. Last week we spoke with guitarist, producer, and music director Paul Pesco about how he met Madonna, joined her band, recorded on the demo that would land her her first record deal, and then ended up touring with her. The interview was hosted by Jonas Young-Borra (artist: Young-Borra) and edited by Edward Jahn (artist: Love and Japan). Intro theme music: "Moya Moya" by Love and Japan. To learn more about Artists Anonymous visit us at https://www.artistsanonymous.co Young-Borra: https://www.artistsanonymous.co/membe... Edward Jahn/Love and Japan: https://www.artistsanonymous.co/membe... Paul Pesco's bio from his website: https://www.paulpesco.com Paul Pesco (born May 13, 1959 in Canandaigua, New York) is an american session guitarist, singer-songwriter, film score composer and record producer. Paul’s resume reads like a “Who’s Who” of heavy music industry giants including Steve Winwood, Joan Baez, Cher, Whitney Houston, Al Green, Roberta Flack, Mariah Carey, C+C Music Factory, Hall & Oates, Annie Lennox, Jennifer Lopez, Alicia Keys, and too many more to name here. Suffice it to say that once you see and hear him, you’ll understand why Paul has been sought out by so many great musicians for so long. Paul paid his dues in the music business early in his career as a rehearsal technician at S.I.R. Studios in New York, where he crossed paths with many well-known artists, and some not so well-known at the time including a young performer named Madonna who recognized his talent and hired him to record some sessions with her. In 1982 Paul toured with the band Atlantic Starr, famous for its R&B and pop hits “Secret Lover” and “Always” among others. After the tour, Madonna, now a rising starlet recruited Paul to play guitar on her self-titled debut album. Paul then joined the synthpop duo The System and is credited with helping to launch the group’s career. Soon after, and throughout the 80s, Paul was known as one of the go-to session musician for a host of high-profile artists and his career flourished. During this time, Paul recorded the songs "Lucky Star" and "Burning Up," on Madonna’s first album and performed live on The Virgin Tour in 1985. He also played on Madonna’s Erotica album and joined The Girlie Show World Tour in 1993. Paul Pesco was the lead guitarist and musical director of the rock and soul duo Hall & Oates,[7] He also performed the same role for Daryl Hall's successful reality music television program, Live From Daryl's House,[7] and toured with Hall's solo band.